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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by stargazer on March 28, 2007, at 18:07:14
I know more than a few of you are in remission...Racer, Blueberry, SLS, to name a few I believe are.
Can you briefly post your diagnosis and symptoms, the meds you are taking, what other therapy you are using, i.e. exercise or CBT, and how long you have been doing well. Last but not least, answer that dreaded question, "on a scale of 1 to 10, what level are you at most days" or for those of us who hate that question, use a word or two that best describes your overall mood.
Thanks from the rest of us envying your success but happy for you too.
Stargazer
Posted by Phillipa on March 28, 2007, at 20:19:04
In reply to Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions, posted by stargazer on March 28, 2007, at 18:07:14
Well definitely not me but I would like to follow the thread. Love Phillipa ps great idea hope for others
Posted by madeline on March 29, 2007, at 10:01:32
In reply to Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions, posted by stargazer on March 28, 2007, at 18:07:14
Well, I am in remission and have been for a while.
I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. I had my first episode in my late teens and it worsened through my twenties until it became incapacitating. I almost lost everything - including my life.
I was started on Prozac 20mg pretty much on my 30th birthday. The initiation phase onto prozac was rough and I didn't know if I was going to be able to continue therapy, but the symptoms resolved after one month on therapy.
Since then, I have been on Prozac, but my doc and I have had to jockey the dose between 10 & 40 mg periodically. I have also taken Provigil but stopped because of the agititation it caused.
Currently, I am on Prozac 10mg and 0.5mg klonopin as needed for anxiety - a new symptom. I take trazodone for sleep.
I take omega 3 supplements and am on a high anti-oxidant diet (sometimes I think if I eat another blueberry I just might vomit :) ).I also started intensive psychotherapy (psychodynamic) to develop skills to cope with past abuse. My pdoc is also my therapist. My romp through therapy has been gut wrenching, but I feel really good right now. I am currently terminating therapy after 7 years.
I also made some significant lifestyle changes. I made a conscious effort to break from my comfort zone of isolation and find a community to which I felt I belonged (that was also a struggle). I eased way back on my workload - really developed a whole new attitude toward work.
Though this may be controversial here, I also read every single book on positive thinking I could find and tried to incorporate as many positive thinking skills as my poor Goth brain could handle. I am, however, still one of the most sarcastic people I know. I also revel in irony.
Now, I am aware that I could relapse pretty much at any time and that thought used to scare me to death, but it doesn't anymore and I really don't know why.
That's my story
Maddie
Posted by madeline on March 29, 2007, at 10:10:37
In reply to Re: Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions » stargazer, posted by madeline on March 29, 2007, at 10:01:32
Posted by notfred on March 29, 2007, at 11:13:30
In reply to Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions, posted by stargazer on March 28, 2007, at 18:07:14
depression, ADD & anxiety.
Current meds: Wellbrutrin, Lamictal, Provigil, Atavin, Lunesta. This is the best combo I have every been on in terms of side effects, There are none.
I have been in remission since 1985, when I started meds. 2 breakthrough depressions during this time (when I was not in remission) indicated a new med regimen was needed. Other regimens were, in order starting in 1984:
Doxipin
Effexor, Doxipin, & Ativan
Effexor , Remeron, Dexedrine & Ativan
Wellbrutin, Remeron, & Ativan
Wellbrutrin, Lamictal, Provigil, Atavin, LunestaIf 100% is well or the way you used to feel before you got depressed then I run between 85% and 100%.
I feel this is just normal variation in mood that everyone has.Less than that & I would say the depression is creeping back. Stress control is often key at this point to turn things around; AKA Ativan. Approx. 60-50% I would call breakthrough depression. I am no longer in remission. So far med changes (dose change or a new med) have brought me back into
remission.I have gotten better over the last 2 decades in telling when I am headed for a breakthrough depression. I used to get to the point where I was not leaving the house or bathing often b4 I realized I was having a breakthrough depression.
I am better now at identifying when this starts
so I do not have to wait to fall apart b4 I take action.I did therapy with a Psychologist the first 2 years I was on meds.
Sleep is very important to stability, I have always had problems with sleep. As I got older the sedating AD's, which had always been great for sleep, started having very negative effects on mood. Lunesta works well, now.
Controlling my other chronic health conditions is a factor in keeping the depression in remission.
They, too, must be in remission/well controlled.
This makes med management complex. Sometimes things work together; the Lamictal for my seizure disorder also helps mood, but prednisone for allergy flairs has negative effects on mood. Doxipin was great for my allergies but it and some other meds I take are pro-convulsive.This all takes a lot of work and learning on my part. It does not just happen by passively seeing a few docs and taking the meds they offer. Even with insurance the out of pockey/co-pays are several thousand dollars a year. Finding docs that
work well for me also takes some work and willingness to change docs till I find the right ones.
