SSRIs

Question:

effexor worked better for me than anything else I’ve tried. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just got effexor xr today I have depression and anxiety. Does anyone > take this and how is working out . Helping, side affects and so on. > Thank you for any info.

Response:

> I started effexor about a week and a half ago – 75 mlg (is that right? — well > 75 somethings)  I’m feeling some improvement – but Don’t seem to sleep very

Some BrooksObservations I started effexor XR about 4-5 years ago, and it helped me out the longest (maybe not the best, but it didn’t poop out like SSRIs did). Then I moved out of state about 2.5 years ago, ran out of it, and didn’t notice any side effects, and I was probably less depressed than ever. Then the ‘ol depression started creeping up on me about 6 mos ago, so I went back on effexor (non-XR) which made me very nausous (sp?), but I guess it helped with the black-hole depression. I switched p-docs due to an insurance change with my employer, and he got me back on the good ‘ol XR version. It doesn’t make me 100%, but certainly keeps me from going too far down. THIS round, however, I notice SEVERE effects if I miss a dose or two. Feels like lightning in every vein and artery in my body, I get all amped up like I’m on a mega-dose of ritalin or d-amphetamine, start getting psychotic symptoms.. Wierd. What’s especially wierd, is that I get all amped up – you’d think if the NE-reuptake-blockage was wearing off, that I would get tired, but instead I get wired. ? I don’t know what has changed in my wee brain that allowed me to stray from my doses 3-4 years ago with no problems, but now can’t miss a single one without starting to get agitated. Ahhh, yeah. I don’t know if that answered any of your questions, but it might help you or someone else anyway. FWIW, I’m taking a single 150mg XR capsule in the am. Brooks

Response:

I found effexor to be very flattening.  I didn’t want to do anything.   I just got effexor xr today I have depression and anxiety. Does anyone   take this and how is working out . Helping, side affects and so on.   Thank you for any info.

Response:

I started effexor about a week and a half ago – 75 mlg (is that right? — well 75 somethings)  I’m feeling some improvement – but Don’t seem to sleep very well.  Id be interested in the experience of others on this drug – I was changed to this because Celexa I was on – stopped working.  thanks James

Response:

I just went thru my first 24 hours on effexor and was unable to sleep yet. Hope this won’t last long ,I’m tired but very calm which is a nice feeling. I was previously on paxil which did not help at all and the side effects never went away. So far I would say this drug looks good to me. Thanks for your responses they are appreciated.  

Response:

Hi Rob (& others), I’ve often used Paxil for short periods of minor depression. It’s supposed to be working against anxiety as well. Beside the sexual side effects it worked fine for me until I used it for a longer period of time. At first I felt really new, free of anxiety, as the way you describe your feelings now. Then, unfortunatly, it drove me into a manic episode (never expeirienced before) and psychosis. It took me more then a year in mental hospital to overcome this and the following major, deep depression. After that period it’s getting better, slowly. I had a lot of AD’s combined with a mood stabilizer. I’ve noticed that people with depression caused by or combined with (social) anxiety seem to be sensitive for a manic reaction on meds, especially Paxil. So, as I said, it’s getting better, slowly. I never felt that good anymore as on the Paxil though. I didn’t try the Effexor XR though, It sounds as a good med, but you can  understand my caution with trying new med’s. Does anyone know Effexor XR may cause mania? hoping for some answers, Eric MD. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I found Effexor XR to be quite effective, although my original dosage had to > be increased to combat some anxiety. > I responded really quickly; within 2 weeks, and I literally woke up a > different person. > I think that the key is to ride the wave of well-being that you’ll > experience when it finally kicks in. > After feeling like a new, better, faster, smarter person, that sensation > kind of wavered (probably because I was off of work on a disability plan… > and just sat around my apartment with little to do and few friends), and was > then supplemented with Welbutrin. > I’d say: take it… wait for it to kick in, and then explode out of your > shell.  If you’re anything like me, you would be relatively withdrawn prior > to having taken the meds. > Side effects were minimal, but I was pulled off of Paxil and put directly on > the Effexor, so I don’t know if that has anything to do with it. > Hope this helps. > Rob > I just got effexor xr today I have depression and anxiety. Does anyone > take this and how is working out . Helping, side affects and so on. > Thank you for any info.

Response:

I would agree.  Effexor is a great AD.  It took about 3 weeks for it to start working with me, but when it did it made me feel totally different from my previous state of mind.  Stay with it. John

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I found Effexor XR to be quite effective, although my original dosage had to > be increased to combat some anxiety. > I responded really quickly; within 2 weeks, and I literally woke up a > different person. > I think that the key is to ride the wave of well-being that you’ll > experience when it finally kicks in. > After feeling like a new, better, faster, smarter person, that sensation > kind of wavered (probably because I was off of work on a disability plan… > and just sat around my apartment with little to do and few friends), and was > then supplemented with Welbutrin. > I’d say: take it… wait for it to kick in, and then explode out of your > shell.  If you’re anything like me, you would be relatively withdrawn prior > to having taken the meds. > Side effects were minimal, but I was pulled off of Paxil and put directly on > the Effexor, so I don’t know if that has anything to do with it. > Hope this helps. > Rob > I just got effexor xr today I have depression and anxiety. Does anyone > take this and how is working out . Helping, side affects and so on. > Thank you for any info.

Response:

I just got effexor xr today I have depression and anxiety. Does anyone take this and how is working out . Helping, side affects and so on. Thank you for any info.

Response:

I found Effexor XR to be quite effective, although my original dosage had to be increased to combat some anxiety. I responded really quickly; within 2 weeks, and I literally woke up a different person. I think that the key is to ride the wave of well-being that you’ll experience when it finally kicks in. After feeling like a new, better, faster, smarter person, that sensation kind of wavered (probably because I was off of work on a disability plan… and just sat around my apartment with little to do and few friends), and was then supplemented with Welbutrin. I’d say: take it… wait for it to kick in, and then explode out of your shell.  If you’re anything like me, you would be relatively withdrawn prior to having taken the meds. Side effects were minimal, but I was pulled off of Paxil and put directly on the Effexor, so I don’t know if that has anything to do with it. Hope this helps. Rob

I just got effexor xr today I have depression and anxiety. Does anyone take this and how is working out . Helping, side affects and so on. Thank you for any info.

Response:

>any one taking this med ?

Yes. >if so has it helped you?  

Definitely. It seems (subjectively) to have a steadier blood level than the straight Effexor. Before, I’d note sometimes that the Effexor (non-XR) was starting to wear off between doses (kind of a strange sensation), but not with the XR version. — IMPORTANT: Remove the edible part of the E-mail address before replying.

