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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Erin59 on September 16, 2001, at 21:22:03
Hello to all,
I was hit with my 2nd episode of major depression earlier this year (the 1st occured when I was 25 and peaked with a suicide attempt. I am now 42). Over this span of time, I have not been treated for this with the exception of some intermittent therapy. I approached my GP in April and he prescribed Celexa which transformed me into Rip Van Winkle with alzheimers. He then switched me to Wellbutrin and this worked really well (lots of energy and very clean closets) , albeit with some attendent crankiness which propelled him to give me Trazadone to dose at night to take the "edge" off. (He gave me 100mgs. which was much too high, so I broke them into 25mgs.). All seemed to be going well and then I crashed and burned in June. I hatched a suicide plan and obtained the means. I disclosed my plans to a family member and all hell broke loose. I refused to go to a hospital but was sent to one of the best Psych clinics in my area. I was diagnosed with PTSD as well as Major depression. I was prescribed Zoloft (now up to 150mgs.) about 4 weeks ago. I am being weaned off Wellbutrin and now take 150mgs every other day (my weight is down to 100 lbs. from 125 lbs.). I was also given Seroquel 25mgs. to take at night to quell morbid and suicidal thoughts as well as flashbacks. I am also on Klonopin (.5mgs. 2X) to help detox from a self induced Valium habit. My problem is that I can simply not get out of bed. My Pdoc swore that Zoloft was stimulating. My depression manifests itself with hypersomnia as I can easily sleep 12-15 hours a day. I own a frenetic business and can not afford to be zonked out. My theory is there is a genetic problem with dopamine in my family as my father was schizophrenic (he committed suicide when I was 19) and my sister is BP and I once had a raging cocaine addiction. I am sorry if I am droning on but it is obvious I have been under treated all these years and I feel as if I have some heavy duty catching up to do in order to survive. I am considering asking the Pdoc for Effexor as I know it hits all 3 receptors. Any advise or suggestions would be most appreciated as I reach for the golden ring on this never ending Merry-Go-Round.
Peace to all.
Erin
Posted by shelliR on September 16, 2001, at 22:50:27
In reply to YAWN , excuse me...., posted by Erin59 on September 16, 2001, at 21:22:03
> Hello to all,
> I was hit with my 2nd episode of major depression earlier this year (the 1st occured when I was 25 and peaked with a suicide attempt. I am now 42). Over this span of time, I have not been treated for this with the exception of some intermittent therapy. I approached my GP in April and he prescribed Celexa which transformed me into Rip Van Winkle with alzheimers. He then switched me to Wellbutrin and this worked really well (lots of energy and very clean closets) , albeit with some attendent crankiness which propelled him to give me Trazadone to dose at night to take the "edge" off. (He gave me 100mgs. which was much too high, so I broke them into 25mgs.). All seemed to be going well and then I crashed and burned in June. I hatched a suicide plan and obtained the means. I disclosed my plans to a family member and all hell broke loose. I refused to go to a hospital but was sent to one of the best Psych clinics in my area. I was diagnosed with PTSD as well as Major depression. I was prescribed Zoloft (now up to 150mgs.) about 4 weeks ago. I am being weaned off Wellbutrin and now take 150mgs every other day (my weight is down to 100 lbs. from 125 lbs.). I was also given Seroquel 25mgs. to take at night to quell morbid and suicidal thoughts as well as flashbacks. I am also on Klonopin (.5mgs. 2X) to help detox from a self induced Valium habit. My problem is that I can simply not get out of bed. My Pdoc swore that Zoloft was stimulating. My depression manifests itself with hypersomnia as I can easily sleep 12-15 hours a day. I own a frenetic business and can not afford to be zonked out. My theory is there is a genetic problem with dopamine in my family as my father was schizophrenic (he committed suicide when I was 19) and my sister is BP and I once had a raging cocaine addiction. I am sorry if I am droning on but it is obvious I have been under treated all these years and I feel as if I have some heavy duty catching up to do in order to survive. I am considering asking the Pdoc for Effexor as I know it hits all 3 receptors. Any advise or suggestions would be most appreciated as I reach for the golden ring on this never ending Merry-Go-Round.
> Peace to all.
> Erinhow about staying on zoloft since it is proving so effective and adding a stimulant, such as adderall, or concerta? How you tried a stimulant yet?
Posted by SalArmy4me on September 17, 2001, at 0:44:43
In reply to YAWN , excuse me...., posted by Erin59 on September 16, 2001, at 21:22:03
Maybe you can lower your dose of Zoloft and/or take it all at bedtime to minimize daytime sedation. 50 mg of Zoloft actually _is_ a therapeutic dose.
I wonder if you were ever on Prozac. A lot of people find Prozac to be stimulating enough.
