Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 321892

Shown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Med Intolerance when to quit?

Posted by Mr. Scott on March 8, 2004, at 0:16:03

When is enough... enough? How long do you think one should wait it out to see if med intolerance specifically for SSRI's will go away?

On Lexapro...I develop Dystonic/Akathesia/Restless leg type symptoms...Anxiety and muscle tension teeth grinding you wouldn't believe. Digestive upset, mild but irritating facial swelling, increased appetite and weight gain. Moderate sexual dysfunction and nausea. Add in fatigue, dizziness, and low blood sugar spells and note that this all occurrs at 2mg. How long should one wait before trying something else?

On Effexor I have a fear of the potential withdrawal. It constipates me somewhat. Causes activation or agitation above 37.5mg with very incomplete relief of depression. At the same time I could barely concentrate. Muscle spasms and Dystonic/Akathesia/Restless legs occurrs.

I feel that I have to trade depression for agitation with these meds. Without relief of this depresion, my choices are dire. No that anyone should give a damn since we don't really know eachother here, but my situation is very bad.

I can kill myself. I can go back to being a drug addict and for all intents and purposes kill myself slowly. I can get ECT. What else..

What the cockadoodie am I too do here? Can you folks just tell me...

 

Re: Med Intolerance when to quit? » Mr. Scott

Posted by fayeroe on March 8, 2004, at 6:32:27

In reply to Med Intolerance when to quit?, posted by Mr. Scott on March 8, 2004, at 0:16:03

Wow, you're having a very hard time with meds! I really don't know what to tell you except that I would certainly try something else. I've had horrible withdrawal experience with Effexor and can speak to that. It isn't worth it for me. I take good old tried and true Prozac now. Good luck~~~~~~~

 

Re: Med Intolerance when to quit?

Posted by leegirl on March 8, 2004, at 10:45:08

In reply to Med Intolerance when to quit?, posted by Mr. Scott on March 8, 2004, at 0:16:03

Hi,
I'm so sorry to read about the pain you are going through. From personal experience, it took about 3 months for Effexor to really start working on me. The change was amazing, or so I thought. But you are right to worry about withdrawal with Effexor. It's what I'm going through now, and if I had known then what I do now.....I never would have started the drug. But that's just me. SSRI's have different effects on different people. I know some people swear that Effexor saved their lives, so maybe what didn't work for me, may be just what you need. As for Prozac, which I'm back on now as I wean from the Effexor...I have taken it off and on for 6 or 7 years. It's much milder than Effexor and does help with the anxiety and depression. I pray that you will find a solution for your pain. No one should suffer so needlessly.

 

Re: Med Intolerance when to quit?

Posted by KathrynLex on March 8, 2004, at 14:45:47

In reply to Med Intolerance when to quit?, posted by Mr. Scott on March 8, 2004, at 0:16:03

Hi Mr. Scott,

It sounds like you just haven't found the right medication yet. There are hundreds of alternatives to Lexapro and Effexor (Prozac, Paxil etc...). I don't think you have to trade depression for agitation.

Try to find a psychiatrist who has a reputation for being very good with meds. Talk to your friends, see who is seeing someone they like. I've found that having the right person prescribe meds can make a WORLD of difference.

Nobody should have to suffer from depression. Best of luck to you.

K.

 

Re: Med Intolerance when to quit? » Mr. Scott

Posted by King Vultan on March 8, 2004, at 19:41:22

In reply to Med Intolerance when to quit?, posted by Mr. Scott on March 8, 2004, at 0:16:03

> When is enough... enough? How long do you think one should wait it out to see if med intolerance specifically for SSRI's will go away?
>
> On Lexapro...I develop Dystonic/Akathesia/Restless leg type symptoms...Anxiety and muscle tension teeth grinding you wouldn't believe. Digestive upset, mild but irritating facial swelling, increased appetite and weight gain. Moderate sexual dysfunction and nausea. Add in fatigue, dizziness, and low blood sugar spells and note that this all occurrs at 2mg. How long should one wait before trying something else?
>
> On Effexor I have a fear of the potential withdrawal. It constipates me somewhat. Causes activation or agitation above 37.5mg with very incomplete relief of depression. At the same time I could barely concentrate. Muscle spasms and Dystonic/Akathesia/Restless legs occurrs.
>
> I feel that I have to trade depression for agitation with these meds. Without relief of this depresion, my choices are dire. No that anyone should give a damn since we don't really know eachother here, but my situation is very bad.
>
> I can kill myself. I can go back to being a drug addict and for all intents and purposes kill myself slowly. I can get ECT. What else..
>
> What the cockadoodie am I too do here? Can you folks just tell me...


