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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 Edgefield on April 25, 2003, at 11:29:31
Alright, this is my situation...I'll keep it short :)
I take Fluoxetine at night, I wake up in the morning feeling unreal...I take my Ativan which helps in taking the edge off that unreal feeling all day. Then the cycle begins again the next day.... I'm really beginning to think that SSRI is causing my derealization :(
I've tried Klonopin for several months, but the drowsiness make it difficulty for me to function during the daytime.
Is anyone taking Celexa or Anafranil for derealization and having success?
I see my pdoc on Monday, and I would like to have some suggestions to discuss with her.Thanks everyone.
God Bless
Posted by Janelle on April 25, 2003, at 12:39:49
In reply to Celexa vs Anafranil for derealization, posted by Edgefield on April 25, 2003, at 11:29:31
If by derealization (I do not fully understand that word; perhaps you could explain it), you mean feeling like things aren't real, that you're doing them from a distance, that you're not even sure you're doing them so sometimes you repeat them until it clicks in your brain that you did them (OCD type symptom), then I can tell you that I have had success (KNOCK ON WOOD) with Celexa!
I had tried Anafranil years ago (it's still considered the *gold standard* for OCD) but it was very, very sedating. However, in all fairness I did not give it a long enough trial to see if that would wear off.
Posted by Edgefield on April 25, 2003, at 17:07:56
In reply to Re: Celexa vs Anafranil for derealization » Edgefield, posted by Janelle on April 25, 2003, at 12:39:49
My derealization makes me feel like I'm still asleep. My vision is kind of blurred and I feel like I have brain fog... Have you ever jump up out of a sound sleep because you were late for an appointment? Well, do you remember that lost spacey feeling? Well that is what I deal with daily. All of this occurred when I started having panic attacks. The panic attacks are under control, but the spacey feeling is still with me.
I'm glad to hear that Celexa has helped you with your OCD. May I ask what dosage your are taking, and are you taking anything else, prescription and non-prescription?
I think that I will discuss switching to either Celexa or Anafranil with my dr. on Monday. Falconman told me that Celexa is used for derealization. I know that there has to be something that will rid me of this leftover anxiety symptom.
God Bless
> If by derealization (I do not fully understand that word; perhaps you could explain it), you mean feeling like things aren't real, that you're doing them from a distance, that you're not even sure you're doing them so sometimes you repeat them until it clicks in your brain that you did them (OCD type symptom), then I can tell you that I have had success (KNOCK ON WOOD) with Celexa!
>
>
> I had tried Anafranil years ago (it's still considered the *gold standard* for OCD) but it was very, very sedating. However, in all fairness I did not give it a long enough trial to see if that would wear off.
Posted by falconman on April 25, 2003, at 22:22:03
In reply to Re: Celexa vs Anafranil for derealization » Janelle, posted by Edgefield on April 25, 2003, at 17:07:56
Hi Edgefield,
sorry to hear the DP/DR is still effecting you on a daily basis.
Just a thought, ACE has said before that Nardil, as well as shifting his Depression and social phobia, helped his DR. To my knowledge there haven't been clinical trials using an MAOI to combat DP/DR so who knows, this could be another possible option. And don't forget Lamotrigine(lamictal) or Trileptal. They have definitely proven to be effective. I Just wanted to remind you that there are still several possible medications that could provide relief.
Good luck with your doc
Peace
Mark
Posted by lawrence S. on April 25, 2003, at 23:02:19
In reply to Re: Celexa vs Anafranil for derealization » Janelle, posted by Edgefield on April 25, 2003, at 17:07:56
Wow! You described my derealization exactly. I feel just like I'm going in and out of conciousness. Do you get little parts of dreams too?
Posted by lawrence S. on April 25, 2003, at 23:12:08
In reply to Re: Celexa vs Anafranil for derealization, posted by falconman on April 25, 2003, at 22:22:03
I began taking fish oil several months ago and can honestly say that I have almost forgotten that I had these symptoms. I took it with Ritalin for a while then swiched to Nardil to get a more powerfull AD response.
Posted by Edgefield on April 26, 2003, at 12:00:10
In reply to Derealization, Fish oil helps me with this. , posted by lawrence S. on April 25, 2003, at 23:12:08
Thanks for the info. I've been taking fish oil for a couple of weeks. How much are you taking, what brand, and how long did it take before you got rid of this unreal feeling?
God Bless
> I began taking fish oil several months ago and can honestly say that I have almost forgotten that I had these symptoms. I took it with Ritalin for a while then swiched to Nardil to get a more powerfull AD response.
Posted by Edgefield on April 26, 2003, at 12:04:00
In reply to Re: Celexa vs Anafranil for derealization, posted by lawrence S. on April 25, 2003, at 23:02:19
No, I don't get the dreams. I have hypogylcemia and this derealization feels like my blood sugar is constantly low. Except when I eat I don't feel better. I'm so glad to hear that you have found relief. God Bless You, and all of us who are recovering from this anxiety symptom.
> Wow! You described my derealization exactly. I feel just like I'm going in and out of conciousness. Do you get little parts of dreams too?
Posted by Edgefield on April 26, 2003, at 12:10:57
In reply to Re: Celexa vs Anafranil for derealization, posted by falconman on April 25, 2003, at 22:22:03
Thanks for you continuing support Falconman (Mark) :) Isn't Trileptal and Lamictal the same as Neurontin?
The Ativan is still helping, but I definitely know when it has worn off because that feeling comes back again.
I'll add the list of meds. that you suggested to my "ask the doc" list. I'm praying and believing that I will be on the right meds. after Monday. I know that it is just a matter of finding the right combo.
God Bless
> Hi Edgefield,
> sorry to hear the DP/DR is still effecting you on a daily basis.
> Just a thought, ACE has said before that Nardil, as well as shifting his Depression and social phobia, helped his DR. To my knowledge there haven't been clinical trials using an MAOI to combat DP/DR so who knows, this could be another possible option. And don't forget Lamotrigine(lamictal) or Trileptal. They have definitely proven to be effective. I Just wanted to remind you that there are still several possible medications that could provide relief.
> Good luck with your doc
> Peace
> Mark
Posted by Janelle on April 26, 2003, at 23:34:16
In reply to Re: Celexa vs Anafranil for derealization » Janelle, posted by Edgefield on April 25, 2003, at 17:07:56
Sorry it took me awhile to get back to you. YES! I am VERY familiar (unfortunately) with that "brain fog" you mentioned - used to feel it waaaaaay too much, like all the time.
To answer your exact question - I am currently taking 30 mg/day (am) of Celexa along with a cocktail of other meds that are finally being "streamlined" by my pdoc (that's his word), meaning I am weaning off slowly and gradually one at a time of some of them that are probably doing nothing but making me sedated and drag through the day.
Just be aware that if you DO switch to Anafranil, you could get quite sedated by it, but do not make the mistake I did and give up on it. I bet if you just go with it for awhile, that will wear off.
Years ago I took Amitriptyline (Elavil) and it was very sedating - the first week or so, the pdoc had me take it at night and I slept like a baby. It soon wore off, and I switched it to the morning with no problem.
Good luck, keep me/us posted on which med (Celexa or Anafranil, or perhaps something else) you and your pdoc decide on.
-Janelle
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