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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Scott in Vermont on August 19, 2004, at 22:23:32
I'm losing faith in my new mix. No, I haven't been on it that long. Yes, I know it takes longer than this for any meds to have a fair chance.
I'm 10mg Lexapro in the morning (and want to go back to 20, I feel jumpy all the time, I don't know if it's the absense of the anti-anxiety agent or what, but I feel like a spooked dog)
then it's 200mg Topamax (which doesn't feel even a bit different than 100mg, which didn't feel different from 50mg)
nighttime it's 25mg of (I'm going to spell this wrong and I'm too lazy to look it up) Seraquil and let me tell you, THAT makes a difference. I take it about 30 minutes before bedtime and I sleep fine, but until about 1pm the next day I'm operating with a waterlogged brain. I feel sluggish, dopey, and sometimes even stupid, such as I can't figure out simple equations or remember basic grammar. I don't "know for a fact" if it is the Seriquil or if it is the Ativan or a mix of the two.
Speaking of which, I'm taking anywhere from 1mg to 4mg of Ativan a day "as needed". Because I feel so twitchy and spooked, I've been spending more time trying to be "level"... it sort of works, sort of doesn't. I tried the Seriquil in the place of the Ativan once... bad idea. That was a "go home in the middle of work" day.
And all that is just describing the physical effects the meds are having on my head. The rest of my body... I feel weak (I can still lift the same, but I feel like I can't) I feel like if I stop moving I can fall asleep at any moment (even though I can't really, I tried... I felt kind of fuzzy/hazy, but didn't actually go out) and I feel like every muscle in my body is sore 24/7. That one is real. I really am sore, it really feels like every one, and taking asprin doesn't do much. It's not stabbing screaming pain, it's a dull burn, not quite an ache, but a constant dull sore, like when you move you really know it's there.
I'll skip the GI stuff. We've all been there.
And then, the main reason I'm taking all of this stuff. To get better. To control the beast. To calm the raging storm. Or, to skip the dramatic metaphors, to not become another bipolar suicide statistic. That's the reason my muscles ache and my head feels wrapped in Saran wrap and I feel like I'm listening to people talk backwards under water... right?
If that's the case, I'll tell you the truth. I may as well be drinking beer. At least with beer, I'd be getting a buzz I understood. And the prescription isn't nearly as hard to fill and sure as all get out isn't nearly as expensive (and a side bonus, you can redeem the bottle! ha) All kidding aside, my meds aren't doing the job they are supposed to be doing. But like I in the 2nd and 3rd sentences of this ridicilously long post, I haven't been on it that long, and I know it takes longer than this for any meds to have a fair chance. But that doesn't help me tonight.
But anyway... I'm just complaining out loud about my med on the Med board because I'm not happy the direction my head is still going and the side-effects I'm having both emotional and physical and I'm tired of my musical Med merry-go-round and I don't know what to do and it's 11:25pm and no one is around and it's Thursday night and I've been trying so hard to keep things under wraps and I just feel especially challanged tonight but I don't want to talk to a "real person" and I don't post on Social anymore... so I guess I better wrap this up with a Meds question to keep this on the Meds board- Has anyone else that has come to this point found a solution? I know somone out there has had to hit the wall harder than this with meds. Someone has been there. Please, tell me how you faced it, and what you did to get through it. I know in the end I have to keep taking my meds and get through this, even if it means yet another meds change... that's the rational part of me but wow... I am so sick of this.
As always, all responses read and appreciated.
-Scott
PS- Nobody freak out, I'll be here tomorrow. I'm just blowing off steam in the form of getting information about how to cope with waiting for meds to catch up with ... expectations? Hopes? I don't know what to call it. Opinions on that one appreciated as well.
Posted by chemist on August 19, 2004, at 22:34:18
In reply to Losing faith in my meds, posted by Scott in Vermont on August 19, 2004, at 22:23:32
hi scott, chemist here....the thing that sticks out immediately is the 25 mg of seroquel: in low doses, it is a real knock-out, and a potent histamenergic agent. strangly enough, if you titrate up to 200 mg or so, the antipsychotic effects kick in, and the drowsiness goes away. i have been down the topamax road, and lost some weight and money in the process: not much else gained or lost. as i am headed off into the arms of morpheus soon, i'll keep this short (until tomorrow) but i do recommend dumping the seroquel, as this does pack a wallup in the 25 to 50 mg qhs regime. be well, and all the best, chemist
Posted by jay on August 19, 2004, at 23:38:19
In reply to Losing faith in my meds, posted by Scott in Vermont on August 19, 2004, at 22:23:32
Scott....
