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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 90 to 114 of 125. Go back in thread:
Posted by Chris O on September 7, 2011, at 13:21:02
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by Jenbr on September 6, 2011, at 16:05:10
Jen:
Hey, there. Yeah, I've run the gamut, sort of. I was going to start (hesitantly) Nardil before doing this Viibryd trial. Not too crazy about taking an MAOI. Also never tried tricyclics, or antipsychotics. I'm a very health-oriented person (the only thing I felt I've been able to control about my life), so I am resistant to starting medications that have side-effects like death, diabetes, obesity, and, well, you know what I'm talking about. I forgot that I had done a year of acupuncture, too. It's nice, but very weak in how it effects my GAD. Like SAM-e, or something like that. Yeah, I've looked into TMS. And I do have decent insurance, though my wife, but TMS is not covered. I cannot shell out $10,000 right now to do that treatment. And I also do not understand how TMS could have any long term effect. I could understand if it worked, and you could keep the machine in your house for constant treatment. But how can three months of treatment last forever? (According to the psychiatrist I talked to who has a TMS machine in his office, he has a "90% success rate." Yeah, right.) What did you notice from the TMS? Any "lifting of the veil" (at least that's how I conceive of my GAD, as a pressurized wall that pushes down around me and closes me off, slows me down.) On a related note, the Viibryd seems to be increasing this veiled effect on me, even as it reduces some of my physical tension. Absolutely no real side effects from the drug though, even at 80mg. Maybe I'll ask you about ECT in the future. What did it do for you? How often did you go? Any extreme side effects? Hey, and I saw in you other post that you just had a baby, so congratulations! I know that has got to be a challenge, managing a baby and your symptoms. My heart goes out to you. Much empathy. Thanks for interacting with me, Jen.
Chris
Posted by Jenbr on September 7, 2011, at 23:05:23
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6 » Jenbr, posted by Chris O on September 7, 2011, at 13:21:02
Chris,
I know exactly what you mean about MAOIs. I have avoided them since day one as much as I could. I think I tried one or two at one point but for very brief periods of time. Too sensitive to the side effects I believe. They have always intimidated me for some reason.
You know, I tend to agree with your perception of TMS. The only reason I even attempted it (aside from the fact that it was harmless to mind and body) is that my husband's health insurance actually covered it. I figured I had nothing to lose by trying. I didn't notice improvement in mood or symptoms, but I didn't notice that I was declining much either. On some level I had never truly developed faith in this treatment. Regardless of how many people it supposedly helped. I never truly "bought it". And a couple of months of it didn't prove me wrong- I couldn't conclude improvement in my mood or not. My husband said he noticed I was calmer while doing it. I wasn't certain I agreed. No blatantly obvious lifting of the veil for me! I know that a lot of clients who claim that it does help them go in for frequent maintenance treatments and I believe
that is the only way it continues to help them. I only wish it
had the efficacy of ECT and the harmlessness of TMS. Ah... Wishful thinking...Ultimately, I believe it is worth a shot if insurance covers, but paying full price would not have been worth it for me.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Yes, managin the baby and the symptoms has been crazy. And especially confusing because I never truly know if some of it is being caused by hormones, stress, or the illness itself. I feel for your pain as wee. And it sounds that you have been very determined to take action regardless of the obstacles. Not always easy to do.
By the way, has seroquel ever been suggested to you by any of your doctors? Just curious if that has ever been an option for you?
Posted by Chris O on September 9, 2011, at 18:19:38
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6, posted by Jenbr on September 7, 2011, at 23:05:23
Jen:
I saw my psychiatrist yesterday. I guess I'm going to give Remeron a go while I'm on the Viibryd, as Remeron is one that I have never tried before. Not crazy about gaining any weight, so if that starts happening, I might not stick with Remeron. I guess if it gave me a robust effect, I would consider it.
I've never tried seroquel, nor any of the antipsychotics. I've got some samples of Abilify, which I was going to try several months ago when going off Serzone, but I've just been hesitant with those psychotropics due to the issues I already mentioned in the last post. It seems like many people on these boards have some success with them. My psychiatrist thinks Abilify might be a good fit for my intractable GAD symptoms. Perhaps in the future.
