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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 27 to 51 of 128. Go back in thread:
Posted by Sabina on May 27, 2004, at 7:21:34
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions, posted by lilli on May 26, 2004, at 18:34:14
seroquel does indeed take some getting used to. it made me very sleepy at first, and i still only take it in 25mg increments. still, nothing like you're talking about that comes in waves and lasts all day from only one dose. i wish i could help more, but you'll just have to judge if you can manage to function on it and see if the potential good will outweigh the initial se's (which *did* diminish for me) or if this med's not for you.
sabina
topamax 100mg
seroquel 100mg
xanax 1 mg prn
Posted by Julius on June 4, 2004, at 17:04:36
In reply to seroquel to geodon ... weight and sleep?, posted by jtevers on May 4, 2004, at 16:52:43
I am swtiching over to Abilify, getting off Seroquel and cannot sleep at night. I have been on 900 mg of Seroquel for three years. I tried taking Benadryl but this does not help. I cannot take any Seroquel for various reasons to help me fall asleep. Please help. Thanks.
Posted by jtevers on June 9, 2004, at 20:04:11
In reply to seroquel and not sleeping, posted by Julius on June 4, 2004, at 17:04:36
> I am swtiching over to Abilify, getting off Seroquel and cannot sleep at night. I have been on 900 mg of Seroquel for three years. I tried taking Benadryl but this does not help. I cannot take any Seroquel for various reasons to help me fall asleep. Please help. Thanks.
i have been switching from seroquel to geodon (like abilify it is "activating", rather than sedating and causes insomnia) and have similar experiences.
although my doctor has been apprehensive, i am currently taking about 12.5 mg. of ambien nightly to sleep.
i have heard that, unlike conventional benzodiazepines, you don't acclimate to ambien and it will consistently cause sleep. there are some that warn against taking ambien long-term though.
i have been switching from seroquel because of the weight gain i experienced while taking it ... sound familiar?
ambien is just one of the many solutions i have read is a solution to sleeplessness ... but one i have heard is effective for chronic insomnia.
look to the future for the release of Estorra another insomnia medication being released later this year.
hope this helps.
Posted by cpallen79 on July 9, 2004, at 17:26:07
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions » Nohope, posted by chemist on April 25, 2004, at 22:22:51
Hi Chemist, I too am taking Seroquel for sleep and anxiety. How long does it stay in the system? If I skip a day, will I have "rebound insomnia" and anxiety? Will this go away shortly if it happens? Is this medication addictive, or is there severe withdrawal from it like some SSRIS and benzos? I know some of these questions are silly but I had a really bad experience with an ssri that was very difficult to get off.
Thanks
Chris
> > > hi there, chemist here....seroquel in low dosages is a hypnotic, but as you increase, the grogginess will go away. if you want to go to sleep, take 25 to 50 mg at bedtime: you're out like a light. as you work your way towards 150-200 mg, the effects you are seeking will take hold and the hypnotic aspect of te drug will be diminished....all the best, chemist
> >
> > Thank you very much. Any more info on Seroquel you can share?
> >
> > Nohope
> >
> >
> hi there....seroquel hits th 5-HT_{2} and dopamine_{2} receptors pretty hard....it is an atypical antipsychotic that, along with risperidone and ziprasidone, has recently been on the radar for mood stabilizing effects. ziprasidone (geodon, zonegran) is more weight-neutral than the others, with wieght-gain with seroquel being less a problem than risperidone and slightly more than that of ziprasidone. the extrapyrimidal side effects - especially with ziprasidone, which include SJS and a prolonged QT interval, making this one my least favorite - are reduced vs. typical antipsychotics. all in all, seroquel is superior in my opinion, although i have one client whoo is truly schizophrenic and like risperidone the best, although dietary adjustments are necessary and exercise (never a bad thing) is important for weight-gain.....if you want to roll the dice, you could do worse than seroquel....let me know if you need more info, i will provide what i can....all the best, chemist
Posted by jerrympls on July 9, 2004, at 19:01:48
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions » chemist, posted by cpallen79 on July 9, 2004, at 17:26:07
Seroquel has caused me to gain almost 100 pounds in 18 months. UGH. I only take it for insomnia and I want to get off of it......
