Posted by Ritch on November 3, 2004, at 10:22:03
In reply to Re: MAOIs and anxiety, confusing! Ritch, posted by ravenstorm on November 2, 2004, at 21:47:38
> Thanks for your post Ritch. I am just starting to feel like I'm not going to get better. Like, I just totally screwed up when I didn't immediately switch onto another SSRI the minute I started having the severe withdrawal symptoms. My brain now needs meds more than it did before I started on them, but, my system seems entirely unable to tolerate them (ie getting way sick or wacked out). I am pretty severely depressed with out of control anxiety.
>
> Sigh. I can't face trying anything yet. If I decide to add some moclo to the remeron I'll keep you posted on my progress. (But I'm not holding my breath on that one).
>
> I wonder if low dose lamictal would do anything for unipolar depression?
I think Lamictal would be a good choice based on comments that I have read here. I haven't taken it yet myself-so no personal experiences to relate. One thing I can say is that lithium (by itself) has pulled me out of a summertime depression in the past. If you haven't already tried it-you might want to consider that instead-it's got a more established track record as an augmentor for unipolar depression. I'm med sensitive too and found that 600mg/day for two weeks cracked the depression, then I reduced to 300mg/day after that (tolerance issues of course). Unfortunately, I found it more effective for the summertime 'mixed' depressions I tend to get (with a lot of anxiety), and not as good for the lethargic winter SAD episodes. You might find Li more tolerable than trying to go with an SSRI again. I'm thinking about getting a light box and check it out.... I am starting to see a pattern with sleep disturbance that looks a LOT like delayed phase sleep syndrome or something like that. I forced myself to stay up an additional three hours and my sleep and alertness levels were "fixed" for two days. Hmmm. Anyhow, I would consider the Li first.. there is a pretty slow titration scheme with Lamictal and if you are really anxious.. the rash thing might get you obsessing with itchy symptoms and stuff like that. It would me anyhow. Good luck!
poster:Ritch
thread:405309
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041103/msgs/411038.html