Response:

any one taking this med ? if so has it helped you?   thanks for your input

Response:

I have been taking effexor for 1.25 years now, gradually working my way off of it.  I am bipolar 1 and have had only manic episodes until 3.5 years ago when I had three major stresses at the same time (coming out of hospital after manic episode, husband announcing divorce, and doctoral comprehensive exams) within 7 days.  Suddenly I plunged into my first depression.  After 2 years of unremitting depression I confronted my pdoc, and he agreed to try an antidepressant.  We had tried everything short of an antidepressant, because my manias are acute (very sudden), severe (psychotic for long periods) and destructive ($, relationships, etc.) Effexor was his best guess as the safest bet, because its short half-life (3 days) meant that if it precipitated mania we could get it out of my system quickly.  We started with very low dose and took 6 months to work up to therapeutic dosage. Excruciatingly slow when you can’t work, go to school, pay bills etc.  And as we built up to the therapeutic dosage it didn’t help me at all.  But once we got into the therapeutic range it was like someone hit a light switch, and suddenly my life began to return to me. -Gandalf There is a silence where hath been no sound There is a silence where no sound may be In the cold grave, under the deep deep sea. Thomas Hood (1799-1845)

Response:

Question:

Hi all…  I have been on the oxycontin (30mgs 3xday) for over a week now. They seem to be doing ok with the pain.. doc has given me a duragestic patch (50mg) to try tomorrow (while hubby is home) so will give that a shot. Previously, i had been on 25 mg of Zoloft to help sleep.  The doc upped it to 50 and gave me 75 mgs of effexor to up the seretonin..  when on them, i had NO sex drive or sensation at all so i immediately stopped the effexor and went back down to the 25 mgs of zoloft at nite because i had never had a problem like this with that dosage.  The oxy is not letting me sleep tho and am not sure what to do.  I am now wondering if the oxy is also causing the sexual side effects?? i don’t like that at all…  am wondering what else could work without those side effects..  any ideas?? has anyone tried this patch? it has fentanyl i guess… am curious as to what to expect…  thanks for any information! Donna in NH

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all…  I have been on the oxycontin (30mgs 3xday) for over a week now. > They seem to be doing ok with the pain.. doc has given me a duragestic patch > (50mg) to try tomorrow (while hubby is home) so will give that a shot. > Previously, i had been on 25 mg of Zoloft to help sleep.  The doc upped it to > 50 and gave me 75 mgs of effexor to up the seretonin..  when on them, i had NO > sex drive or sensation at all so i immediately stopped the effexor and went > back down to the 25 mgs of zoloft at nite because i had never had a problem > like this with that dosage.  The oxy is not letting me sleep tho and am not > sure what to do.  I am now wondering if the oxy is also causing the sexual side > effects?? i don’t like that at all…  am wondering what else could work > without those side effects..  any ideas?? has anyone tried this patch? it has > fentanyl i guess… am curious as to what to expect…  thanks for any > information!

Donna, I am a male, but the Oxy caused me a lack of sex drive .. went off of it, and I was A-OK!  :) Now on Methadone and sex drive is good! Skippy

Response:

You mentioned that you were/are on Effexor or Zoloft? These drugs are known to cause sexual side effects such as no libido, so I would think it’s these medications causing that. Even small doses of meds like Zoloft can cause the libido to decrease. I have heard of Oxycontin causing lower sexual drive though in some people. I guess you just have to experiment to see what is causing it. >doc has given me a duragestic patch >(50mg) to try tomorrow (while hubby is home) so will give that a shot.

The patch is 50mcg or 50ug/hr..not 50mg Now, will you be taking the Oxycontin WITH the patch? I would think that you would be trying the patch without the Oxycontin to see  how it works for you. Good luck with it! Nikki "… lost in the darkness of my own circumstance, criticizing echoes leaving me awake in the night… the barrier and blockades that keep me safe and in control while I pretend that I am okay… "

Response:

Donna: This has been discussed many times before and many different responses have emerged. I am on Oxy and MS-C currently.  I was prescribed Celexa to "boost" the effectiveness of the opioids, but I frequently forget to take it. I am on moderate doses of Oxy and MS-C. I had posted on here about my loss of sex drive about 6 months ago.  I pointed out that the equipment worked but the mental side was not really there. Well, had some first-hand experience with all this recently.  [NO, that is not a pun or referring to a solitary activity for all you sex crazed minded folks (:o)  ] Met a wonderful woman on a trip to Iceland last month.  We hit it off and…..well, it got really physical.  All equipment was working fine for me and I was able to perform multiple times each night.  NO ejaculation problems.  NO erection problems. Just for the record, I am 41, suffer from fibro, and have been on long term opioid therapy for about 4 years. My personal feeling is that the SSRIs are the culprit.  Why do I say this?  Well, in 1997, I was with another woman who I eventually became engaged to.  I had a tremendous problem with an inability to ejaculate.  While it was great for long intercourse, after awhile both individuals begin to ache.  For the first time in my life, I actually began to fake orgasm (I was using a condom so it made it harder for the woman to detect).  At that time, I was on Zoloft (100 mg).  This relationship eventually ended, not due to the sex, however. Now last month, I had no problems with erection or ejaculation.  And I was NOT TAKING the Celexa (20mg when I take it). I’ve told my doctors about my intermittent use of Celexa and they don’t seem concerned.  I am not clinically depressed so that is not an issue.  And my docs have said that Celexa is a SSRI that acts much faster than the others (I remember with Zoloft the effects normally took 2 weeks to kick in; with the Celexa, it seems like 3 days). It sounds like we are having similar experiences…..you cut back on the effexor and the zoloft and the sex problems went away.  In my case, I was switched to Celexa and was not taking it last month. There are, however, numerous sexual problems that opioids can cause, so I don’t mean to say there is NO effect.  I’m just saying in my case, the opioids did not impede my sexual ability over a 10 day period. – Jon  (:o)}<: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi all…  I have been on the oxycontin (30mgs 3xday) for over a week now. >They seem to be doing ok with the pain.. doc has given me a duragestic patch >(50mg) to try tomorrow (while hubby is home) so will give that a shot. >Previously, i had been on 25 mg of Zoloft to help sleep.  The doc upped it to >50 and gave me 75 mgs of effexor to up the seretonin..  when on them, i had NO >sex drive or sensation at all so i immediately stopped the effexor and went >back down to the 25 mgs of zoloft at nite because i had never had a problem >like this with that dosage.  The oxy is not letting me sleep tho and am not >sure what to do.  I am now wondering if the oxy is also causing the sexual side >effects?? i don’t like that at all…  am wondering what else could work >without those side effects..  any ideas?? has anyone tried this patch? it has >fentanyl i guess… am curious as to what to expect…  thanks for any >information! >Donna in NH

Response:

I forget the exact name of it, but there is a medical diagnosis of SSRI (class of antidepressants that include Prozac, Zoloft, etc.) Induced Sexual Dysfunction.  It’s very real and been documented & studied.  Unfortunately, no good answers.  Many people try Wellbutrin instead (myself included), which is a different class of anti-depressant (and has been well discussed in this ng) or the older anti-depressants or a combo. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Donna: >This has been discussed many times before and many different responses >have emerged. >I am on Oxy and MS-C currently.  I was prescribed Celexa to "boost" >the effectiveness of the opioids, but I frequently forget to take it. >I am on moderate doses of Oxy and MS-C. >I had posted on here about my loss of sex drive about 6 months ago.  I >pointed out that the equipment worked but the mental side was not >really there. >Well, had some first-hand experience with all this recently.  [NO, >that is not a pun or referring to a solitary activity for all you sex >crazed minded folks (:o)  ] >Met a wonderful woman on a trip to Iceland last month.  We hit it off >and…..well, it got really physical.  All equipment was working fine >for me and I was able to perform multiple times each night.  NO >ejaculation problems.  NO erection problems. >Just for the record, I am 41, suffer from fibro, and have been on long >term opioid therapy for about 4 years. >My personal feeling is that the SSRIs are the culprit.  Why do I say >this?  Well, in 1997, I was with another woman who I eventually became >engaged to.  I had a tremendous problem with an inability to >ejaculate.  While it was great for long intercourse, after awhile both >individuals begin to ache.  For the first time in my life, I actually >began to fake orgasm (I was using a condom so it made it harder for >the woman to detect).  At that time, I was on Zoloft (100 mg).  This >relationship eventually ended, not due to the sex, however. >Now last month, I had no problems with erection or ejaculation.  And I >was NOT TAKING the Celexa (20mg when I take it). >I’ve told my doctors about my intermittent use of Celexa and they >don’t seem concerned.  I am not clinically depressed so that is not an >issue.  And my docs have said that Celexa is a SSRI that acts much >faster than the others (I remember with Zoloft the effects normally >took 2 weeks to kick in; with the Celexa, it seems like 3 days). >It sounds like we are having similar experiences…..you cut back on >the effexor and the zoloft and the sex problems went away.  In my >case, I was switched to Celexa and was not taking it last month. >There are, however, numerous sexual problems that opioids can cause, >so I don’t mean to say there is NO effect.  I’m just saying in my >case, the opioids did not impede my sexual ability over a 10 day >period. >- Jon  (:o)}<:

Debbie Life is a test. It is only a test. If this were real life, we would have been given better instructions.