Posted by Racer on March 29, 2007, at 12:19:58
In reply to Re: Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions, posted by notfred on March 29, 2007, at 11:13:30
Let's see, I've been in remission now for going on two weeks, so I can't say what it's like longer term. What I can say, though, is that this is different from anything I've felt in the past few years. I've thought I was "better" a few times, but now that I feel like this, I can see I was just controlling the worst of the depression. It was there, but controlled enough I could function.
Dx: Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder (either GAD or AD-NOS, depending on the pdoc), Anorexia Nervosa, and {ahem} "Obsessive Compulsive Personality Traits." Not full blown OCPD, but it's probably close enough for government work. I also have a few physical issues, like joint problems, which contribute to stress. Chronic pain isn't good for mood, ya know?
What does this feel like? I'm not happy, per se. I'm just having normal variations, and handling frustrations and stressors much better. The other day, driving home from my mother's, I was stuck in traffic. It took more than two hours to get home, and I had to pee the whole time. I was annoyed, and certainly wished I'd gone to the bathroom before starting home, but I was really pretty OK about it. I was happier when Poet called me, and I had someone to chatter with, but even alone it wasn't so bad. (My car radio conked out some time ago, so no NPR, no music.) I'm having a long running anxiety attack right now, from something that happened yesterday, but even that isn't nearly as bad as it would have been two weeks ago. I'm able to do other things, with this anxiety in the background. For me, that's amazing. I'm not as productive as I'd like to be, but even so, I'm not wasting nearly as much energy as I normally do in beating myself up about it. I'm amazed at how relaxed my stomach is, it's not something I'm used to.
Of course, I am also freaked out beyond belief that I'm going to get fat, and I'm upset by how much I'm eating, but those are things that I don't think any medication will do much about.
As well as meds, I'm also in therapy. I see my therapist -- psychodynamic -- weekly, my husband and I see a marriage counselor (we're starting every other week, after doing weekly for about a year), and I've got group therapy for the AN twice a month.
I think that's it. Mood, on a scale of 1 - 10? I'm not positively happy, because that's not what remission is. I'd say I'm about 7 or 8 -- I'm in the range of what I consider normal: I'm not paralysed by worry, I'm not crying, I'm not feeling hopeless, I'm just feeling a sort of capable calm. I guess. I don't feel like the worst loser on the planet, nor the most pathetic human being who's ever lived. I don't feel like the most successful person, but then -- I'm not. And I still have some of the sense of not knowing how to address certain issues, but at least now I can think of maybe doing what I can think of to do, instead of freaking out so much I can't even do that.
I don't know if that's what you're looking for. It's the best I can do right now, but I'd be glad to answer other questions if you have any.
Posted by zenhussy on March 29, 2007, at 12:20:24
In reply to Re: Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions » stargazer, posted by madeline on March 29, 2007, at 10:01:32
Posted by stargazer on March 29, 2007, at 13:27:19
In reply to Re: Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions, posted by Racer on March 29, 2007, at 12:19:58
Madeline, Not Fred, Racer...
Nice to hear you picked up on this post, thank you for your responses. They are truly motivational.The only other thought I had was a curiosity about your age, if that is not being too personal, just give your age range and the age you were diagnosed/or when you started meds.
Madeline: what is your age or age range, if first is too personal. I'm sensitive about my age right now.
Fred: what doses?
Racer: What meds/doses are you on? I think I sort of remember from you posting last week, was it Prozac, Wellbutrin(?) and a stim. I know since I was on a similar potion at one time, although I did not experience a true remission.
Thanks for your feedback and here's to many more years living depression-free, the goal we all strive for!
Stargazer
P.S..Hope I can post here shortly, as my depression seems to be responding to the Emsam6/Abilify5 mix, only one week out.
Posted by Racer on March 29, 2007, at 13:34:20
In reply to Re: Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions, posted by stargazer on March 29, 2007, at 13:27:19
>
>
> The only other thought I had was a curiosity about your age, if that is not being too personal, just give your age range and the age you were diagnosed/or when you started meds.I'm in my early-ish/mid forties now. I was first diagnosed, more or less, at about 13 with depression. Took my first AD at about 22.
