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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sandra62 on March 20, 2007, at 18:12:28
Me, my PDOC, and my husband have noticed since I've been taking antipsychotics that I have had no motivation, no zest for life. Sure I have been more balanced and calm, but seemingly emotionless for the most part. I have read that this is called 'blunting'.
Can you please describe to me if you have had 'blunting', how it has felt exactly,what med do you think caused this, your diagnosis, and how you may have eliminated this annoyance? Any suggestions?
My PDOC has decided to take me off of Zyprexa. We are going to keep a close watch on my mood. I'm Bipolar but tend to be more depressed than hypomanic. I'm still going to be taking 100 mg of Lamictal, 10 mg of Lexapro, and 1 mg of Rivotril (Clonazepam/Klonopin). I see her a week Thursday to see how I'm doing, and of course I can page her if I wig out.
Posted by yxibow on March 20, 2007, at 23:01:15
In reply to Who here has noticed 'blunting' from meds?, posted by Sandra62 on March 20, 2007, at 18:12:28
> Me, my PDOC, and my husband have noticed since I've been taking antipsychotics that I have had no motivation, no zest for life. Sure I have been more balanced and calm, but seemingly emotionless for the most part. I have read that this is called 'blunting'.
>
> Can you please describe to me if you have had 'blunting', how it has felt exactly,what med do you think caused this, your diagnosis, and how you may have eliminated this annoyance? Any suggestions?
>
> My PDOC has decided to take me off of Zyprexa. We are going to keep a close watch on my mood. I'm Bipolar but tend to be more depressed than hypomanic. I'm still going to be taking 100 mg of Lamictal, 10 mg of Lexapro, and 1 mg of Rivotril (Clonazepam/Klonopin). I see her a week Thursday to see how I'm doing, and of course I can page her if I wig out.
Yes, I have experienced blunting from Seroquel. It is a common effect from neuroleptics. But its hard to separate the disassociation from the MDD and comorbid Somatiform NOS.Its not an easy side effect to tease away; my only suggestion is dosage and variance of neuroleptic.
A feeling like blunting and discontinuity can also come from larger doses of benzodiazepines, and occasionally with SSRIs.
Posted by greywolf on March 21, 2007, at 9:44:47
In reply to Re: Who here has noticed 'blunting' from meds? » Sandra62, posted by yxibow on March 20, 2007, at 23:01:15
Seroquel definitely blunted me. It was simply intolerable. I was a zombie, and people were commenting on it.
Posted by Phillipa on March 21, 2007, at 11:57:40
In reply to Re: Who here has noticed 'blunting' from meds?, posted by greywolf on March 21, 2007, at 9:44:47
First time I took it during the day my head fell in my lap is that blunting? Love Phillipa
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 12:08:41
In reply to Who here has noticed 'blunting' from meds?, posted by Sandra62 on March 20, 2007, at 18:12:28
Klonopin would give me blunting. More people (family) told me so, than I actually noticed. Sometimes the blunting is welcomed, if Im unbearably anxious. I switched to Xanax and I think I am less blunted. Lamictal wakes me up and does not cause me blunting. I used to be on lexapro, and I was the one who noticed blunting. I am Bipolar as well.
Posted by notfred on March 21, 2007, at 14:46:22
In reply to Who here has noticed 'blunting' from meds?, posted by Sandra62 on March 20, 2007, at 18:12:28
As yxibow mentioned neuroleptics of all kinds are well reported to do this. I find many AD's do this.
Remeron at any dose was really bad about this.
Wellbrutrin and Lamictal, for me, are best in not causing blunting.
Posted by yxibow on March 21, 2007, at 16:07:24
In reply to Re: Who here has noticed 'blunting' from meds?, posted by Phillipa on March 21, 2007, at 11:57:40
> First time I took it during the day my head fell in my lap is that blunting? Love Phillipa
No, that's adjustment to the extremely large amount of antagonism of H1 (antihistamine sub 1) that Seroquel possesses and you falling asleep.
Blunting starts a little ways into the effect of the medication and is not due to the "sleepiness" factor. Its associated with a higher dose of neuroleptic usually than just the offlabel of Seroquel for sleep, but I suppose can happen as well. It is a characteristic of all neuroleptics to some extent and as I mentioned SSRIs and TCAs sometimes. On the other hand, it can be confused with one of the signs of depression as well.
It is a feeling of your feelings, your affect, being disaffected. A sense of disassociation, time moving microscopically to heavily differently from the outside world, can come too. Delayed or nonreactions to anxiety or trauma provoking events can happen.
Posted by Sandra62 on March 21, 2007, at 16:45:45
In reply to Re: Who here has noticed 'blunting' from meds? » Phillipa, posted by yxibow on March 21, 2007, at 16:07:24
I think that I'm also depressed so it's hard to say whether it's the blunting or the depression that is causing me to not find joy in anything anymore. I used to write songs, play guitar and keyboard, basically be a creative livewire. I sit for hours at the computer, my work is from home so I have no excuse to have a shower and get out into the world and haven't made an excuse either. Although I did just get back from a girl's getaway in Panama City and I found I was almost manic when I was there, bounding out of bed (I sleep until Noon usually) and attacking each activity with gusto. Then as soon as I got back home I slipped back into the routine and feel blah.
I'm on my first day of 5 mg of Zyprexa down from 10 mg. My PDOC wants me to stop after a couple of days of 5 mg. I hope I don't have anxiety or insomnia or any other withdrawal. I've only been on Zyprexa for about 10 days. Before that I was on a trial of Seroquel which bombed. Anyways we shall see how I respond without and AP. She has Topamax in mind to try next if I am not stable without Zyprexa. This is so frustrating trying to find the right med or no med balance.
Posted by med_empowered on March 21, 2007, at 19:02:22
In reply to Re: Who here has noticed 'blunting' from meds?, posted by Sandra62 on March 21, 2007, at 16:45:45
like everyone else has said, blunting happens alot with neuroleptics. Its good that your shrink noticed and wants to do something about it--too many shrinks might not notice or, possibly worse, wouldn't care. So kudos to her for that.
Anyway, if you're more depressed than (hypo)manic, maybe lamictal? Have you tried a stimulant, or at least Provigil? The good thing about being primarily depressed is that you can avoid neuroleptics and lithium, usually, which is good--those are some harsh drugs.
Good luck.
Posted by elanor roosevelt on March 22, 2007, at 21:27:25
In reply to Re: Who here has noticed 'blunting' from meds?, posted by med_empowered on March 21, 2007, at 19:02:22
i call it "flat" bc that is what my mood and personality become
defineitely on wellutrin
i end up missing me
Posted by Sebastian on March 24, 2007, at 18:22:28
In reply to Who here has noticed 'blunting' from meds?, posted by Sandra62 on March 20, 2007, at 18:12:28
zyprexa seems to blunt me. Abilify seems to offset that some.
Blunting. Less response to emotions, coming in or going out. More anylitical thinking.
Ivan
Posted by Sandra62 on March 24, 2007, at 18:44:42
In reply to Re: Who here has noticed 'blunting' from meds? » Sandra62, posted by Sebastian on March 24, 2007, at 18:22:28
Thanks Ivan. Unfortunately Abilify isn't available here in where I am in Costa Rica.
This is the end of the thread.
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