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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bean on December 7, 2005, at 9:08:02
I have been experiencing bouts of depression mixed with anxiety for a number of years. I have been avoiding antidepressants based on past negative experiences, but I now feel a need to reconsider. About 8 years ago, I had an extremely intense agitation reaction to Zoloft, meeting descriptions I have read for a serotonergic reaction. I had been using St. John's Wort for 3 months when I tried the Zoloft (I have wondered whether there was an additive reaction). The St. John's Wort had no affect prior to the Zoloft, but when I tried switching back after the Zoloft reaction, I experienced constant agitation and anxiety. Many years ago, when experiencing depression during a period of situational stress, I was prescribed a Tricyclic (don't remember which). It didn't help, in fact made me feel worse the first few weeks, and caused extreme somnolence and 20 pounds weight gain. I stopped taking it after about a year, and dealt with the situational stress directly, after which I felt fine for many years.
So - what is recommended for someone who seems to be either non-responsive or overly sensitive to various antidepressants? For whatever it's worth, I also seem to be quite sensitive to caffeine and decongestants (I once read a post by a doctor who believed such sensitivities correlated with anti-depressant oversensitivity). Thanks!
Posted by mike99 on December 7, 2005, at 10:20:44
In reply to Antidepressant least likely to cause anxiety?, posted by Bean on December 7, 2005, at 9:08:02
Remeron might be a consideration. However, somnolence and weight gain are possible side effects.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 7, 2005, at 12:26:03
In reply to Antidepressant least likely to cause anxiety?, posted by Bean on December 7, 2005, at 9:08:02
Did you allow a washout period between the St John's wort and Zoloft and back again? Of at least about two weeks? And did you taper down/up the St John's wort and zoloft? These actions are essential when you are switching meds. Did you mention the St John's wort to the doctor? Maybe they didn't know enough about it. Even through it is a herbal preparation, it is serious stuff and you can't mix SJW with SSRIs or other pysch meds. There needs to be a washout period between stopping the SJW and starting the zoloft and vice versa.
Anyway welcome to pbabble and I'm sure that others will have some more useful suggestions!
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by linkadge on December 7, 2005, at 14:15:15
In reply to Antidepressant least likely to cause anxiety?, posted by Bean on December 7, 2005, at 9:08:02
I agree with Meri. If there was any overlap between the use of the SSRI and SJW there could be significant interaction.
Serotonin syndrome is weird. It doesn't always present itself immediately upon the combination. Sometimes the offending agents can be taken for a while before an interaction develops.
I had bad reaction to SJW alone. After a month of use, I began feeling very strange. Then one night I experienced the most horrifying reaction I have ever known.
Rapid heartbeat, hot->freezing within minautes, intense fear, fever, akathesia, profuse sweating etc. It was like a panic attack but there was much more to it. I've never felt worse in my life.
Linkadge
Posted by spriggy on December 7, 2005, at 17:55:06
In reply to Re: Antidepressant least likely to cause anxiety?, posted by linkadge on December 7, 2005, at 14:15:15
You sound like me. That is how I feel on Ad's as well.
I have a sensitive central nervous system I think. Not only do AD's do that to me but anti nausea meds do as well; I flipped out BIG time on Compazine and Phenergen- it was a very similar reaction that I had to Lexapro. Of course, they described my reactio to Lexapro as "akathasia" so it has terrified me to try another SSRI.
Oddly enough, I had gone on St. John's wart last summer ( I heard it helped you sleep and also could be anti-viral). Anyway, I *never* felt weird on it- I did get a weird rash on my neck that wouldn't go away so I quit taking it after 2 months..
I maybe felt a bit "calmer" but I never felt it really helped. Of course, I bought the Wal-Mart brand so who knows' if it was effective.
Posted by Phillipa on December 7, 2005, at 19:08:28
In reply to Re: Antidepressant least likely to Bean..., posted by spriggy on December 7, 2005, at 17:55:06
I've never been able to tolerate Ad's either. Is it that common? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by mako23 on December 11, 2005, at 8:22:31
In reply to Re: Antidepressant least likely to Bean..., posted by Phillipa on December 7, 2005, at 19:08:28
You might want to try luvox, Im very sensitive to AD however luvox was fine
Posted by jflange on December 11, 2005, at 22:42:52
In reply to Antidepressant least likely to cause anxiety?, posted by Bean on December 7, 2005, at 9:08:02
Paxil is used alot for depression with anxiety, but of course it all depends....
If you have a sensitivity to the effects of antidepressants, I would take something in combination with an SSRI for your anxiety, like Klonopin or Buspar. This is what I did, and it was the only way that I was able to tolerate an SSRI (which I did need).
I know it seems strange to have to take a second med in order to be able to tolerate the first one. Unfortunately, Klonopin and Buspar alone are not so great for depression.
By the way, I also have a decongestant/caffeine sensitivity and what you say about the correlation with antidepressant sensitivity really makes sense.
Feel better,
jflange
Posted by spiritgirlhere on December 17, 2005, at 19:55:58
In reply to Re: Antidepressant least likely to Bean..., posted by Phillipa on December 7, 2005, at 19:08:28
Have you thought about trying 5 HTP? It's the precursor to serotonin. The worst side effect is an upset stomach.
This is the end of the thread.
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