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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by johnnyj on August 13, 2006, at 17:35:34
Hello everyone:
My doc has told me that he wants me on a ssri(luvox) and klonopin. The only thing that scares me is that I was on tranzene for over 10 years and it made me depressed. I am worried that klonopin will do the same and then I have to withdrawal from it.
Do all benzo's make depression worse? The doc thinks I have anxiety/OCD(obsessive thoughts) which has lead to depression. I can't argue with that dx and I feel it is probably the most accurate to date. Should I be worried about the benzo? I haven't decided to try anything yet but I am on lithium(unipolar depression) and lunesta(not good drug). Any comments?
Thank you.johnnyj
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 13, 2006, at 19:00:34
In reply to Benzo and depression, posted by johnnyj on August 13, 2006, at 17:35:34
Benzos do make depression worse for some people, but, at this point, it may not be a sufficient reason to avoid them. Judging from the fact that you are on Li, I suspect that you have struggled to find the right meds for you for some time. I say this b/c Li isn't a 1st or 2nd line treatment, so I'm assuming that you have tried a few things. (BTW, I'm also a unipolar Li user) If you have had a hard time finding the right thing, it may be worth the risk.
Also, are you going to start the Luvox and Klon at the same time? If at all possible, I would suggest that you do it at dif times to know what effect each one has (i.e., is the Klon making me more depressed, or is the Luvox not working?)
When you day doc, you do mean pdoc, right? I'd hate to see a GP attempting something this complex.
Best,
EE
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 20:37:12
In reply to Re: Benzo and depression, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 13, 2006, at 19:00:34
I've been taking luvox for about a year and took it years ago. Years ago it worked for me now it's the only one I can tolerate. I've been on benzos due to panic and anxiety for over 30 yrs. And been able to stop the benzos when my life was going well. And when you feel well you won't abuse them most people try to cut down. At least in my case that's true. Right now I'm preparing to try EMSAM so cutting down the luvox and taking klonopin. Love Phillipa
Posted by johnnyj on August 13, 2006, at 21:18:24
In reply to Re: Benzo and depression, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 13, 2006, at 19:00:34
Emily:
Thank you for the kind response. You hit the nail on the head: I have been struggling for the last 5 years. I had been well on Li, nortyptiline, and tranzene for 8 years. I had some major stresses and then a bout of pneumonia and within 3 months was doing very poorly. It has been a struggle since.
I was on remeron for 3 years and it was hell, but at least I slept. I have been off for 3 months and am struggling right now. I believe I have a good dx right now but I am afraid since remeron did so much harm. The pdoc put me on Li as a AD booster when I had a lot of spaciness every afternoon. I am on 600 mg of Li. The new pdoc said he has no idea why I am still on it. He doesn't think is fits me and it more harm than good. But, who knows? Maybe if I take it away I will crash. Scary that is for sure but I would like to quit it.
May I ask how much and why you were put on Li?
thanks again
johnnyj
Posted by johnnyj on August 13, 2006, at 21:23:59
In reply to Re: Benzo and depression » Emily Elizabeth, posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 20:37:12
Hi Phillipa:
May I ask what dose of luvox you take? What side effects do you experience? Did it cause insomnia? I have some OCD issues and the pdoc thought this was a good med for me. I get hooked on some thoughts and ruminate something terrible which causes more anxiety for me.
If you are doing well why change?
Thanks
johnnyj
Posted by Phillipa on August 13, 2006, at 21:31:08
In reply to Re: Benzo and depression » Phillipa, posted by johnnyj on August 13, 2006, at 21:23:59
No that's the problem the luvox no longer works. So since I've at one time or another tried all the SSRI's SSNRI's trileptal, lamictal that's why. I got to l50mg this time when the decision was either keep going up or try EMSAM. And seriously even the time it worked it was the only Ad I've ever taken with no side effects. I remember at the hospital the first dose 50mg they gave me I kept waiting to feeling something but nothing happened nothing at all. I was fine. Love Phillipa
Posted by Glydin on August 13, 2006, at 21:36:38
In reply to Benzo and depression, posted by johnnyj on August 13, 2006, at 17:35:34
Hi johnnyj,
I believe all benzos have the potential to worsen depression and even unveil an underlying process. Being CNS depressants, all of that med class could have depression as a consequence as part of why they are effective. (kinda bites...) I also believe that this can be somewhat thwarted by an effectively treating the depression.
On Klonopin monotherapy, I did experience depressive symptoms. However, it's difficult for me say if they were **that** much worse than I had prior to no treatment for either disorder. Once on Lex, I did continue the K for about 6 months and I do not think it interferred with getting my depression under control. I do very much think it aided with treating my anxiety, med phobia, and generally made startup tolerable to get to a fair drug trial.
