SSRIs

Question:

hi andy, its worth getting it checked out – they usually say you should be monitored closely if taking an ssri if you get manic…. i havent come across this myself but i know ssri’s can cause sleep disturbances, usually difficulty sleeping… one question – when do you take the Zispin? if you’re taking it at night, maybe try taking it in the morning – i was told to take my ssri (zoloft) in the morning because it tends to be stimulant and can cause difficulty sleeping. i found myself having very surreal dreams while taking valproate – but thats a mood stabiliser so it functions in a different way. best to get it checked by your pdoc. good luck m > NEW TO THE GROUP..Zispin has been the first anti-depressant (of > many)to have had more positive than negative effects on me. However, i > have noticed lately (been on 30mg for 9 months) i have been wakening > thro the night during "out of bed experiences". eg searching thro > wardropes/drawers looking for, i dont know what. > I was wondering if anybody else has had similar on this drug or is it > a sign of impending mania???  I dont take prophylactics like lithium > as im extremely sensitive to medications but have been moderately > depressed for almost three years now (since my last "high").   Thanks > in advance for any feedback. >  sorry but im new to this computer interface stuff

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Question:

I have recently been placed on 50mg of Zoloft/day for my depression. For the first two days I had a constant erection, which has now subsided. I am now at day 10. However, I have noticed that now I cannot reach orgasm and my penis has grown. Does anyone here have any input on what I can do about this problem? Has anyone else experienced these types of change? I really haven’t noticed any changes in my mood except that now i feel like I’ve consumed a low dose of LSD. The first two days were horrible. I was nausiated and jittery. I couldn’t concentrate. I was taking ReVia with this so I would not be inclined to drink, but that pill makes me feel awful. I stopped taking Revia on day three and things have gotten a little better. What else can I expect from this/these drug(s)?

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>I really haven’t noticed any changes in my mood except that now i feel like >I’ve consumed a low dose of LSD. The first two days were horrible. I was >nausiated and jittery. I couldn’t concentrate. I was taking ReVia with this >so I would not be inclined to drink, but that pill makes me feel awful. I >stopped taking Revia on day three and things have gotten a little better. >What else can I expect from this/these drug(s)?

Never tried Zoloft but the first time I tried Prozac it induced what felt exactly like an LSD flashback, and just like previous flashbacks it caused my left pupil to dilate.  I tried Prozac several times after (in a recreational attempt) but the sensation never recurred.

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> >I really haven’t noticed any changes in my mood except that now i feel like >I’ve consumed a low dose of LSD. The first two days were horrible. I was >nausiated and jittery. I couldn’t concentrate. I was taking ReVia with this >so I would not be inclined to drink, but that pill makes me feel awful. I >stopped taking Revia on day three and things have gotten a little better. >What else can I expect from this/these drug(s)? > Never tried Zoloft but the first time I tried Prozac it induced what > felt exactly like an LSD flashback, and just like previous flashbacks > it caused my left pupil to dilate.  I tried Prozac several times > after (in a recreational attempt) but the sensation never recurred.

I got the same thing!  The first time I was on Prozac, I had LSD type feelings for almost a week at the beginning.  It was unsettling, but not unpleasant. I have also been on Wellbutrin and Celexa over the years.  Wellbutrin didn’t have the LSD effect.  Celexa had intense "body rushes" for the first week. Anyone know why an antidepressant would trigger LSD type feelings?

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http://www.cs.hmc.edu/~ivl/writing/non_fiction/lsd/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >I really haven’t noticed any changes in my mood except that now i feel like > >I’ve consumed a low dose of LSD. The first two days were horrible. I was > >nausiated and jittery. I couldn’t concentrate. I was taking ReVia with this > >so I would not be inclined to drink, but that pill makes me feel awful. I > >stopped taking Revia on day three and things have gotten a little better. > >What else can I expect from this/these drug(s)? > Never tried Zoloft but the first time I tried Prozac it induced what > felt exactly like an LSD flashback, and just like previous flashbacks > it caused my left pupil to dilate.  I tried Prozac several times > after (in a recreational attempt) but the sensation never recurred. > I got the same thing!  The first time I was on Prozac, I had LSD type > feelings for almost a week at the beginning.  It was unsettling, but not > unpleasant. > I have also been on Wellbutrin and Celexa over the years.  Wellbutrin > didn’t have the LSD effect.  Celexa had intense "body rushes" for the > first week. > Anyone know why an antidepressant would trigger LSD type feelings?

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >I really haven’t noticed any changes in my mood except that now i feel like > >I’ve consumed a low dose of LSD. The first two days were horrible. I was > >nausiated and jittery. I couldn’t concentrate. I was taking ReVia with this > >so I would not be inclined to drink, but that pill makes me feel awful. I > >stopped taking Revia on day three and things have gotten a little better. > >What else can I expect from this/these drug(s)? > Never tried Zoloft but the first time I tried Prozac it induced what > felt exactly like an LSD flashback, and just like previous flashbacks > it caused my left pupil to dilate.  I tried Prozac several times > after (in a recreational attempt) but the sensation never recurred. >I got the same thing!  The first time I was on Prozac, I had LSD type >feelings for almost a week at the beginning.  It was unsettling, but not >unpleasant. >I have also been on Wellbutrin and Celexa over the years.  Wellbutrin >didn’t have the LSD effect.  Celexa had intense "body rushes" for the >first week. >Anyone know why an antidepressant would trigger LSD type feelings?

