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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 clubfitter on December 2, 2007, at 16:06:12
Im totally flat and unmotivated right now...not too mention ridiculously depressed....taking lamictal, lexapro, wellbutrin, geodon....nothing....need something to pick me up and get me moving.....TCA, SSRI, MAOI, whatever....my career is at stake here. oh, and if it could work overnite, that would be great too....i dont think im bipolar, but would do anything to be manic right now, which i think the geodon is prohibiting.....thanks
Posted by your#1fan on December 2, 2007, at 16:43:56
In reply to Most Activating/stimulative AD? HELP!, posted by clubfitter on December 2, 2007, at 16:06:12
ones not too.... Paxil...and Strattera (this one is controversal) but Paxil defiently i've heard is bad.
Maybe Prozac...., but that can be a disclaimer because i feel flat on it too. That other reason why i avoid mood stailizers, they make you feel "flat" in moods, like there is nothing to look forward too...But i do take a small dose of Zyprexa
fan
Posted by Racer on December 2, 2007, at 18:28:21
In reply to Most Activating/stimulative AD? HELP!, posted by clubfitter on December 2, 2007, at 16:06:12
> Im totally flat and unmotivated right now...not too mention ridiculously depressed....taking lamictal, lexapro, wellbutrin, geodon....nothing....need something to pick me up and get me moving.....TCA, SSRI, MAOI, whatever....my career is at stake here. oh, and if it could work overnite, that would be great too....i dont think im bipolar, but would do anything to be manic right now, which i think the geodon is prohibiting.....thanks
If you're not bipolar, what is the geodon supposed to be doing for you? Or does your doctor think you're bipolar?
As for activating ADs, Wellbutrin is the most activating I've taken, and it's known as an activating AD. Lexapro was one of the least activating SSRIs for me -- it was actually a nightmare, I felt locked inside myself, and at 10mg could barely talk. Most people don't have that reaction to it, though, so I think it's safe to ignore my experience with it. Lamictal should be pretty neutral, in terms of energy and motivation, and it works as a mild mood stabilizer for many people.
If I were advising you, I'd talk to my doctor first about discontinuing geodon, then about swapping the Lexapro for, say, Zoloft -- a more activating SSRI -- or Prozac. If that didn't work, I'd ask about Provigil, which is a good drug to help with focus and alertness, without interfering with sleep.
As for working overnight, I think it's wise to give that idea away. We sleep because our bodies need sleep. Many of us need more sleep than others, and if you can function without sleep -- well, there's a reason it's part of the diagnostic differential for bipolar.
Good luck, I hope that helps.
Posted by clubfitter on December 2, 2007, at 20:11:58
In reply to Re: Most Activating/stimulative AD? HELP! » clubfitter, posted by Racer on December 2, 2007, at 18:28:21
Im not bipolar, although i was briefly diagnosed as such. The geodon was meant to be for depression and racing thoughts. I've read it has been effective fot that purpose. But its primary purpose is to control mania and I would give anything to be manic right now. I've been skeptical of the Geodon for a while now. The problem is I'm on a pretty high dose and feel trapped. I can't afford the risk of the withdrawal making me feel worse. Lexapro has worked well for me in the past, but nothing is working right now. The Wellbutrin was particularly dissapointing as far as activation goes. Nothing at all. Thanks for your input.
Posted by Phillipa on December 2, 2007, at 22:16:20
In reply to Re: Most Activating/stimulative AD? HELP!))Racer, posted by clubfitter on December 2, 2007, at 20:11:58
Wellbutrin actually made me appear manic and ended up in the hospital. And your body needs sleep. Phillipa
Posted by kingcolon on December 3, 2007, at 0:15:24
In reply to Re: Most Activating/stimulative AD? HELP! » clubfitter, posted by Racer on December 2, 2007, at 18:28:21
I like the idea mentioned by Racer, of using Provigil. There are recent studies showing it is useful for bipolar depression, which is tough to treat. Therefore, it undoubtedly has both antidepressant and activating effects. It has been used to augment antidepressants in unipolar depression.
Here's the reference to the latest study in bipolar depression, and one on unipolar--
Frye MA A placebo-controlled evaluation of adjunctive modafinil in the treatment of bipolar depression
Am J Psychiatry. 2007 Aug;164(8):1242-9.Menza MA Modafinil augmentation of antidepressant treatment in depression. J Clin Psychiatry. 2000; 61(5):378-81
Posted by Mishal on December 3, 2007, at 0:59:25
In reply to Re: Most Activating/stimulative AD? HELP!, posted by kingcolon on December 3, 2007, at 0:15:24
> Provigil. There are recent studies showing it is useful for bipolar depression, which is tough to treat.
Hi Kingc,
Does Provigil help with manic cycle of bipolar? Or is it in the depressive stage only?
Thanks
Posted by sonic_gb on December 3, 2007, at 9:32:11
In reply to Most Activating/stimulative AD? HELP!, posted by clubfitter on December 2, 2007, at 16:06:12
I have always heard that Parnate is one of the most activating and _quickly_ activating of the AD's. I got a rapid activating response from Moclobemide but it disappeared in a matter of days.
Sonic
Posted by bleauberry on December 3, 2007, at 19:41:15
In reply to Most Activating/stimulative AD? HELP!, posted by clubfitter on December 2, 2007, at 16:06:12
Try prozac instead of lexapro. Try modafinil instead of wellbutrin.
The whole combo looks to me like something that would totally dull me out. Even wellbutrin dulls some people out, despite its reputation on paper in theory as being anti-dull.
Antipsychotics dull emotions frequently. You are on one.
Lexapro and SSRIs dull emotions for a lot of people. You are on one.
Lamictal can certainly dull emotions. You are on that.
Wellbutrin usually gets people up and going, at least those who do respond to it, but when it is overwhelmed by the other meds it probably is too weak. Wellbutrin by itself makes some people dull and blah. Like me.Prozac instead of lexapro; modafinil or adrafinil instead of wellbutrin; lower the lamictal; lower the geodon; consider the nootropic hydergine.
Posted by cloudnine on December 6, 2007, at 4:46:00
In reply to Re: Most Activating/stimulative AD? HELP!, posted by bleauberry on December 3, 2007, at 19:41:15
I've tried once Geodon and made me a zombie.It is so dulling.
Wellbutin did not activate me or dulled me.just made me more depressed.
As for SSRi and SNRI.I tried all and I will write the most activating to the least
Effexor,Prozac,Zoloft,Cymbalta,Lexapro,Luvox,Celexa,Paxil
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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