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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 Francesco on June 18, 2003, at 15:19:47
I'm 27 and I'am actually on Celexa (40 mg). I am sleepy all day and I dont'experience pleausure anymore. To be honest I dont't even experience anxiety or depression, so the point is that I don't actually experience anything. My main problem when I started to take ADs, ten years ago, was that I had difficuly in concentrating on study and my med said was OCD. So I took Anafranil for many years, which really helped with my problem (I actually took a degree in philosophy) but messed up my the rest of my life (weight gain, social anxiety which I had never had before, apathy and so on). When I stopped Anafranil I began again to live, enjoyng myself and the people I stayed with, being attractive for the other sex, and having will to have sex too. But my concentration problems returned (now I'm taking a PHD and therefore I should have to study again). So I decided myself to try first Paxil which unfortunately drove me really aggressive, obsessively jeaulos and paranoid (despite my 'normal me' is a quite calm person, even if neurotic). Finally I turned to Celexa after a short period of 'normal' life, having normal ups and downs, non-chemical emotions I mean, but not being able to study.
My question is: is there anyone who is on ADs and feels to be happy, or almost normal, being on them ? Reading hundreds of your posts I could hardly find one or two. So the point is: are ADs a complete swindle or is there really someone who experienced the 'cure' effect ? I don't want to be provocatory, just understand.
Sorry for mistakes, I'm Italian and good look to everyone.
Posted by Sabina on June 18, 2003, at 16:35:19
In reply to Is there anyone who had benefits from AD ? , posted by Francesco on June 18, 2003, at 15:19:47
I had an extreme reaction to Paxil much like the one you described. I'm now (patiently?) awaiting benefits from Lexapro. I applaud your high level of functionality, as taking an advanced degree is quite difficult for most anyone. Despite my current issues with unpleasant side effects, I would not support the notion that AD's are a "swindle" of any kind. I know that many people here have had good results on them. I feel the trick is in finding the right medication or combination of medications and dosages to suit you personally. I would like to add that I do feel somewhat guilty for being so negative about them in my own previous posts. I think that many of us are struggling to find the right drug or combination ourselves and through the unpleasant parts of that process we let our negative emotions show through. Please don't be discouraged. I know that (for me) reading even the negative posts reminds me that I'm not alone in this process and I do hope we all find the balance we need in our lives with help from these medications. Good luck to you.
Posted by Francesco on June 18, 2003, at 17:10:41
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who had benefits from AD ? , posted by Sabina on June 18, 2003, at 16:35:19
Hi Sabina and everyone. I dont't wanna be negative but just trying to be objective. Many times I have gone to my doc to complain about side-effects and so on, but he managed to persuade me that I stayed better than before(even I didn't tkink so). So I think the risk is, at least for what concerns me, not so much being negative rather being positive at any cost and despite reality. Of course my purpose is not depressing myself but trying to undestard if I could stay better wihout meds at all.I think that if meds work they'll work despite our attitudes toward them because they're supposed to have also non-placebo effects. I'm very glad to know there is someone who has found the good mixture and hope to be able to 'talk' to them here. Glad too to know ('glad' as to say ;-) that I wasn't the only one who experienced those strange averse-reactions on Paxil ... I will tell it to the girl I persecuted during the Paxil-period ;-)Sabina, what are you on at the moment ? Bye and good Xanax night to everyone : )
Posted by Francesco on June 18, 2003, at 17:27:14
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who had benefits from AD ? , posted by Francesco on June 18, 2003, at 17:10:41
Sorry for the dumb question: you told you are on Lexapro. new questions: side effects ? effects ? differences with Celexa ? (if you have tried both). Bye :)
Posted by btnd on June 18, 2003, at 20:00:46
In reply to Is there anyone who had benefits from AD ? , posted by Francesco on June 18, 2003, at 15:19:47
I did. I consider Klonopin as my AD, because my depression was due to extreme social anxiety and pretty intense general anxiety. The Klonopin works wonders for me.
Wish you good luck.
