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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janelle on July 12, 2001, at 19:45:13
I have a history of bouts of depression and anxiety (hard to know which drives which), currently have been feeling lethargic, want to sleep much of the time, yet also feel anxious, VERY TENSE, with obsessive, racing thoughts. I don't want to do anything (except go on the computer, seriously), I don't look forward to anything, I sometimes get irritable/edgy/angry, I feel antisocial and I don't want to leave the house. These symptoms are debilitating. Needless to say, I'm trying another round of meds, but wonder do others feel similarly, to the point of STAYING HOME most of the time, CAN'T WORK?
Posted by sl on July 12, 2001, at 20:03:07
In reply to Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by Janelle on July 12, 2001, at 19:45:13
Janelle--
I read your post to the gentleman on Wellbutrin, and noticed you're on Effexor. That's something Effexor did to me...a weirdo side-effect. It made me so tense. I had trouble peeing, and my jaw would shake and I'd noticed it was really tense.... that kind of thing. Just thought you might like to know it could be related to Effexor.
sl
Posted by susan C on July 12, 2001, at 20:18:52
In reply to Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by Janelle on July 12, 2001, at 19:45:13
Me, too. About 3 weeks ago the depression started lifting and in the last four days I have been gearing up, not sleeping (was usually a nap plus 12 hours)I can't figure out what happened, but something happened on Sunday, Oh, I remember, I got really depressed, my brother called and tried to 'fix' me with suggestions on how I should live my life, then monday, I couldn't get back to sleep at 4 am even with sleep med that has been working... I have been controling my activities to try and keep from getting depressed, or letting the crazy desires to do things get away from me. I have a promise to spouse to think about things for weeks before I do anything...I turned the ringer off on the phone. Talking here has helped me articulate what is going on and I have learned an incredible amount. You are not alone, thank you.
> I have a history of bouts of depression and anxiety (hard to know which drives which), currently have been feeling lethargic, want to sleep much of the time, yet also feel anxious, VERY TENSE, with obsessive, racing thoughts. I don't want to do anything (except go on the computer, seriously), I don't look forward to anything, I sometimes get irritable/edgy/angry, I feel antisocial and I don't want to leave the house. These symptoms are debilitating. Needless to say, I'm trying another round of meds, but wonder do others feel similarly, to the point of STAYING HOME most of the time, CAN'T WORK?
Posted by MB on July 13, 2001, at 3:17:29
In reply to Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by Janelle on July 12, 2001, at 19:45:13
> I have a history of bouts of depression and anxiety (hard to know which drives which), currently have been feeling lethargic, want to sleep much of the time, yet also feel anxious, VERY TENSE, with obsessive, racing thoughts. I don't want to do anything (except go on the computer, seriously), I don't look forward to anything, I sometimes get irritable/edgy/angry, I feel antisocial and I don't want to leave the house. These symptoms are debilitating. Needless to say, I'm trying another round of meds, but wonder do others feel similarly, to the point of STAYING HOME most of the time, CAN'T WORK?
Wow, yeah. I feel exactly like that. I've been doing 45 minutes aerobic exercise a day and watching my caffeine intake. It has been helping, but I gotta tell you, with the fatigue, it was really hard to get going...now it's a little easier. Tense muscles are better when I drink less coffee.
Posted by Anna Laura on July 13, 2001, at 7:09:06
In reply to Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by Janelle on July 12, 2001, at 19:45:13
> I have a history of bouts of depression and anxiety (hard to know which drives which), currently have been feeling lethargic, want to sleep much of the time, yet also feel anxious, VERY TENSE, with obsessive, racing thoughts. I don't want to do anything (except go on the computer, seriously), I don't look forward to anything, I sometimes get irritable/edgy/angry, I feel antisocial and I don't want to leave the house. These symptoms are debilitating. Needless to say, I'm trying another round of meds, but wonder do others feel similarly, to the point of STAYING HOME most of the time, CAN'T WORK?
I've been feeling like this for more the a month (feeling better now). The discomfort was triggered by the hot weather i guess (or a wrong med cocktail), reached its peak with PMS,(felt awful) and eventually slowly subsided.
I quit coffee intake (i felt sleepy all the time, taking too much coffee because of that) and i cut sweets too (sugar, cookies, pies, etc....).This is very weird for me, but i actually had cravings for sweet food: i'm trying to switch this habit eating fruits instead.Now i feel better.
I think that you'd benefit from any kind of sports or excercise; adding more vegetable and fruits to your diet could help a bit too.
