Discussion Medication Wins

[Celerity]

After failing a laundry list of antidepressants, I have found some success with Seroquel/quetiapine in the therapeutic range for BP at 100mg/night. It is not a miracle drug, but my "bad days" are less frequent than they used to be. Unfortunately, I am now seeking out an Rx for lithium due to Seroquel's sedative and weight gain effects as well as concern over developing tardive dyskinesia.

Have any of you found even temporary relief from psychiatric drugs? Though I have not tried MAOA inhibitors, every other class of antidepressants has failed. I even tried an anticonvulsant (Lamictal/lamotrigine) recently and could not tolerate the sedation and dry eyes; it also appeared to have no effect on my mood whatsoever.

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

Yes. Since I started the medication things are more tolerable. It has helped me a lot. I'm calmer too. And I'm a functional person again. It was my salvation.

 

[Hollowman]

Don't forget about seroquels brain damaging effect.

 

[stoiccactus]

I started Cymbalta a few years ago and it really moved the needle for a while. I feel like my depression has adjusted now though and I have to either quit or start the increase dosage path…

 

[Squiddy]

I'm on a few meds and Lithium is keeping me from being actively suicidal, but I'm not sure for how much longer

 

[Celerity]

Don't forget about seroquels brain damaging effect.

I am aware, hence my mention of tardive dyskinesia. I am trying to get lithium instead.

I'm on a few meds and Lithium is keeping me from being actively suicidal, but I'm not sure for how much longer

I'm sorry it has stopped working for you. What is your dosage? Do you think increasing it could help?

 

[Lullaby]

Seroquel was great for me, but I had to get off of it as well. I gained over 60 lbs in as little as almost 3 months because of it. I remember waking up with deep stretch marks that came overnight because it was so rapid. That definitely worsened my depression a lot.

Prozac and Wellbutrin was the combo for me but I can't take the Prozac anymore since I have a really difficult time swallowing capsules.

 

[Celerity]

Seroquel was great for me, but I had to get off of it as well. I gained over 60 lbs in as little as almost 3 months because of it. I remember waking up with deep stretch marks that came overnight because it was so rapid. That definitely worsened my depression a lot.

Prozac and Wellbutrin was the combo for me but I can't take the Prozac anymore since I have a really difficult time swallowing capsules.

Damn! That's a crazy amount of weight in such a short period of time! I haven't gotten that bad, but I can see where I'm headed. I estimate that I ate at least double the calories I normally do today. I can't stay full for more than 2 hours right now. It's exhausting.

 

[Squiddy]

I am aware, hence my mention of tardive dyskinesia. I am trying to get lithium instead.

I'm sorry it has stopped working for you. What is your dosage? Do you think increasing it could help?

It still sort of works, but not as well as it did in the beginning. I'm on 300mg of the extended release

 

[lost_soul83]

After failing a laundry list of antidepressants, I have found some success with Seroquel/quetiapine in the therapeutic range for BP at 100mg/night. It is not a miracle drug, but my "bad days" are less frequent than they used to be. Unfortunately, I am now seeking out an Rx for lithium due to Seroquel's sedative and weight gain effects as well as concern over developing tardive dyskinesia.

Have any of you found even temporary relief from psychiatric drugs? Though I have not tried MAOA inhibitors, every other class of antidepressants has failed. I even tried an anticonvulsant (Lamictal/lamotrigine) recently and could not tolerate the sedation and dry eyes; it also appeared to have no effect on my mood whatsoever.

The only time I've had limited success with psych meds is when I was on a combo of lamictal and depakote. But as with every other med(s) I tried, the efficacy wore off within 6-12 months. Bipolar disorder sucks and is really hard to treat in some people, including myself.

 

[LittleJem]

Prozac is why I'm not bedridden. it took about five weeks to kick in, then longer to help more. But I am taking it too sporadically at the moment, and my depresxsiomn is coming back. I need to go back to taking it eveyr day and raise the dose again.

goodbye orgasms.

anyway. it is worht testing different meds I guess.

today I used wine which wasn't the wisest. am feeling terrible. miss weed.

 

[Foresight]

Clonidine for anxiety and ptsd has been amazing for me.

 

[Celerity]

Prozac is why I'm not bedridden. it took about five weeks to kick in, then longer to help more. But I am taking it too sporadically at the moment, and my depresxsiomn is coming back. I need to go back to taking it eveyr day and raise the dose again.

goodbye orgasms.

anyway. it is worht testing different meds I guess.

today I used wine which wasn't the wisest. am feeling terrible. miss weed.

Why did you stop using weed, if you don't mind me asking?

Clonidine for anxiety and ptsd has been amazing for me.

I'm glad to hear that it gave you relief. My pdoc has prescribed me propanolol for acute anxiety relief, but I have been afraid to take it because I have relatively low blood pressure.

 

[Foresight]

Why did you stop using weed, if you don't mind me asking?

I'm glad to hear that it gave you relief. My pdoc has prescribed me propanolol for acute anxiety relief, but I have been afraid to take it because I have relatively low blood pressure.

Same. I'm a yoga hippy who is plant based and whole foods for 2 out of 3 meals so my bp is low by virtue of lifestyle. My BP is low but it doesn't dip it too much further.

I only take 1/4th to 1/2 a tablet. I was worried about severe dips too but it's been level. I do drink coffee to alleviate any drowsiness that comes from it which might increase bp.

 

[LittleJem]

Why did you stop using weed, if you don't mind me asking?

I'm glad to hear that it gave you relief. My pdoc has prescribed me propanolol for acute anxiety relief, but I have been afraid to take it because I have relatively low blood pressure.

only cos I ran out of weed.

Today my weed got nicked along with my wallet. Don't even know how. but they are bastards.

 

[Al Cappella]

I'm on Effexor, without which I'm a reactive, miserable shit-pile. It too totally kicks the sex thing to the bin. So the choice literally is go without or have the world turn dark…