This fellow drug eater might. They often use SSRIs etc for "trips" it would seem http://users.lycaeum.org/~mort/lsd_05.html [BACKGROUND] So, it’s Thanksgiving Break. I’ve been pretty goddamn bored, spending my time toking. Tuesday rolls around. Standard day. Phone call at one from a friend, who we’ll call H. H and J, my best friend, are coming over, or something. I figure a change of routine will provide an escape from my chronic ennui, so I say ok. Half an hour later, they’re over. Big surprise, though: H gives me 2 hits of acid. Liquid dropped onto a Sweet Tart, or so he claims. I figure it’s probably more like 1 hit, but what the fuck. I buy another 2 hit sweettart from H, as I find low-hit trips to be pretty banal. I also make some impromptu plans. My older brother was flying in Wednesday, and would be here till sunday, so Tuesday was the last night I had before spring break. It was set, then: I would trip that night. J couldn’t come, so it was going to be solo. I’d been wanting to try tripping solo for a while, so I was set, pretty much. Again, I was a bit concerned over whether the acid would work or not. H isn’t really a dealer, but the stuff he gets tends to be of questionable quality. And there was my SSRI’s, 50mg sertraline a day, had been doing it for about two months. I figure that the worst that could happen is that nothing works, and I waste $10. I’d tripped before with the SSRI’s once, but there was also a time when I ate a hit and nothing happened. Ah well. H and I left around 3. I had an appointment at 4, so I took care of that. Coming home, I remembered I’d forgotten to take that day’s dose of sertraline; fixed that. It was around 5. Ate a small dinner at 6. I planned to drop about 7:30-8:00, as with the SSRIs acid seemed to take longer to kick in. I also considered taking some Adderall – a cocktail of pharmaceutical (dextro-)amphetamine salts – with the acid, as I’d heard good things about acid with amphetamines; from what I’d heard, it was nothing like speedy acid. On the contrary, speed takes the edge off acid a bit. It was worth a shot, and I’d had virtually nothing but positive experience with adderall. I gave it a go. After eating dinner, I performed some informal meditation. I’d learned about the importance of set and setting my last trip, and I was determined to make this a positive experience. I cogitated for a bit on what I wanted to achieve with this trip. Now, I’ll go into a bit of background. During the summer, I had a pretty steady flow of cash from an informal job (working for my parent’s business, heh), so money for drugs was no problem. I also wasn’t into pot, in the beginning of the summer anyway. So basically, I had both the money and the time for frequent tripping. I built a lot of experience in those 3 months, but due to some really bad circumstances in August – friend flipping out, parents finding out about drugs – I had to stop indefinitely. Money was also an issue. I was put on sertraline, aka Zoloft, for depression. Fucked around with benzos for a while. Fucked around with ritalin for a while. Then finally, a few weeks ago, I amassed four hits from various sources and daytripped at the Renaissance Fair. It was so different; acid really does seem to change character immensely from trip to trip. While it was quantitavely in the vicinity of 4 hits, it was much different qualitavely, especially the visual aspect. Tripping in broad daylight, something I’d only done with 1.5 hits, might have had something to do with it also. Anyway, I found myself with the opportunity for a classic trip. Maybe would even resemble my first time (which was also solo). I decided that my goals were: [SET] -to further gauge the impact of SSRI’s on acid -to attempt to understand the meaning of a lot of music I’d wanted to listen to whilst frying -to experiment with the acid/adderall combo -to further experiment with the acid/marijuana combo; had done this many times, but they were before I had overly psychedelic effects from pot; -and to use the perspective endowed on me to scope my current position in life, to evaluate where I want to go from here. [SETTING] was going to be my house (primarily, my room), which was where I’d spent almost all of my trips. I figured I’d be off baseline by 9 and peak around 1. I had no idea how/if I was going to get to sleep. My parents wake up early, but they both work. I figured I’d get in bed around 6 am, and either sleep or just trip in bed until my parents got out of the house, which would have been 7-7:30. I had free reign from then until noon or so. I was running low on pot, but I was counting on using all of it that night; I figured I’d sedate myself with mass quantities of it if I really really couldn’t sleep. And, in the event of disaster, I had a milligram of klonopin. I hate the benzo feeling with a passion, but it’s nice to know that there IS a panic button. Shortly before taking the acid, I was hit by a sudden attack of anxiety. Was really weird. I was nervous as hell, but not about anything in particular. It’s not like I was apprehensive about the trip at all; I had all this anxiety, but it was unfocused, not directed towards anything. I took a shit, smoked a cigarette, and it cleared up. [NARRATIVE ^ 11/23/99] 21:10: I take 30mg of Adderall. I had wanted to get this out of the way as early as possible, as it really, really impedes sleep, and I did NOT need that. 21:25: I eat the acid. As mentioned, it was in the form of sweet-tarts. I crunched both of them up and swallowed them. Yum. The quality of said acid was extremely dubitous; H had gotten it from some stranger. One of those guys that claims to make his own acid with moldy rye bread. H claimed that it was good stuff, but he’s said that about a lot of things. 21:25-22:00: I kill time. IRC, guitar. The adderall appeared quite early, maybe around 7:35, 7:40. It put me in a naturally good and stimulated state of mind, which is what I’d been hoping; I anticipated that the adderall would set the stage for the acid and allow a more positive experience. I did have a concern about acid and adderall. Adderall, and Ritalin too, for that matter, turns me into a person I don’t like. With Ritalin (which I stopped doing altogether a while ago), I didn’t notice when I was on it, but as I came down I saw what a prick I’d been. I actually had a lot of personal revelations and insights on a really horrible Rit comedown; they were almost entheogenic in their depth, but unfortunately they didn’t really last that long. That’s a different story, though. Anyway, Adderall makes me a manipulative dick as well, but it allows me to see this, unlike Ritalin. I was worried that the ego dissolution of the acid would do bad things with the ego strengthening of the adderall. As the adderall was starting to kick in, I remembered having absentmindedly taken that sertraline a few hours ago. Fuck! I wasn’t sure if SSRIs inhibited acid short-term; like, if taking an SSRI neutralizes acid. I hoped it didn’t. The time I’d tripped with SSRI’s before, I had refrained from taking my daily dose. 20:00-22:00: Phone rings at 8. It’s H. He’s been kicked out of his house, and needs a place to stay the night. He apparently hadn’t had permission to hang out with us earlier, and his parents are fascists. I didn’t want to get into their business, so I made it clear with him that I was just making sure he had a place to stay for the night. My parents didn’t mind at all, so here I am, driving over to pick up a friend who’s been kicked out of his house while waiting for 4 hits of acid to kick in. Nice. I pick him up, drive back home. We did a bunch of pedestrian stuff; ate, I played guitar for a bit, yadda yadda. The adderall was making me talkative as a mofo, so I was expounding drug knowledge to H, who is, unfortunately, rather tardly as far as believing urban drug myths goes. I educated him on the nature of the drug war and on various rare psychedelics. My state of mind at this point was all waiting. I was waiting for that bizarre acid weirdness, and I wasn’t getting it. I *was* getting extremely vague hallucinations and such, but hey, it was probably because I was looking for them. My analysis of the situation was that the lifting-off feel of the acid was overshadowed by the adderall, which would explain why I had virtually no mental effects, but mild visual effects. 22:45: H and I go out in the backyard to spark a bowl. We have some trouble getting started – it’s windy, my lighters stink, and we had to change a screen – but we … read more »

Response:

I found I grew a third testicle.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have recently been placed on 50mg of Zoloft/day for my depression. For the > first two days I had a constant erection, which has now subsided. I am now > at day 10. However, I have noticed that now I cannot reach orgasm and my > penis has grown. Does anyone here have any input on what I can do about this > problem? Has anyone else experienced these types of change? > I really haven’t noticed any changes in my mood except that now i feel like > I’ve consumed a low dose of LSD. The first two days were horrible. I was > nausiated and jittery. I couldn’t concentrate. I was taking ReVia with this > so I would not be inclined to drink, but that pill makes me feel awful. I > stopped taking Revia on day three and things have gotten a little better. > What else can I expect from this/these drug(s)?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have recently been placed on 50mg of Zoloft/day for my depression. For the > first two days I had a constant erection, which has now subsided. I am now > at day 10. However, I have noticed that now I cannot reach orgasm and my > penis has grown. Does anyone here have any input on what I can do about this > problem? Has anyone else experienced these types of change? > I really haven’t noticed any changes in my mood except that now i feel like > I’ve consumed a low dose of LSD. The first two days were horrible. I was > nausiated and jittery. I couldn’t concentrate. I was taking ReVia with this > so I would not be inclined to drink, but that pill makes me feel awful. I > stopped taking Revia on day three and things have gotten a little better. > What else can I expect from this/these drug(s)?

you can expect Adverse Reactions Zoloft may cause the following reactions: fast heart rate, palpitations dizziness or lightheadedness fast talking, excited feelings skin rash, itching (hives) unusual tiredness or weakness confusion flushing sweating muscle spasms nausea, vomiting diarrhea decreased appetite weight loss dry mouth vaginitis insomnia headache indigestion, fatigue insomnia nervousness stupor please note Interactions with Drugs and Other Substances Drugs or substances that may interact with Zoloft are: illicit drugs (LSD, cocaine, methamphetamine) http://www.whatmeds.com/meds/zyprexa.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Question:

I’m taking two Wellbutrin and one Prozac (20 mg.) each day.  Is there any reason he would have me taking them in combo?  What side effects can I expect?  Thanks for any help. Posted Via Uncensored-News.Com – Still Only $9.95 – http://www.uncensored-news.com       <><><><><><><>   The Worlds Uncensored News Source   <><><><><><><><>

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> I’m taking two Wellbutrin and one Prozac (20 mg.) each day.  Is there > any reason he would have me taking them in combo?  What side effects > can I expect?  Thanks for any help.

One reason is that Prozac can have sexual side effects and Wellbutrin can help to counter that. Bruce.

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Don’t know why for sure, but since both work on different neurotransmitters you might get more benefit.  I was on Paxil and later Zoloft (both in the same class as Prozac) and thought it was a good combo.  Also Wellbutrin helped with feeling tired.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m taking two Wellbutrin and one Prozac (20 mg.) each day.  Is there > any reason he would have me taking them in combo?  What side effects > can I expect?  Thanks for any help. > One reason is that Prozac can have sexual side effects and Wellbutrin can > help to counter that. > Bruce.

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>I’m taking two Wellbutrin and one Prozac (20 mg.) each day.  Is there >any reason he would have me taking them in combo?  What side effects >can I expect?  Thanks for any help.

It’s not entirely unreasonable. While I’m no fan of fluoxetine (Prozac), it does have benefits for many people and has been used with bupropion (Wellbutrin) for hard to treat cases. I’m currently on citalopram (Celexa) 20mg tid, bupropion (Wellbutrin) SR 150mg tid, as well as mood stabilisers. I haven’t had any problems with my med combinations, although like the saying goes, what works for me might not work for you. Darren.

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>I’m taking two Wellbutrin and one Prozac (20 mg.) each day.  Is there >any reason he would have me taking them in combo?

SBN, I think the best person to ask is your  doctor.  The responses have all seemed reasonable, but no one here is a mind reader.  Only your doc knows why he prescribed it.  And it is always good to ask a doc, any doc, why they are prescribing something – what is it supposed to do; how long is going to take before you see an effect; any side effects you should look for and which ones should be contact him about immediately and which ones can hold off until the next visit; etc. Good luck, Cathy Postcard Pals: http://www.geocities.com/mensan_Cathy Affective Friends: http://www.geocities.com/postcard_Cathy Kutsher’s Camp Anawana: http://www.geocities.com/kutsherscampanawana Hewlett High School: http://www.geocities.com/hewlettalumni

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Question:

I am on xanax & zoloft already. Today my Dr also gave me risperdal. She almost went with lithium. Does anyone know anything about risperdal?

