Posted by JohnL on September 30, 1999, at 3:59:27
In reply to My old friend depression..., posted by jennyann on September 29, 1999, at 20:06:08
> I am sitting in my physicians office today crying..staring at the blood pressure cuff because I am ashamed and embarrassed that I cant stop crying. I am almost thirty and I cant even control my own anxiety, my depression. he is nice, and seems genuinely invested in helping me figure out what I can do to combat my depression, my anxiety. I want badly to beg him for something that will knock me out, make me numb, make me S L O W. I tell him I am tired. I tell him I have analyzed myself and tried to make it stop with drugs and sex and psychotherapy and excercise and meditation and poetry and shopping and food and still....it persists. It is so much work just being present right now. I am trying to decide whether to go back to the meds; I've been off paxil for 5 months, and Im terrified to go back. I am terrifeid to not go back. maybe I am just terrified. so he suggests remeron. any input? it means alot just to know you're all out there...
> JennyAnn
> (formerly Hktty)Hi there JennyAnn. Cool name. Hey, your descriptive writing illustrates very clearly a place I've been way too often. Thousands of other folks too. I'm so sorry you're feeling badly, but do realize you are nowhere near being alone.
I was on Paxil for a year. Felt better. Doc said I could try weening off. Did. Over the next 6 months that old enemy depression crept right back in like a snake in the grass. By the time I knew it I was a gonner. Taking a medication is not a character flaw, ya know. We are lucky to have treatment choices not available decades ago. Can you imagine how crazy things could get if there was no such thing as Paxil? If you were stuck with that depression with no way out at all?
It sounds wise for you to accept medication. No need to suffer any longer. Remeron has been shown in three separate clinical trials to be faster-acting and stronger than Prozac or Paxil. My experience with it wasn't as good as that, but I still use small doses of it with my Prozac for good sleep. You will sleep real well with Remeron. You know how some drug combinations work very well, but we aren't sure why? Well, Paxil+Remeron is one of them. You might discuss with your doc using both meds. The Remeron, especially if started first, will likely prevent any sexual side effects. You'll sleep great, and it'll potentiate the Paxil. It will also allow the dose of Paxil to be lower. Talk to your doc about it. Start the Remeron first, then add slow small amounts of Paxil and build up. I've tried both of these, and this is just my opinion. I think the combo would be much better than either alone. Just an idea. One of the docs in Dr Bob's Tips favors this combo a lot.
poster:JohnL
thread:12265
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/12300.html