Posted by Anna Laura on November 26, 2002, at 3:09:45
In reply to Help: been there done that and now what, posted by 2sense on November 25, 2002, at 13:26:17
> If there is any group of people out there that can lend both a supportive and compassionate ear and then couple it with sound intelligent insight and factual advice.... it is you all! No, I am not "buttering you up" -- I really need your help.
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> I have a good psych doc who recognizes that Effexor XR and Lexapro (at least for some of us) have sexual side effects, not to mention others, that simply aren't worth the trade off. What good is wanting to have great sex and being numb like someone gave you an epidural. The alternatives are the old set of tricycles (specifically he has mentioned Parmelor) but at least for me -- I have an extremely high sensitivity for the "supposed" low percentage side effects. I had undiagnosed Hashimoto's for nearly 4 years, well I knew it and had the antibody test results, but… The Synthroid initially was a God send literally, then three months after starting it, the carpel tunnel in hands, arms, and shoulders set in like a vengeance and I was completely crippled. I had two cortisone injections in each wrist so I could get through the holidays. I had the two hand surgeries and now I can type and play the piano, etc. All that was late '98 and early '99. I read on this web site regarding Thyroid (disorders) and depression something about T4/T3. When I see my pdoc next week, I am going to bring him the literature. The biggest issue for me, is I am not certain (and the doc isn't either) whether I am (actually clinically/chemically) depressed or just fed up with living where I live, having two belligerent teens and a precocious 6 1/2 year old and a husband with a history of untreated depression and bi-polar. Tina Turner put it best, "What's love got to do with it!?!" I adore them -- but that doesn’t mean that they aren't driving me batty. I feel like Atlas holding up the 'world'. Should someone reading this think I am whining I left out a lot of stuff since the last doc I told about the last 15 years of my life (and I don't mean issues dealing in the psychological) the guy just about cried -- this was a psychiatrist.
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> Finally they (whoever they are :-) ) admit that natural redheads need 20-22% more anesthetic (which I have know for years, as have some of my other friends and relatives -- thankfully the carrot color subsided as I got older ...) -- the point is everyone's body is different. After only three weeks, the Elavil made me totally anorgasmic. The doc was skeptical but I was okay before, wasn't during, and okay after. It wasn't psychological on my part, I'd never had a tricyclic before and it wasn't in the list of side effects, so it was like I was expecting it (i.e., self-fulling prophecy). I keep journals -- they are therapeutic and very useful, at least for me. I envy those on this board (and another Lexapro rating spot: remedeyrx.com -- Lexapro ratings -- just do a google search on Lexapo ratings -- they have ratings about all the antidepressants --it is well done also, as an aside -- number of days on it, side effects, etc.). Sorry to digress. I don't want to gain weight and Remeron will do this -- I've been through all the testing with regard to bi polar, mood disorders, the testing of the mood stabilizers (aka anti-convulsants) ... I really have tried a lot. I read with interest the Ambien discussion since I am taking that (did for a short time several years back -- insomnia has always bugged me now is again) but the stress lately -- over the N months -- well I've been taking 20mg or 15 mg ... I have experienced the amnesia and some other side effects -- I have tried Sonata and had the anorgasmic thing.
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> Any input, any advice -- I really need to get a job -- but after being out of my field 7 years AND (and it is the AND part that is the kicker) being a stay at home mom of 3 plus a hubby --- gosh even Cinderella had nights off. Anyway looking forward to hearing from you all.
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> Off the beaten path: who is the pharm- rep? A real one -- say it isn't so. Allan -- you are a guy I'd really enjoy exchanging info on the health care industry and pharmaceutical industry -- I'm not saying this to "pick on them" -- I am just one of those people other people like to talk to and talk about all sorts of things that start with, "You wouldn't believe it if I told you!" -- and then they do.
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> Since I don't want Dr. Bob to re-direct me -- I really need some input on the med situation. Thanks a lot in advance.... You’ve never let me down -- and thank you Dr. Bob (another Bob there are SO many in my life :-)) where would we be without you! In need of your TWO-sense
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I've got the same problem: sexual dysfunction that got worse with Tegretol; (another Atlas here: husband with poor temper and always unemploied) anyway, i've read that Lisuride and especially Cabergoline (Dostinex) are a god's send for sexual dysfunction; another option would be apomorphine but it can drive you noxious as hell other then causing severe hypotension. I'll see my pdoc tomorrow and see if he's willing to prescribe one of them (i don't think so, he'll probably think it's not such a big deal, the chauvinist); you can order them via e-mail though; another option would be a drug you can't talk about on this board, if you're interested mail me: acabwork@tin.it.P.S.
Important: the drugs i mentioned are dopamine-agonists: if you ever suffered from hallucinations and such, they could be dangerous for you.
poster:Anna Laura
thread:129231
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021122/msgs/129353.html