Posted by JohnL on September 7, 2001, at 4:40:27
In reply to Prozac CRASH again -- Please help me., posted by Cindylou on September 6, 2001, at 14:41:14
You asked for suggestions. Here's a good one. Zyprexa. Believe me, Zyprexa and Prozac together can be wonderful, as shown in both anecdotal evidence and in clinical evidence. The two together are far better than either alone, kind of like the sum is greater than the parts added together, if that makes any sense. All of the symptoms you have described are symptoms that generally respond very well to Zyprexa. Because it is called an antipsychotic, don't let that scare you. It has a wide range of good benefits spanning the entire psychiatric symptom scale, and it is great for all kinds of things besides just schizophrenia. So don't let the name get in the way. It is a wonderful drug, as most people who have tried it will confirm. The only drawback seems to be likely weight gain, which can be controlled with careful eating habits.
Just my opinion, but do not stop the Prozac and do not try anything else. Simply add 2.5mg Zyprexa at dinner time, and after a week or so go up to 5mg. Don't waste your time doing anything else until this has been tried first. If in the unlikely situation it does not prove good to you, then my second choice would be Risperdal in addition to the Prozac.
Of course, mileage varies. But that is exactly why I am suggesting Zyprexa. Zyprexa tends to provide excellent mileage. In this hit and miss game, I think it makes sense to go with something that has the highest odds for success. Zyprexa fits that description.
Sure there are plenty of other choices. I mean, such as Remeron, tricyclics, MAOIs, on and on and on. Forget them all for now. Go straight to Zyprexa. It has the highest performance and the highest mileage, in my opinion based on casual observation, anecdotal evidence, clinical evidence, and personal experience.
John> Hi,
> I've tried Prozac on three different occasions, and every time I "hit a wall" after about two months. It just happened again.
>
> Out of desperation, I started Prozac again in June (nothing else was working -- all had horrible side effects. Tried Effexor, Paxil, Zoloft; combined with Wellbutrin to help the fatigue. I also tried adding Provigil for a day and felt like I had the worst hangover ever.) I thought maybe this time would be different.
>
> I started out the Prozac really low -- 2.5 mg. -- since I am very med sensitive. This seemed to work well -- eventually I increased up to 10 mg.
>
> I felt pretty good for a couple months, had energy, didn't need to nap, etc. I was even a bit agitated. But about a week ago -- WHAM. I hit that old familiar wall. I feel sick, exhausted, heavy-headed, can't focus, etc. It feels like there's a lead balloon in my head. This is the all-too-familiar feeling I get from SSRIs. I tried increasing the Prozac to see if that would work, but it only made it worse.
>
> I am taking Wellbutrin, and tried increasing that a bit, but it didn't help. Tried some Adderall. Didn't help. NOTHING WILL CUT THROUGH THIS FOG.
>
> I am so discouraged. Does anyone have suggestions for me???? Any good ideas for treatment of depression for people who feel this way on SSRIs???
>
> Any MAOIs that don't cause horrible fatigue?? I've tried the tri-cyclics, and all had horrible side effects I couldn't tolerate.
>
> I feel like I've tried everything but the MAOIs. Am a bit afraid of those.
>
> Please, please help. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Feel like giving up.
>
> cindy.
>
> P.S. My diagnosis is depression and anxiety; not bipolar.
poster:JohnL
thread:78035
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010907/msgs/78133.html