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Hi, > I am on xanax & zoloft already. Today my Dr also gave me risperdal. She > almost went with lithium. Does anyone know anything about risperdal?

Risperdal is an newer antipsychotic medication. It is used for psychotic symptoms that may accopnay a manic episode. MS are the first line treatment for people with BP illness. ADs alone have the potential of triggering mania. Peace, Reach beyond your grasp!

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I have been on and off Risperidal for almost 3 years. It really helps me. It’s not as sedating as the other anti-psychotics, and for me anyways, I don;t feel lke a zombie(though sometimes I’d like to).

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>Well, I just had a Dr appt. today and she gave me zoloft. I have also been on >xanax for 3 weeks. What will zoloft do for me? side effects? I have panic >attacks and depression but they want to work on the panic first. If both drugs >are for panic, why do i need both? How will zoloft make me feel? Will i tell a >difference?

Zoloft is a SSRI antidepressant, but one that is (typically: YMMV) mildly sedating. It also has some effects on panic. It takes a while to take hold, therefore the Xanax. I’ve been on that combination at one time in the past.

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Try the County, I don’t know which one your in, but they pay all for me and I get a fee waiver for psych. appts., therapy and meds. They rarely say no to anyone.  USUALLY!!!

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Well, I just had a Dr appt. today and she gave me zoloft. I have also been on xanax for 3 weeks. What will zoloft do for me? side effects? I have panic attacks and depression but they want to work on the panic first. If both drugs are for panic, why do i need both? How will zoloft make me feel? Will i tell a difference? Also, I do not work b/c of my panic attacks. I have not worked in 6yrs b/c i had a child and stayed home with him and since Aug 97 my attacks are so bad i CANNOT work. I have no insurance & do not qualify for state & fed. help because I live with my fiance. He makes little so we cannot afford ins. Someone told me to try ssi. Would they help? I have only been on meds for 3 weeks.

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                    DE  DIGITALE  STAD Op 26 Feb 1999, MandMandM3 schreef: > Well, I just had a Dr appt. today and she gave me zoloft. I have also been on > xanax for 3 weeks. What will zoloft do for me? side effects? I have panic > attacks and depression but they want to work on the panic first. If both drugs > are for panic, why do i need both? How will zoloft make me feel? Will i tell a

Zoloft is an SSRI. SSRIs are useful in panic disorders. However it will take 3 to 8 weeks before benefit of SSRIs in panic disorder may be noticed. Xanax is a benzodiazepine, they are useful in panic disorders and work immediately. Because SSRIs can actually cause a slight worsening of symptoms in the beginning of therapy, your doc might have decided to give Xanax as well, so overcoming this first period will be easier, and the effects of the therapy are noted faster. Benzodiazepines are also the basis of treatment of panic disorders, and you’ve received the famous SSRI combo for panic disorder. It’s quite common, my guess is that if this proves to be not effective enough after dosage adjustments and all he will add buspirone (buspar), fenfluramine, trazodone or nefazodone. The first of those being the more likely. > difference? Also, I do not work b/c of my panic attacks. I have not worked in > 6yrs b/c i had a child and stayed home with him and since Aug 97 my attacks are > so bad i CANNOT work. I have no insurance & do not qualify for state & fed. > help because I live with my fiance. He makes little so we cannot afford ins. > Someone told me to try ssi. Would they help? I have only been on meds for 3

It might still take some weeks before the benefits of the treatment become apparent, and maybe even more if the meds need to be adjusted. Be patient, panic disorder is treatable. Taking your meds spaced over the day, and drinking no or almost no coffee can increase the effectiveness of treatment. > weeks.

GreetinX & Good Luck !        X        X       Bas p.s: There’s a newsgroup called alt.support.anxiety.panic which is on this type of disease. I consider you welcome here, but they might be able to give you more support.

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Question:

Hello, My wife has been taking 150 mg of Effexor SR, and 200 mg of Zoloft a day, with uneven results, for the last 2 years. In part due to cost, and in part because the combination is heavy-handed, and uneven in action, including bouts of anger, it seems plausible to try switching over to longer-acting and cheaper Prozac, perhaps replacing both Zoloft and Effexor, perhaps starting by replacing one. The physician in this case is going along with whatever we decide. Does anyone have any experience with this, namely what equipotent dosages really would be, how best to make the transition, and so forth. At the moment she has been taking the same 150 mg of Effexor, one 100 mg Zoloft instead of two, and one 20 mg Prozac for about a week, but she has been feeling more down, it seems that 40 mg (and not 20 mg) of Prozac is about right to replace the missing 100 mg of Zoloft, so we will be trying that for a few days. Any thoughts and experiences would be much appreciated. Thanks, Fernand

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Get another Doc, sounds like he/she doesn’t really know what to perscribe. A shrink with expeience will have a better understanding of your wifes problem. But in the end, it’s still trial and error method, cause everybody reacts differently to different meds. good luck.

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Are you seeing a shrink or a MD? — John T. May Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > My wife has been taking 150 mg of Effexor SR, and 200 mg of Zoloft a day, > with uneven results, for the last 2 years. In part due to cost, and in part > because the combination is heavy-handed, and uneven in action, including > bouts of anger, it seems plausible to try switching over to longer-acting > and cheaper Prozac, perhaps replacing both Zoloft and Effexor, perhaps > starting by replacing one. The physician in this case is going along with > whatever we decide. > Does anyone have any experience with this, namely what equipotent dosages > really would be, how best to make the transition, and so forth. At the > moment she has been taking the same 150 mg of Effexor, one 100 mg Zoloft > instead of two, and one 20 mg Prozac for about a week, but she has been > feeling more down, it seems that 40 mg (and not 20 mg) of Prozac is about > right to replace the missing 100 mg of Zoloft, so we will be trying that for > a few days. > Any thoughts and experiences would be much appreciated. > Thanks, > Fernand

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello, >My wife has been taking 150 mg of Effexor SR, and 200 mg of Zoloft a day, >with uneven results, for the last 2 years. In part due to cost, and in part >because the combination is heavy-handed, and uneven in action, including >bouts of anger, it seems plausible to try switching over to longer-acting >and cheaper Prozac, perhaps replacing both Zoloft and Effexor, perhaps >starting by replacing one. The physician in this case is going along with >whatever we decide. >Does anyone have any experience with this, namely what equipotent dosages >really would be, how best to make the transition, and so forth. At the >moment she has been taking the same 150 mg of Effexor, one 100 mg Zoloft >instead of two, and one 20 mg Prozac for about a week, but she has been >feeling more down, it seems that 40 mg (and not 20 mg) of Prozac is about >right to replace the missing 100 mg of Zoloft, so we will be trying that for >a few days. >Any thoughts and experiences would be much appreciated. >Thanks, >Fernand

As far as dosage, there really isn’t any conversion IME as to what equals what. It’s really based on reaction to the med which really varies from person to person. I don’t hold myself out as a medical professional, but I wonder why a doctor has 3 different antidepressants in her system at once, frankly, even two. Right now, with three different antidepressants, 2 acting on serotonin and on mainly acting on norephinephrine I don’t see how anyone would be able to sort out what antidepressant in this combo is causing which effect to happen. It’s not unheard of to be on more than one antidepressant, but to _me_, it complicates things. I assume she was put on 2 because either the Effexor wasn’t doing the job completely or just quit. If it were me, I would prefer to be switched just to one med, so if it stopped working I wouldn’t have to guess as to what is doing what. As much as we know about the brain, we have no clue as to what happens to emotions when you start dealing with med combos. It may be why you are getting the "heavy-handed, and uneven in action" you describe. In fact, if you go to the pharmacy and ask for the prescribing information attached to the bottle and can make it through all the fine print, you’ll see that agitation or anger that your wife is experience listed as a reported side effect of the medication (not common but it happens) – so it’s not implausible that one med is causing it, let alone a combo of three. It could also be the depression, but you are still just left to guesswork. I’m only speaking as someone who has been on and off of antidepressants and combinations for over 20 years, so take it for what it’s worth. Feel free to discard it. These meds can do strange things, especially in combos. While we know what goes on in our head better than the doctors and I have always played an active role in picking new meds, frankly, I would be a bit scared if my doctor told me he’d approve whatever I chose and whatever dosage I wanted and left me to do the research. I would consider going to another psychiatrist for just one or two visits while still keeping your current doctor. Explain the situation and just tell them you want a second opinion. That’s how I got the doc I have today. He saw some things, recommended some changes, and I started feeling so good I kept him. Anyway, enough blabbing. The bottom line is getting your wife to feel better, and whatever path you choose to take to successfully get there no one can complain about. My best to your wife, and you as well. Roy