Jerry
Posted by chemist on July 9, 2004, at 19:33:49
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions » chemist, posted by cpallen79 on July 9, 2004, at 17:26:07
> Hi Chemist, I too am taking Seroquel for sleep and anxiety. How long does it stay in the system? If I skip a day, will I have "rebound insomnia" and anxiety? Will this go away shortly if it happens? Is this medication addictive, or is there severe withdrawal from it like some SSRIS and benzos? I know some of these questions are silly but I had a really bad experience with an ssri that was very difficult to get off.
> Thanks
> Chris
>
hello there, chemist here.....i was doing the 25 to 50 mg dose for a good few months, and i would sometimes not need it or sometimes need only 25 or sometimes 50, and no rebound insomnia, even when i stopped. all that said, chronic dosing will lead to a build-up in your system, but if you are the low-dose range, the washout shouldn't be too severe. i can not recall any adverse effects, and no silly questions here - i think wise sage larry hoover said the only [silly] question is one that is not asked....and i agree with him. you ask about withdrawl, and i cannot say that at the low dose range it is anything like coming of an ssri or a benzo. i had quite a good run with it, and you will hear about weight gain, but this is dose-dependent, and the lit indicates that 200 up to 800 mg qd is the dose for treating schizophrenia, so you are well below that....there is trouble with blood sugar levels which could lead to type II diabetes, but i suspect the incidence is low, although this is my conjecture *and* i mean low for your dose range (assuming you are in the 25-50 mg prn hs range)....please let me know if this is of help, all the best, chemist
>
> > > > hi there, chemist here....seroquel in low dosages is a hypnotic, but as you increase, the grogginess will go away. if you want to go to sleep, take 25 to 50 mg at bedtime: you're out like a light. as you work your way towards 150-200 mg, the effects you are seeking will take hold and the hypnotic aspect of te drug will be diminished....all the best, chemist
> > >
> > > Thank you very much. Any more info on Seroquel you can share?
> > >
> > > Nohope
> > >
> > >
> > hi there....seroquel hits th 5-HT_{2} and dopamine_{2} receptors pretty hard....it is an atypical antipsychotic that, along with risperidone and ziprasidone, has recently been on the radar for mood stabilizing effects. ziprasidone (geodon, zonegran) is more weight-neutral than the others, with wieght-gain with seroquel being less a problem than risperidone and slightly more than that of ziprasidone. the extrapyrimidal side effects - especially with ziprasidone, which include SJS and a prolonged QT interval, making this one my least favorite - are reduced vs. typical antipsychotics. all in all, seroquel is superior in my opinion, although i have one client whoo is truly schizophrenic and like risperidone the best, although dietary adjustments are necessary and exercise (never a bad thing) is important for weight-gain.....if you want to roll the dice, you could do worse than seroquel....let me know if you need more info, i will provide what i can....all the best, chemist
>
>
Posted by cpallen79 on July 9, 2004, at 20:13:25
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions, posted by jerrympls on July 9, 2004, at 19:01:48
Jerry, how much are you taking!? Best of luck, I'm sure you'll shed that weight. I take many others things for major depression/anxiety. I also have attention deficit disorder so I take a stimulant that helps to offset those types of effects.
> Seroquel has caused me to gain almost 100 pounds in 18 months. UGH. I only take it for insomnia and I want to get off of it......
>
> Jerry
Posted by cpallen79 on July 9, 2004, at 20:18:28
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions » cpallen79, posted by chemist on July 9, 2004, at 19:33:49
Chemist, thanks for your response! I feel more comforted in taking this medication to help me with anxiety and insomnia now. Nothing is more painful than having to go through med withdrawals and it's ncie to know this isn't goign to be a seriosu problem at smaller doses if I forget to take it.
> > Hi Chemist, I too am taking Seroquel for sleep and anxiety. How long does it stay in the system? If I skip a day, will I have "rebound insomnia" and anxiety? Will this go away shortly if it happens? Is this medication addictive, or is there severe withdrawal from it like some SSRIS and benzos? I know some of these questions are silly but I had a really bad experience with an ssri that was very difficult to get off.
