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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 dazedandconfused on September 2, 2003, at 17:07:16
I also posted this on the Pscyho-Babble site, but perhaps it belongs here instead (I don't know!). This is my first time posting a question so hope it makes sense. I haven’t seen this issue discussed and really need help sorting it out.
Does anyone else have trouble determining whether or not their meds are effective?
I don’t notice much of anything (life in general, meds). I feel somewhat disconnected; not in touch with feelings (physical or emotional) at all. But when I read other posters say, “on X med, I felt more motivated, focused, etc.” but X med made me feel “agitated, anxious, etc.”, I simply can’t relate. And it really blows me away when a poster can be so specific as to say, “X med improved my motivation level to 70%, and X med is clearing up the residual depression and obsessions”. HUH??? How can you be so detailed in your description of your reaction to meds? What am I missing?
I have no idea whether my meds are effective. When I first started treatment for this round of depression (three years ago), I was laying in bed all day sobbing uncontrollably. So, yes, the meds have been effective in pulling me out of that and I am “better” than I used to be. However, I certainly don’t feel “well”. I haven’t worked in three years and get overwhelmed with the smallest of household activities. (I have other symptoms, but am trying to keep this message from becoming ridiculously long). I have no idea if my motivation levels and ability to focus are normal, but I suspect not. I believe I have suffered from varying degrees of depression my entire life; therefore, if I have never had high levels of motivation or focus, how will I know when / if it happens? How will I know when meds are working and I am getting well (or as well as I can get?)
As an example of being disconnected, of all the meds I have tried I have never noticed the side effect of dry mouth. Now I probably have a dry mouth, but I simply don’t notice it. In fact, I have rarely noticed any side effects from meds (occasional headache). Although this “not noticing” is great for negative side effects, the flip side is I don’t even know what positive effects are coming from the meds. In other words, I have a hard time determining how well my meds are working. Energy, focus, motivation, mood, etc…HUH? HUH? HUH? Obviously, this keeps me from making much progress. How can I tell if I am on the correct meds if I am not aware of how I feel and if I have always suffered from depression?
Is this ADD? Disassociation? Am I just spacey? Apathy?
I am on high dosages of all my meds, so it shouldn’t be a dosing question.
I really hope someone answers. This is a huge stumbling block for me.
Posted by Budgie on September 2, 2003, at 17:44:37
In reply to Is anyone else...disconnected?, posted by dazedandconfused on September 2, 2003, at 17:07:16
Hi,
I had trouble knowing for a long time if my meds were working. It seemed some things brought me up from *rock* bottom, but certainly didn't help me feel better. I searched around a lot, finally found out about "treatment-resistent" depression and "atypical" depression. Certain things work much better than SSRIs and such on that (there was a guy a few weeks ago who's obsessed with electro-convulsive therapy as the best treatment), notably MAOIs. I started a drug called Parnate a month ago, and yes, I notice a huge difference- and feel alive (I had *much* anhedonia before). Do some research and think about it.
At the same time, I'm very med-sensitive, including to side-effects. But ask some others on this board about "TR" depression. They know more than I do, i'm sure.
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 3, 2003, at 1:23:39
In reply to Is anyone else...disconnected?, posted by dazedandconfused on September 2, 2003, at 17:07:16
> I also posted this on the Pscyho-Babble site, but perhaps it belongs here instead (I don't know!). This is my first time posting a question so hope it makes sense. I haven’t seen this issue discussed and really need help sorting it out.
>
> Does anyone else have trouble determining whether or not their meds are effective?Sorry if it's confusing, but since your question has to do with medication, I think it does fit best at Psycho-Babble. For those who haven't seen your post there, here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030902/msgs/256395.html
Bob
Posted by dazedandconfused on September 3, 2003, at 15:50:35
In reply to Re: Is anyone else...disconnected?, posted by Budgie on September 2, 2003, at 17:44:37
This is the end of the thread.
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