>
> Racer: What meds/doses are you on?Prozac 10mg
Wellbutrin XL 450mg
Ritalin 5 or 10 mg AM, 5mg about noonish
SAMe 200mg bidI'm hoping the SAMe is the magic pill, since it might mean that I could stop the Prozac in a bit. I'm freaking out about weight gain, which I kinda think might already be starting from the SSRI. And no, I'm not now at a point where I feel good enough to handle weight gain.
Posted by dmlvt on March 29, 2007, at 13:51:15
In reply to Re: Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions » stargazer, posted by Racer on March 29, 2007, at 13:34:20
Dx: ADHD, MDD, Anxiety
Meds: 20mg Cymbalta, 150mg Wellbutrin SR, 20mg Ritalin SR, Ativan as needed (0-2mg per day)
All of the meds are at a low dosage, but the cocktail seems to be working well.
DML
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on March 29, 2007, at 14:47:55
In reply to Re: Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions » stargazer, posted by Racer on March 29, 2007, at 13:34:20
> Prozac 10mg
> Wellbutrin XL 450mg
> Ritalin 5 or 10 mg AM, 5mg about noonish
> SAMe 200mg bidWeight gain?? On that combo?? Surely you should be worried about jetting off into outerspace! I would think weight gain would be the last of your worries!!!!!
I don't know how you cope with the anxiety on prozac, let alone wellbutrin, let alone combined, let alone with a stim!! I have only tried prozac and wellbutrin, seperately but both set my anxiety off completely. I lost weight both on prozac and wellbutrin and I'm slim so its not as if I had masses of extra to begin with too.....
But as long as its working out for you, thats all that matters. So you don't get any anxiety on that combo?
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by stargazer on March 29, 2007, at 15:05:36
In reply to Re: Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions, posted by dmlvt on March 29, 2007, at 13:51:15
Already I'm seeing patterns emerge that are the most successful for many with MDD/ADD including myself, when they worked.
I failed Prozac miserably but no good meds (Buspar and remeron only)were tried with it. Back then, monotherapy was all they knew, safe but unsuccessful. One of the better combos I took was Celexa, wellbutrin and Adderall, so whatever this combo does (hits all neurotransmittors) is better than many others.
I'm like you Racer, I almost don't need the serotonin med, although at its lowest level it's tolerated, but the SAM-e which I never tried may have worked for me too.
Who's idea was it to try the SAM-e, yours or your pdoc's? I too had depressive thinking aroung 13-14, knew something was wrong, but didn;t really know what, went to college and sought help (a joke), not like kids today getting meds right away. My first meds were at 30ish, after telling my then psychologist (actually an anthropologist, boy was I dumb to see him) that I refused to come anymore and just cry continuously and said I wanted to see a psychiatirst for meds.
I tried and failed so many AD's because all that was done was increase the SSRI first rather than add wellbutrin and a stimulant before any improvement is achieved. To this day I still tell my doc I did best on Adderall. I took many over the 90's and see one AD after another starting and failing with no improvement whatsoever. What a miserable existence I had then but I kept at it. It's amazing that I made it, but the SSRI's made you so flat and passive, you wouldn't have the energy to do yourself in, no wonder no pdoc would let me stop taking them although I did quit them several times out of frustration.
DMLVT: I was unable to take Cynmbalta for more than a week due to comatose symptoms, stayed in bed for a week straight and got more and more depresses, classic response for me when things are bad!!!!
SG
Posted by stargazer on March 29, 2007, at 15:07:10
In reply to Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions, posted by stargazer on March 28, 2007, at 18:07:14
Posted by jaynee on March 29, 2007, at 15:36:47
In reply to Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions, posted by stargazer on March 28, 2007, at 18:07:14
I really don't have a "diagnosis". I had my first bout of what I believe was clinical depression in the 3rd grade. I also had pneumonia(viral) at that time, no real family hardship, I had a pretty good childhood. So what triggered it, I don't really now. I have always been very sensitive and I was diagnosed with hemochromatosis in my 30's. So basically every time I eat, I am poisoning myself. Hemochromatosis is where you absorb to much iron. My sister has bouts of depression, but not as bad as me. She was just diagnosed with Celiac, but yet she is overweight and doesn't have the typical symptoms.
So where am I going with this, well since my first bout in the 3rd grade, I have suffered from clinical depression about every 5 to 6 years. The kind where you don't eat, sleep, etc, and I mean no sleep, basically status panicus. I had only used ativan to get through the worse, but the last bout which started about 5 years ago, I tried celexa and then lexapro. Which were okay and a life saver at the beginning, but they weren't perfect and caused a lot of underlying muscular tension. So I stayed on Lexapro for about 4 years on and off. I am currently off medication, except for some nights I use zopiclone to sleep.
