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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 bigpopper on November 6, 2006, at 11:53:16
Some have seen my recent posts. I am 36 male and never suffered from depression/axiety before. I had a small "bottom" problem that needed Luracet and steriods to fix. After getting off pain medicine and steriods. I had horrible axiety/depression, suicidal thoughts, lost 40lbs., etc... the doctor started me on Lexapro 10 mg. The next 30 odd days were as bad as it could get. I would not wish that feeling on anyone. I then started feeling better for 2-3 weeks and gained some weight back. Seemed almost "normal". Still not quite right. THEN, it all comes back and my General Prac. doctor wants me to increase to 20mg. I have also been using xanax and klonopin for axiety. Never more that prescribed.
Here are my thoughts after reading many threads. Once you start these medicines, it seems to start a vicous cycle of increasing and adding on until there is no return. The whole picture seems impossible. Are most of the post here structured that way because the more successful treated people no longer frequent the site - IE you only come here when you have a problem. I know that is what I have done. While I felt good for 2-3 weeks I did not look at the forum.
Is there life after this? Will I get better? Why me? Where did this come from? Am I going to go from "normal" 2 months ago to taking 50 mgs of Lexapro, 300mg of Wellbutrin, 5 mg of xanax, etc... by this time next year.
I have a great wife and 2 young children and I can not even get off the couch. If I dose off while on the couch I wake up in a terror panic thing about this! Can these medications be making things worse???
Posted by Racer on November 6, 2006, at 12:07:38
In reply to PLEASE give me your thoughts!, posted by bigpopper on November 6, 2006, at 11:53:16
Steroids can affect mood, so I'd bet the problem is just residual from being on steroids. My guess is that, if you treat the symptoms now -- ie: take SSRIs for a while -- you'll go back to normal once your body readjusts. It might take being on SSRIs for nine to twelve months at a dose sufficient to keep you in remission.
And while it may look as though SSRIs are a point of no return, that's only for those of us with -- how shall I put this? -- interesting biochemistry? I know plenty of people who've taken SSRIs for a year or so, stopped, and been fine forever after. As you yourself pointed out, once people get all better, we tend to move on from this site.
Good luck.
Posted by joslynn on November 6, 2006, at 12:20:50
In reply to PLEASE give me your thoughts!, posted by bigpopper on November 6, 2006, at 11:53:16
In my case, I stayed at 10 mg lexapro and didn't need to go up and up. I am also on something else (remeron) and haven't increased that either.
The good thing for you is, you have this clear point of when things went wrong, and it seems directly related to your physical problem and/or its treatment.
You didn't mention if your problem also involved getting surgery, so I guess that wasn't the case? The reason I ask is, going under anesthesia can make some people depressed afterwards. I forget where I read that.
I do know people who went on ADs for a year or so and went off, and they are doing fine now.
Posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2006, at 13:24:36
In reply to Re: PLEASE give me your thoughts!, posted by joslynn on November 6, 2006, at 12:20:50
My Daughter and Son are two and another poster here is well finally and getting on with her life so yes I think people frequent the board more when not feeling well. And my sister and neice have been steady on zoloft for years. Love Phillipa ps obviously I'm not stable
Posted by polarbear206 on November 6, 2006, at 14:58:03
In reply to PLEASE give me your thoughts!, posted by bigpopper on November 6, 2006, at 11:53:16
> Some have seen my recent posts. I am 36 male and never suffered from depression/axiety before. I had a small "bottom" problem that needed Luracet and steriods to fix. After getting off pain medicine and steriods. I had horrible axiety/depression, suicidal thoughts, lost 40lbs., etc... the doctor started me on Lexapro 10 mg. The next 30 odd days were as bad as it could get. I would not wish that feeling on anyone. I then started feeling better for 2-3 weeks and gained some weight back. Seemed almost "normal". Still not quite right. THEN, it all comes back and my General Prac. doctor wants me to increase to 20mg. I have also been using xanax and klonopin for axiety. Never more that prescribed.
>
> Here are my thoughts after reading many threads. Once you start these medicines, it seems to start a vicous cycle of increasing and adding on until there is no return. The whole picture seems impossible. Are most of the post here structured that way because the more successful treated people no longer frequent the site - IE you only come here when you have a problem. I know that is what I have done. While I felt good for 2-3 weeks I did not look at the forum.
>
> Is there life after this? Will I get better? Why me? Where did this come from? Am I going to go from "normal" 2 months ago to taking 50 mgs of Lexapro, 300mg of Wellbutrin, 5 mg of xanax, etc... by this time next year.
