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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LilAngel on May 30, 2012, at 2:42:25
This is probably ridiculously over sharing, but
For the past year and a half to two years I have struggled with treatment resistant depression. What this means is that I have tried numerous different medicines, starting obviously with SSRIs, but also Tri Cyclics, and atypical ones like Wellbutrin. We also tried some for PTSD like Prazosin and some for sleep problems like Lunesta. Most people are responsive to the first few if they are able to put up with the side effects.In addition to medication, I have tried to be very open to things that may be helpful. I have been seeing a counselor the entire time, but didnt end up getting much out of it. To force myself to get a reasonable amount of exercise, Lady and Tramp(my dogs) have been making sure that I walk at least thirty minutes every day. I try to eat reasonably to begin with, but have started focusing on following a program outlined in Potatoes not Prozac. I have tried yoga and lots of mindfulness-based meditation.
At this point, since medications have not been successful I am facing ECT this summer. It is really the point when ECT is determined to be successful or not that I would need the most help sorting out which elements may be of use later in my treatment and letting go of the rest.
For people who have withdrawn from medications- is there any element that you might suggest keeping? or something unusual that helped you get through the ups and downs of coming off of medications?
Posted by SLS on May 30, 2012, at 5:10:00
In reply to Moving on, posted by LilAngel on May 30, 2012, at 2:42:25
It is good to be moving on beyond failed treatments, but I wonder if ECT is the next best step. The risks of ECT producing persistent memory impairments is real. Some people have 100 treatments without suffering any cognitive side effects, while others experience difficulties after 10 treatments. So, my question to you is in what ways you combined the drugs that you listed. I also would like to know if you have tried a MAOI yet. You can certainly opt to skip over these treatment strategies if you haven't tried them, but I think you should be aware of their existence. Perhaps there is an urgency about your condition that indicates the use of ECT now rather than later.
I failed to respond to 15 ECT treatments after spending the previous 10 years trying different medications. I ultimately responded to a combination of 6 drugs.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on May 30, 2012, at 10:08:34
In reply to Moving on, posted by LilAngel on May 30, 2012, at 2:42:25
Best of luck to you. I do like the term moving on. So are you saying no more meds for you at all? Do you have a plan for if the ECT should not work? Suck as DBS? Phillipa
Posted by LilAngel on May 30, 2012, at 16:00:24
In reply to Re: Moving on » LilAngel, posted by Phillipa on May 30, 2012, at 10:08:34
That's part of the reason I wanted to post on here was to get additional ideas of where else to turn if ECT is unsuccessful. At this point I am certainly willing to consider things like DBS as an alternative- I have been leaning towards ECT as it has been highly recommended by the counselor and psychiatrist I have been seeing.
Yes, Scott, currently I have come off all related medications. I'm just very frustrated and don't feel like I have enough time to continue experimenting with different drug combinations.
Posted by Lou Pilder on May 30, 2012, at 20:49:15
In reply to Moving on, posted by LilAngel on May 30, 2012, at 2:42:25
> This is probably ridiculously over sharing, but
> For the past year and a half to two years I have struggled with treatment resistant depression. What this means is that I have tried numerous different medicines, starting obviously with SSRIs, but also Tri Cyclics, and atypical ones like Wellbutrin. We also tried some for PTSD like Prazosin and some for sleep problems like Lunesta. Most people are responsive to the first few if they are able to put up with the side effects.
>
> In addition to medication, I have tried to be very open to things that may be helpful. I have been seeing a counselor the entire time, but didnt end up getting much out of it. To force myself to get a reasonable amount of exercise, Lady and Tramp(my dogs) have been making sure that I walk at least thirty minutes every day. I try to eat reasonably to begin with, but have started focusing on following a program outlined in Potatoes not Prozac. I have tried yoga and lots of mindfulness-based meditation.
>
> At this point, since medications have not been successful I am facing ECT this summer. It is really the point when ECT is determined to be successful or not that I would need the most help sorting out which elements may be of use later in my treatment and letting go of the rest.
>
> For people who have withdrawn from medications- is there any element that you might suggest keeping? or something unusual that helped you get through the ups and downs of coming off of medications?L_A,
You wrote the above.
I tell you today, that you could be in a new world, free from depression and/or addiction.
Not a way like any others here that could post about taking another drug or have electro convulsive brain sieziurs that could lead to death or a life-ruining condition, but a way free from mind-altering drugs and from any deceptions of cunning men seekimg to destroy the life in you and shakle you to a life-time of addicting drugs that could kill you or present to you some man's thinking what they think life is all about according to them for you to follow.
What I could tell you will come from a Jewish perspective and there are prohibitions to me here from Mr Hsiung that could keep me from revealing to you what has been revealed to me and what I have found in researching concerning mind-altering chemicals.
You see, I want you to be free and live a natural life, and I know what could be unbeknownst to you and your doctors/therapists. So if I was permitted to post here what I think could save your life, I would. But I can't due to the prohibitoons to me from Mr. Hsiung.
Now you could try to use human acheivement in all the ways of man and you might overcome the depression that you describe here. But I have been revealed a way to overcome by divine acomplishment. And you have a head-start, for the way to the new life is through great tribulation.
Now you might ask yourself {what's goin' on} and about 20 years of druggin' as if that is what you want or not. How about, instead, a new mind, a new heart , a new spirit and a new life.
You can have this new life freely and without price. You can be healed and come out of the darkness of depression into a marvelous light into a community of peace and joy, where there is no death.
I may not be able to tell you here how to get to this new realm, but if you look at the posts of mine to Mr. Hsiung on the admin board that have outstanding requests from me to him, something that IMHHHO you could have your eyes opened to see another way that is not based on one man's thinking to overcome depression.
Lou
Posted by huxley on June 3, 2012, at 5:31:33
In reply to Moving on, posted by LilAngel on May 30, 2012, at 2:42:25
> This is probably ridiculously over sharing, but
> For the past year and a half to two years I have struggled with treatment resistant depression. What this means is that I have tried numerous different medicines, starting obviously with SSRIs, but also Tri Cyclics, and atypical ones like Wellbutrin. We also tried some for PTSD like Prazosin and some for sleep problems like Lunesta. Most people are responsive to the first few if they are able to put up with the side effects.
>
> In addition to medication, I have tried to be very open to things that may be helpful. I have been seeing a counselor the entire time, but didnt end up getting much out of it. To force myself to get a reasonable amount of exercise, Lady and Tramp(my dogs) have been making sure that I walk at least thirty minutes every day. I try to eat reasonably to begin with, but have started focusing on following a program outlined in Potatoes not Prozac. I have tried yoga and lots of mindfulness-based meditation.
>
> At this point, since medications have not been successful I am facing ECT this summer. It is really the point when ECT is determined to be successful or not that I would need the most help sorting out which elements may be of use later in my treatment and letting go of the rest.
>
> For people who have withdrawn from medications- is there any element that you might suggest keeping? or something unusual that helped you get through the ups and downs of coming off of medications?Yes. Exercices.
I ran and jogged and rode every day.
Get up early in the morning, exercise for an hour then have a green smoothie.Saved my life when coming of meds.
And be careful and do it slowly, one at a time. Have someone monitor you if possible.
Beware of delayed effects as well.It can be a very dangerous thing to do but for me was very rewarding.
Good luck.
This is the end of the thread.
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