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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gloria on March 21, 2000, at 9:04:00
I have these thoughts that I might do something risky. Like I might not be able to control the bad thoughts I have in my head. I can't feel my emotions. Like sometimes I might flip out and not know right from wrong. This is totally out of character for me! I had this happen while taking Celexa and now on Effexor. Should I call my Pdoc or wait til next week when I have an appointment. I am scared to death! What if I carry out these thoughts? It has to be the meds because I never felt this way before. Please don't ask what the thoughts are, I am too embarrassed. Anyone else have this happen? Thanks Gloria
Posted by Cindy W on March 21, 2000, at 9:38:48
In reply to Need Immediate Advice!!!!!!!! Bad Thoughts!!!!!!, posted by gloria on March 21, 2000, at 9:04:00
>
> I have these thoughts that I might do something risky. Like I might not be able to control the bad thoughts I have in my head. I can't feel my emotions. Like sometimes I might flip out and not know right from wrong. This is totally out of character for me! I had this happen while taking Celexa and now on Effexor. Should I call my Pdoc or wait til next week when I have an appointment. I am scared to death! What if I carry out these thoughts? It has to be the meds because I never felt this way before. Please don't ask what the thoughts are, I am too embarrassed. Anyone else have this happen? Thanks Gloria
Gloria, I would definitely talk about these thoughts with your pdoc. It sounds like you may have OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Lots of people with OCD have "bad thoughts" (of harming someone they love, sexual fantasies they'd never carry out, etc.) which bother them but which they would never carry out. SSRI's (such as Celexa) and Effexor are used to decrease OCD; however, you may not be on the right meds, for you (since people are all different). Right now, I'm taking Effexor-XR to decrease such "bad thoughts." Hang in there, and talk to your pdoc.
Posted by AndrewB on March 21, 2000, at 9:59:28
In reply to Need Immediate Advice!!!!!!!! Bad Thoughts!!!!!!, posted by gloria on March 21, 2000, at 9:04:00
>
> I have these thoughts that I might do something risky. Like I might not be able to control the bad thoughts I have in my head. I can't feel my emotions. Like sometimes I might flip out and not know right from wrong. This is totally out of character for me! I had this happen while taking Celexa and now on Effexor. Should I call my Pdoc or wait til next week when I have an appointment. I am scared to death! What if I carry out these thoughts? It has to be the meds because I never felt this way before. Please don't ask what the thoughts are, I am too embarrassed. Anyone else have this happen? Thanks Gloria
Gloria,I had that happen once, and it was scaaary. But you will be alright. Your biggest problem is that the fear itself will cause you to creep under your own shell so to speak and you will be all alone with your crazy thoughts. Forget about being embarrassed by your thoughts. It is more important that you don't isolate yourself and you reach out for the help of others. Your writing this post shows that you care enough about yourself to reach out for help. By all means contact your Pdoc, that is what he is there for. And for that matter talk to anybody else that you know and trust. Talking to others helps keep you grounded. Keep in your mind that you will 'open up your heart to others'. This will help keep you connected to the outside world and prevent you from falling into yourself. It also helps to pray, pray for your heart to be open to the love around you. You can't put yourself or others at risk when you are in the presence of love. Remember, you are in control, not those voices or thoughts that are trying to creep into your consciousness. And since you are in control, you will make every effort to open yourself up to the caring and love of the people and the world around you.
I will say a prayer for you, asking that care and love be sent towards you.
AndrewB
Posted by AprilA. on March 21, 2000, at 10:40:45
In reply to Need Immediate Advice!!!!!!!! Bad Thoughts!!!!!!, posted by gloria on March 21, 2000, at 9:04:00
>
> I have these thoughts that I might do something risky. Like I might not be able to control the bad thoughts I have in my head. I can't feel my emotions. Like sometimes I might flip out and not know right from wrong. This is totally out of character for me! I had this happen while taking Celexa and now on Effexor. Should I call my Pdoc or wait til next week when I have an appointment. I am scared to death! What if I carry out these thoughts? It has to be the meds because I never felt this way before. Please don't ask what the thoughts are, I am too embarrassed. Anyone else have this happen? Thanks GloriaHi Gloria
I think you should call your Pdoc right now. If this has started since you started the meds there probably is a connection,right?
I would guess that you probably won't carry out these thoughts, but it sounds horrible to be tormented by them. If your Pdoc doesn't think it's the meds maybe he can at least offer some reassurance.
I did have something similiar to that happen to me once, but it was so long ago I can't remember what medicine I was on. Looking back , it seems like I was having obsessive-compulsive symptoms (one of the few disorders I've managed to escape).
