Dear Gade and Joy,
I am copying this message to Yo too, even though he is already fully aware of this situation.
I am currently in long-overdue out-patient treatment for bi-polar disorder (manic-depressive illness).
About two months ago, following a referral from an MD I consulted about morning headaches, a psychiatrist here in Ubon prescribed fluoxetine (Oxetine) (20 mg daily) and lorazepam (Ativan) (0.5 mg as needed). After six weeks of this treatment, I think I actually got worse and more unstable, with alcohol drinking episodes that began again after six years of zero alcohol. Since Yo is with me daily, he can probably give a more objective evaluation than my self-analysis. He noticed major changes in behavior.
Last week Yo lovingly researched and found another psychiatrist, whom we visited together last Wednesday. She prescribed three different medications: agomelatine (Valdoxan) (25 mg daily), bromazepam (Lexotan) (1.5 mg twice daily), and vitamin B thiamine (250 mg three times daily).
The doctor was going to include an anti-psychotic (name of which I can't remember), but she withdrew that recommendation. She quickly (prematurely, in my opinion) recommended hospitalization here or back in America. I rejected that course as unnecessarily disruptive.
Now two days into the new prescription, restful sleep is elusive and I feel continually agitated and uncomfortable. I attribute that to the tansition to new medication, and am willing to try this course for a few weeks.
Please be patient with me. I am willing to listen to any suggestions that you have. Please include Yo in all communications. He is helping me a lot.
Love,
Bryan