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Question:

I used this group quite a bit a couple of years ago when I was taking Paxil for PPD.  I quit taking it when I became pregnant last spring.  My baby is now 8 weeks old and I feel the depression coming back.  I have a different dr. this time and because I didn’t care for the side effects of Paxil he has recommended Celexa.  I start taking 10 mg. today and then go to 20 mg. next week.  He squeezed me in so I didn’t take the time to really ask questions about side effects, ets.  He said it was very similar to Paxil and was less likely to cause weight gain.  Are there any side effects I should know about?  I plan to ask the pharmacist when I pick up the prescription today, but, as I found out when I began taking the Paxil, they do not have real experience to relay, they just read off the sheet.  Which isn’t always complete. Thanks, Tammy

Response:

> I used this group quite a bit a couple of years ago when I was taking > Paxil for PPD.  I quit taking it when I became pregnant last spring.  My > baby is now 8 weeks old and I feel the depression coming back.  I have a > different dr. this time and because I didn’t care for the side effects > of Paxil he has recommended Celexa.  I start taking 10 mg. today and > then go to 20 mg. next week.  He squeezed me in so I didn’t take the > time to really ask questions about side effects, ets.  He said it was > very similar to Paxil and was less likely to cause weight gain.  Are > there any side effects I should know about?  

I started with 40mg right from the beginning and therefore had almost all the documented side effects: Sleeplessness (almost no sleep for 3 nights), nausea (very bad, for a week or so), constipation, dry mouth, reduced appetite, maybe I forgot one or two. I felt absolutely *sick* for the first week. I did not experience any sexual side effects and my appetite is now (after the nausea disappeared) about the same as before taking Citalopram. If you start slowly with 10mg (my 40mg were by mistake) your experience should be *a lot* better. Nevertheless after 1 week everything got better, the only thing remaining was (and is) the dry mouth, even after over a month now. If you have problems for the first one or two weeks, simply wait — you will feel a lot better soon. HTH /ralph

Response:

> I used this group quite a bit a couple of years ago when I was taking > Paxil for PPD.  I quit taking it when I became pregnant last spring.  My > baby is now 8 weeks old and I feel the depression coming back.  I have a > different dr. this time and because I didn’t care for the side effects > of Paxil he has recommended Celexa.  I start taking 10 mg. today and > then go to 20 mg. next week.  He squeezed me in so I didn’t take the > time to really ask questions about side effects, ets.  He said it was > very similar to Paxil and was less likely to cause weight gain.  Are > there any side effects I should know about?  I plan to ask the > pharmacist when I pick up the prescription today, but, as I found out > when I began taking the Paxil, they do not have real experience to > relay, they just read off the sheet.  Which isn’t always complete. > Thanks, > Tammy

Seems to be a very common question these days… I guess Celexa is getting prescribed a lot, but not many drs seem to prepare people for the side effects.  The answer is yes, it is common to experience side effects in the first few weeks of taking Celexa.  The side effects you might experience are quite varied, and include disruptions to appetite, sleep and libido.  A feeling of spaciness/drowsiness is common.  Headaches and visual disruption also happen a lot.  It can increase anxiety levels for a while.  I got all of these and more, though others seem to escape with none.  Whatever you experience should pass within 2 weeks, though more vivid dreams and a loss of libido can be more long lasting.  You can probably get more info and support from the celexa group at www.egroups.com (which has now been taken over by Yahoo! I think). HTH… Celexa can be difficult for the first week or two, but it does get better and most people seem to find it very helpful. Simon — Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

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Tammy, I take Celexa, 30 mg, no obvious side effects; it *may* be slightly helping me with depression [been on it 3 weeks now, so maybe need a little more time].  Good luck. John age 63 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I used this group quite a bit a couple of years ago when I was taking > Paxil for PPD.  I quit taking it when I became pregnant last spring.  My > baby is now 8 weeks old and I feel the depression coming back.  I have a > different dr. this time and because I didn’t care for the side effects > of Paxil he has recommended Celexa.  I start taking 10 mg. today and > then go to 20 mg. next week.  He squeezed me in so I didn’t take the > time to really ask questions about side effects, ets.  He said it was > very similar to Paxil and was less likely to cause weight gain.  Are > there any side effects I should know about?  I plan to ask the > pharmacist when I pick up the prescription today, but, as I found out > when I began taking the Paxil, they do not have real experience to > relay, they just read off the sheet.  Which isn’t always complete. > Thanks, > Tammy

Response:

Thanks to everyone who replied.  I picked it up today and the pharmacist did as predicted and told me only what is on the fact sheet they hand out.  Wish me luck because I don’t have the energy to switch from drug to drug.  Does anyone know what the average dose is? Tammy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I used this group quite a bit a couple of years ago when I was taking > Paxil for PPD.  I quit taking it when I became pregnant last spring.  My > baby is now 8 weeks old and I feel the depression coming back.  I have a > different dr. this time and because I didn’t care for the side effects > of Paxil he has recommended Celexa.  I start taking 10 mg. today and > then go to 20 mg. next week.  He squeezed me in so I didn’t take the > time to really ask questions about side effects, ets.  He said it was > very similar to Paxil and was less likely to cause weight gain.  Are > there any side effects I should know about?  I plan to ask the > pharmacist when I pick up the prescription today, but, as I found out > when I began taking the Paxil, they do not have real experience to > relay, they just read off the sheet.  Which isn’t always complete. > Thanks, > Tammy

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I took celexa for two months. I had no side effects which was great.  My biggest problem with all of the AD’s I’ve tried is they put me to sleep. Celexa actually gave me the boost I needed to get the daily things in life done. I decided to quit taking all my  meds in Dec. I felt my mood swings were gettting worse and my thinking cloudy. I told my pdoc  I only wanted something for  my  mood disorder. I’ve given up trying to treat  my  depression. I now take lithium, and it took me a month to even get the script filled. Just tired of the drugs. I hope the celexa Connie

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> Thanks to everyone who replied.  I picked it up today and the pharmacist did > as predicted and told me only what is on the fact sheet they hand out.  Wish > me luck because I don’t have the energy to switch from drug to drug.  Does > anyone know what the average dose is?

My doctor said she normally lets patients try 20mg. If that does not work after 14 days she increases dose to 30mg (one and a half tablets) for 2 weeks, if that still is not enough 40mg. For many people 20mg seems to be right. Lower doses do have less side effects. /ralph — .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

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> 40mg starting out?  Wow, I bet that was a ride.  Glad you’re feeling > better.  Celexa does work well though.

