Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 259603

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All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why?

Posted by serenitypeace on September 13, 2003, at 10:14:56

Hello everybody,

I started taking anti-depressants 3 years ago for a dysthymia that evolved into a major depression (recently diagnosed with atypical depression). Since then, I have tried a few AD (Effexor XR, Remeron, Wellbutrin, Risperdal to potentialize the effects of the AD). Wellbutrin did nothing. However, Effexor, Remeron and Risperdal really helped but only for a few weeks each. My doc increased the dosage when each AD effect decreased. That also worked for another 3 weeks, before my health and energy plunged again. Can anyone relate to my situtation? Thanks.

 

Re: All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why? » serenitypeace

Posted by bookgurl99 on September 13, 2003, at 11:26:41

In reply to All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why?, posted by serenitypeace on September 13, 2003, at 10:14:56

Serenity --

gosh, I knew a friend who had similar side effects. And I have to say, long-term use of SSRI's makes a lot of people _feel_ depressed, supposedly because homeostasis sets in and the brain lowers the amount of dopamine along with the amount of serotonin receptors. Maybe your brain is just _really good_ at getting to this point.

It sounds like you might have to trick your system, either with lower doses of meds -- I've heard of people who lower doses work for better than higher doses -- or, probably, by taking something dopaminergic alone _or_ with an ssri.

I've heard of dopamine-enhancing meds Strattera, Wellbutrin, etc., being added to an SSRI, or even being taken alone to combat depression. Have you tried that?

 

Re: All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why?

Posted by serenitypeace on September 13, 2003, at 13:07:08

In reply to Re: All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why? » serenitypeace, posted by bookgurl99 on September 13, 2003, at 11:26:41

> Serenity --
>
> gosh, I knew a friend who had similar side effects. And I have to say, long-term use of SSRI's makes a lot of people _feel_ depressed, supposedly because homeostasis sets in and the brain lowers the amount of dopamine along with the amount of serotonin receptors. Maybe your brain is just _really good_ at getting to this point.
>
> It sounds like you might have to trick your system, either with lower doses of meds -- I've heard of people who lower doses work for better than higher doses -- or, probably, by taking something dopaminergic alone _or_ with an ssri.
>
> I've heard of dopamine-enhancing meds Strattera, Wellbutrin, etc., being added to an SSRI, or even being taken alone to combat depression. Have you tried that?
>

Hello bookgurl99,

Your theory of receptors adaptation is quite interesting. I read something similar once which explained why drug addicts need increasing amounts of narcotics. The funny thing is that I had the exact same response with fish oils. A dose of 4 grams EPA+DHA/day responded for 25 days before the beneficial effects started to vanish. About the Wellbutrin, my doc put me on it while I was on Effexor; It did no do much. Maybe it would help with my present cocktail, who knows?
Thanks for the insight

 

Re: All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why? » serenitypeace

Posted by Sebastian on September 13, 2003, at 15:20:39

In reply to All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why?, posted by serenitypeace on September 13, 2003, at 10:14:56

I had the same problem for years with AD's. The ones that worked for me were anti-psychotics, like zyprexa. You might want to try that. After taking that for many years I finaly get an affect from the AD's.

Sebastian

 

have you checked thyroid/T3 count? (nm)

Posted by loolot on September 13, 2003, at 22:30:36

In reply to All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why?, posted by serenitypeace on September 13, 2003, at 10:14:56

 

there are some posts re ssris and folic acid

Posted by joebob on September 14, 2003, at 16:25:41

In reply to have you checked thyroid/T3 count? (nm), posted by loolot on September 13, 2003, at 22:30:36

i found the folic acid did help the action of lexapro

look for them under ssri poop out


best

 

Re: All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why? » serenitypeace

Posted by Ron Hill on September 16, 2003, at 14:16:09

In reply to All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why?, posted by serenitypeace on September 13, 2003, at 10:14:56

Hi Serenity Peace,

Serotonin medications (i.e.; SSRI's) do the exact same thing to me. As to why this occurs, I agree with what Books said regarding the adverse impact on the dopaminergic pathways.

Does your initial positive response to an AD occur within the first day or two of starting the medication? I typically respond the first day. It is my opinion (take it for what it's worth) that patients like you and I, who immediately experience a favorable response to serotonin medications but within a few weeks lose their motivation and become emotionally blunted, should look closely at the possibility that they may be bipolar II.

-- Ron

--------------------------------------------

> Hello everybody,
>
> I started taking anti-depressants 3 years ago for a dysthymia that evolved into a major depression (recently diagnosed with atypical depression). Since then, I have tried a few AD (Effexor XR, Remeron, Wellbutrin, Risperdal to potentialize the effects of the AD). Wellbutrin did nothing. However, Effexor, Remeron and Risperdal really helped but only for a few weeks each. My doc increased the dosage when each AD effect decreased. That also worked for another 3 weeks, before my health and energy plunged again. Can anyone relate to my situtation? Thanks.

 

Re: All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why?

Posted by delna on September 16, 2003, at 17:26:52

In reply to Re: All the AD work for 3 weeks only! Why? » serenitypeace, posted by Ron Hill on September 16, 2003, at 14:16:09

i agree with the bipolar II part totally. infact i too repspond to ssri's one the first day. actually i am hypomanic and within a coupleof weeks, when this extra energy and positivity dies down i too feel in the slumps again.
i have now been diagnosed with bipolar of some type and lamactil has really helped.
d


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