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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 38. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 10:15:47
Seems from my perspective that a lot of med trialing. Is anyone benefiting from their meds? especially for bored depression and anxiety? Just Curious as seems a lot of threads with med failures. Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 15, 2012, at 10:22:21
In reply to Anyone Benefiting From Meds?, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 10:15:47
I benefit from 30 Abilify. Actually, yesterday I had to take 45. It was pretty intense. But, yeah, I benefit. Then again, I think I'm on the more severe end of the mental illness spectrum, so meds are probably more necessary and effective. In milder cases, or cases that are more complicated (personality issues, social issues, psychospiritual and existential issues, etc.), I think meds could possibly be less effective, perhaps even counterproductive.
Posted by SLS on February 15, 2012, at 10:39:38
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds?, posted by Christ_empowered on February 15, 2012, at 10:22:21
> I benefit from 30 Abilify. Actually, yesterday I had to take 45.
What happens when you lower the dosage of Abilify to 10 - 20 mg? It is imperative that you maintain your treatment without being tempted to discontinue it altogether.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on February 15, 2012, at 10:46:40
In reply to Anyone Benefiting From Meds?, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 10:15:47
> Seems from my perspective that a lot of med trialing. Is anyone benefiting from their meds? especially for bored depression and anxiety? Just Curious as seems a lot of threads with med failures. Thanks Phillipa
Are you just now observing this for the first time?
Where have you been?
To answer your questions:
1. Yes, I am benefitting from treatment.
2. I don't get bored while in my untreated condition. I am too vegetative to experience boredom. However, when boredom does appear with treatment, it is an indicator of my improvement.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 11:46:16
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on February 15, 2012, at 10:46:40
I don't know where I've been just wondering if it's worth it at my age. I don't have anything to look forward too. Retired now SSRI and always not enough money for meds for docs for alternative for even underwear. So I guess I'm just here and trapped. Real estate doesn't sell can't get the money from there and even if could too lazy too.
I'm glad you are benefitting. I don't think I ever should have taken meds. I am just am that's where I am. Phillipa
Posted by Beckett on February 15, 2012, at 12:23:27
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 11:46:16
An benefit of ssri's and snri's is often enhanced pain control. It is now first line treatment (after NSAIDs) for many conditions.
Although pristq was deeply agitating on a mood level, I found out when I discontinued that it was decreasing my overall pain level. Now I am between a rock and a hard place as they say when it comes to pain treatment. Emsam is not the same. I currently rely on anticonvulsants, and they do not quite do it either.
Posted by SLS on February 15, 2012, at 13:24:56
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds?, posted by Beckett on February 15, 2012, at 12:23:27
> An benefit of ssri's and snri's is often enhanced pain control. It is now first line treatment (after NSAIDs) for many conditions.
>
> Although pristq was deeply agitating on a mood level, I found out when I discontinued that it was decreasing my overall pain level. Now I am between a rock and a hard place as they say when it comes to pain treatment. Emsam is not the same. I currently rely on anticonvulsants, and they do not quite do it either.You know to stay away from tramadol, right?
- Scott
Posted by sigismund on February 15, 2012, at 13:38:09
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 11:46:16
>I'm glad you are benefitting. I don't think I ever should have taken meds. I am just am that's where I am. Phillipa
Well, I think that is true of me, PJ. These days there are things you can more easily do to make yourself feel better than there were back then.
Posted by torrid2 on February 15, 2012, at 14:12:04
In reply to Anyone Benefiting From Meds?, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 10:15:47
I'm doing great on cymbalta 120mg/day. Anxiety, depression, cronic pain and ADHD are what I suffer from. Anxiety are pain being my biggest issues.
I'd have to give equal credit to other approaches like diet excersize and having a great therapist whos focus is solutions and not problems.
I want to encourage you look for other solutions other then meds.
Posted by Beckett on February 15, 2012, at 14:19:32
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds?, posted by SLS on February 15, 2012, at 13:24:56
You mean because of the segeline? Or the mood effect? I like Ultram ER. It works wonders, but it's contraindicated with Emsam.
Posted by SLS on February 15, 2012, at 14:32:26
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds? » SLS, posted by Beckett on February 15, 2012, at 14:19:32
> I like Ultram ER. It works wonders, but it's contraindicated with Emsam.
Yeah. That's all I meant. No Geodon either.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on February 15, 2012, at 14:40:15
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 11:46:16
You still have a youthful mind and quite a few years left with a healthy body. I think you can still make a significant difference in your quality of life. As has already been suggested, you can apply psychotherapy to deal with those things that the medications never could.
I understand that there are financial considerations that can't be ignored. Use Google if you want to begin learning about how various forms of psychotherapy work. You might find one that suits you best. Just learning how psychotherapy works might be therapeutic in itself.
- Scott
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 15, 2012, at 16:20:36
In reply to Anyone Benefiting From Meds?, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 10:15:47
Meds have turned my life around..... the SSRI Zoloft, the NARI Edronax, and the tranquilizer Xanax have brought me back from the bronk of madness, back into professional work, back into a social life, back into humanity it self
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 15, 2012, at 16:32:21
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 11:46:16
Philipa, re the money for meds, have you considered trying one of the meds that you can get on those 4 dollar generic plans, there are several SSRI's that Walmart and KMart offer.
