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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 Mr. Scott on January 13, 2002, at 20:44:39
Zoloft, Prozac and effexor, All seem to have this one set of effects on me that are intolerable. Effective levels of the drug for my depression and anxiety be it 20mg prozac, 100mg ZOloft, not sure about effexor seem to make me profoundly fatigued, or disinhibited. Sometimes the fatigue is so great that I cannot comprehend what is being explained to me in a conversation (SUPER ADD). Or disinhibited to the point of being obnoxious. Definately a part of my brain is put to sleep that controls higher/executive functions. My Cholesterol goes throught the roof on Zoloft. Plus my face swells on Zoloft and Effexor and they are both constipating, and Prozac scares me becaue it makes me disinhibited and it won't leave the body if something goes wrong(also I tried to commit suicide on it 6 years ago). I tried Remeron and Serzone and hated them both...
What can I try now? Does Wellbutrin work for anyone? I have a lot of anxiety, but could always stick some klonopin over the wellbutrin if needed?
Your posts mean everything to me. No doctor would would ever entertain my questions like you folks on this board. Thats why I go in prepared after listening to your posts. Otherwise it's money wasted.
Scott
Posted by babyface on January 14, 2002, at 7:30:40
In reply to Please make a recommendation, posted by Mr. Scott on January 13, 2002, at 20:44:39
I've tried the above meds except remeron and I find Effexor works the best even with some annoying side effects.(for me some hairloss, the fuzzy feeling if I forget a dose and at the moment a rash which I'm not sure is effexor related).
It is so hard to ask anyone what you should try because everyone reacts so differently to each medication. I had Wellbutrin at one point and it worked for a while and then it stopped working. So far after 2 years with Effexor I am real happy what it does for my depression and sometimes I go up a little and then I go back down.
I am on 150 mg now
I think you are safer talking to your psychiatrist because he'll have all the updated info and also his patient's experience.
Mine is super helpfull and suggests medicines by showing me their side effects and their chemical
efficiency and we decide together. If you can not talk like that with your psych. you should find one that does!
Good luck and feel good. R
Posted by jay on January 14, 2002, at 10:31:18
In reply to Please make a recommendation, posted by Mr. Scott on January 13, 2002, at 20:44:39
> Zoloft, Prozac and effexor, All seem to have this one set of effects on me that are intolerable. Effective levels of the drug for my depression and anxiety be it 20mg prozac, 100mg ZOloft, not sure about effexor seem to make me profoundly fatigued, or disinhibited. Sometimes the fatigue is so great that I cannot comprehend what is being explained to me in a conversation (SUPER ADD). Or disinhibited to the point of being obnoxious. Definately a part of my brain is put to sleep that controls higher/executive functions. My Cholesterol goes throught the roof on Zoloft. Plus my face swells on Zoloft and Effexor and they are both constipating, and Prozac scares me becaue it makes me disinhibited and it won't leave the body if something goes wrong(also I tried to commit suicide on it 6 years ago). I tried Remeron and Serzone and hated them both...
>
> What can I try now? Does Wellbutrin work for anyone? I have a lot of anxiety, but could always stick some klonopin over the wellbutrin if needed?
>
> Your posts mean everything to me. No doctor would would ever entertain my questions like you folks on this board. Thats why I go in prepared after listening to your posts. Otherwise it's money wasted.
>
> ScottScott:
The Welbutrin may be worth a shot. I am honestly not sure that it causes *that* much more initial anxiety than Effexor, or a high dose SSRI. I even saw a Medline abstract that suggests this is the case. If you can get Klonipin to help, of course the better. It sounds like you could really use the Klonipin, or even Xanax, to quell much of your initial anxiety.
Do you have a good doctor, and/or can you change docs? You have to feel like your doctor has some faith in you, as well as you liking him/her.
Let us know how you make out, and what you decide. Best, and hang in there. (Ya, I know..it's overused...but I mean it!)
