Posted by sundog on January 25, 2001, at 20:46:35
In reply to Re: nevermind » sundog, posted by allisonm on January 23, 2001, at 7:32:15
Allison,
I meant to write back sooner, but I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed by work. Is the nighttime dosing helping your fatigue? If it's been wiping you out during the day, hopefully it will wipe you out at night, despite the presence of Insomnia in the side effect profile. But then, simple logic doesn't rule, does it? I am usually wiped out by anything that has even a remote chance of exerting a sedative effect, like any and all over-the-counter antihistamines ("non-drowsy" or not). For the last week with Celexa I've been trying to monitor my energy level without becoming obsessive (I can be suggestible about side effects) but can't say that I perceive any difference. It seems to be variable within about the same range.
I guess I must not be all that suggestible, though, since I haven't had any insomnia/anxiety effect from Wellbutrin, despite having read many posts from people who said it drove them up the wall. I can take my evening dose at 10 pm if I forget in the afternoon, and still sleep like a log. But then my depression is the logy-slow-somnolent type. The only time I've consistently had trouble sleeping was when I was on Prozac (3 to 6-month stints in '88 and '92?, almost a year around '95 or so).
I really relate to your question about how much improvement is enough. I am worrying that bone all the time. I think I've been the way I am for so long that I truly don't understand what it is I should be aiming for. I sometimes wonder if the Wellbutrin has had any effect on me at all after the initial energy burst (the complete lack of side effects makes it easier for me to wonder this). Then I look back at some objective signs like the state of my apartment, my financial recordkeeping, my ability to deal with small crises, and I see that those things are clearly better. But other major aspects of my life are not, or only in very small ways. My psychiatrist always seems more optimistic about small changes than I am, so then I wonder if it's just depressive habit, or depression itself, that keeps me from sharing his viewpoint. (And which came first? . . . ) But last week I was pretty adamant that I felt I was losing ground, or at least not gaining any, and the thyroid augmentation (first T4, then 50/50 T4/T3, then T3) wasn't doing anything noticeable -- hence the Celexa.
Well, I've got to stop typing, but keep me posted. I guess my current Celexa summary is: I don't feel anything yet, one way or the other.
Best,
Lynn
poster:sundog
thread:52220
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010122/msgs/52582.html