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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 20:07:29
I can't stand it anymore. I really don't think I can go on like this. My motivation is gone; I have no desire to do anything at all except eat and sleep. Nothing in my life brings me any pleasure--I feel completely devoid of all emotion except anxiety and worry. I haven't been able to have an orgasm in forever. I am gradually gaining weight and have developed terrible digestive problems over the past year. I don't have any creativity any more. I can't think straight half the time--I feel like a cognitively-impaired vegetable. My memory is terrible, my ability to concentrate even worse. And to top it all off, I feel miserable and guilty to be this self-absorbed and lacking in willpower. The worst is the food addiction. Once I start eating anything sweet or carby, I can't stop. I'm gradually gaining weight and it makes me sick. Yet, I feel like there's absolutely nothing I can do. I don't even want to go on living sometimes, to be quite honest. I just quit my job because I felt like I couldn't handle it any more. I take 20 mg. daily of Lexapro and have tried to supplement with Wellbutrin. However, the WB made me even crazier and more out of control than I am now, so I had to stop. What do I do? Are the meds causing this, or is it depression? WHY CAN'T I JUST MAKE IT STOP?? I'm seeing a counselor, but after our sessions, I feel even WORSE than before, and I usually go on a binge. Why is this? I've never in my life experienced anything quite like this. I've always had problems with OCD and anxiety, but never this sort of apathy and dysfunctionality (is that a word). I'm getting absolutely nothing accomplished in my life. Most days I don't even feel like showering. It's terrible. I'm afraid the next thing to go will be my relationship with my boyfriend (we live together, so he's seeing all of this happen). I know that I ought to be able to take control over this situation, and yet I feel totally incapable. Please, someone give me some confidence!! Tell me how to get out of this pit of despair. Is there a different med that I should be on? What can I do???
Posted by mworkman on April 10, 2005, at 20:38:06
In reply to i need help, posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 20:07:29
did it start when you started the lexapro?
Posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 21:06:17
In reply to Re: i need help, posted by mworkman on April 10, 2005, at 20:38:06
> did it start when you started the lexapro?
Not exactly. I started noticing problems in 2003, at which time I had been on 20 mg. of Celexa for about 2 years. It began to get progessively worse, and in 2004 my doctor upped my Celexa dose from 20 mg. to 40 mg. That helped for awhile, but then things started deteriorating again approx. 8 months later. I just recently made the switch to 20 mg. Lexapro (which was the suggestion of my doctor), but things have only gotten worse since then. I don't know if it would have been any different on Celexa (they are basically the same drug, after all). I feel like a complete non-functioning, overeating, non-emotional, anxiety-ridden basket case. And Wellbutrin made all of that worse. I need to find the right combo of meds SOON, or else I don't know what I might do.
Posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 21:12:43
In reply to i need help, posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 20:07:29
I am soo sorry you feel this way. Major depression will make you feel this way;I know when I get my cycling depression,most of the time I don't shower,it just takes up too much energy. Gross to admit.LOL. The no motivation I hate more than anxiety as I also have OCD in some things. When I took cymbalta I did what I had to do but nothing else;while others,were motivated by it.Please talk to your doc. and let him/her know what is happening.I presume you were having problems before lexapro;Did you tell doc. about wellbutrin? It's important to let your doctor know. And no you cannot control this on your own;It is not your fault. BTW the food craving is most likely the lex. I could not get enough carbs and sweets either. I do not have any expertise{alot here do} just personal exper. but I know others will respond. I am still still searching for answers myself.Don't lose hope. Lara
Posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 21:16:00
In reply to Re: i need help » mworkman, posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 21:06:17
I tolerated celexa ok but could not take lex. very long. just some thoughts.
Posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 21:36:42
In reply to Re: i need help, posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 21:16:00
> I tolerated celexa ok but could not take lex. very long. just some thoughts.
What were the major differences that you noticed with Celexa? I found that on Celexa, I would get more motivation by lowering the dose. But my anxiety would get so bad that I'd have trouble communicating with people. Like, I'd start saying something and then forget what I was talking about. Or else I'd say something dumb. I'm very self-conscious about my intelligence and am constantly trying to maintain it. I used to be an avid learner and loved to experience new things--not any more. I can't remember things, and I find it difficult to retain information. Have you experienced this using SSRI's?
Posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 21:51:41
In reply to Lexapro vs. Celexa, posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 21:36:42
I am sorry,I took celexa about 5 yrs ago. I just hated taking any med.-gaining weight etc. I just remember that I took it for over a year and quit because of weight gain and sexual side effects. Plus I thought I could do this on my own;but just got worse.Yes,I work with mainly young people and they're always teasing me about my memory.Am trying an anticonvulsant now and am feeling more stupid.Not taking celexa for so long,I don't remember memory problems. Had the [memory] problems on zoloft,lex. and cymbalta. At least thats what I blamed it on.LOl But this lamictal is worse in that regard;but I believe starting to help my symptons. Sorry I am not more helpful.
Posted by Phillipa on April 10, 2005, at 21:57:59
In reply to Re: Lexapro vs. Celexa, posted by lara53 on April 10, 2005, at 21:51:41
I'm so sorry you are feeling so awful. The more I read the more I'm becoming convinced that once you start an AD and it stops working the roller coaster ride begins. It seems that your brain adapts and no longer responds to meds as it used to. That's why I gave up on the AD's and am only taking valium for anxiety. At least I don't have the side effects anymore. I wonder what these drugs really do to our minds. As someone here said 20 years from now people will look back and see what we were doing or something like that. Some find good med combos though and I hope you are one of them. I attributed my memory to getting older and menopause, but now I wonder. I really feel for you. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 10, 2005, at 22:20:12
In reply to i need help, posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 20:07:29
Some thoughts:
Do you see a psychiatrist or just your regular doc? If you don't see an actual psychiatrist, you should. It seems like the right med combo for you might be a little trickier than for most folks and so you need someone w/ more experience rx-ing these things. I work in mental health and have seen folks treated by both and typically an experienced pdoc is much better than a reg doc for tricky cases.
You mentioned counseling...do you like your therapist? Feel like you are getting anything out of it? if not, maybe it is time to look for a new one. If the fit isn't right, sometimes it just can't be helpful. Sometimes just talking to your therapist about the fact that you feel worse after sessions can be helpful. Maybe s/he will have some insight about why that is happening and what can be done abt it.
How often do you go to therapy? At least 1x/week? If not, look into upping your frequency.
Also maybe your therapist and psychiatist can touch base over the phone. Sometimes sharing observations can be helpful in treatment.
You mentioned below that you had been on SSRI's and WB, right? How about Effexor? I've never tried it, but some find it helpful and it works on more than just serotonin. Or, how about a tricyclic antidepressant? Although they are notorious for worse side effects, you won't know if that is true for you w/o trying it. Desipramine was good for my anxiety and depression.
Good luck. Hope something here helps.
Best,
EE> I can't stand it anymore. I really don't think I can go on like this. My motivation is gone; I have no desire to do anything at all except eat and sleep. Nothing in my life brings me any pleasure--I feel completely devoid of all emotion except anxiety and worry. I haven't been able to have an orgasm in forever. I am gradually gaining weight and have developed terrible digestive problems over the past year. I don't have any creativity any more. I can't think straight half the time--I feel like a cognitively-impaired vegetable. My memory is terrible, my ability to concentrate even worse. And to top it all off, I feel miserable and guilty to be this self-absorbed and lacking in willpower. The worst is the food addiction. Once I start eating anything sweet or carby, I can't stop. I'm gradually gaining weight and it makes me sick. Yet, I feel like there's absolutely nothing I can do. I don't even want to go on living sometimes, to be quite honest. I just quit my job because I felt like I couldn't handle it any more. I take 20 mg. daily of Lexapro and have tried to supplement with Wellbutrin. However, the WB made me even crazier and more out of control than I am now, so I had to stop. What do I do? Are the meds causing this, or is it depression? WHY CAN'T I JUST MAKE IT STOP?? I'm seeing a counselor, but after our sessions, I feel even WORSE than before, and I usually go on a binge. Why is this? I've never in my life experienced anything quite like this. I've always had problems with OCD and anxiety, but never this sort of apathy and dysfunctionality (is that a word). I'm getting absolutely nothing accomplished in my life. Most days I don't even feel like showering. It's terrible. I'm afraid the next thing to go will be my relationship with my boyfriend (we live together, so he's seeing all of this happen). I know that I ought to be able to take control over this situation, and yet I feel totally incapable. Please, someone give me some confidence!! Tell me how to get out of this pit of despair. Is there a different med that I should be on? What can I do???
Posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 22:39:38
In reply to Re: i need help » jessers11581, posted by Emily Elizabeth on April 10, 2005, at 22:20:12
I just want to say that I really appreciate all the encouragement and advice that you guys have given me so far. I have an appointment with my psychiatrist this Friday, but I'm trying to get that moved up a little. I've got a whole list written up of the things that I need help with right now. I can't wait to see what her insights will be. Once again, thank you and I wish you all the best!
