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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by johnnyj on February 24, 2007, at 9:43:19
Hello everyone:
Well, I just couldn't stand the lack of sleep anymore. I started luvox at a very, very small dose (12.5 mg) two nights ago. I am not on any other meds except allegy stuff. I have had ocd/anxiety issues and for the last few months I have had these ear worms (songs that play over and over in my head). It feels as if the front of my head, frontal cortex, is just too active and the normal sleep would not come. I have been fighting it with CBT, exercise, and diet and it just would not improve. Actually, I have felt a downturn the last few weeks and a fear I was starting to get too depressed. I am having so many muscle twitches due to lack of sleep it has started to concern me. They are better today and I have had times when I slept well they totally disappeared.
I have some questions for ssri users or past users and hope you can all help me.
1. First, I am troubled by the fact that ssri's seem to decrease dopamine. Is this true? If yes, what have people done to combat this? Exercise? Foods?
2. Do all ssris have start up issues? I have felt some stomach tension and it is soooo anoying. I don't need more anxiety and BENZO's depress me too much. I was on tranzene and even at small doses it was wrecking me and totally elimanating REM sleep.
Any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you
johnnyj
Posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2007, at 11:48:20
In reply to ssri questions, posted by johnnyj on February 24, 2007, at 9:43:19
I take luvox most sedating of SSRI's at 50mg a starting dose with valium, xanax and lunesta. Weren't you thinking of an MAOI or do I have you confused? Love Phillipa
Posted by johnnyj on February 24, 2007, at 20:21:44
In reply to Re: ssri questions » johnnyj, posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2007, at 11:48:20
I am sorry as you have me confused with someone else. The anxiety was very bad for about 3 hours. I felt worse than "normal". I am better this evening but still sort of feeling strange.
Posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2007, at 23:04:23
In reply to Re: ssri questions » Phillipa, posted by johnnyj on February 24, 2007, at 20:21:44
Johnny was the anxiety tied in with the length of time from when you took the SSRI? Maybe keep track of that. Are you afraid of SSRI? Only reason I ask is I have been and probably why my anxiety has gone up so many times when starting them. Love Phillipa
Posted by laima on February 25, 2007, at 9:08:03
In reply to Re: ssri questions » Phillipa » johnnyj, posted by Phillipa on February 24, 2007, at 23:04:23
When I started prozac, once upon a time, I felt "unusual" for the first few days or week. I can't remember specifically for how long-this was a long time ago, circa 1988-89. Though it supposedly takes a few weeks to start working, for me it was a matter of days. The initial effects that I can recall showed up within about 2 days, and included greatly increased energy, loss of desire to sleep as much- because I had so much I wanted to do, better concentration, and reduced appetite. I was actually quite excited about these changes, because before prozac, I was going through unsuccessful trials of very sedating or otherwise objectionable and ineffective (for me) tricyclics. Definately, within a couple weeks though, these side effects settled down, appetite and desire to sleep came back. This med worked very well for me for a long time.
Posted by johnnyj on February 25, 2007, at 17:56:28
In reply to Re: ssri questions, posted by laima on February 25, 2007, at 9:08:03
Thank you. What do you take now? I have been off meds for about 6 months and have to go back. I pray I find something that gives me some rest. Lack of sleep is causing a lot of muscle twitches.
Posted by laima on February 25, 2007, at 20:49:46
In reply to ssri questions, posted by johnnyj on February 24, 2007, at 9:43:19
I'm using Emsam + Adderall now- it's working out well. Yes, after I stopped prozac I was off meds for a number of months, too- but found I had to go back. It's just that prozac didn't work for me for round 2. That's ok- it worked for a long time-almost a decade. Besides, my depression is the "atypical" kind, and MAOIs are known to be great for that.
Have you started prozac yet? You know ssris can interfere with sleep cycles for some people? Maybe discuss with your doctor- I only mention this because you are talking about being so tired.
Best wishes- keep us posted!
Posted by johnnyj on February 25, 2007, at 20:56:23
In reply to Re: ssri questions » johnnyj, posted by laima on February 25, 2007, at 20:49:46
Hi,
I started luvox a few days ago at sub-theraputic levels. I am med sensitive so I figured I would start slow. Had some big time spaciness this afternoon but tonight I will take 25-mg. Prozac would probably be too activating for me since I want to try and preserve my sleep so I am avoiding benzo's, at least for the time being.
The sexual side effects are scary but I a have no other choice right now. I tried CBT, exercise, and diet but nothing could get me over the hump to sleeping better. Anxiety is my biggest concern with ocd stuff too. I hope I can level out and enjoy life again. take care
johnj
Posted by laima on February 25, 2007, at 22:41:25
In reply to Re: ssri questions » laima, posted by johnnyj on February 25, 2007, at 20:56:23
Well, the most important thing, of course, is to be able to have a life worth living, right? Hang in there!
> Hi,
>
> I started luvox a few days ago at sub-theraputic levels. I am med sensitive so I figured I would start slow. Had some big time spaciness this afternoon but tonight I will take 25-mg. Prozac would probably be too activating for me since I want to try and preserve my sleep so I am avoiding benzo's, at least for the time being.
>
> The sexual side effects are scary but I a have no other choice right now. I tried CBT, exercise, and diet but nothing could get me over the hump to sleeping better. Anxiety is my biggest concern with ocd stuff too. I hope I can level out and enjoy life again. take care
>
> johnj
Posted by rina on February 26, 2007, at 23:08:57
In reply to ssri questions, posted by johnnyj on February 24, 2007, at 9:43:19
Hello all here it is, starting all over with a new pdoc and new meds. I suffer from bipolar 2, ADD and Rapid cycling. Today my pdoc started me on Topamax 25mg with my Lamictal 300mg. Cross your fingers and let's see what happens. If anyone has taken this particular cocktail, feel free to share your experience with me.
Posted by rina on February 28, 2007, at 10:49:47
In reply to Bada Boom Bada Bing..New Meds..New Pdoc, posted by rina on February 26, 2007, at 23:08:57
Good morning all,
My pdoc put me on Topamax starting at 25mg to increase weekly by 25 mg. I'm also on lamictal 200mg now. He told me to take B-12 and Omega 3 fish oil 1gram as well. What's making me eat like crazy? I thought the topamax would make me eat less or change my appetite a bit. It hasn't but I am an impatient Scorpio...it's actually only been two days...lol I also had a bad dream that someone came in my home and slaughtered my family. Is this normal for topamax?
This is the end of the thread.
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