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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by johnnyj on July 30, 2006, at 14:49:39
Hello everyone:
I am currently on lithium and lunesta. My original dx was anixety/depression. Anxiety seems to lead to depression so I was wondering what, if any ssri's have worked for anyone out there. I may need to go back on something and am VERY afraid of meds. Thank you.
johnny
Posted by crazychickuk on July 30, 2006, at 18:11:51
In reply to SSRI sucess stories for pani/depression, posted by johnnyj on July 30, 2006, at 14:49:39
Cbt first.. dont go altering your brain chemicals anymore than what meds doo.. you could end up worse!!
Cbt is the best.. find a good therapist and ask to be taught cbt (cognitive behavouril therapy) im a big believer .... or try amazon for the books...
worked wonders for moi ............
Posted by Glydin on July 30, 2006, at 18:39:00
In reply to SSRI sucess stories for pani/depression, posted by johnnyj on July 30, 2006, at 14:49:39
> Hello everyone:
>
>> I am currently on lithium and lunesta. My original dx was anixety/depression.~~~ Hello, j
Did your dx change from the initial? I ask as you are on lith and I'm just wondering regarding you taking a mood stablizer. There is much cross-over in head meds, but I'm wondering unipolar or bipolar if you care to share that.
>> Anxiety seems to lead to depression so I was wondering what, if any ssri's have worked for anyone out there.
~~~ For three years I believed my anxiety was the culprit for my depression - it was true as a contributor, however, monotherapy on Klonopin which treated my anxiety VERY WELL was not the whole of the answer of treatment for me. Treating my depression AND anxiety made a huge difference.
You may not find many SSRI fans but I am definately one. I have been stable beyond my expectations for over a year. I no longer need a benzo.
It's very individualistic and variable but not everyone has a bad experience with SSRI's. A good and frank talk and working with your doc may become the first step to a road to remission.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on July 31, 2006, at 4:17:41
In reply to SSRI sucess stories for pani/depression, posted by johnnyj on July 30, 2006, at 14:49:39
Johnny, a lot of people, myself include, dont tend to return to this board as much when the meds are working great bec we dont want to be reminded of the bad times. So when it seems by reading posts in here that nothing works, take it in context.
Posted by llrrrpp on July 31, 2006, at 23:03:06
In reply to There are plenty, posted by UgottaHaveHope on July 31, 2006, at 4:17:41
Hi Johnny,
I have a lot of anxiety, which manifests itself in procrastination and various stupid rituals of TV watching and internet-playing in denial of my life falling into pieces around me.Severe depression from Feb-June 2006. Started therapy in March. At first supportive therapy, because I was in really bad shape. couldn't think straight or follow conversations. Several suicidal crises, but I was never hospitalized.
Started cymbalta 60 mg, felt about 30% less depressed. I take seroquel (25 mg) at night, as needed. This helps get rid of anxious voices that would wake me up and keep me up all night long. Sometimes I only take a half dose. Nowadays, if I'm super sleepy, I don't take it at all.
Increased dose to 90 mg cymbalta, which helped kind of kick start my feeling good again. I was pretty groggy and out of it, though, so my pdoc also prescribed me provigil 200 mg (taken in am). This is better for me than coffee, because coffee was giving me jitters and making me feel anxious- AND I was still sleepy! Occasionally, I get a nice mild euphoria on provigil. kind of like a coffee high (once upon a time when I could get high on coffee)
I also increased my dose of vacation. In July and August I will be out of town for a total of 37 days. This is good, because it helps me get out of my depressive rut of sitting at my desk spaced out all day long and zoned out on the couch all evening. Vacations force you to be active and social.
Best of luck to you. I hope you find something that works. It took me about 2.5 months before I started to feel like I could sustain a feeling of getting better. Therapy has helped a lot. Helped me realize when I need to adjust my lifestyle as I get better. Helped me mend relationships that I had neglected because they were too difficult during my severest depression. And helped me recognize what thoughts/behaviors might precede and exacerbate a depression.
-ll
Posted by lymom3 on August 1, 2006, at 15:30:05
In reply to There are plenty, posted by UgottaHaveHope on July 31, 2006, at 4:17:41
I vote for cbt also. Nothing else worked until I challenged the anxiety and talked back to myself. Had to learn a new way to think but I don't have anxiety and panic anymore. No meds in the world ever did that for me.
JMO
Posted by johnnyj on August 2, 2006, at 10:59:22
In reply to Re: SSRI sucess stories for pani/depression » johnnyj, posted by Glydin on July 30, 2006, at 18:39:00
I was put on Lithiun for a AD booster. New doc thinks that was a terrible idea and says I have panic/anixety with some OCD. I can't argue with that dx to be honest. I am finally admiting it to myself and trying CBT, excercise and breathing to help myself. It is a struggle.
The new doc has suggested luvox and a low klonopin dose. I am leary. The benzo tranxene made me depressed. He says I am afraid of the wrong drug and that lithium is the drug I should be worried about since he says I don't need it.
