Posted by JESSsMom on August 5, 2003, at 10:03:21
In reply to Which AD gives best energy boost?? » KRM123, posted by KimberlyDi on August 5, 2003, at 8:41:26
Hi all--what an interesting thread this is, especially for people with anxiety. We are either jumping out of our skin or, at least in my case, completely without energy. I, too, am looking for the right balance.
Maybe someone can relate: I have terrible GAD which 112.5mg of Effexor XR helps greatly with. I used to wake up in the morning in utter terror, take a Xanax and cry/pray myself to calm down. It was no way to live.
I swear, I took my first small dose of Eff back in December and woke up calm the next day. However, side effects? You bet. Played with my body temperature for two weeks and then everytime I titrated up--freezing one minute, sweating rivers the next. Also, for some strange reason I have an hour long crying spell when I titrated up. Go figure. My pdoc and I played with my dose and settled on 112.5 every morning.
Recently we tried Lexapro for the serotonin and some energy. I gave it a month. With the exception of Paxil, I had never been so tired and listless in my life.
I am desperate for motivation and energy at this point (single mom who's not keeping up with laundry, dishes, etc.). Pdoc won't give me Provigil. Caffeine doesn't help the "bone tired" feeling inside.
He gave me Prozac but I could only tolerate 5mg every other day (can you imagine such a low dose?) because it is so activating. I still have the script but stopped taking it. Not sure if I made the right decision...........
Yesterday he gave me bupropion (Wellbutrin) and I, again, can only take a 100mg tablet and break it into little pieces.
Below I am going to post a site that discusses the activation of AD's. I forget where I found it (maybe on here?). Anyway, it's quite helpful.
In the meantime, can anyone help with my question:
I am on a relatively low dose of Effexor so I am getting the norepinephrine from it, not really the serotonin for mood lifting. The Wellbutrin (a really small dose) is going to give the NE and Dopamine for energy.
Question: Should I also go back on the little bit of Prozac? I don't see where I am going to get any serotonin in the mix above.
I can't see how it would be harmful in all these small doses but could be too activating with the wellbutrin.
I just want the mood-lifting effect of serotonin.
I guess I want it all.......but.....doesn't everyone want to feel "normal?"Any ides/comments are welcome.
Anyway, here's that site I was talking about above:
If you click on the chart link you'll get a great list of certain AD's activation, etc.http://www.cfids.org/archives/2001rr/2001-rr3-article01.asp
Good luck,
JM
poster:JESSsMom
thread:248093
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030802/msgs/248230.html