Cam, OK, I see what you mean about the use of Topamax in general.

I could not stop eating 24/7 on the Zyprexa. The doctor told me it does something to a part of the brain that tells you you are full or something like that. In other words it was telling me I'm hungry all the time. I could not tolerate that. With Topomax maybe, though. I know what you're saying about digency with the diet but I have never taken anything that had me eating like that. It took me over, honestly. I never thought anything like that could happen to me but it did bigtime.


I wonder if anyone will try Topamax for PTSD.

Cam, I've studied counseling many techniques myself while in college and cognitive behavioral helps for some problems but from my studies it is not advised as a sole treatement for extremely traumatic incidents and I believe that firmly. I also tried CBT and desensitization early on with disastrous results and that confirmed it for me. My illness with desensitization technique became much worse and I was in a constant state of terror and panic and grief. It took me a very long time to come down from it. Never again.

Yes I tried Effexor and the xr version, too, and long term for around a year. Honestly, with effexor and the ssris I never stopped having the panic and was on all of them for at least 6 mos. and some a few years. It was a nightmare on Elm Street. Effexor was one that wasn't the worst but still it gave me many effects of inducing ptsd worse-like being in a nightmare and with nightmares. The longer I was on Effexor the worse things got. I also had the effects of beign hot and then cold on and off throughout the years on it.

I'm a person who just does not tolerate these drugs well and I guess that's just how it is. My sensitivities are off the scale.

I do believe in therapy, though, not the CBT or behavioral type strictly. I use CBT in my life for some things and find it useful. But for the PTSD I prefer something more eclectic and with CBT as only a small component. For me, I really like humanistic therapy (Rogerian). For traumatic issues I believe that being empowered again and finding a good therapeutic relationship are the most important issues.

About the Lithium augmentation, that's very interesting and I will consider that, too.

Cam, I'm one of those who never got rid of the obsessions with the ssris, like I mentioned before. ( I have been diagnosed with severe chronic ptsd and acute ptsd at the same time. Plus I have other diagnosis ) I always had them as long as I was on the drug and for very long trials of at least 6 mos. and for years, too. I was given ativan but cannot be taking that for years on end. The ativan gave me memory problems and made me lethargic all the time, too.

I've gone through years of psychotherapy and got somewhat better in specific areas but am believing to think that this is as good as it gets with the PTSD. Parts of the PTSD and depression seem to be very resistent to everything and believe me I have tried very hard to get rid of it. I was told that I am an excellent client, too. I can accept that I may not get any better but still I have an appointment with a new psychiatrist coming up. I also am looking into the type of therapy that I feel I need and considering my prior experiences, needs and readings.

Cam, I'm sorry but I have dependents to look after and I could not risk the side effects of ECT and really was joking.

Cam, thanks for telling me about all of these options. No, I don't want to be a guinea pig with the sTMS and feel sorry for the real guinea pigs on that one.

Cam, thanks for all the input-I appreciate every bit of it. After thinking it over I might consider the topamax and zyprexa together but not sure on that one. I know diet and exercise are important but while eating all the time on Z , I had no time for exercise. It activated my eating obsession bigtime.

I may just read some self help books too on the subjects that are my issues. I'm a big believer in them. It's been hard for me to find a good long term therapist (I had one but he retired) but I am still looking. I haven't given up. I haven't given up on medicine totally but I may be a person who just cannot tolerate them. My liver is abnormal, too, so that may have a lot to do with it.

Thanks for your thoughtful suggestions. I'm going to mull it all over. I definitely am getting into therapy (mostly for support and empowerment) and plan on going back on my diet and exercise. I actually exercised one day this week! I have a powertrek I put to use and then I did exercises I've learned over the years right on the living room floor. It didn't cost me a thing and in the comfort of home. I'm going to get to it again today.

Thanks again, Cam, I enjoyed your "ramblings!"! CQ



<font color=orange>Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.</font color=orange>