It looks like I need to get going with the talk therapy again, too. I don't really feel ... adequately supported right now. Mostly, I'm with my wife, and the last several months, things have been stressful. I have some issues with her, and her family, and standing up to that is party of my ability to have a healthy relationship, the relationship that I did not have in my own family. However, she seems to think that I am being "mean" when I do that, when I have any bit of conflict or perceptual difference with her about them. This is probably because I stand up for myself so little due to my constant shame/guilt/anxiety. It's really starting to get old, to get to me, to the point where I'm considering, well, leaving. She's been in therapy with me before, so she knows and acknowledges (or so she says) my horrible GAD, but ... either or it's too hard for her, or she doesn't get it, or she's just annoyed with me, or her family's denial about their rampant alcoholism (which they pad through their money, of which I have none, and that could be, in the end, the real issue, the issue of me not making much money, and if so, f them all and their denial. I really do not care and that is the truth) comes out at me. Whatever. I just get clobbered for a couple of hours today and I have to vent.
Anyway, I'll stop. Thanks for listening. I hope this joyful post finds you and your new family well, Jen!
Chris
Posted by joe schmoe on September 11, 2011, at 0:45:28
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 9 » joe schmoe, posted by Phillipa on September 6, 2011, at 23:30:37
Well, I have been paying close attention to my Viibryd side effects. Carb cravings are down and I have lost 5 pounds so far on my diet. Unpleasant dreams persist and I wake up very tired in the morning but I don't have trouble going to sleep anymore. No more GI distress.
At this point what is puzzling me is the continuing sensations in my head which start to occur about 3-4 hours after taking my dose. I recognize them, and they are no longer general spaciness or dizziness. They are brain zaps. Exactly the kind of sensations I normally get when going off an SSRI. Anyone who has had brain zaps from discontinuation syndrome knows what I am talking about - they tend to occur when you move your eyes or your head. Yet this is after being on Viibryd for ten weeks, and taking the dose, not missing one, is what causes them.
I am at a loss to explain what could be causing this. I have had these sensations often before when going off an SSRI, but never as a direct result of taking a dose. Since insomnia no longer seems to be a problem I will probably try taking this drug as late in the evening as possible to see if I can avoid the sensations that way. Of course my dreams will probably get even more unpleasant....
Anyone else experience brain zaps a few hours after taking a dose? I've never heard of a drug that causes brain zaps from taking it - only drugs that cause them from discontinuation. It's very strange to be having these sensations as a result of taking a dose. I wonder if it will wear off in time, or it taking it late at night will carry effects over into the next day.
Posted by Chris O on September 11, 2011, at 13:03:58
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 10 - brain zaps, posted by joe schmoe on September 11, 2011, at 0:45:28
Joe:
No brain zaps here, and I'm on 80mg a day. Not much of anything in terms of side effects for me, really. But Viibryd not attacking my GAD strong enough either.
Chris
Posted by Jenbr on September 11, 2011, at 16:04:40
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 6 » Jenbr, posted by Chris O on September 9, 2011, at 18:19:38
Chris,
Oh, feel free to vent! I don't know how I would survive without it myself. I had to really force myself to seek a therapist out and then commit to going each week this past year. I think that the harder it gets for us the more resistant we become to the talk therapy. It can be so incredibly...trying...in terms of relationships and our illnesses. Amazing how completely different our perceptions can be from our partners (and their families!) and it seems that there is no resolving it at times. I feel for what you are going through right now. My husband is not the greatest at communication in general and when I am in a bad place... It can be so hard. And my own guilt, shame, anxiety is so crippling. And I truly don't believe my husband understands it at all. Not that he is to blame for that. How could anyone on the outside really comprehend it? Not to the full degree. But many times I just sense he doesn't want to understand and could care less about making the effort to try.
I can't remember if Remeron worked at all for me, but I know I tried Abilify more than once because I really wanted it to work. I had a lot of faith in it because I had heard so many success stories- some from people I knew fairly well. Seroquel has been another one that has been very successful for many and I was hoping to have work for me. But, unfortunately my "stuff" has been too resistant and none of these helped me. Although, if you ever have problems with sleep, I do recommend seroquel for that purpose.
Have you started the Remeron yet?
Posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 7:53:49
In reply to Re: Day 31 of Viibryd » joe schmoe, posted by Chris O on August 3, 2011, at 8:26:39
Been following this thread for a while. On 80 mg of Viibryd myself and it's not cutting through my atypical depression. I had some amazing relief in the beginning of treatment but that seems to have dissipated. Previous to Viibryd I was on a combined Lexapro/Pristiq regimen which gave me more energy (thanks to the norepinephrine boost of Pristiq). For three years before that I did have moderate remission with Lexapro by itself.
Viibryd at 80 mg has some very strange, "trippy" side effects than the "purer" SSRIs. The strange dreams are more bizarre than the regular SSRI dreams. I sometimes "dream" when my eyes are closed but I'm not asleep. And not to scare anybody here, but it's not a pleasant feeling. I haven't stopped taking Viibryd, but I do want to put that out there. It's very hard to describe accurately.
So what's new? Based on my atypical depression diagnosis with comorbid mild fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome, my psychiatrist has added low-dose Cytomel (T3 Thyroid med) to the Viibryd.
Didn't feel "good" the first week on 10 mg (two 5 mg pills) but I definitely felt "less worse". However by the second week on 20 mg, I definitely felt improvement. Many of the aches, pains, "fever-ish" symptoms have disappeared and my mood has considerably brightened. Still some lingering physical symptoms and I haven't started working out yet (exercise intolerance is a huge symptom of my fibro/CFS/depression), but I'm getting close.
I see my doctor tomorrow. Plan on asking him if I can go higher on the Cytomel (I'm still at a subclinical dose) and lower my Viibryd to 40 mg from 80 to avoid some of the "bad dreams" side effects of the Viibryd.
Please note I have had my thyroid tested numerous times in the 15 years of my depression/fibro/CFS and it always came back in the normal "range". But what is a range for one person may not be for the other. Apparently, endocrinologists are very conservative when it comes to thyroid medication, but psychiatrists have tended to push the envelope for those of us who are very, very sick. And it's helping me so far.
Google "Cytomel and depression" for more info and for studies. Remember it's T3 thyroid (Cytomel) not T4 (Synthroid) which works for some of us.
Good luck to everyone. I'll be happy to update if anyone is interested.
Posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 8:07:07
In reply to Re: Day 31 of Viibryd » joe schmoe, posted by Chris O on August 3, 2011, at 8:26:39
Been following this thread for a while. On 80 mg of Viibryd myself and it's not cutting through my atypical depression. I had some amazing relief in the beginning of treatment but that seems to have dissipated. Previous to Viibryd I was on a combined Lexapro/Pristiq regimen which gave me more energy (thanks to the norepinephrine boost of Pristiq). For three years before that I did have moderate remission with Lexapro by itself.
Viibryd at 80 mg has some very strange, "trippy" side effects than the "purer" SSRIs. The strange dreams are more bizarre than the regular SSRI dreams. I sometimes "dream" when my eyes are closed but I'm not asleep. And not to scare anybody here, but it's not a pleasant feeling. I haven't stopped taking Viibryd, but I do want to put that out there. It's very hard to describe accurately.
So what's new? Based on my atypical depression diagnosis with comorbid mild fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome, my psychiatrist has added low-dose Cytomel (T3 Thyroid med) to the Viibryd.
Didn't feel "good" the first week on 10 mg (two 5 mg pills) but I definitely felt "less worse". However by the second week on 20 mg, I definitely felt improvement. Many of the aches, pains, "fever-ish" symptoms have disappeared and my mood has considerably brightened. Still some lingering physical symptoms and I haven't started working out yet (exercise intolerance is a huge symptom of my fibro/CFS/depression), but I'm getting close.
I see my doctor tomorrow. Plan on asking him if I can go higher on the Cytomel (I'm still at a subclinical dose) and lower my Viibryd to 40 mg from 80 to avoid some of the "bad dreams" side effects of the Viibryd.
Please note I have had my thyroid tested numerous times in the 15 years of my depression/fibro/CFS and it always came back in the normal "range". But what is a range for one person may not be for the other. Apparently, endocrinologists are very conservative when it comes to thyroid medication, but psychiatrists have tended to push the envelope for those of us who are very, very sick. And it's helping me so far.
Google "Cytomel and depression" for more info and for studies. Remember it's T3 thyroid (Cytomel) not T4 (Synthroid) which works for some of us.
Good luck to everyone. I'll be happy to update if anyone is interested.
