Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 6459

Shown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas

Posted by John on May 24, 1999, at 18:33:15

I can't win against this monster dysthymia/depression. My worst symptom is inability to feel joy anymore. Lots of psychotherapy. Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa...in just small does they kill my sex life, but don't cause a ringing in my ear. Serzone, Buspar, Wellbutrin, Remeron...good for sex, but cause loud ringing in my ear. None could be tried long enough to help. TCA Pamelor REAL sedating, bad sex, some ringing, TCA Protriptyline loud ringing. So what am I supposed to do now? Lithium? Pindolol? Naltrexone? Moclobemide from Canada? Any ideas GREATLY appreciated. Thank you. John.

 

Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas

Posted by PattyG on May 24, 1999, at 19:44:33

In reply to Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas, posted by John on May 24, 1999, at 18:33:15

Wow. I sure feel for you, John. Have you ever considered Effexor? It's strange how each person reacts to the different drugs. My son has found this one to be a real help and he had also tried quite a few. Good luck.

 

Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas

Posted by Jeff on May 24, 1999, at 23:18:49

In reply to Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas, posted by John on May 24, 1999, at 18:33:15

> I can't win against this monster dysthymia/depression. My worst symptom is inability to feel joy anymore. Lots of psychotherapy. Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa...in just small does they kill my sex life, but don't cause a ringing in my ear. Serzone, Buspar, Wellbutrin, Remeron...good for sex, but cause loud ringing in my ear. None could be tried long enough to help. TCA Pamelor REAL sedating, bad sex, some ringing, TCA Protriptyline loud ringing. So what am I supposed to do now? Lithium? Pindolol? Naltrexone? Moclobemide from Canada? Any ideas GREATLY appreciated. Thank you. John.

I also get the ringing in my ears from Wellbutrin...I think its called tinnitus. Strangely I find it soothing. No sexual effects, but terrible sweating, which is making me wish I could manage without. It seems to me that sexual problems and excess sedation/apathy would be the most difficult to deal with, so maybe you could put up with the ringing? It is almost sure to get less pronounced with time. The other thing is that some of these side effects can be removed with other drugs. I've been discussing the possibility of occasional use of an anti-sweating agent with my doc. I wonder if there is an anti-ringing-in-the-ears drug? I guess the key is to be patient, you will find the answer very soon. When you do, you will be glad you stuck it out.

 

Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas

Posted by saintjames on May 25, 1999, at 1:41:35

In reply to Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas, posted by John on May 24, 1999, at 18:33:15

> I can't win against this monster dysthymia/depression. My worst symptom is inability to feel joy anymore. Lots of psychotherapy. Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa...in just small does they kill my sex life, but don't cause a ringing in my ear. Serzone, Buspar, Wellbutrin, Remeron...good for sex, but cause loud ringing in my ear. None could be tried long enough to help. TCA Pamelor REAL sedating, bad sex, some ringing, TCA Protriptyline loud ringing. So what am I supposed to do now? Lithium? Pindolol? Naltrexone? Moclobemide from Canada? Any ideas GREATLY appreciated. Thank you. John.

James here...

Have you tried a combo of AD's together, like Effexor and Remerom ?

james

 

Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas

Posted by John on May 25, 1999, at 3:00:39

In reply to Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas, posted by saintjames on May 25, 1999, at 1:41:35

> > I can't win against this monster dysthymia/depression. My worst symptom is inability to feel joy anymore. Lots of psychotherapy. Zoloft, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa...in just small does they kill my sex life, but don't cause a ringing in my ear. Serzone, Buspar, Wellbutrin, Remeron...good for sex, but cause loud ringing in my ear. None could be tried long enough to help. TCA Pamelor REAL sedating, bad sex, some ringing, TCA Protriptyline loud ringing. So what am I supposed to do now? Lithium? Pindolol? Naltrexone? Moclobemide from Canada? Any ideas GREATLY appreciated. Thank you. John.
>
> James here...
>
> Have you tried a combo of AD's together, like Effexor and Remerom ?
>
> james