> > Thanks
> > Chris
> >
> hello there, chemist here.....i was doing the 25 to 50 mg dose for a good few months, and i would sometimes not need it or sometimes need only 25 or sometimes 50, and no rebound insomnia, even when i stopped. all that said, chronic dosing will lead to a build-up in your system, but if you are the low-dose range, the washout shouldn't be too severe. i can not recall any adverse effects, and no silly questions here - i think wise sage larry hoover said the only [silly] question is one that is not asked....and i agree with him. you ask about withdrawl, and i cannot say that at the low dose range it is anything like coming of an ssri or a benzo. i had quite a good run with it, and you will hear about weight gain, but this is dose-dependent, and the lit indicates that 200 up to 800 mg qd is the dose for treating schizophrenia, so you are well below that....there is trouble with blood sugar levels which could lead to type II diabetes, but i suspect the incidence is low, although this is my conjecture *and* i mean low for your dose range (assuming you are in the 25-50 mg prn hs range)....please let me know if this is of help, all the best, chemist
> >
> > > > > hi there, chemist here....seroquel in low dosages is a hypnotic, but as you increase, the grogginess will go away. if you want to go to sleep, take 25 to 50 mg at bedtime: you're out like a light. as you work your way towards 150-200 mg, the effects you are seeking will take hold and the hypnotic aspect of te drug will be diminished....all the best, chemist
> > > >
> > > > Thank you very much. Any more info on Seroquel you can share?
> > > >
> > > > Nohope
> > > >
> > > >
> > > hi there....seroquel hits th 5-HT_{2} and dopamine_{2} receptors pretty hard....it is an atypical antipsychotic that, along with risperidone and ziprasidone, has recently been on the radar for mood stabilizing effects. ziprasidone (geodon, zonegran) is more weight-neutral than the others, with wieght-gain with seroquel being less a problem than risperidone and slightly more than that of ziprasidone. the extrapyrimidal side effects - especially with ziprasidone, which include SJS and a prolonged QT interval, making this one my least favorite - are reduced vs. typical antipsychotics. all in all, seroquel is superior in my opinion, although i have one client whoo is truly schizophrenic and like risperidone the best, although dietary adjustments are necessary and exercise (never a bad thing) is important for weight-gain.....if you want to roll the dice, you could do worse than seroquel....let me know if you need more info, i will provide what i can....all the best, chemist
> >
> >
>
Posted by jerrympls on July 9, 2004, at 20:42:26
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions » jerrympls, posted by cpallen79 on July 9, 2004, at 20:13:25
> Jerry, how much are you taking!? Best of luck, I'm sure you'll shed that weight. I take many others things for major depression/anxiety. I also have attention deficit disorder so I take a stimulant that helps to offset those types of effects.
>
> > Seroquel has caused me to gain almost 100 pounds in 18 months. UGH. I only take it for insomnia and I want to get off of it......
> >
> > Jerry
>
>HI!
I'm taking 200mg at night. I am also on a stimulant but the weight keeps sticking!! ARGH!
Posted by chemist on July 9, 2004, at 20:52:19
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions » chemist, posted by cpallen79 on July 9, 2004, at 20:18:28
> Chemist, thanks for your response! I feel more comforted in taking this medication to help me with anxiety and insomnia now. Nothing is more painful than having to go through med withdrawals and it's ncie to know this isn't goign to be a seriosu problem at smaller doses if I forget to take it.
heloo again...i notice you are at 200 mg, so missing a dose will be less of a problem in re: rebound insomnia. in fact, if you titrate down a bit, you will *increase* the sedative/hypnotic effect while also reduce the propensity for weight gain. i am assuming you are striving to use the drug for sleep purposes only in this regard.....all the best, chemist
>
>
> > > Hi Chemist, I too am taking Seroquel for sleep and anxiety. How long does it stay in the system? If I skip a day, will I have "rebound insomnia" and anxiety? Will this go away shortly if it happens? Is this medication addictive, or is there severe withdrawal from it like some SSRIS and benzos? I know some of these questions are silly but I had a really bad experience with an ssri that was very difficult to get off.
