Posted by Barker on June 2, 2000, at 7:17:47
In reply to Re: Same side effect to everything I try - agitation, posted by JohnL on June 2, 2000, at 4:21:47
> Though it's probably too obvious to even mention, I think in your case it is very important to have a physician who is especially good. Not just any garden variety physican who throws SSRIs at depression patients. Do you have a real good doctor? If not, would you consider asking around for one?Not easy - doctor shortage in the region I live in (in Canada) - both GP's and specialists. Few GP's are taking new patients, waiting lists for specialists are long.
> Depression can be caused by low serotonin, low norepinephrine, low dopamine....BUT it can also be caused by excess norepinephrine function or excess dopamine function. That is even more valid when there is an anxiety/agitation component to the depression, as in your case.
The anxiety/agitation component only really comes into play when I actually take anything to try to relieve the depression. Right now, I'm just depressed, no intense anxiety. But all the things I mentioned trying for depression relief resulted in either agitation (sensation with a large "physical" component for lack of better words) or anxiety (where the emotional component predominated). The "heavy" feeling of depression would sometimes ease (or get covered up?) while taking some of these things although it would continue to recurr in "swings", plus an element of "over-emotionality" also was instigated by many of these substances - again in direct relationship to dosage.
I am really reluctant to play around with more chemistry-altering substances, not knowing exactly what is going on inside, or why, or if things might just adjust themselves one day if left alone. Something caused this depression to appear out of the blue, there's got to be a way to make it disappear the same way.
> Another avenue to consider would be a trial of a benzo like Xanax. Sometimes GABA malfunction is the cause of depression, and also has the anxiety/agitation component. Xanax has proven to be successful in selected patients in controlled studies as monotherapy for treating depression.Interesting - I was prescribed benzos during the "anxiety" phases and quickly noticed that they do have a marked anti-depressant effect on me - which, unfortunately, wears off at the same rate as the benzo. However, I was once prescribed Xanax many years ago during a period of job/marriage stress -- and had much problem stopping due to withdrawal effects. I just don't like what I perceive as "permanent" treatments - I still think this might go away one day and I'll feel like my old self. Don't want to have developed an addiction or habit that precludes this. But - I do continue to take occasional benzos when I "need" help to function properly.
I thank you for your food for thought. Gaining insights into what is going on does help to cope with this.
Barker.
poster:Barker
thread:35580
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000526/msgs/35637.html