Psycho-Babble Medication | about biological treatments | Framed
This thread | Show all | Post follow-up | Start new thread | List of forums | Search | FAQ

Re: Emotionally Flat on Paxil - is Lexapro Better?

Posted by Racer on September 18, 2004, at 11:45:45

In reply to Re: Emotionally Flat on Paxil - is Lexapro Better?????, posted by King Vultan on September 18, 2004, at 10:26:51

I experienced the same sort of emotional flattening on Paxil, but didn't on Effexor -- or, for that matter, on some of the other SSRIs. Lexapro, though, was a different story. I wasn't just emotionally flat -- I was just FLAT. Period. No interest, no energy, no nothing -- it was like being dead, just a zombie. That was, as far as I can recall, at 5mg (half a small tablet).

For relief from the emotional flattening, your choices would probably be from the more activating SSRIs or the SSNRIs like Effexor or Cymbalta, or -- if the activation isn't a problem for you -- maybe Wellbutrin. Then, of course, as King Vultan pointed out, there are the older drugs, like TCAs and MAOIs. Those are good drugs -- so far, all the ADs are about as effective from a statistical standpoint, it's the side effect profiles that are different.

My advice to you, for what it's worth, is to check on the side effects listed for the various ADs out there, make a list of the side effects you, personally, would find most and least tolerable, and then talk to your doctor about the options available within those boundaries. For example, if your blood pressure is on the higher side, some of the TCAs might be a good choice for you, or if you want a more sedating drug, Remeron might be a good choice.

Unfortunately, psychopharmacology is, by its very nature, an exercise in trial and error. If the Paxil has worked for your depression, then there's a good chance that another SSRI will also work for you, and some of the others are much less physically and emotionally sedating.

Best luck.


Share
Tweet  

Thread

 

Post a new follow-up

Your message only Include above post


Notify the administrators

They will then review this post with the posting guidelines in mind.

To contact them about something other than this post, please use this form instead.

 

Start a new thread

 
Google
dr-bob.org www
Search options and examples
[amazon] for
in

This thread | Show all | Post follow-up | Start new thread | FAQ
Psycho-Babble Medication | Framed

poster:Racer thread:392244
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040915/msgs/392316.html