> > > Thanks
> > > Chris
> > >
> > hello there, chemist here.....i was doing the 25 to 50 mg dose for a good few months, and i would sometimes not need it or sometimes need only 25 or sometimes 50, and no rebound insomnia, even when i stopped. all that said, chronic dosing will lead to a build-up in your system, but if you are the low-dose range, the washout shouldn't be too severe. i can not recall any adverse effects, and no silly questions here - i think wise sage larry hoover said the only [silly] question is one that is not asked....and i agree with him. you ask about withdrawl, and i cannot say that at the low dose range it is anything like coming of an ssri or a benzo. i had quite a good run with it, and you will hear about weight gain, but this is dose-dependent, and the lit indicates that 200 up to 800 mg qd is the dose for treating schizophrenia, so you are well below that....there is trouble with blood sugar levels which could lead to type II diabetes, but i suspect the incidence is low, although this is my conjecture *and* i mean low for your dose range (assuming you are in the 25-50 mg prn hs range)....please let me know if this is of help, all the best, chemist
> > >
> > > > > > hi there, chemist here....seroquel in low dosages is a hypnotic, but as you increase, the grogginess will go away. if you want to go to sleep, take 25 to 50 mg at bedtime: you're out like a light. as you work your way towards 150-200 mg, the effects you are seeking will take hold and the hypnotic aspect of te drug will be diminished....all the best, chemist
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you very much. Any more info on Seroquel you can share?
> > > > >
> > > > > Nohope
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > hi there....seroquel hits th 5-HT_{2} and dopamine_{2} receptors pretty hard....it is an atypical antipsychotic that, along with risperidone and ziprasidone, has recently been on the radar for mood stabilizing effects. ziprasidone (geodon, zonegran) is more weight-neutral than the others, with wieght-gain with seroquel being less a problem than risperidone and slightly more than that of ziprasidone. the extrapyrimidal side effects - especially with ziprasidone, which include SJS and a prolonged QT interval, making this one my least favorite - are reduced vs. typical antipsychotics. all in all, seroquel is superior in my opinion, although i have one client whoo is truly schizophrenic and like risperidone the best, although dietary adjustments are necessary and exercise (never a bad thing) is important for weight-gain.....if you want to roll the dice, you could do worse than seroquel....let me know if you need more info, i will provide what i can....all the best, chemist
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
Posted by cpallen79 on July 10, 2004, at 17:38:24
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions » cpallen79, posted by chemist on July 9, 2004, at 20:52:19
Chemist,
I have developed a really nasty case of akathisia from the Seroquel, I began to notice it in the evenings as my Adderall from my A.D.D. wore off and it got worse and worse and worse till I could not stand it today! Have you heard of this? Is it permanent? Will it stop if I stop taking the Seroquel or continue on? I think I will try something else for insomnia because akathesia feels awful.
Posted by barbaracat on July 10, 2004, at 22:59:42
In reply to Re: One link you may want to read » nmk, posted by chemist on May 5, 2004, at 14:37:45
A question for chemist and a comment on Seroquel. I am bipolar II and have been on every AD on the book, most recently lithium and lamictal. I stopped everything this past January after coming down with SJS and tried to do it au natural. Didn't work and went back on lithium and pharmaceutical grade St. John's Wort and was and was doing great, really good. But sleep has always been a problem, even with Ambien, and I thought to try Seroquel for sleep and any extra therapeutic protection against bipolar depression.
I started with 12.5 mg 4 days ago and am crashing into a vegetative, yet agitated depression since. A very small amount, I know, but I'm tired and jaggy all day PLUS, it has not helped me sleep. I'm afraid to take more considering how strongly I've been affected. I am constantly hungry, hungry, hungry and have gained 7 pounds in 4 days. I just feel yicky, somewhat like my short trial of zyprexa.
Chemist, you mention the histamine blockade with Seroquel. I'm reading that some of us can have disordered histadine/histamine production which can result in depression and paradoxical med effects. Also the affinity to a particular serotonin receptor you mentioned. Now, doesn't Seroquel work in part by reducing dopamine (which could by itself cause a lack of pleasure seeking activity) and doesn't it also reduce serotonin through the affinity with this receptor? I don't get this since reducing serotonin does not seem logical in light of it's touted antidepressant behavior. Reduced serotonin could also explain my haunting the cupboards and fridge prowling for sweets. Normally I could care less for cupcakes and brownies, but I drool at the thought, probably an attempt to increase serotonin. Any comments appreciated. In the meantime, I will drop Seroquel, go back on Ambien and note if I start feeling better. It will be a good test and I will post back with my progress which I hope improves. - BarbaraCat
p.s. BTW, the www.psycheducation.org site is consistently fab, in my book.
