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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MidnightBlue on August 2, 2005, at 12:12:05
I guess the worst symptom is that I can't sleep well. With Ambien I usually do okay, but I have to take a "vacation" from it every two weeks for several days so it will keep working. I also have pain that sometimes keeps me awake. Not to mention a snoring husband!
If I am well rested, there is half a chance I will have a decent mood for part of the day. Sometimes. I tend toward depression and always have. That is punctuated sometimes with deep pits of despair. Through the years I have been dxed with severe recurrent depression.
While I have trouble "turning my brain off," most often the depression is the too tired to move, can't make myself do anything kind. Everything seems like a huge effort.
On the few days I have a "blip" (usually because I have slept or something good has happened) and have a lilt in my voice and can actually laugh my doctor suspects I might be bipolar. I mean why else would he REALLY want me on a mood stabilizer? (He is an internist but has known me for years.)
I took Depakote 1000mg for over ten years for migraine headaches. I feel much better OFF of it. It made me fat, apathetic, nauseous, and sad. All it did was take those tiny "blips" away. It didn't even help with the migraines that much.
I'm sure I have atypical depression. I gained almost 100 pounds in two years when I had no access to treatment. And I do respond sometimes briefly to good news or moments. (now that I'm not on Depakote) MAOIs do not seem to be an option because docs won't want to prescribe them. I've been to 5 different ones over the years. SSRIs don't work at all. Wellbutrin did years ago, but quit working.
All this background to come down to this. Should I call and try to be certified to actually visit with a Pdoc? Why? I don't like what I've heard about ANY of the ones on my insurance list.
MB
Posted by Sonya on August 2, 2005, at 13:04:21
In reply to What's wrong? How do I fix it?, posted by MidnightBlue on August 2, 2005, at 12:12:05
Since you said sleeping is your most troubling symptom, I first thought of Elavil or Trazodone. They're both antidepressants that also work well for insomnia. Elavil is a tricyclic and unfortunately tends to put the weight on. I found Elavil to work best on my depression.
I'd recommend you consult a psychiatrist for rxing meds. They SHOULD know these drugs a whole lot better than your internist would, IMHO. Could your internist make a referral for you?
I'm sorry for your difficulties. I hope they get resolved and you feel better soon.
Posted by MidnightBlue on August 2, 2005, at 13:28:44
In reply to Re: What's wrong? How do I fix it?, posted by Sonya on August 2, 2005, at 13:04:21
I've tried both. Neither worked well or could be tolerated. I've also taken up to 325 mg per day of desiprimine. It only helped slightly. I don't have a pdoc right now because I lost my insurance for two years and my last one made me pay in full up front even though that was NOT the terms of my insurance which he claimed to accept. He is now so busy he is no longer accepting new patients. Not that I want to go back to him. He was upset raising the Depakote didn't make my depression better. Well, why should it? DUH! Even he said I was not bipolar.
My Internist referred me to a CHILD psychiatirst who also sees adults. Somehow I don't find that very comforting. I don't want to share the waiting room with a bunch or 5 year olds.
This is the end of the thread.
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