Posted by lara53 on April 11, 2005, at 3:57:27
In reply to Re: i need help, posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 22:39:38
Glad to see you more encouraged this post. Good Luck!
Posted by Bill LL on April 11, 2005, at 8:29:35
In reply to i need help, posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 20:07:29
I have 2 ideas. First try Ritalin. Then, maybe switfch from Lexapro to Cymbalta as I did a few months a go. Cymbalta affects both serotonin and norepinephrine and could help you with cognitive functions and anxiety.
> I can't stand it anymore. I really don't think I can go on like this. My motivation is gone; I have no desire to do anything at all except eat and sleep. Nothing in my life brings me any pleasure--I feel completely devoid of all emotion except anxiety and worry. I haven't been able to have an orgasm in forever. I am gradually gaining weight and have developed terrible digestive problems over the past year. I don't have any creativity any more. I can't think straight half the time--I feel like a cognitively-impaired vegetable. My memory is terrible, my ability to concentrate even worse. And to top it all off, I feel miserable and guilty to be this self-absorbed and lacking in willpower. The worst is the food addiction. Once I start eating anything sweet or carby, I can't stop. I'm gradually gaining weight and it makes me sick. Yet, I feel like there's absolutely nothing I can do. I don't even want to go on living sometimes, to be quite honest. I just quit my job because I felt like I couldn't handle it any more. I take 20 mg. daily of Lexapro and have tried to supplement with Wellbutrin. However, the WB made me even crazier and more out of control than I am now, so I had to stop. What do I do? Are the meds causing this, or is it depression? WHY CAN'T I JUST MAKE IT STOP?? I'm seeing a counselor, but after our sessions, I feel even WORSE than before, and I usually go on a binge. Why is this? I've never in my life experienced anything quite like this. I've always had problems with OCD and anxiety, but never this sort of apathy and dysfunctionality (is that a word). I'm getting absolutely nothing accomplished in my life. Most days I don't even feel like showering. It's terrible. I'm afraid the next thing to go will be my relationship with my boyfriend (we live together, so he's seeing all of this happen). I know that I ought to be able to take control over this situation, and yet I feel totally incapable. Please, someone give me some confidence!! Tell me how to get out of this pit of despair. Is there a different med that I should be on? What can I do???
Posted by fires on April 12, 2005, at 15:29:28
In reply to i need help, posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 20:07:29
I always recommend that every patient insist on the following blood tests:
Folate
Vitamin B 12
Homocysteine
methylmalonic acid
Posted by scatterbrained on April 12, 2005, at 18:04:13
In reply to Re: i need help » jessers11581, posted by fires on April 12, 2005, at 15:29:28
Sounds like most likely depression is causing your cognitive problems. Have you tried paxil? That drug seems to be more potent than the other ssri's for a lot of people. It's also a very good drug for OCD. The only problems with it is that it can cause weight gain. You can counter act this side affect by adding adderall which will also help with cognition and lack of motivation. When I took welbutrin I had awful anxiety to the point of paranoia, so I know I how you feel. Suprisingly adderall seemed to ease my anxiety, and I know I'm not the only one who has experienced this.There are a lot of options out there, and people DO get better.
Posted by SparrowLove on April 14, 2005, at 18:23:44
In reply to Re: i need help, posted by jessers11581 on April 10, 2005, at 22:39:38
I haven't read all the other responses that people have put up for you...but my opinion is this...DON"T TRUST YOUR PSYCHIATRIST. I went through hell with what they put me. And I was supposedly seeing the "best". It is up to you to try to get some research done on what would be the best drug for you. The SSRIs you are on DO NOT work for everyone and make soooo many people worse. If you don't feel good on it...taper off!
I would recommend the dopamine drugs for you. Mainly because of all the symptoms you listed. If you need to experience pleasure again, including orgasms, try the dopamine drugs. They WORK!!!! Some of them are: selegiline, mirapex, requip, or supplementing tyrosine.
I know this sounds so overwhelming right now...but...also...you really HAVE to get to the bottom of your illness. After 3 yrs of research and tests I FINALLY got to the bottom of mine. I really have wayyyyy too much I want to help you with, so if you want, let me know and I will email you.
You are most likely nutrient deficient...make sure you are getting your Omega 3's and a REALLY got multi vitamin, also sublingual B complex.
I wish you luck. Hang in there, please. I did, and it was worth it.
This is the end of the thread.
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