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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JohnQ on June 26, 2002, at 19:00:57
Has anybody here had any success with combating SSRI (Paxil specifically)induced lack of motivation? I'm on 30mg of Paxil and while it works very well for my depression, it has totally destroyed my motivation. It has gotten so bad that my job may be in jeopardy. I'm currently on day one of my SAM-e trial, so maybe this post is pointless. But if it isn't, and the SAM-e doesn't work out, does anyone have any idea's on how to beat this? I could change the Paxil, but I'm thinking it works too well on my depression to not at least try some something to augment. I don't like stimulants, and probably wouldn't be able to get them anyways, so we can eliminate that class. What about Reboxetine? Anybody have success with that for lack of motivation? Does it increase anxiety? Any problems combining it with Paxil? I'm should be getting my Rebox. soon, so any advice would be great. Thanks.
P.S. I tried Adrafinil, which made my depression and anxiety much worse, if that helps.
Posted by janejj on June 26, 2002, at 20:07:38
In reply to Ideas for Lack of Motivation??, posted by JohnQ on June 26, 2002, at 19:00:57
Posted by polarbear206 on June 26, 2002, at 20:22:35
In reply to Ideas for Lack of Motivation??, posted by JohnQ on June 26, 2002, at 19:00:57
> Has anybody here had any success with combating SSRI (Paxil specifically)induced lack of motivation? I'm on 30mg of Paxil and while it works very well for my depression, it has totally destroyed my motivation. It has gotten so bad that my job may be in jeopardy. I'm currently on day one of my SAM-e trial, so maybe this post is pointless. But if it isn't, and the SAM-e doesn't work out, does anyone have any idea's on how to beat this? I could change the Paxil, but I'm thinking it works too well on my depression to not at least try some something to augment. I don't like stimulants, and probably wouldn't be able to get them anyways, so we can eliminate that class. What about Reboxetine? Anybody have success with that for lack of motivation? Does it increase anxiety? Any problems combining it with Paxil? I'm should be getting my Rebox. soon, so any advice would be great. Thanks.
>
> P.S. I tried Adrafinil, which made my depression and anxiety much worse, if that helps.
John,I had the same problem when I was on Paxil alone at a higher dose. What has worked for me is a Paxil/imipramine combo. I take 10mg of Paxil and 100mg of imipramine. I also take a small dose of Lamictal. My depression responds to meds that target several neurotransmitters. Energy level is good with this combo.
Posted by fachad on June 26, 2002, at 21:52:53
In reply to Ideas for Lack of Motivation??, posted by JohnQ on June 26, 2002, at 19:00:57
This topic sure does come up often. SSRI's induce lethargy, fatague, and low motivation as a very long term effect. It creeps up slowly so you do not notice it or tie it to the SSRI.
Here's an earlier thread (there are others; search on apathy)http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97043.html
and here is a post on how mine was alleviated by Ritalin:http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97043.html
This problem has been recognized by docs, slowly but surely. Eli Lilly is even trying to get Zyprexa used for it.
> Has anybody here had any success with combating SSRI (Paxil specifically)induced lack of motivation? I'm on 30mg of Paxil and while it works very well for my depression, it has totally destroyed my motivation. It has gotten so bad that my job may be in jeopardy. I'm currently on day one of my SAM-e trial, so maybe this post is pointless. But if it isn't, and the SAM-e doesn't work out, does anyone have any idea's on how to beat this? I could change the Paxil, but I'm thinking it works too well on my depression to not at least try some something to augment. I don't like stimulants, and probably wouldn't be able to get them anyways, so we can eliminate that class. What about Reboxetine? Anybody have success with that for lack of motivation? Does it increase anxiety? Any problems combining it with Paxil? I'm should be getting my Rebox. soon, so any advice would be great. Thanks.
>
> P.S. I tried Adrafinil, which made my depression and anxiety much worse, if that helps.
