Posted by Bela on July 28, 2003, at 15:39:33
In reply to Re: Lexapro and dirurnal variation, posted by JaneB on July 28, 2003, at 15:15:12
> > JaneB,
> > My experience fits very closely to yours. When DV is a problem, I dread going to bed because of what I know I will feel like in the morning. Also, if I stay around the house, the bed is like a huge magnet sucking me in. No motivation.
> >
> > You made one comment which REALLY interests me. I never experiencing diurnal variation until I started taking ADs. Before ADs, I used to absolutely love the mornings. I would be interested in knowing how you took yourself off them; the few times I have tried it have resulted in horrible relapses.
> > Bela
>
> I took myself off ADs by accident in a way. I got stuck in the March snowstorm, stranded in Denver airport with no access to suitcases. All meds (Lexapro) in suitcase except clonazepam. I slept fine and woke up feeling better and just never took any more. All the side effects which I was attributing to depression went away. But I kept taking clonazepam. In the past I had times when I was fed up with meds and stopped gradually but I always included the clonazepam in the decrease and had trouble. This time no trouble. So I have concluded that the pdoc who wanted to eliminate clonazepam and thought that Celexa, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, etc. would eliminate anxiety, night time terrors, etc. if I had adequate SSRI dose was mistaken. Clonazepam works. Just .5 mg. With the AD's I would have to increase the clonazepam just to counteract the anxiety produced by the SSRI. Why would a dr. want to eliminate what works and is inexpensive (clonazepam) and replace it with what does not work (SSRI)and is very expensive?
>
> However, a major KEY has been the elimination of extreme stress. For years I was on stress overload. Are you on stress overload? I recognize I may need to go back on an AD if stress level skyrocketed again.
> JaneB
> PS This is a long story in a nutshell.
> By the way, another thread questions the use of benzos for OCD. Since a child I have had mild OCD which includes simple counting in my mind. That's all. It is gone.
> Also, I do avoid triggers for depression--rape movies, too much news about clergy abuse, etc.
>
> Also, my previous pdoc, before I moved, highly recommended the clonazepam as long term treatment and caution about AD's because they produced mild cycling. I value his opinion and overcame the stigma of benzo use.
>
> Do you have any cycling? EX. Maybe 4 days of DV and than 4 days without? Very subtle but definite if charted. Days when you say, "Why can't I wake up every day feeling good like today?"
>JaneB:
In answer to your question about stress: no, I am definitely not on stress overload, and never really have been. I have taken clonazpam for periods before, but was fearful of the habituation, so I quit. Anxiety was also NEVER a problem for me until I started with the ADs.I don't have OCD except in regards to obsessive thought patterns. Very annoying.
I do have mood cycles that overlay the daily cycles, just as you described. I can feel fabulous for days, and for no apparent reason, wake up the next morning and feel like the sky has fallen. This has happened to me on wonderful, relaxing vacations! The reverse has happened, but usually not as abruptly.
Bela
poster:Bela
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030728/msgs/246216.html