Posted by PsychoSage on February 13, 2004, at 15:19:25
In reply to Difficult situation - what to augment PROZAC with?, posted by bipolarspectrum on February 13, 2004, at 14:55:21
> Hello,
> I am hoping many of the bright minds out there can provide possible answers to my little cunundrum (sp?)... I've been through multiple meds for major depression (bipolar III) and the only thing that ever works is 10 mg of Prozac (fluoxetine)... However, Prozac makes me experience:
> 1. Insomnia
> 2. Anxiety
> 3. Apathy
> I would love a drug that could augment prozac and help deal with these issues.. However, this is the crux, I've already tried augmenting with anti-psychotics (cognitive problems) and klonopin/clonazepam (doesnt help at all)... Does anyone have any interesting augmenting strategies??
> Thanx for any posts, much appreciated
>
> PS. Anyone use propanol for anxiety?
>
Apathy is the worse symptom. Are you irritable? You can't take most SSRIs or AD if you are bipolar 3? Many bipolars still take stabs at SSRIs or SNRIs even if they have been switched on to mania.Did you have any cooccuring disorders or stressful live events during your manic phases for bipolar 3?
Most manic depressives have more depressive episodes than manic. If you are really switched on by the drugs alone then do you really need them to begin with? Perhaps you need a new diagnosis. Major depression is the first one we generally get before we get the other ones.
If you start on an anti-convulsant then that can be for anxiety. You will just build a tolerance to benzos before bed and have to increase every few months. They also become a crutch too for those with mild or minor sleep problems. They also made me wake up and eat in the middle of the night.
Effexor may be a good option as a replacement as the manufacture called it prozac with a punch. Wellbutrin or Strattera may be good as augmenters.
Are you telling us that paxil and serzone switch you on?
See, if you don't respond to a whole class then i wonder if your diagnosis is correct or there is missing information unaddressed. There are many options just within the class of antidepressants. Perhaps you should list exactly what you liked or did not like and what you have tried including MAOis and non-SSRIs and all combos before we shoot in the dark.
I
poster:PsychoSage
thread:312904
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040210/msgs/312911.html