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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by diane on October 12, 1999, at 22:38:20
Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience. When I start taking a new antidepressant, I'm usually really aware of my total lifestyle. I'm keyed into my need for exercise, good sleep, good food, etc. So I'm taking care of myself. However, as the antidepressant takes effect, I start to pay less attention to my diet, my exercise, my sleep. I get lazy. So essentially, underneath the antidepressant effect, I'm not in great health. Over time the antidepressant stops working (or else my bad habits catch up with me) and when I wean off the antidepressant in order to start a new one, I suddenly realize how badly I've let myself go and I start walking again, eating well etc.
Has anyone else been lulled into inactivity by the superficial sense of well-being you get from meds? Sometimes, it seems like I'm actually doing better in all areas of my life when I'm weaning off antidepressants or completely off them or starting a new one (which hasn't yet taken effect). It reminds me of addiction to drugs or alcohol. The same "use" of a substance to mask an underlaying problem. Any thoughts? Diane
Posted by Phil on October 13, 1999, at 8:55:02
In reply to The "false" well-being effects of antidepressants, posted by diane on October 12, 1999, at 22:38:20
> Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience. When I start taking a new antidepressant, I'm usually really aware of my total lifestyle. >
>
>diane,
Exact same effect on me. When I first began current meds, I was doing yoga, riding the bike, etc. After a month or so, I'm eating Little Debs by the box and staring at the treadmill.
Phil
Posted by Sean on October 13, 1999, at 13:04:17
In reply to The "false" well-being effects of antidepressants, posted by diane on October 12, 1999, at 22:38:20
> Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience. When I start taking a new antidepressant, I'm usually really aware of my total lifestyle. I'm keyed into my need for exercise, good sleep, good food, etc. So I'm taking care of myself. However, as the antidepressant takes effect, I start to pay less attention to my diet, my exercise, my sleep. I get lazy. So essentially, underneath the antidepressant effect, I'm not in great health. Over time the antidepressant stops working (or else my bad habits catch up with me) and when I wean off the antidepressant in order to start a new one, I suddenly realize how badly I've let myself go and I start walking again, eating well etc.
>
> Has anyone else been lulled into inactivity by the superficial sense of well-being you get from meds? Sometimes, it seems like I'm actually doing better in all areas of my life when I'm weaning off antidepressants or completely off them or starting a new one (which hasn't yet taken effect). It reminds me of addiction to drugs or alcohol. The same "use" of a substance to mask an underlaying problem. Any thoughts? DianeYes, on the SSRI's this happened more than once
and I quit because of it. I'm also a songwriter
and of the opinion that some phases of this thing called
"depression" are central to the things one
attends to in life. While others are barbecuing
and playing frisbee, I can often be found in my
studio working on an intense piece of music (if
I'm not too depressed.) On the AD's, I'm going to
be out playing frisbee or whatever.Granted, I'm happier and more socially "connected"
on the SSRI's to some degree, but am I more "alive"?
Hard to say. Melancholic personalities seem to be
able to focus the little energy they have into very
specific works.I struggle with this in ways that make my p-doc
roll his eyes sometimes. Depression is so
much more complex than one's serotonin levels. I
think the way we learn to compensate for these
feelings produces all sorts of interesting tweaks
in people. And let's not forget that there is a lot
to be depressed about on this here little globe in
space. I can't imagine a world where everybody is
on Prozac and chipper as all hell. That would be
the most depressing thing of all don't you think?A little bit of depression is good. Some essential
melancholia let's say. It stirs the soul, motivates
us to meaningful action, clarifies wheat from chaf,
gives us a bit of the "abyss" with which to measure
where we've come - and where we're going.I wish there was an easy answer to this one.
Sean.
Posted by Noa on October 13, 1999, at 17:57:23
In reply to Re: The "false" well-being effects of antidepressants, posted by Sean on October 13, 1999, at 13:04:17
Haven't found that yet. But I am so restless and fidgety now on the higher dose of effexor. I think I need to start regular exercise to see if it helps to use up some of this energy.
Posted by diane on October 14, 1999, at 23:01:31
In reply to Re: The "false" well-being effects of antidepressants, posted by Sean on October 13, 1999, at 13:04:17
I'm also a songwriter
> and of the opinion that some phases of this thing called
> "depression" are central to the things one
> attends to in life. While others are barbecuing
> and playing frisbee, I can often be found in my
> studio working on an intense piece of music (if
> I'm not too depressed.) On the AD's, I'm going to
> be out playing frisbee or whatever.
>
Yes, I sometimes wonder if I'm missing things being drugged out of my depression. I'm certainly less attentive to my body due to my superficial sense of feeling good. I've managed several lengthy periods of being off meds. Eventually I go back on, not necessarily because I feel depressed, but because people around me tell me I've changed and that I'm depressed. I'm struggling through this and I'm going to try another period without antidepressants in a month or so. It's been two years since I've tried. Maybe this time I'll be able to go through the depression without reacting to it - I'm preparing myself now by exercising, eating better, meditating, writing, and journaling.
