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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 35. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 22:21:26
What is the worst AD youve ever taken? For me, without a doubt it was Lexapro. This has got to be the absolutely shittiest antidepressant Ive taken. It was touted as being basically "side effect free" yet it caused me the worst weight gain of about any antidepressant Ive ever taken. Remember that dipshit Lexapro salesman that used to post on here for a while before Lexapro came out? He was full of bull. It also had SEVERE sexual side effects, worse than Zoloft or Paxil or other ADs Ive taken. Finally, it made me very "flat" happy feeling...I assume because its so "clean" and has basically no effect on dopamine or norephinephrine. Basically its too selective, so it makes you what I call "flat happy" feeling. Like you are some zombie and dont give a shit about anything.
Even though I suspect there are some psychiatrists out there who like it when their patients are zombie like and "flat happy."
The second worst AD Ive ever taken was the tricyclic AD Pamelor. I didnt like the anti-cholinergic side effects. It speeded up my resting heart rate about 10 BPM. Screw that. It was too sedating, made me feel like a slug all the time. It was good for headaches and body pain though.
The third worst drug Ive ever taken was lithium, when I took lithobid during "lithium augmentation" of 300 mg Effexor XR during the summer of 1999. What a crock of shit lithium is. It made me totally flat feeling, irritable as hell and devoid of any human feeling, mood affect or any kind of feelings at all. It actually made me kinda pissy feeling. It also gave me a metallic taste in my mouth and caused the worst sexual dysfunction short of Lexapro.
The best meds Ive taken have been testosterone, MAOI Parnate, high dose Effexor XR, Wellbutrin SR and Ritalin. Remeron was good for severe insomnia. Those seemed to actually work. I think the meds that work best for severe depression are not the serotonin type meds, but the ones that work more on dopamine and norephinephrine, with serotonin too. Real selective serotonin ADs are only good for "woody allen" depression.
I think the pharmaceutical companies with their drive for selective serotonin ADs are FULL OF BUNK. They should be developing more stimulating, dopaminergic type ADs for more severe forms of depression instead.
Eric
Posted by Stavros on November 22, 2003, at 22:32:43
In reply to Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 22:21:26
Eric,
Your posts seems to be fairly forthright and agressive. I am glad that you feel better and I look forward to looking into this testosterone replacement. When on ssri's I felt like what my former girl friend would call "you cry like a women in movies" syndrom. I hated crying so easily but that is also a symptom of depression in it of itself? I agreed with her but I am also so stressed about not being able to shake my anxiety and get away from myself. Has the testosterone made you overly agressive? Thanks for the post
Posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 22:45:08
In reply to Re: Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by Stavros on November 22, 2003, at 22:32:43
> Eric,
>
> Your posts seems to be fairly forthright and agressive. I am glad that you feel better and I look forward to looking into this testosterone replacement. When on ssri's I felt like what my former girl friend would call "you cry like a women in movies" syndrom. I hated crying so easily but that is also a symptom of depression in it of itself? I agreed with her but I am also so stressed about not being able to shake my anxiety and get away from myself. Has the testosterone made you overly agressive? Thanks for the postNah, its not made me overly aggressive. "Zenclearer" probably thinks it has but I bet she just hates testosterone to begin with. Seriously its actually made me calmer, I just get disgusted with the stupidity of some of the posters on this board.
It has strong mood elevation properties and makes you more decisive/aggressive/focused in a good kind of way. It also gets rid of fear. And it has helped greatly mild residual EPS symptoms I still have from a bad seroquel experience several years ago.
I wouldnt recommend it to anyone unless youve formally been diagnosed with low testosterone and are medically supervised. It requires regular blood work, etc. to take safely.
In all honesty, offline Im less irritable (much less) on testosterone than before. It gives you pleasant thoughts and feelings, instead of all these negative thoughts is the best way to put it.