Response:

Thanks, Roy, The Effexor was added when Zolotf alone became insufficient. The combination works not too badly. It would be nice if a single med worked, especially one with a longer duration of action, a more benign withdrawal, and lower cost. Hence the concept that maybe Prozac alone would be a reasonable try. But because of the (very slow) curve of Prozac, the move through a gradual substitution seems reasonable. I think we’re fortunate in having a little more control than those patients who have no say in their meds, and who consider that a blessing. With indirect acting meds like SSRIs, where the effects take time to develop, where the underlying state of the patient plays such a huge role, and where the physician has no meaningful personal experience (unlike for instance with sedatives, where the physician should clearly know from personal experience e.g. the subjective difference between a benzodiazepine and an antipsychotic), realistically we’re on our own anyway, assessing what works better, which side-effects are most annoying, etc. There are no hard and fast rules, and there are no ultimate experts or authorities. The standard info is there in the PDR, the literature and the textbooks. But many of the people in support groups have developed an invaluable body of personal experience above and beyond that, and this is what I was asking. Thanks for your input, Fernand

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello, >My wife has been taking 150 mg of Effexor SR, and 200 mg of Zoloft a day, >with uneven results, for the last 2 years. In part due to cost, and in part >because the combination is heavy-handed, and uneven in action, including >bouts of anger, it seems plausible to try switching over to longer-acting >and cheaper Prozac, perhaps replacing both Zoloft and Effexor, perhaps >starting by replacing one. The physician in this case is going along with >whatever we decide. >Does anyone have any experience with this, namely what equipotent dosages >really would be, how best to make the transition, and so forth. At the >moment she has been taking the same 150 mg of Effexor, one 100 mg Zoloft >instead of two, and one 20 mg Prozac for about a week, but she has been >feeling more down, it seems that 40 mg (and not 20 mg) of Prozac is about >right to replace the missing 100 mg of Zoloft, so we will be trying that for >a few days. >Any thoughts and experiences would be much appreciated. >Thanks, >Fernand

As far as dosage, there really isn’t any conversion IME as to what equals what. It’s really based on reaction to the med which really varies from person to person. I don’t hold myself out as a medical professional, but I wonder why a doctor has 3 different antidepressants in her system at once, frankly, even two. Right now, with three different antidepressants, 2 acting on serotonin and on mainly acting on norephinephrine I don’t see how anyone would be able to sort out what antidepressant in this combo is causing which effect to happen. It’s not unheard of to be on more than one antidepressant, but to _me_, it complicates things. I assume she was put on 2 because either the Effexor wasn’t doing the job completely or just quit. If it were me, I would prefer to be switched just to one med, so if it stopped working I wouldn’t have to guess as to what is doing what. As much as we know about the brain, we have no clue as to what happens to emotions when you start dealing with med combos. It may be why you are getting the "heavy-handed, and uneven in action" you describe. In fact, if you go to the pharmacy and ask for the prescribing information attached to the bottle and can make it through all the fine print, you’ll see that agitation or anger that your wife is experience listed as a reported side effect of the medication (not common but it happens) – so it’s not implausible that one med is causing it, let alone a combo of three. It could also be the depression, but you are still just left to guesswork. I’m only speaking as someone who has been on and off of antidepressants and combinations for over 20 years, so take it for what it’s worth. Feel free to discard it. These meds can do strange things, especially in combos. While we know what goes on in our head better than the doctors and I have always played an active role in picking new meds, frankly, I would be a bit scared if my doctor told me he’d approve whatever I chose and whatever dosage I wanted and left me to do the research. I would consider going to another psychiatrist for just one or two visits while still keeping your current doctor. Explain the situation and just tell them you want a second opinion. That’s how I got the doc I have today. He saw some things, recommended some changes, and I started feeling so good I kept him. Anyway, enough blabbing. The bottom line is getting your wife to feel better, and whatever path you choose to take to successfully get there no one can complain about. My best to your wife, and you as well. Roy

Response:

I know one thing, ZOLOFT turned me into a hair triggered bad tempered maniac, I was terrible, snappy all the time and felt that angry inside it was like frustration, My doc changed me to Prozac and within two weeks my temper was back to normal. take care

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > My wife has been taking 150 mg of Effexor SR, and 200 mg of Zoloft a day, > with uneven results, for the last 2 years. In part due to cost, and in part > because the combination is heavy-handed, and uneven in action, including > bouts of anger, it seems plausible to try switching over to longer-acting > and cheaper Prozac, perhaps replacing both Zoloft and Effexor, perhaps > starting by replacing one. The physician in this case is going along with > whatever we decide. > Does anyone have any experience with this, namely what equipotent dosages > really would be, how best to make the transition, and so forth. At the > moment she has been taking the same 150 mg of Effexor, one 100 mg Zoloft > instead of two, and one 20 mg Prozac for about a week, but she has been > feeling more down, it seems that 40 mg (and not 20 mg) of Prozac is about > right to replace the missing 100 mg of Zoloft, so we will be trying that for > a few days. > Any thoughts and experiences would be much appreciated. > Thanks, > Fernand

Response:

Thanks for your feedback, actually it seems that as she slowly tapers off the Zoloft and Effexor over to Prozac, my wife is showing less of that hair-trigger anger, and ALSO feeling less gloomy. It was interesting to read some studies that suggested that Prozac worked better than zoloft on people with emotional swings. It is often the case that the older meds, which are no longer on exclusive brand name patent, are discarded by physicians under sales pressure from the pharm companies, but that in fact the old original, that all the imitations were created after, is still the better one. Generic Prozac is enormously less profitable than the newer ones. Pharmacologically, unless there is a specific reason, it is fair to say that the old and inexpensive one should be tried first. I’m not suggesting that for instance an old tricyclic or MAO inhibitor be used in place of a SSRI. But within the SSRI class, the older compound, in this case Prozac, with more mileage and test results, should not be passed by just because there is a shiny new one that is better-marketed. In her case there was a brief trial of Prozac as I recall, but we know now that it’s a very very slowly acting drug, so a couple of weeks for instance is quite inadequate as a trial period. In our case, if the results continue as they have so far, it would suggest that we could have saved a lot of money and grief sooner. Fernand

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I know one thing, ZOLOFT turned me into a hair triggered bad tempered > maniac, I was terrible, snappy all the time and felt that angry inside it > was like frustration, My doc changed me to Prozac and within two weeks my > temper was back to normal. > take care > Hello, > My wife has been taking 150 mg of Effexor SR, and 200 mg of Zoloft a day, > with uneven results, for the last 2 years. In part due to cost, and in > part > because the combination is heavy-handed, and uneven in action, including > bouts of anger, it seems plausible to try switching over to longer-acting > and cheaper Prozac, perhaps replacing both Zoloft and Effexor, perhaps > starting by replacing one. The physician in this case is going along with > whatever we decide. > Does anyone have any experience with this, namely what equipotent dosages > really would be, how best to make the transition, and so forth. At the > moment she has been taking the same 150 mg of Effexor, one 100 mg Zoloft > instead of two, and one 20 mg Prozac for about a week, but she has been > feeling more down, it seems that 40 mg (and not 20 mg) of Prozac is about > right to replace the missing 100 mg of Zoloft, so we will be trying that > for > a few days. > Any thoughts and experiences would be much appreciated. > Thanks, > Fernand

Response:

Question:

Myself, I find Prozac makes me lose weight, while I was on Lustral (Zoloft) I gained 2 stone. take care

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am new to this newsgroup and needing some advice.  I’ve just been > prescribed prozac for the first time in my life and am wondering about > the potential side effects, particularly weight gain. > Some people report weight gain on Prozac, but it seems the most common > side effect is weight *loss*. Just like some people report feeling sleepy > on Prozac, while for most people it seems to reduce sleep. > I’ve just spent > months in the gym trying to get the weight off from being on > prednisolone for Crohn’s Disease and I really don’t want to start taking > something that is just going to put it all back on after all my hard > work. I’ve read conflicting reports about Prozac and weight gain and was > wondering what people’s personal experiences were. > For me it did’nt do much, as far as I remember, it might have suppressed > my appetite somewhat. I know people who take it and they all have > experienced weight loss. > Now, from what I understand, if your depression makes it so you eat more, > then taking Prozac will make you eat less. If depression makes you eat > less, then expect the opposite. That’s just a guess.

