Posted by SLS on May 9, 2000, at 7:45:49
In reply to EVERYONE! I need anew drug, posted by afatchic on May 8, 2000, at 20:01:11
> I've been so impressed with the intellect and knowledge displayed on this board. I need your recommendations. I've suffered from dysthimia all my life with lapses into major depression. I inherited the condition from my dad who self-medicated with alcohol until it killed him. I finally got up the courage and talked to a doctor I trusted. It really does help working in the medical field when you can get to know the doctors as people first. Here's my history: I started on trazadone in 1989, it took about 3 weeks but the results were wonderful. I felt "normal". I was able to experience happiness. After 4 years on trazadone, I had gained about 40 pounds even though I was a "health freak". I thought the weight gain was worth the emotional well-being but, being in the Air Force, the weight gain was ruining my career. I reluctantly switched to prozac, which worked just as well for me. I stopped having orgasms and stopped wanting to have sex but I didn't learn that it was caused by the Prozac until I'd taken it for 5 years (great for a marriage). That brings me up to the present. I've been on wellbutrin now for about a month and it doesn't seem to be working. I have noticed that I don't have much of desire to drink alcohol but that's the only positive change. Otherwise, I am so irritable! People in stores make me angry for petty things and I've been snapping at my husband and son. Does anyone have any advice for me? I'm looking for a drug that allows me to be happy, doesn't make me fat, doesn't make me frigid, and doesn't make me a witch. Anybody?
Was the Prozac still working when you discontinued it?Does Wellbutrin do anything at all, positive or negative? Does it give you more energy? How much are you taking?
JohnL has given you a set of good suggestions. I would also check out the information described by AndrewB.
It seems that continuing to work with an SSRI or Effexor is indicated. Zoloft or Effexor are reasonable alternatives to Prozac.
Wellbutrin has actually been used to counteract the sexual dysfunction caused by these drugs, and can make for a good augmenting agent to boost the antidepressant effects of both Zoloft and Effexor. If Wellbutrin is not hurting you at all, and especially if it is helping with energy, you may want first try adding back an SSRI or Effexor.
I think I also read some posts suggesting that Viagra works well on an as-needed basis. Periactin or yohimbine are also possibilities, but I haven't seen anyone post anything about them.
Fix the depression.
Good luck.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:32819
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000508/msgs/32871.html