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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ChuckM on January 16, 2005, at 13:41:37
Hey hey folks.
Here's the rub. I've got a pretty ordinary depression/anxiety thing going on. For about four years, I took Serzone and that took care of things pretty well. Then I spent a year and a half working overseas and couldn't get anything but Prozac.
When I got back home, I found Serzone was off the market. My therapist and I tried Celexa for a while but it's too much like Paxil and I can't cope with the side effects, I get the twitching, yawning and other muscular side effects.
I'm on 20mg Remeron now and while it's deep-sixed the depression for the most part, I'm left with this vaguely 'strung out' feeling. Espescially lately I've been incredibly volatile, often finding myself over-reacting to, well, everything. It's even starting to affect me at work, I honestly feel more stresed now than I ever did before and, well, I -like- my job and I'm in a more stable situation than I ever was.
Is this a Remeron 'thing'? If so, what should be I taking instead? I'm not sure what's left. I've tried a lot of medications in the past. Zoloft I can't stand, it seems to actually precipitate panic attacks in me. Effexor was ho-hum, ditto on Prozac. At this point, I just want to not feel so wretchedly strung out.
Thanks.
Posted by Racer on January 16, 2005, at 14:15:45
In reply to Remeron - Strung Out, posted by ChuckM on January 16, 2005, at 13:41:37
I had the out of control sort of reaction to Remeron, which my former pdoc -- Dr EyeCandy, for anyone who's counting -- said was not all that unusual. I had to stop after only a few days, because I was thowing things, and the next thing I was ready to throw was me over the balcony.
There are a few other meds you haven't mentioned: Cymbalta, which is a new SSNRI; Wellbutrin, which is my friend these days; TCAs, etc. The only meds I see in your post are the SSRIs, Effexor, and Serzone. Cymbalta might be a better choice for you if Effexor was partially effective. It is also a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, but it's more balanced between the two monoamines than Effexor. I'm taking it along with Wellbutrin, and while it's not perfect, it's damned good combo for me.
Augmenting agents are also worth looking at. Provigil, for example, has helped boost my mood, even as monotherapy. (It's not supposed to be used that way, but it's a long story...)
I don't know what to tell you, beyond talk to your doctor about other options. Good luck to you, and I hope you find something helpful in here.
Posted by ChuckM on January 16, 2005, at 15:42:54
In reply to Re: Remeron - Strung Out, posted by Racer on January 16, 2005, at 14:15:45
Thanks for the input. I'm afraid that, as far as I know, Cymbalta isn't approved in Canada yet, god knows why. Wellbutrin might be worth looking at.
Effexor was, if I recall, it was okay, nothing special. Paxil/Celexa are -effective- for me, but unfortunately have really difficult to deal with side effect profiles.I'll bring up the Wellbutrin/Effexor axis when I see my doc next and ask about Provigil.
Cheers.
This is the end of the thread.
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