I took the prescription to the chemist — and they put a sticker on the package saying "2 per day". My doctor checked in her computer and is sure that she did not make any mistake. I just hope that they don’t do that with really dangerous meds (like heart meds for old people). Might have been a problem of the small font of the printer or lack of concentration. Anyway, I like the stuff a lot and even had a very strong euphoric "high" during the second week. I have never taken Ecstasy, but I can imagine it is somewhat similar ; ) /ralph — .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

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 > 40mg starting out?  Wow, I bet that was a ride.  Glad you’re feeling  > better.  Celexa does work well though. WOW!  I take as little as 10mg daily (20mg cut in half) That’s enough to get rid of all depression… Then it throws me into mania — So I take 300mg of Lithium to stabilize this.. Take Care!

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Tammy: I have been taking Celexa for about one year now.  Actually, started out on 5 mg. and VERY gradually worked up to 40 mg.  At first, there were some side effects (upset stomach, diarrhea, yawning, feelings of being speeded up).  Also, I joined Weight Watchers in July and have lost almost 30 lbs.  This was due in no small part to feeling so much better on the Celexa.  For the first time in many years, I have very little depression (almost none), no anxiety, and can enjoy life like never before.  It took about 4 months to really feel good.  Hope this helps. I love this medication. Carole – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks to everyone who replied.  I picked it up today and the pharmacist did > as predicted and told me only what is on the fact sheet they hand out.  Wish > me luck because I don’t have the energy to switch from drug to drug.  Does > anyone know what the average dose is? > My doctor said she normally lets patients try 20mg. If that does not > work after 14 days she increases dose to 30mg (one and a half tablets) > for 2 weeks, if that still is not enough 40mg. For many people 20mg > seems to be right. Lower doses do have less side effects. > /ralph > — > .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

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Question:

I was recently put of Risperdal along with Celexa.  No problem, except that I wake up very tired.  I’m going to ask to be taken off of Risperdal, however,  It’s relaxing, but doesn’t help get me to sleep and I’ve been losing alot of that.

OK..I ask again…is/can anybody tell me about a *good* a.d. to take with Risperdal. I am very, very much on the fine edge in cycling, and without an a.d. or stabalizer like Risperdal, will go either way. Risperdal alone = depression. Effexor or most other SSRI/TCA’s = Aggitated depression. Need SOMETHING better then benzos..as the dose I require, the docs won’t prescribe. (Benzophobics.) I am looking for first hand experiences..please!!!!!! Thank you, James — The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning, and does not stop until you get into the office. Robert Frost (1874-1963) One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important. Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)

Response:

Hmm…. I was put on Risperdal (anti-psychotic) with Celexa (SSRI – antidepressant)  I found that the Celexa made me manic and the risperdal made me relax – but I still found I was manic….  I got off the risperdal and am not taking lithium as my mood stabilizer – and so far am pretty satistfied. Take it easy! BJ

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I was recently put of Risperdal along with Celexa.  No problem, except that > I wake up very tired.  I’m going to ask to be taken off of Risperdal, > however,  It’s relaxing, but doesn’t help get me to sleep and I’ve been > losing alot of that. > OK..I ask again…is/can anybody tell me about a *good* a.d. to take with > Risperdal. I am very, very much on the fine edge in cycling, and without an > a.d. or stabalizer like Risperdal, will go either way. Risperdal alone = > depression. Effexor or most other SSRI/TCA’s = Aggitated depression. Need > SOMETHING better then benzos..as the dose I require, the docs won’t > prescribe. (Benzophobics.) > I am looking for first hand experiences..please!!!!!! > Thank you, > James > — > The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts > working the moment you get up in the > morning, and does not stop until you get > into the office. > Robert Frost (1874-1963) > One of the symptoms of an approaching > nervous breakdown is the belief that > one’s work is terribly important. > Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)

Response:

OK..I ask again…is/can anybody tell me about a *good* a.d. to take with Risperdal. I am very, very much on the fine edge in cycling, and without an a.d. or stabalizer like Risperdal, will go either way. Risperdal alone = depression. Effexor or most other SSRI/TCA’s = Aggitated depression. Need SOMETHING better then benzos..as the dose I require, the docs won’t prescribe. (Benzophobics.) I am looking for first hand experiences..please!!!!!! Thank you, James — The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning, and does not stop until you get into the office. Robert Frost (1874-1963)   One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important. Bertrand Russell (1872-1970)  

Response:

Take Remeron (mirtazapine).  It will calm you down like any benzo. I started Remeron at 60 mg right away and had no side-effects. Here are the benefits of Remeron:

Question:

Hi Michael I’m just recently diagnosed, not qualified to give medical advice, and this should not be taken as medical advice, etc. Have you been on Paroxetine (Paxil, I think) for some time now? Is it working OK? Have you tried other drugs,too? If you’re lucky, you’re just really happy sometimes. Are you happy being ‘happy’? Or are you TOO happy, eventually becomming, annoying, impulsive, angry? If you’re just happy sometimes, I would be happy! Don’t worry about it. Could be, the Paroxetine is working!! But if the ‘happy times’ are also associated with self-destructive (destructive to your relationships, work, profession, or physical health) behavior, then see a doctor. (Or a specialist if necessary) Be careful to not self-diagnose. Otherwise, you can become ‘hypochondriac’. If there’s a web page about the disease, you might think you have that disease, when all you needed to do is sleep on your other side (Referring to the recent Dr.Koop article) There are many good resouces on the web, like http://home.att.net/~mercurial-mind/ (Has a links section) around. (With more experience than me!!) See your doctor if you’re still concerned. – Rob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > i think i might be bipolar. i’m on Parotexite 40mg for depression, but > sometimes i can be really happy, almost hyperactive. how can i find out if > i’m bipolar? > Perhaps you’re not just depressed. > By this I mean, Like perhaps there are other problems as well, not just > depression. > I have been Dx with depression (‘persistent’ and ‘major’) by my GP, and > on AD’s for 1+1/2 years. (No, not that long, compared to some!) > First Prozac, then Effexor. Both gave the famous ‘poop-out’, etc., like > many people complain about. > Kept increasing the dosage, again & again… > So my GP recommends that I see a specialist (genuine p-doc!), since I’m > not responsing to the simple > treatment. > So he (p-doc) says Dx ‘manic-depressive’ or ‘bipolar’, (but mostly on > the depressed side.) > I think the higher doses of Effexor (225mg) had started to make some > ‘rapid cycling’, it was gettng really annoying, so I stopped the Effexor > (gradually!!, still lots of fun!), and talked to my GP, then he gave me > the referral. > It was bad enough to cause real chaos at work, and my manager was woried > about me, and is concerned that he never knows which one of me is > showing up for work each morning! > My GP recommended to find a p-doc with practice in one of the expensive > nicer towns here, turns out that’s where most practices are anyway near > here. > First visit (so far) with p-doc, he seems like a nice guy. > He mentioned ‘cycling below the line’ and ‘kindling’ (kindling like the > little sticks you use to set a fire) > Perhaps the brain-state when ‘high’ (though brief!) does damage which > causes the persistent ‘low’. > He said that ‘many’ people who are [long-term, major, persistent...], > depressed actually do better on a mood-stabilizer then an > antidepressant. (perhaps adding lower dosage A/D later) > I guess rather than feeling absolutelely horrible, then just really bad, > then incredibly horribly nasty, it smooths it out. > I was on a rollercoaster since the prozac (Effexor too), and sometimes > it really felt good, but mostly it was horrible. > I’m not saying A/D’s (like Prozac) are bad and evil, just maybe you > might consider you’re not purely depressed. > So I guess we’ll see where we (I!) go from here > brand new Rx for Depakote > p-doc says lithium is usually indicated for cases with extreme ‘high’s, > and probably ineffective for me. > I keep hoping for some hope! > Thoughts, comments appreciated. > (Please ‘reply to sender [email] and to newsgroup, as appropriate) > – Rob

Response:

Hi Michael, Welcome to ASDM. > i think i might be bipolar. i’m on Parotexite 40mg for depression, but > sometimes i can be really happy, almost hyperactive. how can i find out if > i’m bipolar?