I am able to be off medication because I quit my job and only work parttime (which most people can't do). Although lately I am noticing some really weird and disturbing thoughts, mostly about death, and I have noticed my body responding to those thoughts. It wouldn't be so bad if I could just let the thought pass without connecting, but I am working on it.
I know I should be on some form of medication, but I just don't know which one. I felt so apathetic and yet nervous on Lexapro. Yes it helped with the thoughts, and I wasn't always so "scarred" all the time, but the apathy and tension was too much for me. The fact that I am even back on this site, is probably an indication for me, that I am getting sick again.
I would like to find something that works on my brain like an SSRI, but without the apathy and nervous tension.
So am I in remission, I was, but I am slipping, yet once again.
Posted by notfred on March 29, 2007, at 16:16:44
In reply to Re: Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions, posted by stargazer on March 29, 2007, at 13:27:19
> Fred: what doses?
>
>
Doxipin was 75-150 mgsEffexor, Doxipin, & Ativan 150-300 mgs,25-50 mgs,
1-2 mgs/day as neededEffexor , Remeron, Dexedrine & Ativan 150-300 mgs,
15 mgs, 35 mgs/day, 1-2 mgs/day as neededWellbrutin, Remeron, & Ativan
300 mgs, 15 mgs, 1-2 mgs/day as neededWellbrutrin, Lamictal, Provigil, Atavin, Lunesta
300 mgs, 150 2X/day, 400 mgs, 1-2 mgs/day as needed, 6 mgsSSRI's don't work at all for me, I seem to respond best to noradenergic AD's.
I was 20 when I first started taking meds and now I am in my early 40's.
Posted by Racer on March 30, 2007, at 21:23:04
In reply to Serotonin,wellbutrin/stimulants/Racer/Dmlvt, posted by stargazer on March 29, 2007, at 15:05:36
>
> I'm like you Racer, I almost don't need the serotonin med, although at its lowest level it's tolerated, but the SAM-e which I never tried may have worked for me too.
>
> Who's idea was it to try the SAM-e, yours or your pdoc's?It was my pdoc's idea. I'd never really thought of it at all, never looked for information on it. I'd seen the packages at Costco, but never looked at them. He brought it up, and basically said, "Add it." It was as close to a prescription as you can get with a non-prescription substance, if that makes sense.
I'm not as great as I was last week and earlier this week, but still pretty good. I had a LOOOOOOONG anxiety attack this week, over a gift from my husband (long story), which I think I'm still getting over. Otherwise, though, the only problems I'm currently having are some blurred vision and feeling "sleepy," although I think that's my eyes, too -- you know how your eyes sometimes kinda ache when you're very sleepy, like they want to close, and it's hard to keep them open? It's like that. And I'm overdue at the opthalmologist, so I guess I can ask about it there. (It might be allergies, and not the meds at all...)
Hope that helps.
Posted by stargazer on March 31, 2007, at 11:55:58
In reply to Re: Serotonin,wellbutrin/stimulants/Racer/Dmlvt » stargazer, posted by Racer on March 30, 2007, at 21:23:04
I don't know what time period constitutes a remission, but I've been doing well on Emsam 6 mg and Abilify 5 mg for a few weeks. The Emsam I have been on since November has had varying degrees of improvement, but never with sustained results.
Abilify was added about a week and a half ago and has greatly improved my mood. I don't know what it is about a certain med, but I think those of us that have this effect, know it when it occurs. There is a subtle and intuitive sense of well being, a normalizing of sorts that makes me think this MAY be the right med in combination with Emsam.
Then again, it could just be the Abilify and it might have worked with another AD too, that is not easily determined. I have never been one to have to wait very long when the right med works. There have been such infrequent times when this has occurred that I'm thinking this combination may work out long term for me and be considered a remission. I hope so.
The biggest side effect I am having is dizziness and some hypotension, but not always, as when I check my BP it has been above 110/60 ,which is better than under 100/50 ,which it was for awhile when trying 9mg and 12 mg of Emsam. I also had hypotension on Lamictal and Seroquel and I have been salting my food and drinking alot of liquids which has not increased my BP any.
Anyway, I just wanted to say my short time on Emsam and Abilify seems to be working pretty well considering my last few months struggling and suffering terribly.
Stargazer
Posted by madeline on March 31, 2007, at 16:59:14
In reply to Mini Remission/oxymoron, posted by stargazer on March 31, 2007, at 11:55:58
Hey! I think it is great that you are feeling better.
I hope it lasts for you and only gets better.
Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about low blood pressure, yours is not that low.
Keep on keepin' on.
