Posted by bulldog2 on May 24, 2008, at 18:24:43
In reply to Antidepressants and emotional flatness, posted by satsumas on May 24, 2008, at 15:43:49
> Hi there,
> After 5 years of relatively TR depression I had a breakthrough suicidal depression in the last few weeks which has given me new motivation that things have to change -- NOW. I have wasted so much of my life being content with incomplete treatment and not realizing the sort of side effects I was putting up with (lack of affect and poor libido). I'm now on 225 Effexor (again, after three years of trying other meds) and while it got me out of bed and cut off the suicidal thoughts, it has also caused incredible cravings for alcohol and nicotine and has exacerbated my already-prominant internet addiction.
>
> I realized that lots of the meds I have tried (S/NRIs, lamictal, emsam), when they have worked, worked mostly because they flattened my emotions, caused me not to really care, or desire to make positive changes.
>
> The Emsam was better in that respect, I felt it gave me more "free will" but the anxiety was too much and I don't think it really hit serotonin very well.
>
> MY QUESTION is, does anyone know of any meds, or combinations, that hit serotonin (and thus reduce general and especially social anxiety, kill the hopeless and obsessive negative thoughts), but do NOT cause emotional bluntness, apathy, and anhedonia? Wellbutrin seems like it may be good in this regard but since it doesn't hit serotonin at all, I'm wondering how it would be for general/social anxiety and the obsessive thoughts.
>
> Other ideas -- I would greatly appreciate any comments, specifically on the apathy, anhedonic, emotional numbing aspects of these meds if anyone has any experience
>
> - Nardil
> - Low dose SSRI + Wellbutrin or dopamine agonist
> - Mirapex
> - Effexor + Remeron
>
> Thanks. The last few weeks has been the most painful experience of my life. It's so frustrating that it's taken five years and still I haven't gotten this resolved. Life is passing me by and in my suicidal depression, the reality of what I've missed out (relationships, normal social interactions, job success, feelings of self-worth and 'okayness') was so crystal clear to me that now that I am out of bed, I feel like I have to knock this terrible demonic illness down for good, so any help you can provide is much appreciated.
> -satsumaMaybe that's a good thing..I remember when on effexor wanting to smoke a cigarette..Some times we expect to much from our meds..They can't remove all the ills in our lives...Maybe all we can expect is that they energize us so that we can move on with our lives..To smoke or not to smoke,,to gamble or not to gamble,,,these are decisions many people struggle with..All I want from an AD is the ability to get out of bed and embrace life...however the decisions I make are still mine..sometimes I get the impression that people want a cocktail of meds that makes us perfect people and that we will automtically make the correct decscions..that would make us zombies in my mind..all I ask is the energy to make those choices...
poster:bulldog2
thread:830911
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080519/msgs/830946.html