![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AlexandriaS on April 11, 2004, at 11:53:04
Hello Everyone,
I am new to the board. I am concerned that the medications we are given often do more harm than good, although my doctor tells me that is "my depression talking". Sometimes I wish I never started taking medication for depression. Even when it works, the results never last, and the illness gets worse as time goes by. I often wonder whether it is a natural progression of the illness or a result of the drug treatment? I guess no one knows and the pharmaceutical industry certains doesn't want to know. From the looks of the posts on this board, a lot of people experience the same thing. I would just like to stop all the medications but am afraid that it is too late. Sorry for the negativity but I have pretty much lost hope. Has anyone out there ever really gotten better and had it last??? Thanks for any feedback.
Alex
Posted by linkadge on April 11, 2004, at 12:03:30
In reply to Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better?, posted by AlexandriaS on April 11, 2004, at 11:53:04
I've ponderered the same things time and time again.
I have treated my depression, but my great grandmother (lived in pre drug times) Had 4 major depressions in her lifetime. They lasted
about a year long each, and from what I've heard they were very very bad. During them, she lingered on suicide.Anyhow, the story is not all bad. When she got better, she really got better. When she was well, everybody loved her and she loved the world.
The problem is that when you cover an injury with a bandaid you cannot see through it tell when it as acutally healed, and then there is of course the likelyhood that you will create more of a wound when tearing off the bandage.
Linkadge
Posted by terrics on April 11, 2004, at 12:05:06
In reply to Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better?, posted by AlexandriaS on April 11, 2004, at 11:53:04
Good point. I can help you be a pessimist. I started on 1 med 25 yrs. ago, then 2 meds 10 yrs later, then 3, now 5. I never feel good, but I function and I think that is all a pdoc sees. If you function you are well. terrics
Posted by Sad Panda on April 11, 2004, at 13:49:08
In reply to Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better?, posted by AlexandriaS on April 11, 2004, at 11:53:04
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I am new to the board. I am concerned that the medications we are given often do more harm than good, although my doctor tells me that is "my depression talking". Sometimes I wish I never started taking medication for depression. Even when it works, the results never last, and the illness gets worse as time goes by. I often wonder whether it is a natural progression of the illness or a result of the drug treatment? I guess no one knows and the pharmaceutical industry certains doesn't want to know. From the looks of the posts on this board, a lot of people experience the same thing. I would just like to stop all the medications but am afraid that it is too late. Sorry for the negativity but I have pretty much lost hope. Has anyone out there ever really gotten better and had it last??? Thanks for any feedback.
>
> Alex
>Hi Alex! & Welcome to the board. :)
Drugs haved saved my life, I was getting suicidal before I started on medication. I don't think they are going to cure my problems, but they keep me going. What is your diagnosis & what drugs do you swallow.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by f l y on April 11, 2004, at 20:21:27
In reply to Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better?, posted by AlexandriaS on April 11, 2004, at 11:53:04
i'm wondering the same thing. after 6 years of med after med i'm begining to run out of choices. this is making me extremely frustrated. the ones that help have unsatisfactory side effects. i can get fat or lose my sex drive.
best to ya,
frustrated,
fly
Posted by Flipsactown on April 11, 2004, at 22:17:44
In reply to Re: Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better??? » AlexandriaS, posted by f l y on April 11, 2004, at 20:21:27
Now I am really getting depressed. I have been on AD's over 13 years and currently in the process of switching to Nardil after over 13 years of mostly SSRI's. Although Prozac or Zoloft with Desipramine, Wellbutrin, Paxil, Celexa, Effexor, etc. gave me excellent relief from unipolar depression using different combos, they all seem to poop out every couple of years. I just hope Nardil will last longer then that, but I will be thankful for any kind of relief. Some relief is better then no relief.
FST
> i'm wondering the same thing. after 6 years of med after med i'm begining to run out of choices. this is making me extremely frustrated. the ones that help have unsatisfactory side effects. i can get fat or lose my sex drive.
