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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mike lynch on July 12, 2006, at 11:15:57
I've been of prozac for 40 days, and for every minute of those 40 days I felt as I should feel, and I thought I was coming back to normal, but recently I have been just feeling slowed down mentally, and just off. I went on prozac for depression and it seems as though I have gone on it again on again not for the depression but because I feel off without it, and need serotonin, it's almost like I feel my brain has stopped producing serotonin because of the chemical constantly being provided by meds.. I always feel good as I ween myself off it but that feeling just goes away. You don't know how horrible of a blow it is to my mood that I felt good for forty days straight, when it was just as I suspected, the long half life effecting me for this long. I hate, hate these meds and I was so happy that I was able to function without them, I'm not sure if that's the case anymore, I am having trouble with memory, expressing myself, speaking clearly, now I'm really at my wits end
Posted by bassman on July 12, 2006, at 12:57:11
In reply to Why is this happening, posted by mike lynch on July 12, 2006, at 11:15:57
I think it is an epidemic. Several of my friends that are on AD's decided they hate the meds (don't we all) and that they are going to try life without them. On average, it seems like a month before they say, "you know...I had to go back on-I was depressed too much OR I was snapping at people OR people told me I was acting differently". They are all sad/pissed that they needed to go back to the AD.
In answer to your question: I don't know. But it seems to be happening a lot; so you're definitely not alone...
Posted by willyee on July 12, 2006, at 12:58:14
In reply to Why is this happening, posted by mike lynch on July 12, 2006, at 11:15:57
I was just telling a friend im having a conscious issue over still posting here,one hand i wanna help anyone avoid pitfals ive been through,and help with any benifits i might have had.
Second hand i hold out still a spec of hope ill come across something that can help me here.
However lastly,im torn because like u im going from a dislike of not just a single drug,but every one,every class,every pharmacy visit is that more saddening and embarrsing for me,every post reading that more gut wrenching,i dont want to post when ive come to the full blown conclusion that i have nothing but despise for these drugs,at that point i will seek diferent avenues.
I called and told my doc,i think its my doc as i feel like its a concert trying to get to see her,anyway i told her office i am pulling at straws,obviously the concern from them wasnt too dramatic as i got a call back i think 2 days later.
Posted by kizzie on July 12, 2006, at 13:04:52
In reply to Why is this happening, posted by mike lynch on July 12, 2006, at 11:15:57
Hi mike - I am exactly the same.
Over the last five years I have tried over and over again to stop AD's. (I had no history of depression before Post Natal Depression which was treated with paxil.)
Each time I manage to withdraw ok then about 2 months later I get hit with a severe suicidal depression much worse than the original one.
Of course my diagnosis is recurrent depression - but for me it seems that my brain can no longer 'make' enough serotonin on its own.
And now Ive ended up back on clomipramine but 6 weeks in it still isnt working ...so catch 22.
Sorry I dont have the answer for you (or me) but I hope you find your solution soon.
Have you tried something like St John Wort. Sorry you probably have - but just wanted to suggest something.
Kizziex
Posted by mike lynch on July 12, 2006, at 13:13:05
In reply to Re: Why is this happening, posted by kizzie on July 12, 2006, at 13:04:52
I was thinking of trying something natural, but really I just wish I could function without the drugs. The drugs caused the problem for me, I believe if I had combated my problems other ways I would not be in this situation. Since going on meds I have felt much worse then how I felt during the time that my psych felt I had to go on them initially
Posted by Phillipa on July 12, 2006, at 21:37:49
In reply to Re: Why is this happening, posted by mike lynch on July 12, 2006, at 13:13:05
I feel the same way too. Better off the meds and then I think Oh I'm depressed and anxious and the cycle starts over. Love Phillipa
Posted by fca on July 13, 2006, at 12:45:10
In reply to Re: Why is this happening » mike lynch, posted by Phillipa on July 12, 2006, at 21:37:49
speak--I have had recurrent bouts of depression/anxiety/ocd for almost 40 years--I did not start using drugs until abut 12-15 years ago--I can assure you, for me, that I am never better than when I am taking the drugs--Every time I have gone off it has reoccured with in 2-6 months--Before taking drugs the episodes were much longer and more distressing. I may not like the side effects of the drugs (SSRIs with low dose Klonopin) but it sure is better than the twenty five years of no drugs even though the episodes were cyclical. I have also recently aggressively commited myself to CBT and that is helping. Thanks FCA
Posted by linkadge on July 13, 2006, at 18:58:56
In reply to Re: Why is this happening--Let an old man, posted by fca on July 13, 2006, at 12:45:10
I know exactly what you are talking about. The longer you take one of these drugs, the harder it is to quit.
Dr. Peter Kramer commented on the fact that some people's depression returned to a greater degree than when they started the medication. He also commented on people who were had no symptoms of depression but were being treated with SSRI's for anxiety, who subsequently developed clinical depression upon withdrawl.
Don't blame yourself, put the blame where it is appropriate.
It is really a silent epidemic right now, and doctors and psychiatrists are strongly devided.
I had symptoms during withdrawl that were very disoncerting. Things like, not being able to add.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on July 13, 2006, at 19:00:05
In reply to Re: Why is this happening--Let an old man, posted by linkadge on July 13, 2006, at 18:58:56
Alpha lipoic acid helped the withdrawl, 100mg, 2 times/day.
Linkadge
Posted by kizzie on July 14, 2006, at 5:31:51
In reply to Re: Why is this happening--Let an old man, posted by linkadge on July 13, 2006, at 18:58:56
Hi Linkage - I am exactly as Dr Kramer describes.
My original symptoms were anxiety based PND (panic attacks etc.) However in the last five years since trying to stop paxil then moving onto clomipramine I have developed severe depression symptoms - totally unlike and more severe than my original illness.
Do you know where I can read more about his work.
Thanks
Kizziex
Posted by linkadge on July 15, 2006, at 0:20:40
In reply to Re: Why is this happening--Let an old manLinkage, posted by kizzie on July 14, 2006, at 5:31:51
He was the one who wrote "Listening to Prozac", though, I'm not sure if it was in this or somewhere else that I read about some of his accounts of antidepressant withdrawls.
You could type in Dr. Peter Kramer in a search engine.
If I recall more, I'll let you know.
Linkadge
Posted by kizzie on July 15, 2006, at 7:32:57
In reply to Re: Why is this happening--Let an old manLinkage, posted by linkadge on July 15, 2006, at 0:20:40
Posted by bassman on July 15, 2006, at 7:58:31
In reply to Re: Why is this happening--Let an old manLinkage, posted by linkadge on July 15, 2006, at 0:20:40
Kramer was very positive about Prozac; at least in his book. Maybe you're thinking about Breggin, "Talking Back to Prozac"-where he makes Prozac an evil drug? Just a thought. Here's a site to start with:
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