Posted by SLS on October 24, 2011, at 8:27:59
In reply to 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW!, posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 8:07:07
> On 80 mg of Viibryd myself and it's not cutting through my atypical depression.
How did you come to raise your dosage of Viibryd to 80 mg? The maximum dosage is 40 mg. Was this your doctor's idea? Did increasing the dosage help at all? Side effects?
Good luck in future adventures.
- Scott
Posted by Jenbr on October 24, 2011, at 10:34:44
In reply to 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW!, posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 8:07:07
Hi! I was wondering what dose of cytomel you are on? I'm on it now for thyroid issues, but curious about it's potential effect on my depression etc.Thanks,
Jen
Been following this thread for a while. On 80 mg of Viibryd myself and it's not cutting through my atypical depression. I had some amazing relief in the beginning of treatment but that seems to have dissipated. Previous to Viibryd I was on a combined Lexapro/Pristiq regimen which gave me more energy (thanks to the norepinephrine boost of Pristiq). For three years before that I did have moderate remission with Lexapro by itself.
>
> Viibryd at 80 mg has some very strange, "trippy" side effects than the "purer" SSRIs. The strange dreams are more bizarre than the regular SSRI dreams. I sometimes "dream" when my eyes are closed but I'm not asleep. And not to scare anybody here, but it's not a pleasant feeling. I haven't stopped taking Viibryd, but I do want to put that out there. It's very hard to describe accurately.
>
> So what's new? Based on my atypical depression diagnosis with comorbid mild fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome, my psychiatrist has added low-dose Cytomel (T3 Thyroid med) to the Viibryd.
>
> Didn't feel "good" the first week on 10 mg (two 5 mg pills) but I definitely felt "less worse". However by the second week on 20 mg, I definitely felt improvement. Many of the aches, pains, "fever-ish" symptoms have disappeared and my mood has considerably brightened. Still some lingering physical symptoms and I haven't started working out yet (exercise intolerance is a huge symptom of my fibro/CFS/depression), but I'm getting close.
>
> I see my doctor tomorrow. Plan on asking him if I can go higher on the Cytomel (I'm still at a subclinical dose) and lower my Viibryd to 40 mg from 80 to avoid some of the "bad dreams" side effects of the Viibryd.
>
> Please note I have had my thyroid tested numerous times in the 15 years of my depression/fibro/CFS and it always came back in the normal "range". But what is a range for one person may not be for the other. Apparently, endocrinologists are very conservative when it comes to thyroid medication, but psychiatrists have tended to push the envelope for those of us who are very, very sick. And it's helping me so far.
>
> Google "Cytomel and depression" for more info and for studies. Remember it's T3 thyroid (Cytomel) not T4 (Synthroid) which works for some of us.
>
> Good luck to everyone. I'll be happy to update if anyone is interested.
Posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 18:14:36
In reply to Re: 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW!, posted by Jenbr on October 24, 2011, at 10:34:44
I'm currently on 20 mg of Cytomel, which is below what most patients with thyroid issues are on. I have an appointment tomorrow. I'm going to try to go back to 40 on the Viibryd and up a little on the Cytomel.
> Hi! I was wondering what dose of cytomel you are on? I'm on it now for thyroid issues, but curious about it's potential effect on my depression etc.
>
> Thanks,
> Jen
>
>
> Been following this thread for a while. On 80 mg of Viibryd myself and it's not cutting through my atypical depression. I had some amazing relief in the beginning of treatment but that seems to have dissipated. Previous to Viibryd I was on a combined Lexapro/Pristiq regimen which gave me more energy (thanks to the norepinephrine boost of Pristiq). For three years before that I did have moderate remission with Lexapro by itself.
> >
> > Viibryd at 80 mg has some very strange, "trippy" side effects than the "purer" SSRIs. The strange dreams are more bizarre than the regular SSRI dreams. I sometimes "dream" when my eyes are closed but I'm not asleep. And not to scare anybody here, but it's not a pleasant feeling. I haven't stopped taking Viibryd, but I do want to put that out there. It's very hard to describe accurately.
> >
> > So what's new? Based on my atypical depression diagnosis with comorbid mild fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome, my psychiatrist has added low-dose Cytomel (T3 Thyroid med) to the Viibryd.