>
> best to ya,
>
> frustrated,
> fly
Posted by hundredhugs on April 12, 2004, at 6:17:41
In reply to Re: Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better??? » f l y, posted by Flipsactown on April 11, 2004, at 22:17:44
flipsactown,
I had the same problem, the AD's would work for me then they would stop. My pdoc probed a little deeper and had me come up with a timeline and had me describe what happened after the depression lifted. Turns out I am bipolar. My pdoc told me that is is common for ppl with biploar 2 to be med resistant or poor efficacy. It might be something worht looking into, I know mood stabilizers made a BIG difference for me.
Hundredhugs
Posted by sjb on April 12, 2004, at 9:22:18
In reply to Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better?, posted by AlexandriaS on April 11, 2004, at 11:53:04
I've been wondering EXACTLY the same thing. I wonder if years from now, folks will look back on this period as the bloodletting stage of psychiatric medication. I guess that's a little strong because many folks have been helped by meds (I guess!) but my experience has been one like yours: help for a while and then, poof, I'm right back where I was or perhaps, even worse. It's hard to determine after years and years of trial and error. I wonder all the time where I'd be now if I never took that first step into a PDocs office.
Posted by Bill LL on April 12, 2004, at 9:33:14
In reply to Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better?, posted by AlexandriaS on April 11, 2004, at 11:53:04
They have made a tremendous improvement to me.
A lot of times they work at first for people, then stop working. Instead of raising the dose which will oftentimes fix the problem, a lot of people (with their docs guidance) give up and try a different medication and the cycle goes on.
Posted by Scott in Vermont on April 12, 2004, at 10:01:35
In reply to Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better?, posted by AlexandriaS on April 11, 2004, at 11:53:04
I think the obstacle to answering your question is truly defining the phrase "get better". The human condition that no one can qualify is the individual perception of suffering. I know what my situation is, and while it may be similar in characteristic to you or someone else, the effect it has on me specifically will be markedly dissimilar due only to the fact that everyone is indeed different. This isn't a broken leg or a kidney infection; the issues we all deal with here affect the very core that makes us who and what we are.
I first hit the wall in 2000, and by spring of 2001 I was nearly finished. I sought help, and I “got better”. And things were better. Right now, things aren’t “better”. Both incidents (2000-2001 and 2003-2004) were for due cause (meaning something very specific triggered them). I know I'm bi-polar, and I’ve been dealing with it since I was 32. I choose to not go the daily meds route and convince myself that exercise, diet, and lifestyle will "control" it. I have good days and bad days. It worked, in its own way, until something came along and stomped me flat. All of a sudden, nothing worked anymore and I spend a lot of time curled up in a tight ball in the closet of a dark room rocking back and forth excusing away the reasons why I stay. But somewhere inside me my voice of reason reminded me that this is not how things are supposed to be, and I again sought assistance that I could not provide for myself.
I'm using Lexapro now, I’m in therapy, and I have a decent pdoc. In reality, things are actually getting worse in my life situation, but my ability to deal with them and accept them is getting better, so in effect I see things as getting “better” because I’m more able to handle them.
I’ll don’t expect that I’ll ever be “cured”, no more than a diabetic can be “cured”. However, I can manage my life around my condition. I stopped taking meds last time. I think this time I’m going to accept that even once I’m “out of the woods” that I can’t do this completely on my own. I would count that as “getting better”… but again, all it qualifies is my own experience.
I hope that my words here offer some encouragement. Look outside yourself for assistance, but look within for “getting better”, because only you know how you feel right now, and how you do and do not want to feel.
Posted by NotAddicted on April 12, 2004, at 10:52:49
In reply to Re: Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better?, posted by Scott in Vermont on April 12, 2004, at 10:01:35
I also think the difficulty here and on other boards is a slanted view. This board is designed for the discussion of meds, but it certainly does not receive a great number of success postings. I don't think that means they don't exist.
While there are a number of people with wretched med histories, there are those who are indeed successful in finding good treatment. That being said, there is a LONG way to go.
