Posted by JaneB on July 28, 2003, at 15:15:12
In reply to Re: Lexapro and dirurnal variation » JaneB, posted by Bela on July 28, 2003, at 14:33:11
> JaneB,
> My experience fits very closely to yours. When DV is a problem, I dread going to bed because of what I know I will feel like in the morning. Also, if I stay around the house, the bed is like a huge magnet sucking me in. No motivation.
>
> You made one comment which REALLY interests me. I never experiencing diurnal variation until I started taking ADs. Before ADs, I used to absolutely love the mornings. I would be interested in knowing how you took yourself off them; the few times I have tried it have resulted in horrible relapses.
> BelaI took myself off ADs by accident in a way. I got stuck in the March snowstorm, stranded in Denver airport with no access to suitcases. All meds (Lexapro) in suitcase except clonazepam. I slept fine and woke up feeling better and just never took any more. All the side effects which I was attributing to depression went away. But I kept taking clonazepam. In the past I had times when I was fed up with meds and stopped gradually but I always included the clonazepam in the decrease and had trouble. This time no trouble. So I have concluded that the pdoc who wanted to eliminate clonazepam and thought that Celexa, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, etc. would eliminate anxiety, night time terrors, etc. if I had adequate SSRI dose was mistaken. Clonazepam works. Just .5 mg. With the AD's I would have to increase the clonazepam just to counteract the anxiety produced by the SSRI. Why would a dr. want to eliminate what works and is inexpensive (clonazepam) and replace it with what does not work (SSRI)and is very expensive?
However, a major KEY has been the elimination of extreme stress. For years I was on stress overload. Are you on stress overload? I recognize I may need to go back on an AD if stress level skyrocketed again.
JaneB
PS This is a long story in a nutshell.
By the way, another thread questions the use of benzos for OCD. Since a child I have had mild OCD which includes simple counting in my mind. That's all. It is gone.
Also, I do avoid triggers for depression--rape movies, too much news about clergy abuse, etc.Also, my previous pdoc, before I moved, highly recommended the clonazepam as long term treatment and caution about AD's because they produced mild cycling. I value his opinion and overcame the stigma of benzo use.
Do you have any cycling? EX. Maybe 4 days of DV and than 4 days without? Very subtle but definite if charted. Days when you say, "Why can't I wake up every day feeling good like today?"
poster:JaneB
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/246209.html