Posted by Cam W. on May 31, 2001, at 8:12:07
In reply to ATTN: CAM W., posted by good4u on May 30, 2001, at 20:52:20
JW - First I must qualify anything I say with: I am a pharmacist who works in community psychiatry. I am not trained in diagnosis (as matter of fact, I really suck). I can't tell a borderline personality disorder from a schizoaffective disorder from a psychotic depression; but if a doc tells me what they think a person has, I can make suggestions on what drugs may work (from past experience). Therefore, any advice I may give is tainted by this caveat. Also, I am Canadian, so I doubt I'd be able to help you find a doc. Out of curiosity, have you had an MRI &/or CAT scan to rule out any major organic problems?
As to your section 1; have you tried Risperdal™ (risperidone) or Zyprexa™ (olanzapine). These drugs do wonders for ruminations, with minimal adverse effects if you follow a strict diet and are maintained on a low dose. Don't let the moniker "atypical antipsychotic" fool you; paraphrasing the T.V. commercial, "They're not just for psychosis, anymore."
The "drawing of patterns", after having your depression resolve sounds like it could be a residual symptom of you depression. This might also be helped with a low dose atypical antipsychotic and dwelling (ruminating) on this symptom may have made it more prominent. The permanence of these symptoms now could mean that you have been able to bring these symptoms to the forefront of your consciousness, or are now more sensitive to this residual symptom of the depression, and it now overshadows some of the other depressive symptoms that can return with weaning from the antidepressants. OTOH it could be that the nature of your disorder has changed, and now the "picture drawing" has become a more prominent feature.
As for the spaced-out, drugged feeling, I'd hazard a guess that you are getting too much serotonin. Sometimes, people who take SSRIs, but don't have low serotonin, complain of a mental dulling or "fogged brain". OTOH, the ruminations of "picture drawing" could be causing some of the cognitive dulling, as the more time that you do spend worrying about your symptoms, takes away from your ability to focus on other things.
The "relaxed" brain features could mean that your symptoms partially went into remission Caffeine and other stimulants can increase ruminations without significant physical stimulation.
The "spaced out" side effects from coming off the Zoloft could be withdrawl side effects or they could be a further manifestation of your original complaint. The "flip-flop" could be a natural manifestation &/or progession of the ruminating disorder, and this could potentially be worsened by serotonin withdrawl symptoms.
As for tests to run, it would be wise to have a full medical to rule out organic causes for your symptoms, but I am now getting into areas where I have absolutely no expertise. I still think that an adequate trial of a low dose atypical would be in order if a normal physical work-up (including a full brain MRI) finds nothing abnormal.
Sorry I am not much help, but this really is beyone the scope of my expertise and all the above are just guesses (and not very informed ones at that) - Cam
poster:Cam W.
thread:64805
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010530/msgs/64859.html