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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 162 to 186 of 281. Go back in thread:
Posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2009, at 19:44:48
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » sowhysosad, posted by SLS on October 14, 2009, at 15:40:58
Scott thanks!!!! Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:06:26
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by sowhysosad on October 14, 2009, at 12:48:07
Scott, you try and do some volunteer work. It will keep you busy and you can work when you want to work. I find doing volunteer work essential for mental health.
Posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:44:19
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » sowhysosad, posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:06:26
Posted by SLS on October 15, 2009, at 14:38:46
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » sowhysosad, posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:06:26
> Scott, you try and do some volunteer work. It will keep you busy and you can work when you want to work. I find doing volunteer work essential for mental health.
You're too smart. This has been suggested to me by numerous people in the mental health profession. I will call this week to find out what resources there are available locally. Thanks.
The last few days have been pretty crappy. I hope it is only a temporary worsening. I would hate to have to go back to Abiify, but I will if necessary.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on October 16, 2009, at 8:27:01
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » Maxime, posted by SLS on October 15, 2009, at 14:38:46
I have been deteriorating rapidly over the last week. Increasing my dosage of lithium to 900mg has not helped. My best guess is that my discontinuing Abilify has allowed for this worsening of depression to occur. Although I am not at all happy about having the need to take Abilify, I have decided to restart it.
- Scott
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 16, 2009, at 10:25:39
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 16, 2009, at 8:27:01
Hi Scott:
I'm sorry you'll have to go back on the Abilify, but I commend you for doing whatever you need to in order to feel better.
I hope it will put you back where you were a few months ago; i.e. feeling pretty darned good!
I've missed your valuable input on things!
Good luck!
Gayle
Posted by ricker on October 16, 2009, at 11:35:09
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 16, 2009, at 8:27:01
> Although I am not at all happy about having the need to take Abilify, I have decided to restart it.
Hi Scott,
Sorry to hear about your decline in mood. I'm in the same boat with Zyprexa but have no other choices at the moment.
I keep telling myself it is a fair trade-off (weight gain) for the mood enhancement. I also try and remain optimistic in that our options will broaden with the discovery of newer, user friendly drugs coming down the pipeline?This time of year (Thanksgiving/Christmas/winter blues) seems to challenge my ability to remain optimistic, but I keep telling myself it's temporary! Hang in there my friend, you will overcome your temporary setback. If you need the Abilify then so be it, nothing to be down about.
All the best,
Rick
Posted by floatingbridge on October 16, 2009, at 18:59:52
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 16, 2009, at 8:27:01
Scott, I'm sorry to hear about your deterioration of mood and having to start abilify. Do you think a lower dose might be therapeutic and give you some of the benefits that seem negated at the higher dose (like weight gain). (My two cents worth.)
My best wishes for your renewed health and mood,
warmly,
fb
Posted by uncouth on October 16, 2009, at 19:27:56
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on October 16, 2009, at 18:59:52
scott have you tried zyprexa? i seem to be fairly similar to you in background and meds tried, and zyprexa has been significantly different than geodon and abilify for me. zyprexa at 5mg made abilify 10mg and geodon 120mg look like a sugar pill.
yeah, there's weight gain, but i don't think that's a reason to suffer!
Posted by Phillipa on October 16, 2009, at 19:42:13
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 16, 2009, at 8:27:01
Scott not to anger or upset you but you know I've been here since your cymbalta trial. I've noticed a pattern the last year at least. That is when you start to think about work again you seem to deteriorate. And same time of year. And the weather's been absolutely horrible. Love Phillipa and do hope the abilify begins to work quickly for you
Posted by SLS on October 18, 2009, at 6:30:45
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by uncouth on October 16, 2009, at 19:27:56
> scott have you tried zyprexa? i seem to be fairly similar to you in background and meds tried, and zyprexa has been significantly different than geodon and abilify for me. zyprexa at 5mg made abilify 10mg and geodon 120mg look like a sugar pill.
>
> yeah, there's weight gain, but i don't think that's a reason to suffer!I tried Zyprexa once. I think I started at 10mg. I experienced a brief improvement in the first week, and then watched it disappear. Raising the dosage did not help. However, I have not combined Zyprexa with the same drugs I am currently taking, so I guess it must remain as an alternative.
Thanks, Uncouth.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on October 18, 2009, at 6:31:34
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 16, 2009, at 10:25:39
> Hi Scott:
>
> I'm sorry you'll have to go back on the Abilify, but I commend you for doing whatever you need to in order to feel better.
>
> I hope it will put you back where you were a few months ago; i.e. feeling pretty darned good!
>
> I've missed your valuable input on things!
>
> Good luck!