Thank you all for responding. It helps greatly.
regards
johnnyj
Posted by Glydin on August 2, 2006, at 11:52:59
In reply to Thank you all » Glydin, posted by johnnyj on August 2, 2006, at 10:59:22
> I was put on Lithiun for a AD booster. New doc thinks that was a terrible idea and says I have panic/anixety with some OCD. I can't argue with that dx to be honest. I am finally admiting it to myself and trying CBT, excercise and breathing to help myself. It is a struggle.
>
I hope you can find a good treatment, you deserve to feel well.
Posted by johnnyj on August 3, 2006, at 16:46:26
In reply to Re: » johnnyj, posted by Glydin on August 2, 2006, at 11:52:59
Thank you for your response, you sound well and that is great! Would you be kind enough to let me know what your treatment has been like? What meds? I believe I need something so I can focus on CBT. Now, it is almost impossible.
I had a ok day yesterday but could not sleep last night even after lunesta. I just ruminated and felt I am losing it. I only drifted off after giving in and saying "there is nothing I can do".
Today was up and down. I dwell too much on this illness when all I want to do is forget it and move on. I feel I am just a good nights sleep away from feeling better. The trick is I was on remeron for 3 years and it made me a different person, angry, combatative, and I lived in a fantasy world often. It made me worse and I didn't know who I was. Now, I am not sleeping but at least I am living in the world now. THAT is what I fear from an ssri. Will I become a differnt person? Will I drive people away? I think maybe being ill is better than that? Will I get so spacey again. I was a jerk on remeron and that is not who I really am. So, this makes it hard to decide what to do.
regards,
johnnyj
Posted by Glydin on August 3, 2006, at 17:37:02
In reply to Re: » Glydin, posted by johnnyj on August 3, 2006, at 16:46:26
Hi johnnyj.
I'm very sorry to hear of the problems you've had and are having.
My Background and Story: I'm a unipolar depression with a BIG dose of anxiety struggler. I struggled untreated but remained functional (kinda) for probably the better part of 10 years. Four years ago, the mess hit the fan for me and I began having panic attacks that led to agoraphobia. When initially seeking help, I tried several SSRI's and didn't stick with any of them long enough to know of their effects as my med phobia and anxiety was crippling. I then went on Klonopin as monotherapy and I did well. I also did CBT - which I did find helpful. Klonopin kept it's promises and treated my anxiety great. The CBT skills were good to aquire. However, that plan didn't treat the whole of me and contentment, motivation, drive, and just plain "okayness" of life was missing. I denied it for quite a while. I ran out of denial. I went on Lexapro in March of '05. It was decided to give an SSRI another try as I honestly could not say I was a med failure on them. The first few weeks were rough. Klonopin helped with the startup. I did have one dose increase at 6 months in due to having some pain issues that worked emotionally on me. I've been really doing well ever since. Fortunately, I've not had the longer term SE findings that some experience on SSRI's - at least not at this point. It's just made my life and functioning better than I expected.
That's my story, sorry so long. I do hope you find a good plan for yourself. When it works - it's so worth it.
Best,
Glydin
Posted by johnnyj on August 4, 2006, at 18:07:29
In reply to Re: » johnnyj, posted by Glydin on August 3, 2006, at 17:37:02
Thank you for sharing.
I feel the way you had right now. Struggling, and not really enjoying anything. Anxiety is terrible, not panic attacks, just constant. Sometimes I get relief but not really. Sleep is a big issue with me and it is what I need to feel better.
I have resisted any new meds because of fear and past remeron experience which numbed me for 3 years. It was horrible. I was functional, but not happy most of the time and not very nice. That is my fear, becoming a jerk again. Maybe better to feel bad but nicer to other people.
My new doc(soon to be old) as they don't take insurance wants me on klonopin and an ssri (luvox). I am scared. the benzo tranzene made me depressed so I am leary of another benzo. You sound very similiar to me. Right now I am trying CBT, but hard to put it into practice when one feels so crappy ya know? I find myself dwelling on the illness and I am tired of it. I have some big decisions ahead of me and now I need a new doctor.
Thanks for listening.
johnnyj
Posted by Glydin on August 4, 2006, at 18:26:04
In reply to Re: » Glydin, posted by johnnyj on August 4, 2006, at 18:07:29
I really wish you well.
I understand very, very well what you describe and it's beyond miserable in a way to live. Meds were so scary for me - realistically, I had the deep down feeling they could be of help to me but they scared me so. I admit getting thur the getting thru was rough but it has turned out well for me and I hope the same for you.
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 5, 2006, at 11:25:59
In reply to Re: » johnnyj, posted by Glydin on August 4, 2006, at 18:26:04
Hi Kelly,
Just wanted to say "HI" ..i hope you are still doing well. I am doing great now..email mail me when you get the chance and i'll tell you all about it. It's the EMSAM and the Lyrica...i feel better than i have in years!! :) Looking forward to hearing from you.
Your Friend,
Monte
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