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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BrianD on August 26, 2000, at 1:16:07
So what is the deal? I'm on 150mg Effexor XR daily and .5mg Clonazapam twice a day. That was a change from 100 Mg of Zoloft which did nothing for me. But I am almost completely unable to function (as compared to before my depression set in). Fatigue, fogginess, memory loss, can't sleep or I sleep too much, I can't maintain an erection (if I can get one). If this is what I have to look forward to, I don't know if I should be on anything! Please, what do you all think?
Posted by Adam on August 26, 2000, at 13:17:19
In reply to Is the cure worse than the problem, posted by BrianD on August 26, 2000, at 1:16:07
I think it's ultimately your decision. I had a miserable track record with antidepressants for years, but finally found one which gives me real relief and also causes me few, if any, really difficult side-effects. You might want to consider, with your doctor, continuing the search. Again, it's your prerogative.
> So what is the deal? I'm on 150mg Effexor XR daily and .5mg Clonazapam twice a day. That was a change from 100 Mg of Zoloft which did nothing for me. But I am almost completely unable to function (as compared to before my depression set in). Fatigue, fogginess, memory loss, can't sleep or I sleep too much, I can't maintain an erection (if I can get one). If this is what I have to look forward to, I don't know if I should be on anything! Please, what do you all think?
Posted by danf on August 26, 2000, at 14:07:14
In reply to Re: Is the cure worse than the problem, posted by Adam on August 26, 2000, at 13:17:19
My guess is that you still do not have an effective med.
I had those same symptoms with the depression.
I would discuss this in detail with your treating doc.
Posted by BrianD on August 27, 2000, at 2:32:10
In reply to Re: Is the cure worse than the problem, posted by danf on August 26, 2000, at 14:07:14
I have read many postings that talk about people being on meds for years. Is this common? Do people actually get better and get off the meds? I know that this may sound like a silly question but I'm a little worried that I may never come off this stuff.
Has anyone read "Feeling Good"? Can someone suggest a place where I can chat with people about the causes of their depression? I'd appreciate any guidance!
Brian
My guess is that you still do not have an effective med.
>
> I had those same symptoms with the depression.
>
> I would discuss this in detail with your treating doc.
Posted by stjames on August 27, 2000, at 2:54:11
In reply to Re: Is the cure worse than the problem, posted by BrianD on August 27, 2000, at 2:32:10
> I have read many postings that talk about people being on meds for years. Is this common? Do people actually get better and get off the meds? I know that this may sound like a silly question but I'm a little worried that I may never come off this stuff.
>
James here....For me I do well on meds. The depression is here to stay
and tyhe meds do not cure anything but they do a good job of
controling the problem so I have a normal like.james
Posted by JohnL on August 29, 2000, at 5:09:08
In reply to Is the cure worse than the problem, posted by BrianD on August 26, 2000, at 1:16:07
> So what is the deal? I'm on 150mg Effexor XR daily and .5mg Clonazapam twice a day. That was a change from 100 Mg of Zoloft which did nothing for me. But I am almost completely unable to function (as compared to before my depression set in). Fatigue, fogginess, memory loss, can't sleep or I sleep too much, I can't maintain an erection (if I can get one). If this is what I have to look forward to, I don't know if I should be on anything! Please, what do you all think?
Brian,
The cure is indeed worse than the problem IF we are on the wrong medication for our own unique chemistry. Whatever the underlying root problem is that is causing your depression, it seems obvious to me that neither of your meds are on the right track to treating that problem. Instead, they are affecting all kinds of other things that don't need to be messed with, and you are ending up with a whole bunch of unwanted feelings and side effects on top of the depression that isn't being addressed by those meds.In your shoes, I would be starting to ween off these meds and decide what to try next. If Zoloft and Effexor are the only SSRIs you've tried, then it might be worth trying Prozac for a month. If you have already tried other SSRIs besides Zoloft, then I would instead look into a totally different class of meds. No sense beating a dead horse. I mention Prozac instead of Paxil or Celexa, because it is least likely of them all to cause that foggy feeling, and it is least likely to cause sexual problems among men. It might, but it is less likely than others. For me Prozac actually made my love life a lot better. It is also somewhat stimulating, not dulling like the others. But if it too proves disappointing after four weeks, I would abandon the whole class of SSRIs.
What other meds instead of SSRIs? Top choices in my opinion (through your doctor) would be Desipramine, Nortriptyline, Zyprexa...and a possible stimulant like Ritalin or Adderall in combination with any of them. Top choices without a doctor would be Amisulpride, Adrafinil, or both. Both is my favorite. And believe me, I've tried more than my fair share of meds.
