![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pedrito on October 29, 2008, at 13:48:50
Hi all,
I started Luvox 3 weeks ago. I started it to address obsessional blame / self loathing. Throw in general depression and anxiety too, actually.I am up to 75mg and am now experiencing
- feeling very apathetic
- loss of interest, no energy
- I feel weary and tired and squint all day, as if looking into a bright light
- very sad, like I want to cry. Most unbecoming of a 33 year old man. At work...
- generally down
+ occasional short-lived bursts [of a few hours] of feeling very good and well.
+ significant decrease in obsessional blameHas anyone else experienced this on Luvox? Any advice? I'm thinking I should maybe come off this med, it really shouldn't be having these effects. My psych will go with whatever I decide.
Thanks in advance,
Pete
Posted by ricker on October 29, 2008, at 15:56:26
In reply to Luvox sadness, posted by pedrito on October 29, 2008, at 13:48:50
> Has anyone else experienced this on Luvox? Any advice? I'm thinking I should maybe come off this med, it really shouldn't be having these effects. My psych will go with whatever I decide.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> PetePete, I tried Luvox about 5 or 6 yrs ago. I know thats not an accurate trial recall, but when you have been on pretty much every A/D over 20 yrs???
Before I share my experience with Luvox, I want to emphasize it is "mine". As with all meds, results are very indivdual, so Luvox may be an excellent treatment for others.
I was on it for approx. 6 months. During that time, it took everything I had to stay awake. I would come home from work at lunchtime and have a 15 minute nap. After work, a 1 hr. snooze was inorder. During my waking hours, I was extremely lethargic, absoultley zero ambition. Of course I had the typical blood work as I thought it must be a physical condition.... I went from Luvox back to Zolft and I felt like I was a healthy 12 year old again :) well, for awhile anyway :(
Of all ther SSRI's, Luvox was the only one that made me feel like that. I'm not too med sensitive, I use to take 2mg of clonazepam, 4x / day and felt no sedation. Same with other meds that some may find sedating, not so for me. My pdoc wanted to give it a try as I did well on clomipramine for aboot 9 years. I have slight OCD along with deppresion and anxiety, so Luvox seemed like a natural choice.
Take care, Rick
Posted by pedrito on October 29, 2008, at 16:58:28
In reply to Re: Luvox sadness, posted by ricker on October 29, 2008, at 15:56:26
Hi Rick,
thanks for your input. I recalled just now that when I was on trimipramine I had the same tiredness/weariness issues. In fact, trimipramine was even worse, I was sleeping 13 hours a day and then falling asleep at work! Gotta love these meds...I am thinking I will give Luvox a few more days and then call it quits.
Cheers,
Pete
Posted by yxibow on October 29, 2008, at 19:19:54
In reply to Luvox sadness, posted by pedrito on October 29, 2008, at 13:48:50
> Hi all,
> I started Luvox 3 weeks ago. I started it to address obsessional blame / self loathing. Throw in general depression and anxiety too, actually.
>
> I am up to 75mg and am now experiencing
> - feeling very apathetic
> - loss of interest, no energy
> - I feel weary and tired and squint all day, as if looking into a bright light
> - very sad, like I want to cry. Most unbecoming of a 33 year old man. At work...
> - generally down
> + occasional short-lived bursts [of a few hours] of feeling very good and well.
> + significant decrease in obsessional blame
>
> Has anyone else experienced this on Luvox? Any advice? I'm thinking I should maybe come off this med, it really shouldn't be having these effects. My psych will go with whatever I decide.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Pete
There will always be side effects and 3 weeks is not a complete trial of an SSRI -- but if you blame the lethargy completely on it, I can't argue with you.There is the issue that causality is not always causation. This could just be a rise in your symptoms that you are taking it for as you mentioned at least several pluses among the list of things that you are concerned about.
Lack of interest in things is also a sign of depression itself and may just be a worsening of depression period.
Only you are really the judge of it, I'm not advocating Luvox one way or the other.
It is one of the more sleepy SSRIs, like Paxil, which is why I took Luvox (still taking a partial dose) because my anxiety and probably OCD these days doesn't like activating SSRIs, so that could be your reaction.
-- best wishes
Jay
Posted by Phillipa on October 29, 2008, at 19:28:24
In reply to Re: Luvox sadness » pedrito, posted by yxibow on October 29, 2008, at 19:19:54
Same with me luvox is now the only ad I tolerate in low doses 50mg is all. Give a bit more time as once was on 250mg and felt great. Pooped out after a few weeks. But boy had energy to spare. Phillipa
Posted by g_g_g_unit on October 29, 2008, at 20:15:31
In reply to Re: Luvox sadness » pedrito, posted by yxibow on October 29, 2008, at 19:19:54
i tried luvox for about 8 weeks earlier this year in an attempt to treat OCD. i found it to be the worst so far w/r/t side-effects; at 50mg i was experiencing intense muscle pains which ceased upon my increasing the dose to 100mg, but which were subsequently replaced by restless leg, insomnia, as well as apathy. so far in my treatment i'm finding the apathy the hardest to deal with; in an unmedicated state i find it more difficult to affect a consistent work ethic (i work as a freelance writer) but the results are a lot richer and more fulfilling. similarly, socializing (and making other people laugh) is a big part of my life, and on ssri's i find that my personality becomes totally blunted, which in turn increases social anxiety, resulting in avoidance, fear of starting relationships, etc. etc. i guess like yxibow says that would constitute a "rise in [the] symptoms i'm taking it for" since i should probably put my own well-being ahead of my worry about whether others will still find me funny etc. it's a tough balancing act, and what's worse the grass will always look greener on the other side, which makes it hard for me to stay on meds (nevermind the fact that returning to an 'unmedicated' baseline is becoming increasingly difficult). my plan is to start therapy in conjunction with my next med trial. if you have someone to talk to outside of your pdoc it might make the process easier; i found mine was too willing to condone my erratic cessation of meds.
