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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 4mygrls on July 25, 2004, at 19:46:29
me. i'm on lithium, klonopin,wellbutrin. i have tried every ssri and now i'm onto mood stabilizers. i've tried trileptal,topomax and lamictal. all with the same effect. i get more moody on them. nothing helps me. i feel like a broken record. every month i have what seems like a couple of weeks where i am extra down and extra moody. i get so stressed out so easilly over everything and then i get so angry. i usually have a week where everything is great but the rest of the month is down. i'm tired of the meds. i'm tired of being tired because of the meds. i feel like i'm in limbo. i've felt like i'm in limbo for as long as i can remember. I don't know what to do. I start to make plans for the future, get all happy about it then like a switch i become very agitated, depressed, hopeless, nerves shot. so then everything is ruined. days go by and i'm just feeling depressed until the happy feeling comes along. when i say happy, i don't mean manic happy. it's just a relief happy kind of feeling. like things are possible. i hate this rollercoaster.anyone like this? what has worked for you all?
Posted by rolie12 on July 25, 2004, at 20:10:16
In reply to I am so frustrated once again. Nothing works with, posted by 4mygrls on July 25, 2004, at 19:46:29
I'm sorry your having a tough time. I know how it feels. What about Seroquel? Is that one of the mood stablizers you have tried? I have not tried it, but my mom has and it seems to work. These drugs work on everyone so differently that it is hard to find the right one. I just wonder if some of us, including myself, are going to have ups and downs even while on medicines. Good luck and I hope you find something that will help you.
Posted by Racer on July 25, 2004, at 21:46:41
In reply to I am so frustrated once again. Nothing works with, posted by 4mygrls on July 25, 2004, at 19:46:29
Yes, that rollercoaster feeling is probably pretty common, in fact. There are a lot of elements that go into it -- not least the fact that there's usually a placebo effect when starting a new medication, and most of the meds out there do cause some adjustment phase effects that may not be all that therapeutic. Some of those pass once your body has adjusted, some don't, but it can take a while to find out which are which.
How long have you stayed on any of these drugs? Have you increased the doses before moving on to the next? How thorough was your pdoc in defining your diagnosis? Is it possible that the diagnosis itself is inaccurate enough that he's trying to treat the wrong symptoms in the first place? Are you getting any therapy to augment the meds? (Every article I've read says flatly that a combination of psychotherapy and medications is much more effective than either alone. I've found that to be true, myself, and I think a lot of others here will say about the same thing.)
There are no perfect drugs, but there are so many drugs out there that it's worth continuing to try. SSRIs are not the only anti-depressants out there, and there's a fair amount of information hinting that they're not even the best. What they are is the safest, and most generally benign. It's probably worth trying the TCAs, and even the MAOIs if those don't work. The only specific advice I can really offer, since I really don't know anything about bipolar treatments, is to talk to your doctor, express your frustration, and ask for help in working out what is most likely to help you. If your doctor just brushes it off, find a new one.
Best luck.
Posted by CindyLou on July 26, 2004, at 8:22:49
In reply to I am so frustrated once again. Nothing works with, posted by 4mygrls on July 25, 2004, at 19:46:29
You sound like ME. The story of my life. If this is any comfort, at least we know that we are not alone, and that we share the same story. Forgive me if this is an ignorant question, but are you female? Your name sounds as if you are. I have found, after years and years of this, that my hormones play a huge role in my mood disorder. My pdocs agree. Once I get my period, things lighten up for me for about a week. Once ovulation hits, I go downhill. And I ovulate early, so I only get about 5-7 days relief. So, when meds seem to be working for me, they are almost useless when PMS strikes.
I have heard that SSRIs are the best treatment for PMS, although i can't tolerate the side effects at normal doses. I have tried all sorts of vitamins -- calcium, evening primrose oil, fish oil, flax seed oil, Vitamin B, etc. etc., all to no avail. I was going to ask here about PMS treatments -- what has worked for some people -- after searching the archives. Do you think hormones are a part of your issue?
I am currently on lithium and Prozac, and Klonapin or Xanax for anxiety. I took Klonapin regularly for sleep for about a year but am finding I don't need it for sleep anymore. I also take Dexedrine to help with fatigue and ADD symptoms.