Hope something here helps. I just wanted to say that I think all the clues are readily apparent to suggest that your current meds are off-target. And that's why things are worse right now than the original problem. When you are on the right meds to target your unique chemistry, these lousy feelings will not occur.
John
Posted by BrianD on August 29, 2000, at 11:11:47
In reply to Re: Is the cure worse than the problem, posted by JohnL on August 29, 2000, at 5:09:08
Hey John,
Thanks for the great info. One of the problems that I have had is not knowing what are symptoms of depression versus side effects of the meds. Seems like they are the same in many cases. I was on Zoloft for 5 months, miserable all the time, but everytime my doc asked if I was feeling better I had no reference point to answer. Better than what, yesterday... no. Better than I was pre-depression... certainly not. Your info helps... perhaps I will suggest Prozac! Thanks.
Brian
Posted by JohnL on August 30, 2000, at 4:20:43
In reply to Re: Is the cure worse than the problem » JohnL, posted by BrianD on August 29, 2000, at 11:11:47
Brain,
Yeah, I think Prozac could make sense as your next move. But like I said, if that too is disappointing, then I would ditch that whole class of meds and move onto other categories. It makes sense to try Prozac first though, especially viewed from a doctor's point of view. Many of them aren't comfortable or knowledgeable when they leave the SSRI arena and start trying other types of meds. Even a lot of psychiatrists are stuck in the mud with these garden variety SSRIs.
I know how you feel not having a reference point. Unless some drug has made you feel good, it's impossible to guess what feeling good feels like. But I guarantee you, when it happens, you'll know it without a doubt. You'll rejoice and celebrate.
What you might do is search around the net for an online depression screening test. It's a multiple choice question-and-answer test that yields a numerical total score indicating the overall severity of your depression. Take the test as a reference point for where you are now. Then when under medication, take the test again, perhaps at one or two week intervals, to see if there is any progress or worsening. The cool thing is you'll see not only whether you are better or worse than you were, but how much better or worse. And you'll also be able to pinpoint which symptoms are the strongest, and which aren't really much of a problem. You'll learn a lot about the nature of your depression by taking the test. It will be a good objective reference point. Doctors, counselors, and pdocs often use these tests for the very purposes I've described.
To find one of these tests, go to Dr Bobs Links and navigate to Depression Central. I don't remember where exactly at Depression Central the test can be found, but it's there. You could also do a search to find other variations of similar tests.
In the meantime, I'm wishing you a smooth day.
John
Posted by BrianD on August 31, 2000, at 1:58:56
In reply to Re: Is the cure worse than the problem-Brian, posted by JohnL on August 30, 2000, at 4:20:43
>Hey John,
Once again, thanks for the great advice. I read a monograph on Wellbutrin. The listed side effects seem to be fewer than with other meds. What do you think? I'm heading off to look for that test now.
Brian
Brain,
>
> Yeah, I think Prozac could make sense as your next move. But like I said, if that too is disappointing, then I would ditch that whole class of meds and move onto other categories. It makes sense to try Prozac first though, especially viewed from a doctor's point of view. Many of them aren't comfortable or knowledgeable when they leave the SSRI arena and start trying other types of meds. Even a lot of psychiatrists are stuck in the mud with these garden variety SSRIs.
>
> I know how you feel not having a reference point. Unless some drug has made you feel good, it's impossible to guess what feeling good feels like. But I guarantee you, when it happens, you'll know it without a doubt. You'll rejoice and celebrate.
>
> What you might do is search around the net for an online depression screening test. It's a multiple choice question-and-answer test that yields a numerical total score indicating the overall severity of your depression. Take the test as a reference point for where you are now. Then when under medication, take the test again, perhaps at one or two week intervals, to see if there is any progress or worsening. The cool thing is you'll see not only whether you are better or worse than you were, but how much better or worse. And you'll also be able to pinpoint which symptoms are the strongest, and which aren't really much of a problem. You'll learn a lot about the nature of your depression by taking the test. It will be a good objective reference point. Doctors, counselors, and pdocs often use these tests for the very purposes I've described.
>
> To find one of these tests, go to Dr Bobs Links and navigate to Depression Central. I don't remember where exactly at Depression Central the test can be found, but it's there. You could also do a search to find other variations of similar tests.
>
> In the meantime, I'm wishing you a smooth day.
> John
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