Posted by cpallen79 on July 10, 2004, at 23:05:35
In reply to Seroquel - don't think so » chemist, posted by barbaracat on July 10, 2004, at 22:59:42
Barbara, I'm sorry you've been through this hell with seroquel, the agitation and akathisia I experienced was VERY unpleasant and I'm terrified of it coming back. The only thing that smoothed it out was my adderall, which increases dopamine... HORRID experience
Posted by chemist on July 11, 2004, at 0:00:22
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions (HELP) » chemist, posted by cpallen79 on July 10, 2004, at 17:38:24
> Chemist,
> I have developed a really nasty case of akathisia from the Seroquel, I began to notice it in the evenings as my Adderall from my A.D.D. wore off and it got worse and worse and worse till I could not stand it today! Have you heard of this? Is it permanent? Will it stop if I stop taking the Seroquel or continue on? I think I will try something else for insomnia because akathesia feels awful.
>
hello there, chemist here....yes, i have heard of it. no, it not permanent and will go away if you lower the dose or stop taking the drug, and in the meantime, you can try adding a beta-blocker to help counteract. apologies for getting back to you so late, and all the best, worry not.....chemist
Posted by cpallen79 on July 11, 2004, at 0:09:23
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions (HELP) » cpallen79, posted by chemist on July 11, 2004, at 0:00:22
Thank god for you chemist! I really appreciate your responses, they've been comforting. I was reading up on the net and was wondering if Trazodone can be used with an SSRI? I currently take Lexapro, Buspar, and Adderall. The Seroquel will be no more. Trazodone sounds like a potential opportunity but I've heard that one of it's metabolites (m-chlorophenylpiperazine) can build up in the blood and cause anxiety/panic. Same with Serzone too. Can it be taken in conjunction with an SSRI or am I asking for a panic attack? I'd love to give trazodone a try but i hate panic attacks, that's for sure.
Posted by chemist on July 11, 2004, at 0:21:41
In reply to Seroquel - don't think so » chemist, posted by barbaracat on July 10, 2004, at 22:59:42
> A question for chemist and a comment on Seroquel. I am bipolar II and have been on every AD on the book, most recently lithium and lamictal. I stopped everything this past January after coming down with SJS and tried to do it au natural. Didn't work and went back on lithium and pharmaceutical grade St. John's Wort and was and was doing great, really good. But sleep has always been a problem, even with Ambien, and I thought to try Seroquel for sleep and any extra therapeutic protection against bipolar depression.
>
> I started with 12.5 mg 4 days ago and am crashing into a vegetative, yet agitated depression since. A very small amount, I know, but I'm tired and jaggy all day PLUS, it has not helped me sleep. I'm afraid to take more considering how strongly I've been affected. I am constantly hungry, hungry, hungry and have gained 7 pounds in 4 days. I just feel yicky, somewhat like my short trial of zyprexa.
>
> Chemist, you mention the histamine blockade with Seroquel. I'm reading that some of us can have disordered histadine/histamine production which can result in depression and paradoxical med effects. Also the affinity to a particular serotonin receptor you mentioned. Now, doesn't Seroquel work in part by reducing dopamine (which could by itself cause a lack of pleasure seeking activity) and doesn't it also reduce serotonin through the affinity with this receptor? I don't get this since reducing serotonin does not seem logical in light of it's touted antidepressant behavior. Reduced serotonin could also explain my haunting the cupboards and fridge prowling for sweets. Normally I could care less for cupcakes and brownies, but I drool at the thought, probably an attempt to increase serotonin. Any comments appreciated. In the meantime, I will drop Seroquel, go back on Ambien and note if I start feeling better. It will be a good test and I will post back with my progress which I hope improves. - BarbaraCat
>
> p.s. BTW, the www.psycheducation.org site is consistently fab, in my book.