Take care. I am sure there is help for us. We just need to keep searching. I am glad you posted.
cindy
> me. i'm on lithium, klonopin,wellbutrin. i have tried every ssri and now i'm onto mood stabilizers. i've tried trileptal,topomax and lamictal. all with the same effect. i get more moody on them. nothing helps me. i feel like a broken record. every month i have what seems like a couple of weeks where i am extra down and extra moody. i get so stressed out so easilly over everything and then i get so angry. i usually have a week where everything is great but the rest of the month is down. i'm tired of the meds. i'm tired of being tired because of the meds. i feel like i'm in limbo. i've felt like i'm in limbo for as long as i can remember. I don't know what to do. I start to make plans for the future, get all happy about it then like a switch i become very agitated, depressed, hopeless, nerves shot. so then everything is ruined. days go by and i'm just feeling depressed until the happy feeling comes along. when i say happy, i don't mean manic happy. it's just a relief happy kind of feeling. like things are possible. i hate this rollercoaster.anyone like this? what has worked for you all?
Posted by woolav on July 26, 2004, at 9:26:41
In reply to Re: I am so frustrated once again. Nothing works with » 4mygrls, posted by CindyLou on July 26, 2004, at 8:22:49
Dido here too ----I feel like every 3 months i'm on a new med. I just started taking prozac and lamictal, so I will see what happens. But I am so sleepy right now. And emotions are a little up in the air. I cried yesterday for the first time in a while. Maybe its just the changing of the meds, (i was on paxil) didnt work. But as you can tell from the other posts, we all go through roller coaster effect. And it really sucks, because you just want to give up after a while. But you have to keep trying....
Good Luck
S
Posted by 4mygrls on July 26, 2004, at 12:04:25
In reply to Re: I am so frustrated once again. Nothing works with » 4mygrls, posted by CindyLou on July 26, 2004, at 8:22:49
> You sound like ME. The story of my life. If this is any comfort, at least we know that we are not alone, and that we share the same story. Forgive me if this is an ignorant question, but are you female? Your name sounds as if you are. I have found, after years and years of this, that my hormones play a huge role in my mood disorder. My pdocs agree. Once I get my period, things lighten up for me for about a week. Once ovulation hits, I go downhill. And I ovulate early, so I only get about 5-7 days relief. So, when meds seem to be working for me, they are almost useless when PMS strikes.
>
> I have heard that SSRIs are the best treatment for PMS, although i can't tolerate the side effects at normal doses. I have tried all sorts of vitamins -- calcium, evening primrose oil, fish oil, flax seed oil, Vitamin B, etc. etc., all to no avail. I was going to ask here about PMS treatments -- what has worked for some people -- after searching the archives. Do you think hormones are a part of your issue?
>
> I am currently on lithium and Prozac, and Klonapin or Xanax for anxiety. I took Klonapin regularly for sleep for about a year but am finding I don't need it for sleep anymore. I also take Dexedrine to help with fatigue and ADD symptoms.
>
> Take care. I am sure there is help for us. We just need to keep searching. I am glad you posted.
>
> cindy
>
> > me. i'm on lithium, klonopin,wellbutrin. i have tried every ssri and now i'm onto mood stabilizers. i've tried trileptal,topomax and lamictal. all with the same effect. i get more moody on them. nothing helps me. i feel like a broken record. every month i have what seems like a couple of weeks where i am extra down and extra moody. i get so stressed out so easilly over everything and then i get so angry. i usually have a week where everything is great but the rest of the month is down. i'm tired of the meds. i'm tired of being tired because of the meds. i feel like i'm in limbo. i've felt like i'm in limbo for as long as i can remember. I don't know what to do. I start to make plans for the future, get all happy about it then like a switch i become very agitated, depressed, hopeless, nerves shot. so then everything is ruined. days go by and i'm just feeling depressed until the happy feeling comes along. when i say happy, i don't mean manic happy. it's just a relief happy kind of feeling. like things are possible. i hate this rollercoaster.anyone like this? what has worked for you all?
>
>Yes, i am a female. my name is Kathi. I keep forgetting to type my name at the end of my posts. For years we thought it was pmdd and treated me with ssri's. I do have severe pms. starting my period though doesn't make it let up. i still get bad. i have one good week out of the month.
Kathi
Posted by 4mygrls on July 26, 2004, at 12:07:52
In reply to Re: I am so frustrated once again. Nothing works with, posted by woolav on July 26, 2004, at 9:26:41
> Dido here too ----I feel like every 3 months i'm on a new med. I just started taking prozac and lamictal, so I will see what happens. But I am so sleepy right now. And emotions are a little up in the air. I cried yesterday for the first time in a while. Maybe its just the changing of the meds, (i was on paxil) didnt work. But as you can tell from the other posts, we all go through roller coaster effect. And it really sucks, because you just want to give up after a while. But you have to keep trying....
