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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Edgefield on May 21, 2003, at 18:42:55
I'm beginning to think that my spacey unreal feeling might be from the Fluoxetine. This feeling has improved since I added Wellbutrin SR. It was worst with Zoloft, and Lexapro.
I'm just curious to hear from others who have had this same feeling while take an SSRI. I will discuss this further with my pdoc next Friday, but in the meanwhile I'd like some input. I think that I'm going to quit the Fluoxetine and just continue with Wellbutrin. Any advice?Thanks!
God Bless
Edgefield
Posted by Okpolosi on May 21, 2003, at 19:42:37
In reply to SSRI causing spaceyness, posted by Edgefield on May 21, 2003, at 18:42:55
How long have you been taking medication?
If you just started, the spacey feeling could be a side effect that will diminish with time.
However, if you have been on the medication for months and feel spacey, then you should tell your DR about it!!
Best of luck to you!
Posted by Edgefield on May 21, 2003, at 20:11:00
In reply to Re: SSRI causing spaceyness, posted by Okpolosi on May 21, 2003, at 19:42:37
Last year was my first time dealing with antidepressants. I've been taking Fluoxetine since March 13, 2003. I'm just wondering if this is still part of my anxiety or the meds.
Edgefield
> How long have you been taking medication?
>
> If you just started, the spacey feeling could be a side effect that will diminish with time.
>
> However, if you have been on the medication for months and feel spacey, then you should tell your DR about it!!
>
> Best of luck to you!
Posted by Okpolosi on May 21, 2003, at 20:30:34
In reply to Re: SSRI causing spaceyness » Okpolosi, posted by Edgefield on May 21, 2003, at 20:11:00
> Last year was my first time dealing with antidepressants. I've been taking Fluoxetine since March 13, 2003. I'm just wondering if this is still part of my anxiety or the meds.
>
> Edgefield
>
>
>
I am not an expert or authority on any of these matters...I just want everyone to be aware of that fact...and I can only speak of my personal experience and of what I have read.I have posted a lot because I got so much help here and I am only trying to return the favor.
The only med I have taken is Lexapro, but I will voice an opinion on your query.
It would seem that you have been on Flox long enough that side effects should be diminishing. I know we don't always trust our DRs but, you should let him/her know about this situation. It might be that a different drug would be indicated or possibly adding a second drug might help.
> >
> > Best of luck to you!
>
>
Posted by Edgefield on May 21, 2003, at 21:24:48
In reply to Re: SSRI causing spaceyness, posted by Okpolosi on May 21, 2003, at 20:30:34
I agree with you, and I will discuss this with my dr. next week.
Thanks!
Edgefield
> > Last year was my first time dealing with antidepressants. I've been taking Fluoxetine since March 13, 2003. I'm just wondering if this is still part of my anxiety or the meds.
> >
> > Edgefield
> >
> >
> >
> I am not an expert or authority on any of these matters...I just want everyone to be aware of that fact...and I can only speak of my personal experience and of what I have read.
>
> I have posted a lot because I got so much help here and I am only trying to return the favor.
>
> The only med I have taken is Lexapro, but I will voice an opinion on your query.
> It would seem that you have been on Flox long enough that side effects should be diminishing. I know we don't always trust our DRs but, you should let him/her know about this situation. It might be that a different drug would be indicated or possibly adding a second drug might help.
> > >
> > > Best of luck to you!
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by jay on May 22, 2003, at 1:13:41
In reply to SSRI causing spaceyness, posted by Edgefield on May 21, 2003, at 18:42:55
Well, I don't know if you have done this or likely read of it on here, but I found adding a benzo in even small doses helps. I know it sounds a bit odd, as the benzos impair concentration a bit, but they seem to keep everything "smooth".
YMMV...
Best wishes,
Jay
Posted by Snoozy on May 22, 2003, at 1:24:11
In reply to SSRI causing spaceyness, posted by Edgefield on May 21, 2003, at 18:42:55
Hi -
are you having problems with insomnia or poor sleep? Sleep deprivation can certainly cause spaceyness.
