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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by 1000songs on July 24, 2007, at 19:57:37
Hello everybody,
I suffer from Depression (may be the Atypical type), Social Anxiety and PME (Pre-menstrual exacerbation). I'm wondering if there is any lady diagnosed with the same disorders and what drug combo worked for you.
I'm curently taking Zoloft (sertraline) 25mg and double the dose (50 mg) during the luteal face. I'm also taking Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamines B6, E, Fish Oil and Ranitidine.
I would say that the medicine helped me just a bit only with the PME's emotional aspect. I'm still depressed and anxious.
I'm researching MAOI's I haven't tried too many meds yet. I had tried Effexor but I couldn't stand the side effects (stomach ache)
I don't want to take Zoloft anymore because I read SSRIs lower bone density...This is a great site! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences!
Posted by girlnterrupted78 on July 24, 2007, at 21:04:56
In reply to Anyone with Atypical Depression + SAD + PMDD?, posted by 1000songs on July 24, 2007, at 19:57:37
Hi 1000songs & welcome,
I have depression (atypical) and social anxiety, but I don't have PME.
The only thing that worked wonders for me was an SSRI (Celexa) 5 years ago. It worked amazing for both my social anxiety and depression. It worked for a WHOLE ENTIRE year without interruption. But unfortunately, it stopped working when my doctor had the "great" idea to switch me to Lexapro (the newer version of Celexa.) Lexapro didn't work for me AT ALL, brought back my depression immediately, and when I tried going back on Celexa after trying Lexapro, Celexa didn't work the same EVER again. It was the worst thing ever happened to me.
If you have the same problems I have (Depression & SA) you might want to try Celexa. I don't know anything about SSRI's lowering bone density, but if it works, I wouldn't care what it does--I guess I'd find a way to counteract the side effects and doctors could help with a remedy for bone density. Anything that worked for depression would be a godsend that I would simply NOT let go of.
I have tried one MAOI: Nardil. I started it almost 6 weeks ago, and it hasn't helped as much as I was expecting. It's giving me some relief from depression, but not nearly as strong as Celexa did. And unfortunately, it has a bunch of side effects, whereas Celexa had NONE.
On Nardil, I have a horrible thing called syncope. Everytime I get up from a sitting or from a lying down position, my blood pressure goes down and I get so light headed that I have to either run back to my sitting position, or I will fall down and wait till the feeling is gone. It's very annoying. But apparently not everyone has this, even though it's listed as a side effect. I'm very prone to this (had it throughout my adolescence) so Nardil only brought it back, 10 times worse.
You can read about everyone else here who are on Parnate or have been on Nardil. Nardil used to be great, but it was re-formulated by its manufacturer and now it's not nearly as great a medication as it used to be.
You could always try both, Celexa or Nardil, and see how they work, since every person is different. I tried Zoloft and it did nothing for me, except help with OCD (which is the least important of my problems!) I'd rather live with OCD than live with this awful atypical depression and social anxiety.
Best of luck. More people will come to share their experiences, and this site is full of information, so you'll be able to choose the best med out there and keep trying.
Sincerely,
GI78
Posted by linkadge on July 24, 2007, at 21:05:35
In reply to Anyone with Atypical Depression + SAD + PMDD?, posted by 1000songs on July 24, 2007, at 19:57:37
I wouldn't freak out about the bone density thing. From what I have read, this tends to manifest in certain subgroups only. It may also be dependant on nutritional status.
Technically speaking, the possability of SSRI's lowering bone density may extend to any agent capable of inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. This would extend to venlafaxine, cymbalta, and most of the TCA's.
You are also on a very low dose (ie the lowest dose)
If it was helping you, I would definately say to stick with it.
The MAOI's have their own side effect profile and may or may not be a good option. Most docs would not prescribe a MAOI unless many other treatment options have been investigated.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2007, at 22:08:18
In reply to Re: Anyone with Atypical Depression + SAD + PMDD?, posted by linkadge on July 24, 2007, at 21:05:35
Cymbalta lowers bone density thanks link. Love Phillipa
Posted by polarbear206 on July 25, 2007, at 8:14:39
In reply to Anyone with Atypical Depression + SAD + PMDD?, posted by 1000songs on July 24, 2007, at 19:57:37
> Hello everybody,
>
> I suffer from Depression (may be the Atypical type), Social Anxiety and PME (Pre-menstrual exacerbation). I'm wondering if there is any lady diagnosed with the same disorders and what drug combo worked for you.
>
> I'm curently taking Zoloft (sertraline) 25mg and double the dose (50 mg) during the luteal face. I'm also taking Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamines B6, E, Fish Oil and Ranitidine.
>
> I would say that the medicine helped me just a bit only with the PME's emotional aspect. I'm still depressed and anxious.
> I'm researching MAOI's I haven't tried too many meds yet. I had tried Effexor but I couldn't stand the side effects (stomach ache)
> I don't want to take Zoloft anymore because I read SSRIs lower bone density...
>
> This is a great site! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences!
>
When did your symptoms first start and how old were you? Was it after child birth? Is there a period in your monthly cycle that you are symptom free? Does it get worse at different times of the year? Sorry for all the questions.Polarbear
Posted by 1000songs on July 25, 2007, at 17:36:25
In reply to Re: Anyone with Atypical Depression + SAD + PMDD? » 1000songs, posted by polarbear206 on July 25, 2007, at 8:14:39
> When did your symptoms first start and how old were you? Was it after child birth? Is there a period in your monthly cycle that you are symptom free? Does it get worse at different times of the year? Sorry for all the questions.