By a thorough evaluation by a pdoc who is experiened in treating BP Disorde. They rely heavily on historical info. Do you experience mood swings…highs vacillating with lows? How often do these occur? http://mentalhelp.net/bipolar/wcg_bipolar5.htm HOW IS BIPOLAR DISORDER DIAGNOSED? If the initial symptoms of bipolar disorder are limited to depression, the condition is often diagnosed as depression; indeed about 16% of people with bipolar disorder do not have a manic episode until they have experienced three or more depressive episodes. An accurate diagnosis is important, particularly in light of a study that reported a higher incidence of rehospitalization in bipolar patients who were inappropriately medicated with antidepressants. A family history of manic-depressive illness may make a physician suspicious, but a diagnosis of bipolar disorder cannot be established until a manic episode has occurred. The American Psychiatric Association has established the following criteria for recognizing this phase of bipolar disorder: *       A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood. *       During the mood disturbance, at least three of the following symptoms (four, if the primary mood disturbance is irritability): *       Inflated self-esteem, grandiosity; *       Decreased need for sleep; *       Excessive talking; *       Flight of ideas or racing thoughts; *       Distractibility when confronted by unimportant or irrelevant stimuli; *       Increased goal-directed activity (social, sexual, work or school); *       Excessive involvement in high-risk activities–e.g., unrestrained shopping, promiscuity. *       Mood disturbance severe enough to damage ones job or social functioning or relationships with others, or which requires hospitalization to prevent harm to others or self. *       Hallucinations or delusions absent for two weeks or more during normal periods (this would rule-out schizophrenia). This information is brought to you by Well Connected. You may order this complete guide or choose to subscribe to the complete library covering over 90 health and mental health problems.  Find a book: When making a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, it is important that the physician rule out other conditions that may be causing symptoms of mania. Hypomania, the less severe variant of mania, may be difficult to distinguish from normal joy or euphoria, but it can be differentiated by its persistence for more than a day. In addition, most hypomanic patients are easily distracted, overly talkative, and not functioning very well. Severe manic episodes with delusions and hallucinations may be easily confused with schizophrenia. (African American men, for instance, are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than with bipolar disorder.) Thyroid disorders may cause mood swings, as can adrenal disorders (e.g., Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome), vitamin B12 deficiency, certain neurologic disorders (e.g., Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, brain tumors, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis), and various medications, including some drugs used to treat anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. Alcoholism and substance abuse occur often in bipolar patients, sometimes as a way of self medication. Both diagnosis and treatment are difficult in such cases, particularly since withdrawal from opiates or alcohol can cause symptoms of mania or severe depression. Children or adolescents with manic-depressive illness may be inappropriately diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; in some cases, however, ADHD may be a marker for an emerging bipolar disorder. Current research is seeking to discover factors in the blood that might help diagnose bipolar disorder and determine the effectiveness of treatment. Such tests would be particularly helpful in differentiating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder from bipolar disorder in young people. High levels of factors known as G proteins have been detected in both types I and type II bipolar patients, but studies have been contradictory, and there is no evidence yet that can be reliably used for diagnostic purposes. Some experts believe that bipolar disorder is only one link on a chain of psychiatric disorders ranging from schizophrenia to major depression, differing in expression and severity but sharing a common biologic cause. However, studies suggest that these conditions, including bipolar disorder, are distinct and caused by different mechanisms. For instance, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of brains of bipolar patients have revealed structural abnormalities in the hippocampus. This brain territory also shows abnormalities in the brains of people with schizophrenia. In one study of people with bipolar disorder, the left side of the hippocampus was significantly larger than the right, while in patients with schizophrenia the hippocampus volume was decreased. In both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder the pathways of the neurotransmitter dopamine appear to be important. (A neurotransmitter acts as a chemical messenger between nerve cells.) Dopamine has been a target of scientific investigation since researchers first observed that certain drugs that reduce the action of dopamine in the brain also reduce psychotic symptoms.

Question:

Hi, > Could I have suggestions.  My Prozac is no longer working but when it did > it was wonderful.  Is there an additional med that could be added to give > it a boost.  Going to the pdoc on Wednesday.  Want to have some > suggestions.

Are you taking a MS along with it? Perhaps you can  discuss this with your pdoc on Wed. Peace, — Reach beyond your grasp!

Response:

Thanks for the reply.  That might very well be the answer; however, I would like to have a drug (mood stabilizer) that has few side effects.  That way I could continue with the Prozac.  The first thing that goes when I become depressed is my ability to sleep and Prozac was great for that. Please write back. Thanks in advance for your response.  May God Richly Bless As You Continue Your Journey in Life Flourish99

Response:

Hi, Could I have suggestions.  My Prozac is no longer working but when it did it was wonderful.  Is there an additional med that could be added to give it a boost.  Going to the pdoc on Wednesday.  Want to have some suggestions. Thanks in advance for your response.  May God Richly Bless As You Continue Your Journey in Life Flourish99

Response:

When Prozac stopped working for me, pdoc put me on Paxil. It worked for me. Good luck.                            Ralph

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > Could I have suggestions.  My Prozac is no longer working but when it did it > was wonderful.  Is there an additional med that could be added to give it a > boost.  Going to the pdoc on Wednesday.  Want to have some suggestions. > Thanks in advance for your response.  May God Richly Bless As You Continue Your > Journey in Life > Flourish99

Response:

1st, tell your Pdoc that this happened, it does occasionally happen that a med loses its effectiveness!  There are a number of other SSRIs, not to mention other families of antidepressants.  You might also ask your Pdoc if the addition of a small dose of mood stabilizer might help.  But first do call your Pdoc soonest!!! – Neil – – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >When Prozac stopped working for me, pdoc put me on Paxil. >It worked for me. Good luck.                            Ralph > Hi, > Could I have suggestions.  My Prozac is no longer working but when it did >it > was wonderful.  Is there an additional med that could be added to give it >a > boost.  Going to the pdoc on Wednesday.  Want to have some suggestions. > Thanks in advance for your response.  May God Richly Bless As You Continue >Your > Journey in Life > Flourish99

Response:

Question:

: I would like to share some of my experiences but I will have to save that : for another post as my eyes are starting to shrivel up from staring at my : computer screen. Hi there I think others are better to answer your questions than I am. BUt when you wish to share I will look forward to them. They are a wonderful group of people. take care of you, laura

Response:

Hi Kerowyn: >* (Last one) In a manic or hypomanic episode, is it the body telling the >mind or the mind telling the body that the body does not need as much, if >any sleep??