> >
> > Didn't feel "good" the first week on 10 mg (two 5 mg pills) but I definitely felt "less worse". However by the second week on 20 mg, I definitely felt improvement. Many of the aches, pains, "fever-ish" symptoms have disappeared and my mood has considerably brightened. Still some lingering physical symptoms and I haven't started working out yet (exercise intolerance is a huge symptom of my fibro/CFS/depression), but I'm getting close.
> >
> > I see my doctor tomorrow. Plan on asking him if I can go higher on the Cytomel (I'm still at a subclinical dose) and lower my Viibryd to 40 mg from 80 to avoid some of the "bad dreams" side effects of the Viibryd.
> >
> > Please note I have had my thyroid tested numerous times in the 15 years of my depression/fibro/CFS and it always came back in the normal "range". But what is a range for one person may not be for the other. Apparently, endocrinologists are very conservative when it comes to thyroid medication, but psychiatrists have tended to push the envelope for those of us who are very, very sick. And it's helping me so far.
> >
> > Google "Cytomel and depression" for more info and for studies. Remember it's T3 thyroid (Cytomel) not T4 (Synthroid) which works for some of us.
> >
> > Good luck to everyone. I'll be happy to update if anyone is interested.
>
>
Posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 18:18:33
In reply to Re: 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW! » JTDC, posted by SLS on October 24, 2011, at 8:27:59
When I was not getting enough relief on the 40 mg we slowly went up to 60 and then 80 mg.
I have very difficult to treat depression. The 80 mg is not allowing me complete remission, just about 50%. This refractory depression along with my atypical depressive symptoms is why my doctor suggested the augmentation with Cytomel.
Cytomel is definitely doing more than the Viibryd alone. I do have more GI issues on the 80 mg of Viibryd than on the 40. I also have a lower libido on the 80 mg than on the 40.
> How did you come to raise your dosage of Viibryd to 80 mg? The maximum dosage is 40 mg. Was this your doctor's idea? Did increasing the dosage help at all? Side effects?
>
> Good luck in future adventures.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
>
Posted by Chris O on October 25, 2011, at 11:17:04
In reply to 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW!, posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 8:07:07
JTDC:
I'm also taking 80mg of Viibryd. I guess it's been over 3 months now. I think my response is similar to yours, but probably even less robust than 50% reduction of symptoms. For me, more like 20 to 30%. On the positive side, do not really have any visible side effects beyond slightly decreased libido. Dreams for me are no more vivid and weird than they are on other SSRIs. Great to hear that the Cytomel is working for you. I've had my thyroid tested many times, but it always comes back "normal." No fibro symptoms, but I am fatigued to death with my GAD, depression. I've always suspected there may be something going on with thyroid after my life of constant adrenal stress hormone release. Hope you continue to improve!
Chris
Posted by Phillipa on October 25, 2011, at 23:19:50
In reply to Re: 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW!, posted by Chris O on October 25, 2011, at 11:17:04
Chris very well could be. Yes I do have hasimotos thyroidistis but adrenal test came back low normal. Now this way just a spot blood test but enough to alert the endocrinologist to start with a 24 hour urine for adrenal function. Also Free T3 normal but TSH has risen to 4.3 high normal and I'd been at l.5 perfect number for endos for thyroid so that will be repeated also. Heard him discussing with the other endo that I might be a nonconverter of T3 to T4. So you still could have thyroid issues. And I am tired and wired at same time Phillipa
Posted by Chris O on October 26, 2011, at 10:12:03
In reply to Re: 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW! » Chris O, posted by Phillipa on October 25, 2011, at 23:19:50
I'm a 44 year-old man, so I know I am probably not the typical low thyroid issue person. But after a whole life of my GAD/panic/PTSD symptoms, and the constant lack of energy, insomnia, disease (which no longer respond to SSRIs much at all), I am at a loss. I've tested my testosterone, and that came back normal. A couple of years ago, I had very, very low vitamin D and B-12 levels, but those have come back to normal over the past year, too. I did have higher (a bit) than normal cholesterol a couple of years ago, which was shocking to me as I have never had that before, but it's come back down. I don't know. I am just tired and unable to function. Been that way my whole life it seems.
Chris
Posted by joe schmoe on October 26, 2011, at 21:07:36
In reply to 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW!, posted by JTDC on October 24, 2011, at 7:53:49
>
> Viibryd at 80 mg has some very strange, "trippy" side effects than the "purer" SSRIs.
