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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 0:03:32
well, im quite concerned about my ssris. no wonder my brain is messed up. 15 years prozac-ok.
abruptly quit from high dose dumb. then tried taking it for 10 days each in july, august and september. took overdose sleeping pills which i am sure caused brain damage (they made me think i was invisible too- not good!!) (psych says mri shows no brain damage but cannot tell chemical damage) then was on celexa 3 weeks. then stopped abruptly. then started lower dose for a few days. then stopped. then started. then stopped. so many times i cant count. because i was concerned they were making me worse. then i worry im messed up because of the withdrawals. i am completely out of control. i am really concerned that i have irreperably (sp?) messed up my brain. i dont know if i should start taking the dumb things again or not. i have become afraid of people and cannot leave the house. i really dont know what to do, i feel there is no hope i think the celexa is making me worse 9even my psych said i looked better when i stoppped taking it (though he didnt know). saying i had "no expression" in my face before. he only thought i was doing better after 3 weeks on it because i would actually speak to him then where i wouldnt before, i also lied to him and told him i felt better, when i didnt. help!!is there any hope for me?? what do i do???
Posted by Declan on February 6, 2007, at 1:48:10
In reply to help, posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 0:03:32
So you are taking Celexa on and off now?
Will you stick around?
There are various boards here that may provide you with some help, particularly Alternative.I think your brain neads some R&M.
I hope you can find it here.
Posted by Phillipa on February 6, 2007, at 10:58:33
In reply to Re: help » rett, posted by Declan on February 6, 2007, at 1:48:10
I think you need to let your pdoc know what's going on. Tell him you really didn't feel good when you said you did. Then let him tell you what to try. Love Phillipa
Posted by Jay on February 6, 2007, at 18:49:49
In reply to help, posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 0:03:32
Hi....
I hear your story...as I was very much in a similar situation about 6-7 years ago. It was with Celexa. It sounds like, as with me, you have some major anxiety issues too. They can be looked after quite well, with a regular good dose of a benzo. This will also take away many of the side effects of the SSRI. Once you are on the two, and there seems no relief (I suspect Celexa may not be for you as it alone is also causing some major problems.), it's going to take a bit of bravery on your part and try some other antidepressants with your benzo. A good, proper dose of a benzo will kill your anxiety, and leave you open to find a good antidepressant. IMHO, a fairly good website that cut's through the "BS" is at http://www.crazymeds.org/antidepressants.html But, they lack some of the much needed up-to-date antidepressant info. For good general info, http://www.mentalhealth.com is more traditional, more of a medical based website.
Others probably have many different websites.Best,
Jay
Posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 19:07:11
In reply to Re: help » rett, posted by Declan on February 6, 2007, at 1:48:10
*
Posted by Declan on February 6, 2007, at 20:21:22
In reply to whats R+M? n/m, posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 19:07:11
Yeah, I had been wondering whether you would find that obscure. It just stands for Repair and Maintenance...it's an accounting term.
I was moved by your story and hope you can find some relief.
Posted by Declan on February 6, 2007, at 20:23:46
In reply to Re: help » rett, posted by Declan on February 6, 2007, at 1:48:10
Are you taking it now?
Posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 20:42:25
In reply to Celexa?, posted by Declan on February 6, 2007, at 20:23:46
took a little today (about 10 mgs) felt like i was having a heart attack in the mornin, took propanolol to try to calm it, fell asleep.
who knows about tomorrow. *sigh*
its really scary, its like i have no thoughts or feelings. i am like a robot. i used to travel the world now i wont leave the house. i'm really freaked out. i wish i never gave up the prozac in the first place. i tell my psych i have no thoughts or feelings and he says "your talking arent you, your mind cant be totally blank"
i'm really freaking and dont know what to do. i have some klonopin but it doesnt help :(ARGH!!!! help, i mean can meds give your thoughts back???? i have been depressed before but this is unreal.
Posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 21:03:55
In reply to Re: Celexa?, posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 20:42:25
i just dont know if what my problem is me or the meds?? i mean if i really did damage my brain with the overdose what next?? i mean meds cant bring thoughts BACK can they??
Posted by Declan on February 6, 2007, at 21:37:41
In reply to Re: Celexa?, posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 20:42:25
You may have damaged your brain with the OD.