There is a difference between the concept of "mind" and brain.  I will dive in and say that during a hypo or manic episode the sleep disturbance is caused by the illness which causes dysfunction in the sleep control part(s) of the brain.  Depression can effect the sleep also, either too much or too little, even insomnia.  Insomnia must be the worst condition.  It would be difficult to separate mental and physical aspects of the body, they are so inter-related as to be considered as one.  My understanding of "mind" is: kind of consider it to be the software of a biological computer, the brain.  Hope this helps, but I warn you in advance, my biological computer, like some biological clocks, isn’t always keeping the correct time. LW — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

Response:

                    DE  DIGITALE  STAD Op 20 Jan 1999, Leeway schreef: > Hi Kerowyn: >* (Last one) In a manic or hypomanic episode, is it the body telling the >mind or the mind telling the body that the body does not need as much, if >any sleep?? > There is a difference between the concept of "mind" and > brain.  I will dive in and say that during a hypo or manic > episode the sleep disturbance is caused by the illness > which causes dysfunction in the sleep control part(s) of > the brain.  Depression can effect the sleep also, either > too much or too little, even insomnia.  Insomnia must be

Yeah, definitely, I suffer from bad insomnia, anorexia when depressed, this is not `cause I want to be thin, but because the brain tells the body it does not need, even resents food and sleep. After being put on Paroxetine (which has as side effects, weight loss and anorexia) and the subsequent lifting of depression, I put on 10!kgs (which is about 15% of my current weight!), and this put me in the category light, but not unhealthily so. I still suffer from sever dysregulation of sleep. Valium does not work for me, alcohol doesn’t work, mariuhana does not work (I don’t use these anymore). Only Zyprexa kinda seems to be enable to induce sleep in me, but I don’t want to take that shit every day (2 times as much money spent on groceries when taking tha gunk, while being asleep for 10 hours a day with vivid dreams and nightmares, and the withdrawl symptoms are also something I wish to avoid (hallucinations, anorexia, even more severe insomnia)) plus I do not get prescribed the stuff. I’d like to keep myself to the rules the pdoc gives me. So I guess I’ll just have to wait (I mean about 6 months of severe insomnia, enabling me to sleep once every two nights and days – should be able to wait a lil’ bit longer, <sigh>. > the worst condition.  It would be difficult to separate > mental and physical aspects of the body, they are so > inter-related as to be considered as one.  My understanding > of "mind" is: kind of consider it to be the software of a > biological computer, the brain.  Hope this helps, but > I warn you in advance, my biological computer, like some > biological clocks, isn’t always keeping the correct time.

Maybe Melatonin could work for you ? Just a suggestion. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> LW > — > For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

Response:

aurora–i couldn’t havew said it any better! welcome kerowyn (what a nice came ) a – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > I’ve been lurking here for a couple weeks and I now feel comfortable to > post. >Welcome Kerowyn >For the record, I have never been diagnosed with anything other than > physical aliments. I have never seen a psych doc for that matter, and don’t > want to. However, I have a couple questions. Any and all replies are greatly > appreciated. I’ve done quite a bit or reading on Bipolar and depression > after the incident I had a year ago. That is a long story. Anyway, I’ve been > told by a few people, including a good friend of mine who is BP, that it > sounds like I am, so I am only in search of more info. >Yeah, takes one to know one.  I am surprised to realize that so many of >my friends are BP and actually coming to realize it without my direct >intervention. > * Can one have repeated episodes of mania (hypomania), without any > depressive episodes, over a period of months? >Yep.  Maybe the depressions were so mild you didn’t notice.  I tend to >usually have hypomania or mixed hypomania, not much depression. > * What is a mixed episode like? I am very confused on this because mania and > depression are at opposite ends of the spectrum. How can someone be in both > states simultaneously? >Low self-esteem and negative view of life while having lots of energy, >noise in your head, sometimes paranoia, severe anxiety, racing thoughts >and confusion.  Sometimes racing thoughts of how and why to commit >suicide. > * (Last one) In a manic or hypomanic episode, is it the body telling the > mind or the mind telling the body that the body does not need as much, if > any sleep?? >Depends on how you define it, is brain chemistry part of the mind or >body.  Your brain chemistry is telling you that you don’t need to sleep >and your body is affected by that too through chemistry started by an >imbalance in your brain.  Also lack of sleep can trigger (hypo)mania. > I would like to share some of my experiences but I will have to save that > for another post as my eyes are starting to shrivel up from staring at my > computer screen. >Look  forward to hearing them. >Aurora > ~Kerowyn~ > There was a young lady girl named Bright, > Whose speed was far faster than light, > She traveled one day, > In a relative way, > And returned on the previous night. >                   ~~A. H. R. Buller

Response:

> Hi, > I’ve been lurking here for a couple weeks and I now feel comfortable to > post.

Welcome Kerowyn For the record, I have never been diagnosed with anything other than > physical aliments. I have never seen a psych doc for that matter, and don’t > want to. However, I have a couple questions. Any and all replies are greatly > appreciated. I’ve done quite a bit or reading on Bipolar and depression > after the incident I had a year ago. That is a long story. Anyway, I’ve been > told by a few people, including a good friend of mine who is BP, that it > sounds like I am, so I am only in search of more info.

Yeah, takes one to know one.  I am surprised to realize that so many of my friends are BP and actually coming to realize it without my direct intervention. > * Can one have repeated episodes of mania (hypomania), without any > depressive episodes, over a period of months?

Yep.  Maybe the depressions were so mild you didn’t notice.  I tend to usually have hypomania or mixed hypomania, not much depression. > * What is a mixed episode like? I am very confused on this because mania and > depression are at opposite ends of the spectrum. How can someone be in both > states simultaneously?

Low self-esteem and negative view of life while having lots of energy, noise in your head, sometimes paranoia, severe anxiety, racing thoughts and confusion.  Sometimes racing thoughts of how and why to commit suicide. > * (Last one) In a manic or hypomanic episode, is it the body telling the > mind or the mind telling the body that the body does not need as much, if > any sleep??

Depends on how you define it, is brain chemistry part of the mind or body.  Your brain chemistry is telling you that you don’t need to sleep and your body is affected by that too through chemistry started by an imbalance in your brain.  Also lack of sleep can trigger (hypo)mania. > I would like to share some of my experiences but I will have to save that > for another post as my eyes are starting to shrivel up from staring at my > computer screen.

Look  forward to hearing them. Aurora – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ~Kerowyn~ > There was a young lady girl named Bright, > Whose speed was far faster than light, > She traveled one day, > In a relative way, > And returned on the previous night. >                   ~~A. H. R. Buller

Response:

Hi, I’ve been lurking here for a couple weeks and I now feel comfortable to post. For the record, I have never been diagnosed with anything other than physical aliments. I have never seen a psych doc for that matter, and don’t want to. However, I have a couple questions. Any and all replies are greatly appreciated. I’ve done quite a bit or reading on Bipolar and depression after the incident I had a year ago. That is a long story. Anyway, I’ve been told by a few people, including a good friend of mine who is BP, that it sounds like I am, so I am only in search of more info. * Can one have repeated episodes of mania (hypomania), without any depressive episodes, over a period of months? * What is a mixed episode like? I am very confused on this because mania and depression are at opposite ends of the spectrum. How can someone be in both states simultaneously? * (Last one) In a manic or hypomanic episode, is it the body telling the mind or the mind telling the body that the body does not need as much, if any sleep?? I would like to share some of my experiences but I will have to save that for another post as my eyes are starting to shrivel up from staring at my computer screen. ~Kerowyn~ There was a young lady girl named Bright, Whose speed was far faster than light, She traveled one day, In a relative way, And returned on the previous night.                   ~~A. H. R. Buller

