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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 26, 2010, at 22:58:46
i've noticed some changes on prozac (20mgs, 3 weeks).
before i began the trial, my therapist classified my depression as 'severe' based on a questionnaire (Beck's, i think) which mainly looked at emotional and biological markers - guilt, restlessness, insomnia, feelings of self-hatred.
the main thing i've noticed is that the emotional badwill i've felt is disappearing, but that i'm basically left with all the negative/deficit symptoms of depression - i can't think, concentrate, or even string a conversation together. i'm not really depressed, but no have desire to do anything; everything feels like a mime. i tried adding a little dexamphetamine (10mg) a couple of times and it doesn't really make me seem any more human, its just easier to zone out on mindless tasks
im wondering if this is as good as it gets with SSRI's, and if i need to think about augmenting
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 27, 2010, at 18:27:57
In reply to what does an SRI therapeutic effect look like?, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 26, 2010, at 22:58:46
what's confusing is that anhedonia and whatnot are often declared as symptoms of depression, but SSRI's seem to exacerbate these symptoms in me, which is why it's been useful to split depression up into emotional symptoms and then secondary symptoms (apathy, cognitive difficulties, etc.). that seems to be the trend here as of late. i also have social avoidance problems which SSRI's make worse .
i always just assumed it was like a global entity which ssri's would magically take care of .. unfortunately, while unduly kind in other respects, my psychiatrist didn't have a lot of sympathy regarding the anhedonia etc given that i suffer from OCD. his only real advice when i complained that i can barely sustain interest in a book anymore was to find a fulltime job.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 27, 2010, at 18:32:41
In reply to Re: what does an SRI therapeutic effect look like?, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 27, 2010, at 18:27:57
as far as augmenting goes, my options are low-dose memantine (10mg), which works nicely for cognitive symptoms and focus, stimulants (though probably not the best idea given the OCD), and requip, which a neurologist is going to prescribe for my restless leg syndrome.
i'm a little scared of the neuroleptics, though amisulpride sounds good for all my residual symptoms. i was reading through the archives and noticed andrewB recommended memantine to protect against neuroleptic-induced TD
Posted by g_g_g_unit on February 27, 2010, at 22:13:21
In reply to Re: what does an SRI therapeutic effect look like?, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 27, 2010, at 18:32:41
there's also the option i guess of lowering the prozac dose?
Posted by Maxime on February 28, 2010, at 6:53:30
In reply to what does an SRI therapeutic effect look like?, posted by g_g_g_unit on February 26, 2010, at 22:58:46
That's how I feel on an SSRI. Numb really. The depression goes but I am left with a whole new set up symptoms. Have you tried an SNRI like Effexor or Cymbalta? I find they are not as bad for the numbing effect.
This is the end of the thread.
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