Posted by Caleb462 on May 17, 2003, at 3:02:20
In reply to Re: After Prozac - which SSRI to try, posted by Babysnakes on May 14, 2003, at 11:20:05
Here's my personal experience with SSRIs-
In no way do would I expect you or other people to react the exact same way to these meds, just sharing my experience.Zoloft (50 mg a day for 1 1/2 months, 100 mg day for 1/2 month. Prescribed primarily for OCD) - I don't recall much, though I believe the effects were rather mild, likely because the dose was too low. Mild sexual dysfunction was most prominent side effect.
Paxil (40 mg a day for 2 months, 60 mg a day for 1 month, 80 mg for a few days, prescribed primarily for OCD) - Very noticeable decrease in social anxiety, and somewhat of a decrease in general anxiety. No help with OCD. Main side effects were excessive sweating, constipation, severe sexual dysfunction. As is usual with SSRIs, there was a definite "emotional-blunting" effect. Yet at the same time, I was fairly euthymic throughout this med trial, and this short period was a pretty good time in my life.
Celexa (40 mg for 2 months, 60 mg for 2-3 weeks, prescribed primarily for OCD)
My least favorite SSRI I've tried. Sedation, apathy, emotion-blunting, anhedonia, and moderate to severe sexual dysfunction were prevalent. Around a 40% decrease in general anxiety, but no reduction in social anxiety, and no reduction in OCD symptoms. Basically, it was a drag. Stopped cold turkey and experienced a fairly disturbing withdrawl (flu-like symptoms and extreme dysphoria/panic).
And now.. I know it's not an SSRI, but it's close so
Effexor XR (75 mg a day for 3 months, 150 mg a day for 3 months, have been on 225 mg for close to two weeks now. Prescribed for OCD, General Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Major Depression)
Experienced a mild but noticeable anti-depressant effect with 75 mg, with little side effects. A more pronounced anti-depressant as well as anti-anxiety effect appeared with 150 mg, but dissapeared within 2 months. No OCD help. Side effects at this dose - headaches (initially), insomnia (initially), constipation, sexual impairment (mild), possibly weight gain - though I have a poor diet so it's hard to say. Have been on 225 mg for about 2 weeks now, so I'm still waiting for a response. Have noticed increased constipation and drastically increased sexual problems at this dose, as well as increased sweating.
poster:Caleb462
thread:226333
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030514/msgs/227176.html