Don't you know, Dar? It can't possibly be right unless Bud said it, or unless it serves Bud in some way, or if Bud is trying to get into your pants.

In seeing a new doc, it was mentioned possibly going on multiple drugs simultaneously if one just wasn't cutting it.

Maybe you have multiple bum pathways instead of one, such that you get relief of one or another on a particular med resulting in a lessening but not removal of symptoms.

Maybe a combination of 2 that sort of worked would hit more. Something to chew on...

This is such a frustrating disease, I am with you in your disgust. But keep fighting, you never know who you might be influencing in a positive manner. Your openness is refreshing, and your sense of humor, second to none.

Why can't they give you xanax? I had a general practice doctor practically force a xanax prescription into my hand, even after I made it very clear that all I needed was a referral to a neurologist (I already knew exactly what my problem was, I just needed an official "referral" before this new neurologist would take me as a patient and I couldn't get ahold of the old neurologist.) I threw it away even though my roommate at the time pointed out I could get a decent amount of money selling it to one of his friends...

Hey Bri--

My understanding is that wellbutrin is not an SSRI, but a dopamine reuptake inhibitor. I've seen doctors shift people between them or use them in combination. It's hard to know what will work for an individual. But, it is fairly common to use Wellbutrin and Zoloft.

Love, RS

Just remember.... YOU don't suck at all, it's your broken brain chemistry that is trying to FOOL you. And it's very good at that!

I shall have to disagree very strongly about that , Undertoad .

Yes. Yes. Stiff upper lip, and all that. Right, Buddug? Bri should just snap out of it. Right? What are your credentials again? What makes you, who have never even met Bri, know more than her doctor?

You have proven to be completely ignorant on this subject. UT is on target.

Why don't you post in threads where you know at least a little bit about the subject matter?

Buddug-did you see where I posted that i have been in the Intensive Care Unit (at least) FOUR times due to suicidal GESTURES (not ideation. Real gestures) like, taking 20 1mg xanax tabs with a pint of Absolut? that was just the latest. I've many other stories I'm not going to go into now. I was diagnosed with CLINICAL DEPRESSION when I was 13 and I am now 42. That diagnosis has been verified by four different psychiatrists. Seeing as how you don't have anything to say, just leave it alone, OK? I feel so less alone when I talk to these people here...just leave it alone. If you don't like this thread, go elsewhere.

Oh--I can't have xanax or ativan because I'm an addict and because I've a history of trying to off myself. catch-22 kinda thing.

Do yourself a favor, Brianna, and remove one stressor from your world by putting Buddug on your ignore list before continuing this disucssion -- it is not as if the posts we've seen from Buddug to date have added anything to any threads, here.

I know I said WB Buddug a while back, but the Buddug I remembered is not the one we see here. Back off, Buddug (preferably go away altogether).

New SSRI (with fuel injection)
 

Hey Brianna.

I know EXACTLY what you mean about the longer you're fighting depression the harder it gets. I've been on SSRIs since 1997 (holy crap, that's almost a decade!). I'm on Effexor now and it's kept me on an even keel, so to speak, but I still have very dark days. Relationships with "significant others" usually created more stress and anxiety for me. It took a long while, but I think the best thing for me was to finally be happy just with myself, and to be happy without depending on a girlfriend to make me feel worthy. After my divorce, I think I was trying to hard to establish my credibility as a "man" through being with a woman. Now that I'm single and not actively "looking," I'm beginning to enjoy me, my interests, and the ever-changing world around me.

Oh, and The Cellar, also.

Hang in there!:o

Oh. And ditto on the exercise and endorphins; not to mention the pride you feel after doing something good for yourself.

Yes , I have seen what you have written , Brianna . When I said I disagreed with Undertoad , I meant that I never see people as broken . I do not see the human soul as a machine to be fixed . Perhaps my vision of people is too optimistic , and an insult to those who suffer ? I certainly do not mean it to be seen in that way , and I am sincerely sorry if I have hurt anyone's feelings .

Yes , I am very ignorant about most things , and especially about things medical , but I do worry about the amount of pills people take . I live in France , which has the highest pill-popping rate in Europe , and it is getting worse . My sisters once went to America on a Camp America project . They worked with children , and they could not believe the amount of medication those kids were on . It seemed to be standard fare , as ordinary as having salt and pepper on the table . Does this sort of medication make people happier , or is it just some sort of awful downward spiral ?

I can give you no advice . I can simply repeat what I said before .
Your light shines clearly through all that darkness , and I wish you everything you wish for yourself .

Brianna is not broken, her brain chemistry is.

Diabetics have a broken pancreas. Should we deny them medication in the "optimistic" hope that their pancreas will return to its senses and produce insulin?

Millions of people suffer from severe depression, anxiety, panic, and phobias. Not the kind of temporary sadness or momentary fear that stops you for a moment, but chronic, lifelong problems that prevent them from living full lives. Mankind's understanding of the brain is proceeding fast right now, and finally a lot of these problems are being addressed, in better ways than ever.

But out of your bigoted ignorance, you want these people to go on suffering.

And then you admit the ignorance, and give the advice anyway.

Just shut the fuck up.

Some of the worst mental illnesses are going to be solved and millions of people will lead happier and more productive lives. THAT is optimism, not whatever you have convinced yourself is an enlightened view of mankind.