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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SheilaC on January 7, 2011, at 15:31:44
I take 60mg of Geodon and it helps with my irritability, but not entirely. I have tried going up to 80mg, but get eye twitches and jerks, plus trouble waking up in the morning.
So back to 60mg of Geodon.
My consistent problem has been depression that has caused irritability and just plain hatefulness towards others.
I recently tried Pristiq again and couldn't tolerate the unbelievable stomach pains, cramps and gas. After only a week I had to stop. I think I had the same problems a few years back with the generic Effexor. Sort of IBS like symptoms from the med.
I don't see my doc for another week.
Any thoughts on what a good antidepressant add-on?
Geodon is not totally addressing my sadness and irritability.
Also - doc thinks I am ADD and gave me Adderall - but I really think that causes mood instability.
Posted by Christ_empowered on January 7, 2011, at 16:54:40
In reply to What am I missing? AD?, posted by SheilaC on January 7, 2011, at 15:31:44
Have you tried talk therapy or supplements? There's a real limit to what you can get out of medication, and sometimes adding in more meds just complicates the situation.
That said, I think SSRI drugs are often used for irritability and what not. Some of them might interact with your other meds; some, like Celexa, are relatively clean and probably won't.
Posted by morgan miller on January 7, 2011, at 17:56:59
In reply to What am I missing? AD?, posted by SheilaC on January 7, 2011, at 15:31:44
Have you ever been psychotic? What is your dignosis?
I think a low dose of escitalopram could be a good addition. Luvox may also be helpful. Run these by your doctor and see what they think.
Posted by SheilaC on January 7, 2011, at 18:06:51
In reply to Re: What am I missing? AD?, posted by morgan miller on January 7, 2011, at 17:56:59
I am also wondering if trying again a low dose of lithium would help. Since I am med sensitive, the last time I tried Lithium (probably too high a dose) it made me feel flat and depressed.
I wonder if a small dose (150 - 300mg) of lithium would be a boost to my Geodon.
Posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2011, at 19:06:49
In reply to Re: What am I missing? AD?, posted by SheilaC on January 7, 2011, at 18:06:51
Sheila do you feel that lithium will work? Might be just the thing. Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on January 7, 2011, at 19:41:53
In reply to What am I missing? AD?, posted by SheilaC on January 7, 2011, at 15:31:44
Sheila, to be honest you react to so many different meds in strange ways. You get side effects that I have never heard of with the medication. I think that makes it hard for us to recommend anything for you.
I really think you should try to see a psychopharmacologist. He/she will be able to come up with some med possibilities. You should ask you pdoc for a referral.
I hope you find something that works soon.
Oh, and yes, the Adderall causes irritability and mood swings in some people.
Posted by floatingbridge on January 7, 2011, at 23:07:18
In reply to Re: What am I missing? AD?, posted by SheilaC on January 7, 2011, at 18:06:51
Sheila, have you tried Wellbutrin? A relative w/BP (as in bipolar) has had success with that plus geodon. Wellbutrin has an off-label use for ADD.
Just some thoughts....
Oh, yeah. 300 lithium might be beneficial, or even 150 since you're sensitive. I take 300 as a 'neurogenic' (my pdoc).
Good luck, glad you are having some success.
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> I am also wondering if trying again a low dose of lithium would help. Since I am med sensitive, the last time I tried Lithium (probably too high a dose) it made me feel flat and depressed.
>
> I wonder if a small dose (150 - 300mg) of lithium would be a boost to my Geodon.
>
>
Posted by SheilaC on January 8, 2011, at 16:20:29
In reply to Re: What am I missing? AD? » SheilaC, posted by floatingbridge on January 7, 2011, at 23:07:18
I did try Wellbutrin and it made me manic - probably the same thing that is happening with the Adderall.
Since I don't do well on antidepressants, but need help with depression, I may try adding low dose lithium to my Geodon.
Does anyone know if Lithium will help with depression? I know it helps with mania.
Thanks for the input!