Maddie
Posted by halcyondaze on April 1, 2007, at 19:24:05
In reply to Who is currently in REMISSION??Questions, posted by stargazer on March 28, 2007, at 18:07:14
> I know more than a few of you are in remission...Racer, Blueberry, SLS, to name a few I believe are.
>
> Can you briefly post your diagnosis and symptoms, the meds you are taking, what other therapy you are using, i.e. exercise or CBT, and how long you have been doing well. Last but not least, answer that dreaded question, "on a scale of 1 to 10, what level are you at most days" or for those of us who hate that question, use a word or two that best describes your overall mood.
>
> Thanks from the rest of us envying your success but happy for you too.
>Diagnosis: Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder w/ Atypical Features, Anorexia Nervosa (in remission), and Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Taking:
Parnate, 120 - 140 mg/day
Halcion (for sleep), 0.5 mg/day
Seroquel (for sleep), 50 mg/day
Atenolol (for akathisia), not sure of dose, I think it's 10 mg/dayHave been taking Parnate since October. Am also involved in Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
Parnate has cured my BDD. CURED IT. I went from thinking I was a monster to thinking that I may actually be somewhat attractive.
I am also in full remission from depression. I have days where I feel sad, yes, but not depressed. I am not "asymptomatic" - I am euthymic. I am HAPPY. I am happy for the first time since I was nine years old.
Borderline symptoms are something we're working on. With Parnate, I feel like I have a fghting chance in working on them.
Most days are a 10. Occasionally a 9. Never have a day below 7.
Mood is happy. Euthymic. Grateful that I have been given a second chance at life, a chance to not only be "asymptomatic" from my depressive symptoms but HAPPY. Not manic. Not hypomanic. HAPPY. Content. Full of life. Excited about the future. Confident. Hopeful. Hopeful. Hopeful.
Posted by stargazer on April 1, 2007, at 22:31:05
In reply to Parnate cured me., posted by halcyondaze on April 1, 2007, at 19:24:05
HalcyonDaze,
Thank you for your post, it is very inspirational. Is this the first time you have had a significant response like this? How long have you been trying to find something to help you? And how many other meds or years have you been looking for a med to work? What is the typical dose of Parnate and are you having any side effects?
Who recommended Parnate, you or your pdoc? I'm always curious about this because more and more of us are finding the solution to our conditions with or without our doctor's help.
It was so wonderful to read your post as it gave me hope to keep trying to get it right.
Stargazer
Posted by halcyondaze on April 1, 2007, at 23:08:29
In reply to Re: Parnate cured me/HalcyonDaze., posted by stargazer on April 1, 2007, at 22:31:05
> HalcyonDaze,
>
> Thank you for your post, it is very inspirational. Is this the first time you have had a significant response like this? How long have you been trying to find something to help you? And how many other meds or years have you been looking for a med to work? What is the typical dose of Parnate and are you having any side effects?
>
> Who recommended Parnate, you or your pdoc? I'm always curious about this because more and more of us are finding the solution to our conditions with or without our doctor's help.
>
> It was so wonderful to read your post as it gave me hope to keep trying to get it right.
>
> StargazerI did have a response to Zoloft, though not as profound. I can't take SSRIs because they cause enuresis (bed wetting) and can't take tricyclics because they give me heart palps and I have mitral valve prolaspe (they also made me irritable as hell).
I was first medicated at age 16. I am now 24. I have been on: Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, Effexor XR, Cymbalta, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Nortriptyline, Wellbutrin, BuSpar, Zonegran, Trileptal, Lamictal, Topamax, Zyprexa, and Risperdal.
I was maintained on Desipramine (100 mg), Trileptal (600 mg) and Seroquel (25 mg) for about a year and was asymptomatic, but nothing at all like this.
Typical dose of Parnate (according to the FDA) is 30 mg to 60 mg MAXIMUM per day. There is a LOT of research on high dose Parnate, though, that suggests that up to 60 mg to 90 mg is the actual dose range, with many people responding profoundly to doses above that (as I did and have).
I am a student of psychiatry so I brought up Parnate to my doctor. We're able to have two-way conversations about my meds, which is wonderful.
I wish you luck.
Posted by FredPotter on April 3, 2007, at 4:20:34
In reply to Re: Parnate cured me/HalcyonDaze., posted by halcyondaze on April 1, 2007, at 23:08:29
wonderful news. I notice you didn't list Nardil, which I am 2 weeks into. I've got a book on Dialectical Behavioural therapy specially tailored for mixed anxiety/depression. Do you think it will do me any good?
Good luck
Fred
This is the end of the thread.
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