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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Clayton on October 29, 2003, at 18:11:22
I suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder (a real Phobia), moop disoder (sometimes severe), severe insomnia, and a lack motivation, drive, planning and goal setting.
I tried Prozac. It prvoided just a little help with the SAD and not much else. A new pdoc switched me to Paxil. After several months, it reduced the SAD by 50%. The mood disorder was not improved. Insomnia was diminished but still a problem. Still no drive and motivation.
So I found yet another pdoc. He added Remaron to suppliment the Paxil. He believes they work synergistically. Also the Remaron brings norepinephrine into play in addition to thr seratonin augmentation provided by the SSRI Paxil.
My friends, it was the key to the kingdom! Within three days, my mood was substantially better. Within two weeks, my depressive mood disorder was gone! For the first time in years I could get out of bed in the morning and make it to the shower without feeling agonizing rending aggitation and conflict. Gone was the overpowering and omnipotant dsire to lay in bed all day and feel miserable (I had been powerless against this tendancy). I have my bad days but in general am now a happy morning person. My SAD is about 95% controlled - gone. The insomnia has abated about 60%.
(There has been a slight improvement in my drive but I still have trouble setting goals and completing tasks.)
I've learned there are differnt types of depression and who knows if this drug combo would work against symptoms. Who knows if it would work for anyone else at all? But for me, it has been MAGIC, the kind of "cure" you don't dare hope for. It has been a miracle in my life. If your symptoms sound like mine, don't hesitate to ask your doc to suppliment your SSRI with Remaron.
Now where I still need help. Lack of motivatiom, goal setting and carrying through on tasks. I am now happy but still dysfunctional in this respect. Does anyone have experience with a dual acting SSNRI alone or in combination with other drugs? Has anyone suplimented Dopamine with stimlants in combination with these symptoms? How about Modafinil?
Posted by justyourlaugh on October 30, 2003, at 7:58:35
In reply to Antidepressants - What worked for me, posted by Clayton on October 29, 2003, at 18:11:22
clayton,,
i am using manerix with gabapentin...
i can get things done..
i even started painting again...
yes yes yes still many bad days and moments,,
i have seen some "light" now i am terrified the bulb will blow...
also(keeping it on board topic)
i found the desire to drink not as strong ,,because when i do (have 3 or 4 )its hard to finish the bottle because it totally "puts me to sleep"..
thanks for the "possitve post" clayton
keep the light burning
j
Posted by rxnurse on November 11, 2003, at 3:08:24
In reply to Antidepressants - What worked for me, posted by Clayton on October 29, 2003, at 18:11:22
I currently take Lexapro for depression with Provigil (modafinil). My shrink augments the Lexapro with the Provigil to give me a "boost" so I can get out of bed and live my life. I was taking Ritalin for the same purpose up until being switched to Provigil. I have found that Ritalin works better for me as far as energy and focusing on tasks. The downside is that it's effects only last about four hours at the most. Sometimes after the Ritalin wears off, I would feel low. I have read that this is a common side effect even in people that are not depressed to begin with. This is where I can see it becoming a vicious cycle, leading to dependence. Together with my shrink, we decided that I try to do without it for a while and give Provigil a shot. It is not as potent as Ritalin or amphetamines, and does not have such serious side effects (on the circulatory system). It also has a low degree for abuse because it does not produce a "false sense of well being". The action of Provigil may last up to 15 hours, depending on the dose. I have not found this to be true for me. A couple of times it has made me feel anxious and very depressed. I don't particularly like the Provigil, and because of these side effects I have stopped taking it. Sometimes I think it is making my depressive mood more intense, whereas the Ritalin helped. I have been going through a really rough time since this summer with job related issues, and am hoping that I won't need to take Ritalin when I am back in my old work routine as a registered nurse.
Also, Provigil is very expensive. About $200 for thirty pills!!!!!
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