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Re: Feeling absolutely hopeless (Post-SSRI experience)

Posted by bleauberry on August 2, 2011, at 18:38:00

In reply to Feeling absolutely hopeless (Post-SSRI experience), posted by freefree1133 on August 2, 2011, at 15:27:08

I know it feels permanent because I've been in your shoes. But it isn't. There is a plenty of hope.

These are just my opinions, ok? I don't think your situation will ever be resolved with the medications we currently have. I have no doubt there are a few duo-combinations that would have you feeling better. But you know that only in rare cases does that extend to a longterm horizon. Eventually we are back where we started or worse.

If to stay on the medication route, I would suggest a balanced serotonin+norepinephrine approach, along with something that is going to tweek a little bit dopamine and endorphins. That would mean something like zoloft/nortriptyline, milnacipran, milnacipran/ritalin. Be wary of anything that has a heavy role on serotonin or blocking receptors.

Diet is real important. The right foods set the stage for all other good things to happen. Any weakness in the diet area makes it a steeper uphill climb.

Spirituality is real important. I personally suggest the Bible, as in my opinion, there is no other God worthy of the worship I have. I have never seen God work large miracles in my life, but I have experienced dozens or hundreds of small miracles. Each one was a step forward in progress.

For herbs I could suggest a bunch. Some of them would include Rhodiola Rosea, Source Naturals Resveratrol the version they make from Japanese Knotweed not grapes, a trio of herbs for times you need calm and relaxed, and well, I could think of a bunch of good ones but those would be among my first choices.

I think a common mistake is to focus on herbs that specifically deal with your primary complaints. In this case the complaint is heavy anhedonia. So with our limited knowledge I immediately start thinking "dopamine' 'norepinephrine' 'endorphins'. And thus the mention of Rhodiola. But i'm also thinking of the longterm things that will strengthen the entire biology of you against all kinds of stresses and illnesses, which all by itself helps you feel better. Several herbs in mind there, but Japanese Knotweed would be a good floor to build on and does a lot all by itself.

So you got me thinking back in time. I guess it was maybe 4 years ago I was in your shoes. Since then I came to have God in my life and talk to Him daily, my diet is very clean, and a handful of herbs have been very helpful. Time itself can heal you somewhat or significantly, but the plant medicines can dramatically speed it up. Today I can claim I have a wide range of emotion I didn't have before, a purpose in life, and most of the ssri damage is not there any more. So there is hope. Prior to that, I was in the psych ward, had ECT that didn't work, threatened to kill myself, blah blah blah. No doubt, it was a bad place and it lasted a long time. It lasted until as long as it took for me to take charge of my own self rather than a doctor trying to do it, because they really don't know much more than you do and they certainly don't have the time or flexibility to research like can or to experiment like you can.

I have no doubt the prozac did some bizarre changes in the brain. I was on that med for 8 years, and 1 year of paxil before that, followed by some time on zoloft and lexapro too. So believe me, I know the whole ssri thing.

Another thing that needs to be done is to awaken the brain, get those receptors to start sparking like they used to. That means forcibly exposing yourself to situations you know are supposed to be pleasurable, but right now they sure don't feel that way. Ride a roller coaster. Go to rock concerts. If you play an instrument, play a lot or write some songs. If you used to love reading books, read them even if it is hard. The whole point here is to get those random momentary blips of actually feeling something....it WILL happen....and then keep going, because over time those random blips become more frequent until finally one day you realize you actually enjoy something you knew you should enjoy but has not been enjoyable all along. For me that was guitar performing.

Now, when you try these supposedly exciting things, or things you used to love but now it's numb, when you try to do these things you have to go into them knowing that it actually is not going to be fun and it will be a hard forced effort that feels bad. They might even just remind you of how bad you feel and make you want to withdraw even further. That's a trap. We're trying to force the brain. That means more than one or a few moments in time. That means on a regular basis....once a week, twice a week, every night, whatever....you do something to spark the brain. Whatever it is should last a couple hours at least.

After a few months you should start to see momentary random blips of being surprised because you actually felt decent for a few minutes or hours or whatever.

It is a long road. What, for me, 4 years. But in an entire lifetime, think about it, that is not much time. So, not bad.

Anyway, I do think the post-ssri bizarreness that pops up frequently enough to take notice is real, but I also strongly believe it is not permanent. For sure the rules of the game have changed though. Play to win, or, well, I guess we all have to make our decisions.


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Psycho-Babble Medication | Framed

poster:bleauberry thread:992607
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110728/msgs/992625.html