Posted by LouisianaSportsman on April 30, 2014, at 20:43:05
In reply to Re: Brintellix 20mg: Fairly strong sexual side effect » Beckett, posted by Chris O on April 29, 2014, at 1:15:42
> Hey, Beckett:
>
> Well, the physical aspect of your depression/anxiety is something I can totally relate to. I am tempted to say mine is almost completely in my body. It's like there is a wall of fear around me, a wall of tension. As I think I've told others on this board (Scott comes to mind), that "wall" is probably the result of my very controlling and mentally ill mother and the way she shaped my biology. I don't know about you, but I feel like I have no place inside of my being to go to "relax." When I stop being vigilant in fighting my anxiety, I end up in a place where my anxiety dominates me. I feel utterly humiliated and defeated. People often perceive this humiliated and defeated state in me as "calm". But it is exactly the opposite. This crappy sensation is slightly alleviated on the Brintellix though. But Brintellix alone is still not enough. I still feel frozen and fragile.
>
> You mention ADD. I have never taken anything in the stimulant class as I always though those drugs would produce more panic in me. But in recent years, I've wondered if anything in the stimulant class would work for me. My psychiatrist does not think it will. I probably should at least try one of them to get a sense of how stimulants affect me. My intuition tells me they will produce panic and not relaxation. I already feel overstimulated, not under stimulated. But maybe I am not completely aware of what's going on inside of my neurons, either.
>
> I tried Klonapin for about a year back in 2008. I took, if I remember correctly, at least 3mg a day. It just made me feel slightly drowsy, but the overall effect seemed weak to me. I could easily see doing a Stevie Nicks with Klonapin. I'm sure I could take 10mg a day and get not much of an effect. I would describe the benzo experience as just glazing over the surface of my mental health issues, not getting to the deeper roots. Very superficial feeling. SSRIs (when they have worked for me) are much better. I have not tried any antipsychotics. I have a hard time envisioning myself taking antipsychotics long-term. But I could be convinced if they altered my life in a positive and significant way.
>
> Regarding Emsam, how long did you take it? At what dosage? And what overall improvements did you get (emotional, social, economic, etc.) from taking it? How did your behavior and inner sense of self change while on it?
>
> Thanks again for the interaction. Really enriching for me.
>
> Sincerely,
> ChrisHey, Chris!
Brintellix is doing what I expect out of a SSRI type medication. I don't really expect much from them to be honest, I prefer the medications I augment-- including AAPs such as Latuda, which is a lot stronger. I think adding a TCA like desipramine would be ideal for you, doesn't even have to be a high dose-- just start out with the initial.
I believe, with my intuition in my mind, Chris, that you should try dexmethylphendiate in conjunction with a benzodiazepine or pregabalin/gabapentin. I think you were see that that 4 --> 6.
Add on an AAP that works for you on to the Brintellix, and that 6 --> 8. (where I'm at with it)
Brintellix 30mg.
#60 Focalin IR 10mg.
#60 Ativan 0.5mg.
#60 Lyrica 100mg.
#30 Latuda 40mg.
#30 Desipramine 75mg.^^^
Augment this to the Brintellix. The anxiety will straighten out and you will gain a lot of energy an motivation.
AM: Focalin, Ativan, Lyrica
EVENING: Focalin. Ativan, Lyrica
Night: Desipramine Brintellix Latuda(food)Good luck!
poster:LouisianaSportsman
thread:1064210
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20140419/msgs/1065001.html