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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jay_Bravest_FaCe on March 28, 2010, at 2:42:33
Hey Folks,
Well, I ran into a great psychiatrist at a walk-in clinic the other day.(He is actually a child psychiatrist, and talking to him was like talking to an expert on psychopharmacology.) He and I had an amazing conversation about handling meds, and why it seems like a major frustration sometimes. (Or, all the time..)
Okay, here is something that is hard to swallow, and may be such an absolute truth that people are very uncomfortable with. This pdoc basically put forth the theory that in our lifetimes of psychiatric treatment, most of us may and/or "have" to switch meds around, with different doses, and maybe revisit some meds sometimes...or often. The idea that you/we just get one "formula" and everything will just be alright, is probably less the case. As we see on here, medication switches, and dose changes, are the norm. I understand people get frustrated with this, as I have over 17 years of treatment, but if you work with it, I think can provide you with a good amount of "human up-time"...and the fact is that no matter whether we take meds or not, there will always be little "periods" of some pain...which is really just human. We know that lobotomies, and removing the amygdala (the 'emotion seat' in our brains), and hence not feeling *anything*, is no way to live life.
I honestly think we are getting better, even if just incrementally slow, at using and adjusting to meds to keep us contented and happy as can be. The idea that "normal" people are just happy all the time is just so not-true. I look at my life before meds and after. Yes, blocks of rough times with meds..and some VERY tough times they where. (Especially treating the complicated factors in the psyche...i.e. too much anxiety, but then dampening that and having too much depression, or dealing with rapid cycling.)
Basically, we have to, most likely all of our lives, adjust some meds, and change some, sometimes often. What I am trying to say is if you are having difficulties with seeming to be treatment-resistant, that can be, and is, more the norm than just taking one combo and sticking to that the rest of your lives. Treatment-resistance is absolutely *not* the end, but can be a chance to rid yourself of so much of your pain...especially when you find a new combo that works well. It may *always* need fine tuning, but you eventually, in increments, are getting better at taking, even if just a little bit, of pain away from your experience.
Anyhow, I am not trying to preach, but I too have been there, in the very dark, sick, horrific, cold pain of the endless nights, months, and even years. When on a good trend of what seems to be working medications, I can do more than I ever dreamed of, especially more than I did before medications.
I hope this makes sence...just hold on, very, very tightly, to the often small bits of pure sunshine and eventual happiness. It's taken me a long time to finally have periods of actually feeling better, but we also have to use those times to see what we can do to duplicate them.(Especially finding what meds seem to help us, and what ones don't, and even combining the meds that seem to help.)
Please, I am not saying it is *easy* even by a million to one shot. But it can be a bit of a start.
IMHO...FWIW...
Jay
Posted by manic666 on March 28, 2010, at 4:58:34
In reply to The Truth about Meds, and why it is so complicated, posted by Jay_Bravest_FaCe on March 28, 2010, at 2:42:33
spot on that shrink jay//cool post
Posted by Phillipa on March 28, 2010, at 10:53:44
In reply to Re: The Truth about Meds, and why it is so complicated, posted by manic666 on March 28, 2010, at 4:58:34
since I'm reading the old book Listening to Prozac still it kind of sound like Peter Kramer except he placing a lot of faith on psychotheraphy in combo. I haven't found a combo as too many other problems at this time. Thanks for the post Jay Love Phillipa
Posted by gorgeouslygrim on March 29, 2010, at 3:09:48
In reply to The Truth about Meds, and why it is so complicated, posted by Jay_Bravest_FaCe on March 28, 2010, at 2:42:33
Jay,
I think it is so unfortunate that we don't get to have one specific cocktail and thats the end of it. As unrealistic as that sounds, there are so many of us that long for it. I am one of them. I have had the hardest time finding a good combination for now. I am also guily of not taking my meds on a normal basis. I hate it, the meds, the constant doctors visits and mostly I hate the way people think that I "act" this way because I like it. I hate that people in my life do not understand and coming to this realization from your post is just that much more depressing. On a lighter note, I am happy for you that you found a good pdoc!
This is the end of the thread.
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