Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 1106944

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Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by linkadge on December 1, 2019, at 11:13:17

I am trying to switch from venlafaxine to escitalopram. The biggest negative effect is on my attention. I am quite a bit more distractible.

I literally do something for 30 seconds then I'm bored and want to change tasks. It's been almost impossible to get things done.


Linkadge

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by Christ_empowered on December 1, 2019, at 11:36:46

In reply to Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by linkadge on December 1, 2019, at 11:13:17

after a while, i had something similar on celexa, added to ongoing abilify. at first, it was awesome (agitated depression). then...OK. then...I dropped it because...whoa. just..whoa.

prozac? long half life, though. add wellbutrin? but that's another Rx.

-sigh- would your doctor prescribe a bit of ritalin or maybe Provigil/Nuvigil? not ideal, but...what is, honestly?

sorry about this. :-(

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge

Posted by jay2112 on December 1, 2019, at 12:28:20

In reply to Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by linkadge on December 1, 2019, at 11:13:17

> I am trying to switch from venlafaxine to escitalopram. The biggest negative effect is on my attention. I am quite a bit more distractible.
>
> I literally do something for 30 seconds then I'm bored and want to change tasks. It's been almost impossible to get things done.
>
>
> Linkadge
>

I have been on both escitalopram and Effexor at the same time, and they work great together. Give it a shot??

Jay
>

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by Fred23 on December 1, 2019, at 13:50:39

In reply to Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by linkadge on December 1, 2019, at 11:13:17

As always, my question is name brand or generic, as they may act totally different. E.g., the name brand Lexapro may work, while the generic may have a bad effect.

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by linkadge on December 1, 2019, at 15:02:52

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by Fred23 on December 1, 2019, at 13:50:39

Thanks for the feedback. I am between doctors at the moment. My intake with new doctor isn't till Jan 26th 2020.

I would try taking escitalopram and venlafaxine, but I am also taking mirtazapine and lithium and would like to keep the meds down, if possible. I could try just venlafaxine and escitalopram.

Venlafaxaine seems to pull me in to myself (had to describe). This can be good if I have internal issues to resolve or things to accomplish. However, when my thoughts become too negative, I find it hard to get out of my head.

Escitalopram on the other hand seems to do the opposite. It gets me 'out of myself' which can be a relief at first, but then slowly I start to feel no depth to my thinking and that I am being pulled out of reflective thought (hard to reflect on anything, or concentrate for that matter).

Linkadge


 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by undopaminergic on December 2, 2019, at 10:20:33

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by linkadge on December 1, 2019, at 15:02:52

Some of the things said in this thread make no sense to me rationally.

For example, brand name and generic formulations contain the same active ingredient, in the same amounts, so they should not have different effects. Unless the incipients differ and are somehow active.

Another example is... venlafaxine is a particularly powerful SRI, so one would not expect any benefit from adding another, weaker SRI such as escitalopram to the mix.

As for attention, noradrenaline has effects on that, so maybe after switching from venlafaxine to escitalopram, you are missing the mild NRI effect of the former? In that case, you could try augmentation with reboxetine, atomoxetine, or nortriptyline. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter most extensively linked to attention, and high serotonin can have antidopaminergic effects especially via the 5-TH2C receptor, but if you switch to a weaker SRI, it should get better rather than worse. Anyway, for the dopamine you could try methylphenidate.

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » undopaminergic

Posted by linkadge on December 2, 2019, at 15:26:48

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by undopaminergic on December 2, 2019, at 10:20:33

mg for mg, escitalopram is a much more potent inhibitor of serotonin than venlafaxine.

There are some cases of generics not working as well as brand name. One generic bupropion SR was taken off the market for not being 'bioequivalaent' to brand name.

That being said, I can't explain why venlafaxine routinely gives me high blood pressure / pulse where escitalopram does not. Venlafaxine also improves my attention where escitalopram makes it worse. On paper that shouldn't happen. However, there are likely additional targets that we don't know about yet.

Linkadge

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge

Posted by beckett2 on December 2, 2019, at 20:29:41

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » undopaminergic, posted by linkadge on December 2, 2019, at 15:26:48

Have you previously taken escitalopram?

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by Lamdage22 on December 3, 2019, at 0:54:00

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge, posted by beckett2 on December 2, 2019, at 20:29:41

I learned that anything can happen with psychmeds

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » beckett2

Posted by linkadge on December 5, 2019, at 15:55:45

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge, posted by beckett2 on December 2, 2019, at 20:29:41

I took citalopram for 1.5 years (fairly successfully). I then tried escitalopram once, but had a similar reaction (apathy, poor focus).

It just feels so artificial. I cannot feel myself at all.

Linkadge

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge

Posted by beckett2 on December 5, 2019, at 20:27:18

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » beckett2, posted by linkadge on December 5, 2019, at 15:55:45

> I took citalopram for 1.5 years (fairly successfully). I then tried escitalopram once, but had a similar reaction (apathy, poor focus).
>
> It just feels so artificial. I cannot feel myself at all.
>
> Linkadge

I'm sorry it's not doing it for you yet. Do you think it might take a month or so to see benefits? When I started it, I felt pretty loopy, but after a bit, my anxiety levels improved. (My anxious depression was fairly severe.) I agree, though, that it was not great for ADHD, certainly not mine. I'm also familiar with the apathy it can induce. When I switched to Trintellix, I can only describe the change as a relief. I would recommend it as something to try if you get the chance.

Could you try citalopram again?

