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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by snapper on February 24, 2005, at 22:36:16
Hey all, just wondering if anybody has had any luck in finding a med that is effective for constant derealization (brain fog) and psudo-dementia. Life should not have to be lived like one is looking through the thick end of an old glass Coke bottle. Stims are out. I have been on a "Pharmacy" full of drugs over the last 15 years ....... Right now just FXR and Valium. I am not bragging but da**m it I used to be an intelligent, quick witted human being. How does one know where to draw the line in terms of actual 'partial response to meds' and the possibility that unremitting TRD is what I am going to have to live with? Adderal and Scotch are not really a viable option like they were 4 to 5 years ago and I am sick of this crap! Any and all replies are appreciated!
'Soft Bi-polar II' Atypical mixed features,OCD, GAD. Who do I have to pay to get rid of this freakin brain cloud!!!!!!!!! Sooooooo unfair!! Of all the things I've lost in my life, It is my Brain I miss the Most!!
Thanks
Snapper
Posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 23:55:54
In reply to HELP!!!, posted by snapper on February 24, 2005, at 22:36:16
I guess we're all in the same boat. Fondly, phillipa
Posted by SadDoggie on February 25, 2005, at 0:27:55
In reply to Re: HELP!!! » snapper, posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2005, at 23:55:54
Me too!!!!
Posted by banga on February 25, 2005, at 0:33:56
In reply to Re: HELP!!!, posted by SadDoggie on February 25, 2005, at 0:27:55
I felt that desipramine has helped me immensely in getting rid of the brain fog. My body likes TCAs for some reason--but desipramine specifically has helped.
I don't know if Wellbutrin would be another suggestion....
Posted by Ritch on February 25, 2005, at 11:56:37
In reply to HELP!!!, posted by snapper on February 24, 2005, at 22:36:16
> Hey all, just wondering if anybody has had any luck in finding a med that is effective for constant derealization (brain fog) and psudo-dementia. Life should not have to be lived like one is looking through the thick end of an old glass Coke bottle. Stims are out. I have been on a "Pharmacy" full of drugs over the last 15 years ....... Right now just FXR and Valium. I am not bragging but da**m it I used to be an intelligent, quick witted human being. How does one know where to draw the line in terms of actual 'partial response to meds' and the possibility that unremitting TRD is what I am going to have to live with? Adderal and Scotch are not really a viable option like they were 4 to 5 years ago and I am sick of this crap! Any and all replies are appreciated!
> 'Soft Bi-polar II' Atypical mixed features,OCD, GAD. Who do I have to pay to get rid of this freakin brain cloud!!!!!!!!! Sooooooo unfair!! Of all the things I've lost in my life, It is my Brain I miss the Most!!
> Thanks
> Snapper
Have you tried any Keppra? Not a lot, but just a little (say 250mg-500mg total per day)? My cognitive functions were definitely improved on it. I just got a little irritable with it.. but that could also have been attributable to other meds... Also, Effexor seemed to "fog up" my head worse than a lot of other meds, primarily due to its ability to disrupt my sleep. Is your sleep OK? If you are waking early, not getting enough good sleep, you will be fogged out all day. Valium is pretty sedative.. maybe another long-acting benzo like .. Tranxene?
Posted by Spriggy on February 25, 2005, at 12:21:47
In reply to Re: HELP!!! » snapper, posted by Ritch on February 25, 2005, at 11:56:37
I have read that to help with the derealization/depersonalization stuff you almost need a more stimulant effect.Maybe you could give something like Wellbutrin or Adderall a try.
I went through a few weeks of feeling like I was in a brain fog or a dream. It was miserable. Sometimes drinking a boat load of coffee helped temporarily so I suppose it's related to dopamamine.
Posted by SLS on February 25, 2005, at 12:43:30
In reply to Re: HELP!!!, posted by Spriggy on February 25, 2005, at 12:21:47
Depersonalization and derealization are very often the results of anxiety. People who are anhedonic (inability to experience reward or pleasure) are more succeptible to this.
I really don't know what to recommend. When it gets very bad for me, I use either Zyprexa or Abilify. You can also choose a benzodiazepine like Klonopin or a sedating antidepressant like low dosage of Remeron or Sinequan. However, it is probably best to think of this strategies as being a temporary bridge until you can find a way to manage the anxiety more directly, whether by medication or psychotherapy. I am not familiar with the use of stimulants to treat depersonalization. If the anxiety is a component of a depressive disorder or the expression of an anxiety disorder, perhaps Effexor would be a good choice.
What does your doctor have to say about all of this?
- Scott
Posted by mmcconathy on February 25, 2005, at 19:02:15
In reply to HELP!!!, posted by snapper on February 24, 2005, at 22:36:16
I cant really give you advice about dissociation becuase im going throught a phase right now, i feel im not real, i feel this is all a stimulation, and i cannot get out and realate to reality. I feel for you, now at least im not the only one who feels there not real.
Sorry im not doing well, but best hopes to you.
I cant even go to my doctor with out my mom's control.
I soon will not be here.
God bless, stay in there
Posted by Phillipa on February 25, 2005, at 20:03:11
In reply to Re: your lucky you can at least control your med, posted by mmcconathy on February 25, 2005, at 19:02:15
Hang in there. I feel for you. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Sebastian on February 27, 2005, at 9:40:50
In reply to Re: your lucky you can at least control your med, posted by mmcconathy on February 25, 2005, at 19:02:15
You feel helpless. Yes it is a phase. You don't want to be sick take meds and feel out of reality. The meds make you feel out of reality, which is helping you stay alive.
Posted by up'n'down on March 1, 2005, at 2:00:55
In reply to Re: your lucky you can at least control your med, posted by mmcconathy on February 25, 2005, at 19:02:15
> I cant really give you advice about dissociation becuase im going throught a phase right now, i feel im not real, i feel this is all a stimulation, and i cannot get out and realate to reality. I feel for you, now at least im not the only one who feels there not real.
>
> Sorry im not doing well, but best hopes to you.
>
> I cant even go to my doctor with out my mom's control.
>
> I soon will not be here.
>
> God bless, stay in there
>
Dear, Dear MM;You are needed in the world. Like others have said, this is a phase-this too shall pass.
I had a sad disappointment when I awakened today, and my mood was altered to the sad, tired old lady, instead of the invigorated one that had been around for at least a week. However, I know what has happened. I was too high on serotonin from my meds, and now I'm suddenly too low. My sweet pdoc has authorized an increase in my med to bring it up. I wish there was a button that we could push that says,"add 1 Effexor immediately" or "do not take your pm dose of Nortriptyline today." Our lives would then be better regulated, so we could concentrate on real living.
Remember, mm, don't do anything desperate. We care very much about you! U'D
>
Posted by Gimpster on March 23, 2005, at 15:37:32
In reply to HELP!!!, posted by snapper on February 24, 2005, at 22:36:16
Hi, I'm new here and was wondering if anybody has tried Keppra for derealization or anything else. My doctor is thinking about putting me on it. I have found anti-epileptics good for controlling obsessive thinking and anxiety but none of them really help my derealization because of their sedative effects. But, I hear Keppra is known to actually improve cognitive ablities in some people. Any input would help.
This is the end of the thread.
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