Yes, I do think people improve their lives, but we are who we are and our level of satisfaction in what we perceive as "better" or "well" can sometimes not be achieved by the means we have at this time. Sometimes, you gotta take what you can get. For me, no treatment is not an option and I don't think I would be better off had I not sought treatment.
Posted by wynterhaven on April 12, 2004, at 11:13:09
In reply to Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better?, posted by AlexandriaS on April 11, 2004, at 11:53:04
I think it really depends on your dx.
If someone is truly chemically imbalanced then the meds should always be tried.
If you've tried all the meds and the side effects are worse than the condition, that's a problem.
I'm never going to "get better"
My orbital prefrontal cortex is dysfunctional!
My basil ganglia has been reset to alert mode!
lol!
A lifestyle change was in order and grounding techniques had to be learned.I'm still learning.
Posted by AlexandriaS on April 12, 2004, at 11:40:05
In reply to Re: Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better?, posted by wynterhaven on April 12, 2004, at 11:13:09
Thank you all for your input. It is comforting to know that I am not alone but it makes me sad to know that so many thoughtful people are suffering. In the beginning, I was resentful for having to take medication just because I wanted to be okay without it. Now, however, I feel trapped because of the Abilify. If you haven't see my other post, I started Abilify and gained lots of weight, tried to stop, but became suicidal, restarted the Abilify and improved almost immediately. I am now gaining lots of weight again but am afraid that I am "dependent" on the drug and that if I stop it again, I will again become suicidal instead of returning to my pre-Abilify level of functioning. I am sure this is the reason for my current level of hopelessness and frustration. Again, thank you and I wish you all the very best.
Alex
Posted by NotAddicted on April 12, 2004, at 12:35:15
In reply to Thank You to Everyone!, posted by AlexandriaS on April 12, 2004, at 11:40:05
>I am now gaining lots of weight again but am afraid that I am "dependent" on the drug and that if I stop it again, I will again become suicidal instead of returning to my pre-Abilify level of functioning. I am sure this is the reason for my current level of hopelessness and frustration. Again, thank you and I wish you all the very best.
>
> Alex
I can understand how you would be very frustrated. My med is also a double edged sword. I have no words of wisdom... I wish you the best, too.
Posted by Scott in Vermont on April 12, 2004, at 13:00:21
In reply to Thank You to Everyone!, posted by AlexandriaS on April 12, 2004, at 11:40:05
"I started Abilify and gained lots of weight, tried to stop, but became suicidal, restarted the Abilify and improved almost immediately. I am now gaining lots of weight again..."
Consider discussing your weight concerns with your pdoc and make sure that he/she fully understands just exactly how detrimental your weight gain and current self-image is to finding the "place" you want to be. I went through this in 2001 and I know it was a huge obstacle in my healing (I'm not narcissistic, but I've always been prideful of staying in decent shape). I focused on the frustration of weight gain (among other things)and lost sight of taking care of myself... it became a vicious cycle and it really threw a wrench into the entire process for me.
Perhaps there are alternatives to what you are taking now that will provide a similar function for you without the unwanted side effect? Seriously, ask your pdoc.
Posted by f l y on April 12, 2004, at 23:02:54
In reply to I like your words » Scott in Vermont, posted by NotAddicted on April 12, 2004, at 10:52:49
i agree this board has a slanted view - i don't frequent it when i'm feeling good. but i don't necessarily agree that there are a great many success stories from people who suffer from a true mental illness. i think the majority of the "success stories" come from people who are not truly ill but take anti-d's thinking they will feel better than normal.
best to ya,
fly
Posted by Sad Panda on April 13, 2004, at 0:41:15
In reply to Re: I like your words, posted by f l y on April 12, 2004, at 23:02:54
> i agree this board has a slanted view - i don't frequent it when i'm feeling good. but i don't necessarily agree that there are a great many success stories from people who suffer from a true mental illness. i think the majority of the "success stories" come from people who are not truly ill but take anti-d's thinking they will feel better than normal.