Response:

Changes in weight during a 1-year trial of fluoxetine by Michelson D, Amsterdam JD, Quitkin FM, Reimherr FW, Rosenbaum JF, Zajecka J, Sundell KL, Kim Y, Beasley CM Jr Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA. Am J Psychiatry 1999 Aug; 156(8):1170-6 ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: Fluoxetine has been associated with weight loss during acute treatment, but no controlled studies of weight change during long-term treatment with fluoxetine or other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been reported. Weights were assessed for patients whose depressive symptoms had disappeared with acute fluoxetine treatment. Patients were then randomly assigned to continuation treatment with fluoxetine or placebo. METHOD: Patients whose illness had remitted after 12 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine, 20 mg/day, were randomly assigned to receive up to 38 weeks of treatment with fluoxetine or placebo. Weight was assessed at each visit. Change in weight was analyzed during the initial 12 weeks of acute treatment and after 14, 26, and 38 weeks. Relationships between weight change and body mass index and between weight change and appetite change were assessed. RESULTS: During the initial 4 weeks of therapy, a mean absolute weight decrease of 0.4 kg was observed for all patients. Among patients who completed 50 weeks of therapy, the mean absolute weight increase during continuation treatment was similar for both the placebo- and fluoxetine-treated groups. Weight increase was not related to initial body mass index but was related to both poor appetite at study entry and to improvement in appetite after recovery. No patients discontinued therapy because of weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: Acute therapy with fluoxetine is associated with modest weight loss. After remission of depressive symptoms, weight gain for patients taking fluoxetine for longer periods is not different from that for patients taking placebo and is most likely related to recovery from depression. Prohibition Funds Terrorism

Response:

hey-   i’ve been on prozac off and on for 3 years. everytime i go on, i completely lose my appettite. i have HUGE problems with not even thinking about eating and losing so much weight!!! not healthy at all!! if u have an increased appettite just tell your doctor IMMEDIATELY. u don’t have to be taking it if it does that to you   Hope this helps!! -Katie

Response:

Hi all, I am new to this newsgroup and needing some advice.  I’ve just been prescribed prozac for the first time in my life and am wondering about the potential side effects, particularly weight gain.  I’ve just spent months in the gym trying to get the weight off from being on prednisolone for Crohn’s Disease and I really don’t want to start taking something that is just going to put it all back on after all my hard work. I’ve read conflicting reports about Prozac and weight gain and was wondering what people’s personal experiences were. Thanks Karen

Response:

Question:

Prozac Truth How to taper off medication   Quitting ssris and psychiatric medication must be done by tapering off, very slowly. Step by step instructions found on this Web Site.   How to Taper Off Prozac, Sarafem, Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, Wellbutrin and other Psychiatric Medication Read testimonials of people that have quit psychiatric medication with this method. Click Here (This page also includes recent feedback from people tapering off medication with this method) I want to hear from you. If you are using this method or not, it does help to have someone to talk with during withdrawal. Click Here to send e-mail. A change in your diet can make a change in how you feel. Click here to visit a common sense Web Site by, Dr. Hugh Mann, M.D. If you plan to change your diet while tapering, do so mildly. If you smoke or drink coffee, first taper off the medication before you quit. Your metabolism plays a major role during tapering and detox. Take the time to read Dr. Mann’s information. How to Taper Step-by-Step Recommendation Click the text below that applies to you situation: Currently using medication and have not reduced the dosage yet Currently using medication and have already started to taper You have already quit taking medication but are suffering from side effects Currently using medication and have not reduced the dosage yet Inform your doctor you wish to discontinue the medication Begin replenishing the intracellular glutathione levels in the body. This needs to be done before you begin to taper. a) Begin by increasing intracellular levels of glutathione for at least one full week before beginning the taper. Longer if necessary. I have received information from a physician that he is having people stay at this step for 8 weeks before tapering. Each individual is different. I do not feel that an arbitrary amount of time on this step is warranted. What has shown to be the most effective is staying on this step for at least one full week or until most of your side effects are gone or nearly gone AND YOU FEEL VERY STABLE. You should not begin to taper off the medication until all or nearly all of your current side effects are gone. Getting yourself very stable before tapering is critical. If you are getting the

Question:

typed: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> >When I took Paxil, my suicide ideas disappeared. >> the placebo effect >Does it matter why?  The point is it saved his life. > Prove that he would have killed himself without it?

I have tried to kill myself several times.  I took anti-depressants (zoloft) and my urge to kill myself…died. Admittadly, what works for one, doesn’t necessarily work for all.  They worked for me and many others where other methods have failed. > A sugar pill would have been cheaper and have less long term side > effects..

There were many things that were done to try and make me happy, but ultimately none worked. > But you’re a drug company shill hired by Eli Lilly to post on ASDM.

Why am I a drug company shill?  Who’s Eli Lilly?  I’m posting from asad not asdm. —- —–BEGIN PERL GEEK CODE BLOCK—–     P+++>++++c–>*P6 >?R >++M+>++O++MA+E PU BD++C++D++S++X WP MO PP n+CO?PO-o+G+A-OLC+OLCC+OLJ+OLP–OLR–OL CO–OLS–OLL–OLA–Ee Ev-Eon+Eot!Eob Eoa!uL++>+++uB!uS!uH!uo!w—m!osA!osBE! ——END PERL GEEK CODE BLOCK—— elizabeth at psy dox dot com

Response:

> >When I took Paxil, my suicide ideas disappeared. > the placebo effect

Does it matter why?  The point is it saved his life. —- —–BEGIN PERL GEEK CODE BLOCK—–     P+++>++++c–>*P6 >?R >++M+>++O++MA+E PU BD++C++D++S++X WP MO PP n+CO?PO-o+G+A-OLC+OLCC+OLJ+OLP–OLR–OL CO–OLS–OLL–OLA–Ee Ev-Eon+Eot!Eob Eoa!uL++>+++uB!uS!uH!uo!w—m!osA!osBE! ——END PERL GEEK CODE BLOCK—— elizabeth at psy dox dot com

Response:

> I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups > was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. > Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? > Berty

You are boring B

Response:

> I’m on effexor with no side effects whatsoever. And no suicideal thoughts. > And I have a better relationship to my friends. My depression is gone.

This is what is happening to me. I think that it works B

Response:

> yes but you have not had an orgasim in three years..

not true!!! I had one three days ago! I have to say, maybe efexor is helping me to have back a normal sex life. B

Response:

> Hi I am new to this group, just got on it yesterday, and I hope some- > one responds to my posts.  I’ve never actually even talked to another > bipolar person believe it or not because I’ve been such a homebody since > it started screwing everything up around age 20 (well I’ve had the > symptoms all my life but when you hit the real world….you might

know…)…. I am sorry, I am not a bipolar person so I can’t answer you. I am just a chronical depressed – …- The important thing is that you found the right medication, I am still researching the best love B

Response:

When I took Paxil, my suicide ideas disappeared.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m on effexor with no side effects whatsoever. And no suicideal thoughts. > And I have a better relationship to my friends. My depression is gone. > well stop xposting to asdt! > > > EFEXOR > > >  In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for > > > > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side > > >  effects. > > > > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months > on > the > > >  drug, I stuck a > > > > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I > would > not > > >  wake up and get > > > > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home > dejected > > > and angry. > > > Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that > maybe > > > your problem is deeper . > > > You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you > need > > > friends more than a medicine. > > > Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. > > > > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night, > > > whith efexor you sleep a lot > > > Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and > > > > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life. > > > I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. > Dont > > > blame any medicine or whatever… > > > I feel fantastic, in control and > > > > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. > The > only > > >  thing I can > > > > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My > suicide > > >  attempts were > > > > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all > accounts > I > > >  should be dead. If > > > > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it > would > > >  not be from > > > > suicide, it would have been from Effexor. > > > I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I > exist > > > and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, > but > > > remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you > from > > > death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting > > > suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. > > > take care > > > love > > > B > > > > — > > > > Psychiatry is to Science > > > > as Astrology is to Astronomy > > I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups > > was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. > > Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? > > Berty

Response:

