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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by terrics on March 25, 2004, at 17:41:38
I am interested in what side effects bother people so much that they would quit taking a med. or switch to something else. I am not asking for a list of side effects, but if you would like to tell me the med you are taking that causes this effect I'd appreciate it. thanks terrics
Posted by KathrynLex on March 25, 2004, at 17:55:18
In reply to What side effects would make you quit?, posted by terrics on March 25, 2004, at 17:41:38
Hi Terrics,
I took 20 mgs of Paxil for 3 days and threw the bottle in the trash. It gave me massive anxiety, blurry vision, an extended feeling of unreality - overall I felt like I was loosing my mind and it was one of the scaries experiences of my life.
K.
Posted by joebob on March 26, 2004, at 9:39:53
In reply to What side effects would make you quit?, posted by terrics on March 25, 2004, at 17:41:38
the first time i used lexapro i got manic on the third day, i.e. anxiety, no focus, etc
upon further research, and recently substaniated in newer reports, i used depakote to 'stabilize' before starting the lexapro a second time....it worked fine thenthis is indicated in a fair number of cases
best
Posted by terrics on March 26, 2004, at 14:40:43
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit?, posted by joebob on March 26, 2004, at 9:39:53
thanks
Posted by Angel Girl on March 26, 2004, at 19:08:31
In reply to What side effects would make you quit?, posted by terrics on March 25, 2004, at 17:41:38
> I am interested in what side effects bother people so much that they would quit taking a med. or switch to something else. I am not asking for a list of side effects, but if you would like to tell me the med you are taking that causes this effect I'd appreciate it. thanks terrics
For me it was Effexor XR 367.5mg and the side effect was brain zaps that was the deciding factor for getting off of it.I've since gone back on Effexor XR, currently 187.5mg without the brain zaps (so far), so I'm happy with it this time.
Angel Girl
Posted by Sebastian on March 26, 2004, at 19:39:15
In reply to What side effects would make you quit?, posted by terrics on March 25, 2004, at 17:41:38
Side-effects like anxiety and holucinations are good reasons to quit. Risperdal made me holucinate and Abilify gave me anxiety. There was another drug they gave me in the hospital that gave me uncontrolable jaw clenching, they took me off that one quick.
Posted by terrics on March 26, 2004, at 20:23:05
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit? » terrics, posted by Angel Girl on March 26, 2004, at 19:08:31
That was a hefty dose. What are brain zaps?
Posted by Karen_kay on March 26, 2004, at 20:48:10
In reply to What side effects would make you quit?, posted by terrics on March 25, 2004, at 17:41:38
I took lithium... Started walking into walls (and no, I wasn't wearing my heels), hallucinating, going to the restroom every hour, hearing voices (now, that's scary!!!), thought my dog was going to kill me, my walls started bending, basically couldn't function. I couldn't leave my house. I started getting blood tests everyday and my levels were in the higher, but still normal lever so......(pretty much manic... meds work funny on me.. why is that? They have the opposite effect on me then they do on every other person in the world. Lithium to me was like a bad hit of acid! Then though, the depression came back at full force and hurt!)
They added lamictal (at too high a dose, even though I TOLD my Pdoc I was supposed to taper up. What do I know?) Things got worse. Not only could I not shower, but I couldn't leave my house at all, slept at least 16 hours a day and couldn't attend class. Failed 2 classes and dropped another). So....
They added Zyprexa (an antipsychotic).... I gained weight. Felt not just like a bumbling idiot, but also like a walrus, that went from sleeping 16 hours a day in a bed to sleeping 20 hours a day on the couch. Still seeing things. Still bumping into walls, when I actually moved. Still hearing things. Thinking of moving my dog to a kennel. Now afraid to shower, not just depressed as in the past. So...
They added Lexapro (an AD).... Thinking, "Hmmm, I'm Bipolar and depressed. I'll quit all the other crap, just take this and jump-start my well-being." Got naked for a while. Made some rather risque phone calls to my doctor. Quit all meds and switched Pdocs.
Also, once I took Geodon, an antipsychotic and I developed akathesia. Wowsa! I couldn't sit still. I thought I was manic for a while, but I was wrong. It's the most uncomfortable thing I have ever experienced in my life! EVER! Look it up on the net if you are interested. That would make me quit heart medication if I had a bad heart, and that's no lie!
Posted by f l y on March 26, 2004, at 23:36:52
In reply to What side effects would make you quit?, posted by terrics on March 25, 2004, at 17:41:38
any med that ruins sex.
best to ya,
fly
Posted by witzkey on March 27, 2004, at 15:21:49
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit? » Angel Girl, posted by terrics on March 26, 2004, at 20:23:05
I think I know what brain zapa are. I used to take Serzone for a few years, and every so often I would hear a pop inside my head. The sound was kind of like eating "Pop Rocks" (a candy from the 70's). Ithink that what Angel is referring to.