Another idea is to add modafinil or adrafinil. These have been proven to augment antidepressant effects too.
Posted by Erin59 on September 17, 2001, at 20:45:09
In reply to Re: YAWN , excuse me.... » Erin59, posted by shelliR on September 16, 2001, at 22:50:27
> > Hello to all,
> > I was hit with my 2nd episode of major depression earlier this year (the 1st occured when I was 25 and peaked with a suicide attempt. I am now 42). Over this span of time, I have not been treated for this with the exception of some intermittent therapy. I approached my GP in April and he prescribed Celexa which transformed me into Rip Van Winkle with alzheimers. He then switched me to Wellbutrin and this worked really well (lots of energy and very clean closets) , albeit with some attendent crankiness which propelled him to give me Trazadone to dose at night to take the "edge" off. (He gave me 100mgs. which was much too high, so I broke them into 25mgs.). All seemed to be going well and then I crashed and burned in June. I hatched a suicide plan and obtained the means. I disclosed my plans to a family member and all hell broke loose. I refused to go to a hospital but was sent to one of the best Psych clinics in my area. I was diagnosed with PTSD as well as Major depression. I was prescribed Zoloft (now up to 150mgs.) about 4 weeks ago. I am being weaned off Wellbutrin and now take 150mgs every other day (my weight is down to 100 lbs. from 125 lbs.). I was also given Seroquel 25mgs. to take at night to quell morbid and suicidal thoughts as well as flashbacks. I am also on Klonopin (.5mgs. 2X) to help detox from a self induced Valium habit. My problem is that I can simply not get out of bed. My Pdoc swore that Zoloft was stimulating. My depression manifests itself with hypersomnia as I can easily sleep 12-15 hours a day. I own a frenetic business and can not afford to be zonked out. My theory is there is a genetic problem with dopamine in my family as my father was schizophrenic (he committed suicide when I was 19) and my sister is BP and I once had a raging cocaine addiction. I am sorry if I am droning on but it is obvious I have been under treated all these years and I feel as if I have some heavy duty catching up to do in order to survive. I am considering asking the Pdoc for Effexor as I know it hits all 3 receptors. Any advise or suggestions would be most appreciated as I reach for the golden ring on this never ending Merry-Go-Round.
> > Peace to all.
> > Erin
>
> how about staying on zoloft since it is proving so effective and adding a stimulant, such as adderall, or concerta? How you tried a stimulant yet?Shelli,
Thank you for your response. I am not really sure the Zoloft is working. It's hard to tell. With Wellbutrin, I was well aware of the change once it kicked in. Friends and the Pdoc say they notice a
change with the Zoloft, but I still feel very lethargic, apathetic and "soulless". I will ask for a stimulant at my next appt. I also ordered Afranil based on the next response and what I read about it from the archives.
Thank you again for your input.
Be well.
Erin
Posted by Erin59 on September 17, 2001, at 21:02:30
In reply to Re: YAWN , excuse me.... » Erin59, posted by SalArmy4me on September 17, 2001, at 0:44:43
> Maybe you can lower your dose of Zoloft and/or take it all at bedtime to minimize daytime sedation. 50 mg of Zoloft actually _is_ a therapeutic dose.
>
> I wonder if you were ever on Prozac. A lot of people find Prozac to be stimulating enough.
>
> Another idea is to add modafinil or adrafinil. These have been proven to augment antidepressant effects too.I just lowered my dose of Zoloft to 100mgs. and I am now taking it at night. I also ordered Adrafinil based on what I read on this board and hope this helps. I think my Pdoc gave me Zoloft because it is approved for treating PTSD. It is pretty amazing to see the toll this disease has taken on my life. Just 6 months ago, I completed a strenuous one week solo backpacking trip through the Sierra Nevadas. I have since lost close to 30 lbs., hair is graying and I barely have the strength to clean the cat litter box. Friends have expressed concern about my appearance, and of course, my mood. One friend told me I have aged 5 years in the last 3 months.
And I have yet to understand that an ailment that causes fatique, loss of appetite, apathy, listlessness, solemnence, and mental confusion is treated with meds that cause fatique, loss of appetite, apathy, listlessness, solemnence and mental confusion. Kinda like cold medicine that causes runny nose, congestion and coughing. Go figure.
Thanks for your advise.
Erin
Posted by shelliR on September 17, 2001, at 22:10:34
In reply to Re: YAWN , excuse me....SalArmy4me, posted by Erin59 on September 17, 2001, at 21:02:30
> > Maybe you can lower your dose of Zoloft and/or take it all at bedtime to minimize daytime sedation. 50 mg of Zoloft actually _is_ a therapeutic dose.
> >
> > I wonder if you were ever on Prozac. A lot of people find Prozac to be stimulating enough.
