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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 baracuda on March 9, 2003, at 15:02:25
hi - im new here -- so ill tell you a bit of my history real quick... im on 60 mg of prozac and 60 mg of ritalin for bp - although ive been suffering what my therapist has called 'severe depression' for about 2 years now - with mania being extremely mild and infrequent...
ive done the desiprimine, celexa and imiprimine deal in the past - i was diagnosed with manic depressive disorder when i was about 14 and have been not very committed to taking medical help - opting instead for self medicating combinations of diet pills and alcohol which seemed to do me just fine for about 10 years.
when i hit 30 years old, i couldnt drink anymore because it hurt my stomach and made me sick and the diet pills - i guess i had built a tolerance for - so i finally seeked out professional help - a pdoc, a gp and a psychologist - the latter of which i see twice a week.
it seems that the prozac is working to take the edge off my severe rage episodes, and even though i am still sleeping on average 12 hours a day, i do get out of the house sometimes, and i dont stress out about work as much as i used to. everyone i know swears that it is working, but i still feel really depressed - maybe not totally depressed, but depressed nonetheless.
my pdoc suggested that i take a "drug holiday" of 3 days with no meds and then start back up at 40 mgs a day which i guess seemed to work but im still more depressed than not, but i guess his theory is that at least im not ALWAYS depressed.
he is also wary of changing my meds because i had seizures on the other meds that i took and with prozac i dont have any bad side effects besides severe weight gain and heavy underarm sweating - which ruins my clothes.
is this as good as it gets? any input will be totally appreciated as i feel really alone and unheard...
Posted by linkadge on March 9, 2003, at 16:01:55
In reply to prozac truths - anyone??, posted by baracuda on March 9, 2003, at 15:02:25
You should be able to feel good.
I am not at the moment, but I have
in the past. You know you're feeling
well enough, when you aren't complaining
about how you feel. When I feel well
enough, I am thankful.You might try some brain nourishing
supplements. Fish oil, folic acid etc.Good Luck
Linkadge
Posted by KrissyP on March 9, 2003, at 22:52:07
In reply to prozac truths - anyone??, posted by baracuda on March 9, 2003, at 15:02:25
Hi and welcome:-)
I am so glad that you sought help:-)
Good job-sounds like some experience you have had -I understand. Sometimes others see the change in us before we do , that has happened to me with Lamictal. Have you been diagnosed with BP II?? (the milder form, more depression than mania)in my opinion it sounds like that's what you are suffering from-(just my opinion)
Concerning "drug holidays"-my pdoc had me try that with the Effexor-XR but it helped ease my mania. With your Prozac-a "drug holiday" may do the opposite. I also had weight gain with Prozac-80 Lbs:-( You are not alone, there are some great people here and we all share our experience, strength, and hope (kinda like a 12-stepper-but not quite) lol
Keep us posted and hang in-did this help?
I hope so:-)
Kristen===========================================================================================hi - im new here -- so ill tell you a bit of my history real quick... im on 60 mg of prozac and 60 mg of ritalin for bp - although ive been suffering what my therapist has called 'severe depression' for about 2 years now - with mania being extremely mild and infrequent...
ive done the desiprimine, celexa and imiprimine deal in the past - i was diagnosed with manic depressive disorder when i was about 14 and have been not very committed to taking medical help - opting instead for self medicating combinations of diet pills and alcohol which seemed to do me just fine for about 10 years.
when i hit 30 years old, i couldnt drink anymore because it hurt my stomach and made me sick and the diet pills - i guess i had built a tolerance for - so i finally seeked out professional help - a pdoc, a gp and a psychologist - the latter of which i see twice a week.
it seems that the prozac is working to take the edge off my severe rage episodes, and even though i am still sleeping on average 12 hours a day, i do get out of the house sometimes, and i dont stress out about work as much as i used to. everyone i know swears that it is working, but i still feel really depressed - maybe not totally depressed, but depressed nonetheless.
my pdoc suggested that i take a "drug holiday" of 3 days with no meds and then start back up at 40 mgs a day which i guess seemed to work but im still more depressed than not, but i guess his theory is that at least im not ALWAYS depressed.
he is also wary of changing my meds because i had seizures on the other meds that i took and with prozac i dont have any bad side effects besides severe weight gain and heavy underarm sweating - which ruins my clothes.
is this as good as it gets? any input will be totally appreciated as i feel really alone and unheard...
Posted by KrissyP on March 9, 2003, at 22:53:03
In reply to Re: prozac truths - anyone??, posted by linkadge on March 9, 2003, at 16:01:55
Posted by JohnL on March 10, 2003, at 16:53:07
In reply to prozac truths - anyone??, posted by baracuda on March 9, 2003, at 15:02:25
It sounds to me like staying with Prozac would be worthwhile as long as you could try other meds in combination with it.
Specifically, add 2.5mg Zyprexa at about 6:00pm. Do it each night for a week. Then go to 5.0mg. Meanwhile, keep the Prozac at 60mg or lower it to 40mg, whatever you are comfortable with.
Zyprexa just goes real well with Prozac for a whole lot of different things. Of all the choices facing you, small dose Zyprexa seems to me to be by far the best and fastest trial. If you were not on Prozac, I wouldn't feel as strongly about it. But again, it's because when the two (Prozac and Zyprexa) team up, they can really make a huge difference.
If you aren't happy with Zyprexa in two weeks, then move on to your next choice. That's another good thing about Zyprexa....you don't need a long 6 week trial to find out if it is going to help you. You should know inside a couple weeks. That's a huge plus.
I was doing so-so on my Prozac. When the doc added Zyprexa, I swear I felt things starting to get better beginning the very next day.
Posted by PuraVida on March 13, 2003, at 0:41:15
In reply to prozac truths - anyone??, posted by baracuda on March 9, 2003, at 15:02:25
Hey Baracuda,
Just wanted to point out that "sleeping 12 hours a day and oh - yeah - getting out of the house sometimes!" is depressed. I know, cuz I'm right there with you. Siezures - sweating, in the day -THAT I'm not sure you need to deal with. Prozac has helped me more than any other drug I've been on - hands down. I've only taken 20 mg, max. where I've maxed out on Serzone, Wellbutrin - Paxil put me to sleep. With Prozac, though, I get to where I want to drink - and a drink gets me drunk, even on 10 mgs. Main reason I am looking for something else.
I am one to talk (I say that sarcastically) but I would talk to anyone and everyone until I felt better - Western meds, nutrition, exercise, Eastern meds (accupuncture?), spiritual, yoga, etc... go in a book store and just browse and read and get an idea of what is going on outside...
I so wish I could take my own advice - maybe you can and tell me to? :)
PV
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