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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bee on August 10, 2000, at 21:58:17
I have been on anti-depressents for over 10 years - would love to get off them but can't. I have a family history of depression - some manic, some depressed.
I crashed when my horse died. I tried to treat homeopathically for 4 months but was down too deep. I started out with Elavil -150 mgs-.
I have tried pretty well all the SSRI's - Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, Serzone. These made me irritable, jumpy, insomniac (sp?) and I felt like I was going to have a seizure. These also made me aggressive. I have also tried a Zoloft/Elavil, Effexor/Elavil, Serzone/Elavil combination but still had the head involuntarily twitching-seizures feeling. I am not a great person to be with when on these!
I have also tried St. John's Wort (agitated, insommnia) and tryptophan (same as St. John's).
I have also tried imipramine but had bad dreams and night sweats. The one I keep coming back to is Elavil. I currently am on 80 mgs. I should go up but I hate the weight gain and carbohydrate cravings!!
I have tried numerous times to get off anti-depressents. I try during the summer as the days are longer, more active, etc... Within a week of no meds, I crash. Crying, no sleep, low self-esteem. Once back on Elavil, I slowly get better.
I need a anti-depressant that:
a) helps me sleep;
b) lets me function during the day;
c) does not give me the "30 cups of coffee" feeling;
d) keeps me calm.Is there such a medication? I realize that each drug affects people differently. I'm living proof of that. Any ideas/help/info would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
*Hopefully, this post goes through properly!
Posted by stjames on August 10, 2000, at 22:59:53
In reply to New - 10 years on meds. Need help, posted by Bee on August 10, 2000, at 21:58:17
You made it ! Have you tried Remeron/Mirtazapine ?
Remeron is a new and well behaved version of the tricyclics
(Elivil is a TCA). If you have tried Remeron, what doses and reactions ?james
Posted by Bee on August 10, 2000, at 23:14:03
In reply to Re: New - 10 years on meds. Need help, posted by stjames on August 10, 2000, at 22:59:53
I haven't tried Remeron. Just was reading up on it after finding this board. Very informative board. It's nice to see so many posts helping others with meds, etc...
Posted by Cam W. on August 11, 2000, at 6:59:03
In reply to Re: New - 10 years on meds. Need help, posted by Bee on August 10, 2000, at 23:14:03
Bee - Reboxetine (Edronex™? in the U.S.) is also a suggestion. It's kind of a 180 degree change from the SRIs. It selectively blocks norepinephrine.
Aside from some initial vibrating (which you state that you don't like), Wellbutrin, at lower doses is another choice.
Mirtazapine/Remeron™ (god I like that alt button on my Mac for making cool symbols like ™ or ©), as James mentioned, might be another choice. You are attacking serotonin in a roundabout way. The sedation at the start of therapy is profound, though.
Hope this helps - Cam.
Posted by NikkiT2 on August 11, 2000, at 7:26:22
In reply to New - 10 years on meds. Need help, posted by Bee on August 10, 2000, at 21:58:17
Hi Bee (You're not the Bee that pointed me to this place are you??)
I am on an Effexor XR / Thiorizadine combo, and the Thiorizadine certainly seems to minimize all the strange Effexor side affects.. when trying it by itself I had alot of twitching, insomnia, manicness, but on this combo I really feel good. But I am on quite a high dose (375mg) of Effexor, with 45mg of the Thiorizadine spread out over the day.
good luck.
Nikki
This is the end of the thread.
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