Posted by tecknohed on August 27, 2007, at 19:07:37
In reply to If you have TIME...Need ADVICE on MEDS..., posted by SometimesBlue on August 27, 2007, at 16:06:53
Hello again.
> Currently on Lexapro 20mg once a day in the a.m. usually, and i take an ephedrine based energy pill (24mg ephedrine based alkoids(?).
Firstly, get off the ephedrine. No wander you're always anxious! I know of no place for it in mental health (theraputic) treatment. There are better & FAR more effective meds if you're lethargic & tired, etc. You will also build tolorance to it in terms of the energy it gives. You'll know what I mean if you've ever abused amphetamines before, long-term (like I have).
> Symptoms:
>
> Depressed, especially at night/eveningsEphedrine sounds like its contributing to your evening blues, especially as Lex should be actually helping this (I've been on escitalopram & found evenings to be the best part of the day & falling to sleep was easy).
> Tired (physically, my body feels heavy? but i'm not overweight)
> Sleep (or try to) a lotStims, like ephedrine can 'burn you out'. Though I also found both citalopram & escitalopram 'stole' my energy from me.
> Anxiety all the time
> Panic attacks, (3 in the past month)
> Depersonalization during panic attacksLike I say, it may be the eph. Or have you only just started Lex (anxiety may increase with Lex during the first few weeks).
> Anorgasmia (that one really sucks!)FYI: i'm female
Male or female, SSRIs are of course renound for this. A few addon meds can help. Your pdoc should know some.
> Not apathetic, but sometimes i feel like i can't cry (can't let out whatever is making me sad even though i want to)
> Dysthmia, frequently, I don't thinks it's everyday
> Lack of Focus
> Lack of Motivation
> Lack of Organization
> I always feel like when i try to do things like chores, i can't get started, my mind starts racing and i always feel like i have to do this first, or that, and then something else, so nothing ever gets done...i don't know if there's a term, but it's frustrating and isn't a mind over matter thing.All these might be 'numbness' caused by, you guessed it, daily stim use. Same goes for the indecisiveness.
> Can't seem to get things done without writing a list to keep me organized, or just so i can check it off and feel good that i accomplished something(?)make sense
Yes it makes sense and actually sounds like a good idea at the moment. Its good to have some way of feeling a sense of accomplishment. I wish I wrote things down more, then maybe things wouldn't get so 'forgotton' about!
> I'm also smoking and drinking a lot recently, which is weird but i feel like it's somehow tied into everything else.
No wonder when you're so stressed!
> My take on me is that I am obviously suffering from depression, this past month has been eextremely worse, i don't know why. But i also think I have some ADD symptoms, not sure if it's ADD though.
>
> Anyway from what I've read on babble, i compiled (in my journal) a list of stuff to ask my doctor about, but any info you can give me would be very helpful:
>
> Wellbutrin: smoking, anorgasmia, depressionI added it to Nardil & clonazepam. Actually caused some stress, but maybe thats more to do with my personality as I'm very short tempered anyway. Definitely helps with smoking - even though I still had the occasional cigarette (I'm a 'part-time' smoker now) the enjoyment was much less. When I stopped the bupropion I spewed my gets up the first smoke I had!
> Paxil or Prozac: for anxiety, i hear it also doesn't make you tired
Prozac commonly causes less tiredness, you're right, but may instead increase anxiety. Paxil made me sleep loads but is often very good for anxiety (after the start-up that is).
> Ritalin, Adderall, Celexa or Focalin: for the ADD-like symtoms
Wouldn't know about that one, though Celexa sounds a bit odd for ADD(?). Correct me if I'm wrong, someone.
Sorry if I've not sounded at all helpfull but I really wanted you to be especially aware of the possible consequences with regards to your ephedrine use, despite you using seemingly lowish doses. I myself was once a chronic amphetamine user/abuser though I wasn't on a particularly high dose either, maybe 150-200mg/day pure base which isn't alot for a long term user really. I had all the symptoms you describe above. I cant even tolorate caffein any more, none at all!
I have to say, I salute you for managing to take care of 2 young kids along with all your struggles. I'm sure they pay a large part in helping you keep striving on.
poster:tecknohed
thread:779115
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070824/msgs/779152.html