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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by contenta on January 7, 2004, at 17:22:51
Hi all,
I am 31 years old, have battled with mild or medium depression for years (dysthimia). It never interfered with my life though, I was a pretty happy person outside, just having a lot of sad thoughts and pretty low self-esteem which led me to feel pretty sad and unfortunate all the time. I have avoided taking medications for many years since my diagnosis was always "subjective". I was told, if you WANT you can take this and that... Finally five months ago I decided its not normal to go through life feeling so lousy all the time and so so sad about one own future. I also suffer from anxiety so went to a new psychiatrist and we have tried the following combinations:
Three months of Lexapro (low dose, I think it was 10mg a day? cant remember):I felt like a zombie, couldn't work, couldn't get up before 1pm, no sex-drive, etc... He added Wellbutrin (to get energy) in the mornings and Neurontin (200mg a night to be able to sleep); still didn't feel very well, no benefits whatsoever, only the side-effects. Finally, we chose to switch to Prozac (20mg a day) as my sister takes the same and we thought it should work for me as well.
Have been taking it for 2 months already, no change. I combine it with pro-vigil in the morning (to be able to get out of bed before 2pm! seriously I am so tired) and still some Neurontin at night. The Dr. told me today we should switch to Effexor as this is not working either! I am feeling EVEN MORE depressed than before I ever started taking anything! Am I in the road for dissapointment again? Has anyone ever had this klind of experience? I would really appreaciate your suggetsions/help.I have to finish a doctoral thesis and cannot waste any more time not being able to work ;-)
Thank you so much, and best to all of you!
Posted by JZY561 on January 7, 2004, at 17:45:58
In reply to Help! Lexapro, Prozac, Wellbutrin w/NO success... , posted by contenta on January 7, 2004, at 17:22:51
Contenta,
I was in the same boat as you back in 2001, I was seeing an outpatient support group and they kept switching the medications because no combination seemed to be the silver bullet. I`m finally taking a combination that seems to work for me: Paxil and Amitryptiline (Ellavil), however those are more for anxiety and are very sedating, because my problem was more anxiety.There is another medication I never tried in the Paxil/Prozac family called Zoloft, you might want to look into that.
Or, maybe your doctor can increase the amount of Prozac. I believe it can go as high as 60mg or 80mg.
I`m not a doctor, but my advise is don`t give up - everyone reacts to a medication differently.Best of luck and hope you get better. -Steve
Posted by Keith Talent on January 7, 2004, at 21:54:47
In reply to Re: Help! Lexapro, Prozac, Wellbutrin w/NO success... , posted by JZY561 on January 7, 2004, at 17:45:58
Many people post about these symptoms of SSRI apathy/fatigue/sleepiness, which is different from poop-out. A lot of patients seem to have their mood fixed, but never reach normal social and occupational functioning with these drugs. I think it must be much more widespread than drug companies would have us believe.
Stimulants seem to be used heaps in America with antidepressants, but I thought they ran out of puff after a few weeks. Have you tried adding a stimulant?
Posted by JohnFromCalifornia on January 7, 2004, at 21:56:11
In reply to Help! Lexapro, Prozac, Wellbutrin w/NO success... , posted by contenta on January 7, 2004, at 17:22:51
It might be that SSRIs or other antidepressants are not the answer for you. (What duration did you take the Lexapro? If less than three months I'd suggest you did not give it enough of a chance.)
If you are BY NATURE melancholic (as I think I am), a behavioral approach may help to bring out your "good side". For example, aerobic exercise has done more to enhance my sense of well-being than any medication so far. Plus, it gives me energy and helps me sleep.
Good counseling and reading can also help your attitude and outlook. I'm very much of a pragmatist -- not touchy-feely at all -- but I can recommend one book: "The Road Less Traveled" by M. Scott Peck. He's a psychiatrist and a very down-to-earth guy who helps people cope with this difficult life by adopting a simple set of values and, yes, behaviors.
Finally, really throwing yourself into your work and relationships can work wonders, even if you have to push yourself at first. I've found that if I go through the motions of having a good life, I can actually have one! (This is classic behaviorism of course.)
Good luck!
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 8, 2004, at 0:31:55
In reply to Re: Help! Lexapro, Prozac, Wellbutrin w/NO success... , posted by JohnFromCalifornia on January 7, 2004, at 21:56:11
> I can recommend one book: "The Road Less Traveled" by M. Scott Peck...
