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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 froyo on October 15, 2012, at 20:19:38
hi,
I was recently put on citalopram (generic celexa) for what I initially thought was anxiety, but was convinced by my counselor and general practitioner that it was probably more like depression (starting end of this past august). At first I started with 10, then 20, and now I'm on 40mg. I was also put on propranolol (20, then 40mg) for 'on-demand' anxiety control (specifically for performance anxiety)
I am a student actor and I recently had auditions and callbacks for a show and I was fine at the auditions (after popping a propranolol), but at the callbacks, I was so emotionally numb it was ridiculous. Even after not getting cast, when I should be feeling some sort of sadness or at least bummed-out-edness, I feel very detached and numb.
Does anyone else feel this way on SSRIs like citalopram?
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 15, 2012, at 22:20:58
In reply to emotionally numb on citalopram, posted by froyo on October 15, 2012, at 20:19:38
Not that uncommon on SSRI's - it might be worth asking if you can try nortriptyline (say 75mg at night initialy, have a blood test after 4 weeks to see if your blood levels are right)
This will help depression and anxiety, and shouldnt result in emotional numbing
Posted by bennybenzo on October 16, 2012, at 4:46:25
In reply to Re: emotionally numb on citalopram, posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 15, 2012, at 22:20:58
You are given an SSRI , to numb the bad guy in so many ways, IMOTIONAL NUMB has a lot going for it , never to sad or two happy. Free from imotions that have been crippleing you for years. Some gladly settle for that some like you dont .
Your makeing the monster dormant, ssssssshhhh dont wake him.
Posted by froyo on October 16, 2012, at 20:37:25
In reply to Re: emotionally numb on citalopram, posted by bennybenzo on October 16, 2012, at 4:46:25
I'm still kind of bummed about my effed up callback, but I saw my doctor today and I got switched to 150mg of welbutrin (buproprion).
I'm hoping this will do the trick.
I haven't had any issues about my emotions being too too out of whack, but mostly about my lack of motivation for things
Posted by bennybenzo on October 17, 2012, at 4:06:55
In reply to Re: emotionally numb on citalopram, posted by froyo on October 16, 2012, at 20:37:25
I live in england an welbutrin is banned , im wish i had the chance to try it.
Posted by phidippus on October 19, 2012, at 20:59:11
In reply to emotionally numb on citalopram, posted by froyo on October 15, 2012, at 20:19:38
I felt that way after an extended stay on Luvox. I was taking 300 mg and felt very flat. I had a hard time going to school.
Eric
Posted by AlexCanada on October 19, 2012, at 22:26:59
In reply to emotionally numb on citalopram, posted by froyo on October 15, 2012, at 20:19:38
SSRIs have a strong reputation for doing this. That is one way that they fight atypical depression. SSRIs are selectively useful depending on the type of depression you have.
For my melancholic depression (low cognition, poor interest, poor drive and motivation) SSRIs generally make me feel extremely numbed out. As if everyone around me could die and I would not be able to shed a tear. I felt very inhuman on Zoloft. Paxil many years ago helped me but I did have some emotional numbing though not anywhere near as strong as the zoloft effect. Though these meds will effect us differently regardless.
Posted by froyo on October 28, 2012, at 22:10:09
In reply to Re: emotionally numb on citalopram » froyo, posted by AlexCanada on October 19, 2012, at 22:26:59
ahhh this just makes me pissed because who gives an actor an AD that is well known to make people who take it numb? It really screwed me over for the auditions for the spring productions (which were conveniently when I found out how numb I actually was).
On another note, I'm taking wellbutrin now (have only been on it for about 2 weeks (still have plenty in the pill bottle). Are people known to get numb on that?
(so far I'm definitely not numb, although I'm curious if I'm much affected by the wellbutrin at all, except for the 1 drink from sober to drunk...)
Posted by phidippus on October 28, 2012, at 22:43:27
In reply to will i get numb on wellbutrin??, posted by froyo on October 28, 2012, at 22:10:09
My brother has been on Wellbutrin for years. He's never had 'numb' feelings.
Wellbutrin increases norepenephrine and dopamine in the brain unlike regular antidepressants that just increase serotonin. Its the increase in serotonin which can sometimes cause that 'numb' feeling.
Eric
Posted by alchemy on October 29, 2012, at 18:30:04
In reply to will i get numb on wellbutrin??, posted by froyo on October 28, 2012, at 22:10:09
> On another note, I'm taking wellbutrin now (have only been on it for about 2 weeks (still have plenty in the pill bottle). Are people known to get numb on that?
In general, Wellbutrin does not make people reel numb. It may actually do the opposite.
This is the end of the thread.
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