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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by griswald on July 17, 2004, at 13:38:14
This illness has got me on my knees. Nothing helps. I've tried everything. I can't stand the depression, the anxiety or the loneliness anymore. I used to think if I found the right med mix it would get better, but now I know it never will. Manic-depression has made me worthless and of no value as a human being.
Posted by SLS on July 17, 2004, at 14:23:43
In reply to I can't stand it any more, posted by griswald on July 17, 2004, at 13:38:14
> This illness has got me on my knees. Nothing helps. I've tried everything. I can't stand the depression, the anxiety or the loneliness anymore. I used to think if I found the right med mix it would get better, but now I know it never will. Manic-depression has made me worthless and of no value as a human being.
I know the feeling.
- Scott
Posted by linkadge on July 17, 2004, at 15:02:12
In reply to Re: I can't stand it any more, posted by SLS on July 17, 2004, at 14:23:43
They're coming up with new drugs every day. Perhaps soon, even gene therapy will be available to free you of this horrible little mutation.
Linkadge
Posted by Sebastian on July 17, 2004, at 17:25:56
In reply to I can't stand it any more, posted by griswald on July 17, 2004, at 13:38:14
So thats what it is! I used to think it was just me, I had changed or somthing, matured. So it realy is the depression. Making me a boring worthless, uninteresting, and unable to enjoy the things I once did; Thought after I started seeing the ads that new medications must reverse all that . Infact I used to be more normal feeling before I understod the meds. Maybe if we think we are normal and not afraid to go with it, instead of being anxious, we could injoy life.? Just need to convince my self long enough to do it. Sort of a hump to get over, that I did long ago, now I'm back in it again, taking much to long to get over it.
Posted by utopizen on July 17, 2004, at 17:57:12
In reply to Re: I can't stand it any more, posted by Sebastian on July 17, 2004, at 17:25:56
Combining exercise (choose one you like to do) and Cognitivie Behavior Therapy along with your psychiatrist's cocktails will help the meds do their work on your brain.
Talk to your doctor if you're just on one SSRI- harder cases tend to get two SSRIs combined and an antipsychotic and a mood stabalizer like Lamictal or Lithium.
I'm on Remeron 15mg (good sleep+ it lets me want food, a good thing when you're depressed!). I also take 50mg of Zoloft and the antipsychotic Abilify.
Have you tried Adderall? It's great for depression. Gives you energy.
I'm likely going to switch Abilify for Risperdal. More side effects, but Risperdal knocks the demons out a little harder. And maybe add some Lamictal.
But I exercise. First thing I do every day at 5AM is grab my bike and run down stairs with it. I do an hour ride. Gets you energized when you think it's impossible to have energy.
I also do CBT (talk therapy) and see a psychopharmacologist every couple of weeks for meds.
Hang in there.
AND REMEMBER-- VOLUNTARILY ENTERING A PSYCH HOSPITAL IS INCREDIBLY RELIEVING. all your stresses take a back seat, so you can focus on getting better. It's like your sanctuary from life. I did it for a few days, and it let me reassess things.
Posted by meds4life on July 18, 2004, at 9:02:59
In reply to Re: I can't stand it any more, posted by utopizen on July 17, 2004, at 17:57:12
I agree completely about the psych hospital. It is a relief to get into an environment where you can focus on yourself and not hide your depression. Plus, you are with people who understand. Utopizen, may I ask how the abilify is working for you? And if not too personal, what was it prescribed for? My doctor prescribed Abilify along with my other meds, she said to keep me from becoming manic. However, I have read that it is quite activating.
Posted by utopizen on July 18, 2004, at 10:20:45
In reply to Re: I can't stand it any more » utopizen, posted by meds4life on July 18, 2004, at 9:02:59
> I agree completely about the psych hospital. It is a relief to get into an environment where you can focus on yourself and not hide your depression. Plus, you are with people who understand. Utopizen, may I ask how the abilify is working for you? And if not too personal, what was it prescribed for? My doctor prescribed Abilify along with my other meds, she said to keep me from becoming manic. However, I have read that it is quite activating.
>I may have bipolar, and my doc is going to try Risperdal or Lamictal down the road.
I take it for social anxiety and depression. I'm not sure if it's working or not, as I also started Remeron 15mg and Zoloft 50mg a couple of weeks ago. I'd like more relief from my depression, so I'm waiting on all 3 to work.
My doc said Abilify failed to help bipolar patients, and that Risperdal is good for it (it's also FDA approved for bipolar mania).
Posted by Viridis on July 19, 2004, at 1:04:15
In reply to I can't stand it any more, posted by griswald on July 17, 2004, at 13:38:14
Most of us have been there. But it does get better, even though it may not seem so right now. The exhausting part is that you'll probably have to see multiple psychiatrists before you find one who really knows how to treat you properly.
This is one of the most frustrating aspects of mental illness: when you're in the worst possible state, you have to evaluate multiple pdocs to find a good match who's competent. Relatively few are, in my experience, just like in any profession. Yet, there are great people who will listen to you and try different things until they hit it right.
My overall advice is similar to Utopizen's: exercise if you possibly can (this can really help); while you're testing psychiatrists see a therapist, because talking can be a great relief; and then if you can afford to see multiple psychiatrists do so until you find the right one.
You will find a solution.
Posted by griswald on July 19, 2004, at 12:21:51
In reply to I can't stand it any more, posted by griswald on July 17, 2004, at 13:38:14
Thanks guys. Every six months I'm told there is some new miracle drug coming out. The side effects are always more prominent than the intended effects. I feel as though my life is in such a hole that even if things turned completely around tomorrow, it's still not worth living.
This is the end of the thread.
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