Posted by brynb on December 28, 2012, at 15:02:06
In reply to Re: Pristiq or Viibryd anyone?? » brynb, posted by SLS on December 28, 2012, at 14:10:08
> Hmm. Did you abort the trial in the first week? I became profoundly nauseous after my very first dose. I don't remember anxiety, but that is a possible startup side effect of many SRI drugs that can disappear within the first week.I did abort the trial relatively quickly. I have a low threshold for discomfort. I'm also only 5'4 and about 110 lbs, so I feel like meds really affect me (for better or worse).
>Do you recall experiencing anxiety with Lexapro? It would have appeared briefly between days 14 and 21 of treatment.
I don't think I had anxiety with Lexapro (or, prior to it, Celexa).
> - Do you ruminate?
Yes, often if not always.
> - Do you have melancholic thoughts throughout the day, everyday?
Yes, pretty much all of the time.
> - Is morning your worst time of day?
Sometimes it is. It used to be the worst time for me; I would awake around 5-6 am with a sense of impending doom and in a panic. It's less like that now; I seem to fluctuate throughout the day. I'm extremely sensitive to the change of light to dark and vice versa, as well as daylight savings time.
> - Do you have early morning awakenings / insomnia?
I used to have horrible early morning awakenings. I've always had insomnia. My insomnia now takes on various forms (I'll sleep for two hours then be up the rest of the night, or I can't fall asleep, and the sometimes I just don't go to sleep at all).
> - Are you either agitated or profoundly slowed-down?
I am agitated often. Very often. At times, I am very lethargic--I feel like I move as slow as molasses.
> - Do you have reduced appetite?
In the past (really several years ago), I didn't eat at all due to anxiety. This is when my depression was more melancholic. I don't pay much attention to food in general--I eat to survive, and I don't eat much.
I feel like my depression has morphed into a cross between melancholic and atypical. (If I truly understand each one.)
>
> Why did you take lithium? Why did you discontinue lithium? How much were you taking?My pdoc put me on lithium to augment the AD effect of Lexapro and address the frequency and severity of my depressive episodes (about 3-5 per year varying in length and severity). In between them I'm still just so-so. The highest dose I took (of lithium) was 450, but we landed at 300. I stopped because I realized I gained about 15 pounds on it within 6 months without any dietary changes and I didn't feel I was benefiting much from it. I also became ill about a month ago--I developed a serious case of acute full-body edema and cellulitis. I'm still getting over it.
>
> I can empathize and commiserate with your thoughts and feelings regarding how your life has unfolded. 38 is still young. I can honestly say that from the perspective of a 52-year young person. It may be that your biology will be less than cooperative in achieving a pregnancy without some medical intervention. You can always adopt children. I had always wanted to have 2 biological and 1 adopted children. Apparently, it was not to be. I may yet meet someone who already has children. At this point, I really don't know what will be right for me. I still cannot help but to smile whenever I watch children operate. They are a true joy.Thank you. I agree. Like I said, I believe getting well is a combo of things (be it therapy, meds, etc.) but especially positive thinking and finding joy in life. I intend to try my hardest to do this. As a woman, naturally, biologically I worry about how much time I have left. I suppose in a way I've put my wishes and desires into the universe, and what's meant to be will be.
>
> Take things one step at a time. Gather more information. Bring in literature for your doctor to evaluate. Find out the limits of what your doctor is willing to do for you. How willing he is to utilize MAO inhibitors makes for a good litmus test. Consult with more doctors if necessary. And try, try, try to have patience with drug trials. I have a great deal of trouble with this myself.
>
> I understand how tiring it is to constantly be reciting your medical history to a new doctor. I type up my medical history and send a copy in advance to any doctor whom I am to consult with. Of course, I bring in a another copy just in case the first one gets lost or remains unread.
>
That's a great idea--thanks!!> It is actual very probable that you will find a treatment that works for you. It sounds as if there are many things that you have yet to try. Polypharmacy works. The permutations of drug combinations is virtually limitless. I doubt that you have come close to exhausting them.
Very true.
>
> It is okay to feel depressed about being so chronically and severely ill. This will pass. It is understandable that you should feel demoralized, helpless, and hopeless. However, the facts indicate that you are far from being defeated. Hope exists in the uncertainty to be found in those treatments you have yet to try and those that have yet to be discovered. Know that some of those undiscovered treatments will include the use of old drugs in new ways. I respond to prazosin (an old anthypertensive) and minocycline (an old antibiotic). These two drugs operate in the brain in ways that are unrelated to their original indications.
>
> Uncertainty. It is a fact that you cannot be certain that you are doomed. There are far too many paths that you have yet to explore.Well said =)!
> I don't have the energy to proofread this.
>
> :-)
>
> You'll get there.
>
>
> - ScottThanks again,
b
poster:brynb
thread:1033882
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20121217/msgs/1034086.html