hello there, chemist here.....seroquel is an antagonist for several serotonin, histamine, dopamine, and adrenergic receptors. an antagonist inhibits reuptake of the compound that ought to righfully be in the receptor, thus preventing the receptor from doing it's work. hence, you are keeping levels of all of these neurotransmitters high by using seroquel, because seroquel binds to the receptors more tightly than do the ``rightful owners,'' if you will. so actually seroquel acts as a pretty wide-spectrum drug. the extrapyramidal side effects (such as those related to movement) are caused by the same mechanism that the are in patients with Parkinson's disease, in that the dopamine system gets shut down (diminished, perhaps, is a better word) and there is only so much dopamine out in the brain (and this dopamine needs to be replenished and is not geting replenished, thus, movement disorders, among other things). a parting shot: low doses of seroquel make one quite drowsy. higher doses (200 mg-800 mg) are less sedating and more for use in treating psychoses. you might have better luck on 25 or 50 mg, strange as it may seem. please do let me know if your questions have been addressed satisfactorily, i will do my best to provide info should you need it...all the best, chemist
Posted by chemist on July 11, 2004, at 0:31:46
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions (HELP) » chemist, posted by cpallen79 on July 11, 2004, at 0:09:23
> Thank god for you chemist! I really appreciate your responses, they've been comforting. I was reading up on the net and was wondering if Trazodone can be used with an SSRI? I currently take Lexapro, Buspar, and Adderall. The Seroquel will be no more. Trazodone sounds like a potential opportunity but I've heard that one of it's metabolites (m-chlorophenylpiperazine) can build up in the blood and cause anxiety/panic. Same with Serzone too. Can it be taken in conjunction with an SSRI or am I asking for a panic attack? I'd love to give trazodone a try but i hate panic attacks, that's for sure.
hello there, chemist here....i'd be careful but not overly so if the trazodone/ssri is going to be used for sleep purposes. i do know that trazodone is a no-no in conjunction with serzone, yet serzone will be packing it's bags from the drugstore shelves soon. trazodone on its own is quite sedating, and the metabolite is not a heavy-hitter, from what i recall. now, you are taking a stimulant (adderall) and a rather ineffective (in my opinion) anxiolytic, buspar, in addition to an antidepressant, lexapro. my first suggestion is to consider discussing with your doctor dropping buspar and replacing it with a small dose (perhaps 1-2 mg qd) a benzo such as klonopin. my second suggestion is to lower your adderall intake a bit, as you are being overstimulated and the buspar cannot handle it. please be well, and keep us all posted if any of these suggestions are of help and, should you make the switch, if it is effective for you. trazodone really leaves one in a fog, you know, and it does have andi-depressant qualities (it is an atypical TCA), so adding that on along with another AD (lexapro) and your adderall would, i presume, lead to a queasy state of ``masked'' anxiety/panic. all the best, chemist
Posted by cpallen79 on July 11, 2004, at 2:04:06
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions (HELP) » cpallen79, posted by chemist on July 11, 2004, at 0:31:46
Hey Chemist, thanks for the follow up. You want to know something wierd? The adderall actually calms me down! It's when it wears off that I'm not as well. I guess it tends to have a paradoxical effect on us ADD'ers. The lexapro lifted me out of the depths of severe anxiety/agitation. To make a long story short, I had a nervous breakdown in February due to severe stress (my guard was also most likely down due to a painful effexor w/d that I went through about a month prior to the breakdown) and i went into a nasty agitated depression with what can only be described as akathisia symptoms. That's why I'm so frustrated by the seroquel setback, I never want to go back to that place again, and that akathisia felt alot like the agitated depression I've been battling to overcome. I'm hoping Trazodone will do the trick for a good night's sleep. My PDOC wants me to avoid Benzos because we have some nasty addiction issues in our family and I think everyone's weary enough of me taking a stimulatnt for A.D.D. Guess I'm not sure what to do...
Posted by BarbaraCat on July 11, 2004, at 2:48:41
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions (HELP) » chemist, posted by cpallen79 on July 11, 2004, at 2:04:06
Have you considered you might be BP-II? Your recurring agitated depression might warrant further investigation. Agitated dysphoric depression has been the bane of my life but I always thought I had unipolar depression and never considered it might be part of the bipolar spectrum. I'd always considered bipolar 'mania' as the classic grandiose mapcap stuff, not the panicked agitated mixed states hell I experienced or the irritibility and pissed-offness. I'd been on SSRI's for many many years and they worked fairly well, but then the agitated depression broke through big time. Kept increasing the SSRI, got twitchy akathisia from too much, got no relief from the agitated depression, fell apart, and ended up hospitalized. Through this board and other research and self-reflection it became clear that my symptoms were pretty classic BP-II. I've learned the hard way time and time again that if I don't take lithium, no matter what else I take I'll eventually descend into a bleak agitated hell.