Thankyou Patty, Jeff, and SaintJames for your replies so far. Comforting to hear from others. My psychiatrist has suggested Effexor, but it seems almost sure to create sex problems just like SSRIs. Yeah? Seems to me anything working on JUST serotonin doesn't create tinnitus, but does ruin my sex life. My poor patient wife. Anything working on NE causes the tinitus. Maybe Trazodone by night, Ritalin by day. Maybe a stimulant working on Dopamine would kill this apathy. And yes, I have tried combos of lots of things, but not Effexor and Remeron. There's a word for this stupid thing. Anhedonia, inability to feel joy, lack of interest in everyday activities. You wouldn't think that would be too hard to fix, but wow! Anyway, thanks for ideas and if you get more, PLEASE let me know. Docs in my state are pretty weak. Thanks. John.

 

Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas

Posted by JD on May 25, 1999, at 6:20:12

In reply to Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas, posted by John on May 25, 1999, at 3:00:39

Just a really basic question--you've tried Pamelor and protryptaline, but have you tried Tofranil (imipramine)? Aside from being something of a "reference drug", It's probably the most NE/5HT balanced of the tricyclics and might be worth a shot--I too get tinnitus from heavy NE meds (even St. John's Wort), but haven't had this with Tofranil. Of course, some people just despise tricyclics side-effects across the board, but they do tend to decrease with time. Amitryptaline (Elavil) would be another option in this class, but many people find it too sedating. For what it's worth, the two tricyclics you mention trying are among the most activating and NE-specific, I believe.
Best,
JD

 

Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas

Posted by PattyG on May 25, 1999, at 8:59:17

In reply to Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas, posted by JD on May 25, 1999, at 6:20:12

John - It's so difficult to know which drug or combination will work for which person, but I have to tell you.......my son had been on quite a few medications (well, I thought so until I came here!) and when he finally tried Effexor, he called me on the second day and said, "Mom.......I'm in a good mood." He was completely astounded - this after having battled depression all of his young life. Said he woke up, felt good and didn't immediately have thoughts of wanting to be dead. After three or so years, the effects have waned a bit and he's now being supplemented with Wellbutrin. Anyway, I wish you the same kind of luck.

 

Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas

Posted by Elizabeth on May 25, 1999, at 15:55:23

In reply to Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas, posted by John on May 24, 1999, at 18:33:15

Hi John. I'm far from one to advocate weird "alternative" things, but it seems to me that SAMe has a lot of potential.

Desipramine is a tricyclic that is very specific for norepinephrine (no sex problems), and it also has fewer side effects than the other TCAs.

Lithium is pretty cool. Low-dose (like 0.5-0.8mEq/L) lithium can be used with an AD to maximize desired effects and minimize adverse effects. It's a good AD by itself as well and is supposed to be very good for dysthymia. If you're looking towards mood stabilizers you also might consider Lamictal.

Pindolol isn't much good on its own; you start out an SSRI, MAOI, Effexor, certain tricyclics - basically any drug that increases serotonin levels - with pindolol (about 7.5mg/day, in 3 doses) and it makes the AD start working faster.

I haven't heard much good about moclobemide. I think it would be better to start one of the regular MAOIs - there're several threads that mention them.

I do think Effexor is a good idea, perhaps with pindolol; Effexor will not necessarily cause the same sexual problems as the SSRIs, or if it does they might not be as bad. It's worth trying. Use the slow-release stuff (XR).

But anyway there's lots of stuff out there. Don't give up!

 

Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas

Posted by Peter on May 25, 1999, at 15:57:19

In reply to Re: Double depression, failing everything...help/ideas, posted by PattyG on May 25, 1999, at 8:59:17

John
I totally empathize! I have a long history of dysthymia characterized by low energy and low self-esteem. I've been on many, many meds over the last 3 years and have gotten very few results. Prozac worked for a couple of years before this. I tried SAMe and it seemed to work but then I switched brands and the effect went away. Right now I'm looking for the first brand. I feel like I'm running out of options. I wish you the best of luck! Peter


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