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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ted on July 22, 2002, at 23:13:03
How do you guys cope with depression when you are doing a med change? I have been reducing my zoloft so I can try celexa and now I am at half my former zoloft dose. Uggh -- I can't get my butt in gear to do *anything*. I feel ssoooo slowed down and fatigued. :-(
Ted
Posted by Gabbi on July 22, 2002, at 23:51:27
In reply to Coping, posted by Ted on July 22, 2002, at 23:13:03
Oh honey I feel for you, I've been through it 4 times, and each time It was so horrible I forgot how horrible it was. I hope you don't have anyone making demands on you, like expecting you to talk or anything.
The only thing I for me that made a noticeablea difference is taking megadoses of Vitamin C. The powdered buffered kind, otherwise its pretty hard on your stomach, about 5-7 1000 mgs per day. Its a lot. It was recommended to me by a heroin addict who I saw REALLY with my own eyes quit heroin without any withdrawl except insomnia.Different drugs I know, but his Naturopath (I know heroin/naturopath) doesn't quite go; (maybe the naturopath was a relative), told him it works for just about anything. It did help me. Its not expensive and for a few days it's not harmful. Hang on!
Been tapering off Benzo's todays my first day without any..... I'm having the opposite, get me off the ceiling feeling, but the C helped there too. I've never gone this far before even with prescription withdrawl help.
Posted by Gabbi on July 22, 2002, at 23:53:32
In reply to Re: Coping, what fresh hell is this? » Ted, posted by Gabbi on July 22, 2002, at 23:51:27
I hope you can get it delivered!
Posted by fiona on July 23, 2002, at 18:21:28
In reply to Coping, posted by Ted on July 22, 2002, at 23:13:03
I don't. Changing from one mood stabiliser to another at the same time as cutting down my antidepressant AND coming off diazepam. It is not a good combination and I would say that for the past few weeks I have not left the house much. My house is my safe haven (it stops me from throwing myself in front of cars if I am inside). It also helps to have VERY good and loving friends.
Posted by fiona on July 23, 2002, at 18:30:24
In reply to Coping, posted by Ted on July 22, 2002, at 23:13:03
Sorry Ted, that wasn't very helpful of me. I know how you are feeling and it's absolutely awful. I wish I could give you some advice, but if I knew what to do, I would be doing it. All I can say is to take care of yourself and I agree that vitamins are a good way to give yourself a boost. Also, Bach's Rescue Remedy is reputed to be of some use to comfort and reassure when times get stressful. It is a herbal remedy available in health food stores and pharmacists.
Take care of yourself :)
Posted by Gabbi on July 23, 2002, at 21:53:36
In reply to Re: Coping, posted by fiona on July 23, 2002, at 18:30:24
I felt helpless too, all I really know is that I lived through it.
If you aren't really withdrawing just switching its a matter of being really bored, and feeling hot/cold awful, and being too lethargic to to do anything about it.
If I'm not mistaken though I don't think you need to be completely off zoloft before you start the Celexa But I guess you probably checked that out already
. I am ready to swear now though that the Vitamin C helps with any change/withdrawl. If you can get up to get it.
Posted by Gabbi on July 23, 2002, at 22:06:27
In reply to Re: Coping, posted by Gabbi on July 23, 2002, at 21:53:36
I'm serious. There is just so much more day to get through. Its really hard to convince yourself its okay to stay in bed until noon and go back to bed at 7pm in the summer.
I certainly hope you never have to go through this again, its so cruel especially when after this you have to wait to find out if the Celexa works. If you do though, wait until fall.
I'm sorry really but there just isn't much to do but wade through it. I wished there was a way they could just put me to sleep for a week.
Best of Luck (oh that'll help for sure)
Posted by Gabbi on July 23, 2002, at 22:20:04
In reply to Re: Coping -oh, and don't do it in the summer , posted by Gabbi on July 23, 2002, at 22:06:27
I think the Bach Flower remedies are intriguing, and amazing in how they work on such personal quirks.
