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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sabre on October 23, 2004, at 17:27:07
Hi
After going off Moclobemide about two weeks ago, I have been experiencing depression even though this stuff is supposed to be out of your system in two days.I had been taking Lexapro before this and found that 2.5mg made me feel I suppose what you would call hypomanic (ran 2hrs and then did 8hrs of painting/weeding on this dose first up.
I felt like I wanted to be social on this dose but was also hit by feelings of panic (more a constant background effect than full blown attacks.
After reading that Prozac could be started at 1/8 the therapeutic dose for people with panic-anxiety I put a Lex tablet in a clear plastic bottle of water. I then divided the amount into 5 by scratching the side of the bottle.
Essentially I have been taking 2mg per day for the past three days and I am finding it much better. I have more energy but not to the extent of mania and I feel more neutral rather than depressed which is okay.
I will test this dosage tomorrow when I go to work. If I can survive a day without a beta blocker perhaps it will be a partial solution.
The other thing I would like to do is get some Reboxetine and experiment with adding this pure NARI to Lexapro using small and varying doses.
I don't suppose if this was too successful that drug companies would be interested. Imagine if you got by on a pill or two a week. Wouldn't be good for business. I suppose they could repackage and rename it ...Serenity of something for all the panickers.
sabre
Posted by jboud24 on October 24, 2004, at 15:21:17
In reply to Lexapro experiment, posted by sabre on October 23, 2004, at 17:27:07
The drug companies might not be interested, but many of us here at psychobabble certainly would be! Stuff like this is very important to know, and believe me that alot of people on this board suffer from either panic/social anxiety/agoraphobia. I'd definitely be interested to know if this works out well for you. And thanks for the info.
Justin
Posted by sabre on October 25, 2004, at 0:25:01
In reply to Re: Lexapro experiment, posted by jboud24 on October 24, 2004, at 15:21:17
Hi Justin,
Went to work today and it was tough but I didn't use a beta blocker.
I can't believe how strong the effect of even 2mg of Lexapro is for me. All day at work I felt as though I was going to have a panic attack and this was worsened by social interaction however I didn't actually have one. The feeling of an impedending on is pretty wearing though.
I had feelings of:
* dizziness like the room was moving in the opposite direction to my movement
* nausea
* sweating
* shakiness and spaciness
* kept tripping on things...not good on a hospital ward!
* Couldn't remember which locker was mine ...had it narrowed down to two (very scary)Also had a mental block on what my user name was at the work computer...extra scary.
I feel like I need an increase in serotonin for the depression - but only slightly and a decrease for the anxiety/panic/SA.Perhaps NA or dopamine is required. Efexor wouldn't be of much use because I think the dosage required would be too high to get the NA effect and Duloxetine isn't available here yet.
I just feel like I have part of the puzzle but there is some overriding control missingCan you replace 'natural' substances like Tryptophan and Tyrosine for prescription drugs like SSRIs and NARIs...especially if a little bit of prescription drug goes a long way? Are there any articles or texts that can give you a rough idea of the equivalent dosages?
Have any panic/phobes played around with micro doses? Or small combinations?
sabre
Posted by joslynn on October 25, 2004, at 8:59:09
In reply to Lexapro experiment, posted by sabre on October 23, 2004, at 17:27:07
You can also get Lex in a liquid, which would make it easier for you to take the smaller dose. I've done that. You wouldn't have to go thru the trouble of dissolving it. You can get a more precise, smaller dose from the liquid & an eyedropper. Maybe something to ask your pdoc about for your next refill...
Well, good luck.
Posted by jboud24 on October 25, 2004, at 11:24:52
In reply to Re: Lexapro experiment, posted by sabre on October 25, 2004, at 0:25:01
Have you tried an MAO inhibitor. It boosts levels of NE and DA as well as serotonin. The risks are really over-hyped, and they are not as dangerous as they sound. The success rates for SSRI's/SNRI's are 15-45% success for treating social anxiety/panic. For MAO inhibitors the success rate is 65-85+%. Ditch that Lexapro in my opinion. I took it for 2 years with absoluely no benefit for my social anxiety/generalized anxiety.
Good luck,
Justin
Posted by sabre on October 26, 2004, at 1:32:09
In reply to Re: Lexapro experiment, posted by jboud24 on October 25, 2004, at 11:24:52
Justin, I asked the GP for Parnate after reading many of the posts here. She wouldn't because of all the dangers of food interactions.
Are there any people here who have managed to get MAOIs from their GPs in Australia or is it a general policy? Would I need to see a psych? Not real keen to go down this avenue. The anxiety of facing someone new and having to talk about it all is putrid. It took me a decade to admit to the gp I had SA, even though I really like and trust her.
The other thing I hate the thought of is having a 'psychiatric history'. I've noticed whenever hospital staff read that patient X has a psychiatric history, eyebrows are raised and the their complaints of pain etc are never really taken as seriously.
Patients with anxiety meet with the most prejudice. Depression is more acceptable...even fashionable.
I suspect you are right, Justin
I had to take 1/3 of a beta blocker just to tolerate the anxiety induced by the Lexapro today, which is a bit ridiculous.sabre
This is the end of the thread.
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