>
> best to ya,
>
> fly
>
>On my brew of Effexor & Remeron I feel 'half cured'.
Symptoms that are 100% improved:
My suicide ideations are gone.
My inital insomnia is gone.
My hypersomnia is gone.
My sense of guilt is gone.
My sense of worthlessness is gone.
Enjoyment in things has returned.
My ability to socialise has returned.Things that have improved somewhat:
My social anxiety has subsided.
My hyperphagia has subsided.Things that remain unchanged:
No Motivation.
No Drive.Current worst sides effects:
Swelling feet/Ankle odema.
Hypersomnolence occasionally.Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by cybercafe on April 13, 2004, at 16:27:03
In reply to Does Anyone Ever Really Get Better?, posted by AlexandriaS on April 11, 2004, at 11:53:04
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I am new to the board. I am concerned that the medications we are given often do more harm than good, although my doctor tells me that is "my depression talking". Sometimes I wish I never started taking medication for depression. Even when it works, the results never last, and the illness gets worse as time goes by. I often wonder whether it is a natural progression of the illness or a result of the drug treatment? I guess no one knows and the pharmaceutical industry certains doesn't want to know. From the looks of the posts on this board, a lot of people experience the same thing. I would just like to stop all the medications but am afraid that it is too late. Sorry for the negativity but I have pretty much lost hope. Has anyone out there ever really gotten better and had it last??? Thanks for any feedback.
>
> Alexyes even though i had Bipolar and ADD and anxiety and had incompetent, apathetic, busy doctors, after a bit of research on this board and in the library i managed to get back to almost 100% ... i consider my quality of life far better than the average normies ... and on par with most of my friends (who are really cool, ambitious, aggressive people)
and BP + ADD is one of the hardest conditions to treat because mood stabilizers and stimulants often counter act one another ... but my efforts paid off big time .... even had to cross the border and try my own med (abilify) which i do not recommend btw ...
oh and i also have zero side effects that i can think of ....... weight loss maybe? increased libido?
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 13, 2004, at 20:49:18
In reply to Re: I like your words, posted by f l y on April 12, 2004, at 23:02:54
> i think the majority of the "success stories" come from people who are not truly ill
Please don't jump to conclusions about others.
If you have any questions or comments about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
or redirect a follow-up to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Toph on April 14, 2004, at 11:51:10
In reply to Re: please be civil » f l y, posted by Dr. Bob on April 13, 2004, at 20:49:18
Dispite some dysthimia, I consider myself a success. After years of cycling between clinical depression and deadly highs, it all suddenly stopped. I quit jobs, called off a marriage, stood on the edge of a building, writhed in psychic pain so intense that even a painful death would be a relief. Other times my brain raced in mania with thoughts and emotions so uncontrollable that only a locked unit could save me from literally frying my brain or injuring myself though some wild stunt. Manic, I am a meglomaniacal God or the subject of every show on TV or song on the radio. And if I drive, no laws pertain to me; and, oh yes, I wish those guys would stop following me. Enter Lithium - a simple salt, whose medicinal mechanism still baffles scientists to this day. No cognitive changes, fortunately no toxic effect (knock on wood) to thyroid or kidneys. OK, I confess some diarrhea reminds me that I take something. But 23 years ago I practically had my own parking space at the hospital. Since taking Lithium, atomic number 3, the lightest of all metals, I have not had another manic or depressive episode. 10 years of repeatedly falling flat on my face followed by 23 years of steady work, marriage, all three kids in college - in huge part because of this exquisite element from heaven. I sure believe in miracles.
Posted by f l y on April 15, 2004, at 22:31:19
In reply to Re: please be civil » f l y, posted by Dr. Bob on April 13, 2004, at 20:49:18
sorry dr. bob, i've been feeling frustrated lately by my own condition resulting in a negative attitude.
best to ya,
fly
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 17, 2004, at 11:29:52
In reply to Re: please be civil » Dr. Bob, posted by f l y on April 15, 2004, at 22:31:19
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.