Posted by Chairman_MAO on November 15, 2011, at 6:09:08
In reply to Re: Increase/decrease Klonopin: fear of disinhibition, posted by porkpiehat on November 13, 2011, at 10:42:10
> Without getting into my entire profile, I've been taking SSRIs (first Prozac then Celexa) for depression and anxiety. I've stopped them 2-3 times because I felt manic-y (spending, drinking, drugs, hyper), blunted, and insensitive, no sex drive. I tried Serzone in the interim, which only sorta worked. Added Wellbutrin and risperdal (separately) before giving up on the serzone altoether and switching back to Celexa.
>
So you take the SSRIs for depression? Have you ever tried a TCA or an MAOI? SSRIs are the most likely to induce mania. I see why you're taking the benzo now.
> They added Lamictal to calm the hypomanic behavior that returned with the celexa (given the prevalence of BP in my family). It worked and also provided an excellent anti-depressive/pro-social, pro-motivational effect. I was always awash in new ideas and started my own business and became very successful professionally. However it can make me very racy and concentration/reading became very difficult. It allowed me to cut the Celexa to 20 mgs.
>It can be difficult dealing with these multi-drug cocktails. Unfortunately, I do not have clinical experience so I cannot really recommend anything here in good faith over anything else. I have some unconventional ideas, but it seems as if the SSRI is the culprit.
> Increasing anxiety led us to add buspar a while back at low doses <mgs per day, but it ultimately made me sad and angry a lot. Dropped that after a year with the exception of 5mgs at night because I ruminations kept me from sharing a bed with my boyfriend and awake.
>
Buspar wouldn't work in this case anyway.> Docs/therapists now see my symptoms as more of PTSD from childhood and some trauma/borderline symptoms. The whole bipolar question is kind of up in the air.
>How much do you need the SSRI? Seems like perhaps you might consider something else besides Lamictal or otherwise evaluate the need for SSRI? I know Lamictal can be very good, but it sounds like it might be too agitating for you. You could talk to your doctor about increasing clonazepam, but that comes with its own drawbacks at higher doses, such as risk of depression, gait disturbance, cognitive impairment, etc. Still worthy of discussing.
> moderate substance use since early teens.
>
Are you still using now? If not, how long have you been "clean" (or mostly clean)? If you are still using, what are you using and how often?I'm unclear on one thing: are you still taking an antipsychotic now or not?
poster:Chairman_MAO
thread:1002238
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20111110/msgs/1002619.html