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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JoshM on November 25, 2003, at 21:49:39
I currently suffer from depression/dysthymia. I have taken many SSRI's with little-no results. I am now taking 75mg of Effexor for over a month, which I think helps my overall mood, but doesn't do much for my problem.
The biggest problem in my depression is my lack of motivation/emotion/drive. Basically the "flat" feeling of depression. It has been a big factor in my life for almost 2 years now. I can't muster up the energy or desire to get a job or finish my Highschool credits.
I have heard of people benefiting from drugs like Amisulpride or Ritalin in my case. Would adding Amisulpride or some other mood enhancer be something I should look at? ANY help or opinions would be greatly appreciated!!!
Posted by Amy Radtke on November 26, 2003, at 10:58:34
In reply to Medications to accommodate Dysthymia? (help), posted by JoshM on November 25, 2003, at 21:49:39
Hi,
I was diagnosed with dysthymia in 1989. I've tried every single type of antidepressant out there since then and basically they've helped some but really have only kept a bad depression at bay. I know what you mean feeling emotionless. I relate very well. A new psych recently prescribed a mood stabilizer as a new approach for me saying that sometimes that will help "boost" an antidepressant. He prescribed Depakote and within 1 week I had more energy, clearer thoughts and felt like a person with actual feelings/emotions. It's amazed me. The drawback was a 20# weight gain within 6 weeks so he has switched me to Topamax, a different mood stabilizer. So, perhaps you might want to investigate this if your dysthymia is as stubborn as mine has been.
Amy
Posted by JoshM on November 26, 2003, at 15:53:34
In reply to Re: Medications to accommodate Dysthymia? (help), posted by Amy Radtke on November 26, 2003, at 10:58:34
Hi Amy,
That's great to hear!! My Dr. has gave so many anti-depressants that never worked much I thought I was doomed to be this way forever. But now there is some new hope.
What AD are you using with Topamax and how many MG is useful for you?
I have gone to my Dr. everytime with the same complaints about my depression and everytime she ups the dose. And when that doesn't work she switches meds and tells me I will be better in a month :P. I'm afraid if I ask her about a mood stabilizer she will ignore me and just up my dose again, especially since I am only 17.
> Hi,
>
> I was diagnosed with dysthymia in 1989. I've tried every single type of antidepressant out there since then and basically they've helped some but really have only kept a bad depression at bay. I know what you mean feeling emotionless. I relate very well. A new psych recently prescribed a mood stabilizer as a new approach for me saying that sometimes that will help "boost" an antidepressant. He prescribed Depakote and within 1 week I had more energy, clearer thoughts and felt like a person with actual feelings/emotions. It's amazed me. The drawback was a 20# weight gain within 6 weeks so he has switched me to Topamax, a different mood stabilizer. So, perhaps you might want to investigate this if your dysthymia is as stubborn as mine has been.
>
> Amy
>
Posted by jeanette on November 27, 2003, at 20:59:13
In reply to Re: Medications to accommodate Dysthymia? (help), posted by Amy Radtke on November 26, 2003, at 10:58:34
hey, hopefully amy will read this...i am taking 20mg of prozac and 900mg of lithium. have u ever tried lithium? i'm just wondering why it's the first combo i've tried and why my doc didn't try one of the other mood stabilizers?
Posted by Amy Radtke on November 28, 2003, at 15:19:02
In reply to Re: Medications to accommodate Dysthymia? (help) » Amy Radtke, posted by jeanette on November 27, 2003, at 20:59:13
> hey, hopefully amy will read this...i am taking 20mg of prozac and 900mg of lithium. have u ever tried lithium? i'm just wondering why it's the first combo i've tried and why my doc didn't try one of the other mood stabilizers?
Hi Jeanette and Josh,
I don't know why my doctor did not try lithium first. His first try was depakote at 500 mg for 1 week and then increased to 1000 mg for the next 5 weeks. After a total of 7 weeks and 20# weight increase I called to say I cannot take this weight gain and he has switched me to to topamax, starting initially at 25 mg and now up to 75 mg. I also still take fluoxetine 80 mg which is a generic AD. Seems to all be working and an added plus is the weight is just beginning to come off that I gained on depakote.I don't know a lot about mood stabilizers or about lithium. I am just learning about them. I will be seeing my psych again next week for a "checkup" and will be asking some more questions. But, it's really, really helped me with my dysthymia and I am very grateful to finally have some real emotions in my days and especially less irritability.
Amy
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