However when I tried to use them during a medication switch my own brain chuckled at me.
Not only did it chuckle it developed a thick german accent and said
"VAT eez theez first you geev me dee chemacls unt now yu try unt feeex me vit da flowas ha ha ha gute choke Gabbi"It did
Posted by tabitha on July 24, 2002, at 1:20:31
In reply to Coping, posted by Ted on July 22, 2002, at 23:13:03
I just lower my expectations during the sluggish times. If it's not really really essential it can wait til I have more energy. My therapist also suggests getting help with routine tasks (like hiring people or asking friends to help), but I'm not so good at that.
Posted by Dinah on July 24, 2002, at 7:29:08
In reply to Re: coping -yup, its me again.., posted by Gabbi on July 23, 2002, at 22:20:04
I just hate it when my brain laughs at me. And when it sticks out its tongue at me, it's even worse!
Posted by Ted on July 24, 2002, at 13:36:35
In reply to Re: Coping, posted by tabitha on July 24, 2002, at 1:20:31
Thanks all for your words of encouragement. My therapist told me to call her if my depression "got bad", whatever that means. I just have a difficult time keeping focused on my work.
Tabbi, I wish I could "just lower my expectations." How do I do that? Just 3 weeks ago, I was given a bonus at work. They keep doing that, and I keep thinking I better keep the productivity up or I'll be on the list next time cuts come. OK, so I have OCD too -- what's new? 90% of my troubles are just me -- that's the problem.
Oh well... I'll go back to acting like I'm working.
ted
Posted by tabitha on July 24, 2002, at 15:13:08
In reply to Re: Coping » tabitha, posted by Ted on July 24, 2002, at 13:36:35
Oh, having trouble doing job. That's when it gets though. I meant more like blowing off housecleaning and regular oil changes for a bit.
Is there a chance you're magnifying your loss of productivity though? It may not be so noticeable to others, if you're not missing deadlines. I've taken sick time for depression so as not to be moping around the office, but that brings its own anxieties.
If you're changing meds, it shouldn't be long before the new ones kick in, should it?
Wish I could be more helpful, besides tossing in the old standy-by "hang in there, it'll get better"
Posted by Ted on July 25, 2002, at 13:07:53
In reply to Re: Coping » Ted, posted by tabitha on July 24, 2002, at 15:13:08
Tabbi,
> Oh, having trouble doing job. That's when it gets though. I meant more like blowing off housecleaning and regular oil changes for a bit.
Ha! I blow those off regularly! (Uh oh... I better check my oil change log...)
> Is there a chance you're magnifying your loss of productivity though? It may not be so noticeable to others, if you're not missing deadlines.
That's just it. I don't have any well-defined tasks right now. So I end up goofing off much of the time. I have a private office, so I am not so visible, but nonetheless..... Yes, I talked to my manager, and I'm supposed to be doing a new product design, but nothing is happening with it just yet.
>I've taken sick time for depression so as not to be moping around the office, but that brings its own anxieties.
Yeah, I could do that. But why? If I stay at home, I am pestered by my young son (6-1/2). All I'll want to do is sleep and stare out a window.
> If you're changing meds, it shouldn't be long before the new ones kick in, should it?
Oh yes it will! I'm still going down on my zoloft. I still have 1.5 weeks to go before I'm off it, then I have to start celexa, which could take up to 6 weeks to do anything beneficial IF it works at all. In the best scenario, if celexa works after 2 weeks, it'll be a month before I am feeling OK.
I was telling my wife just this morning that I want to stop my depakote (I have bipolar-1.5). I'm thinking that I need the (hypo)manic boost :-) but she told me NO WAY.
> Wish I could be more helpful, besides tossing in the old standy-by "hang in there, it'll get better"
Yeah, I know. After all, that's what I say to others. :-( It is usually true, and when it happens, I'll look back and think it wasn't really all that bad.