Response:

Question:

   Y’all, aside from all the other little diddly things going on around here lately I haven’t been sleeping at night. I don’t know if it’s the Prozac, or what, but if I don’t get some rest soon, I’m going to be in some serious trouble. This sleep thing has been happening off and on since I started taking Prozac. Lately, it’s been much worse. I’m exhausted and I don’t know how much longer I can hold on before falling on my face.    Y’all take care and don’t worry about me if you don’t see me posting for a while. I’m going to do what I have to do to take care of myself and get back up. Dazzy Deb Heaven Doesn’t Want Me, and Hell Is Afraid I’ll Take Over

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->   Y’all, aside from all the other little diddly things going on >around here lately I haven’t been sleeping at night. I don’t know if >it’s the Prozac, or what, but if I don’t get some rest soon, I’m going >to be in some serious trouble. This sleep thing has been happening off >and on since I started taking Prozac. Lately, it’s been much worse. >I’m exhausted and I don’t know how much longer I can hold on before >falling on my face. >   Y’all take care and don’t worry about me if you don’t see me >posting for a while. I’m going to do what I have to do to take care of >myself and get back up. >Dazzy Deb >Heaven Doesn’t Want Me, and Hell Is Afraid I’ll Take Over

According to my books on meds, Prozac can cause insomnia.  I’d suggest talking to your doc about this.  Getting little or no sleep is serious, especially if you’re driving! -Dave

Response:

Dazzy Deb wrote in article… >    Y’all, aside from all the other little diddly things going on > around here lately I haven’t been sleeping at night. I don’t know if > it’s the Prozac, or what, but if I don’t get some rest soon, I’m going > to be in some serious trouble. This sleep thing has been happening off > and on since I started taking Prozac. Lately, it’s been much worse. > I’m exhausted and I don’t know how much longer I can hold on before > falling on my face.

Boy can I relate to what you are going through right now Deb. Sleep is something that seems to be a problem for many of us lately. Just remember you are still in my prayers.  You are a great friend. We all need to take a break sometimes.  So you take your time. We know that you’ll be back.  We look forward to seeing you again. >    Y’all take care and don’t worry about me if you don’t see me > posting for a while. I’m going to do what I have to do to take care of > myself and get back up.

Don’t you tell me not to worry Deb.  Because I do. But I know that you will get better.  We all will. Now don’t you work so hard and rest up some young lady. > Dazzy Deb > Heaven Doesn’t Want Me, and Hell Is Afraid I’ll Take Over

Take care my friend and keep smiling. Love ya, Paul

Response:

>   Y’all, aside from all the other little diddly things going on >around here lately I haven’t been sleeping at night. I don’t know if >it’s the Prozac, or what, but if I don’t get some rest soon, I’m going >to be in some serious trouble. This sleep thing has been happening off >and on since I started taking Prozac. Lately, it’s been much worse. >I’m exhausted and I don’t know how much longer I can hold on before >falling on my face.

I’d gladly send you some of my sleep if I could, I managed over ten hours today, missed a lovely sunny (but cold) day, enmeshed in some extremely complex dreams. It *could* be a problem with the Prozac, see your pdoc and explain. I was getting lethargic through the day and not sleeping so well at night as the Paxil was wearing off, the Effexor increased the contrast between one state and the other. Sleep disorder of one sort or another is often a part of depression, apart from changing meds altogether, something to help you sleep might do the trick, but best get advice, off-the-shelf sleeping pills are usually antihistamines and while some are safe, others react with SSRIs. Of course the added helping of real world stress can’t exactly be helping. . . >   Y’all take care and don’t worry about me if you don’t see me >posting for a while. I’m going to do what I have to do to take care of >myself and get back up.

But we have to worry, it’s what we’re paid for. . . — — The brain in pain goes mainly down the drain

Response:

Question:

I started getting twitches when I switched from Norpramine to Wellbutrin. When I lie on my back to go to sleep, and start to drop off, my head snaps suddenly sideways.  After a few of these, I fall asleep.  I don’t have them any other time, or any other part of my body.  As far as I’m concerned, this is a very mild and tolerable side effect, so much so that I always forget to mention it to my pdoc.  But it seems clear to me it was the Wellbutrin that caused it.

Response:

>I’ve read the posts by people who are having some weird, >uncontrollable movements, likely because of their meds.   >I wanted to follow up the post instead of creating a new one, >but my server is weird and won’t allow me to post unless >my post is longer than the original.  Oh well.  Anyway, I’ve >noticed a change in my body movements.  For one thing, >my leg used to have `dystonic’ shifts from time to time.   >Now, instead of my leg, my entire upper body, excluding >my head experiences twitches from time to time.  I’m not >particularly worried about them, simply because they haven’t >given me a reason to be concerned.  It’s just an oddity.  My >elbow will just jut out for a second, for no reason whatsoever.   >Or my shoulder will shift back unexpectedly.  I’m on Depakote >and Effexor, and one of them are likely a cause.  

i’m on depakote and paxil, switching to pamelor now – i am torn between thinking i ALWAYS had the twitches, and am just not afraid to let them go now, now that i’ve been diagnosed properly. but it COULD be general 5-HT drugs (wellburtin, serzone, effexor, and the SSRIs) that are causing this – we at least have that in common for our meds. and i did get the tremors when starting paxil. "Dark Prism" – My personality refracts darkly through the serotonigenic spectrum. Thomas A. Ott — ottthoma (at) pipeline.com – [3 t's in ottthoma!!!] http://www.geocities.com/~ottthoma — main site http://www.geocities.com/~ottthoma/depression/index.html—– depression site http://www.geocities.com/~ottthoma/depression/sjw.html —— st. john’s wort stuff FCC Regulations provide up to 500 dollars in damages PER INCIDENT for Unsolicited Commercial E-Mail.  Go ahead.  Make my day.

Response:

I’ve read the posts by people who are having some weird, uncontrollable movements, likely because of their meds.  I wanted to follow up the post instead of creating a new one, but my server is weird and won’t allow me to post unless my post is longer than the original.  Oh well.  Anyway, I’ve noticed a change in my body movements.  For one thing, my leg used to have `dystonic’ shifts from time to time.  Now, instead of my leg, my entire upper body, excluding my head experiences twitches from time to time.  I’m not particularly worried about them, simply because they haven’t given me a reason to be concerned.  It’s just an oddity.  My elbow will just jut out for a second, for no reason whatsoever.  Or my shoulder will shift back unexpectedly.  I’m on Depakote and Effexor, and one of them are likely a cause.  Another weird thing:  during my sleep, I’ve been told I speak in French from time to time.  I guess that’s funny, because it means that I should be fluent now.  Weird.  I’d blame that one on the Amitryptiline I take before bed to help me sleep.  It’s true that antidepressants don’t act as `uppers,’ but they probably incite action on particular areas while you’re sleeping.  I’d like to see someone who can top speaking a foreign language when they’re asleep!