The side effects you mention are not uncommon on SSRI-type drugs; in theory, adding a drug that blockades serotonin 2A receptors such as Remeron or trazodone should alleviate or eliminate most of them, as well as reinforcing the antidepressant effect of the SSRI/Effexor. These drugs may also be taken as antidepressants by themselves. Don't give up yet.

Todd

 

Re: Med Intolerance when to quit?

Posted by bipolarspectrum on March 9, 2004, at 1:55:39

In reply to Med Intolerance when to quit?, posted by Mr. Scott on March 8, 2004, at 0:16:03

Mr. Scott,
I experienced something very similar to you.. I've tried over 28 medications and could not tolerate any of them... I've also had ECT and rTMS to no avail.. I'm also 22.. I can't help but think that your med intolerance could be caused by a form of bipolar disorder... You need specialized care to treat such atypical forms of this illness, in my opinion, and I recommend you pursue it quickly... You must also realize that there is a wide array of pharmaceuticals available and this game is often a matter of trail and error.. good luck

 

Re: Med Intolerance when to quit? » bipolarspectrum

Posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 10, 2004, at 0:32:07

In reply to Re: Med Intolerance when to quit?, posted by bipolarspectrum on March 9, 2004, at 1:55:39

Scott, I know firsthand how frustrating it all is. I would say that there are so many meds, hopefully one may push that magic button. Try to stick with it. I wish you best of luck.

Bipolarspecrum, I have the same issues with a wide spectrum of drugs. I've failed at least one and often much more on every class. Abilify now is failing me and it's my first Atypical antipsychotic. I tolerated Perphenazine (old school AP) and that's only because it was 2 mg (typical is 8-32 mg) and did nothing.

My issues are being treated as a depresssive disorder, to sum it up. If you don't mind me asking, what is your current cocktail and how does it work for you?

 

Re: Med Intolerance when to quit?

Posted by bipolarspectrum on March 10, 2004, at 6:57:28

In reply to Re: Med Intolerance when to quit? » bipolarspectrum, posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 10, 2004, at 0:32:07

SocialD,
I'm assuming your pointing the question at me!! I'm currently on wellbutrin XL (75 mg) and (Synthroid/T3, 50 mg)... I really like the T3, its very easy to tolerate (for most people I believe) and tends to have a smooth, subtle 'lightening' effect upon my mood.. I recommend T3 as a nice augmentation strategy for anyone with tolerability issues... As for the wellbutrin xl, its only been a day or two so its a little early to tell.. but i'll keep u posted... good luck sd

> Bipolarspecrum, I have the same issues with a wide spectrum of drugs. I've failed at least one and often much more on every class. Abilify now is failing me and it's my first Atypical antipsychotic. I tolerated Perphenazine (old school AP) and that's only because it was 2 mg (typical is 8-32 mg) and did nothing.
>
> My issues are being treated as a depresssive disorder, to sum it up. If you don't mind me asking, what is your current cocktail and how does it work for you?

 

Re: Med Intolerance when to quit? » bipolarspectrum

Posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 10, 2004, at 20:22:21

In reply to Re: Med Intolerance when to quit?, posted by bipolarspectrum on March 10, 2004, at 6:57:28

Thanks! Sadly I'm allergic to wellbutrin but I'll talk to my pdoc about synthroid T3. My levels are normal but on the extremely low side (.4). Anyway, good luck on the Wellbutrin.

 

Re: Med Intolerance when to quit?

Posted by Mr. Scott on March 12, 2004, at 10:22:18

In reply to Re: Med Intolerance when to quit? » bipolarspectrum, posted by socialdeviantjeff on March 10, 2004, at 20:22:21


Thanks Folks! This week I'm on 2mg Lexapro, 7.5 mg Tranxene, 450mg Lithium, and 600mg Trileptal.

It is very difficult for me because of my anxious and obsessive nature to know when I'm experiencing symptoms of a mental disorder or symptoms of life for someone with a 'difficult' temperament??!!

I have now have had 3 doctors concur that I have bipolar II. 2 of the 3 indicate rapid cycling is present. I see myself as anxious and depressed most of the time with bad med intolerance and occassional mild hypomania's I believe to be induced by situations and medicines. My mind is always on the move but often with a negative connotation to it's content.

And I have a job interview today..


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