->*sigh*<-
Ted
Posted by SandraDee on July 27, 2002, at 12:07:53
In reply to Re: Coping » Ted » tabitha, posted by Ted on July 25, 2002, at 13:07:53
Are things any better this weekend? Just thinking of you...
Posted by Ted on July 27, 2002, at 14:28:07
In reply to How are you coping these days? » Ted, posted by SandraDee on July 27, 2002, at 12:07:53
> Are things any better this weekend? Just thinking of you...
No, not really. Thanks for thinking of me though. If anything, I am getting more depressed. At best, I am doing only just OK.
I have been *trying* to do things to keep myself busy. I planted a new fruit tree in my front yard this morning (Fuyu persimmon - yummy!) and I washed my truck inside & out for the first time in, oh, about 5 years according to receipts I found under the seat. I need to plant flowers in a windowbox and transplant an orchid, but I just can't get my butt in gear.
Ted
Posted by SandraDee on July 27, 2002, at 14:38:42
In reply to Re: How are you coping these days?, posted by Ted on July 27, 2002, at 14:28:07
It's great that you are getting out and keeping busy... I know what you mean about having to push yourself. Some days are like that for me. In face most days. I find that if I just start (like taking the laundry to the laundry room) then before I know it I'm actually doing it anyway. Gardening is my least favorite though. I have to get out in my front yard and weed soon. Maybe when the kids go down for a nap. But I bet I'll end up just taking a break and watching a show that *I* want to watch. Something that doesn't involve a singing bear or dancing frog. Hang in there, Ted.
Posted by Ted on July 27, 2002, at 15:59:08
In reply to Re: How are you coping these days? » Ted, posted by SandraDee on July 27, 2002, at 14:38:42
Planted the flowers in the windowbox and transplanted the orchid. YEAH!
BTW: I hate gardening & yardwork too. But I do like flowers and carnivorous plants (Venus flytrap, pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts, etc. -- I have around 20 different kinds).
Now I have to get a shower and turn into a vegetable.
Ted
Posted by SandraDee on July 27, 2002, at 16:05:21
In reply to Keeping busy » SandraDee, posted by Ted on July 27, 2002, at 15:59:08
Posted by tabitha on July 27, 2002, at 16:52:04
In reply to Keeping busy » SandraDee, posted by Ted on July 27, 2002, at 15:59:08
it's making me exhasuted just watching you work. want to wash my car next? :)
Posted by Ted on July 27, 2002, at 17:02:45
In reply to my goodness, Ted, posted by tabitha on July 27, 2002, at 16:52:04
> it's making me exhasuted just watching you work. want to wash my car next? :)
Well, ummmm, no. (sorry). Remember what I said? It took me 5 years to get to it this time judging from the September 1997 receipts I found.
But just as SandraDee and I have been saying, it's better to keep busy, even if it is difficult. That's how I coped with bipolar for 30 years unmedicated. I would wake up in the morning and work manically (especially when really depressed) until I collapsed in bed at night.
Ted
Posted by tabitha on July 27, 2002, at 19:51:07
In reply to Re: my goodness, Ted » tabitha, posted by Ted on July 27, 2002, at 17:02:45
Oh, okay. Guess I'll have to wash it myself.Good for you for getting yourself moving. When I'm feeling completely sluglike and unable to accomplish anything my standby is to just go for a walk. Any motion is better than none. Watering the flowers outside is pretty reliable too, even if I do feel like the stereotypical old man out there in the yard spraying with the hose.
Posted by Ted on July 28, 2002, at 11:53:00
In reply to Re: my goodness, Ted, posted by tabitha on July 27, 2002, at 19:51:07
The fun part about bipolar disorder is I know every day will be different from the last.
Sunday morning finds me less depressed than I have been for many days. Since today's total zoloft dose is only 50 mg, down from 200 mg, I'm beginning to wonder if the zoloft made me depressed.... :-(
Thanks to all!
Ted
This is the end of the thread.
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