> >
> > Another idea is to add modafinil or adrafinil. These have been proven to augment antidepressant effects too.
>
> I just lowered my dose of Zoloft to 100mgs. and I am now taking it at night. I also ordered Adrafinil based on what I read on this board and hope this helps. I think my Pdoc gave me Zoloft because it is approved for treating PTSD. It is pretty amazing to see the toll this disease has taken on my life. Just 6 months ago, I completed a strenuous one week solo backpacking trip through the Sierra Nevadas. I have since lost close to 30 lbs., hair is graying and I barely have the strength to clean the cat litter box. Friends have expressed concern about my appearance, and of course, my mood. One friend told me I have aged 5 years in the last 3 months.
> And I have yet to understand that an ailment that causes fatique, loss of appetite, apathy, listlessness, solemnence, and mental confusion is treated with meds that cause fatique, loss of appetite, apathy, listlessness, solemnence and mental confusion. Kinda like cold medicine that causes runny nose, congestion and coughing. Go figure.
> Thanks for your advise.
> ErinHi Erin
Just a few more quick ideas.
You know that you don't want to take adrafinil and another stimulent together, I wouldn't think. Also with adrafinil, you should get a baseline liver function test and continue to have your liver tested once or twice a year, if you decide to go with that drug. I reread your original post and thought aside from irritation, you did very well on wellbutrin. Wellbutrin is significantly different from other antidepressants. I'm wondering if you had tried klonopin (or valium, or ativan) with your higher dose of wellbutrin, whether that might have cut the edge off. I guess I tend to cling to anything that has worked for my depression and try to stay with that med and augment rather than change.Anyway, I also run my own business and know how hard it is not to be 100% (or in my case even 75%).
Shelli
Posted by Erin59 on September 17, 2001, at 23:24:09
In reply to Re: YAWN , excuse me....SalArmy4me » Erin59, posted by shelliR on September 17, 2001, at 22:10:34
> > > Maybe you can lower your dose of Zoloft and/or take it all at bedtime to minimize daytime sedation. 50 mg of Zoloft actually _is_ a therapeutic dose.
> > >
> > > I wonder if you were ever on Prozac. A lot of people find Prozac to be stimulating enough.
> > >
> > > Another idea is to add modafinil or adrafinil. These have been proven to augment antidepressant effects too.
> >
> > I just lowered my dose of Zoloft to 100mgs. and I am now taking it at night. I also ordered Adrafinil based on what I read on this board and hope this helps. I think my Pdoc gave me Zoloft because it is approved for treating PTSD. It is pretty amazing to see the toll this disease has taken on my life. Just 6 months ago, I completed a strenuous one week solo backpacking trip through the Sierra Nevadas. I have since lost close to 30 lbs., hair is graying and I barely have the strength to clean the cat litter box. Friends have expressed concern about my appearance, and of course, my mood. One friend told me I have aged 5 years in the last 3 months.
> > And I have yet to understand that an ailment that causes fatique, loss of appetite, apathy, listlessness, solemnence, and mental confusion is treated with meds that cause fatique, loss of appetite, apathy, listlessness, solemnence and mental confusion. Kinda like cold medicine that causes runny nose, congestion and coughing. Go figure.
> > Thanks for your advise.
> > Erin
>
> Hi Erin
> Just a few more quick ideas.
> You know that you don't want to take adrafinil and another stimulent together, I wouldn't think. Also with adrafinil, you should get a baseline liver function test and continue to have your liver tested once or twice a year, if you decide to go with that drug. I reread your original post and thought aside from irritation, you did very well on wellbutrin. Wellbutrin is significantly different from other antidepressants. I'm wondering if you had tried klonopin (or valium, or ativan) with your higher dose of wellbutrin, whether that might have cut the edge off. I guess I tend to cling to anything that has worked for my depression and try to stay with that med and augment rather than change.
>
> Anyway, I also run my own business and know how hard it is not to be 100% (or in my case even 75%).
>
> ShelliHi Shelli,
I think my Pdoc nixed the Wellbutrin when I crashed in June. I guess it just pooped out for me as I was on the highest dosage (350mgs) for a few months before the dowward slide. Also, I was dropping alot of weight on Wellbutrin and I was petite before I started. I was beginning to look like a refugee and that concerned my Pdoc. But, I am still giving up the Wellbutrin begrudgingly. I am now on Klonapin to help detox from a Valium addiction. It also helps with my moods (although I feel like all my moods have completely disappeared). I am looking forward to trying the Adranifil and will not take it along with any other stimulants. Between what is happening in the world and this cloud that weighs us down, wouldn't we just kill for 75%! :-)
Peace,
Erin
This is the end of the thread.
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