Posted by Dr. Bob on July 10, 2001, at 9:45:34
[from http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/tele/20010601/msgs/46.html]
> Hi
> I'm new to these pages and want some advice. I have what I think is called reactive depression. I've been through a few mega-traumas and upheavals in the past few years. I've coped, but if I get a bit extra on my plate, (nearly always workplace stress)
> I get a visit from the "Black Dog".
> Last year, the wading through treacle effect of the black dog got too much, so I went to see my GP. She prescribed Prozac...this gave me panic attacks and anxiety, so I changed it to Paxil after about three weeks. The Paxil was OK, but I could only tolerate half a tab, or else I got sick. It gave me headaches, but took away the depression. I found I became very foggy mentally after a while and my memory wasn't what it should have been. I came off the Paxil quickly (the withdrawal was horrendous!!!!) and managed medication free for a few months. Then stress at work and bang! the black dog came back. This time I got put on amytriptyline. This made me sleep......boy, did it make me sleep! This was lovely for a start, but I've become fed up of feeling sleepy all day, craving sugary foods and piling on the weight. Before the amytrip. I enjoyed physical activity, but my drive to do this (and diet!) has vanished.
> I went to see the Dr. today, and it was the same idiot that diagnosed my daughter as having flu, when in fact it was a virus that killed her two days later. Needless to say, my confidence in him is not
> exactly..err...great.
> I'd done some research and said I wanted to come off amitrip. and try either Reboxetine or Venlafaxine. He said that he wouldn't prescribe those and all he would give me was Lofepramine.
> I asked why and he said that the others were "too expensive" and "where did I find out about them anyway?" When i said the Internet,I got such a black look!
> I wanted to know about coming off amytriptyline and withdrawal symptoms. He wouldn't (couldn't?) tell me and said to go straight onto Lofepramine.
> I left, clutching my prescription, which I haven't had filled. I have decided to come off the amytrip. and try St. Johns Wort. I'm going to see a herbalist on Friday about this....needless to say, I'm worried whether the advice I get will be valid.
> So, HELP! Can someone tell me -
> How to come off amitrip and wot the side effects will be. I'm going to try half a pill every three days - is that OK?
> Is Lofepramine any good and will it turn me into a half asleep Zombie like amitrip?
> How long will I have to wait before starting the SJW?
> Is the SJW any good for reactive depression?
> Wot is good for this type of depression if SJW isn't, so I can go and see a (different!!!!) GP about it.
>
> Sorry about the rambling,
>
> Vixis.
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:69585
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010708/msgs/69585.html