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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on February 28, 2002, at 17:11:46
I don't know what else to say. I've been on it for five years. Even when I come off this med, and give myself a break from it, I still can't lose weight, and I don't have the sex drive I used to. I *don't* want to go the route of taking stimulants, because they just poop out, and that is my personal choice.
I am only 32, and I feel like I am 50. Should I maybe go on testosterone for a short period of time? (I don't have a regular family doc, but my Dad has a small amount of testosterone cream. For a week or two, to try, wouldn't hurt.)
What I *really* want to know, is HOW and WHY I am feeling this way, and WHY I can't feel EXACTLY like I did before I took antidepressants? Sorry for being so negative...
Jay
Posted by cmcdougall on February 28, 2002, at 18:18:23
In reply to Impotent, fat, tired, depressed on Effexor XR, posted by jay on February 28, 2002, at 17:11:46
Hi there,
I gained 40lbs. during the 18 months that I took EffexorXR. I've been taking Celexa for about 5 months and have lost 15lbs. so far w/out trying. I also take Adderal and desipramine. My libido seems to be coming back as well.
Love and luck to you....
Carly
Posted by jay on February 28, 2002, at 18:33:05
In reply to Re: Impotent, fat, tired, depressed on Effexor XR » jay, posted by cmcdougall on February 28, 2002, at 18:18:23
> Hi there,
>
> I gained 40lbs. during the 18 months that I took EffexorXR. I've been taking Celexa for about 5 months and have lost 15lbs. so far w/out trying. I also take Adderal and desipramine. My libido seems to be coming back as well.
>
> Love and luck to you....
> CarlyHi:
Thank you...your post was very compassionate. I have started on a small dose of short-term use of testosterone, and that has given me a bit of a mood lift. I will only be using it for a week or so in a small amount.
I did react ok to Celexa, and would like to try a pstim, but are they a long-term sollution? Maybe I should do some research on this. I also have problems with anxiety, and am afriad the pstim will blow that away. But, I did have one positive experience with the stimulating "Nortriptyline", and even though it caused some anxiety, it lifted my mood so well, I stuck with it. The Nortrip "pooped out", though, so that's why I didn't stay with it.
Any comments appreciated.
Thanks...
Jay
Posted by cmcdougall on March 1, 2002, at 9:56:19
In reply to Question re: long term use of pstims/anxiety » cmcdougall, posted by jay on February 28, 2002, at 18:33:05
Well, Jay.....
First off, what is your diagnosis? I have treatment resistant despression which I have battled for over 20 years. I'm wondering now if I might be bi-polar because about once or twice a year I get very enthusiastic and motivated. This mood lasts for a week or two and then its back to the sluggish unmotivated mood for the rest of the year.
The combination of Celexa w/ the desipramine has really made a difference in my depression. The desipramine adds a little energizing effect as well. Now I feel good, but still unmotivated. The Adderal keeps me from being a total sloth and wanting to nap all day. I was on Ritalin for 7 years before I tried the Adderal - I like it much better. I never really had trouble w/ developing a tolerance to the Ritalin, although over the years I went from 10mg/3xday up to 20mg/3xday. I was on the 20mg dose for about 4 years.
I don't think I have trouble w/ anxiety, although if I look closely at some of my behaviors (picking cuticles till bleeding, racing thoughts) maybe I do...? Hmmmm. I'll have to remember to discuss it w/ my pdoc. Come to think of it, I NEVER had a problem w/ picking until recently. Hope its not a side effect of one of my drugs. This combo makes me feel better than I have in years. Oh well...
Have you ever tried to augment an SSRI? Maybe the addition of one of the old tricyclics would be worth a try. There are also some stimulating MAOIs that might be worth considering. You have to make sure your system is COMPLETELY clean of the SSRI before you can take an MAOI - fatal complication could happen. Also there are some serious dietary restrictions, but I think they are manageable if you get help w/ the depression. When I have a bad depressive episode, I can tolerate almost any drug side effect if it pulls me out of the pit.
Love and luck,
Carly
This is the end of the thread.
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