The thing with bipolar is that during the manic phase my thoughts can get very disorganized and my behavior looks very much like ADD. In fact, there are definite overlaps between the two disorders. My self medicating drug of choice during my younger years was speed. But throughout the years, stress took a heavy toll and pstims now send me over the edge. I may have been ADD and unipolar depressed at first, but I can't help thinking that high dose SSRI's exacerbated a latent bipolar disorder.
Lithium has worked wonders for me, although it's not the best choice for everyone. A mood stabilizer is critical for anyone bipolar if they take an antidepressant. Otherwise, SSRI's can easily kindle an agitated depression. This might be old news to you but just thought I'd share this in case not. When I hear severe agitated depression, I immediately think 'dysphoric hypomania' and bipolar mixed states. Very uncomfortable stuff - oh I know it well and am soooooo grateful that lithium works for me. BTW, trazodone was a great med for me while it worked. Put me to sleep, helped my depression, a great antianxiety med. Hell to wake up on but after a few jumping jacks and a shower I was ready to go. The problem was that after a while it too stopped working, probably because I needed lithium. And it does slow you down during the day, but if you've got agitated depression, that's not a bad thing. One thing you might try is taking L-taurine which acts as a natural mood stabilizer and might even take the place of a prescription med. - BarbaraCat
> Hey Chemist, thanks for the follow up. You want to know something wierd? The adderall actually calms me down! It's when it wears off that I'm not as well. I guess it tends to have a paradoxical effect on us ADD'ers. The lexapro lifted me out of the depths of severe anxiety/agitation. To make a long story short, I had a nervous breakdown in February due to severe stress (my guard was also most likely down due to a painful effexor w/d that I went through about a month prior to the breakdown) and i went into a nasty agitated depression with what can only be described as akathisia symptoms. That's why I'm so frustrated by the seroquel setback, I never want to go back to that place again, and that akathisia felt alot like the agitated depression I've been battling to overcome. I'm hoping Trazodone will do the trick for a good night's sleep. My PDOC wants me to avoid Benzos because we have some nasty addiction issues in our family and I think everyone's weary enough of me taking a stimulatnt for A.D.D. Guess I'm not sure what to do...
Posted by cpallen79 on July 11, 2004, at 3:49:08
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions (HELP) » cpallen79, posted by BarbaraCat on July 11, 2004, at 2:48:41
Darn Barbara, I just submitted a long reply to this, but now it got lost, darn!
In answer to your question, we don't think it's BP because A.D.D. runs heavily in my family (no reported or apparent cases of BP tho), and my depression/anxiety have been responses to issues with pretty bad OCD and GAD- both of which also run in the family. Both depressions I've endured have been because of a major stress response to a crisis situation because of my obsessing. I definetely will not rule out Bipolar though. Luckily Lexapro has lifted some of my problems. Adderall also helps me be more collected and relaxed and I can concentrate better. I think I want to dump the buspar and go for trazodone instead though.
Posted by Sad Panda on July 11, 2004, at 11:48:25
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions (HELP) » chemist, posted by cpallen79 on July 11, 2004, at 2:04:06
I've believe that the antipsychotics have no place as sleep meds. Seroquel at low doses is a bit like Remeron at low doses in that it only binds to H1 receptors. If all you want is some H1 blockade, then dirt cheap Doxepin or OTC Benadryl are all you really need to pay for.
If Trazodone does the job, then I would recommend you try Nortriptyline. Traz gives sleep via 5-HT2A & Alpha-1 blockade, Nort does this and is a good norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It would replace Buspar with ease, possibly reduce your Aderall consumption, fit in very nicely with Lexapro & add some extra antidepressant effect of it's own.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by chemist on July 11, 2004, at 12:50:28
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions (HELP) » chemist, posted by cpallen79 on July 11, 2004, at 2:04:06
> Hey Chemist, thanks for the follow up. You want to know something wierd? The adderall actually calms me down! It's when it wears off that I'm not as well. I guess it tends to have a paradoxical effect on us ADD'ers. The lexapro lifted me out of the depths of severe anxiety/agitation. To make a long story short, I had a nervous breakdown in February due to severe stress (my guard was also most likely down due to a painful effexor w/d that I went through about a month prior to the breakdown) and i went into a nasty agitated depression with what can only be described as akathisia symptoms. That's why I'm so frustrated by the seroquel setback, I never want to go back to that place again, and that akathisia felt alot like the agitated depression I've been battling to overcome. I'm hoping Trazodone will do the trick for a good night's sleep. My PDOC wants me to avoid Benzos because we have some nasty addiction issues in our family and I think everyone's weary enough of me taking a stimulatnt for A.D.D. Guess I'm not sure what to do...
