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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Shirley on October 1, 2000, at 18:35:40
Hi Folks,
I am a newcomer to these boards although I have been to the Tips Section many times. Before I begin, Cam W,
in looking at the posts, I found out about your daughter. I am so sorry.An introduction - Been on psych meds since 1995. Currently, I am taking zoloft, ritalin, and remeron which is for nightime sleep. Had a severe depression in 1995, which gradually inmproved but those dreaded thoughts that I'm sure alot of you have experienced only disappeared when I was finally put on Zoloft and Adderall. Have depression and ADD.
The Zoloft and Adderall worked pretty well for about a year and a half. But it seemed like the adderall was becoming less effective. My p-doc didn't want to prescribe ritalin because I was on it and prozac when I had those severe problems in 1995. As a result, he upped the adderall by a tiny bit.
Big mistake (I don't blame him) as I guess due to my body chemistry, I started getting agiation problems. Finally my p-doc was persuaded to try ritalin which worked great for a month and then the same problems.
Tried Wellbutrin but gave up on it after a few days. Went back to ritalin and had been doing pretty well except for montly agiation problems for a few days after my period started. This last month, when the problems were not as severe after my period, I thought I was home free. Wrong. Which leads to the Zoloft weight gain fun that I see alot of you are familiar with.
As long everything was working reasonbly well, I was willing to put up with the weight gain although I was not happy about it. But since I'm obviously going to be changing the ritalin, I'm willing to look at the possibility of changin zoloft.
John L, your information has been very helpful and I ended up ordering Dr. Jansen's book. I have never believed in staying with a drug that was bad news but I didn't know why I believed that until I read your posts. Thanks.
Besides the weight gain, another concern I have about Zoloft is the apathy. I had sort of accepted it but after reading everybody's posts and also remembering my experiences when I was off of it due to foot pain (I started feeling again but not depressed), I realize that I have been putting up with this side effect and no longer wish to. But since it is the best antidepressant at stopping suicide, I am wondering if I need something that is chemically similar to it. If so, what drugs would they be?
But as you say, John L., one thing at a time and right now, I have to take care of the ritalin problem before dealing with the Zoloft. Since I still have some adderall left over, I'm going to try that tomorrow to see what will happen? But that affranill that you take sure sounds interesting and is that a possibility?
I have tried dexedrine which didn't work and made my PMS alot worse. Cylert worked but only at doses that prevented me from going to sleep. Maybe Concerta is a possibility?
Sorry for all the questions but I'm just fed up with everything and want to take a more proactive approach to my situation. I see my p-doc tomorrow but am not going to say anything about the Jensen approach until I read the book. Something tells me he won't be open minded and I could be looking for someone else. But again, one step at a time.
Shirley
PS-In addition to having ADD and depression, I also have LD so please forgive any grammatical errors or misspellings.
Posted by JaneST on October 1, 2000, at 18:49:33
In reply to Newcomer to the Boards (long introduction), posted by Shirley on October 1, 2000, at 18:35:40
Shirley:
Welcome! Glad you decided to join us.
I'm curious I take 30 mgs Remeron and gained 20 pounds in about 4 months...did your weight gain start with the Zoloft or do you think Remeron? Mine seems to have leveled off but nothing I do will GET it off! Oh well, it beats being in the pits!
Hope you like it here...as you evidently already know, there is a lot of great information exchanged.
Sincerely,
Jane
Posted by Shirley on October 1, 2000, at 19:40:51
In reply to Re: Newcomer to the Boards (long introduction), posted by JaneST on October 1, 2000, at 18:49:33
Jane,
Thanks so much for the welcome.
I asked my p-doc whether it could be the remeron and he said that weight gain only occurs within the first 6 months of taking it. It makes sense because when I was on other anti-depressants along with the remeron, I didn't have a weight gain. It started a year after being on the zoloft. I give my p-doc credit, he has not shied away from the fact that weight gain can be a problem with Zoloft.
You're right, it beats being in the pits. I'm also very antidieting due to having conquered an eating disorder so being a size 8 is not a priority for me. But when I have to worry whether the clothes I bought a month ago are still going to fit, then there is a problem in my opinion.
