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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 jotho on December 6, 2001, at 8:26:50
Hello...
I had tried effexor wr at the beginning of the year and found its side-effects overwhelming (which is how i discovered this board). I saw JohnL's write-up on the adrafinil-prozac-zyprexa combo and decided to give it a shot. The low-dose zyprexa (5mg, though i might return to 2.5 since i don't see a big difference) works very well for ruminations, the adrafinil, sadly, seems to have little effect other than mild stimulation...i will prob. stop taking them when i run out in a week or so...and the prozac has taken away the depression but has not affected the anhedonia much. My greatest success was about 6 years ago with zoloft. I felt improvement after only 5-6 days and it shattered the anhedonia...i was social and had the desire to do thjings...but it pooped out after a year, or so. I am taking 20 mg. of prozac...is it possible to combinbe the two...say, 25 mg of zoloft, plus my normal 20 mg. prozac anfd 5 mg. zyprexa? Can the two be safely taken together (prozac and zoloft)? Do you think i should forget about zoloft and try increasing the prozac to, say, 30 mg.?
Any suggestions would be most helpful and appreciated
Posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 9:55:31
In reply to Please CamW...could you answer a AD question?, posted by jotho on December 6, 2001, at 8:26:50
Jotho - Before adding Zoloft™ (sertraline), you may want to ask your doc to increase the Prozac™ (fluoxetine) to 30mg or 40mg. This will probably be as effective as adding the Zoloft, and you will save yourself a dispensing fee. Exercise, especially the cardiovascular kind (ie. where you get your heartrate up and get a good sweat on) can relieve some anhedonia, in some people. It is worth a shot.
The exercise can be anything from a brisk, 1/2 hour walk 3 or more times a week, to joining an "old fart's" sports league (ie. participating in sports where winning means nothing, and having fun makes the exercizing more enjoyable). I do karate (well, not often enough now, with the hours of my new job...< sigh! >) and I found that, even when my depression was at it's worst, if I could drag myself (or be badgered) into going to class, I always felt 200% better than before I went.
In answer to your question, Zoloft 25mg and Prozac 20mg, along with Zyprexa, should not increase the risk of getting serotonin syndrome very much. Both of these doses are fairly low. Still, I'd go with a Prozac dose increase, first. Ask your doc and get his/her opinion.
- Cam
Posted by jotho on December 6, 2001, at 12:14:50
In reply to Re: Please CamW...could you answer a AD question? » jotho, posted by Cam W. on December 6, 2001, at 9:55:31
CamW....Thanks for the near-immediate response. I have to watch any, and what, exercise I do because i have stress-induced ventricular tachycardia. Still, I am going to monitor myself and start doing some extensive walking.
I thought since i had such a fast and positive response initially to the zoloft that adding it might help. However, maybe i should increase the prozac first...my doc. lets me pretty much monitor myself and do what i want as long as i research it and it doesn't bother my ticker.
My co-pay for zoloft would only be 5 dollars so the dispensary fee is no problem. But, if you don't think the zoloft might be any more helpful than just increasing the prozac, I will do just that...increase the prozac.
thanks again...jotho
This is the end of the thread.
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