Posted by JonW on June 26, 2002, at 22:38:18
In reply to Ideas for Lack of Motivation??, posted by JohnQ on June 26, 2002, at 19:00:57
Hi JohnQ,
My pdoc uses Mirapex for SSRI induced apathy. I have no personal experiences to offer you, though...sorry :(
Jon
Posted by jay on June 27, 2002, at 3:54:31
In reply to Ideas for Lack of Motivation??, posted by JohnQ on June 26, 2002, at 19:00:57
I have found the atypical antipsychotics Zyprexa and Risperdal helpful as an addition to an SSRI. There is also adding a tricyclic which often seems to help...and the usual stimulant route.
Don't let the apathy get the best of you, and keep trying some different combinations until you find one that works. It seems mucking around with as many brain chemicals we can does sometimes help.(To a point...anyways.)
Good luck..best wishes..
Jay
Posted by Ant-Rock on June 27, 2002, at 7:11:46
In reply to Ritalin for SSRI Induced Lack of Motivation » JohnQ, posted by fachad on June 26, 2002, at 21:52:53
> This topic sure does come up often. SSRI's induce lethargy, fatague, and low motivation as a very long term effect. It creeps up slowly so you do not notice it or tie it to the SSRI.
>
>
> Here's an earlier thread (there are others; search on apathy)
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97043.html
>
>
> and here is a post on how mine was alleviated by Ritalin:
>
> http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97043.html
>
>
> This problem has been recognized by docs, slowly but surely. Eli Lilly is even trying to get Zyprexa used for it.
>
>
>
>
> > Has anybody here had any success with combating SSRI (Paxil specifically)induced lack of motivation? I'm on 30mg of Paxil and while it works very well for my depression, it has totally destroyed my motivation. It has gotten so bad that my job may be in jeopardy. I'm currently on day one of my SAM-e trial, so maybe this post is pointless. But if it isn't, and the SAM-e doesn't work out, does anyone have any idea's on how to beat this? I could change the Paxil, but I'm thinking it works too well on my depression to not at least try some something to augment. I don't like stimulants, and probably wouldn't be able to get them anyways, so we can eliminate that class. What about Reboxetine? Anybody have success with that for lack of motivation? Does it increase anxiety? Any problems combining it with Paxil? I'm should be getting my Rebox. soon, so any advice would be great. Thanks.
> >
> > P.S. I tried Adrafinil, which made my depression and anxiety much worse, if that helps.Hi Fachad,
What dosages of ritalin did you find helpful?Thanks
Posted by fachad on June 27, 2002, at 8:08:15
In reply to Re: Ritalin for SSRI Induced Lack of Motivation » » fachad, posted by Ant-Rock on June 27, 2002, at 7:11:46
> Hi Fachad,
> What dosages of ritalin did you find helpful?
>
> Thanks10 mg 3 X day generic immediate release type for a long time, then when I switched to Concerta, 54 mg in the morning.
-fachad
> > This topic sure does come up often. SSRI's induce lethargy, fatague, and low motivation as a very long term effect. It creeps up slowly so you do not notice it or tie it to the SSRI.
> >
> >
> > Here's an earlier thread (there are others; search on apathy)
> >
> > http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97043.html
> >
> >
> > and here is a post on how mine was alleviated by Ritalin:
> >
> > http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97043.html
> >
> >
> > This problem has been recognized by docs, slowly but surely. Eli Lilly is even trying to get Zyprexa used for it.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > Has anybody here had any success with combating SSRI (Paxil specifically)induced lack of motivation? I'm on 30mg of Paxil and while it works very well for my depression, it has totally destroyed my motivation. It has gotten so bad that my job may be in jeopardy. I'm currently on day one of my SAM-e trial, so maybe this post is pointless. But if it isn't, and the SAM-e doesn't work out, does anyone have any idea's on how to beat this? I could change the Paxil, but I'm thinking it works too well on my depression to not at least try some something to augment. I don't like stimulants, and probably wouldn't be able to get them anyways, so we can eliminate that class. What about Reboxetine? Anybody have success with that for lack of motivation? Does it increase anxiety? Any problems combining it with Paxil? I'm should be getting my Rebox. soon, so any advice would be great. Thanks.
> > >
> > > P.S. I tried Adrafinil, which made my depression and anxiety much worse, if that helps.
>
This is the end of the thread.
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