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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rjlockhart on May 20, 2006, at 14:46:38
Im not feeling any emotion, well, it blocks out emotion, like feeling your inner emotions. I just feel flat.
I think its the SSRI's
Matt
Posted by Glydin on May 20, 2006, at 14:59:51
In reply to Prozac making me Apathethic, posted by rjlockhart on May 20, 2006, at 14:46:38
You've been on it quite a while, right?
Why do you think it would be happening now?Folks do complain of emotional flatness on SSRI's. I've not experienced this with mine but did in my beginning stages of Klonopin use, it lifted after a few weeks.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 20, 2006, at 17:26:00
In reply to Prozac making me Apathethic, posted by rjlockhart on May 20, 2006, at 14:46:38
oh my goodness! Yes! SSRIs are completely apathy inducing. TOTALLY!! And its really annoying because its not something that doctors know about!!
Basically, SSRIs (obviously) just increase sertonin, and it completely ignores dopamine and noradrenaline . So you have this massive increase in Serontoin, but a 'lack' of dopamine and noradrenlin so obviously you then lose your 'emotions' associated with dopamine and nordrenline, eg drive, motivation, etc. There are a few threads on this I can't remember, there was a big thread on this a little while ago.
Sorry I've had a few drinks, eeek. But, for me personally, I am rather against SSRIs - seriously, they are not somehow 'balanced' so okay you may not be clinically depressed on them, but thats because they just numb (ie make you apathetic) you so you don't give a damn, but they don't actually make you 'happy' (whatever that is!)I wasted a year and a half on celexa being a zombie, not caring what happened to me. I had zero motivation, slept all the time, and I couldn't concentrate. Seriously I thought it was 'me' at the time, but now I realised it was the medication.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Phillipa on May 20, 2006, at 20:14:46
In reply to Re: Prozac making me Apathethic, posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 20, 2006, at 17:26:00
Boy I'm an opposite as the SSRI's activate me and make me panic . Only one that doesn't is luvox and it does nothing nothing at all. Love Phillipa
Posted by blueberry on May 21, 2006, at 15:54:07
In reply to Prozac making me Apathethic, posted by rjlockhart on May 20, 2006, at 14:46:38
Yeah, ssri's are notorious for inducing apathy. I think doctors under-recognize it or don't want to admit it.
You could reduce the dosage. You could add a small amount of desipramine to it. That would give you the noradrenaline and dopamine effect that is missing, and would partially feel like the stimulants that you miss. Since prozac will dramatically increase blood levels of desipramine, you would only need a very tiny amount.
Just an idea. I hate that apathy thing. I mean, it's better than being depressed, but still it leaves you with a lower quality of life.
Posted by BrianBoru on May 22, 2006, at 17:22:45
In reply to Prozac making me Apathethic, posted by rjlockhart on May 20, 2006, at 14:46:38
Yep, they'll do that.
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 23, 2006, at 21:33:27
In reply to Re: Prozac making me Apathethic, posted by Meri-Tuuli on May 20, 2006, at 17:26:00
I guess it depends on what you're taking it for. I take an SSRI for anxiety, and it's good. I need to be somewhat more apathetic, because when I'm not medicated I'm strung out and everything bothers me. So for me, the SSRI just brings me down to a more normal level. Perhaps an SSRI is not right for you? Maybe you don't even need meds? I'd consider you lucky if you don't need meds. Eh, there's my piece. :D
-Bonnie
Posted by Paulbwell on May 24, 2006, at 18:13:31
In reply to Prozac making me Apathethic, posted by rjlockhart on May 20, 2006, at 14:46:38
> Im not feeling any emotion, well, it blocks out emotion, like feeling your inner emotions. I just feel flat.
>
> I think its the SSRI's
>
> MattHi Ya!
Me and Prozac go back 12 years,
I'm currently on 10mgs daily, and it DOES blunt the effects of stims. The potent boost of serotonin can cause apathy-especially after long term use. Adding back some of your Dex MAY help, in the mood, motivation Dept?
Cheers dude
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