Jay
Posted by BLPBart on January 14, 2002, at 11:27:17
In reply to Re: Please make a recommendation » Mr. Scott, posted by jay on January 14, 2002, at 10:31:18
Hi Scott,
I have the same problem with prozac. Because of this I'm scared of trying any of the other SSRIs. I have had a lot of luck with wellbutrin and it doesn't make me anxious at all (although I don't suffer from anxiety like you do). I've actually complained to my doctor that I wished it had a more stimulating affect on me. If you haven't tried it it might be worth your time.> > Zoloft, Prozac and effexor, All seem to have this one set of effects on me that are intolerable. Effective levels of the drug for my depression and anxiety be it 20mg prozac, 100mg ZOloft, not sure about effexor seem to make me profoundly fatigued, or disinhibited. Sometimes the fatigue is so great that I cannot comprehend what is being explained to me in a conversation (SUPER ADD). Or disinhibited to the point of being obnoxious. Definately a part of my brain is put to sleep that controls higher/executive functions. My Cholesterol goes throught the roof on Zoloft. Plus my face swells on Zoloft and Effexor and they are both constipating, and Prozac scares me becaue it makes me disinhibited and it won't leave the body if something goes wrong(also I tried to commit suicide on it 6 years ago). I tried Remeron and Serzone and hated them both...
> >
> > What can I try now? Does Wellbutrin work for anyone? I have a lot of anxiety, but could always stick some klonopin over the wellbutrin if needed?
> >
> > Your posts mean everything to me. No doctor would would ever entertain my questions like you folks on this board. Thats why I go in prepared after listening to your posts. Otherwise it's money wasted.
> >
> > Scott
>
> Scott:
>
> The Welbutrin may be worth a shot. I am honestly not sure that it causes *that* much more initial anxiety than Effexor, or a high dose SSRI. I even saw a Medline abstract that suggests this is the case. If you can get Klonipin to help, of course the better. It sounds like you could really use the Klonipin, or even Xanax, to quell much of your initial anxiety.
>
> Do you have a good doctor, and/or can you change docs? You have to feel like your doctor has some faith in you, as well as you liking him/her.
>
> Let us know how you make out, and what you decide. Best, and hang in there. (Ya, I know..it's overused...but I mean it!)
>
> Jay
Posted by Mark H. on January 14, 2002, at 16:21:34
In reply to Re: Please make a recommendation, posted by BLPBart on January 14, 2002, at 11:27:17
Scott,
You might want to ask your doctor if it would be appropriate for you to try:
1.) a stimulant. As unlikely as this sounds for someone with anxiety, some people have a reverse reaction to methylphenidate (generic Ritalin) and other stimulants; they find them calming. If your doctor thinks there are enough symptoms to suggest you might be ADHD, then I'd recommend you start with an extremely small dose -- break a tablet into fours and try 1/4 strength. Also, I'd suggest you take it only in the morning until you know how you'll react to it (to avoid insomnia). From talking to numerous people about this, most seem to know within a few days (or even immediately) whether it's going to help them or not. It's ironic that for many of us who most need a stimulant such as Ritalin, the potential for abuse is small -- first, when we have more natural alertness and energy, we tend to cut back dosage automatically; and, second, when we take too much, we go to sleep. Even though it is much less jarring than caffeine for those of us who need it, it is still a controlled substance (because of its abuse potential by "normals"), so your doctor may have to write you a special prescription and monitor your usage closely. For the patient's part, it's important to respect the fact that your doctor is trusting you with a controlled substance and not to abuse his or her trust by misusing it or allowing anyone else to use your medications (I'm sure you know this, but I like to add such things for those reading over our shoulders here).
2.) a beta-blocker. If your anxiety involves your body producing too much adrenaline, a carefully used beta-blocker can help blunt the effects. However, this too is heavy medicine -- too much and you can develop potentially dangerous arrhythmias, and even in very small amounts, over time your body adapts so that you have to withdraw very slowly if your doctor and you decide to discontinue it (otherwise, you may get serious hypertensive rebound).
Both of these adjunctives can also potentiate certain other medications, including some anti-depressants, which means being careful with your dosage of other meds. However, the up-side of this fact is that you may get a good effect from less anti-depressant medication than normal.
I'm basing my suggestions on my experience as a patient and only recommending that you discuss these possibilities with your doctor if you suffer from refractory depression. These aren't first-line treatments for anybody.
Best wishes,
Mark H.
Posted by Mr. Scott on January 14, 2002, at 21:37:05
In reply to Re: Please make a recommendation, posted by Mark H. on January 14, 2002, at 16:21:34
Thanks Mark, that was a thorough and informative post. I will take those ideas of yours into mind.
