Posted by Ritch on January 16, 2005, at 16:13:51
In reply to Mitch: SSRIs anxiolytic and cause mania?, posted by smith562 on January 16, 2005, at 13:25:40
> Hey Mitch,
>
> I find the SSRIs at regular dose produce anxiety reduction/apathy. I routinely read your posts and see you state that the SSRIs, even in tiny doses, cause stimulation/mania.
>
> How can they be both activating and anxiolytic? Thank you.
>
> SmithYes, they do help with my anxiety, but only at VERY low doses. There is a curve of sorts that exists with me and these meds. They are doing SOMETHING that reduces panic (down regulation of beta adrenergic receptors.. who knows?). But that may be the only thing that's good that they do for me. They are very yin/yang. I know for a fact they set off my cycling. If I take a "standard" dose (37.5mg)of Effexor (i.e.) I can have some fairly intense manic symptoms get triggered virtually out of nowhere within about 2-3 hours after I took it. I have not been able to tolerate the lowest dosage (other than a liquid or pill fragments) of SSRi's, Effexor, and yes Cymbalta (too) of ANY of them, ever. The only antidepressants that I could take (an entire whole pill every day for many many days)that didn't make me manic, agitated, smelling things that weren't there, etc., visual illusions, etc., were doxepin, nortriptyline, trazodone, and Remeron, and WB (but all of these besides the nort. made me a zombie and the WB made me hostile). I really honestly don't know for sure what it is about the serotonergic AD's that is causing all those problems. Akathisia from low dopamine? Temporal lobe irritation or stimulation? Just not sure. Docs don't understand it either. Hey, they are supposed to be the least likely to trigger mania according to the conventional wisdom.... :) I think it may have to do with my 5-HT receptor makeup or relative densities or something. I really wished I could understand it myself, because SSRI meds can be so wonderful for anxiety. If they could figure out a way to remove all the unwanted stuff and just make receptor selective serotonergic anti-anxiety med that doesn't make me high/stoned/manic/cartoonish I'm all for it! :)
poster:Ritch
thread:442778
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050113/msgs/442855.html