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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on October 24, 2001, at 12:57:27
I had an appointment with my pdoc today. We are going to try doubling my Depakote from 62.5 to 125 mg and continue my Klonopin of .5-1 mg as needed. So far so good. He has suggested adding a pediatric dose (or even half a pediatric dose) of Zoloft. I am "exquisitely sensitive" to meds (in his words).
My question is this. I was on Luvox at 100 mg for four years for OCD and depression. At one point I was up to 300 mg. I finally got tired of the apathy, poor memory, slowed thinking, limited emotional range, and sexual side effects. I now see SSRI's as a last resort. Would such a low dose of Zoloft cause the same side effects?
Now for the history. If you don't want to be bored senseless, you can stop reading here.
Every two or three months (I guess - I need to chart). I have an "episode" that goes something like this. I will get extremely upset about something that has happened many times before and will happen many times again without bothering me. For some reason, I go into a tailspin over it this time. I become non-functioning, or barely functioning, as I spend days ruminating about the terrible calamity as I rock, or curl up in bed, or hide in the closet (to reduce sensory input). I will be anxious, agitated, and sad. I will obsess about self injury or suicide. It lasts for two or three weeks. Then I will have a couple of days of INTENSE ruminations where my mind feels absolutely stuck in a rut. These ruminations aren't usually related to the previous ones, and can be about anything, even a good enthusiasm. After the obsessive period, I feel somewhat unstable for another few days or so. Then I am fine until the next episode. By the way, these episodes also occurred on Luvox, although less frequently and less well defined. However, I was more likely to self injure while I was on Luvox (possibly because I am more out of touch with my feelings.)
My pdoc says these are depressive episodes. My therapist doesn't seem to understand it and just tries to avoid setting me off. I really want to understand it. If anyone has any ideas why I might do these things, please feel free to speculate.
Thanks for bearing with me.
Posted by Mary-Teresa on October 25, 2001, at 7:02:50
In reply to Zoloft, Luvox, Pdoc recommnendations, posted by Dinah on October 24, 2001, at 12:57:27
Hi, My mother suffers from OCD, and finds tremendous relief from a drug called clomapramine. Have you ever tried it? You may not have to take it all the time, but just during an episode to provide relief.
Posted by Dinah on October 27, 2001, at 10:17:21
In reply to Re: Zoloft, Luvox, Pdoc recommnendations, posted by Mary-Teresa on October 25, 2001, at 7:02:50
Posted by Dinah on October 27, 2001, at 10:27:13
In reply to Zoloft, Luvox, Pdoc recommnendations, posted by Dinah on October 24, 2001, at 12:57:27
If I am having depressive episodes, I am afraid that they will become more frequent and more severe if they are left untreated.
However, I think the lack of positive emotions (anhedonia?) that the Luvox brought on is even more dangerous in the long run. I've been off Luvox for almost a year now, and I still can't seem to feel positive emotions. I'm afraid that SSRI's will not help with this in my case.
Posted by jay on October 28, 2001, at 5:22:28
In reply to Do I infer Zoloft would be the same re. anhedonia?, posted by Dinah on October 27, 2001, at 10:27:13
This actaully seems to be common, and may be the reason many can't tolerate the SSRI's for very long periods of time.
Benzodiazepines seem to partly help lift some of that "masking of feelings" SSRI's cause, and an augmentation with another med may be a good bet. The addition of Xanax to a low dose of Zoloft was about an 80 percent increase in effectiveness for me. How did you find the Luvox side-effect wise? What other a.d. and psych meds have you tried, and at what doses?
Regardless of all of the many meds you can add on to a.d.'s, benzo's seem the safest, quickest, and most effective route.But, that is just IMHO.
Get back when you can...
Jay
> If I am having depressive episodes, I am afraid that they will become more frequent and more severe if they are left untreated.
> However, I think the lack of positive emotions (anhedonia?) that the Luvox brought on is even more dangerous in the long run. I've been off Luvox for almost a year now, and I still can't seem to feel positive emotions. I'm afraid that SSRI's will not help with this in my case.
Posted by Dinah on October 28, 2001, at 13:45:26
In reply to Re: Do I infer Zoloft would be the same re. anhedonia? » Dinah, posted by jay on October 28, 2001, at 5:22:28
Hi Jay,
I do take Klonopin on an as needed basis, usually .5 - 1 mg per day. I take Depakote. Wellbutrin made me suicidally agitated. Remeron put me to sleep, even at higher doses.
I hate to sound paranoid, but I think Luvox may have permanently impaired my ability to feel positive emotions. Other than that (!!) I didn't have a lot of side effects. I was thinking of suggesting Zyprexa to pdoc since a lot of my depression and anxiety involves obsessional ruminations. However, after reading the psychopharmacology tips on Babble, I think I'll forego any additional medications unless I have no choice. It just doesn't sound as if the doctors have a good enough idea of how these medications work and what the long term effects of use might be. I guess if I feel bad enough I'll change my mind.
Thanks for answering my post.
This is the end of the thread.
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