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I would really love to read Champagne’s posts but they run on and on off the page…I mean I realize I can scroll right, but it’s a pain. Any remedy for this? Loreen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >I’ve read the posts by people who are having some weird, uncontrollable movements, likely because of their meds.  I wanted to follow up the post instead of creating a new one, but my server is weird and won’t allow me to post unless my post is longer than the original.  Oh well.  Anyway, I’ve noticed a change in my >body movements.  For one thing, my leg used to have `dystonic’ shifts from time to time.  Now, instead of my leg, my entire upper body, excluding my head experiences twitches from time to time.  I’m not particularly worried about them, simply because they haven’t given me a reason to be concerned.  It’s just an oddity.  My elbow will just jut out for a second, for no reason whatsoever.  Or my >shoulder will shift back unexpectedly.  I’m on Depakote and Effexor, and one of them are likely a cause.  Another weird thing:  during my sleep, I’ve been told I speak in French from time to time.  I guess that’s funny, because it means >that I should be fluent now.  Weird.  I’d blame that one on the Amitryptiline I take before bed to help me sleep.  It’s true that antidepressants don’t act as `uppers,’ but they probably incite action on particular areas while you’re sleeping.  I’d like to see someone who can top speaking a foreign language when they’re asleep!

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<Posted and Mailed to Champagne> >I’ve read the posts by people who are having some weird, uncontrollable = >movements, likely because of their meds.  I wanted to follow up the post=

 >instead of creating a new one, but my server is weird and won’t allow = me to >post unless my post is longer than the original.  Oh well.  = Anyway, I’ve >noticed a change in my body movements.  For one thing, my = leg used to have >’dystonic’ shifts from time to time.  Now, instead of = my leg, my entire >upper body, excluding my head experiences twitches = from time to time.  I’m >not particularly worried about them, simply = because they haven’t given me a >reason to be concerned.  It’s just an = oddity.  My elbow will just jut out >for a second, for no reason = whatsoever.  Or my shoulder will shift back >unexpectedly.  I’m on = Depakote and Effexor, and one of them are likely a >cause. I have similar twitches. The only medicine we are taking in common is Effexor (300 mg/day). So that could possibly be the cause of these muscular spasms. However I am much more willing to be "twitchy" — than depressed! I was prescribed Klonopin which is very effective against these spasms. Klonopin also hopefully allows a person to achieve the necessary amount of Level 4 deep restorative sleep without "PLMS" Periodic Limb Movements during Sleep — also known as "Myoclonus". I hope this doesn’t sound like an advertisement for Klonopin — but it has totally eliminated my panic/anxiety disorder. It also greatly assists in bringing me back down to earth when I am having a dysphoric hypomanic or mixed state episode. Of course when I am in a euphoric hypomanic state, I am usually unwilling to take Klonopin — unless I realize that I am flying too high and too fast. >Another weird thing:  during my sleep, I’ve been told I speak in French >from time to time.  I guess that’s funny, because it means >that I should be fluent now.  Weird.  I’d blame that one on the = >Amitryptiline I take before bed to help me sleep.  It’s true that = >antidepressants don’t act as ‘uppers,’ but they probably incite action >on particular areas while you’re sleeping.  I’d like to see someone who >can top speaking a foreign language when they’re asleep!

Even though Spanish is not my "heart language", I still dream in it from time to time. Now that I have returned to the States, I have noticed that as my fluency decreases, so do my "foreign" dreams. The expression "Use it or lose it!" is unfortunately all too true. Since I sleep (and live) alone, I don’t even know if I talk in my sleep — muchless in which language! <G> Best wishes to you at Rutgers from, James

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Champagne said: >I’ve read the posts by people who are having some weird, uncontrollable >movements, likely because of their meds.

I read the reply by James Milton, who said he experiences a similar thing and also takes effexor.  Well, my husband started having the same thing when his dosage of paxil was increased from 20mg to 40mg.   We both noticed it starting right at that time, so I am sure it was the cause.  I guess a lot of meds can do this…  I never heard of this as a side effect of paxil, but at the time, it was the only med he was taking. Very interesting…

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>Champagne said: >I’ve read the posts by people who are having some weird, uncontrollable >movements, likely because of their meds.

I get the shakes and twitches a lot.. but I did that even before I went on meds.  There is a remarkable increase for me though.  Sometimes my shaking and twitches are like seizures, according to my boyfriend, I just sleep right through them. If it werent for him coming to visit me and being there, I wouldnt have known about this going on.  I dont know how much is psychological and how much is from meds.   Oh yeah.. I speak German in my dreams sometimes..LOL.. it is good to know that others do that too.. ~Arielah~ ~~*~~*~     For love is fierce as death,        

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > <Posted and Mailed to Champagne> >I’ve read the posts by people who are having some weird, uncontrollable >movements, kely becauseli of their meds.  I wanted to follow up the post >instead of creating a new one, but my server is weird and won’t allow me to >post unless my post is longer than the original.  Oh well.  Anyway, I’ve >noticed a change in my body movements.  For one thing, my leg used to have >’dystonic’ shifts from time to time.  Now, instead of my leg, my entire >upper body, excluding my head experiences twitches from time to time.  I’m >not particularly worried about them, simply because they haven’t given me a >reason to be concerned.  It’s just an oddity.  My elbow will just jut out >for a second, for no reason whatsoever.  Or my shoulder will shift back >unexpectedly.  I’m on Depakote and Effexor, and one of them are likely a >cause. > I have similar twitches. The only medicine we are taking in common is > Effexor (300 mg/day). So that could possibly be the cause of these > muscular spasms. > I hope this doesn’t sound like an advertisement for Klonopin — but it > has totally eliminated my panic/anxiety disorder. It also greatly > assists in bringing me back down to earth when I am having a dysphoric > hypomanic or mixed state episode. Of course when I am in a euphoric > hypomanic state, I am usually unwilling to take Klonopin — unless I > realize that I am flying too high and too fast. >Another weird thing:  during my sleep, I’ve been told I speak in French >from time to time.  I guess that’s funny, because it means >that I should be fluent now.  Weird.  I’d blame that one on the >Amitryptiline I take before bed to help me sleep.  It’s true that >antidepressants don’t act as ‘uppers,’ but they probably incite action >on particular areas while you’re sleeping.  I’d like to see someone who >can top speaking a foreign language when they’re asleep! > Even though Spanish is not my "heart language", I still dream in it from > time to time. Now that I have returned to the States, I have noticed > that as my fluency decreases, so do my "foreign" dreams. The expression > "Use it or lose it!" is unfortunately all too true. > Since I sleep (and live) alone, I don’t even know if I talk in my sleep > — muchless in which language! <G> > Best wishes to you at Rutgers from, > James

Hello,    I noticed my husband is on Limbitrol and  he sleeps heavily and  he twitches and makes comments and has all sorts of good entertaining things. One night he thought he was a bus driver, he was mad, he is always angry in his dreams well he screams and yells, and I asked him, "What are you doing honey?"  Half awake myself, now awake. " Why do parents always have to bring the damn kids.?" Pointing fingers and raising his arms up into the air as if he was trying to push them onto the bus. "Well, honey ," trying to hold my composure, "What are you trying to do?" " I have a bus schedual to run and if I don’t get them all on the bus, I am going to be late." I told him the next day if he had  a dream and if he ever drove a bus, nope he never was one and never had the experience as one, not even for a church, yet he was one that day. Another night I came in and  he was yelling a screaming again. "Don’t throw the sawdust on the house." "What honey?" Looking very concerned because this was the first time I had experienced something like this being my first marriage and all and just got married. "Hey, don’t throw those sticks on the house." I am really upset now and wake him up out of dead sleep to tell him he was dreaming and was yelling at me. I told him to shut up for now on. Well, it is still continuing now he is taking pictures with a camera and showing someone how to do it, he also was building a house or something and yelled and screamed, drugs do funny things to a person while sleeping. We are planning on moving to PA and building a house, do you suppose this was it? I have no idea. Drugs, yuck. but we can’t live without them. Can we? Rhonda

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