Posted by Mitch on January 15, 2002, at 9:40:03
In reply to Please make a recommendation, posted by Mr. Scott on January 13, 2002, at 20:44:39
> Zoloft, Prozac and effexor, All seem to have this one set of effects on me that are intolerable. Effective levels of the drug for my depression and anxiety be it 20mg prozac, 100mg ZOloft, not sure about effexor seem to make me profoundly fatigued, or disinhibited. Sometimes the fatigue is so great that I cannot comprehend what is being explained to me in a conversation (SUPER ADD). Or disinhibited to the point of being obnoxious. Definately a part of my brain is put to sleep that controls higher/executive functions. My Cholesterol goes throught the roof on Zoloft. Plus my face swells on Zoloft and Effexor and they are both constipating, and Prozac scares me becaue it makes me disinhibited and it won't leave the body if something goes wrong(also I tried to commit suicide on it 6 years ago). I tried Remeron and Serzone and hated them both...
>
> What can I try now? Does Wellbutrin work for anyone? I have a lot of anxiety, but could always stick some klonopin over the wellbutrin if needed?
>
> Your posts mean everything to me. No doctor would would ever entertain my questions like you folks on this board. Thats why I go in prepared after listening to your posts. Otherwise it's money wasted.
>
> ScottScott, I have been combining a low-dose SSri with another low-dose AD (non-ssri) for about two years now with good results (along with Neurontin+Klonopin). Zoloft+Nortriptyline worked ok, Celexa+Notriptyline ok, and now I am trying Celexa+Wellbutrin. The WB is a little *buzzy*. Maybe Wellbutrin+Prozac at lower doses could work for you-obviously you don't like Zoloft or Effexor.
god luck,
Mitch
Posted by binx on January 16, 2002, at 9:37:03
In reply to Please make a recommendation, posted by Mr. Scott on January 13, 2002, at 20:44:39
> Zoloft, Prozac and effexor, All seem to have this one set of effects on me that are intolerable. Effective levels of the drug for my depression and anxiety be it 20mg prozac, 100mg ZOloft, not sure about effexor seem to make me profoundly fatigued, or disinhibited. Sometimes the fatigue is so great that I cannot comprehend what is being explained to me in a conversation (SUPER ADD). Or disinhibited to the point of being obnoxious. Definately a part of my brain is put to sleep that controls higher/executive functions. My Cholesterol goes throught the roof on Zoloft. Plus my face swells on Zoloft and Effexor and they are both constipating, and Prozac scares me becaue it makes me disinhibited and it won't leave the body if something goes wrong(also I tried to commit suicide on it 6 years ago). I tried Remeron and Serzone and hated them both...
>
> What can I try now? Does Wellbutrin work for anyone? I have a lot of anxiety, but could always stick some klonopin over the wellbutrin if needed?
>
> Your posts mean everything to me. No doctor would would ever entertain my questions like you folks on this board. Thats why I go in prepared after listening to your posts. Otherwise it's money wasted.
>
> Scott
all i can say is keep trying new combinations. celexa + wellbutrin worked
for me for about 3 months then faded away;we increased the celexa
until i couldn't (notdidn't want to, couldn't) have an orgasm and switched.i changed PDocs and since then have been through a lot of combinations.
I've had a combo that has been working for about 4 months and we
have been augmenting meds to treat side effects. here's what i'm taking:
60mg Prozac, 450mg Wellbutrin, 225mg Effexor, 45mg Buspar, 20mg
Propanalol (for tremor). it's a lot of pills but they've helped me string
together the longest period of good days i can remember.the big bad side effect now is no libido. i tried Requip to no effect and
now have just begun Mirapex... we'll see.all of this is to say there is a pratically limitless combination of meds
to try... in my opinion you just need to find a knowledgable doc who
is not afraid to step outside the box when prescribing.my .02.
Posted by Mr.Scott on January 19, 2002, at 15:37:57
In reply to Please make a recommendation, posted by Mr. Scott on January 13, 2002, at 20:44:39
Posted by Zo on January 22, 2002, at 4:30:06
In reply to Re: Please make a recommendation, posted by binx on January 16, 2002, at 9:37:03
What I would do--and have done, for many years, is take Dexedrine or Adderall, dopamine is SO important to the executive function, to posture and pain relief, to alertness and pleasure--and medicate any anxiety.
Zo
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