I've been on Wellbutrin (400) for several years. A few months back, I experimented with adding Prozac. I just don't seem to do well with SSRI's.
I hope your pdoc has some answers for you.
> I'm beginning to think that my spacey unreal feeling might be from the Fluoxetine. This feeling has improved since I added Wellbutrin SR. It was worst with Zoloft, and Lexapro.
>
> I'm just curious to hear from others who have had this same feeling while take an SSRI. I will discuss this further with my pdoc next Friday, but in the meanwhile I'd like some input. I think that I'm going to quit the Fluoxetine and just continue with Wellbutrin. Any advice?
>
> Thanks!
>
> God Bless
> Edgefield
Posted by mills on May 22, 2003, at 10:26:14
In reply to SSRI causing spaceyness, posted by Edgefield on May 21, 2003, at 18:42:55
Hey Edge, I would like to dialog with you about your spaceyness; I'm not sure that is exactly what I had but I had a terrible, frightening episode of "spaciness" about a year and 1/2 ago, and it has continued ever since. I started on Paxil at the time, and after 3 full months, it began to be less of a problem. Now, I am on Anafranil, and I am still in the "spacy", what I call "disoriented" phase again. My head feels thick, and at its worse I was suicidal, because I was afraid I was becoming demented. Let me know if any of this is in the ballpark.
s
> I'm beginning to think that my spacey unreal feeling might be from the Fluoxetine. This feeling has improved since I added Wellbutrin SR. It was worst with Zoloft, and Lexapro.
>
> I'm just curious to hear from others who have had this same feeling while take an SSRI. I will discuss this further with my pdoc next Friday, but in the meanwhile I'd like some input. I think that I'm going to quit the Fluoxetine and just continue with Wellbutrin. Any advice?
>
> Thanks!
>
> God Bless
> Edgefield
Posted by Edgefield on May 22, 2003, at 13:05:32
In reply to Re: SSRI causing spaceyness, posted by mills on May 22, 2003, at 10:26:14
I'm not so much disoriented as more like seeing the world through the wrong prescription glasses. It is worst first thing in the morning. I take my ssri at night. That is why I'm wonder if it's the ssri.
I have a friend who started on Lexapro about two weeks ago and she is also experiencing this same sypmtom. Her's subsides as the day progresses, but returns first thing in the morning. Mine subsides a little when I take Ativan and my Wellbutrin SR. My friend also has had bad results with SSRIs in the past, but our pdoc felt that she would do well on Lexapro. I don't know why.
I know that my spacey feeling began with the first panic attack last year. It is a woosie feeling, like my head and vision are clouded. It's so difficult to describe.
It was worst with Zoloft. It was also more intense at the higher dosages of Lexapro. It wasn't as intense when I was only taking 5mg. of Lexapro. My doctor is aware of all of this, but did not want to rule out all SSRIs because of my experience with Zoloft and Lexapro. I did not have this spacey problem when I was taking Paxil, but I did have and adverse reaction with my blood pressure becoming substantially high. So, I had to quit Paxil. Prior to the blood pressure issues I felt WONDERFUL on Paxil. Lots of energy, clarity of mind, and not digestive problems. I believe that my abrupt discontinuation of Paxil, at the advice of my internal medicine doctor who had prescribed this med., led to all of the issues that I'm having now. Last year was my first time taking an antidepressant for my irritable bowel syndrome. Now I'm trying to find the right one for my "anxiety disorder".
Enough rambling. I wish you the best in eliminating that spacey feeling. I know that some of mine can be anxiety related, but I really feel that SSRIs are making mine worst. Keep me posted on your progress.
God Bless
Edgefield
> Hey Edge, I would like to dialog with you about your spaceyness; I'm not sure that is exactly what I had but I had a terrible, frightening episode of "spaciness" about a year and 1/2 ago, and it has continued ever since. I started on Paxil at the time, and after 3 full months, it began to be less of a problem. Now, I am on Anafranil, and I am still in the "spacy", what I call "disoriented" phase again. My head feels thick, and at its worse I was suicidal, because I was afraid I was becoming demented. Let me know if any of this is in the ballpark.