Posted by terrics on March 27, 2004, at 16:08:50
In reply to Hey, you really, really want to know??? :) » terrics, posted by Karen_kay on March 26, 2004, at 20:48:10
Hi Karen, Have you found anything that works? terrics
Posted by Camille Dumont on March 27, 2004, at 16:10:15
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit?, posted by witzkey on March 27, 2004, at 15:21:49
Uncontrollable twitches and jerks
Seizures
Difficulty talking
Unabled to perform the simplest tasks like playing a video game because the meds zombified me too much.Basically, the only meds I've quit were the ones that led to such serious side effects that people would notice at work. Nobody knows my dx, nobody knows what I take and I can't really aford them learning about it.
Posted by terrics on March 27, 2004, at 16:11:16
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit? » terrics, posted by f l y on March 26, 2004, at 23:36:52
Good answer. At my age I don't care much though. A few yrs. ago I would have felt the same way. terrics
Posted by terrics on March 27, 2004, at 16:13:13
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit?, posted by witzkey on March 27, 2004, at 15:21:49
Yuk. That would certainly make me quit a med. It would scare me to death. terrics
Posted by terrics on March 27, 2004, at 16:15:16
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit?, posted by Camille Dumont on March 27, 2004, at 16:10:15
Posted by Dinah on March 27, 2004, at 22:21:04
In reply to What side effects would make you quit?, posted by terrics on March 25, 2004, at 17:41:38
Akasthesia (is that right?)
Posted by Karen_kay on March 28, 2004, at 1:13:49
In reply to Re: Hey, you really, really want to know??? :) » Karen_kay, posted by terrics on March 27, 2004, at 16:08:50
And just one, with almost no side effects (except it makes me kind of stupid) Topamax. He's my Prince Charming. I'd make sweet lovin to Mr. Topamax all night :)
Posted by francesco on March 28, 2004, at 17:43:50
In reply to What side effects would make you quit?, posted by terrics on March 25, 2004, at 17:41:38
Every change of personality. So, basically, every med.
Wellbutrin made me crazy and extremely forgetful. In a week I've lost my credit card, I left the key at home where my parents were out of town, I lost my mobile phone, I had my first motorbyke accident (against a little wall I have not seen).
And it's supposed to be an ADHD med !!!Paxil made me manic, my girl left me and I become extremely aggressive with her. I'm ashamed of this and I can't stop blaming myself and the first pdoc who put me on meds ten years ago.
Of course I had to quit it.Prozac made me hypo and even if it was pleasant I had to stop. I was working in a church for the civil service and I was used to steal money in the church !!! Of course I don't usually have these kind of habits.
Other meds have given me less pleasure in touching and being touched, the best med I've tried so far is alchool but my psychiatrist doesn't want me to try it.
Another side-effect I don't like very much is being sarcastic, like I am now on 25 mg of Zoloft, or worsening of depression.
Posted by KXo on March 28, 2004, at 21:00:42
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit? » f l y, posted by terrics on March 27, 2004, at 16:11:16
> Good answer. At my age I don't care much though. A few yrs. ago I would have felt the same way. terrics
I am 25 and sex is very important for me. Medications that mess this area make me quit. What changed your thoughts about this from a few years ago to today?
I tryed many times to change my mind about this, but I can't.
Thank you.
==KXo
Posted by rod on March 29, 2004, at 3:10:20
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit? » terrics, posted by francesco on March 28, 2004, at 17:43:50
> Every change of personality. So, basically, every med.
>
> Wellbutrin made me crazy and extremely forgetful. In a week I've lost my credit card, I left the key at home where my parents were out of town, I lost my mobile phone, I had my first motorbyke accident (against a little wall I have not seen).
> And it's supposed to be an ADHD med !!!
>
> Paxil made me manic, my girl left me and I become extremely aggressive with her. I'm ashamed of this and I can't stop blaming myself and the first pdoc who put me on meds ten years ago.
> Of course I had to quit it.
>
> Prozac made me hypo and even if it was pleasant I had to stop. I was working in a church for the civil service and I was used to steal money in the church !!! Of course I don't usually have these kind of habits.
>
> Other meds have given me less pleasure in touching and being touched, the best med I've tried so far is alchool but my psychiatrist doesn't want me to try it.
>
> Another side-effect I don't like very much is being sarcastic, like I am now on 25 mg of Zoloft, or worsening of depression.
>
>
>
>Dear Francesco
Im no doctor or psychologist, but that totally sounds like mania to me. What about trying Depakote/Depakene if you got hyper even on Litium? This schouldnt have any antidepressive affect at all. And dont try it alone. Also take an AD at that time. Maybe everything works out fine then.
And something about your ADHD. *I* really doubt you have that. I mean feeling like an old whise man and getting hyper while being on an SSRI is somewhat an argument against ADHD. These people get worse on an SSRI, most of the time. And the snobby behavior is also a manic symptom in my opinion.Roland
Posted by rod on March 29, 2004, at 3:19:57
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit? » francesco, posted by rod on March 29, 2004, at 3:10:20
> > Every change of personality. So, basically, every med.
> >
> > Wellbutrin made me crazy and extremely forgetful. In a week I've lost my credit card, I left the key at home where my parents were out of town, I lost my mobile phone, I had my first motorbyke accident (against a little wall I have not seen).