Eric
Posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 23:01:18
In reply to Re: Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by Stavros on November 22, 2003, at 22:32:43
> Eric,
>
> Your posts seems to be fairly forthright and agressive. I am glad that you feel better and I look forward to looking into this testosterone replacement.Oh I have one serious bit of advice for you. If you do look into testosterone replacement, dont do it unless youve formally been dxed with low testosterone. Dont do it just to feel "aggressive." You will probably still need a regular antidepressant too or maybe a mood stabilizer with it. DO NOT do it on your own!
Go thru your medical doctor, get the blood tests. And get FULL BATTERY blood work, where they check your pituitary gland, DHEA, LH, LSH, etc. in addition to free serum testosterone. And the time to get testosterone checked is in the morning, thats when it peaks. You want to get diagnosed whether its primary or secondary hypogonadism...IF you have hypogonadism that is. The treatment for secondary hypogonadism can be different than primary hypogonadism.
Remember, Im past 30 now, Ive tried EVERYTHING, Ive been disabled a long time and I even had a recent ECT consult. And I formally flunked the blood work. Otherwise I wouldnt be on this stuff. Testosterone is serious business and its a highly controlled substance...remember that. You dont get it prescried unless you actually have low T levels. And the gels and patches are expensive as hell too.
Eric
Posted by Stavros on November 22, 2003, at 23:23:50
In reply to Re: Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 23:01:18
Thanks for your concern i am over 30 as well and have had lots of blood work done over the years (9 plus) but don't know if testosterone is a typical of part of the blood work up? Good for you and good luck with your new life! I hope I can make it out of this hole some day!!S
> > Eric,
> >
> > Your posts seems to be fairly forthright and agressive. I am glad that you feel better and I look forward to looking into this testosterone replacement.
>
> Oh I have one serious bit of advice for you. If you do look into testosterone replacement, dont do it unless youve formally been dxed with low testosterone. Dont do it just to feel "aggressive." You will probably still need a regular antidepressant too or maybe a mood stabilizer with it. DO NOT do it on your own!
>
> Go thru your medical doctor, get the blood tests. And get FULL BATTERY blood work, where they check your pituitary gland, DHEA, LH, LSH, etc. in addition to free serum testosterone. And the time to get testosterone checked is in the morning, thats when it peaks. You want to get diagnosed whether its primary or secondary hypogonadism...IF you have hypogonadism that is. The treatment for secondary hypogonadism can be different than primary hypogonadism.
>
> Remember, Im past 30 now, Ive tried EVERYTHING, Ive been disabled a long time and I even had a recent ECT consult. And I formally flunked the blood work. Otherwise I wouldnt be on this stuff. Testosterone is serious business and its a highly controlled substance...remember that. You dont get it prescried unless you actually have low T levels. And the gels and patches are expensive as hell too.
>
> Eric
>
Posted by Mariposa on November 22, 2003, at 23:52:22
In reply to Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 22:21:26
> What is the worst AD youve ever taken? For me, without a doubt it was Lexapro. This has got to be the absolutely shittiest antidepressant Ive taken. It was touted as being basically "side effect free" yet it caused me the worst weight gain of about any antidepressant Ive ever taken. Remember that dipshit Lexapro salesman that used to post on here for a while before Lexapro came out? He was full of bull. It also had SEVERE sexual side effects, worse than Zoloft or Paxil or other ADs Ive taken. Finally, it made me very "flat" happy feeling...I assume because its so "clean" and has basically no effect on dopamine or norephinephrine. Basically its too selective, so it makes you what I call "flat happy" feeling. Like you are some zombie and dont give a shit about anything.
>
> Even though I suspect there are some psychiatrists out there who like it when their patients are zombie like and "flat happy."
>
>> Eric
>I have lost 10 lbs. on Lexapro, and it has basically *cured* my insomnia. I find it *energizing* and seem to get more accomplished these days. I do not feel like a zombie, and have felt happy and carefree like I used to in my younger days. Sexual se went away for me. Have been on Lex since Feb., currently @20mg.
Seems we are all different and what works for one does not for another. Hope you find something that works for you!