But the question now is 'Does Celexa help you?'
It seems to make you anxious, agitated and leave you feeling dead, but perhaps you would feel just as bad (though different) without it?
(I've never taken SSRIs, but) it does seem that your response to Celexa is pretty awful.
In which case I would take less.
And you need a good doctor. This 'your talking arent you, your mind cant be totally blank' just isn't that good, IMO.
There are heaps of people who live with brain damage, certainly older people.
Posted by Phillipa on February 6, 2007, at 21:43:59
In reply to Re: Celexa?, posted by Declan on February 6, 2007, at 21:37:41
Declan like us? Love PJ couldn't resist
Posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 22:44:36
In reply to Re: Celexa?, posted by Declan on February 6, 2007, at 21:37:41
should i tell my doc about the overdose or not because it was in september..?
Posted by Declan on February 7, 2007, at 2:39:53
In reply to should i..., posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 22:44:36
Truly, I'm not the best person to ask, but what I think is that it's pointless because he won't be able to help you, which is why you haven't told him.
OTOH, if you don't tell him he heas that much less information.
What do you think of your doctor?
Posted by Declan on February 7, 2007, at 2:41:57
In reply to Re: Celexa? » Declan, posted by Phillipa on February 6, 2007, at 21:43:59
Posted by bch on February 7, 2007, at 22:19:31
In reply to Yep :) (nm) » Phillipa, posted by Declan on February 7, 2007, at 2:41:57
rett, i am with you. i too was on prozac for 15 yrs. and was "ok" i wanted to be better so started the merry go round just before Christmas. No i just want my prozac back!
Posted by ralphrost on February 8, 2007, at 21:29:52
In reply to Re: Celexa?, posted by rett on February 6, 2007, at 20:42:25
Hello rett,
I took Lexapro 20 mg for about 4 months, and your description is perfect: i felt thoughtless and emotionless. It was completely awful...
Doctors never understood me when I placed such tricky questions about SSRIs and such weird reactions of having a blank mind (my thoughts wouldn't flow) and being emotionless. Once, a psychiatrist told me this was excessive anxiety (!), although I was pretty flat and slowed down. For me, this was an insensitive answer.
I also tried Prozac, and interestingly this was the only SSRI (among Paxil, Celexa and Lexapro) that didn't leave me with a blank mind. I had some lethargy while on it, though.
Anyway, a big part of these effects faded away with time, although it's common to hear about some SSRI persistent side effects. Personally I never intend to use them anymore.
I really wouldn't believe you had a brain damage. Some folks use high amounts of street drugs and are still walking around... Don't think a regular medication could pose such a risk.
I'm trying now Tianeptine (6th day now), which is promising to be effective without taking away my emotions or thoughts. Lately, I've been always searching for such kind of meds, and I would also try Nardil or Parnate.
Try to keep calm and don't think you're brain damaged... Maybe what you need is to treat your anxiety and keep on a good AD for a long time, instead of switching on and off drugs. Think our brain is too delicated to receive such fast and aggressive changes.
Hope it helps you somehow
Ralph
> took a little today (about 10 mgs) felt like i was having a heart attack in the mornin, took propanolol to try to calm it, fell asleep.
>
> who knows about tomorrow. *sigh*
> its really scary, its like i have no thoughts or feelings. i am like a robot. i used to travel the world now i wont leave the house. i'm really freaked out. i wish i never gave up the prozac in the first place. i tell my psych i have no thoughts or feelings and he says "your talking arent you, your mind cant be totally blank"
> i'm really freaking and dont know what to do. i have some klonopin but it doesnt help :(
>
> ARGH!!!! help, i mean can meds give your thoughts back???? i have been depressed before but this is unreal.
Posted by ralphrost on February 8, 2007, at 21:35:52
In reply to Re: Celexa? » rett, posted by ralphrost on February 8, 2007, at 21:29:52
Ah, and i think medications can restore such nasty side effects of drugs like SSRIs. Might not be easy or fast, but i think they do.
Ralph
Posted by munificentexegete on February 9, 2007, at 4:52:28
In reply to Re: Celexa?, posted by ralphrost on February 8, 2007, at 21:35:52
they say that working your mind can create new neural pathways, use it or lose it.
This is the end of the thread.
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