Posted by pedrito on October 29, 2008, at 22:40:58
In reply to Re: Luvox sadness » pedrito, posted by yxibow on October 29, 2008, at 19:19:54
yeah I considered that it might just be a 'normal' period of increased depression but this feels very different. Unpleasantly different, unfortunately. What's frustrating is that now and again it gives me glimpses of what feeling 'OK' can be like. On Sunday I got a blast of feeling relaxed and in a good mood and it was amazing. I'd hoped that this week would see that continue but frustratingly it's gone soundly in the other direction. Gah.
Posted by pedrito on October 29, 2008, at 22:48:13
In reply to Re: Luvox sadness, posted by g_g_g_unit on October 29, 2008, at 20:15:31
yes I can empathise with the balancing act. I guess no-one would choose to go on meds unless they felt they needed something to change. I just feel that I would properly kick myself if, ten years from now I found a med that really helped, that had been around the whole time. I just guess you have to kiss a lot of frogs - and sometimes kiss multiple frogs at once - in order to find your prince charming.
Posted by azalea on October 30, 2008, at 10:15:03
In reply to Re: Luvox sadness » g_g_g_unit, posted by pedrito on October 29, 2008, at 22:48:13
Sounds like you might be experiencing mood cycling caused by Luvox. Perhaps talk to your pdoc about adding a mood stabilizer such as Lamictal or Lithium.
> yes I can empathise with the balancing act. I guess no-one would choose to go on meds unless they felt they needed something to change. I just feel that I would properly kick myself if, ten years from now I found a med that really helped, that had been around the whole time. I just guess you have to kiss a lot of frogs - and sometimes kiss multiple frogs at once - in order to find your prince charming.
Posted by bleauberry on October 30, 2008, at 20:09:49
In reply to Luvox sadness, posted by pedrito on October 29, 2008, at 13:48:50
All antidepressants do that to me. Reuptake inhibition has not been a friendly mechanism for me. I have two theories why.
One is that while it is assumed the lag time for an antidepressant to work is when the receptors stop firing when the antidepressant initially increases neurotransmitter levels, but that in a few weeks they get accustomed to it and resume normal firing. My theory is that for many people, that resumption of firing never happens. All that serotonin throws dopamine and norepinephrine way out of balance and the person feels worse in several ways. The same ways you described.
Another theory is that the depression is not caused at all by low neurotransmitters. It is something else. Hormones for example. Low cortisol equals depression. Low thyroid equals depression. Not low according to some predetermined wide range on a lab sheet, but low for that particular person's unique genes. When those hormones are adjusted in the correct direction, it generally does not feel good in the beginning. It takes time for adrenals and thyroid to readjust, and in the meantime it feels bad. Well, all the antidepressants in one way or another impact the hormones.
Those momentary hints of goodness you experience could be signs of good things to come. But if they become more infrequent or disappear, well, I would throw in the towel. Actually, whenever a med makes me feel like crying when I didn't feel that way to begin with, I don't waste any time ditching it. It is obviously a wrong med for me. Someone else can play brave guinea pig and give it more time, but I have a job and family and bills. Even in my normal depressed state, I can function better than on antidepressants that make me feel worse. I don't need to be crippled more than I was. I don't question why the med made me feel bad, I just know it did, and since I am my body's best boss, I said enough is enough. There is no shortage of other options to try.
Posted by theo on October 30, 2008, at 20:59:40
In reply to Luvox sadness, posted by pedrito on October 29, 2008, at 13:48:50
Are you taking name brand? Also, they just released Luvox CR which is controlled release and may work better, haven't tried it yet.
Posted by pedrito on October 30, 2008, at 22:21:00
In reply to SSRI-induced cycling » pedrito, posted by azalea on October 30, 2008, at 10:15:03
possibly but I don't think so, I've only had about a couple of hours of great mood but the rest of the week has been dire, unfortunately.
Posted by pedrito on October 30, 2008, at 22:27:35
In reply to Re: Luvox sadness, posted by bleauberry on October 30, 2008, at 20:09:49
I'm beginning to think that I fall into the same category of reaction. I've been on several SSRIs over the years and AFAICR they've all made me significantly more depressed. Paxil caused what I can only describe as the most frightening, terrifying nightmares whilst being awake. Others just made me feel worse, as Luvox has.