How are you doing with the remeron other than the weight gain?
Shirley
Posted by JaneST on October 1, 2000, at 20:26:41
In reply to Re: Newcomer to the Boards (long introduction), posted by JaneST on October 1, 2000, at 18:49:33
Shirley:
Though I've been on Remeron for about 6 months now, I really don't like it...for reasons unrelated to the weight gain. I was on Nardil for 5 years and then it pooped out. Then I started on that trial and error rollercoaster so many of us are familiar with. No SSRI worked for me; nor Serzone, Effexor, Wellbutrin, and I don't remember the rest. Remeron is close but I still feel like I'm not where I know I could be.
Remeron is incredibly sedating for me. I took my 30 mgs about 30-40 minutes ago and I'm so woozy already...and the morning fog is awful...and I think I have somewhat of a short-term memory loss that I associate with it as well....
Aren't you glad you asked?! Anyway that's it from here...how are you doing with it? We did try to up it to 45 mgs but it was even more sedating. So, my next appointment I may opt to go back to Nardil...though that two week washout period terrifies me...it's so easy for me to slip back into the black pit.
Hope your week gets off to a great start. Let me know how you do.
Best,
Jane
Posted by Greg on October 2, 2000, at 7:54:44
In reply to Newcomer to the Boards (long introduction), posted by Shirley on October 1, 2000, at 18:35:40
Hi Shirley,
Welcome to Babble! Glad you're here. It's a great place with great people and I'm sure that you'll get lots of support.
A little about me. I'm Bipolar II, Manic Depressive and have Acute Anxiety. I take Tegretol, Paxil (not working), Xanax and Anbien for Insomnia. Having trouble finding the right med combo but the search continues...... There is a long list of "tried and failed" meds but I won't bore you with them. Please let me know if you have any questions.
I'm glad you're here and I hope to hear from you often!
Greg
P.S. BTW, spelling doesn't count. ;^)
> Hi Folks,
>
> I am a newcomer to these boards although I have been to the Tips Section many times. Before I begin, Cam W,
> in looking at the posts, I found out about your daughter. I am so sorry.
>
> An introduction - Been on psych meds since 1995. Currently, I am taking zoloft, ritalin, and remeron which is for nightime sleep. Had a severe depression in 1995, which gradually inmproved but those dreaded thoughts that I'm sure alot of you have experienced only disappeared when I was finally put on Zoloft and Adderall. Have depression and ADD.
>
> The Zoloft and Adderall worked pretty well for about a year and a half. But it seemed like the adderall was becoming less effective. My p-doc didn't want to prescribe ritalin because I was on it and prozac when I had those severe problems in 1995. As a result, he upped the adderall by a tiny bit.
>
> Big mistake (I don't blame him) as I guess due to my body chemistry, I started getting agiation problems. Finally my p-doc was persuaded to try ritalin which worked great for a month and then the same problems.
>
> Tried Wellbutrin but gave up on it after a few days. Went back to ritalin and had been doing pretty well except for montly agiation problems for a few days after my period started. This last month, when the problems were not as severe after my period, I thought I was home free. Wrong. Which leads to the Zoloft weight gain fun that I see alot of you are familiar with.
>
> As long everything was working reasonbly well, I was willing to put up with the weight gain although I was not happy about it. But since I'm obviously going to be changing the ritalin, I'm willing to look at the possibility of changin zoloft.
>
> John L, your information has been very helpful and I ended up ordering Dr. Jansen's book. I have never believed in staying with a drug that was bad news but I didn't know why I believed that until I read your posts. Thanks.
>
> Besides the weight gain, another concern I have about Zoloft is the apathy. I had sort of accepted it but after reading everybody's posts and also remembering my experiences when I was off of it due to foot pain (I started feeling again but not depressed), I realize that I have been putting up with this side effect and no longer wish to. But since it is the best antidepressant at stopping suicide, I am wondering if I need something that is chemically similar to it. If so, what drugs would they be?
>
> But as you say, John L., one thing at a time and right now, I have to take care of the ritalin problem before dealing with the Zoloft. Since I still have some adderall left over, I'm going to try that tomorrow to see what will happen? But that affranill that you take sure sounds interesting and is that a possibility?