Posted by floatingbridge on January 8, 2011, at 16:32:34
In reply to Lithium for depression, posted by SheilaC on January 8, 2011, at 16:20:29
Shelia,
My own doc was very optimistic about the add-on, so lithium low dose is effective for some. I'm at 300 (did I say that already?), and pdoc might have pushed it higher, but I have thyroid issues.
Some also add minute amounts of t3, though I mention that with caution because it created peaks and valleys-- not what you need. I have heard of t3 prescriptions for compounded slow release, but every doc I've mention it to hasn't heard of it.
Sounds like you've got a great doc that works with you.
Best,
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Posted by SheilaC on January 8, 2011, at 16:55:13
In reply to Re: Lithium for depression » SheilaC, posted by floatingbridge on January 8, 2011, at 16:32:34
> Shelia,
>
> My own doc was very optimistic about the add-on, so lithium low dose is effective for some. I'm at 300 (did I say that already?), and pdoc might have pushed it higher, but I have thyroid issues.
>
> Some also add minute amounts of t3, though I mention that with caution because it created peaks and valleys-- not what you need. I have heard of t3 prescriptions for compounded slow release, but every doc I've mention it to hasn't heard of it.
>
> Sounds like you've got a great doc that works with you.
>
> Best,
>
> fb
Yea, I've already got thyroid issues and take Synthroid for my hypothyroidism. I guess that's why also maybe a low dose of Lithium might help with depression, but not totally kill my thyroid.I'm sure my doc will make me get bloodwork even with low dose lith.
Do you find low dose lithium to help with depression?
Posted by floatingbridge on January 8, 2011, at 17:11:54
In reply to Re: Lithium for depression, posted by SheilaC on January 8, 2011, at 16:55:13
Well, truthfully, Sheila, no. But we keep it to help protect against brain damage. But that said, he personally (my pdoc) had great hopes, and that leads me to suspect he has seen successes. It is also on the Star Chart that some docs follow. So I think some people really do respond. Now that I think about it, there are some babblers doing well with low dose lithium.
No bloodwork required, though I always keep on top of my thyroid.
Your reactions are usually different from mine--my response wouldn't predict yours.
Keep us posted, esp if it works!
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Posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2011, at 19:31:38
In reply to Re: Lithium for depression » SheilaC, posted by floatingbridge on January 8, 2011, at 17:11:54
Armour thyroid contains both T4 & T3 and it's compounded into a capsule like synthroid which I also take. But so many report on Mary Shomans site that they feel so much better on armour than synthetic. I personally don't like my synthroid. Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on January 8, 2011, at 20:57:06
In reply to Re: Lithium for depression, posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2011, at 19:31:38
Phillipa, right now I can't tell the difference between levoxyl and my first month of armour. I did not like synthroid either.
The amounts for t3 add-on are greater, but I don't know offhand what the amounts are for depression.
Posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2011, at 21:10:30
In reply to Re: Lithium for depression » Phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on January 8, 2011, at 20:57:06
Once tried T3 5mcg and it kind of wired me right now a discussion also on the board with Miss Twang and it's on armour and synthroid might want to find it. But since started getting tired was thinking armour might work? So no difference yet. I know what my endo would say it's not the thyroid it's depression. Back to the beginning. Also I see you took off cymbalta working and added back MDD. So you are depressed on the cymbalta? Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on January 8, 2011, at 22:20:31
In reply to Re: Lithium for depression, posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2011, at 19:31:38
> Armour thyroid contains both T4 & T3 and it's compounded into a capsule like synthroid which I also take. But so many report on Mary Shomans site that they feel so much better on armour than synthetic. I personally don't like my synthroid. Phillipa
But most endos use Synthroid. I had to bed mine to give me Cytomel with my Synthroid.
Posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2011, at 0:02:13
In reply to Re: Lithium for depression » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on January 8, 2011, at 22:20:31
I have a bottle of cytomel from him in the closet 5mcg but don't take it. No he will let me have armour. He's even keen on the bioidentical hormone creams knows the doc that does the prescribing. Older but very intune with what's going on. Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on January 10, 2011, at 13:13:35
In reply to What am I missing? AD?, posted by SheilaC on January 7, 2011, at 15:31:44
Zoloft and nortriptyline.
This is the end of the thread.
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