Posted by ace on December 6, 2010, at 6:06:14
In reply to Re: Seroquel for unipolar depression » ace, posted by sk85 on December 6, 2010, at 5:26:22
> I concur, SSRIs can be pretty messy drugs and their long-term effectiveness is very dubious. Thanks to Prozac I ended up with permanent dystonia and despite it's somewhat initial positive effects, it lost most of its effectiveness by the end of the 4 month. Absolutely pointless drug in my opinion.It's not good at all that you suffered that. Have you reported it? I really urge you too if you not. SSRI's are pretty much cash cows, and it is a disgrace that they are being dispensed like lollies by many doctors. Dr. David Healy has (bravely and admirably) pointed out the many pitfalls of SSRI's. I'm still not convinced of their potential to cause an actual suicide although.
> > some pills have made me really depressed initially before giving an antidepressant effect.
> >
> > This, a lot of the time CAN, predict a very good therapeutic response. But even this phenomenon- the initial worsening of symptoms leading to a greater antidepressant effect-
>
> Yes, I've experienced that aswell. For example Effexor made me feel really terrible for the first week, after that came enormous relief to most of my symptoms. But because Prozac made so much damage before it, I started getting worsening dystonia also on Effexor, so I had to discontinue it.Are you using anything to treat the dystonia?
> I don't think I can take anything that hits serotonin hard, because all of these attempts have ended up in terrible EPS.
You should be OK, EPS usually due to dopamine depletion. It was probably the dopaminergic effect these drugs had
What drugs exactly and what EPS sx?
Their was a MD, forgot his name- have to look it up- he pointed out that SSRI's reduce brain dopamine in the substantia nigra....he mentioned at a certain age we already have such a reduced level, ex SSRI users could be dealing with Parkinson's etc
So TCA-s and MAOI-s are out for me.Well these classes do act on serotonin, but they do so by a different mechanism than the SSRI's.
But they also act on dopmaine, which I suspect could be behind your EPS.
So far Seroquel has not made my condition worse (if not improved it significantly). Although my mood keeps dipping for no apparent reason, so I'm desperately searching for something to help. Mirtazapine is also one possible candidate.Mirtazapine, from what I have seen, is not bad at all. certainly not as efficacious as the MAOI's (IMO), but definitely better than SSRI's. But that is going to hit serotonin, and Seroquel is already messing with your DA levels.
Have you had a full physical examination?
Seen a neurologist?
I am not sure what is accounting for your dystonia. I would certainly sort this out before exploring any other medication. Something doesn't sound right with regards to the EPS and the 5-HT.I wish you the very best, please keep us updated
Ace
poster:ace
thread:972589
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20101203/msgs/972669.html