What the...?

[eddie z.]

So I went to Vocational Rehab. and my psychiatrist today. A few weeks ago, I did some testing at VR including some tests for ADD that looked like they were ancient and designed for hyperactive 7-year-old schoolboys. So they tell me today I do NOT in fact have ADD, but anxiety and depression. The tests designed for adults indicate I do have it, so what the...?

And the psychiatrist insisted on raising my Zoloft back up to get me out of my rut even though I've complained about the side effects since forever. I'm on five dam* meds and he's talking about maybe adding something for the side effects of the Zoloft. I joked that I thought I needed ECT, but I'm seriously beginning to wonder about the utility of all these drugs, so what the...?

Brent, if you're reading, the shrink said we might swap out the Wellbutrin for Straterra, but I think he's trying to get the depression dealt with first. I'm just so frustrated I could just spit!! Anybody out there had ECT, or any medication breakthroughs from refractory depression? Any feedback appreciated. Thanks!

Love, Eddie

[woodtick]

Eddie,
My understanding is that there are different tests and criteria for adults than for children. This is what I have always read and every test I have ever seen there is a different one for adults. I would assume that is why they call it adult add/adhd. I would contact whoever administered the test and ask them what the heck is up. I'm wondering if they gave you the wrong test and the diagnosis is incorrect.

I feel bad that this is turning into a bit of a mess for you. I hate to see you have setbacks and confusion with your meds/diagnosis's. Take a break first of all and have faith that this will get figured out eventually. I get frustrated myself when this stuff happens to me. I know we are supposed to have confidence in our medical professionals but they don't always get it right because we humans are infinitely complicated. Unfortunately we have to do a lot for ourselves.

Who did your original ADD diagnosis?

[eddie z.]

Brent,
Thank you. My diagnosis has never been confirmed other than by me. teehee. I know self-diagnosis is a big no-no, but I have had several mental health professionals who agree with me and are TREATING me as if I had ADD. One self-administered adult scale indicated ADD, also. I just think, like you said, that VR gave me the wrong tests. I think ADD has been a big problem for me at work, so I'm upset that they're not acknowledging it, you know? Thanks again for the feedback!
Love, Eddie

[VictorY]

Eddie,

I do not have ADD that I'm aware of and I've had no personal medical breakthroughs. But I do want you to know I empathize. I suffer from severe clinical depression, among other things, and currently take a number of medications including Zoloft, which for me has been ok, but everybodys different. It was many years before I was diagnosed with depression, longer for other diagnoses, with a number of mis-diagnoses & mis-treatments. I know it's a frustrating experience. I hope you are properly diagnosed and treated soon. Take care.

[eddie z.]

Victor,
Thanks!! I know about those misdiagnoses! I was even treated for bipolar disorder for a number of years. Do you find that the Zoloft helps with energy and motivation at all? I know it helps my mood and feelings, but I'm really lethargic and lacking in focus. Thanks again!
Love, Eddie

[VictorY]

YW Eddie.

Yes I'm lethargic & lacking in focus, but I don't think its from the Zoloft. I have fibromyalgia (another thing misdiagnosed for years until a few years ago), and both are primary symptoms, along with chronic pain. But of course in your case it could be side effects of the Zoloft. Sure hope you can get it sorted out. Soon.

[eddie z.]

Thanks again, Victor!
The lethargy and trouble focusing are symptoms of my depression. I was just wondering if the Zoloft was likely to help with those particular symptoms or if it was mostly useful just for treating the thought & feeling symptoms. The actual side effects from the increase don't seem too bad this time, except that I'm hot and sweaty all the time.

You're a PTSDer, right? I don't believe fibromyalgia is a primary disorder at all. I think it's symptoms are secondary to trauma and anxiety. I used to have chronic pain also and am prone to psychosomatic troubles myself, so I'm not saying it's not a real disorder, just that its roots are in the psyche. Know what I mean? Have you heard this theory before? There's a book or two by a doctor named John Sarno about it.

I wish you well and thanks again!
Love, Eddie

[VictorY]

Eddie,

Can't say if the Zoloft helps with the lethargy & concentration or not. Who knows without it I might be even worse in those areas--mama mia.

You know, I'm always hot & sweaty too. Actually thats always been a problem for me, but its gotten worse I thot just as I've gotten older--and more obese. Maybe the Zoloft has something to do with that too--the sweating & being hot that is.

Glad your side effects arent' too bad now.

Eddie I've heard of and totally believe the theory you speak of and have some books about it, tho not any by John Sarno.

Even my last psychiatrist/chronic pain specialist dx'd me with fibromyaliga resulting from trauma/PTSD. And the more research is done on FM, the more it is the vast majority of the time traced back to some kind of trauma.

So I'd say my primary disorder is PTSD. The depression, FM, OCD, etc are all results of the trauma.

Knowing this does help me simplify & deal with things a bit.

Hope you are able to do the same with your ailments. Take care. Thanks for sharing.

[Juls]

Eddie,

Sorry to hear your having to be on so many meds, and still not feeling right. Sometimes psychiatry seems like some botched form of withcraft. Throw in a little bit of this and a little bit of that and see what you end up with. LOL Psychiatrists don't know all the answers, and I've had my share of frustrations with them as well. I'm not even sure what the hell I am, although I am diagnosed with PTSD, which I can believe because of the horrible things I had to endure early on in life. Sometimes I think I must also be bi-polar on some leve because of these wild mood swings I have. Lethargic to the point of I don't want to do anything, than all hypered up trying to do a million things at once, and compulsively spending money.

All I can say is I hope something gets figured out for you and you get on an even keel.

Juls

[eddie z.]

Thank you, Victor and Juls!!
Victor,
I glad you subscribe to the trauma theory of FM. A lot of people are offended when it is suggested that there is a psychological problem. They think we're saying "it's all in your head." All I'm saying is that's where it STARTS. I know from personal experience that the physical symptoms are very real!

Juls,
Many people with PTSD have "wild mood swings" that MIMIC bipolar disorder, but they aren't truly bipolar. It's pretty common. Did I say I was once diagnosed as rapid-cycling bipolar because of this same phenomenon? Rapid mood fluctuations also go along with Borderline Personality Disorder, another diagnosis common in trauma victims.

Thanks again, you two!
Love, Eddie

[VictorY]

Eddie,

No I have no problem with that I know it's a psychological problem, at its source. And I know all too well how the psychological affects the physical, and vice versa.

Hope your symptoms are improving.


Juls,

As a PTSD sufferer, I agree with Eddie that drastic mood swings seem to be fairly common with PTSD. Perhaps a good doctor could help you diagnose if you might also have bipolar disorder or BPD. Hope you find some answers that are helpful.

Take care fellas.

[eddie z.]

Thanks, Victor! I think I am doing a little bit better with the increased Zoloft, though I kind of hate to admit it. teehee.
Love, Eddie