>
> I have a great wife and 2 young children and I can not even get off the couch. If I dose off while on the couch I wake up in a terror panic thing about this! Can these medications be making things worse???
It is not uncommon for this to happen when treated with steriods. You very well could have an underlying mood disorder brought on by the use of steroids. This is what happen to Jane Pauley (former host of the Today show.) I had to stop taking steriods (poison ivy) due to it exacerbating my anxiety and depression. I strongly suggest you seek out a psychiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment. I feel that many family MD's are not trained enough in the mental health field to be prescribing medication, esp. since you are on several,and you were feeling well, then destabilzed. You need to give a very detailed history and most family MD's don't spend enough time or know the right questions to ask. I have been stable with my illness for a very long time. I frequent this site and comment on occasion. I am a psychiatric nurse with alot of experience under my belt. You have come to the right place. There are alot of well educated people here who offer good advice. You MAY (Not trying to diagnose) need a mood stabilizer to augment your antidepressant. I had to stop wellbutrin, because it caused me to have increased anxiety and anger outburst. Hang in there, I know how you are feeling. You will get better!!
Posted by bigpopper on November 6, 2006, at 17:46:49
In reply to Re: PLEASE give me your thoughts!, posted by polarbear206 on November 6, 2006, at 14:58:03
What exactly is a mood stabilizer? Common names of a few.
Posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2006, at 19:40:14
In reply to Re: PLEASE give me your thoughts!, posted by polarbear206 on November 6, 2006, at 14:58:03
Hi polarbear as you frequent the site you already know I worked in psych and was nationally certified which I lost when I was put on disability. I'd love to talk with you . Would you babblemail me? Thanks Love Phillipa yes the people here are great and well educated.
Posted by Lou Pilder on November 6, 2006, at 19:46:07
In reply to PLEASE give me your thoughts!, posted by bigpopper on November 6, 2006, at 11:53:16
Bigpopper,
You wrote,[...after getting off pain medicine and steroids..horrible depression,suicide thoughts lost 40 lbs...lexapro..almost normal..comes back..increase to 20mg..using X and K..the whole picture seems impossible..will I get better?..can not..get off..couch...wake up in a terror...Can.. medicines..be making worse?...]
I could offer you support from my perspective if you would like. In fact, I know of many cases like what you are describing and could answer your questions from a perspective that I think could have the potential to help you in your situation. I would like to do this by email, if you would like.
Lou
lpilder_1188@fuse.net
Posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2006, at 20:02:52
In reply to Re: PLEASE give me your thoughts!, posted by bigpopper on November 6, 2006, at 17:46:49
Some common ones are lithium, topamax, depakote,lamictal,and more . Google mood stabalizers for a summary of all of them. And good luck. Love Phillipa
Posted by KayeBaby on November 7, 2006, at 13:32:39
In reply to Lou's reply to bigpopper's post » bigpopper, posted by Lou Pilder on November 6, 2006, at 19:46:07
Hey Lou,
I wish you would share your info here.
I have experienced some awful psych problems on and off of pregnesone and I am interested in any insight about it.
Thanks!
Kaye
> Bigpopper,
> You wrote,[...after getting off pain medicine and steroids..horrible depression,suicide thoughts lost 40 lbs...lexapro..almost normal..comes back..increase to 20mg..using X and K..the whole picture seems impossible..will I get better?..can not..get off..couch...wake up in a terror...Can.. medicines..be making worse?...]
> I could offer you support from my perspective if you would like. In fact, I know of many cases like what you are describing and could answer your questions from a perspective that I think could have the potential to help you in your situation. I would like to do this by email, if you would like.
> Lou
> lpilder_1188@fuse.net
Posted by Lou Pilder on November 7, 2006, at 15:27:12
In reply to Re: Lou's reply to bigpopper's post, posted by KayeBaby on November 7, 2006, at 13:32:39
KayeBaby,
You wrote,[...I wish...],[...psych problems..pre(d)nesone...].
I do not know much about prednesone except that it is used for many severe medical conditions. I also know that stopping the drug without a planned discontinuation schedual supervised by a doctor,as told to me by a friend of mine, can have severe ,and maybe life-threatening, consequences. Also, based upon a friend of mine telling me when he had to take it, that it can cause depression.
I would advise that you discuss this with your treating doctor as to if there is an alternative to taking it, if you are experiancing psych problems that you would like stopped, and that your discontinuation be done with medical intervention.
Lou
This is the end of the thread.
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