Posted by Jocor on July 13, 2001, at 7:10:38
In reply to Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by Janelle on July 12, 2001, at 19:45:13
Yes, when I have a bout of depression (which turns into anxiety and racing/obsessive thoughts) I usually feel like this. I am almost paralyzed with feelings of NOT wanting to do anything except maybe read or watch TV.
hang in there, meds will kick in.Good luck,
Jocor
Posted by Jocor on July 13, 2001, at 7:13:48
In reply to Re: Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by sl on July 12, 2001, at 20:03:07
> Hi sl,
I am on Effexor XR 300mg and am feeling the same thing you were...racing thoughts and jaw clenching. I'm trying to switch to Prozac. Thanks for you input.
Jocor
Posted by Poppy on July 13, 2001, at 8:21:03
In reply to Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by Janelle on July 12, 2001, at 19:45:13
oh yes definately. I couldnt go to uni for this semester, so much so that I applied for external studies next semester. I had to totally clean up my record because I had really good marks and then you can just see deffered fail, because I just couldnt attend. Anxiety is effectng me more and more wiht my increasing doses of effexor and so I am just starting to deal with this problem.
I feel like Im holding my boyfriend back also. I know he wants to go out on the weekends with freinds and things but i just avoid it at all costs. Its horriable,
I hope things get better for you, your not alone though.
Posted by CathyG on July 13, 2001, at 13:14:01
In reply to Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by Janelle on July 12, 2001, at 19:45:13
Hang in there, Janelle. I have suffered the same symptoms you have described on and off for many years now. My newest med, Effexor XR is helping so far. I understand how you feel. I think the worse thing for me is how my depression effects those around me. Almost all the sick days I have taken from work were because of depression, not any physical illness. Science is beginning to come round to helping us, we just have to hang in there and keep trying! Good luck.
Posted by Noa on July 13, 2001, at 14:52:30
In reply to Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by Janelle on July 12, 2001, at 19:45:13
Yes, sounds familiar. I didn't stop working, but had a lot of sick days, too. And non-work time was spent housebound pretty much. Lots of sleeping and doing nothing but being depressed and anxious.
Have you started any form of treatment?
Posted by jojo on July 14, 2001, at 13:01:49
In reply to Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by Janelle on July 12, 2001, at 19:45:13
I felt that way for years. While you're trying different meds, the
only advice that I can offer is that you don't
beat yourself up about your inaction. There is no
reason to feel guilty. If you are able to get
pleasure from anything, then do that. If you can't
get pleasure from anything, then you're completely
anhedonic, and just try to get through the day.
If anyone offers you advice about "pulling
yourself together and "taking responsibility for
your life", offer to switch places with them;
you'll work and have a social life, and they can
stay home and listlessly lie around.
Posted by Janelle on July 14, 2001, at 15:57:25
In reply to Re: Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by jojo on July 14, 2001, at 13:01:49
nfm
Posted by Anna Laura on July 15, 2001, at 2:31:57
In reply to Re: Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by jojo on July 14, 2001, at 13:01:49
> I felt that way for years. While you're trying different meds, the
> only advice that I can offer is that you don't
> beat yourself up about your inaction. There is no
> reason to feel guilty. If you are able to get
> pleasure from anything, then do that. If you can't
> get pleasure from anything, then you're completely
> anhedonic, and just try to get through the day.
> If anyone offers you advice about "pulling
> yourself together and "taking responsibility for
> your life", offer to switch places with them;
> you'll work and have a social life, and they can
> stay home and listlessly lie around.
Good point. I'm going to keep that in mind the next time somebody bothers me with phrases like "React!" "Stand up!" "You can fight it back if you really want to" etc.....
Posted by Lorraine on July 15, 2001, at 11:57:41
In reply to Re: Does ANYONE feel like THIS:?, posted by Anna Laura on July 15, 2001, at 2:31:57
> > I felt that way for years. While you're trying different meds, the
> > only advice that I can offer is that you don't
> > beat yourself up about your inaction. There is no
> > reason to feel guilty. If you are able to get
> > pleasure from anything, then do that. If you can't
> > get pleasure from anything, then you're completely
> > anhedonic, and just try to get through the day.
> > If anyone offers you advice about "pulling
> > yourself together and "taking responsibility for
> > your life", offer to switch places with them;
> > you'll work and have a social life, and they can
> > stay home and listlessly lie around.
>
>
I have printed this out to remind myself of what I can and cannot accomplish.
This is the end of the thread.
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