Best of luck.~~~8|8
Posted by NikkiT2 on November 23, 2003, at 6:23:00
In reply to Re: Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken? » LostBoyinNC34, posted by Mariposa on November 22, 2003, at 23:52:22
I think Paxil for me.. Was the second med I tried, before I was knowledgable on meds, and it really sent me loopy.. I was self harming like mad, suicidal attempts every week.. It was horrible..
Prozac had a similar effect on me, but that was more recently and I noticed the effect pretty quickly so came off it.
And then Effexor has to go in there.. That started my weight gain, and though it worked for a while, it pooped out, and withdrawal was HELL.. I never ever want to experience anything like that withdrawal.Nikki x
Posted by 34 male on November 23, 2003, at 7:48:50
In reply to Re: Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by NikkiT2 on November 23, 2003, at 6:23:00
PAXIL,I HATE THAT STUPID PINK PILL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by 34 male on November 23, 2003, at 7:54:04
In reply to Re: Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken? » LostBoyinNC34, posted by Mariposa on November 22, 2003, at 23:52:22
best SSRI A.D. FOR ME IS LEXAPRO, yes alittle weight gian on it 1 year now, but its cool and easy ,once again paxil is the pill from hell!while on paxil-
i put on a whopping 45 pounds WAIT and get this i was sweating excersizing every day, did not help
Posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 23, 2003, at 8:22:15
In reply to Re: Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by Stavros on November 22, 2003, at 23:23:50
>
> Thanks for your concern i am over 30 as well and have had lots of blood work done over the years (9 plus) but don't know if testosterone is a typical of part of the blood work up? Good for you and good luck with your new life! I hope I can make it out of this hole some day!!Nope, testosterone and the related tests (pituitary, LSH, LH, DHEA, PSA, etc. ) are NOT standard parts of a routine physical or even a more "aggressive" physical. Basically, unless you are an old man with osteoporosis and your doctor suspects it you have to ask for these tests. Im lucky in that I have a primary care physician who isnt lazy and he is young, only a year older than me. He will order about any hormone type test like that if I ask him to.
Another good hormone to get checked out if you are TRD (male or female) is cortisol. To rule out Cushings disease or some super high cortisol issue. My cortisol levels were just barely at the cutoff point for too high.
Eric
>
> S
>
>
> > > Eric,
> > >
> > > Your posts seems to be fairly forthright and agressive. I am glad that you feel better and I look forward to looking into this testosterone replacement.
> >
> > Oh I have one serious bit of advice for you. If you do look into testosterone replacement, dont do it unless youve formally been dxed with low testosterone. Dont do it just to feel "aggressive." You will probably still need a regular antidepressant too or maybe a mood stabilizer with it. DO NOT do it on your own!
> >
> > Go thru your medical doctor, get the blood tests. And get FULL BATTERY blood work, where they check your pituitary gland, DHEA, LH, LSH, etc. in addition to free serum testosterone. And the time to get testosterone checked is in the morning, thats when it peaks. You want to get diagnosed whether its primary or secondary hypogonadism...IF you have hypogonadism that is. The treatment for secondary hypogonadism can be different than primary hypogonadism.
> >
> > Remember, Im past 30 now, Ive tried EVERYTHING, Ive been disabled a long time and I even had a recent ECT consult. And I formally flunked the blood work. Otherwise I wouldnt be on this stuff. Testosterone is serious business and its a highly controlled substance...remember that. You dont get it prescried unless you actually have low T levels. And the gels and patches are expensive as hell too.
> >
> > Eric
> >
>
>
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 23, 2003, at 9:18:20
In reply to Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 22:21:26
Posted by karen_kay on November 23, 2003, at 9:23:50
In reply to Re: Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 23, 2003, at 8:22:15
Well, I'm Bipolar so most antidepressants make me feel like a queen :) BUT!!!! before I was diagnosed my GP tried all kinds of ADs and when they were making me manic and he wasn't catching on he put me on one.... It was horrible..... Triavil. I put on like 35 lbs. I just went to work and cried all the time. When I got off work, I just slept. Man, it was awful. I remember calling my dr from work (I'm so ashamed) and saying "This isn't working. If you don't hear from me next week it is because I killed myself. And it is your fault." The next week when I went in, they suggested I see a therapist. I wasn't fond of the idea. I found a new doctor. But, Triavil is horrible!!!
