Depression For Dummies

[Fierce Critter]

The "Dummies" series is pretty damned good.

I picked up "Depression For Dummies" and started reading it.

Since my current issue is finding a medication that works (I'm on my 3rd fruitless try), I skipped to that part of the book, and learned something exciting.

I don't think there's a damned thing wrong with my serotonin levels. Yet all the meds we've tried sofar work on serotonin and norephinephrine.

Instead, I think the real problems are with my norephinephine and DOPAMINE levels. The effects of problems with those accurately describe my symptoms. Whereas I'm not have the problems most associated with serotonin levels - most especially low moods.

This is exciting for me. 'Cause sofar, the meds we've tried don't do ANYTHING to dopamine levels. I'll be making an appointment with my MD as soon as I can swing the copay and suggest we maybe try Wellbutrin, which targets norepinephrine & dopamine, and not serotonin. I'll be seeing my therapist before that happens, and I'll be asking her about all that, too.

Thank goodness for this book. I highly recommend it if you don't want to put the treatment of your depression solely in the hands of therapists/doctors.

[Fierce Critter]

Bonus.

Wellbutrin is available in a generic form, Bupropion, which costs only $15.00 on my plan.

And I've heard that Wal-Mart is going to be selling generics for $4.00. So that might be even better.

We shall see.

[Brenda Starrr]

That is GREAT news. I know a lot of people who have the same or similar issues that you do. I should pass this along.

[n0Mad]

Bonus.

Wellbutrin is available in a generic form, Bupropion, which costs only $15.00 on my plan.

And I've heard that Wal-Mart is going to be selling generics for $4.00. So that might be even better.

We shall see.

There are three forms of Wellbutrin. There's the original just called Wellbutrin, there's Wellbutrin SL which stands for Sustained Release, and Wellbutrin XL which is Extended Release. I'm on XL and loving it although no generic is available for that yet. There is a generic for the other two though.

[Homicidalheathen]

I love the dummies books too. They taught me how to use a few software programs.

I think it is good to know more about your condition because only you know how you feel, not the doctor.

[Onyx]

Very very interesting!

I didn't know about the differences in how medications target the different brain chemicals.

Hope you get some results now. Knowledge is power!

[Nienna]

Wellbutrin jacked me up least badly of the ones I've tried. I know several people who have had sucess with it. Good luck!

[Hellion]

:devil

All I could use is a joint,hell with al those chemical pillsLOL!!!

[torn asunder]

as an aside, do you think anyone would by a book called "self-esteem for dummies"!? or would they take it as an insult!?

[BrassFusion]

as an aside, do you think anyone would by a book called "self-esteem for dummies"!? or would they take it as an insult!?

Self Esteem for Worthless Assholes who are Too Stupid to Find It On Their Own

[n0Mad]

I walked into Borders once and asked them where the Self-Help section was. They wouldn't tell me.

[JaneDead]

depression is a four letter word. in my case, quite literally, has been a four letter word. my four letter word rhymes with "bitch"...

i hope anyone who is depressed finds their way out if any way they can. it can suck you in and take away what makes you YOU.

i am slowly climbing my way to a better place and it feels really really good. my progress may be slow, i am not sure yet? but at least i will get there and make it through. i already am.

as always i wish the best for you critter!

[Fierce Critter]

Thank you, Jane.

I met with my therapist today. Note she's a CSW (Certified Social Worker) and family/marriage therapist, not a psychiatrist.

She would rather I saw a psychiatrist, as they are more up on all things medication. But together in a puree of her working with me, my working with my MD for meds, and my doing my own proactive research & searching (like reading books like "Depression For Dummies"), we're a good stew of knowledge & experience.

She's real excited about my finding the correlation between my symptoms and the dopamine/norepinephrine aspects. I'm going to be calling my MD tomorrow to see if she can get me in next week for a prescription for Wellbutrin.

Jon also expressed interest in going to see Nancy (my therapist) with me, and Nancy said she'd do so gladly, for the same price. Jon's on call through next week, so that's not going to happen until after that. But I'm really excited about this.

Better days ahead!