Yep I'm knocking Luvox on the head. As you say, you yourself are the best judge of when a medicine is worth persisting with. I just wish none of us needed these meds in the first place.
Pete
Posted by Phillipa on October 31, 2008, at 18:45:10
In reply to Re: Luvox sadness » pedrito, posted by theo on October 30, 2008, at 20:59:40
Theo you heard anthing about the CR as my pdoc wanted me to try it? Phillipa
Posted by theo on November 2, 2008, at 14:03:13
In reply to Re: Luvox sadness » theo, posted by Phillipa on October 31, 2008, at 18:45:10
No, I haven't talked to anyone that has taken it.
> Theo you heard anthing about the CR as my pdoc wanted me to try it? Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2008, at 18:57:30
In reply to Re: Luvox sadness » Phillipa, posted by theo on November 2, 2008, at 14:03:13
Theo wondered if it worked any better. Oh well. Phillipa
Posted by pedrito on November 3, 2008, at 15:10:10
In reply to Re: Luvox sadness » theo, posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2008, at 18:57:30
Hi gang,
thanks for all the replies to this topic.I have gone back to 50mg/day and am feeling better. Not only has all the sadness and extra depression lifted but I feel OK more often than when I was on Lamictal alone, which is good.
The biggest issue right now is afternoon somnolence. When it gets to 2pm I just feel incredibly tired. I can't stop yawning, all I want to do is curl up and sleep and I can't focus on my work at all. This is not helped by the fact that I'm always constipated [which can make you feel sleepy and lethargic] and that my workplace is boiling hot.
I am taking 25mg Luvox at 11p.m. and the other 25mg at 8a.m. I take all 200mg of Lamictal at 11p.m. [as I always have].
Does anyone have any tips as to how to reduce this sleepiness? There's only so many times I can walk round the block to wake myself up :)
Thanks,
Pete
Posted by ricker on November 3, 2008, at 18:47:11
In reply to Re: Luvox Somnolence, posted by pedrito on November 3, 2008, at 15:10:10
>
> Does anyone have any tips as to how to reduce this sleepiness? There's only so many times I can walk round the block to wake myself up :)
>Pete, as I mentioned earlier, these meds have a "mind" of their own when it comes to responses/reactions. I can usually build up a good tolerence with most meds. I took 8mg / clonazepam daily and did not feel the least bit sedated. I take my 15 mgs of remeron and could stay awake all night if need be. However, my Luvox trial was nothing short of chronic fatigue??
Several months of afternoon and evening naps with heavy eyes in between naps???I had to stop Luvox in order to get my energy back. Wisk I could offer something positive.
Goodluck, Rick
Posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2008, at 19:22:25
In reply to Re: Luvox Somnolence, posted by pedrito on November 3, 2008, at 15:10:10
I take all my meds at night luvox 50mg and valium and xanax. Try nighttime. Phillipa
Posted by ricker on November 3, 2008, at 20:22:59
In reply to Re: Luvox Somnolence » pedrito, posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2008, at 19:22:25
> I take all my meds at night luvox 50mg and valium and xanax. Try nighttime. Phillipa
My problem was not... "when" I took the luvox. I could take it at night, sleep for 8 hrs and still have that chronic fatigue feeling. I'm not sure you understand when I say Luvox made me tired?
It was not an instant reaction.... like taking a heavy tranqualizer and feeling sedated. There was no sedation whatsoever with the luvox. It was a chronic fatigue that would not subside, even with 10 hrs sleep. I'm sure luvox causes this on-going feeling in "some" people. Rather than getting a "lifting from depression" feeling, I felt like I was 2 minutes away from a nice deep sleep. Problem being I can't sleep at work!!!
Posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2008, at 20:47:40
In reply to Re: Luvox Somnolence, posted by ricker on November 3, 2008, at 20:22:59
Ricker I wonder if SSRI"S lead to chronic fatigue syndrome as I'm always tired now and eliminating benzos? Love Phillipa
Posted by ricker on November 3, 2008, at 21:17:32
In reply to Re: Luvox Somnolence » ricker, posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2008, at 20:47:40
> Ricker I wonder if SSRI"S lead to chronic fatigue syndrome as I'm always tired now and eliminating benzos? Love Phillipa
Hi Jan, not sure if "all" ssri's lead to chronic fatigue syndrome. I have yet to experience any fatigue on zoloft. Luvox, IMO, brought back memories of when I was recovering from Mono!?
Eights months post Mono, I was still very tired so my doc tested my antibodies for Ebstein Bar?? Results came back from the Provincial Lab indicating my antibodies were extremely elevated and was indicative of "Yuppie Syndrome" Ever since then, I've been on A/D's??
But yes, of all the meds I've been on, Luvox almost recreated that "yuppie syndrome" feeling I experienced back in 1988!!Best, Rick
Posted by Phillipa on November 4, 2008, at 18:49:35
In reply to Re: Luvox Somnolence » Phillipa, posted by ricker on November 3, 2008, at 21:17:32
Ricker guess maybe still the wierd thyroid or the old chronic lymes if Mono could do that as well? Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.