>
> PolarbearHello Polarbear,
I think I have SAD since I was a child.
I got Bulimia and Depression when I was 16 years old. I spent 7 years doing a treatment for my eating disorder and got rid of it back in 2000. But Depression and Social Anxiety didn't go away.I recall having a bad PMS since I was a teen but it got really bad four years ago (I'm 35) Coincidentally I went through a lot of stress at that time. I don't have kids.
I keep a symptoms diary. A low level of symptoms appears all month, with an increase in the severity of symptoms premenstrually, but with no consistent symptom-free interval. It doesn't get worse at different times of the year.Thank you so much for all the responses and questions!!
Posted by polarbear206 on July 26, 2007, at 10:08:48
In reply to Re: Anyone with Atypical Depression + SAD + PMDD? » polarbear206, posted by 1000songs on July 25, 2007, at 17:36:25
> > When did your symptoms first start and how old were you? Was it after child birth? Is there a period in your monthly cycle that you are symptom free? Does it get worse at different times of the year? Sorry for all the questions.
> >
> > Polarbear
>
> Hello Polarbear,
>
> I think I have SAD since I was a child.
> I got Bulimia and Depression when I was 16 years old. I spent 7 years doing a treatment for my eating disorder and got rid of it back in 2000. But Depression and Social Anxiety didn't go away.
>
> I recall having a bad PMS since I was a teen but it got really bad four years ago (I'm 35) Coincidentally I went through a lot of stress at that time. I don't have kids.
> I keep a symptoms diary. A low level of symptoms appears all month, with an increase in the severity of symptoms premenstrually, but with no consistent symptom-free interval. It doesn't get worse at different times of the year.
>
> Thank you so much for all the responses and questions!!
>
You are going to have to increase your antidepressant to a more therapeutic dose to see if it will help alleviate the depression. Can you tell me if and what all drugs you have tried in the past and dosages?Polarbear
Posted by 1000songs on July 26, 2007, at 19:07:27
In reply to Re: Anyone with Atypical Depression + SAD + PMDD? » 1000songs, posted by polarbear206 on July 26, 2007, at 10:08:48
> You are going to have to increase your antidepressant to a more therapeutic dose to see if it will help alleviate the depression. Can you tell me if and what all drugs you have tried in the past and dosages?
>
> PolarbearSince I have PME I’m taking Zoloft 50mg + ranitidine (a higher dose gives me stomach ache). Long ago I took Amitriptyline 75mg. I think it only helped my insomnia.
Before Zoloft I tried Effexor for three days and I got a terrible stomach ache I had to stop it.
I was checking the archives there is really interesting info about PMDD there.
Do you suffer from atypical depression?
Thanks!
Posted by tgo on July 30, 2007, at 0:14:34
In reply to Anyone with Atypical Depression + SAD + PMDD?, posted by 1000songs on July 24, 2007, at 19:57:37
I also have atypical depression, SAD, and PMS/PMDD. I have found that Borage oil helps the PMS/PMDD for me considerably. I don't get the mood swings or cramps. I am currently on prozac, geodon as a mood stabilizer (which helps a lot!), a small dose of adderall for energy and motivation, and klonopin as needed for anxiety. I've discovered that the addition of the mood stabilizer is a big help with both depression and anxiety.
Posted by polarbear206 on July 30, 2007, at 8:18:46
In reply to Re: Anyone with Atypical Depression + SAD + PMDD? » polarbear206, posted by 1000songs on July 26, 2007, at 19:07:27
> > You are going to have to increase your antidepressant to a more therapeutic dose to see if it will help alleviate the depression. Can you tell me if and what all drugs you have tried in the past and dosages?
> >
> > Polarbear
>
> Since I have PME I’m taking Zoloft 50mg + ranitidine (a higher dose gives me stomach ache). Long ago I took Amitriptyline 75mg. I think it only helped my insomnia.
> Before Zoloft I tried Effexor for three days and I got a terrible stomach ache I had to stop it.
> I was checking the archives there is really interesting info about PMDD there.
> Do you suffer from atypical depression?
> Thanks!
>
Yes, I have the same as you do, which I later discovered was soft bipolar. I am on Lamictal (mood stabilizer) along with effexor and wellbutrin. You may really benefit from a mood stabilizer in combination with your AD. Have you considered this at all?Polarbear
Posted by 1000songs on July 30, 2007, at 20:32:57
In reply to Re: Anyone with Atypical Depression + SAD + PMDD? » 1000songs, posted by polarbear206 on July 30, 2007, at 8:18:46
Hi Polar Bear and Tgo,
Thank you so much for your messagges.
For me these last days were a nightmare. I had a horrible anxiety. I had this anxiety right after my period was gone. Wondering if that's still PMDD.
Yes, I'm considering a mood stabilizer. The problem is I'm in a waiting list for a psychiatrist (I'm in Canada) and I don't want to ask my MD because he has no idea what PMDD is about. I'm pretty upset with him.
It gives me hope that you are doing well with your medications :)
Thanks again!
This is the end of the thread.
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