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by Bill LL on January 8, 2004, at 9:36:54
In reply to Help! Lexapro, Prozac, Wellbutrin w/NO success... , posted by contenta on January 7, 2004, at 17:22:51
Your doctor probably should have raised your dose of Lexapro and Prozac before giving up on them. But anyway, now that your doc has prescribed Effexor I can say that although I have never tried it, I have read a lot of posts about it over the years. It is an excellent drug. It's very effective and safe.
Posted by contenta on January 8, 2004, at 11:57:52
In reply to Re: Help! Lexapro, Prozac, Wellbutrin w/NO success... , posted by Bill LL on January 8, 2004, at 9:36:54
HI and Thank you all for your support!
I actually haven't decided on Effexor, yet. Do you think if 20mg. of Prozac haven't done anything in two months, an increase in dosage may actually start generating some changes?
It is just so frustrating to keep trying and trying new things that only disrupt my life without any of the added benefits ;-)Thanks again!
Posted by KathrynLex on January 8, 2004, at 13:27:46
In reply to Re: Help! Lexapro, Prozac, Wellbutrin w/NO success... , posted by contenta on January 8, 2004, at 11:57:52
Hi Contenta,
I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble finding the right medication. It's a frustrating process...but SO, SO worth it when you do!
You might have a very high tolerance to meds, which would mean you have to take a higher dose for a longer period of time before you start to notice any benefits. 40 mg of Prozac worked very well for me when I was on it.
Good luck, let us know when you find the right med!
K.
Posted by ann72 on January 9, 2004, at 12:09:55
In reply to Re: Help! Lexapro, Prozac, Wellbutrin w/NO success... , posted by KathrynLex on January 8, 2004, at 13:27:46
I think I have the same problem as you. I tried, paxil, serzone, celexa, zoloft and now ive been on effexor for a few months. I am still very depressed and have had a downward spiral recently. I wonder If I am immune to SSRI's or if I should be on something completley different. All I can say is hang in there, we'll both find the right meds someday!!
Posted by contenta on January 9, 2004, at 18:27:55
In reply to Re: Help! Lexapro, Prozac, Wellbutrin w/NO success... , posted by ann72 on January 9, 2004, at 12:09:55
Hi Ann72
I am so sorry to hear that, I completely empathize with you! It's not only bad enough that we feel depressed, but on top of that we can't enjoy the many benefits that some people get out of medications to lift their depression. That fact in itself, is kind of depressing me a bit ;-)
In any case, I will try Effexor as a last resource. Do you think it's a chemical resistance we have to this medicines, or does being positive about it helps?
Take care, and thanks to all of you who replie dto my message!
Posted by brussell on January 10, 2004, at 6:21:12
In reply to Help! Lexapro, Prozac, Wellbutrin w/NO success... , posted by contenta on January 9, 2004, at 18:27:55
I just wanted to mention that I've tried all the meds you've mentioned without much success. I've suffered from crippling depression for over ten years, and had pretty much given up on meds (and life) when I tried an MAOI, Parnate.
My depression hasn't vanished, but for the first time in many years I can get up in the morning and do most I want to do--almost like a normal person!
I think it's criminal that MAOIs aren't more widely prescribed. One must do one's homework about diet and drug interactions, but it's not a big deal. Parnate has NO side effects for me (though everyone's different, of course.)
Nardil works for more people, and can cause some sedation and weight gain, but it sounds no worse than SSRIs.
Posted by ann72 on January 10, 2004, at 10:44:34
In reply to Help! Lexapro, Prozac, Wellbutrin w/NO success... , posted by contenta on January 9, 2004, at 18:27:55
> Hi Ann72
>
> I am so sorry to hear that, I completely empathize with you! It's not only bad enough that we feel depressed, but on top of that we can't enjoy the many benefits that some people get out of medications to lift their depression. That fact in itself, is kind of depressing me a bit ;-)
>
> In any case, I will try Effexor as a last resource. Do you think it's a chemical resistance we have to this medicines, or does being positive about it helps?
>
> Take care, and thanks to all of you who replie dto my message!Hello----I dont know if thats the case or not. But I am starting to believe that I may be BP2 and that is why the regular AD arent working. I plan to ask my pdoc about lithium and wellbutron. I know I need a mood stablizing drug. Maybe you should talk to your pdoc about your actual dx too.
ANN
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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