Posted by Mitch on July 4, 2001, at 12:09:34
In reply to SSRI's and irritability, posted by Kingfish on July 4, 2001, at 9:44:38
K.
I am currently taking
Neurontin/Klonopin + Zoloft/Nortriptyline
for BPII and Social Anxiety/Panic. I have also had trouble with AD's (and Buspar) causing hostility. The worst ones for me were Effexor, Prozac, Desipramine and Buspar (BIGTIME). The ones that gave me the least trouble with anger were Zoloft, Serzone, Celexa, amitriptyline, nortriptyline.I have heard people here say that irritability will subside with time, but with bipolar in the mix I have found that not to be true. Any AD that I have ever taken that me grouchy from the getgo never let up much on my temper. I have also had situations where you start something and it *didn't* make me grouchy and after a week or so it DID(buspar/desipramine).
Given bipolar I think you can almost go with a *first impression* and save yourself a lot of time. I would give something else a try. If you are looking at an *activating* SSRI the only other one besides Prozac is Zoloft (and for *some* people-Celexa). That's what I take and it makes me feel calm and alert (very low dose though).
Another possibility would be to add another mood stabilizer (that is "activating") to your Topamax instead of an AD. Have you tried Lamictal? I have found that Neurontin has an AD effect for me (at low doses).
Also some folks find *low* doses of Tegretol, Trileptal, or Gabitril somewhat activating as well. I noticed a distinct mood elevation with Trileptal (75mg) or Gabitril (4mg).
Mitch> I've experienced extreme irritability and agitation with Wellbutrin and Prozac when I've first taken them (I stopped Wellbutrin after a couple of days and have only been on Prozac for about a week and a half).
>
> It's such a major difference, I can't get over it. The littlest things set me off.
>
> Has anyone experienced this? If so, did it subside?
>
> I'm really frustrated, and am wondering if it's a sign that I shouldn't take "activating" SSRI's, which eliminates a set of options for me because Prozac was prescribed to counteract sedation caused by my mood stabilizer, Topamax, and to alleviate my depression.
>
> Thanks!
>
> - K.
poster:Mitch
thread:68932
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010701/msgs/68943.html