I too have had these "trippy" side effects, and at a lot lower dosage than 80 mg. At 40 mg this "trippiness" when in public was making my social anxiety worse (since bad social anxiety for me feels rather like a "bad trip" to begin with), and I have since cut it down to 20 mg. Still get some social anxiety to some extent unless I club it into submission with extra Clonazepam. Still, I don't want to go back to genital anesthesia, so I will continue on Viibryd for awhile and see how it changes over time. I have never had a med change its side effect profile on a weekly basis like this one.
Posted by Phillipa on October 26, 2011, at 23:15:27
In reply to Thanks, Phillipa!, posted by Chris O on October 26, 2011, at 10:12:03
Chris would love to be back at your age as felt good then pre menopause and thyroid issues. Phillipa
Posted by allison28 on November 10, 2011, at 22:10:21
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 10 - brain zaps, posted by joe schmoe on September 11, 2011, at 0:45:28
I took Viibryd for about 1.5 months. I started in July and ended mid-August of this year. It was fine for a while, I'd say it was helping. And then about 2-3 weeks into taking the medicine, I started getting really awful, very intense dreams (nightmares!) and hallucinations. That was okay for a while, since I thought the drug was working. But then the zaps started. I had never experienced anything like it. It was terrifying. I thought I had a brain tumor or something! All of a sudden, my brain - my whole body, really - would zap. It happened a few times randomly out of nowhere, but then it started happening more and more. I was taking the medicine at night, so I switched to taking it in the morning - and it still happened. I saw my doctor and we decided it was the Viibryd. I know that brain zaps are common when going off of an antidepressant, but I had very real, very uncomfortable zaps while on Viibryd. I haven't had one since stopping. So, you are not alone!
Posted by allison28 on November 10, 2011, at 22:15:02
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 10 - brain zaps, posted by joe schmoe on September 11, 2011, at 0:45:28
I took Viibryd for about 1.5 months. I started in July and ended mid-August of this year. It was fine for a while, I'd say it was helping. And then about 2-3 weeks into taking the medicine, I started getting really awful, very intense dreams (nightmares!) and hallucinations. That was okay for a while, since I thought the drug was working. But then the zaps started. I had never experienced anything like it. It was terrifying. I thought I had a brain tumor or something! All of a sudden, my brain - my whole body, really - would zap. It happened a few times randomly out of nowhere, but then it started happening more and more. I was taking the medicine at night, so I switched to taking it in the morning - and it still happened. I saw my doctor and we decided it was the Viibryd. I know that brain zaps are common when going off of an antidepressant, but I had very real, very uncomfortable zaps while on Viibryd. I haven't had one since stopping. So, you are not alone!
Posted by Chairman_MAO on November 11, 2011, at 8:03:39
In reply to Re: Viibryd end of week 10 - brain zaps » joe schmoe, posted by allison28 on November 10, 2011, at 22:10:21
I had these too, except the drug was intolerable for me and I stopped taking it after about 10 days. Feeling much better on Marplan now. Best of luck.
Posted by joe schmoe on December 8, 2011, at 13:52:42
In reply to Re: 80 mg of Viibryd, my story and what's NEW!, posted by joe schmoe on October 26, 2011, at 21:07:36
Far from getting used to Viibryd, its side effects seem to actually be getting worse the longer I'm on it, despite taking it at 20 mg (half the prescribed dose) after I couldn't take the surrealness of 40 mg. Headaches, eyeball aches, trippy feelings, dizziness and brain zaps several hours after taking it, feelings of unreality, brain fog/stupidity/memory problems, worsened social anxiety and weird feelings when out in public, it goes on and on. Some sensations I can't describe, no real word for them, but I definitely felt like I was "on" something, which I never felt from a normal SSRI after the first few weeks. No hair loss or GI issues or stuff like that - this was all mental and physical feelings in my head, the exact thing these drugs are supposed to prevent/treat.
I stopped taking it two days ago and so far feel immensely better! It's like a reverse withdrawal - when I took it, it felt like I was going through an ssri withdrawal. Now that I've stopped, I feel better! Very weird drug. I'm sure I'm in for some withdrawal effects eventually as my serotonin levels drop but at the moment, I definitely feel improved since I stopped!