hello there, chemist here. i had suspected that the benzo was on the forbidden list, so to speak, and hence the trazodone. if the adderall and lexapro are working, great. i think you will find that the trazodone will do the trick for sleep, and you can back off a little bit on the adderall if you're still restless, as the adderall is pretty user-friendly, in my opinion. in any event, give it a shot, i am certain you will be just fine with trazodone - it's very sedating. all the best, chemist
Posted by chemist on July 11, 2004, at 12:53:46
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions (HELP) » cpallen79, posted by Sad Panda on July 11, 2004, at 11:48:25
> I've believe that the antipsychotics have no place as sleep meds. Seroquel at low doses is a bit like Remeron at low doses in that it only binds to H1 receptors. If all you want is some H1 blockade, then dirt cheap Doxepin or OTC Benadryl are all you really need to pay for.
>
> If Trazodone does the job, then I would recommend you try Nortriptyline. Traz gives sleep via 5-HT2A & Alpha-1 blockade, Nort does this and is a good norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It would replace Buspar with ease, possibly reduce your Aderall consumption, fit in very nicely with Lexapro & add some extra antidepressant effect of it's own.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
>
hello there, from chemist.....this is far more panda's territory than mine, i politely defer and suggest that you load up panda's in-box in re: this topic [sorry, panda, but that's what you get for being an expert:) ]....all the best, chemist
Posted by BarbaraCat on July 11, 2004, at 14:58:30
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions (HELP) » cpallen79, posted by Sad Panda on July 11, 2004, at 11:48:25
Got a burning question for you Panda. After my recent bad experience with Seroquel, I have to agree with you. AP's are a bit overkill if all one wants is to get some sleep, and who knows what else is brewing in the chemical soup. I'm very curious as to my extreme and immediate reaction. Very difficult waking up, much like when I was taking trazodone. I felt quite depressed and out of it the 4 days I was on 6.25 or 12.5 pm. Very lethargic but jittery at the same time.
My first thought was 'oh, I'm having a bad reaction to a reduction of dopamine - I need that dopamine'. Now, I realize that AP's reduce dopamine as part of their antipsychotic action, but I was under the impression Seroquel was not a heavy dopamine hitter. Also, none of these meds change neurotransmitter/receptor functionality that quickly, so dopamine doesn't seem a likely candidate. So perhaps the path is a similar 5Ht2-a blockade as w/trazodone and remeron, but we're still talking serotonin receptors and there's a lag time. It doesn't happen that quickly. My question is, is there also a histamine release which could account for the groggyness? Might this tie in with a possible dysfunction in my histamine levels? I haven't been tested for any of this but have been following the histadine/methylation theories. I'm also taking lithium and St. John's Wort (which is working surprisingly well). What could be at the root of the severe depression and restlessness I experienced immediately from Seroquel? After not taking it last night, I woke this morning fresh as a daisy and feeling sooooo much better. - Barbara
Posted by BarbaraCat on July 11, 2004, at 15:08:54
In reply to Re: Seroquel users: a couple of questions (HELP) » cpallen79, posted by Sad Panda on July 11, 2004, at 11:48:25
I loved nortriptyline. It was wonderful for severe anxiety, depression, and energy. Left me with appropriate emotional reponse, unlike the Stepford Wives Effect of SSRI's. Best AD I've ever had. Unfortunately, it caused extreme dryness and the constipation was becoming a real problem. I felt like I was becoming a prune - and I drink alot of water with the requisite electrolytes. I would have to say that it is not a sleep med, however. It gives a nice of jolt of NE which is quite smooth, but definitely energizing. Traz defintely has my vote for sleep, tryp for waking.
> If Trazodone does the job, then I would recommend you try Nortriptyline. Traz gives sleep via 5-HT2A & Alpha-1 blockade, Nort does this and is a good norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It would replace Buspar with ease, possibly reduce your Aderall consumption, fit in very nicely with Lexapro & add some extra antidepressant effect of it's own.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
>
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