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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 2:09:47
hey!
i've a history of 6 years of (unipolar) depression and during this time I've already tried almost everything that is on the market (and also off-label).
I began with PAXIL and it really worked wonders for me and relieved all the anxiety and worries associated with depression. but after 1-2 years of taking PAXIL (with a break of a half year), the continuous weight gain and the damping of feelings (romantic feelings or being sensitive) began to annoy me, so I then tried PROZAC, which wasn't appropriate for depression in terms of anxiety, and then switched to LEXAPRO, which seemed to be the optimal compromise (anxiety relieving but leaving the feelings).
anyway, I continued taking 10mg LEX, but after some time had the impression that it wasn't optimal for motivation or ambition and that it leaves one a little bit flat.
from then one I've tried each single SSRI, almost each SNRI, Wellbutrin, many dopaminergic meds and also nootropics like hydergine or piracetam.
a few times I had nearly a breakthrough, but I never got to the point that being free of anxiety and nervousness met the benefits of having motivation, energy and ambition. most drugs that are stimulating or giving energy are on the other hand prone to exercerbate anxiety or giving nervousness.
I've wondered if anybody could give me some advice or suggestions who has experienced a similar situation and succeeded in unifying the mentioned opposites..
dep82
Posted by morganpmiller on July 31, 2009, at 2:22:34
In reply to WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 2:09:47
What are you looking for? Feeling perfect all the time? Dude, some anxiety and nervousness will be there. As long as it is not bad enough that it impairs you're ability to do what you want.
Did you ever try taking Lexapro and Welbutrin at the same time?
Do you exercise, meditate, do yoga, hang with friends b*llsh*t and laugh?
How long were you on Prozac and at what dose?
Posted by Sigismund on July 31, 2009, at 2:27:38
In reply to WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 2:09:47
I've had bugger all success. If I was in the States and I had the money I'd move to Bolivia and chew coca leaf and try to work there. Currently I take
agomelatine
afobazol
Hydergine
Valium
with no success for ambition (can you hope for that?) but I do feel better.
I have also had a little success with
Trivastal (French) and
Hydergine (Swiss)Agomelatine comes from Ukraine and Afobazol is a Russian drug. Hydergine is not available here. I have zero hopes from the meds approved in the anglosphere. When I'm dying of cancer maybe they'll come to the party, but I doubt it.
Posted by emme on July 31, 2009, at 6:11:16
In reply to WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 2:09:47
The combination of a low dose of a stimulant (focalin) and a low dose of a benzo (xanax) gives me the benefits of both, with each helping with the downsides of the other.
I take them mostly as needed and have not experienced a loss of efficacy or need for escalating doses of either.
emme
Posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 8:17:22
In reply to Re: WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by morganpmiller on July 31, 2009, at 2:22:34
no, not perfect, although perfect would be really seductively...:)
no, anxiety and nervousness does not have to be there cause others have managed that too..
yes, i tried taking lex and wellbutrin at the same time. it was much better, but didn't relieve all of the nervousness and anxiety the wellbutrin caused..
i don't medidate nor do I yoga, but I am exercising sometimes.
as long as this is the medication corner, questions like mine do still fit in here..
i have taken prozac for a few months, I mean I had given it a real chance to show all of its effects... but as for anxiety it's just a fact that it's weaker than lex oder paxil..
Posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2009, at 10:40:18
In reply to Re: WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 8:17:22
Prozac escalated me from a non anxious state to panic in three days on 20mg dumped it was new at the time and went back to higher doses of xanax for three days and then on just the .25 of xanax at the time. No anxiety then and was also able to run then. Phillipa seems the ad's don't rid me of anxiety so I've come to live with it.
Posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 11:17:25
In reply to Re: WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!?? » deprime82, posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2009, at 10:40:18
yes, i've often read about combining stimulating meds with benzos, but for me this wouldn't be an option, cause I don't want to take something that's addictive after some time..
benzos are no long-term-solution.. especially the cognition-enhancing effects and the motivation you get from stimulating meds gets lost in my opinion because most benzos tendo sedate or make you slower in processing thoughts..
