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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Walfredo on January 12, 2010, at 22:10:42
I've heard all the time there is no "magic bullet" medication. Well, Paxil CR 25 mg was damned close for me for a year or so until it pooped out. It was the 3rd or 4th SSRI I tried (and have tried more since) and nothing has come close to helping me like the Paxil did. It helped with all my symptoms (fatigue, memory, concentration, enjoyment etc) to the point where I considered myself "well". Since the poop out, I have had no luck with any medication, so I'm trying to figure out what Paxil did that none of these other SSRI's did. I've also tried Remeron (on it now for about 1.5 wks only) and Abilify (on it now in conjunction with Remeron). Specifically, what properties does Paxil have that other SSRI's do not? It "touched" something in me that none of these other drugs can or do and I feel like the answer could be important in truly understanding what's going on with me.
Thanks in advance.
Alex
Posted by Phillipa on January 12, 2010, at 22:30:49
In reply to How is Paxil different from other meds?, posted by Walfredo on January 12, 2010, at 22:10:42
I just know first ad for me with benzos at l0mg and took three months to work. Took for two years then weaned off it as felt fine. Should have never done that oh well too late now. Oh and no weight gain. Phillipa
Posted by inanimate peanut on January 13, 2010, at 15:45:55
In reply to How is Paxil different from other meds?, posted by Walfredo on January 12, 2010, at 22:10:42
I hear what you're saying and wish I could help. I had Geodon "poop out" on me after 1.5 months. It was my wonder drug for 45 days. So, you could play the little game I'm currently playing where you learn all about the neurotransmitters and their sites (all the 5HTs, Ds, etc.) and then try to figure out which ones your drug triggered (from reading medical journals, etc.). Then, you can theoretically find out that your drug specifically targeted x whereas none of the other drugs that didn't work didn't target x and that's the key. But, then you have the task of finding another drug that specifically targets x, and in which some other effect of that drug of targeting y doesn't change your brain chemistry so that targeting x isn't enough anymore..
The truth is that it's a lost cause to try to figure out why a drug worked and others don't. Scientists don't actually know exactly which sites are targeted by which drugs. If you search the journals, you can find titles like"High affinity binding of3H-paroxetine and3H-imipramine to rat neuronal membranes" but that isn't the whole story of why Paxil may have worked for you. They have some pretty good guesses in a lot of cases, but even they can't tell you exactly why Paxil works or exactly how it bonds differently than Zoloft or Lexapro in the brain. That article may give you part of the story, but in your brain the real action may have been completely different.
So I guess what I've been rambling on about is that there is no magic drug duplicator. I hope people's experiences here might offer some ideas as to what you can try (as I'm sure is one thing you were hoping for when you asked the question). But, as far as answering the questions of why Paxil worked, why it "pooped out", and whether/what anything else will work-- those are the impossible questions.
Posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2010, at 20:03:42
In reply to Re: How is Paxil different from other meds?, posted by inanimate peanut on January 13, 2010, at 15:45:55
That is such a true answer. Phillipa
Posted by meltingpot on January 20, 2010, at 10:24:09
In reply to How is Paxil different from other meds?, posted by Walfredo on January 12, 2010, at 22:10:42
Alex,
If you find something that helps, please please let me know. High dose Paxil worked for me after trying so many drugs. For two years I actually felt like I had a life. Then it stopped working in 2005 and since then I've tried augmenting it with loads of things to no avail. I've even tried switching to another SSRI that I hadn't tried before and that didn't work very well.
I'm really at a loss as to what to do next.
I must say (incase you've never tried it) Zyprexa now and again is a help, although it doesn't do what the Paxil did.
Denise
Posted by Walfredo on February 3, 2010, at 15:01:37
In reply to Re: How is Paxil different from other meds?, posted by meltingpot on January 20, 2010, at 10:24:09
Thanks for the heads up on Zyprexa, Denise. Sounds like our body chemistry's could be somewhat similar. I'll look into that drug. In the meanwhile, keep searching. I'll check back here from time to time and let you know if I have any breakthroughs.
This is the end of the thread.
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