>
> Gayle
Thanks, Gayle.:-)
- Scott
Posted by SLS on October 18, 2009, at 6:36:46
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on October 16, 2009, at 18:59:52
> Scott, I'm sorry to hear about your deterioration of mood and having to start abilify. Do you think a lower dose might be therapeutic and give you some of the benefits that seem negated at the higher dose (like weight gain). (My two cents worth.)
A very valuable 2¢.
:-)
I'm going to begin taking Abilify at the higher dosage. Once I establish a good response at that dosage, I can try reducing it from there.
> My best wishes for your renewed health and mood,
>
> warmly,Thanks. Your sentiments are much appreciated.
- Scott
Posted by uncouth on October 18, 2009, at 16:56:34
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » uncouth, posted by SLS on October 18, 2009, at 6:30:45
just as an FYI, in the last 1.5 years i've been on emsam, effexor, abilify, geodon, nortriptyine, clomipramine, luvox, lithium, rilutek, lamotrigine, deplin, memantine, parnate, nardil....but my current cocktail over the past 4 weeks has lifted me out of the pit and substantially reduced my obsessive rumination and pain over the past. importantly, i'm getting a response without being pushed into a mixed state, which all SSRIs and SNRIs have done.
i'm not at 100% by any means, but 70% is much better than 10%
what is working for me:
agomelatine 25mg
zyprexa 5mg <--as stated in previous post, I believe this is key
bupropion 600mg (as aplenzin)
deplin 7.5mg
lithobid 600mg
sam-e 400mg
lunesta 2mg (tapering off)i also take a variety of supplaments, including 2000mg of l-tryptophan at night.
i hope you feel better.
uncouth
Posted by uncouth on October 18, 2009, at 16:58:30
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by uncouth on October 18, 2009, at 16:56:34
also, i think there is some thinking about antipsychotics these days that they can be very different drugs at low doses compared to high doses. you may want to try zyprexa at 2.5 or 5mg if you try that drug again.
Posted by Maxime on October 18, 2009, at 19:19:38
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » floatingbridge, posted by SLS on October 18, 2009, at 6:36:46
I hope you start to feel better soon with the Abilify on board.
Posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 20:31:43
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by Maxime on October 18, 2009, at 19:19:38
> I hope you start to feel better soon with the Abilify on board.
Yes. Ditto!
Posted by SLS on October 21, 2009, at 14:54:12
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » Maxime, posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 20:31:43
Thank you all for your concern, suggestions, and support.
I am feeling better since restarting Abilify. After speaking with my doctor, he is letting me increase the dosage of lithium to 900mg. My blood level at 600mg was only 0.3 mEq/L. I am trying to maximize my chances of getting well on these drugs by making sure I am at therapeutic dosages.
I remain hopeful.
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on October 21, 2009, at 15:08:16
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 21, 2009, at 14:54:12
Remaining hopeful with you. And glad you are feeling better.
fb
Posted by SLS on October 31, 2009, at 9:48:14
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » Maxime, posted by floatingbridge on October 18, 2009, at 20:31:43
Doing better at 900mg of lithium.
I'm afraid to hope...
- Scott
Posted by floatingbridge on October 31, 2009, at 10:51:32
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 31, 2009, at 9:48:14
> Doing better at 900mg of lithium.
>
> I'm afraid to hope...
>
>
> - ScottSo I'm knocking on wood for you today. Thank you for the update.
fb
Posted by SLS on October 31, 2009, at 12:36:42
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium. » SLS, posted by floatingbridge on October 31, 2009, at 10:51:32
> > Doing better at 900mg of lithium.
> >
> > I'm afraid to hope...
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> So I'm knocking on wood for you today.
Thanks.This is the best I have felt in quite awhile.
- Scott
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 31, 2009, at 13:58:56
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 31, 2009, at 9:48:14
Scott, I'm really happy to hear that.
What a wild ride all this mental illness/medication business is!
If people only knew, we'd get some kind of major awards for our bravery, creativity ....and persistence. It sounds like that bucking bronco threw you, you regrouped, and now you're back on!I hope this cocktail/ride lasts for a long time!!!
Good luck and
hugs,Gayle
Posted by Bob on October 31, 2009, at 21:42:23
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by ColoradoSnowflake on October 31, 2009, at 13:58:56
> Scott, I'm really happy to hear that.
>
> What a wild ride all this mental illness/medication business is!
> If people only knew, we'd get some kind of major awards for our bravery, creativity ....and persistence. It sounds like that bucking bronco threw you, you regrouped, and now you're back on!
>
> I hope this cocktail/ride lasts for a long time!!!
>
> Good luck and
> hugs,
>
> Gayle
Well said. Unfortunately, there are many unsavory things in life people must endure without any credit or reward.
Posted by HyperFocus on October 31, 2009, at 22:24:14
In reply to Re: Going back to old-school - lithium., posted by SLS on October 31, 2009, at 9:48:14
You're in my thoughts.
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