Posted by sam K on July 31, 2009, at 15:09:13
In reply to Re: WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 11:17:25
id try one of the adhd meds. provigil, nugivil, ritalin, adderall, dexedrine.
Posted by emme on July 31, 2009, at 15:54:58
In reply to Re: WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 11:17:25
> yes, i've often read about combining stimulating meds with benzos, but for me this wouldn't be an option, cause I don't want to take something that's addictive after some time..
Actually, I haven't developed anything resembling an addiction to focalin. I realize stimulants may pose problems for certain individuals (and you know yourself best of course), but it's not universal.
> benzos are no long-term-solution..
For some people (like me), they are. I have used xanax for years. It gives me complete flexibility, no withdrawal, etc.
> especially the cognition-enhancing effects and the motivation you get from stimulating meds gets lost in my opinion because most benzos tendo sedate or make you slower in processing thoughts..
But my point was that the alertness from the stimulant does not necessarily get counteracted by a benzo if the dose is correct. The benzo just tones down the anxiety from the stimulant.
I think it's a case of the dose making the poison. If you titrate the dose of a benzo carefully enough, you can avoid zonking yourself out.
Posted by morganpmiller on July 31, 2009, at 17:12:02
In reply to Re: WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 8:17:22
Try not to take this as me being too critical, I think you are looking for too many answers in medication/supplements.
Have you ever put a lot of energy into getting better through some form of therapy or regular exercise program?
Medications will only take you so far, the rest is up to you.
Posted by floatingbridge on July 31, 2009, at 17:18:13
In reply to WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 2:09:47
An MAO? Parnate, emsam?
good luck,
fb
Posted by morganpmiller on July 31, 2009, at 17:20:32
In reply to WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 2:09:47
Have you ever tried Ashwagandha or Bacopa?
What about Piracetam? Well you said you tried some of the nootopics but I wasn't sure if you had tried Piracetam. You may have mentioned it, I'm just forgetting.
Posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2009, at 20:29:55
In reply to Re: WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 11:17:25
Guess we're all really different as benzos gave me tons of energy enought to run a house teach and cheograph aerobics dance program, attend nursing school magna cum laude, raise three kids, divorce, then work for 14 years a a nurse. Wasn't til thyroid went South like I also did that I got too sick to work. Phillipa ps always low doses and to this day 40 years later the same except now the sedation so only medicate at night. Age is a factor now. Love Phillipa
Posted by bulldog2 on August 1, 2009, at 15:22:40
In reply to WHICH MEDS FOR AMBITION/ENERGY WITHOUT ANXIETY!??, posted by deprime82 on July 31, 2009, at 2:09:47
> hey!
>
> i've a history of 6 years of (unipolar) depression and during this time I've already tried almost everything that is on the market (and also off-label).
>
> I began with PAXIL and it really worked wonders for me and relieved all the anxiety and worries associated with depression. but after 1-2 years of taking PAXIL (with a break of a half year), the continuous weight gain and the damping of feelings (romantic feelings or being sensitive) began to annoy me, so I then tried PROZAC, which wasn't appropriate for depression in terms of anxiety, and then switched to LEXAPRO, which seemed to be the optimal compromise (anxiety relieving but leaving the feelings).
>
> anyway, I continued taking 10mg LEX, but after some time had the impression that it wasn't optimal for motivation or ambition and that it leaves one a little bit flat.
>
> from then one I've tried each single SSRI, almost each SNRI, Wellbutrin, many dopaminergic meds and also nootropics like hydergine or piracetam.
>
> a few times I had nearly a breakthrough, but I never got to the point that being free of anxiety and nervousness met the benefits of having motivation, energy and ambition. most drugs that are stimulating or giving energy are on the other hand prone to exercerbate anxiety or giving nervousness.
>
> I've wondered if anybody could give me some advice or suggestions who has experienced a similar situation and succeeded in unifying the mentioned opposites..
>
> dep82
>
>parnate or nardil + an appropriate tca
This is the end of the thread.
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