The sexual benefit gradually went away, I feel as numbed now as I ever did on Celexa. So it's back to Celexa I think, after a washout period. Want to be AD free for a bit.
Given how short the trials were, I suspect that, since I started the drug on July 1, I have been on it as long as anyone ever has. I wonder how many other people will end up dropping it due to persistent, or worsening, side effects.
> >
> > Viibryd at 80 mg has some very strange, "trippy" side effects than the "purer" SSRIs.
>
>
> I too have had these "trippy" side effects, and at a lot lower dosage than 80 mg. At 40 mg this "trippiness" when in public was making my social anxiety worse (since bad social anxiety for me feels rather like a "bad trip" to begin with), and I have since cut it down to 20 mg. Still get some social anxiety to some extent unless I club it into submission with extra Clonazepam. Still, I don't want to go back to genital anesthesia, so I will continue on Viibryd for awhile and see how it changes over time. I have never had a med change its side effect profile on a weekly basis like this one.
>
Posted by Phillipa on December 8, 2011, at 19:04:04
In reply to Viibryd day 150+, giving up on it, posted by joe schmoe on December 8, 2011, at 13:52:42
Oh wow!!! Phillipa so sorry will you post about how things feel med free?
Posted by JTDC on December 10, 2011, at 7:57:01
In reply to Re: Viibryd day 150+, giving up on it » joe schmoe, posted by Phillipa on December 8, 2011, at 19:04:04
Would like to give everyone an update on my experience with Viibryd.
I'm back down to 40 mg and have been there for about two months. Viibryd was such a tease in the beginning -- felt really, really well on it. But the "trippy" effects eventually crept in.
For me the trippy effects are NOT visuals or distorted sounds/images. I want to be clear on that. What I mean by trippy is that there is this weird sense of surrealism, accompanied by this sense of dread. Never have felt this before on any AD. Waking up was hard to do, compared to Pristiq where I usually bound right out of bed.
So how do I cope? My doctor has me on T3/Cytomel. I've been taking the path to clear my reverse T3 dominance. I advise many of you to google it, especially if you have chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia symptoms with your depression.
For the most part I am now 90% symptom free thanks to the T3. I slowly increase my dose until all my reverse T3 receptors are cleared. Here is the link of the regimen I found online and that my psychiatrist encouraged me to try: http://thyroid-rt3.com/
I hope this can help others. There is a risk of going hyperthyroid once all your reverse T3 clears, but you then immediately lower your T3 dose for a few days and then slowly maintain a dose at 1/3 of what you were taking over the previous 12 weeks.
Posted by Chris O on December 10, 2011, at 18:18:09
In reply to Re: Viibryd day 150+, giving up on it, posted by JTDC on December 10, 2011, at 7:57:01
Thanks for the update. I've been on 80mg of Viibryd for 4 + months. It's not really helping with my GAD and depression much. The same as other high-dose other SSRIs. Weak and ineffective. No real side effects though. No "trippiness" like you're experiencing. Not much weight gain. No sexual side effects. I'll read your T-3 link. Though my traditional thyroid test always comes back within normal limits, I wouldn't be surprised if something was wrong. It's been a long ride for my with this constant anxiety. I am definitely "fatigued" to put it mildly. Good luck.
Posted by JTDC on December 11, 2011, at 18:08:19
In reply to Re: Viibryd day 150+, giving up on it » JTDC, posted by Chris O on December 10, 2011, at 18:18:09
> Thanks for the update. I've been on 80mg of Viibryd for 4 + months. It's not really helping with my GAD and depression much. The same as other high-dose other SSRIs. Weak and ineffective. No real side effects though. No "trippiness" like you're experiencing. Not much weight gain. No sexual side effects. I'll read your T-3 link. Though my traditional thyroid test always comes back within normal limits, I wouldn't be surprised if something was wrong. It's been a long ride for my with this constant anxiety. I am definitely "fatigued" to put it mildly. Good luck.
Chris -- the issue with RT3 is that it is undetectable in blood tests. My Thyroid tests (including TSH level - thyroid stimulating hormone) have always been in the normal range. The disruption occurs in cell tissue not in blood, which is why it doesn't show up in blood tests.
Endocrinologists are notoriously conservative in the medical field when it comes to "thinking outside the box". My psychiatrist helped me interestingly enough because my depression is so untreatable with conventional antidepressants.
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