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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janelle on September 24, 2001, at 14:02:36
I was on Paxil (successfully) for a considerable number of years - it helped with my depression and to a lesser extent, anxiety (also take Klonopin for the latter). Well, last year *something* began to happen to me which my pdoc now feels was beginnings of BiPolarII, esp. hypomania, brought on primarily by Paxil, and it got to the point where I was so wigged out much of the time (my anxiety level, obsessive thoughts and insecurity jumped at the drop of a hat and stayed at a fever pitch much of the time). This culminated in my doing and something sooo stupid that angered and hurt the guy I had been seeing, freaked him out and drove him away. Neither of us fully understood what was going on with me at the time. (If the shoe was on the other foot, I may not have reacted quite the way he did, but I also probably would have broken off, at least temporarily.) Now with 20-20 hindsight and after finally fine-tuning a new med cocktail, I can see so clearly my (many) mistakes, my inappropriate behaviors, etc. And to think it was probably the cumulative effect of Paxil that played a large role in what seems to be the loss of the man I still love DEEPLY and who I still believe is the love of my life (btw, I no longer have any way to contact him directly or I'd have done so by now).
Well, thanks for *listening* -- I really needed to get this out, and figured people here might understand. Any supportive comments welcomed. Thanks.
Posted by fluffykitty on September 24, 2001, at 14:13:17
In reply to Think I've lost ''love of my life'' to PAXIL...!, posted by Janelle on September 24, 2001, at 14:02:36
Oh gosh. Sorry to hear about that but it sounds like you lost one thing in your life but gained another. Wisdom and self knowledge are incredible assets however often gained at the expense of something else deeply valued. It happens to all of us. Me too. But life goes on and so will you. You WILL find another love of your life!!!
Posted by jay on September 24, 2001, at 18:42:21
In reply to Think I've lost ''love of my life'' to PAXIL...!, posted by Janelle on September 24, 2001, at 14:02:36
> I was on Paxil (successfully) for a considerable number of years - it helped with my depression and to a lesser extent, anxiety (also take Klonopin for the latter). Well, last year *something* began to happen to me which my pdoc now feels was beginnings of BiPolarII, esp. hypomania, brought on primarily by Paxil, and it got to the point where I was so wigged out much of the time (my anxiety level, obsessive thoughts and insecurity jumped at the drop of a hat and stayed at a fever pitch much of the time). This culminated in my doing and something sooo stupid that angered and hurt the guy I had been seeing, freaked him out and drove him away. Neither of us fully understood what was going on with me at the time. (If the shoe was on the other foot, I may not have reacted quite the way he did, but I also probably would have broken off, at least temporarily.) Now with 20-20 hindsight and after finally fine-tuning a new med cocktail, I can see so clearly my (many) mistakes, my inappropriate behaviors, etc. And to think it was probably the cumulative effect of Paxil that played a large role in what seems to be the loss of the man I still love DEEPLY and who I still believe is the love of my life (btw, I no longer have any way to contact him directly or I'd have done so by now).
>
> Well, thanks for *listening* -- I really needed to get this out, and figured people here might understand. Any supportive comments welcomed. Thanks.Sorry to hear that Janelle, as our unstable lives make us *casualties* too often.
My pdoc was saying to me that in his experience, he is starting to believe that the majority of people labled 'unipolar depressive' actually usually have 'rapid cycling' tendancies. In fact, he thinks depression is likely more of a 'cycling illness' than thought so in the past.
This is not *scientific* of course, but look at the number of people who find far more relief in using a mood-stablizing combo with smaller amounts, or even no, antidepressant.
Anyhow, it's all hindsight, and alls we can do is carry on, and build some strength from what we have been through. BTW...what is your med combo right now, anyhow?
Best wishes..
Jay
Posted by Janelle on September 24, 2001, at 23:59:31
In reply to Re: Think I've lost ''love of my life'' to PAXIL...! » Janelle, posted by jay on September 24, 2001, at 18:42:21
First, thank you for your thoughtful response. I appreciate it.
Ironically, my new med combo includes a mood stabilizer for exactly the reasons that you mentioned! I am now taking Lamictal in the daytime (50mg twice a day) in addition to Zyprexa and Klonopin at night for sleeping.
My pdoc has taken me off any SSRI, because she has also come to the belief that many people (me being one of them) who have been considered "unipolar depressive" may indeed tend toward "rapid cycling" and therefore be BipolarII (usually not full blown BiPolar). And this is indeed reflected by the growing number of people (among whom I am now a member!) who find far more relief in using a mood-stablizer without an a-d.
Thanks again for your kind wishes.
-Janelle
Posted by fluffykitty on September 25, 2001, at 11:49:05
In reply to JAY: answer to your question: » jay, posted by Janelle on September 24, 2001, at 23:59:31
>who find far more relief in using a mood-
>stablizerYou know when I wanted to get on something and I asked my pdoc about it, he put me on neurontin as opposed to an SSRI and Im glad he did that. After reading about all the side effects and other things that can occur as a result Im glad Im doing fine on the mood stablizer and dont have to go any further. :)
fk
Posted by Janelle on September 25, 2001, at 14:28:34
In reply to Re: Mood stabilizers, posted by fluffykitty on September 25, 2001, at 11:49:05
I was apprehensive when my pdoc said she was goin to have me OFF any SSRI a-d (I'd been on Paxil long time, then briefly Celexa then briefly EffexorXR) and see if I would be *okay* on a mood stabilizer (she chose Lamictal for my case). Well, so far so good in terms of none of the side effects and other things that can occur as a result of being on an SSRI, esp. for a long time. Not only had the Paxil seemed to induce hypomania in me, but I went through HORRIBLE withdrawal from it which lasted for weeks.
Like you, I'm relieved to be doing well (so far, knock on wood!) on the mood stablizer and not having to try yet another SSRI a-d, at least not at this point.
-Janelle
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