I was almost overwhelmed with the impulse to say and do things that were as you say totally out of character. It stopped when I stopped the medicine and those feelings thankfully never came back. It was agonizing and since then I've always had tremendous respect for people who have to deal with OCD.So my advice is call your Pdoc. Good wishes, hope you'll let us know how this works out. AprilA.
Posted by Carolyn on March 21, 2000, at 11:50:59
In reply to Re: Need Immediate Advice!!!!!!!! Bad Thoughts!!!!!!, posted by AprilA. on March 21, 2000, at 10:40:45
I second (or third, maybe) the suggestion that you call your doctor right away. Especailly if you are afraid you may act rashly. It probably is the meds and can be easily taken care of. But don't wait!
Posted by KareB on March 21, 2000, at 15:10:39
In reply to Need Immediate Advice!!!!!!!! Bad Thoughts!!!!!!, posted by gloria on March 21, 2000, at 9:04:00
Dear Gloria,
Yes, I have felt the way you are describing, as side effects of both Prozac and Serzone, but especially Prozac. I last exactly two days on that one. I felt what I can only describe as psychotic. I couldn't feel any emotion and had the strangest sense that there were no consequenses to my actions. My thoughts were not my own and I felt weird beyond description, almost as if I were possessed. I never took another pill and was completely back to normal the next day.
Call your doctor right away. Side effects are one thing to endure but INSANITY? No thank you.
Karen
Posted by JohnL on March 22, 2000, at 1:13:51
In reply to Need Immediate Advice!!!!!!!! Bad Thoughts!!!!!!, posted by gloria on March 21, 2000, at 9:04:00
You sound like a perfect candidate for an antipsychotic, either alone or in combination with an antidepressant.
Please don't let the word antipsychotic scare you. They are good for all of these things: stabilizing mood, calming mania, relieving depression, and relieving those irrational thoughts all at the same time. Zyprexa is a wonderful choice and I think you should ask your doctor for a trial of it. I think you'll like 5mg at dinner. Any drowsiness during the next day will disappear after just a couple days. You might later go up to 10mg, but 5mg or 7.5mg is often all that's needed. Combine it with your antidepressant for a real good combination on all your symptoms.
There are conditions called psychotic depression and psychotic mania, and you might have just a slight touch of that. Me too. I know exactly how you feel. Zyprexa is a safe and reliable med, especially in the 5mg-10mg range. It will boost serotonin for the depression, has some effect on norepinephrine as well, and will reduce dopamine to eliminate those irrational thought patterns. I think you should seriously ask your doctor ASAP for a trial of Zyprexa. You'll be amazed how fast it works. JohnL
Posted by ChrisK on March 22, 2000, at 5:40:11
In reply to Re: Need Immediate Advice!!!!!!!! Bad Thoughts!!!!!!, posted by JohnL on March 22, 2000, at 1:13:51
I agree with John L. about the Zyprexa. Even when my AD started to work I still had obsessive thoughts about dying and suicide that wouldn/t go away. It was really a drag on my life because I could not get away from these thoughts. Within 2 days of starting 7.5mg of Zyprexa I felt a lot better. It has really cleared my mind of obsessive thoughts.
Chris
Posted by kate on March 22, 2000, at 8:50:15
In reply to Need Immediate Advice!!!!!!!! Bad Thoughts!!!!!!, posted by gloria on March 21, 2000, at 9:04:00
i have had these same type thoughts myself and been afraid
that i wouldn't be able to control them. i had them
when i was at my worst point during my depression.
it is not uncommomn to experience involuntary
embarrassing or frightening thoughts when one experiences
depression or a host of several other illnesses.
if you are having doubts about whether you can control
whether you act on those thoughts or not, then i would at LEAST
call your pdoc, if not make a sooner appointment.
i guess it is also a possibility that it could be
your meds. i am on effexor xr and have not experienced
this side effect of uncontrolable thoughts. but
it may be the case for you. i would definately call
your doc though. good luck.~kate
Posted by FP on March 31, 2000, at 16:56:37
In reply to Re: Need Immediate Advice!!!!!!!! Bad Thoughts!!!!!!, posted by Carolyn on March 21, 2000, at 11:50:59
I'd suggest telling someone what the "bad thoughts" are. Perhaps secrecy and shame are part of their power over you.
As your recovery continues, expect some other "surprises" along the way. That was my experience. Depression, they say, is anger turned inward; one stage of the cure seems to letting the anger turn outwards....
Just tell the truth, and hold nothing back.
All will be well
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