>
> I have tried dexedrine which didn't work and made my PMS alot worse. Cylert worked but only at doses that prevented me from going to sleep. Maybe Concerta is a possibility?
>
> Sorry for all the questions but I'm just fed up with everything and want to take a more proactive approach to my situation. I see my p-doc tomorrow but am not going to say anything about the Jensen approach until I read the book. Something tells me he won't be open minded and I could be looking for someone else. But again, one step at a time.
>
> Shirley
>
> PS-In addition to having ADD and depression, I also have LD so please forgive any grammatical errors or misspellings.
Posted by Cam W. on October 2, 2000, at 19:08:37
In reply to Newcomer to the Boards (long introduction), posted by Shirley on October 1, 2000, at 18:35:40
> Hi Folks,
>
> I am a newcomer to these boards although I have been to the Tips Section many times. Before I begin, Cam W,
> in looking at the posts, I found out about your daughter. I am so sorry.
>
Shirley - Thank you for your condolences and welcome to the board. - Cam
Posted by Shirley on October 2, 2000, at 19:57:47
In reply to Re: Newcomer to the Boards (long introduction), posted by JaneST on October 1, 2000, at 20:26:41
Jane,
Funny you found higher doses of remeron sedating because my psychiatrist warned me that if I wanted to go up on the dose, I would find it more activating. He was right.
For me, it's been great as a sleep med when everything else I tried didn't work. Since I take 22.5 mg, I don't have the problems that you have. Can you lower the dose or does that not work?
That must have been so frustrating for the Nardil to stop working after 5 years of success. If you were to go back to it, is a washout necessary because they're different types of antidepressants?
I don't blame you for being terrified. When I stopped taking Zoloft due to foot pain, I actually did pretty well stopping cold turkey while waiting to switch to Celexa. But the Celexa was a disaster and when I went back to Zoloft, I had some rocky moments before stabalizing. Let us know if it's going to happen and we'll hold your hand all the way.
Shirley
Posted by Shirley on October 2, 2000, at 20:06:37
In reply to Re: Newcomer to the Boards (long introduction) » Shirley, posted by Greg on October 2, 2000, at 7:54:44
Greg,
Thank you for your warm welcome. Right now, all my questions have been answered but it's nice to know tha I have such a supportive board to come to when I do have them.
You mentioned that the paxil isn't working. Has your psychiatrist suggesed anything to replace it?
You sound like you're a veteran of the drug wars like I am and I'm not talking about the ones in Columbia.At one point I took ambien as one of my drugs for sleep. I despised the effect and quit taking it.
How well does Ambien and Xanax work for you regarding sleep? At one point, I was on three meds to take at night but due to some severe side effects, my psychiatrist had me only take remeron at night and it's been fine.Good luck in finding the right drug combination.
Shirley
Posted by JaneST on October 9, 2000, at 21:04:53
In reply to Re: Newcomer to the Boards (long introduction), posted by Shirley on October 2, 2000, at 19:57:47
> Jane,
>
> Funny you found higher doses of remeron sedating because my psychiatrist warned me that if I wanted to go up on the dose, I would find it more activating. He was right.Shirley:
Unfortunately that's what mine told me too but that was not the case for me...sigh.
>Can you lower the dose or does that not work?
Actually I'm playing with a little less of the dose right now and I'm feeling a little better...not such bad morning fog.> That must have been so frustrating for the Nardil to stop working after 5 years of success. If you were to go back to it, is a washout necessary because they're different types of antidepressants?
Washout is necessary and that's one of the biggest reasons my pdoc and I go back and forth...remeron did bring me out of that black pit...and know a minimum of a two-week washout is necessary, then the time it will take for the Nardil to kick in, is something I just can't afford to chance right now.
>
> I don't blame you for being terrified. I had some rocky moments before stabalizing. Let us know if it's going to happen and we'll hold your hand all the way.Thanks for the thoughts, and I'll keep you posted. Hey, this thing started out trying to help you!! :) But that's the way it works....
Best,
Jane
This is the end of the thread.
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