Re: I have CLL - Helen

[Guest guest]

Hi Helen - first of all, you could not be in better hands than and Sherman. That whole building on 70th Street is full of geniuses. Almost all my docs are there :-)

Regarding your depression, we all deal with it, more or less. I think that now that you have had a 4 1/2 year experience you might try to get a bit optimistic about the whole thing. I know it's easy to say, but if it had not been for your kidney issue you would probably still be untreated, a 4 1/2 year stretch. That in itself is a very good prognostic indicator.

No drug is without side effects, but Rituxan is relatively less harmful than others. Many people take it on as "maintenance" basis. (The good of doing this has not yet been firmly decided, but it goes to show you that it is not an especially dangerous drug.)

Many people with depression try Celexa, Zoloft, or Lexapro. You might talk to one of your docs about that. I know that Dr. encourages this from time to time.

Best, Stay up-to-date on the latest news - from fashion trends to celebrity break-ups and everything in between.

[Guest guest]

Dear Helen,

I didn't see your post about depression but I've suffered from it for

over 12 years. First, you need a good diagnosis from a psychiatrist,

psychologist or clinical social worker but any doctor can ask some

basic questions before referring you to one of those: Do you have an

ongoing, persistent stream of negative thoughts? Has this gone on for

several weeks? Has suicide crossed your mind as a solution? Have you

experienced changes in your sleeping or eating patterns? How about

confusion in your thinking, expressing yourself. Any irritability?

And once again, have these things persisted for several weeks or

months?

With depression you'll often have more than one of the symptoms but if

you're " just " having very negative thoughts (and an inability to

produce positive ones that take hold) that's serious enough so you

should see your doctor. Not all sadness is depression but also,

depression can come about as a result of other conditions. That's why

you need a really good diagnosis.

No one should prescribe antidepressants for you except a psychiatrist,

preferably a pyschopharmacologist. This is *not* directed at 's

response, which clearly was simply examples of what drugs exist, not a

recommendation. Your internist, oncologist, dentist, etc. may have

best of intentions but these drugs need to be closely monitored at

first and unless someone is very knowledgeable about side effects,

combinations, etc., you're taking a chance. Depression may include a

component of anxiety or paranoia or other symptoms and drugs need to

match those.

Psychotropic meds, as they're called, often need adjusting, especially

in the first year so you'll need to be monitored every 2 or 3 months

for a while. But once you find the right medication, it can make a big

difference in your life.

-Ellen D.

On Dec 31, 2008, at 5:28 PM, jb50192@... wrote:

> Hi Helen - first of all, you could not be in better hands than

> and Sherman. That whole building on 70th Street is full of geniuses.

> Almost all my docs are there    :-)

>  

> Regarding your depression, we all deal with it, more or less. I think

> that now that you have had a 4 1/2 year experience you might try to

> get a bit optimistic about the whole thing. I know it's easy to say,

> but if it had not been for your kidney issue you would probably still

> be untreated, a 4 1/2 year stretch. That in itself is a very good

> prognostic indicator.

>  

> No drug is without side effects, but Rituxan is relatively less

> harmful than others. Many people take it on as " maintenance " basis.

> (The good of doing this has not yet been firmly decided, but it goes

> to show you that it is not an especially dangerous drug.)

>  

> Many people with depression try Celexa, Zoloft, or Lexapro. You might

> talk to one of your docs about that. I know that Dr.

> encourages this from time to time.

>  

> Best,

>

>

>

> Stay up-to-date on the latest news - from fashion trends to celebrity

> break-ups and everything in between.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your words of wisdom. God Bless

HelenNew year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines.

[Guest guest]

Thanks. May the New Year bring all of us Good health, good thoughts and supportive friends and family.

New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines.

[Guest guest]

To all those who have responded to me. I thank you from the very depth of my heart. You have all been an eye awakening light that has miraculously given me an insight into who I want to be and how I need to think. I thank you all. May God grant us all a New Year filled with much good health and continued love and support from our family and friends.

Appreciatively

HelenNew year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines.