Posted by McPac on April 25, 2003, at 0:57:58
In reply to Re: What are the best Natural Serotonin enhancers? » McPac, posted by Ron Hill on April 23, 2003, at 2:41:41
"Hi McPac,
>>>>>>>>>>>>Hi Ron. Sometimes I'll post and then not even be around here for days/weeks at a time. Sometimes I'm gone for months so don't feel bad if you don't see a response.
I hear ya; I threw my SSRI’s away several years ago. There are a couple things that you can try. I can share with you the little I know on the subject, but Larry would know much more.
However, before I say anything, please tell me:
What is your dx?
>>>>>>>>>>>bipolar (mostly terrible depression) AND OCD (plus the usual anxiety that tags along as well)
What meds (and at what dosages) are you currently taking?
Zoloft (100 mg/day is my "best" dose but I'm trying to see if 50 will do) AND lithium (just 1 a day, very low dose) AND 7.5 mg Remeron (very low dose for insomnia)
What meds have you tried in the past and what were the primary effects each of the medications had on you?
Wow, let me think....I've been on Zoloft for 10+ years..it works for my dep/ocd but lots of side effects...the side effect I detest is it makes me VERY angry/irritable...Prozac was a NIGHTMARE for me!...same thing only WORSE (RAGE!ANGER!IRRITABILITY!)....I really believe that one reason, the MAIN reason, that I have to take the lithium is BECAUSE OF the Zoloft!!! Without the lithium I don't think I could ever manage on Zoloft...the lithium balances the rage...and I am NOT an angry/rageful/high-tempered person WITHOUT the Zoloft...YET I'm on it because 1) It works for my ocd 2) It works for my depression 3) It's HELL to get off!......I'm in a bind because I can't just choose ANY anti-dep---I HAVE to have one that will work for OCD as well and the ssri's dominate the choices for ocd...Anafranil for ocd worked but terrible side effects (terrible sedation (felt comatose), terrible sweating (you wouldn't believe how bad), totally ended all thoughts of sex (my "member" was a member of the D.O.A.C.---Dead On Arrival Club....Here is a question Ron: Remeron has been used by some to work for ocd...I tried to switch the Zoloft w/Remeron except my GP increased my Remeron from a tiny 7.5 mg to a MUCH higher 45 mg IN ONE JUMP...made my heart pound out of my chest/terrible adrenaline effect, very nervous/jumpy (but see, I was NOT angry though!) I really think the SSRI's cause this anger/rage/irrit. in me and I'm forced to counter that w/ lithium.......NOT a lot of choices (that I'm aware of due to my ocd..most AD's won't help that)...so it's a very, very frustrating dilemma!....have you heard of many folks that the SSRI's cause to have a terrible temper/anger? Is this even a little common?
About 15-20 years ago I took meds like Nardil (worked great but the diet thing scared me, I was always fearful of eating something wrong)...took imipramine way back when (can't remember if it was powerful enough for me; not sure if it worked well enough...Desyrl (years ago) was too weak and inneffective...BUT, the one thing I always say is that THOSE meds caused little, minor side effects---dry mouth, slight dizziness when standing up..minor stuff compared to the God-Awful major side effects of the SSRI's!!! Folks have been brainwashed by the MASS Marketing that tells them that the reverse is true! The 'old' AD's had trivial, minor, few s/e's....Ron, I'm thinking of possibly trying this: 1) perhaps SLOWLY increase my Remeron (could that make a difference if I increase it SLOWLY, as opposed to the BIG jump my GP did last time? I think so....AND, IMPORTANTLY, I may not even need the full 45 mg (Remeron IS very activating for most at that dose; I may try to see if perhaps 30 mg could be enough to do the job and it may not be too activating for me...that's what I've been seriously considering just recently...it would be AWESOME to get rid of the Zoloft!...so you see, I could handle the older AD's MUCH better...NO RAGE/TEMPER prob's!...(but the older ones weren't nearly as good for my ocd...though, IF I recall correctly I believe the Nardil did a pretty decent job for my ocd).How much do you exercise and at what intensity level?
Ron, Worked out at the gym tonight...I always played sports in my younger days...have weightlifted for years...lift weights very hard (my heart is PUMPING when I work out)...bench-pressed almost 400 lbs a few years back...run somewhat but not often (occassionally I'll go on a LONG run)...so mostly vigorously lift weights now (but when I'm feeling depressed/anxious I often don't work out simply because I feel too shitty).
I REALLY appreciate ANY/all thoughts that you and anybody else here can give me. I've never been too proud to take good advice from other people. I appreciate anybody's responses here. Just don't feel bad if I "disappear" a lot from this board (I'll definitely read all replies to this post though, for sure)....there are times when I've disappeared for many weeks, even many months when my schedule gets crazy....best of health to you and everyone else here Ron! I'll be looking for your reply!!!! McPac
poster:McPac
thread:221657
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030423/msgs/222221.html