Karen
Posted by SLS on November 23, 2003, at 10:10:25
In reply to Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 22:21:26
The following drugs exacerbated my depression greatly:
moclobemide
reboxetine
protriptyline
modafinilThe following drugs exacerbated my depression moderately:
bupropion
T3
lithium
amoxapine
Everyone is different. I'm not sure than any one drug is universally the worst. I guess the ones that are considered least effective would be reboxetine, moclobemide, trazodone, and nefazodone. Yet, you will still find people for whom these are miracle drugs.
- Scott
Posted by KXo on November 23, 2003, at 12:27:43
In reply to Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 22:21:26
The worst was Wellbutrin.. too anxious, nervous, irritated!
and Remeron... zombie, feeling numbness in all the body, lots of pressure in the nose area...
Posted by loolot on November 23, 2003, at 12:46:25
In reply to Serzone (nm), posted by Larry Hoover on November 23, 2003, at 9:18:20
Posted by shadows721 on November 23, 2003, at 14:30:18
In reply to Re: Serzone-me, too, and also effexor (nm), posted by loolot on November 23, 2003, at 12:46:25
I have to agree that Serzone was the worst for me as well. I took it and with in 35 mins.; I was violently throwing. I felt like I couldn't stop. I was crying and feeling like I was out of my mind. I called the doc and he said take an antinausea medication. I did that, but still no effect. I decided to go talk to someone about my depression and on the way over to their place; I went almost BLIND. Everything looked beige color. I was on the highway going 60 mph and I could hardly see the car in front of me. I was trying to drive in a beige like fog. I thought about pulling over, but I couldn't see. I put on my flashers, so others would stay away from my car. I pulled over to a psych hospital, because I thought they could treat an adverse reaction to a medication for depression. (I was so wrong!) The nurse said they don't handle med. reactions. While she was trying to get me to sign some sort of forms, I felt and ice cold sensation go up my leg to my heart. I thought I was going into shock. I told the nurse to check my vitals. The nurse checked by pulse. It was 180!. She said, I looked extremely pale and my eyes were extremly dilated. I told her get out of my way and I called 911 for myself. I told the EMT drivers to hook me up to an EKG monitor. I checked the EKG and no arrhythmias were noted, but my heart rate was 160 resting and my chest felt ice cold. I still had trouble seeing. I told the drivers to take me to the local ER. I was treated with fluids and benadryl. I wasn't released until my heart rate came down. It took 3 hours to go to 100 beats/ min. I thought I had an allergic reaction, but it was just a serious adverse reaction.
Posted by Viridis on November 23, 2003, at 16:55:57
In reply to Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 22:21:26
Wellbutrin -- severe anxiety and various strange side effects like outbursts of anger, light sensitivity, tremors, etc. (was still just as bad after 2 months, so discontinued it).
Zoloft -- bizarre reaction with emotions all over the place; "out of control" feeling (although nothing really bad actually happened); discontinued that one fast.
Prozac -- intense anxiety at first, then "wired-yet-numb" feeling of apathy and detachment that never diminished even after 8 months, so I avoid that one too.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on November 23, 2003, at 17:02:59
In reply to Re: Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 23:01:18
Okay, first and foremost, Paxil and Luvox have got to tie for first in the "antidepressant from hell" category. The anorgasmia, apathy, physical feelings of numbness, lethargy, headaches, etc. were many times worse than they were with any other SSRI (or other AD, for that matter).
Gabitril is absolutely second on the list, though I realize it's not a typical AD. The fact that it nearly killed me and made it impossible for me to urinate the whole time I was taking it were very unattractive casualties of medicine. Enough said there, I think, lol.