Hi I am new to this group, just got on it yesterday, and I hope some- one responds to my posts.  I’ve never actually even talked to another bipolar person believe it or not because I’ve been such a homebody since it started screwing everything up around age 20 (well I’ve had the symptoms all my life but when you hit the real world….you might know…) Anyway I just want to say that I am allergic to all those SSRIs too.  I posted this yesterday.  They all make me feel much, much worse.  Zoloft led to my only overdose (no one pumped my stomach because I didn’t tell anyone it was a strange 3 days.)   Did you all know that suicide is listed as an effect of these drugs? You can read it on many websites and even in the small print on the folded pamphlet included with your Dr’s samples of the drug.  I also read the pamphlet on Zyprexa, and it says suicide can be a rare effect of that too. I know Zyprexa has antihistamine in it, the same thing that makes you tired in benadryl or sleeping pills, and antihistamine also makes me very depressed. I have noticed the little tendancies on the few occasions I was on Zyprex for it being impossible to sleep. They don’t warn you.  I noticed SSRIs are the first thing slapped down as Rx EVERY TIME I’ve seen a different doctor.  thankfully now I have one and we have found the right medications.  Without them I feel like killing myself too. Though I would never do it.  I know its stupid to do.  But it still sucks when life feels so bad you just want to die all the time, except from September to March.  I have a breakdown every year when it turns from hot to cold or back, like clockwork.  anyone else have that?  I always go in the hospital.   I asked this yesterday too.  Don’t bipolars have Excess serotonin, anyway? Why do they put us on ssris, then? I also read some theory that decreasing serotonin is the way out of depresion, that paxil etc works by bombarding receptors to make them less sensitive to serotonin.  that would make sense.   just what is really chemically different about the bipolar brain?  does anyone know?  I only get 30 minutes with my dr and dont’ see a shrink.  I have many questions and have done a lot of reading.  I wish I was smart enough to figure out how to fix it too.  the doctors only have half the info, and we have the other half.  they don’t have the delusions, mania, and depression.  they dont take the Rxs they prescribe.  They only know half. We should pool our info so we can get out of this predicament. I hate it. Love yall, someone please write to me.

Response:

Hehe, actually, effexor has given me MORE INTENSE orgasms No problems with orgasms or getting my dick up. I’m 22 years old and I’ve been on effexor for about 7 months I think. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> yes but you have not had an orgasim in three years.. >I’m on effexor with no side effects whatsoever. And no suicideal thoughts. >And I have a better relationship to my friends. My depression is gone. >> well stop xposting to asdt! >> > > EFEXOR >> > >  In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for >> > > > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side >> > >  effects. >> > > > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months >on >> the >> > >  drug, I stuck a >> > > > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I >would >> not >> > >  wake up and get >> > > > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home >> dejected >> > > and angry. >> > > Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that >maybe >> > > your problem is deeper . >> > > You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you >need >> > > friends more than a medicine. >> > > Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. >> > > > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night, >> > > whith efexor you sleep a lot >> > > Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and >> > > > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life. >> > > I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. >> Dont >> > > blame any medicine or whatever… >> > > I feel fantastic, in control and >> > > > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. >The >> only >> > >  thing I can >> > > > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My >> suicide >> > >  attempts were >> > > > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all >accounts >> I >> > >  should be dead. If >> > > > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it >> would >> > >  not be from >> > > > suicide, it would have been from Effexor. >> > > I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I >> exist >> > > and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, >but >> > > remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you >from >> > > death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting >> > > suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. >> > > take care >> > > love >> > > B >> > > > — >> > > > Psychiatry is to Science >> > > > as Astrology is to Astronomy >> > I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups >> > was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. >> > Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? >> > Berty > — > Psychiatry is to Science > as Astrology is to Astronomy

Response:

I’m on effexor with no side effects whatsoever. And no suicideal thoughts. And I have a better relationship to my friends. My depression is gone.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> well stop xposting to asdt! > > EFEXOR > >  In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for > > > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side > >  effects. > > > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months on > the > >  drug, I stuck a > > > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I would > not > >  wake up and get > > > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home > dejected > > and angry. > > Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that maybe > > your problem is deeper . > > You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you need > > friends more than a medicine. > > Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. > > > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night, > > whith efexor you sleep a lot > > Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and > > > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life. > > I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. > Dont > > blame any medicine or whatever… > > I feel fantastic, in control and > > > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. The > only > >  thing I can > > > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My > suicide > >  attempts were > > > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all accounts > I > >  should be dead. If > > > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it > would > >  not be from > > > suicide, it would have been from Effexor. > > I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I > exist > > and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, but > > remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you from > > death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting > > suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. > > take care > > love > > B > > > — > > > Psychiatry is to Science > > > as Astrology is to Astronomy > I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups > was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. > Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? > Berty

Response:

well stop xposting to asdt!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> EFEXOR >  In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for > > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side >  effects. > > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months on the >  drug, I stuck a > > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I would not >  wake up and get > > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home dejected > and angry. > Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that maybe > your problem is deeper . > You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you need > friends more than a medicine. > Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. > > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night, > whith efexor you sleep a lot > Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and > > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life. > I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. Dont > blame any medicine or whatever… > I feel fantastic, in control and > > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. The only >  thing I can > > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My suicide >  attempts were > > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all accounts I >  should be dead. If > > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it would >  not be from > > suicide, it would have been from Effexor. > I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I exist > and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, but > remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you from > death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting > suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. > take care > love > B > > — > > Psychiatry is to Science > > as Astrology is to Astronomy > I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups > was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. > Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? > Berty

Response:

EFEXOR   In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side effects. > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months on the drug, I stuck a > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I would not wake up and get > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home dejected

and angry. Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that maybe your problem is deeper . You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you need friends more than a medicine. Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night,

whith efexor you sleep a lot Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life.

I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. Dont blame any medicine or whatever… I feel fantastic, in control and > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. The only thing I can > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My suicide attempts were > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all accounts I should be dead. If > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it would not be from > suicide, it would have been from Effexor.

I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I exist and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, but remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you from death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. take care love B – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> — > Psychiatry is to Science > as Astrology is to Astronomy

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > EFEXOR >  In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side >  effects. > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months on the >  drug, I stuck a > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I would not >  wake up and get > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home dejected > and angry. > Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that maybe > your problem is deeper . > You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you need > friends more than a medicine. > Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night, > whith efexor you sleep a lot > Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life. > I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. Dont > blame any medicine or whatever… > I feel fantastic, in control and > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. The only >  thing I can > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My suicide >  attempts were > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all accounts I >  should be dead. If > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it would >  not be from > suicide, it would have been from Effexor. > I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I exist > and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, but > remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you from > death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting > suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. > take care > love > B > — > Psychiatry is to Science > as Astrology is to Astronomy

I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? Berty

Response:

> >When I took Paxil, my suicide ideas disappeared. > the placebo effect

Does it matter why?  The point is it saved his life. —- —–BEGIN PERL GEEK CODE BLOCK—–     P+++>++++c–>*P6 >?R >++M+>++O++MA+E PU BD++C++D++S++X WP MO PP n+CO?PO-o+G+A-OLC+OLCC+OLJ+OLP–OLR–OL CO–OLS–OLL–OLA–Ee Ev-Eon+Eot!Eob Eoa!uL++>+++uB!uS!uH!uo!w—m!osA!osBE! ——END PERL GEEK CODE BLOCK—— elizabeth at psy dox dot com

Response:

typed: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> >When I took Paxil, my suicide ideas disappeared. >> the placebo effect >Does it matter why?  The point is it saved his life. > Prove that he would have killed himself without it?

I have tried to kill myself several times.  I took anti-depressants (zoloft) and my urge to kill myself…died. Admittadly, what works for one, doesn’t necessarily work for all.  They worked for me and many others where other methods have failed. > A sugar pill would have been cheaper and have less long term side > effects..

There were many things that were done to try and make me happy, but ultimately none worked. > But you’re a drug company shill hired by Eli Lilly to post on ASDM.

