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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by metazone on October 9, 2007, at 9:18:52
I have OCD with a strong fear of loss of brain functionality and a fear of meds. I also have panic disorder and unrelated depression. I'm a 42 y.o. 220lb male and 12 years ago used a form of Cogn Beh Therapy and Zoloft (100mg) successfully; I never felt better - mentally sharp, etc.. I then let the CBT tools go; fear of meds became dominant and I went off them. Panic returned and I've been going on/off them, increasing/decreasing the dose over a period of 5 years. I'm now on 25mg Zoloft and 1/4mg Klonopin & now experience slowed thinking, sporadic chills, needles and pins (not the kind you get from hyperventilation), sharp pains, itching, I feel less sharp & less able to formulate thoughts, less able to follow movies, sensations of speech slurring, sensations of numbness. These symptoms wax and wane; the needles and pins and sharp pains went away but then came back after I skipped a dose and felt sharper the next day (when I went back to taking the meds, the negative symptoms returned). I don't know if this is all due to a) stress/depression in my life; b) the disorder itself (psychosomatic response); c) the medications; d) the starting/stopping/starting of the medication (e.g. there's a mechanism with an HIV med where going off the med and restarting it is potentially lethal; not saying this is lethal but the start/stop/start mechanism may have negative effects on the body?). I've tried Lexapro and felt the veil and slowed thinking as well (but only stayed on it for 6 weeks at a 10mg dose). I tried Cymbalta at a low dose and didn't have the side effects but had depression; when I increased it, I had the spaceyness. I didn't allow for the an adjustment period with it and went off it. Any help here? Note: I am looking into a resonant breathing technique that's being researched for depression and panic. I'm also going to see a CBT/ERP-trained psychologist (she trained under Dr. Barlow) next week. Thanks --
Posted by Netch on October 9, 2007, at 10:31:42
In reply to Are these symptoms due to meds or the disorder?, posted by metazone on October 9, 2007, at 9:18:52
Maybe your diagnosis is incorrect.
When SSRI/NSRI don't work an option may be lamictal.
Netch
Posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2007, at 12:44:17
In reply to Re: Are these symptoms due to meds or the disorder?, posted by Netch on October 9, 2007, at 10:31:42
Seriously you sound like my twin I go up and down on meds constantly and never stick with dose long enought to see if it will work don't trust meds either but the benzos moreso. I've been told that this messes up my brain and neurotransmitters and have tried lamictal and trileptal. No mania or hypomania ever. I think it's just med fear and fear of being alone and the world. Phillipa
Posted by metazone on October 9, 2007, at 15:45:29
In reply to Re: Are these symptoms due to meds or the disorder?, posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2007, at 12:44:17
Thanks for the responses so far. I'm not aware of any studies that show long-term brain and neurotransmitter problems from SSRIs and SNRIs. There's the standard downregulation where the brain dynamically adjusts its receptors but when the meds are stopped, the receptors come back. One pharmacist told me about some observations of neural branching for SSRIs but I didn't find anything on the web on this and she said that whether or not this was benign, beneficial, or problematic was not known.
Now, on the other hand, there are various clinically-proven non-pharmacological techniques for various disorders. Dr. Lehrer (at Robert Wood Johnson, NJ) has, in small study groups, proven the effectiveness of resonant breathing techniques (that he and others are researching) for depression and panic (it takes 3 months of twice-daily 20-minute breathing exercises and has resulted, albeit in small studies, in complete remission of depression). According to the professional book, 'A Guide to Treatments That Work', CBT with ERP is as effective as meds for panic and OCD. However, the latter requires a well-trained therapist. Many SAY they do CBT with ERP but they don't. If they aren't fully aware and use Dr. Barlow's or Dr. Beck's techniques, then they do not know CBT w/ ERP.
Again, thanks --
Posted by metazone on October 9, 2007, at 15:48:31
In reply to Re: Are these symptoms due to meds or the disorder?, posted by metazone on October 9, 2007, at 15:45:29
Oops ... I made a mistake --
<< However, the latter requires a well-trained therapist.>>should read:
However, CBT with ERP requires a well-trained therapist.
This is the end of the thread.
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