Posted by Viridis on June 18, 2003, at 23:59:56
In reply to Is there anyone who had benefits from AD ? , posted by Francesco on June 18, 2003, at 15:19:47
ADs work well for many people -- I've seen lots of very positive reactions in friends using ADs like Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, Celexa, Wellbutrin etc. But of course, most of those people don't post on boards like this -- they get a prescription from their doctor, their depression improves, and they get on with their lives. This board is skewed towards people who don't respond well to the "standard" meds and are looking for alternatives. There seem to be a lot of us out there!
I can't tolerate SSRIs at all -- even at very low doses, they induce rapid mood cycling, anxiety, various physical side effects, etc. Most I've quit fairly quickly; I took Prozac for a long time and got somewhat used to it, but even after many months at various doses, I was "wired" and almost completely emotionless at the same time. Wellbutrin was a disaster for me, and I tried it for two months without any reduction in side effects.
However, like btnd, I finally found a pdoc who prescribed Klonopin (clonazepam). It dramatically decreased my anxiety and anxiety-induced depression, and I too consider it my "primary" AD. I also use Xanax (alprazolam) here and there, and it's a big help. I also have ADD, and use Adderall at low doses, which helps as an antidepressant too (Provigil = modafinil also improved my mood, but didn't help as much with concentration). And, I just started Strattera (atomoxetine); it's too early to tell, but it seems to be making me feel calmer and happier as well.
So many doctors are focused on the newer ADs, and they really do work for a lot of people. But they don't work for everyone, and if that's the case for you, then it's crucial to find an open-minded psychiatrist whom you can trust, who is willing to try different approaches and combinations. With all the meds available, it's unfortunate that so many doctors stick to the mainstream, heavily promoted, still-under-patent drugs, but I guess that's not really surprising.
This board is very helpful for self-education; I've often suggested meds I've read about here to my pdoc, or expressed reservations about certain ones based on experiences reported here. He really listens, and says he appreciates the fact that I have some knowledge of the meds we're trying. Not all doctors are that way, but it's well worth searching to find one who is.
Posted by cubbybear on June 19, 2003, at 2:12:57
In reply to Is there anyone who had benefits from AD ? , posted by Francesco on June 18, 2003, at 15:19:47
I'm very much in agreement in principle with Sabina and Viridis' posts. There are many viable ADs out there and the trick is to find the one that works for you at the optimal dose. Everone reacts differently to every AD. It can be a very time-consuming, exasperating, and discouraging trip through a black hole. But in time, you'll find the AD that works for you. I happen to be one of the minority who has benefited from an MAOI--Parnate--for many years. I don't believe it is as suitable for social phobia as other ADs, but what I'm saying is that there ARE meds out there that work; they can be lifesavers when you're going off the deep end. So with the help of a good doctor, you'll eventually find the right AD or combination of meds that will be suitable. Have faith!
Posted by cubbybear on June 19, 2003, at 2:15:46
In reply to Is there anyone who had benefits from AD ? , posted by Francesco on June 18, 2003, at 15:19:47
Sorry for the mistake in my post. I meant to say OCD, not social phobia.
Posted by Viridis on June 19, 2003, at 3:04:26
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who had benefits from AD ? » Francesco , posted by cubbybear on June 19, 2003, at 2:12:57
I agree completely with Cubbybear -- there are so many meds available now that it's almost certain that you'll find the right one, or combination, if you just persevere and get a good pdoc.
CB -- I hope you're doing well!
Posted by Francesco on June 19, 2003, at 6:46:30
In reply to Re: Is there anyone who had benefits from AD ? » » cubbybear, posted by Viridis on June 19, 2003, at 3:04:26
Thanks to everyone for having given me hope. If I won't find the right med I'll try a different doc. Anyway today I feel better. I think that even the simple talking about meds make feel us better and more confident in what we're doing.So my new questions are:is there anyone who had good responses with Celexa ? (or SSRIs in general ?) do you think that drinking some alcohol over it can make a real difference ? and last but not least (I would rather say "lust" but not least):
I don't have the usual problems of decreased libido but ... quite the opposite ! (last Sunday I have read your posts and I decided to test if I had that kind of problems ... ok, 5 in ten hours, if you pardon me to be so frank). Really strange isn't it ?
This is the end of the thread.
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