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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on December 8, 2003, at 11:41:45
Hi all.
I have tried several SSRIs without success, including Prozac, Paxil, and Lexapro. I have not tried Zoloft nor Luvox. Do you think I should give these a try or is it just a waste of time?
Any feedback would be welcome. Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by john1022 on December 8, 2003, at 18:09:54
In reply to ZOLOFT or LUVOX success after other SSRI failures?, posted by SLS on December 8, 2003, at 11:41:45
I would give Effexor a try to, a SSNRI. Might help to have the serotonin and norephridrene (sp?). Effexor once worked wonders for me, but now I cannot take SSRI's because it causes hypomania in me. It once fixed me right up though. Didn't really have problems with the withdrawal either, just dizzy the first two days and then 100% normal for two years
Posted by SLS on December 9, 2003, at 7:11:09
In reply to Re: ZOLOFT or LUVOX success after other SSRI failures?, posted by john1022 on December 8, 2003, at 18:09:54
Thanks for responding.
> I would give Effexor a try to, a SSNRI. Might help to have the serotonin and norephridrene (sp?).
I'm hoping that duloxetine (Cymbalta) becomes available before summer. It is also a SNRI, but is supposed to be more potent and better balanced than Effexor.
This is what I take currently:
Lamictal 200mg
imipramine 300mg
Effexor 300mg
Abilify 10mgThese drugs merely take the edge off the severity of the depression. They are inadequate, to say the least. It's a lot of chemicals for so little return. Better than nothing, though.
> Effexor once worked wonders for me, but now I cannot take SSRI's because it causes hypomania in me. It once fixed me right up though. Didn't really have problems with the withdrawal either, just dizzy the first two days and then 100% normal for two years
Are you still doing well?
- Scott
Posted by john1022 on December 9, 2003, at 8:04:19
In reply to Re: ZOLOFT or LUVOX success after other SSRI failures?, posted by SLS on December 9, 2003, at 7:11:09
No not really doing to well since I had a relapse a few months ago. Effexor had worked perfectly twice for me in the past, with a couple fine years inbetween. The third time when I took it, I had a manic reaction. Same with when I took Elavil, St. John's Wort and Fish oil all separately. Doctor thinks I may be bipolar and that is why I am having the reactions to the meds. Don't know why they would work in the past and not now though. I am currently on Lithium Orotate and feeling a little better, but I know I am eventually going to have to try something else because it gives me or makes my insomnia worse. Good luck!
Posted by SLS on December 9, 2003, at 8:11:13
In reply to Re: ZOLOFT or LUVOX success after other SSRI failures?, posted by john1022 on December 9, 2003, at 8:04:19
> No not really doing to well since I had a relapse a few months ago. Effexor had worked perfectly twice for me in the past, with a couple fine years inbetween. The third time when I took it, I had a manic reaction. Same with when I took Elavil, St. John's Wort and Fish oil all separately. Doctor thinks I may be bipolar and that is why I am having the reactions to the meds. Don't know why they would work in the past and not now though. I am currently on Lithium Orotate and feeling a little better, but I know I am eventually going to have to try something else because it gives me or makes my insomnia worse. Good luck!
I guess combining Effexor with a mood stabilizer is the answer. Besides lithium and the anticonvulsants, I bet adding a drug like Zyprexa would stabilize you and allow you to continue with Effexor.Good luck to you as well.
- Scott
Posted by john1022 on December 9, 2003, at 13:44:07
In reply to Re: ZOLOFT or LUVOX success after other SSRI failures?, posted by SLS on December 9, 2003, at 8:11:13
Thanks for the suggestion of Zyprexa, Scott?
I was wondering if you or anyone else knew the answer to this question:
I know some bipolars have manic reactions when given ad's without a mood stabilizer. But aren't these manic reactions characterized more by up moods, more talkative, creativeness, etc?
What I seem to be having is a depressive reaction of feeling much worse, very down, more anxiety. Or can this be considered a manic reaction as well? I am just wondering if I will ever be able to take a SSRI or SNRI again even with a mood stabilizer because of this certain bad reaction I had?
Thanks a lot for your opinion and time on this question
Posted by K222 on December 9, 2003, at 21:49:52
In reply to Re: ZOLOFT or LUVOX success after other SSRI failures?, posted by john1022 on December 9, 2003, at 13:44:07
I tried all the SSRI's before I started taking just a bit of Depakote, 125 mg. They all worked for a short-time, then stopped helping. The Depakote evened me out very nicely - just keep an eye on your liver (e.g. don't drink alcohol).
This is the end of the thread.
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