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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fairywings on May 30, 2006, at 23:30:21
I had a really bad experience with Zoloft over the weekend. I talked to my T about it tonight, and he said it was a medication induced psychotic break. Is it likely if it happened with one SSRI, it will happen with others? So, will my pdoc not Rx SSRI's in the future? I've never had anything like that happen before, and don't ever want it to happen again.
I haven't talked to my pdoc yet, so I don't know what he'll say about why it happened.
Thanks,
fw
Posted by SLS on May 31, 2006, at 7:18:56
In reply to Question on SSRI's, posted by fairywings on May 30, 2006, at 23:30:21
Hi FW.
Can you describe in more detail what you experienced?
What are you being treated for?
What other medications are you taking?
I'm sorry you had to suffer such a reaction. It is not a rare event that people experience things like that from SSRIs. If your reaction was one of mania, Wellbutrin might be worth a try. It seems to have the lowest risk of producing manic reactions.
- Scott> I had a really bad experience with Zoloft over the weekend. I talked to my T about it tonight, and he said it was a medication induced psychotic break. Is it likely if it happened with one SSRI, it will happen with others? So, will my pdoc not Rx SSRI's in the future? I've never had anything like that happen before, and don't ever want it to happen again.
>
> I haven't talked to my pdoc yet, so I don't know what he'll say about why it happened.
> Thanks,
> fw
Posted by fairywings on May 31, 2006, at 11:53:22
In reply to Re: Question on SSRI's, posted by SLS on May 31, 2006, at 7:18:56
> Hi FW.
>
> Can you describe in more detail what you experienced?
>
> What are you being treated for?
>
> What other medications are you taking?
>
> I'm sorry you had to suffer such a reaction. It is not a rare event that people experience things like that from SSRIs. If your reaction was one of mania, Wellbutrin might be worth a try. It seems to have the lowest risk of producing manic reactions.
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott,
Thanks for your reply. It wasn't mania. I couldn't distinguish between what was real and what wasn't. I thought I'd done things I hadn't done...or worried I was going to do them if I hadn't already....think Andrea Yates, but it wasn't like there was anyone telling me to do it, I just thought I had. Scary sh*t!!! Then I'd see scary stuff in my head - like cutting my face seeing blood all over the place. I couldn't close my eyes for fear of what I'd see. It went on till I could knock myself out with Ambien, and when I took that, I was so afraid I'd get up, not knowing it, and do something frightening, so I was thinking I should head to the RR tracks, so I wouldn't do anything. I never had anything like that happen before. Sorry to give so much detail, I'm sure that's TMI.
Actually, the reason I was on it was kind of embarrassing - hope no one's critical of it, but my sex drive was SO high I couldn't function adequately. It's a physiological problem, not psychological, and the treatment the OB was considering was guaranteed to put on at least 40 pounds over a couple of months, besides I didn't want to kill it, just bring it down a notch. The OB thought it was funny, even though I went to her in tears because it's effected me for so long, and been so out of control. She and her nurse said I should consider myself lucky. I don't do anything I shouldn't, just an overwhelming physical thing.
I'm on Adderall XR 45 mg., Lamictal 100 mg, Ambien, and alprazolam as needed. It started well before I was on any of those, and none of them have ever given me a problem. I tried Lexapro, and it seriously hit my cognitive functioning, also tried Wellbutrin - it didn't effect my sex drive either, or cause me to lose weight, it just made me seriously agoraphobic.
Any info you have would be appreciated.
Thanks,
fw
Posted by bassman on May 31, 2006, at 15:32:01
In reply to Re: Question on SSRI's *poss. triggers** » SLS, posted by fairywings on May 31, 2006, at 11:53:22
I'll betcha some Paxil would bring you down sexually as much as you'd like. What a scary episode!
Posted by fairywings on May 31, 2006, at 18:15:52
In reply to Re: Question on SSRI's *poss. triggers**, posted by bassman on May 31, 2006, at 15:32:01
Thanks Bassman,
With Paxil I worry about 2 things....the weight gain I've heard about, and since it's an SSRI I wonder if it would do the same thing the Zoloft did. If I didn't have to worry about another SSRI, I think I'd ask to try Prozac...but now I'm afraid to try any of them....ya know? It WAS really scary!
Wouldn't it be nice if there were a psych med that evened out moods, made you not manic or depressed, helped all psychosis, neurosis, anxiety, etc....didn't mess with your blood pressure/sugar, and there were no food restrictions, and caused people's weight to fall w/in normal ranges for their height? I think I'll ask my pdoc about that fukitol curt recommended! ; )
fw
Posted by bassman on May 31, 2006, at 18:25:09
In reply to Re: Question on SSRI's *poss. triggers** » bassman, posted by fairywings on May 31, 2006, at 18:15:52
Start REALLY low with the Paxil, like (really) 1 mg-a piece off a 10 mg tablet and then work up as your confident that it is not going to make you nuts increases. With exercise and reasonable diet control, you won't increase your weight, which is depressing and stressy in itself. Even if you find this strategy doesn't work, weigh yourself and say, "if I gain (5) lbs, I'm going to take a different med". You might find that comforting-after all, you aren't going to wake up suddenly one day 126 lbs heavier! :>}
Different SSRI's seem very different to me-I had lots of side effects with Zoloft, fewer with Paxil, and none with Prozac. So maybe it's worth a second try. Best of luck!
Posted by fairywings on May 31, 2006, at 20:26:54
In reply to Re: Question on SSRI's *poss. triggers**, posted by bassman on May 31, 2006, at 18:25:09
Thanks bassman, I'm definitely going to talk to my pdoc about it, and you're right - I'd never start with anything but a mini dose after this!
I have to work on that diet thing - I'm so inconsistent, and I gain weight really easily - so I try to exercise every day. I've been bad about it the last week though. Need to motivate myself!
fw
Posted by Phillipa on May 31, 2006, at 21:56:06
In reply to Re: Question on SSRI's *poss. triggers** » bassman, posted by fairywings on May 31, 2006, at 20:26:54
fw I am very med sensitive but with xanax I could tolerate l0mg of paxil but the start up effects were around 3months but then I felt wonderful and I never gained any wt. Love Phillipa ps this was the first ad I ever tried
Posted by SLS on June 1, 2006, at 8:03:56
In reply to Re: Question on SSRI's *poss. triggers** » SLS, posted by fairywings on May 31, 2006, at 11:53:22
I don't know what else to recommend beyond a low dosage of Risperdal (risperidone). It tends to reduce libido, possibly through an increase in the secretion of prolactin.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on June 1, 2006, at 10:51:51
In reply to Re: Question on SSRI's *poss. triggers** » SLS, posted by fairywings on May 31, 2006, at 11:53:22
You might look at spironolactone (Aldactone). It is an anti-androgen that reportedly reduces libido in females.
- Scott
Posted by fairywings on June 1, 2006, at 13:31:36
In reply to Re: Question on SSRI's *poss. triggers** » fairywings, posted by SLS on June 1, 2006, at 10:51:51
Thanks Scott and Phillipa,
Will check with my pdoc next time I see him.
fw
This is the end of the thread.
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