> > And it's supposed to be an ADHD med !!!
> >
> > Paxil made me manic, my girl left me and I become extremely aggressive with her. I'm ashamed of this and I can't stop blaming myself and the first pdoc who put me on meds ten years ago.
> > Of course I had to quit it.
> >
> > Prozac made me hypo and even if it was pleasant I had to stop. I was working in a church for the civil service and I was used to steal money in the church !!! Of course I don't usually have these kind of habits.
> >
> > Other meds have given me less pleasure in touching and being touched, the best med I've tried so far is alchool but my psychiatrist doesn't want me to try it.
> >
> > Another side-effect I don't like very much is being sarcastic, like I am now on 25 mg of Zoloft, or worsening of depression.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> Dear Francesco
>
> Im no doctor or psychologist, but that totally sounds like mania to me. What about trying Depakote/Depakene if you got hyper even on Litium? This schouldnt have any antidepressive affect at all. And dont try it alone. Also take an AD at that time. Maybe everything works out fine then.
> And something about your ADHD. *I* really doubt you have that. I mean feeling like an old whise man and getting hyper while being on an SSRI is somewhat an argument against ADHD. These people get worse on an SSRI, most of the time. And the snobby behavior is also a manic symptom in my opinion.
>
> Roland
A thing I forgot to say. On the other hand, getting hyper on Lithium might be an argument against mania. But if you can concentrate better on an SSRI or Anafranil, I really think you dont have ADHD.
Posted by francesco on March 29, 2004, at 6:42:20
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit? » francesco, posted by rod on March 29, 2004, at 3:10:20
> Dear Francesco
>
> Im no doctor or psychologist, but that totally sounds like mania to me. What about trying Depakote/Depakene if you got hyper even on Litium? This schouldnt have any antidepressive affect at all. And dont try it alone. Also take an AD at that time. Maybe everything works out fine then.Yes, you should be right. The problem is that I have never had manic or hypomaniac phases without antidepressants. And moreover I fear that antinconvulsivant will make me dumb. I have been on a low a dose of Trileptal for a while and I could barely speak. It was like my intelligence was gone. But these are excuses. The truth is that I can't stand an antidepressant anymore without a mood stabilizer. Thanks for having me made me think about it.
> And something about your ADHD. *I* really doubt you have that. I mean feeling like an old whise man and getting hyper while being on an SSRI is somewhat an argument against ADHD. These people get worse on an SSRI, most of the time. And the snobby behavior is also a manic symptom in my opinion.
I'm not so sure on this point. There are some kind of ADHD who do well on SSRIs (the so called 'overfocused' adhd). And the antidepressant who helped me most was Anafranil who has also NE-reuptake properties (Celexa and Paxil didn't do that much for my concentration). So, my adhd can me comorbid with BP-II. But I can be totally wrong on this point. I just have all the syntoms, maybe there is another explaination though. But the most important thing is going on a mood stabilizer I suppose. I'm just scared of the dumb effect. And I have never been diagnosed as bipolar in the last ten years, so, it has been quite a schock for me. Unfortunately all the hints point in that direction.
Thanks anyway, you have given me hope. Now I know there's a possibility for me. My previous psychiatrist said I could be on the bipolar spectrum but I refused the idea of taking a mood stabilizer. I just took Trileptal for two weeks and when he added an antidepressant I 'forgot' to take it again. And since then the things started to precipitate. I didn't get manic on Anafranil but I felt like I was on better than all the other people. I mean, this is quite bipolar I think. But even when my mood is normal, and sometimes it is, I have difficulty in concentrating. So, maybe also comorbid ADHD is a possibility. Anyway, thanks a lot, I will re-consider my bipolarism.
Posted by francesco on March 29, 2004, at 8:03:56
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit?»frances, posted by rod on March 29, 2004, at 3:19:57
> A thing I forgot to say. On the other hand, getting hyper on Lithium might be an argument against mania. But if you can concentrate better on an SSRI or Anafranil, I really think you dont have ADHD.I don't know if gettig hyper on Lithium might be an argument against ADHD. I wasn't really hyper, it was more a sense of well-being and dishinbition. But I made stupid things on Lithium, like talking about personal issues to people, things I would have never done without it. Anyway, in that period I was also quitting Parnate after just five days of trials, so maybe, something else could have happened. Regarding SSRI as I posted above some ADHD people tends to concentrate better on serotoninergic meds. I have no doubt anymore I have bipolar issues but I tend to forget it very easily. I have nothing against being bipolar but I hate the idea of taking anticonvulsivant since I think they can impair my concentration and vitality, deleting both the the good and the bad things of my life. Sorry for rambling, and repeating the same things, I'm quite agitated at this point. You helped me anyway, thank you so much.
Posted by terrics on March 31, 2004, at 17:29:44
In reply to Re: What side effects would make you quit? » rod, posted by francesco on March 29, 2004, at 8:03:56
SSRIs are used for ADHD. The way I see it Drs try anything for everything. We might be able to prescribe very well ourselves cause we sure do alot of investigating. terrics
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