You should also be able to get generic diazepam pretty cheaply through them.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 15, 2012, at 16:33:49
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds?, posted by Beckett on February 15, 2012, at 12:23:27
Becket, re pain control, try nortriptyline (1st) and amitriptyline (2nd) starting with 25mg at night, and working upto 75mg at night.
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 15, 2012, at 17:34:54
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds? » Christ_empowered, posted by SLS on February 15, 2012, at 10:39:38
hey man. I've settled on 30 for now. In the winter, I turn somewhat...manic, for lack of a better term. I would say "hypomania," but I get kind of intense intrusive thoughts/audible thoughts, and I don't think that's a hypomanic thing. I can still feel the crazy, but its clearly been tranquilized to the point that I feel it less.
Hopefully, I'll get a new doc soon. I miss my old one--she was so competent! But, its public mental health, and if I go there again they might assign me to someone new.
Posted by phidippus on February 15, 2012, at 19:46:09
In reply to Anyone Benefiting From Meds?, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 10:15:47
Lithium has worked for me for 9 years now. Viibryd has been treating my OCD for a few months now. Latuda has also been helping things keep straight for a few months now to. Vyvanse is the sh*t and I've been taking it for over a year now.
Eric
Posted by 10derheart on February 15, 2012, at 20:20:21
In reply to Anyone Benefiting From Meds?, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 10:15:47
>Is anyone benefiting from their meds?
Well, you know my story, but if others don't, yes, I found the right meds and I benefit from them. Strattera in particular has made it possible to manage the ADD symptoms that led to depression and more anxiety, and make them bearable. I can manage what's left (and with my ADD, it's plenty) with therapy, help from family and self-help strategies.
Years back, when I was depressed for quite a while, enough to where I was losing daily functioning and becoming a hermit, Prozac and later Strattera helped.
I probably shouldn't post my story because I know few can relate. I responded well to the first AD tried and the 1st and 2nd ADD meds tried, so I dont know what it's like to go through trials for years.
But I figure maybe it'll encourage one poster who is afraid of all drugs or who thinks they are "bad." They vastly improve my quality of life.
>>especially for bored depressionWhat is bored depression?
Posted by Beckett on February 15, 2012, at 20:21:52
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds? » Phillipa, posted by phidippus on February 15, 2012, at 19:46:09
Eric, may I ask what dosage of Latuda you are maintaining on?
Posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 20:44:26
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds? » Phillipa, posted by 10derheart on February 15, 2012, at 20:20:21
10der your story would love to hear as it's people such as you who have gotten better. As for bored depression. I kind of stole it from Scott. As for his post boredom is when he knows his depression is improving. So bascially I'm not depressed in the stay in bed way. Want to do things all the time as bored. Does this make sense? And truly a good recovery story would inspire me to keep trying. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on February 16, 2012, at 4:10:07
In reply to SLS..., posted by Christ_empowered on February 15, 2012, at 17:34:54
> hey man. I've settled on 30 for now. In the winter, I turn somewhat...manic, for lack of a better term. I would say "hypomania," but I get kind of intense intrusive thoughts/audible thoughts, and I don't think that's a hypomanic thing. I can still feel the crazy, but its clearly been tranquilized to the point that I feel it less.
>
> Hopefully, I'll get a new doc soon. I miss my old one--she was so competent! But, its public mental health, and if I go there again they might assign me to someone new.
Well, I'll always be on your side.I hope an extended time of stability on Abilify helps you to put the pieces of the puzzle of life together. When you have finished, you'll have to show me how to do it.
You might want to look further into this, but it is my impression that the rate of akathisia with other antipsychotics is actually higher than that of Abilify. It is just that with Abilify, the rate of the other EPS are reduced to near zero, so akathisia will be reported more often.
- Scott
Posted by Christ_empowered on February 16, 2012, at 12:09:18
In reply to Re: SLS... » Christ_empowered, posted by SLS on February 16, 2012, at 4:10:07
That's interesting. I could also see that a lot of the "agitation" that's reported might actually be "activation," kind of like what happens with some reuptake inhibitors. Plus, I read that switching to patients who had previously been stable on any sort of D2 blocker to Abilify sometimes causes problems because of the lack of sedation, activation, and the partial resolution of drug-induced frontal lobe syndrome.
Posted by SLS on February 16, 2012, at 12:28:01
In reply to Re: SLS..., posted by Christ_empowered on February 16, 2012, at 12:09:18
> and the partial resolution of drug-induced frontal lobe syndrome.
Hi.
Can you describe the features of this syndrome and what kinds of drugs can produce it?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by sleepygirl2 on February 16, 2012, at 21:14:48
In reply to Anyone Benefiting From Meds?, posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2012, at 10:15:47
Yes, but they have to be temporary
Lamictal 200
Low dose seroquel
Klonopin .5
Effexor xr 150
Trying to get off seroquel first, but the insomnia is a bit rough
I'm not sure what I'll drop after that.
Posted by SLS on February 17, 2012, at 7:01:18
In reply to Re: Anyone Benefiting From Meds? » Phillipa, posted by sleepygirl2 on February 16, 2012, at 21:14:48
> Yes, but they have to be temporary
> Lamictal 200
> Low dose seroquel
> Klonopin .5
> Effexor xr 150
> Trying to get off seroquel first, but the insomnia is a bit rough
> I'm not sure what I'll drop after that.
Are you in remission from your illness?If not, what are you experiencing in the present that you would not want to experience in the future?
- Scott
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