Finally, Nardil was a huge disappointment, not for what it *did* do so much as for what it *didn't* do. I experienced very, very few side effects, but I also wasted six months of my life on this medicine at a very high dose (120mg) only to attain absolutely no benefit for my depression or anxiety. What a crock.
As for my favorites, at the top of the list would be Adderall XR 30mg, without a doubt. And now that I'm taking it with Levoxyl 75mcg, I'm seeing even greater improvement. Admittedly, I do still take it occasionally with sodium bicarb and/or cranberry juice to increase duration and effect.
Klonopin and Xanax XR have been absolutely wonderful for me -- and, once again, I must admit that I do take them with potentiators (usually grapefruit juice, though very occasionally cimetidine). The lack of anxiety alone is enough to eradicate most remnants of my depression which are left behind by.......
.....Prozac -- my new antidepressant saviour. After all six SSRIs, many tricyclics, and Effexor -- FINALLY an AD with no sexual or other side effects for me! It's a dream come true.
Posted by linkadge on November 23, 2003, at 17:06:11
In reply to Re: Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by Viridis on November 23, 2003, at 16:55:57
you described bad experiences with paxil, prozac, and effexor, what is working for you now ??
Linkadge
Posted by jack smith on November 23, 2003, at 17:29:08
In reply to Re: My worst and best AD experiences, posted by Ame Sans Vie on November 23, 2003, at 17:02:59
>> .....Prozac -- my new antidepressant saviour. After all six SSRIs, many tricyclics, and Effexor -- FINALLY an AD with no sexual or other side effects for me! It's a dream come true.
As was Provigil, Lexapro, Mirapex, Ultram, and probably some others I missed. I am happy you keep finding "miraculous" meds, but do you think maybe you should temper your comments just a tad before you give it a good six month go. I mean each and every one listed above was miraculous for a month or two for you, but then you inevitably ditched them. I hope, but doubt, prozac is different for you.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on November 23, 2003, at 17:52:40
In reply to Re: My worst and best AD experiences, posted by jack smith on November 23, 2003, at 17:29:08
Okay look -- I'm sick and freaking tired of coming under fire because some of you can't be happy for others' success and decide instead to let the jealousy take over. I haven't posted here in a short while because the direction this board has taken is, quite frankly, pissing me off. I posted again today in an effort to divulge some of my experience and knowledge, but apparently it's unappreciated, so bugger off.
You won't see me around here again -- I'd prefer not to correspond with such a pathetic, miserable bunch.
Posted by Mariposa on November 23, 2003, at 21:31:19
In reply to Re: My worst and best AD experiences » jack smith, posted by Ame Sans Vie on November 23, 2003, at 17:52:40
> Okay look -- I'm sick and freaking tired of coming under fire because some of you can't be happy for others' success and decide instead to let the jealousy take over. I haven't posted here in a short while because the direction this board has taken is, quite frankly, pissing me off. I posted again today in an effort to divulge some of my experience and knowledge, but apparently it's unappreciated, so bugger off.
>
> You won't see me around here again -- I'd prefer not to correspond with such a pathetic, miserable bunch.Not fair to lump us all in w/jack smith!!! Many of us honestly try to help each other, and are supportive of each other. I hope you read this, I miss reading your posts!~~~8|8
Posted by wsj on November 23, 2003, at 22:20:37
In reply to Whats the worst antidepressant youve taken?, posted by LostBoyinNC34 on November 22, 2003, at 22:21:26
1 - paxil
2 - celexa
3 - zoloft
4 - lexapro
5 - strattera
6 - wellbutrin
7 - effexor
8 - remeron
Posted by ace on November 23, 2003, at 22:42:05
In reply to Re: My worst and best AD experiences, posted by jack smith on November 23, 2003, at 17:29:08
Good to see you back -- where have you been!?
Ace.
Posted by ace on November 23, 2003, at 22:42:52
In reply to Re: My worst and best AD experiences, posted by jack smith on November 23, 2003, at 17:29:08
Good to see you back -- where have you been!?
Ace.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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