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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by superman on April 21, 2005, at 7:49:22
Wow I think this psycho-babble thing is a wonderful resource. Got to be one of the best sources of anecdotal drug information on the net. Also seems like a good place to get some support, and to seek and share knowledge. Kudos to Dr.Bob for setting this up.
I'm not sure how many people use this thing, but I'm planning on taking advantage of it, so just wanted to say hello to all that I might get to know.
Now, for my first post I'll just ramble on about my problems and experiences (to save some reading: atypical depression, social anxiety. celexa, effexor, trazodone, buspirone - all failed).
Anyway, also looking for any other newbies out there who want to share their experiences with social anxiety or atypical depression (or any symptoms associated with these). Also, tell us about any meds you've tried that worked or didn't work, or any meds you want to try.
My Situation:
My dx of social anxiety is pretty clear. I also have a lot of atypical depression symptoms. My biggest problem I would say is the constant sadness and weariness I experience, which leads to dysthymic thought and obsession, breaking commitments, guilt, self-medication through sleep, eating, and sex, and low-self esteem (from over-eating, being lazy, and so on). These things usually unfold in this order (i.e. sadness leads to thought/self-medicating, which leads to breaking comittments (school,etc.), which leads to guilt/low-self-esteem, and the cycle continues). I can never get enough sleep (14hrs/night average), nor enough carbohydrates. Nor can I stop thinking sometimes.
I'm afraid my doc doesn't know enough about pyschiatric problems... So far I've been on Celexa, Effexor, Trazodone, and Buspirone. I feel like they may have done what they were suppose to, but didn't help me with the symptoms that are problems for me. Each of these probably had some very mild mood-brightening effects, but nothing to overcome the state I'm in. Trazodone is useful for giving me some control over when I want to sleep (but I sleep waaay to much anyway, so it may have even been counter-productive). Celexa had very few side-effects, except for a long-lasting head-ache when I stopped staking it. Effexor was the worst out of all of them, although that may be biased since I took it during a particularily dark period in my life. I experienced nausea while on effexor that never went away, I this certainly had a impact on my quality of life. And of course when I quit taking effexor, the withrawl was horrible. Buspirone may have toned down the amount of anxiety I experienced in social situation, but not enough to make a difference, and I don't think this is a particualrily useful drug for the atypical depression symtoms anyway.
I'm actually really desperate here. I don't have much to live for except for the hope that I'll be able to alter my brain chemistry with the right drug. I think it's time I try a MAOI... parnate or nardil. I know nardil seems to have the best record for treating Socialy Anxiety, but I'm scared of some of the side-effects (weight gain-> already have low self-esteem, and a few others). I'm also going to try some clonazepam which I've just got my hands on, although I'm not sure how I should use it ("as needed", or daily dosage, or what) and I'm scared it will be too sedating.
I've kind of rambled here, but this was good for myself to vent if nothing else. I wish I could find a knowledgeable doctor to discuss this stuff with (my doctor thinks in terms of depression?-take prozac. anxiety?-take buspirone. whats social anxiety?). I don't blame him though. Damn natural selection for allowing people to feel like this! I wish we could all just be happy. Goodluck to all.
-superman (i wish i was)
Posted by gardenergirl on April 22, 2005, at 10:48:12
In reply to Hello All- atypical depr/Soc. Anxiety Experiences?, posted by superman on April 21, 2005, at 7:49:22
Hi Superman and welcome to Babble.
I have atypical depression too. I have been taking Nardil for over a year, and it has been the only AD that seems to make a difference. There is certainly a trade-off with the restrictions and side effects, but so far it remains worth it.
Do you see a family doctor for medication, or do you see a psychiatrist? Family docs are reasonably skilled to treat simple mental health disorders, but they do not have the expertise, in my opinion, to effectively treat someone with a more complex disorder such as atypical depression. (complex because of the anxiety component and the different response to meds than major depression). In addition, they are not as informed about medications, as you have seen.
Good luck. On the meds board you will find alot of folks willing to answer questions about MAOI's. And of course lots of other boards once you feel comfortable around here.
Feel free to ask whatever questions. If I can't answer, there's tons more folks around.
gg
Posted by fibe on April 22, 2005, at 12:02:05
In reply to Hello All- atypical depr/Soc. Anxiety Experiences?, posted by superman on April 21, 2005, at 7:49:22
New treatments such as anti epilepsy meds can help with the anxiety, which sometimes drives the depression. You need a Psychiatrist to manipulate your meds, don't try to do it on your own, it is too dangerous. Good luck.
Posted by superman on April 22, 2005, at 18:18:29
In reply to Re: Hello All- atypical depr/Soc. Anxiety Experiences? » superman, posted by fibe on April 22, 2005, at 12:02:05
Thanks for making me feel so welcome :).
Gardenergirl, thanks for your response. I have seen a psychiatrist a couple of times, but our meetings were brief and he stressed the need to get some pyschotherapy more than anything else, and he supported my GP's choice of meds (as firstlines anyway). I may have to go back as my family doctor is not comfortable prescribing maoi nor benzo's (i think he's worried about abuse potential???). Of course, there is so few pdocs (is that the abrreviation?) and such a high demand for them, its problematic getting a knowledge person to help with these things.
I will spend some time on the meds board I think, so thanks again.
Fibe, thanks for your post too. You may be right about the anxiety driving the depression. I try to analyse myself sometimes, trying to decide if the depression is just secondary to the social phobia, but can't be sure.
Thanks again,
superman
Posted by gardenergirl on April 23, 2005, at 9:49:12
In reply to Re: Hello All- atypical depr/Soc. Anxiety Experiences? » superman, posted by fibe on April 22, 2005, at 12:02:05
Welcome fibe,
Very good advice about meds. I was seeing my GP at first and basically suggsting to him what I wanted to do. I'm so glad I see a psychiatrist now. I feel much more confident about making the right med choices.Take care,
gg
Posted by shermanvolvo on June 20, 2005, at 20:30:30
In reply to Hello All- atypical depr/Soc. Anxiety Experiences?, posted by superman on April 21, 2005, at 7:49:22
Hey there :)
Don't give up. Anxiety is a tricky one to treat, and can be linked to or mask other things. Just hang in there, and continue to ask questions, and be active in your treatment.
My experience with mental health challenges (which have changed diagnoses over the past 10 years - I don't even know specifically what I have) have led me to feel really hopeless. But things are starting to look up, with being assertive with my psychiatrist when things aren't working, and finding a good counsellor (my psychiatrist's communication skills are... well, I spend time debriefing my psychiatrist with my counsellor, but at least the psychiatrist seems pretty knowledgeable about meds, even when I strongly disagree with her).
There are days when I don't think they are ever going to get it right and I feel like dying is the only answer; I know those days will occur again. But I am persistent. I am worth it. And so are you. Keep posting. Let us know what is going on.
Monika
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