Posted by Bob on October 15, 1999, at 5:56:46
In reply to Re: The "false" well-being effects of antidepressants, posted by diane on October 14, 1999, at 23:01:31
Maybe you should read up on nutritional supplements, as in a number of other threads at this time. It makes me think of something I heard from a nutritionist once (airplane conversation) about the difference between beta-carotene and vitamin A -- something along the lines of (1) at high dosages, the former does cause the toxicity that the latter does, and (2) that beta-carotene is more effective at treating vitamin A deficiencies. So, maybe the other supplements that are pre-cursors to what our body and brain really needs fit in the same sort of category -- keeping the "raw materials" needed to produce neurotransmitters in ample supply but not flooding our system with "too much of a good thing."
Just a thought... (yeah, I know, dangerous stuff them "thoughts")
Bob
Posted by Sean on October 15, 1999, at 11:59:36
In reply to Re: The "false" well-being effects of antidepressants, posted by diane on October 14, 1999, at 23:01:31
> I'm also a songwriter
> > and of the opinion that some phases of this thing called
> > "depression" are central to the things one
> > attends to in life. While others are barbecuing
> > and playing frisbee, I can often be found in my
> > studio working on an intense piece of music (if
> > I'm not too depressed.) On the AD's, I'm going to
> > be out playing frisbee or whatever.
> >
>
>
> Yes, I sometimes wonder if I'm missing things being drugged out of my depression. I'm certainly less attentive to my body due to my superficial sense of feeling good. I've managed several lengthy periods of being off meds. Eventually I go back on, not necessarily because I feel depressed, but because people around me tell me I've changed and that I'm depressed. I'm struggling through this and I'm going to try another period without antidepressants in a month or so. It's been two years since I've tried. Maybe this time I'll be able to go through the depression without reacting to it - I'm preparing myself now by exercising, eating better, meditating, writing, and journaling.Hi Diane -
I'm glad you can relate to this - it gets very
tough trying to manage the need for strong feelings
vs. the risks of depression. I'm currently trying
Neurontin to see if I can deal without an AD and
just try to reel in the mood swings to a degree.
I must say, however, I did not feel like I was
"falsely well" when using the TCA ad's. I just
felt like me on a good day (with a dry mouth,
heart palpitations, and constipation - ha ha ha!)
but able to be creative. I think we are still in
the dark ages in terms of treating depression
and that within 10 years we will have better meds
to work with...
Sean.
Posted by diane on October 15, 1999, at 17:39:27
In reply to Re: The "false" well-being effects of antidepressants, posted by Sean on October 15, 1999, at 11:59:36
> I must say, however, I did not feel like I was
> "falsely well" when using the TCA ad's. I just
> felt like me on a good day (with a dry mouth,
> heart palpitations, and constipation - ha ha ha!)
> but able to be creative. I think we are still in
> the dark ages in terms of treating depression
> and that within 10 years we will have better meds
> to work with...Yes, sometimes I cannot distinguish exactly what antidepressants do to (or for) me.
For example, in a recent attempt to wean off serzone, I started to feel so emotionally
brittle, I don't know what good I was to anyone. I wasn't reacting
"appropriately" to things or people or events. Everything got under
my skin so to speak. But the other thing I noticed was how tight my
muscles were. As I weaned off the drugs, I realized that I was clenching my
jaw and the drugs were somehow masking this fact by easing the pain or
serving as a relaxant or something. But it made me think that if I could
get off the meds - for at least awhile - i could start to work on the
root problems - my tenseness, etc. - through exercise, meditation, etc.
it's a mixed bag. on one hand, the meds make it way easier to maneuver
through life--when i don't have time to figure out ways to deal with
stress and tension and pain and brittle emotions.i'm just getting tired of the roller-coaster of trying a new medication
every couple of years when one stops working. aRGhhhh! I'm in no way
against meds - my god, they've saved my life. i'm just wondering if it's
ever possible to "grow out of them." kind of like the meds might be keeping
me at some sort of stopping place, where i'm not moving forward anymore.
but maybe that's a bad analogy. maybe the meds are just helping me
function. maybe being off meds is a worse stopping place - there were
times when i was off meds and i wasn't progressing in any way whatsoever
because i was hiding in bed most of the time. diane
Posted by diane on October 15, 1999, at 17:40:44
In reply to Re: "True" well-being -- diane, posted by Bob on October 15, 1999, at 5:56:46
> Maybe you should read up on nutritional supplements, as in a number of other threads at this time. It makes me think of something I heard from a nutritionist once (airplane conversation) about the difference between beta-carotene and vitamin A -- something along the lines of (1) at high dosages, the former does cause the toxicity that the latter does, and (2) that beta-carotene is more effective at treating vitamin A deficiencies. So, maybe the other supplements that are pre-cursors to what our body and brain really needs fit in the same sort of category -- keeping the "raw materials" needed to produce neurotransmitters in ample supply but not flooding our system with "too much of a good thing."
>
> Just a thought... (yeah, I know, dangerous stuff them "thoughts")
> Bobsounds like a good idea - something i'm interested in. thanks.
Posted by Bob on October 15, 1999, at 19:34:17
In reply to Re: "True" well-being -- diane, posted by diane on October 15, 1999, at 17:40:44
> > ... the difference between beta-carotene and vitamin A -- something along the lines of (1) at high dosages, the former does cause the toxicity that the latter does, and (2) that beta-carotene is more effective at treating vitamin A deficiencies.
I mean, beta-carotine does NOT cause the toxicity that vitamin A does ... but all y'all already knew that, didn't you ;^)
This is the end of the thread.
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