Why am I a drug company shill?  Who’s Eli Lilly?  I’m posting from asad not asdm. —- —–BEGIN PERL GEEK CODE BLOCK—–     P+++>++++c–>*P6 >?R >++M+>++O++MA+E PU BD++C++D++S++X WP MO PP n+CO?PO-o+G+A-OLC+OLCC+OLJ+OLP–OLR–OL CO–OLS–OLL–OLA–Ee Ev-Eon+Eot!Eob Eoa!uL++>+++uB!uS!uH!uo!w—m!osA!osBE! ——END PERL GEEK CODE BLOCK—— elizabeth at psy dox dot com

Response:

When I took Paxil, my suicide ideas disappeared.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’m on effexor with no side effects whatsoever. And no suicideal thoughts. > And I have a better relationship to my friends. My depression is gone. > well stop xposting to asdt! > > > EFEXOR > > >  In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for > > > > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side > > >  effects. > > > > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months > on > the > > >  drug, I stuck a > > > > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I > would > not > > >  wake up and get > > > > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home > dejected > > > and angry. > > > Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that > maybe > > > your problem is deeper . > > > You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you > need > > > friends more than a medicine. > > > Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. > > > > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night, > > > whith efexor you sleep a lot > > > Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and > > > > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life. > > > I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. > Dont > > > blame any medicine or whatever… > > > I feel fantastic, in control and > > > > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. > The > only > > >  thing I can > > > > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My > suicide > > >  attempts were > > > > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all > accounts > I > > >  should be dead. If > > > > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it > would > > >  not be from > > > > suicide, it would have been from Effexor. > > > I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I > exist > > > and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, > but > > > remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you > from > > > death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting > > > suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. > > > take care > > > love > > > B > > > > — > > > > Psychiatry is to Science > > > > as Astrology is to Astronomy > > I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups > > was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. > > Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? > > Berty

Response:

> yes but you have not had an orgasim in three years..

not true!!! I had one three days ago! I have to say, maybe efexor is helping me to have back a normal sex life. B

Response:

> Hi I am new to this group, just got on it yesterday, and I hope some- > one responds to my posts.  I’ve never actually even talked to another > bipolar person believe it or not because I’ve been such a homebody since > it started screwing everything up around age 20 (well I’ve had the > symptoms all my life but when you hit the real world….you might

know…)…. I am sorry, I am not a bipolar person so I can’t answer you. I am just a chronical depressed – …- The important thing is that you found the right medication, I am still researching the best love B

Response:

> I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups > was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. > Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? > Berty

You are boring B

Response:

> I’m on effexor with no side effects whatsoever. And no suicideal thoughts. > And I have a better relationship to my friends. My depression is gone.

This is what is happening to me. I think that it works B

Response:

> I’m on effexor with no side effects whatsoever. And no suicideal thoughts. > And I have a better relationship to my friends. My depression is gone.

I agree with you, Dobei, I find Efexor good. I use to be on surmontil for a year and it didn’t do anything at all for my depression. B

Response:

Hi I am new to this group, just got on it yesterday, and I hope some- one responds to my posts.  I’ve never actually even talked to another bipolar person believe it or not because I’ve been such a homebody since it started screwing everything up around age 20 (well I’ve had the symptoms all my life but when you hit the real world….you might know…) Anyway I just want to say that I am allergic to all those SSRIs too.  I posted this yesterday.  They all make me feel much, much worse.  Zoloft led to my only overdose (no one pumped my stomach because I didn’t tell anyone it was a strange 3 days.)   Did you all know that suicide is listed as an effect of these drugs? You can read it on many websites and even in the small print on the folded pamphlet included with your Dr’s samples of the drug.  I also read the pamphlet on Zyprexa, and it says suicide can be a rare effect of that too. I know Zyprexa has antihistamine in it, the same thing that makes you tired in benadryl or sleeping pills, and antihistamine also makes me very depressed. I have noticed the little tendancies on the few occasions I was on Zyprex for it being impossible to sleep. They don’t warn you.  I noticed SSRIs are the first thing slapped down as Rx EVERY TIME I’ve seen a different doctor.  thankfully now I have one and we have found the right medications.  Without them I feel like killing myself too. Though I would never do it.  I know its stupid to do.  But it still sucks when life feels so bad you just want to die all the time, except from September to March.  I have a breakdown every year when it turns from hot to cold or back, like clockwork.  anyone else have that?  I always go in the hospital.   I asked this yesterday too.  Don’t bipolars have Excess serotonin, anyway? Why do they put us on ssris, then? I also read some theory that decreasing serotonin is the way out of depresion, that paxil etc works by bombarding receptors to make them less sensitive to serotonin.  that would make sense.   just what is really chemically different about the bipolar brain?  does anyone know?  I only get 30 minutes with my dr and dont’ see a shrink.  I have many questions and have done a lot of reading.  I wish I was smart enough to figure out how to fix it too.  the doctors only have half the info, and we have the other half.  they don’t have the delusions, mania, and depression.  they dont take the Rxs they prescribe.  They only know half. We should pool our info so we can get out of this predicament. I hate it. Love yall, someone please write to me.

Response:

Hehe, actually, effexor has given me MORE INTENSE orgasms No problems with orgasms or getting my dick up. I’m 22 years old and I’ve been on effexor for about 7 months I think. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> yes but you have not had an orgasim in three years.. >I’m on effexor with no side effects whatsoever. And no suicideal thoughts. >And I have a better relationship to my friends. My depression is gone. >> well stop xposting to asdt! >> > > EFEXOR >> > >  In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for >> > > > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side >> > >  effects. >> > > > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months >on >> the >> > >  drug, I stuck a >> > > > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I >would >> not >> > >  wake up and get >> > > > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home >> dejected >> > > and angry. >> > > Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that >maybe >> > > your problem is deeper . >> > > You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you >need >> > > friends more than a medicine. >> > > Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. >> > > > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night, >> > > whith efexor you sleep a lot >> > > Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and >> > > > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life. >> > > I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. >> Dont >> > > blame any medicine or whatever… >> > > I feel fantastic, in control and >> > > > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. >The >> only >> > >  thing I can >> > > > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My >> suicide >> > >  attempts were >> > > > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all >accounts >> I >> > >  should be dead. If >> > > > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it >> would >> > >  not be from >> > > > suicide, it would have been from Effexor. >> > > I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I >> exist >> > > and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, >but >> > > remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you >from >> > > death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting >> > > suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. >> > > take care >> > > love >> > > B >> > > > — >> > > > Psychiatry is to Science >> > > > as Astrology is to Astronomy >> > I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups >> > was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. >> > Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? >> > Berty > — > Psychiatry is to Science > as Astrology is to Astronomy

Response:

well stop xposting to asdt!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> EFEXOR >  In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for > > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side >  effects. > > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months on the >  drug, I stuck a > > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I would not >  wake up and get > > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home dejected > and angry. > Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that maybe > your problem is deeper . > You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you need > friends more than a medicine. > Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. > > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night, > whith efexor you sleep a lot > Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and > > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life. > I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. Dont > blame any medicine or whatever… > I feel fantastic, in control and > > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. The only >  thing I can > > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My suicide >  attempts were > > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all accounts I >  should be dead. If > > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it would >  not be from > > suicide, it would have been from Effexor. > I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I exist > and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, but > remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you from > death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting > suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. > take care > love > B > > — > > Psychiatry is to Science > > as Astrology is to Astronomy > I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups > was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. > Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? > Berty

Response:

I’m on effexor with no side effects whatsoever. And no suicideal thoughts. And I have a better relationship to my friends. My depression is gone.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> well stop xposting to asdt! > > EFEXOR > >  In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for > > > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side > >  effects. > > > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months on > the > >  drug, I stuck a > > > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I would > not > >  wake up and get > > > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home > dejected > > and angry. > > Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that maybe > > your problem is deeper . > > You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you need > > friends more than a medicine. > > Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. > > > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night, > > whith efexor you sleep a lot > > Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and > > > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life. > > I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. > Dont > > blame any medicine or whatever… > > I feel fantastic, in control and > > > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. The > only > >  thing I can > > > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My > suicide > >  attempts were > > > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all accounts > I > >  should be dead. If > > > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it > would > >  not be from > > > suicide, it would have been from Effexor. > > I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I > exist > > and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, but > > remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you from > > death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting > > suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. > > take care > > love > > B > > > — > > > Psychiatry is to Science > > > as Astrology is to Astronomy > I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups > was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. > Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? > Berty

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > EFEXOR >  In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side >  effects. > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months on the >  drug, I stuck a > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I would not >  wake up and get > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home dejected > and angry. > Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that maybe > your problem is deeper . > You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you need > friends more than a medicine. > Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night, > whith efexor you sleep a lot > Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life. > I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. Dont > blame any medicine or whatever… > I feel fantastic, in control and > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. The only >  thing I can > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My suicide >  attempts were > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all accounts I >  should be dead. If > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it would >  not be from > suicide, it would have been from Effexor. > I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I exist > and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, but > remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you from > death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting > suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. > take care > love > B > — > Psychiatry is to Science > as Astrology is to Astronomy

I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? Berty

Response:

EFEXOR   In September my doctor put me on Effexor 75mg for > depression, which started me on a downward spiral with hideous side effects. > Anybody who says Effexor is not dangerous is lying. After 2 months on the drug, I stuck a > hose to my exhaust pipe of my car, took 2 sleeping tablets so I would not wake up and get > out, and went to sleep. EIGHT hours later I awoke, and drove home dejected

and angry. Maybe Efexor is not enough for your problrm, you should think that maybe your problem is deeper . You should try to try something more, and anyway ,I think that you need friends more than a medicine. Efexor is a soft medicine, maybe you need something heavier. > I was sleeping approx 4 hours per night,

whith efexor you sleep a lot Fast-forward to now 6 weeks later, and > I truly believe Effexor gave me the urge to take my life.