> Good Luck
> Slamictal made me so emotional. oh, i forgot to add too that i too have add symptoms. one of my daughters is adhd and my 6 yr old has it but not dx yet. she's a handful. isn't it funny that the two that have it are the closest buds.
Posted by TJO on July 26, 2004, at 18:20:44
In reply to re:I am so frustrated once again. Nothing works, posted by 4mygrls on July 26, 2004, at 12:07:52
> > Dido here too ----I feel like every 3 months i'm on a new med. I just started taking prozac and lamictal, so I will see what happens. But I am so sleepy right now. And emotions are a little up in the air. I cried yesterday for the first time in a while. Maybe its just the changing of the meds, (i was on paxil) didnt work. But as you can tell from the other posts, we all go through roller coaster effect. And it really sucks, because you just want to give up after a while. But you have to keep trying....
> > Good Luck
> > S
>
> lamictal made me so emotional. oh, i forgot to add too that i too have add symptoms. one of my daughters is adhd and my 6 yr old has it but not dx yet. she's a handful. isn't it funny that the two that have it are the closest buds.Hi-Just a thought,
Maybe some formulation of a birth control pill-there are lots of different types, would help to make your cycle more regular.
As far as the bipolar disorder, I have it and I take Neurontin for a mood stabilizer, Seroquel and Abilify as antipsychotics and Wellbutrin for an antidepressant. There are lots of different drugs you could take that might work. Don't give up.
Tammy
Posted by rolie12 on July 26, 2004, at 20:40:20
In reply to Re: I am so frustrated once again. Nothing works with » 4mygrls, posted by CindyLou on July 26, 2004, at 8:22:49
That is so funny you say about only having about one good week a month. My mom thinks a woman only has about one good week a month due to all the hormones, etc. I really believe she is right. I have a tough time with PMS anyway and to have anxiety/depression on top of it, well sucks. Up and down it is and it's not fun, but we have to remember to keep going even when we feel like crap. I think that's what is good about people like us, we are survivors, even though we dont feel like sometimes. I really hope you find a med that works. I know my mom has been on everything trying to find something that agree's with her enough and helps the depression. I have to say I am not sure these SSR's are all cracked up to be or whatever that saying is. I do think they help some people, but I believe it's hard to find medicines that work for each individuals chemistry. Counseling is good too along with medication!
> You sound like ME. The story of my life. If this is any comfort, at least we know that we are not alone, and that we share the same story. Forgive me if this is an ignorant question, but are you female? Your name sounds as if you are. I have found, after years and years of this, that my hormones play a huge role in my mood disorder. My pdocs agree. Once I get my period, things lighten up for me for about a week. Once ovulation hits, I go downhill. And I ovulate early, so I only get about 5-7 days relief. So, when meds seem to be working for me, they are almost useless when PMS strikes.
>
> I have heard that SSRIs are the best treatment for PMS, although i can't tolerate the side effects at normal doses. I have tried all sorts of vitamins -- calcium, evening primrose oil, fish oil, flax seed oil, Vitamin B, etc. etc., all to no avail. I was going to ask here about PMS treatments -- what has worked for some people -- after searching the archives. Do you think hormones are a part of your issue?
>
> I am currently on lithium and Prozac, and Klonapin or Xanax for anxiety. I took Klonapin regularly for sleep for about a year but am finding I don't need it for sleep anymore. I also take Dexedrine to help with fatigue and ADD symptoms.
>
> Take care. I am sure there is help for us. We just need to keep searching. I am glad you posted.
>
> cindy
>
> > me. i'm on lithium, klonopin,wellbutrin. i have tried every ssri and now i'm onto mood stabilizers. i've tried trileptal,topomax and lamictal. all with the same effect. i get more moody on them. nothing helps me. i feel like a broken record. every month i have what seems like a couple of weeks where i am extra down and extra moody. i get so stressed out so easilly over everything and then i get so angry. i usually have a week where everything is great but the rest of the month is down. i'm tired of the meds. i'm tired of being tired because of the meds. i feel like i'm in limbo. i've felt like i'm in limbo for as long as i can remember. I don't know what to do. I start to make plans for the future, get all happy about it then like a switch i become very agitated, depressed, hopeless, nerves shot. so then everything is ruined. days go by and i'm just feeling depressed until the happy feeling comes along. when i say happy, i don't mean manic happy. it's just a relief happy kind of feeling. like things are possible. i hate this rollercoaster.anyone like this? what has worked for you all?
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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