EMSAM or ECT?
I saw the pdoc today. He said that most of my depression is, as I suspected, situational. However, he agreed that not being able to/wanting to leave the house, drive myself places, etc. is again, as I suspected, heading towards clinical. He mentioned how last spring/summer he and the shock doc discussed having me on maintenance ECT (once a month), but right now I have no insurance. And even if I had insurance, I’m not sure I’m ready to go through that again.
Although my memory has improved, there are stupid little things that I have to ask Brian (or anyone else) every single day, like, “How do you wash the wooly socks again? In warms or colds?” Nearly every day I have to ask this. As I sit here and write this, I think they go in colds, but I’m not even 90% positive.
The next thing to try is EMSAM, the MAOI patch that has no dietary restrictions like traditional MAOI meds. The problem is, it’s new and doesn’t come in a generic form, and I’m sure it’s expensive.
My next appointment is in three weeks. I’m hoping things will have improved by then. Oh, I didn’t make it to the gym on Monday or Tuesday, or to rat hockey on Tuesday, but I did go to the gym last night, and I’m about to take a nap so I can make it to hockey practice tonight.
Bipolar/Anxiety/BPD
My pdoc suggested Emsam to me awhile ago, but I couldn’t use it for the same reasons…it’s new, expensive and my insurance won’t cover it. I am on a class B MAOI called Eldepryl which does come in a generic form called Selegiline HCL. In lower doses (I’m on 15 mgs/day) it doesn’t have the harsh dietary restrictions of the traditional MAOI’s.
The only foods I’ve been told to avoid are avocados and LARGE quantities of aged cheeses. I love the aged cheeses so I’m glad I still get to eat them whereas with the other MAOI’s you’re basically banned from eating them at all.
There are meds you can’t take while on it like most of the anti-depressants such as Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, etc., but that’s typical of all MAOI’s. The only thing I’ve been warned to really avoid is over the counter decongestants because they contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.
I think this med has helped my depression more than any other I’ve taken & I’ve taken over 20 different kinds, and it’s also been far better than the ECT I had. I know everyone reacts differently, but it might be something to ask your pdoc about.
January 12, 2007 1:26 am
*big hugs* I’m glad you’re considering different options. The ECT would probably help, and maintenance ECT is an awesome thing, but I can so understand that you don’t want to go through all the memory trouble again when it hasn’t even cleared yet.
The patches sound great, I don’t think they’ve made it to Sweden yet. I’m crossing my fingers that you’ll be able to afford them if you want them.
January 12, 2007 1:44 am
LIke everything else, it’s just trying to figure out what symptoms you can live with, and which ones you can’t. So often we’re told that treatments or medicines will fix a condition, but when you look at the lable, the host of side effects can be just as bad…
Requiring strict dietary changes, or memory loss…
In any event, it’s tryign to figure out what you can live with and what you can’t. You’ll get there Barb. You’re closer than you ever were before… that’s progress!
January 12, 2007 9:44 am
((hugs))
I’m dealing with coming up with the right medication although I know my weight is a major factor in my depression. Take care of yourself!
January 12, 2007 12:21 pm
I really feel for you. I hate when I’m in a slump per se, ’cause I hate everything that surrounds me ppl, things you name it. I really hope you start feeling better soon and just remember to take it day by day (f)
January 12, 2007 1:08 pm
Wow. Heavy stuff. I have no experience in any of these matters, so I can only say I hope it won’t come to that and you will manage to feel better soon without having to go thru the medication bit!
January 13, 2007 9:46 am