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge

Posted by beckett2 on December 5, 2019, at 21:24:42

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » beckett2, posted by linkadge on December 5, 2019, at 15:55:45

I know I've mentioned this before (sorry!) but 5mg of Adderall or stimulant? I can't do well w/o it.

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by linkadge on December 6, 2019, at 16:57:17

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge, posted by beckett2 on December 5, 2019, at 20:27:18

Trintellex probably costs $500 a month and I do not have coverage. The rich and / or well employed have much more opportunity for recovery.

Linkadge

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by linkadge on December 6, 2019, at 16:59:36

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge, posted by beckett2 on December 5, 2019, at 21:24:42

I'm seeing a new doctor (not a psychiatrist) in a few months (still waiting to connect). Again, anybody who thinks Canada has universal health care is on acid.

I have to pay $$ to get my records transferred from my old doctor to my new doctor. I pay $20 to park at the hospital. I can't imagine how those who simply can't afford such expenses survive. Even if they can connect to a doctor, they likely can't afford any of the treatments.

It's a bit of a joke.

Linkadge

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by phidippus on December 6, 2019, at 21:23:07

In reply to Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by linkadge on December 1, 2019, at 11:13:17

Are you bipolar?

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » phidippus

Posted by linkadge on December 7, 2019, at 8:01:04

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by phidippus on December 6, 2019, at 21:23:07

No idea....

Diagnosing it is not as easy as you would think.

To be honest, the diagnosis (for me) is meaningless if the treatment for that diagnosis doesn't work.

If mood stabilizers help (stability wise) I frequently stop taking them because I feel flat and intolerably anhedonic.

Linkadge


 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge

Posted by beckett2 on December 7, 2019, at 13:31:33

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » phidippus, posted by linkadge on December 7, 2019, at 8:01:04

> No idea....
>
> Diagnosing it is not as easy as you would think.
>
> To be honest, the diagnosis (for me) is meaningless if the treatment for that diagnosis doesn't work.
>
> If mood stabilizers help (stability wise) I frequently stop taking them because I feel flat and intolerably anhedonic.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
>

I imagine you've tried Lamotrigine. The only one that has worked for me.

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by linkadge on December 7, 2019, at 17:40:30

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge, posted by beckett2 on December 7, 2019, at 13:31:33

I briefly tried it, but my brain felt quite 'raw' on it. I only got up to 50mg. I should probably try it again.

Linkadge

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by phidippus on December 7, 2019, at 18:59:03

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » phidippus, posted by linkadge on December 7, 2019, at 8:01:04

Do you have extreme ups and downs?

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge

Posted by beckett2 on December 8, 2019, at 1:26:18

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by linkadge on December 7, 2019, at 17:40:30

> I briefly tried it, but my brain felt quite 'raw' on it. I only got up to 50mg. I should probably try it again.
>
> Linkadge

In my case, it took months to begin to feel benefits. My first try was unsuccessful because I became uncomfortably amped. I tried it again after failing other stabilizers and AD's and was desperate.

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram

Posted by Lamdage22 on December 8, 2019, at 8:01:16

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by phidippus on December 6, 2019, at 21:23:07

I am Bi-winning:) Sorry I had to.

> Are you bipolar?

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » phidippus

Posted by linkadge on December 8, 2019, at 13:06:16

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by phidippus on December 7, 2019, at 18:59:03

>Do you have extreme ups and downs?

Good question. I honestly don't know...

I mean, I go through periods where my mind races and I feel out of control. I don't really feel high though. People see me as just being different and a bit weird.

Interestingly, I stopped lithium 300mg cold turkey and I am feeling a LOT better (more stable actually). I wonder if I was experiencing some pro-convulsant like activity / EEG abormalities (which can sometimes happen with lithium).

I see it as more mood lability, but honestly I don't know. My mother was diagnosed as bipolar, but again doesn't follow a classic cycle.

Her "mania" is more goal directed behavior and irritability (neve really happy / high). I almost wonder if she was misdiagnosed (perhaps has some ADHD).

Linkadge



 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge

Posted by undopaminergic on December 9, 2019, at 7:10:59

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram, posted by linkadge on December 6, 2019, at 16:57:17

> Trintellex probably costs $500 a month and I do not have coverage. The rich and / or well employed have much more opportunity for recovery.
>
> Linkadge

Also those who live in certain countries, with government health insurance. Where I live, there is a cap of about 550 EUR for what we must pay for ourselves, and anything above that sum is covered by the insurance. Not all medications are covered, but it seems most are. Some medications, such as many antipsychotics, are even better covered provided you have a psychosis diagnosis; then you get them for just a few euros a pack.

-undopaminergic

 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » undopaminergic

Posted by linkadge on December 9, 2019, at 16:29:25

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge, posted by undopaminergic on December 9, 2019, at 7:10:59

>Some medications, such as many antipsychotics, are >even better covered provided you have a psychosis >diagnosis; then you get them for just a few euros a >pack.

Interesting. Last time I purchased generic fluoxetine from the Walmart pharmacy (5 years ago) it cost me over $50 CAD. There is a growing number of people without employer health insurance, who cannot afford their meds and simply don't get them filled.

We supposedly are trying to tackle mental health challenges, but many people in Canada don't have a doctor and (even if they did) they can't afford their meds.

The poor are f*ck*d.

Linkadge


 

Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » linkadge

Posted by phidippus on December 10, 2019, at 16:26:27

In reply to Re: Zero attention after 1 week on escitalopram » phidippus, posted by linkadge on December 8, 2019, at 13:06:16

What do you seek treatment for? What ails you?


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