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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by janetlee on January 30, 2007, at 17:47:42
Hi all,
I know that alternative meds are the main topic on this board, but hopefully, some of you may have the sort of info I need...I've noticed that a lot of you are very scientific-oriented. Here goes me spiel: I have GAD and depression. I do believe the depression is stemming mainly from the anxiety. After being on Zoloft for 12 years, I was switched to Paxil about 5 or so months ago. I was prescribed a larger dose, from 50mg to 75mg, a week ago. If anything, the only difference I've felt is perhaps more depression. The anxiety has remained about the same. Both are very hard to deal with...so, does anyone know how long an increased dose of an AD should be tried before any effect should be noticed? Do I wait it out for 2 weeks or 3 or 4weeks? My next shrink appt. is 2/20. I've been feeling pretty down and it hasn't been pretty, to be honest. If Paxil doesn't do the trick, I expect to be tried on effexor. It was suggested to me on another site that as I had been on Zoloft, which is a SSRI as is Paxil, that I might should've been tried on an SNRI, such as effexor, since it's a different class. I've heard good things about Lexapro, but it's also a SSRI like Paxil, Zoloft...any advice or knowledge you may have to share would be extremely and gratefully welcomed. If you do, please share it in layman's terms, as I am not scientifically oriented.
Many Thanks,
janet
Posted by KayeBaby on February 2, 2007, at 0:15:57
In reply to I Hope Someone Can Help Me...Please, posted by janetlee on January 30, 2007, at 17:47:42
Wow! That is a lot of Paxil.
I took it years ago for a short while and it helped my anxiety and depression but was too fatiguing at 20mg. I later thought that if they had put me on 5-10 mg it might have been a successful med for me.
Just my experience.
If you are miserable call the Dr. 20 days is too long too wait when you feel awful especiall after 5 months on it.
Peace,
Kaye
Posted by gargoyle on March 11, 2007, at 12:07:18
In reply to I Hope Someone Can Help Me...Please, posted by janetlee on January 30, 2007, at 17:47:42
Have been on Zoloft for extended periods without relief - even dramatic downs. Not sure of paxil but if basically the same, seems unlikely to provide significant help. MAOI's helped me! I know there can be dangerous side effects and you must pay attention to your diet but I have religiously avoided red wine and blue (and other highly aged)cheeses while cheating a bit on less dangerous foods on the list and had no serious problems - headache now and then if too much chocolate. Greatest distinction I am aware of is that most newer meds focus on serotonin and some have lesser impact on norepinephrine but none have much impact on dopamine levels. I think of reuptake mechanisms as little pac-men of different colors. One color eats up (reuptakes)serotonin, another color reuptakes norepinephrine, and still another reuptakes dopamine. The meds (reuptake inhibitor types)limit the number of pac men eating up the neurotransmitters we need to help us function more "normally, consistently." Since serotitonin is the most common and most effective neurotransmitter many modern meds focus on limiting only that one neurotransmitter. In general, the MAOI's eliminate more types of "pac men" and reduce reuptake of more types of neurotransmitters present in the brain. The MOAI's seem to be out of favor because of the rare but very severe side effect that can occur if a patient ignores an extensive list of dietary restrictions. The list appears to be so extensive in order to cover every possible trigger mechanism but the primary and most likely triggers are relatively few. Modern meds are a great help to many but if they aren't doing the job for you, discuss MAOI's with your doctor - you may only need broader spectrum meds. Also, some of the newest meds are going broader spectrum but I don't know which ones. Finally, the MAOI's (older) attack MAO(A) and MAO(B) which occur naturally in different body parts - one in type primarily in the brain and one type primarily in the organs (liver, I think). Selegiline focuses primarily on the MAO in the brain and therefor presents somewhat less, though as yet not fully determined/acknowledged threat by limiting it''s impact on other organs. I'm still researching this but started on MAOI's in 1981, went off and tried almost every modern med between 1991 and 2003 with varying levels of disastrous results including suicide, and have been least messed up since returning to Parnate in 2003. Still not "well" but doing better at survival. Consider broader range meds and discuss options with your doctor. Best of luck and hang in there!!!! Something can help.
Posted by janetlee on March 11, 2007, at 15:00:46
In reply to Re: I Hope Someone Can Help Me...Please » janetlee, posted by gargoyle on March 11, 2007, at 12:07:18
> Have been on Zoloft for extended periods without relief - even dramatic downs. Not sure of paxil but if basically the same, seems unlikely to provide significant help. MAOI's helped me! I know there can be dangerous side effects and you must pay attention to your diet but I have religiously avoided red wine and blue (and other highly aged)cheeses while cheating a bit on less dangerous foods on the list and had no serious problems - headache now and then if too much chocolate. Greatest distinction I am aware of is that most newer meds focus on serotonin and some have lesser impact on norepinephrine but none have much impact on dopamine levels. I think of reuptake mechanisms as little pac-men of different colors. One color eats up (reuptakes)serotonin, another color reuptakes norepinephrine, and still another reuptakes dopamine. The meds (reuptake inhibitor types)limit the number of pac men eating up the neurotransmitters we need to help us function more "normally, consistently." Since serotitonin is the most common and most effective neurotransmitter many modern meds focus on limiting only that one neurotransmitter. In general, the MAOI's eliminate more types of "pac men" and reduce reuptake of more types of neurotransmitters present in the brain. The MOAI's seem to be out of favor because of the rare but very severe side effect that can occur if a patient ignores an extensive list of dietary restrictions. The list appears to be so extensive in order to cover every possible trigger mechanism but the primary and most likely triggers are relatively few. Modern meds are a great help to many but if they aren't doing the job for you, discuss MAOI's with your doctor - you may only need broader spectrum meds. Also, some of the newest meds are going broader spectrum but I don't know which ones. Finally, the MAOI's (older) attack MAO(A) and MAO(B) which occur naturally in different body parts - one in type primarily in the brain and one type primarily in the organs (liver, I think). Selegiline focuses primarily on the MAO in the brain and therefor presents somewhat less, though as yet not fully determined/acknowledged threat by limiting it''s impact on other organs. I'm still researching this but started on MAOI's in 1981, went off and tried almost every modern med between 1991 and 2003 with varying levels of disastrous results including suicide, and have been least messed up since returning to Parnate in 2003. Still not "well" but doing better at survival. Consider broader range meds and discuss options with your doctor. Best of luck and hang in there!!!! Something can help.
Thank you for your kind reply! The paxil does seem to be helping me now, but what you said is very good to know should the paxil or other newer meds won't do the job!
I wish you the best!
janet
This is the end of the thread.
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