I dont believe it. If you wanted to take your life, it was up to you. Dont blame any medicine or whatever… I feel fantastic, in control and > nearly normal. I no longer plot my death or have the urge to cut. The only thing I can > thank Effexor for is sorting out my true friends in this world. My suicide attempts were > very serious ones, not telling anybody beforehand and by all accounts I should be dead. If > it were not for unleaded petrol, I would be. The difference is, it would not be from > suicide, it would have been from Effexor.

I think that your suicide attempts were just flames, a way to say: I exist and I need help. good for you. I am happy that you are still alive, but remember that maybe the next time there will be nobody to save you from death, and please think about all the people who are really commiting suicide, leaving their families and friends in grief. take care love B – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> — > Psychiatry is to Science > as Astrology is to Astronomy

Response:

Question:

Hello. I’ve been using Zoloft + Buspar for a little while now to control a mix of general anxiety and the uncommon panic attack. Because Zoloft has recently gone nonformulary or whatever, I have to switch to something else. I was thinking of just staying on the Buspar, but I have a stressful summer coming up, and I’m worried that Buspar wouldn’t be of any use in fending off potential panic attacks. My doctor suggested Zoloft as a replacement for the Zoloft. I’ve tried Prozac before. The first time was a long-time ago, before I was subject to panic attacks, and I don’t remember any negative effects. Then I tried it again almost two years ago. I was fine for about a month, I think, when I had my first panic attack in a couple of years. Whether the attack was due to the Prozac or to the fact that I had started an internship that week (or both, probably), I don’t know, but I switched to something else. Anyway, I’m thinking of trying Prozac (generic fluoxetine, actually) + Buspar this time. I’ve found info online suggesting that Buspar may help to augment fluoxetine in the treatment of depression. However, I’m wondering how the two interact to affect anxiety and panic attacks. My doctor seems to think they’ll be OK, but I’m not sure. I found one blurb that said the combo helped in three cases, and another blurb describing how the combo actually worsened anxiety in one case. I guess my question, then, is whether any of you have tried or are currently taking both Prozac and Buspar, and whether there were any effects on anxiety and panic. Any help would be appreciated, including any online reference materials that you might be able to point me toward. Thanks much, Mike

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello. I’ve been using Zoloft + Buspar for a little while now to control a > mix of general anxiety and the uncommon panic attack. Because Zoloft has > recently gone nonformulary or whatever, I have to switch to something else. > I was thinking of just staying on the Buspar, but I have a stressful summer > coming up, and I’m worried that Buspar wouldn’t be of any use in fending off > potential panic attacks. My doctor suggested Zoloft as a replacement for the > Zoloft. > I’ve tried Prozac before. The first time was a long-time ago, before I was > subject to panic attacks, and I don’t remember any negative effects. Then I > tried it again almost two years ago. I was fine for about a month, I think, > when I had my first panic attack in a couple of years. Whether the attack > was due to the Prozac or to the fact that I had started an internship that > week (or both, probably), I don’t know, but I switched to something else. > Anyway, I’m thinking of trying Prozac (generic fluoxetine, actually) + > Buspar this time. I’ve found info online suggesting that Buspar may help to > augment fluoxetine in the treatment of depression. However, I’m wondering > how the two interact to affect anxiety and panic attacks. My doctor seems to > think they’ll be OK, but I’m not sure. I found one blurb that said the combo > helped in three cases, and another blurb describing how the combo actually > worsened anxiety in one case. > I guess my question, then, is whether any of you have tried or are currently > taking both Prozac and Buspar, and whether there were any effects on anxiety > and panic. Any help would be appreciated, including any online reference > materials that you might be able to point me toward. > Thanks much, > Mike

I’m fixing to try both in about a week. Anxious to see if anyone responds. — Amelia Leave out ‘TheJunk’ before replying

Response:

> >I guess my question, then, is whether any of you have tried or are currently >taking both Prozac and Buspar, and whether there were any effects on anxiety >and panic. Any help would be appreciated, including any online reference >materials that you might be able to point me toward. > It can cause seizures.

That’s the 1st I’ve heard of *that and I must say I’m rather doubtful. What are you basing the commment on? — Amelia

Response:

>> >I guess my question, then, is whether any of you have tried or are currently > >taking both Prozac and Buspar, and whether there were any effects on anxiety > >and panic. Any help would be appreciated, including any online reference > >materials that you might be able to point me toward. > It can cause seizures. >That’s the 1st I’ve heard of *that and I must say I’m rather doubtful. >What are you basing the commment on?

I think even nospam got carried away. AFAIK, there is no heightened risk of seizure associated with any of the two drugs mentioned. Ask your pdoc or doc to be sure, but even that is a first for me.

Response:

After 9 years, my 40 mgs/day of prozac pooped out. I went up to 60mgs for 6 weeks but there was no appreciable difference. I have an awful lot of anxiety, too. My shrink put me on 60 mgs of buspar/day which he says will possibly boost prozac’s effect, help with sex, and reduce anxiety. Has anyone had experience with this combination for these symptoms?

Response:

> After 9 years, my 40 mgs/day of prozac pooped out. I went up to 60mgs for 6 > weeks but there was no appreciable difference. I have an awful lot of anxiety, > too. My shrink put me on 60 mgs of buspar/day which he says will possibly boost > prozac’s effect, help with sex, and reduce anxiety. > Has anyone had experience with this combination for these symptoms?

BuSpar worked miracles on my anxiety. I take 10 mg/day. I’m rather surprised your doctor started you at 60, but it’s his call. I get bad gastrointestinal symptoms at 20 mg. Fortunately, 10 works just fine. BuSpar has a reputation for helping with sex drive. It didn’t help me. The only fix I found for sexual problems was to take medications away, not add new ones. As for BuSpar boosting Prozac’s effect, I hope he’s right. Again, BuSpar didn’t do that for me. Mood stabilizers (esp. Lamictal) are good for rejuvenating pooped-out SSRIs. I’m not questioning your doctor’s treatment plan, only letting you know how it went for me. Good luck.

Response:

Question:

> My son used to take Celexa and I believe he took it in the morning.  It > couldn’t hurt for you to try for a few days and see what happens.  I always > take my prozac in the morning, but then the pdoc recommends that as well.

i take an SSRI too, sertraline (Zoloft)… i was told to take it in the morning because SSRIs have a mild stimulant effect and can cause sleep disturbance if you take them at night… what matters i think is that you take them at the same time each day, regardless of when… hugs m — ~~~~~~>><:>~~~~~~ iriXx " you can try the best you can    you can try the best you can …the best you can is good enough" radiohead: optomistic

Response:

hi there.. Here is my current med regime – my question follows: Morning: 37.5 mg Effexor  <— am being weaned off this, won’t take it next week              900 mg Gabapentin Evening:  50 mg. Celexa              1200 mg. Gabapentin Okay you Celexa folks, do you take your Celexa in the morning on in the evening? I am starting to think it may not be the best med for me to take at night as I am not sleeping well. I get 3-4 hours very light sleep if I don’t take a sleep med, or 5 – 6 hours of a deeper sleep if I give in and take 7.5 mg. Imovane (Canadian non-benzodiazepine sleep med). Gabapentin folks – do you think it is the Gabapentin keeping me on such a light sleep regime? thanks so much everyone, Compucat  >^+^<

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > hi there.. > Here is my current med regime – my question follows: > Morning: 37.5 mg Effexor  <— am being weaned off this, won’t take it next > week >              900 mg Gabapentin > Evening:  50 mg. Celexa >              1200 mg. Gabapentin > Okay you Celexa folks, do you take your Celexa in the morning on in the > evening? I am starting to think it may not be the best med for me to take at > night as I am not sleeping well. I get 3-4 hours very light sleep if I don’t > take a sleep med, or 5 – 6 hours of a deeper sleep if I give in and take 7.5 > mg. Imovane (Canadian non-benzodiazepine sleep med).

My son used to take Celexa and I believe he took it in the morning.  It couldn’t hurt for you to try for a few days and see what happens.  I always take my prozac in the morning, but then the pdoc recommends that as well. > Gabapentin folks – do you think it is the Gabapentin keeping me on such a > light sleep regime?

Fo me I am having a lot of trouble with neurontin (gabapentin) making me sleepy.  I take a larger dose of it at bedtime and it usually helps me to sleep better.  But then that just shows how different we all are with the same meds. I hope your sleep gets better soon Compucat. Bonnie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> thanks so much everyone, > Compucat  >^+^<

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