I think key is if one can find a good balance with chemically treating anxiety and depression. From there, I think it works well as a combo treatment.
Good Luck,
G
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 13, 2006, at 22:31:31
In reply to Re: Benzo and depression » Emily Elizabeth, posted by johnnyj on August 13, 2006, at 21:18:24
Sounds like we are living similar nightmares.
I take 750 of Li. 900 was too high and I still needed a boost at 600. I take it for treatment resistant depression. I was taking an SSRI and a TCA, but that was not doing to trick. Li did seem to help, but it still didn't bring me to 100% I also eventually needed to add abilify to my mix to deal w/ the depression. One thing that I did notice on Li was that it helped my suicidal thoughts. A pdoc told me that is something that Li is specifically known for. If I were you, I don't think I'd be in any rush to drop the Li/ Get stable first and then worry about it.
Sorry you are going through this. Please feel free to post any more ?'s.
Best,
EE
Posted by johnnyj on August 14, 2006, at 9:03:29
In reply to Re: Benzo and depression, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 13, 2006, at 22:31:31
Thank you for the replies. My biggest problem right now is my wife does not want me to take meds. I am so confused and it is hard to tell her I don't feel I am handling things well and I am slowly getting depressed because the anxiety is chipping away at me.
I have a wierd OCD thing that I fear I will go crazy and hurt someone. I know it is irrational and not me but I have started having anxiety around knives and stuff. I have discussed this with a thearpist and am assured it is just obsessive thoughts from anxiety. Still it is scary and freaks me out. I want to get better for myself and my wife but I am getting so tired and am afraid major depression will follow. She thinks I am still withdrawing from remeron and I need to gut it out. I just don't know what to do.
Posted by Glydin on August 14, 2006, at 9:19:10
In reply to Re: Benzo and depression, posted by johnnyj on August 14, 2006, at 9:03:29
It's very difficult for those close to us to understand. It's no blame on them, it's just not something you know unless you've been there and even then, one cannot know what another is REALLY struggling with.
I think it boils down to choices, very personal choices. I do know, for myself, with no treatment or under-treatment, the chances are very likely my decline would continue. With treatment, I, at least, can think I stand a chance of achieving some level of wellness. When I speak of treatment, I'm not implying the paths are the same for everyone. They are not. There are many paths and multinterventions.
I know my conditions are chronic. There is no cure for me, but making good treatment choices has made a big difference.
Perhaps, education in what these health problems are about and entail might help your wife's understanding and may even aid her in helping you.
I'm sorry things are rough for you and your family right now.
Posted by Jeroen on August 14, 2006, at 9:25:11
In reply to Benzo and depression, posted by johnnyj on August 13, 2006, at 17:35:34
hi, yes tranxene causes depression, and it even blocked my anti psychotic seroquel from removing the depression, i'm day 2 on withdrawal (not cold turkey) i feel like sh*t
and i feel the anti depressant effect of my seroquel, but i'm scared atm, i am going to be in bed for the next week or so... :(
Posted by johnnyj on August 14, 2006, at 10:22:23
In reply to URGENT MESSAGE!!!!!!! TRANXENE DEPRESSION, posted by Jeroen on August 14, 2006, at 9:25:11
I had depression for two weeks cutting from 7.5 to 3.75. Then poof, I felt better. When I went from 3.75 to zero I felt bad for a month and then it cleared. Odd thing is I slept very well coming off of tranzene, but I was on remeron too. Ride it out it will get better.
johnnyj
Posted by Jeroen on August 14, 2006, at 10:36:28
In reply to Re: URGENT MESSAGE!!!!!!! TRANXENE DEPRESSION » Jeroen, posted by johnnyj on August 14, 2006, at 10:22:23
a damn month? in what world are we suffering?
Posted by Squiggles on August 14, 2006, at 11:13:43
In reply to Benzo and depression, posted by johnnyj on August 13, 2006, at 17:35:34
I'm sure i've seen this question before;
my answer again -- benzos may depress you
in the first week to a month (they are
downers after all), but after that you
get used to them. Assuming that your AD
is working, it shouldn't be a problem.Squiggles
Posted by johnnyj on August 14, 2006, at 11:25:01
In reply to Re: Benzo and depression » johnnyj, posted by Squiggles on August 14, 2006, at 11:13:43
Thank you Squiggles. That does make sense. I am torn between starting the AD at the same time though. What do you think?
Posted by Squiggles on August 14, 2006, at 12:24:49
In reply to Re: Benzo and depression » Squiggles, posted by johnnyj on August 14, 2006, at 11:25:01
> Thank you Squiggles. That does make sense. I am torn between starting the AD at the same time though. What do you think?
I don't know if that would make a difference-
ask your doctor; my hunch is to start the
antidepressant first, so that if the benzos
do depress you, you will already be "up".Squiggles
This is the end of the thread.
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