>
> s
>
> > I'm beginning to think that my spacey unreal feeling might be from the Fluoxetine. This feeling has improved since I added Wellbutrin SR. It was worst with Zoloft, and Lexapro.
> >
> > I'm just curious to hear from others who have had this same feeling while take an SSRI. I will discuss this further with my pdoc next Friday, but in the meanwhile I'd like some input. I think that I'm going to quit the Fluoxetine and just continue with Wellbutrin. Any advice?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > God Bless
> > Edgefield
>
>
Posted by Edgefield on May 22, 2003, at 13:08:22
In reply to Re: SSRI causing spaceyness » Edgefield, posted by Snoozy on May 22, 2003, at 1:24:11
That the good thing about the ssri that I am taking at nights, it makes me sleep like a baby...zzzzzzzzz.
May I ask why did you add the Prozac?
Edgefield
> Hi -
>
> are you having problems with insomnia or poor sleep? Sleep deprivation can certainly cause spaceyness.
>
> I've been on Wellbutrin (400) for several years. A few months back, I experimented with adding Prozac. I just don't seem to do well with SSRI's.
>
> I hope your pdoc has some answers for you.
>
> > I'm beginning to think that my spacey unreal feeling might be from the Fluoxetine. This feeling has improved since I added Wellbutrin SR. It was worst with Zoloft, and Lexapro.
> >
> > I'm just curious to hear from others who have had this same feeling while take an SSRI. I will discuss this further with my pdoc next Friday, but in the meanwhile I'd like some input. I think that I'm going to quit the Fluoxetine and just continue with Wellbutrin. Any advice?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > God Bless
> > Edgefield
>
>
Posted by Edgefield on May 22, 2003, at 13:11:34
In reply to Re: SSRI causing spaceyness » Edgefield, posted by jay on May 22, 2003, at 1:13:41
Thanks for the advice. I take .5mg of Ativan first thing in the morning. That is what helps me to get up and function.
What is YMMV?
God Bless
Edgefield
> Well, I don't know if you have done this or likely read of it on here, but I found adding a benzo in even small doses helps. I know it sounds a bit odd, as the benzos impair concentration a bit, but they seem to keep everything "smooth".
>
> YMMV...
> Best wishes,
> Jay
Posted by Snoozy on May 22, 2003, at 15:48:17
In reply to Re: SSRI causing spaceyness » Snoozy, posted by Edgefield on May 22, 2003, at 13:08:22
I've had a severe problem of excessive sleeping/sleepiness for months, and I was already taking Wellbutrin. So I looked at an AD side effect chart, and looked for anything that causes insomnia, hence the Prozac. I may have to try it again, I don't know. I never thought I would miss my insomnia :(
Posted by McPac on May 22, 2003, at 16:45:41
In reply to SSRI causing spaceyness, posted by Edgefield on May 21, 2003, at 18:42:55
Sometimes I feel so "spacey" that I should have been an astronaut! Not exactly sure which med or meds contribute....
Posted by tanafofana on May 23, 2003, at 13:41:35
In reply to Edge, Re: SSRI causing spaceyness, posted by McPac on May 22, 2003, at 16:45:41
I have never had good results with SSRIs with the exception of prozac. Prozac really didn't do much of anything. However, I slept nonstop with paxil and effexor. One time while on Paxil, I had to stop twice on the way to work and nap in the parking lots of fast food restaurants! I tend toward sleepiness though (ie, my other post on strattera). The SSRI that nearly sent me to the quack shack was Serzone. I simply walked around in circles at my house with no clue of what I was doing. It was terrible. I really thought I might have to be institutionalized because my short term memory was so obliterated that I was a danger to myself. Twice I started cooking something and walked off and forgot about it. I don't know what SSRIs do to me, but I will never take another one. I have decided my serotonin level is just fine. My diagnosis is ADD and I think a lot of ADDers don't do well on SSRIs. Do you have any ADD symptoms?
Good luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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