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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by babbler20 on October 13, 2013, at 22:41:28
I have tried every SSRI and Tricyclic available and none of them have ever worked. The only one that was effective was Parnate because it caused insomnia and depression is helped by insomnia. If these medications are so effective, wouldn't one of them helped me? Is it possible that the side effects of insomnia and sedation are the effects that alleviate depressive and anxious symptoms and these medications are not beneficial beyond those side effects?
Posted by Emme_V2 on October 14, 2013, at 6:53:35
In reply to Do Antidepressants Work?, posted by babbler20 on October 13, 2013, at 22:41:28
> I have tried every SSRI and Tricyclic available and none of them have ever worked. The only one that was effective was Parnate because it caused insomnia and depression is helped by insomnia. If these medications are so effective, wouldn't one of them helped me? Is it possible that the side effects of insomnia and sedation are the effects that alleviate depressive and anxious symptoms and these medications are not beneficial beyond those side effects?
My personal experience with whether psych meds work is a loud, resounding, unambiguous YES!!!!! That doesn't mean that every med (or even class of meds) work for your particular system or that if they work for your symptoms that they won't cause you side effects that will be intolerable. In that case you keep trying other options.
The SSRI's are not so great for me, and I can't tolerate Effexor or the tricyclics. However, I do know other people who have done extremely well for a very long time on SSRI's, Effexor, and other ADs - it varies by the person. If the usual ADs aren't effective for you, there are still many options. Some with depression do well on the drugs used for bipolar disorder.
I had good success (like as in for years) with Lamictal + Abilify. I'm now more pleased with minocycline + Abilify. That doesn't mean I'm 100% free of the illness, but it is managed.
When I've had a good antidepressant response (and there have been plenty of meds that DIDN'T work for me - it's trial and error), it's been pretty clear. Improved mood, restoration of a normal range of emotions, regaining enthusiasm for the things I used to enjoy, restoration of motivation, improvement of sleep problems, I could go on.I've needed Xanax to help with anxiety, and I titrate the dose very carefully so that I'm not sedated - works well for me.
I'm sorry you are frustrated and not having good success. For anxiety, I found a low dose of Seroquel very effective. I only needed 6.25 mg. I slept well and felt calmer the next day
Have you considered going for a consulting opinion to get some other treatment ideas?
Good luck.
emme
Posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2013, at 9:55:08
In reply to Re: Do Antidepressants Work? » babbler20, posted by Emme_V2 on October 14, 2013, at 6:53:35
I was recently told by my pdoc an older guy that he feels that ads are more of a placebo effect and that when people do feel a lot better it's possible something changed in their life for the better. Could be why I can go up and down on them and feel no different. Only meds that ever worked for me are benzos. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on October 14, 2013, at 15:49:50
In reply to Re: Do Antidepressants Work?, posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2013, at 9:55:08
> I was recently told by my pdoc an older guy that he feels that ads are more of a placebo effect and that when people do feel a lot better it's possible something changed in their life for the better. Could be why I can go up and down on them and feel no different. Only meds that ever worked for me are benzos. Phillipa
What are your thoughts on this matter?
- Scott
Posted by Babbler20 on October 14, 2013, at 15:55:37
In reply to Do Antidepressants Work?, posted by babbler20 on October 13, 2013, at 22:41:28
Interesting, the only Mede ive found to be effective we're benzodiazepines as well. My doctor has pretty much given up.
Posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2013, at 21:30:37
In reply to Re: Do Antidepressants Work?, posted by Babbler20 on October 14, 2013, at 15:55:37
So we are in agreement. My thoughts are the same agree with him Phillipa
Posted by SLS on October 15, 2013, at 7:12:19
In reply to Re: Do Antidepressants Work?, posted by Babbler20 on October 14, 2013, at 15:55:37
> Interesting, the only Mede ive found to be effective we're benzodiazepines as well. My doctor has pretty much given up.
Nardil + Klonopin?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on October 15, 2013, at 7:18:00
In reply to Re: Do Antidepressants Work?, posted by Phillipa on October 14, 2013, at 21:30:37
> So we are in agreement. My thoughts are the same agree with him Phillipa
Okay. After all of the years that you have been around mental illness and the taking of antidepressants, you still take one of these drugs yourself. Why?
- Scott
Posted by Abby Cunningham on October 18, 2013, at 12:11:19
In reply to Re: Do Antidepressants Work? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on October 14, 2013, at 15:49:50
> > I was recently told by my pdoc an older guy that he feels that ads are more of a placebo effect and that when people do feel a lot better it's possible something changed in their life for the better. Could be why I can go up and down on them and feel no different. Only meds that ever worked for me are benzos. Phillipa
>
Yes I agree that benzos work but at what price? I am still on them 30 years later - tried tapering via the Ashton method and almost got down to 10mg. valium and was such a wreck she put me back on 1.5mg. xanax. still on it. I feel it has changed my brain so that I now am tolerant of most of it's effects, but the WORST thing is I am on it for life ... can't get off it. AND it gives me some type of agorophobia and fear of making some phone calls. They would sure be a wonderful invention if they did not cause dependence and tolerance!I guess I should consider myself lucky since I don't have to keep upping the dosage, as many people have tolerance withdrawal pretty quickly.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on October 22, 2013, at 15:57:14
In reply to Do Antidepressants Work?, posted by babbler20 on October 13, 2013, at 22:41:28
> Do Antidepressants Work?
Clearly, they work for some people, but not others. It's also possible to respond well to one but badly to another.
Did you try combining Parnate with a sleep aid. I've heard of people doing really well on MAOIs + Seroquel 25-100mg in the evening.
Posted by Phillipa on October 22, 2013, at 21:16:31
In reply to Re: Do Antidepressants Work? » Phillipa, posted by SLS on October 15, 2013, at 7:18:00
Fear of the unknown. I'm serious. Phillipa
Posted by babbler20 on October 31, 2013, at 17:58:07
In reply to Re: Do Antidepressants Work?, posted by ed_uk2010 on October 22, 2013, at 15:57:14
Unfortunately, my doctor told me that all I could take while on Parnate was Benadryl because I was taking 100 mg of Parnate. What really works for me is sleep deprivation. If I get 6 or less hours of sleep, my anxiety and depression are both reduced significantly, but the second that I get a full night of sleep, they are back with a vengeance.
Posted by babbler20 on October 31, 2013, at 18:01:45
In reply to Re: Do Antidepressants Work?, posted by Abby Cunningham on October 18, 2013, at 12:11:19
It could always be worse. I used to get that phone call anxiety, but then I ended up in a high-pressure sales job where all I did was make and take phone calls and the anxiety disappears. Now I prefer to talk on the phone. I'd suggest picking up a phone book and finding reasons to call people until the anxiety goes away. You shouldn't have to live with that and it goes away with experience.
Posted by rockerchick46 on November 2, 2013, at 13:55:43
In reply to Re: Do Antidepressants Work? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on October 22, 2013, at 21:16:31
I have had luck with Wellbutrin and Saphris (and a couple other meds)
Posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2013, at 21:07:10
In reply to Re: Do Antidepressants Work?, posted by rockerchick46 on November 2, 2013, at 13:55:43
Who did you post that you used to post as? Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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