I have a new doc. They always start with lithium, even though I've tried it for 3-4 month periods in the past. It takes away my interest in doing anything. It makes me want to die. It really works best on manic episodes, not depressive ones. I've been on 25 or so anti-depressants and various coctails. Wellbutrin and Topamax now. ECT didn't help. I'm just at the end of my rope and the docs are angry with me for not responding to "the gold standards" of treatment. What now? I guess this is the end. 40 years is enough time for them to figure it out.
2007-02-15 04:29:47 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Wow ,sounds like you have been through the meds wringer! And ECT. Not fun. I can't imagine you wouldn't be depressed! You didn't mention the names of the meds you have been on. Lamictal, Risperdal and Effexor XR is the combo for my son. Effexor XR has been a really helpful one. I requested trying this one because other people in our family responded very well to it. Are there other people in your same gene pool that have had success with any certain meds? Worth a shot if so.
2007-02-15 04:42:30 · answer #1 · answered by Allison O 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lithium made my son sick also. For him, the combination of Depakote and and Gabatril (sp?) has been very very effective.
Depakote totally flattened me out, people really noticed it lol and I could not continue it. For me, Lamictal works for manic, Prozac almost works for depressive.
The problem with these drugs is that they take so long to reach therapeutic dosages, and what works for one .... well, you know that part!
Since the doctors haven't figured it out, maybe you should pitch in. Try to reconstruct as well as you can what you have taken, for how long, what dosage and in combo with what...and what you can recall about the results. Your former docs and your pharmacy should have those records. Look up some medical, mental health and bipolar web sites, and compare your results with those drugs you have documented with what is commonly expected of them. You may find that a certain CLASS of drugs have been more -- or less -- successful than others. You may find a some drug or combo that looks promising that you have not yet tried.
Then try and find a doc who is willing to work with your data, (although he may need to confirm it first) rather than insisting on reinventing the wheel. Good luck
2007-02-15 04:56:29 · answer #2 · answered by and_y_knot 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do know that if you aren't taking your medicine regularly (like missing a day or so and then doubling up on your dosage) is not helpful for you. Also if you just stop taking a medication cold turkey that could be very bad on your body and mind as well, so if you don't like what the doctors prescribe atleast get winged off of the meds. Anitdepressants aren't something to fool around with, it can get scary when these things are over used, misused, or abused. Think things over logically, be careful, and maybe even try some time of no medications and more life.
2007-02-15 04:37:44 · answer #3 · answered by mely-mel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