Man, I HEAR ya!!! It does seem futile sometimes, but in reality it is the *brave* thing to do when we take our meds, and go down that 'healing path'. Give yourself oodles of credit for that!:-)
Frustrate that Beast..tell it to "F*CK OFF"..you can, will, and DESERVE to have a wonderful life. This illness try's to trick us into thinking it ain't so...but don't believe the lies...spit them out in the Beast's face.About the Seroquel...it may/will just take some time to adjust...as I have found with it and other atypical's.
So, let us know how you feel tommorow...for much can change in a day...and I send special thoughts for ya. Take good care..
Best,
Jay
Posted by Sad Panda on August 20, 2004, at 1:20:16
In reply to Losing faith in my meds, posted by Scott in Vermont on August 19, 2004, at 22:23:32
Hi Scott,
I am a big fan of adding a 5-HT2A antagonist to SSRI's. The increase in serotonin caused by SSRI's & Effexor agonises 5-HT2A recptors & causes 90% of the side effects as these receptors control some fairly major body functions such as heat regulation, sleep regulation & sexual functions. Typically SRI's cause night sweats, poor sleep, anorgasmia & jumpiness.
I would be inclined to replace your Seroquel with either a low dose of Amitriptyline(25-50mg) or a high dose of Nortriptyline to give some very cheap 5-HT2A antagonism. If your doc wants to force an AP on you, Risperdal is probably the best choice at a low dose.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by woolav on August 20, 2004, at 8:15:59
In reply to Re: Losing faith in my meds, posted by Sad Panda on August 20, 2004, at 1:20:16
Hello, what exactly is a 5-HT2A antagonism????
Thanks
Sandy
Posted by Sad Panda on August 20, 2004, at 9:58:45
In reply to Re: Losing faith in my meds-Sad panda, posted by woolav on August 20, 2004, at 8:15:59
> Hello, what exactly is a 5-HT2A antagonism????
>
>
> Thanks
> Sandy
>Hi Sandy,
5-HT is serotonin. Serotonin receptors are numbered 1 to 7 depending on how they function, ie, 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3, etc. Most of these then have subgroups. 5-HT2 has 3: 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B & 5-HT2C. What SRI's do is increase the level of serotonin at all receptors, this is called agonism. Stimulation of some of these recptors causes mood improvement & a reduction in anxiety, but scientists don't really know which ones. It is well known that the 5-HT2A group controls a lot of bodily functions & agonism of these receptors covers 90% of the side effects caused by SRI's. To get rid of some of these side effects you add a drug which blocks some of the serotonin from reaching these receptors. This is called blockade or antagonism, so adding a 5-HT2A antagonist blocks some of the recptors from getting serotonin.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by woolav on August 20, 2004, at 10:35:05
In reply to Re: Losing faith in my meds » woolav, posted by Sad Panda on August 20, 2004, at 9:58:45
Thanks for the info. So, is this 5-HT2A something that i can add to my meds? Or is it already in drugs like prozac?
Sandy
Posted by Sad Panda on August 20, 2004, at 11:04:42
In reply to Re: SAD PANDA, posted by woolav on August 20, 2004, at 10:35:05
> Thanks for the info. So, is this 5-HT2A something that i can add to my meds? Or is it already in drugs like prozac?
> Sandy
>You have to take additional drugs to block 5-HT2A recptors. Most of these are sedating & give a great nights sleep. Remeron, Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Trimpiramine at low doses or Nortriptyline at medium to high doses are good to add to an SSRI that is working for you.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by dazedandconfused on August 20, 2004, at 11:35:18
In reply to Re: Losing faith in my meds » woolav, posted by Sad Panda on August 20, 2004, at 9:58:45
Sad Panda - EXCELLENT REVIEW! THANKS! (nm)
Posted by dazedandconfused on August 20, 2004, at 11:56:35
In reply to Re: Losing faith in my meds, posted by dazedandconfused on August 20, 2004, at 11:35:18
Posted by Scott in Vermont on August 20, 2004, at 15:26:15
In reply to Losing faith in my meds, posted by Scott in Vermont on August 19, 2004, at 22:23:32
Thank you. I've tapped into some knowledge I had no idea was here on Babble. I mean, I've seen the screen names, but I don't believe I have read your work before. I have some homework to do. You're either in the field, or you've been on this path for so long you've educated yourself to know what this crap is that you're putting in your body and what it is doing to you. Either way, I'm impressed, I'm grateful for the time you all took, and you've given me some directions to look in.
Today isn't any better, but my tendency to think in colorful metaphors has stopped. I'm going to ground myself.
Thank you again. Good weekend to all.
-Scott
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