I need some info plz.....Guys on Depression meds, what are you taking?

[zeromagnus]

I have had no problems with erections while on zoloft alone, zoloft coupled with effexor, or zoloft coupled with wellbutrin xl...effexor made me lethargic and at higher doses I felt empty inside...wellbutrin seems to give me more energy

if you've been severely depressed for several years...and I don't know what you consider severely depressed...then medication plus therapy (and maybe even some bibliotherapy) would probably do wonders...but take it all with a grain of salt...everybody reacts to these medications differently, I just don't think medication should be the extent of the help you seek...this coming from someone who has been diagnosed as having recurring major depression

[DR.D]

I'll be honest with you all, I've tried every drug mentioned in this thread (and then some) SSRI's balance you. When your down, they lift you. But if you up, they bring you down. They are only good for situational, emotional depression. Not to mention the ejaculatory failure than can make you even more deppressed than you were to begin with! Celexa was suppose to be "the one", but it has the same sides as the rest. Plus, the day you stop taking SSRI's the benefit ends. You crash and burn (no residual benefits at all) Prozac is the only one that doesn't put me on the toilet. The rest play hell on my gut.

I didn't get relief until I started taking Synthroid and Dexadrine. Amphetamines are superior for deppression IMO over serotonergic drugs. Norepinephrine is the neurochemical that activates you when depressed. Dopamine enhances intrest and exploratory activity. Serotonin is a mellowing substance. Even drugs like Effector and Serzone, which have mixed activity, were to mellowing for me. There are some new SNEI's out there now I think that would work great. I have also tried every tricyclic too, they're not a good solution either. Wellbuterin is an amphetamine derivative, but it's cardiotoxic and depersonalizing, at least for me. There are much cleaner sympathomimetics out there. Ask your doc for Dexedrine, Adderal, Adipex, Prelu-2, Tenuate or Pemoline. The effectiveness of each of these is that order. This class of drug also has good residual. The longer you take it, the more likely the benefit is to stick and be permenant when you stop. Otherwise, pray and never give up, no matter what.

[ryansm]

What do you suggest then for the former drug addict, who has had too much experience with amphetamines be it legal or illegal, and now suffers from anxiety which is worsened with stimulants?

I heard an SSRI would be the best bet, because it can normalize these feelings?

[zeromagnus]

I'll be honest with you all, I've tried every drug mentioned in this thread (and then some) SSRI's balance you. When your down, they lift you. But if you up, they bring you down. They are only good for situational, emotional depression. Not to mention the ejaculatory failure than can make you even more deppressed than you were to begin with! Celexa was suppose to be "the one", but it has the same sides as the rest. Plus, the day you stop taking SSRI's the benefit ends. You crash and burn (no residual benefits at all) Prozac is the only one that doesn't put me on the toilet. The rest play hell on my gut.

I didn't get relief until I started taking Synthroid and Dexadrine. Amphetamines are superior for deppression IMO over serotonergic drugs. Norepinephrine is the neurochemical that activates you when depressed. Dopamine enhances intrest and exploratory activity. Serotonin is a mellowing substance. Even drugs like Effector and Serzone, which have mixed activity, were to melloving for me. There are some new SNEI's out there now I think that would work great. I have also tried every tricyclic too, they're not a good solution either. Wellbuterin is an amphetamine derivative, but it's cardiotoxic and depersonalizing, at least for me. There are much cleaner sympathomimetics out there. Ask your doc for Dexedrine, Adderal, Adipex, Prelu-2, Tenuate or Pemoline. The effectiveness of each of these is that order. This class of drug also has good residual. The longer you take it, the more likely the benefit is to stick and be permenant when you stop. Otherwise, pray and never give up, no matter what.

Hmm, I don't think my psychiatrist would prescribe me an amphetamines to treat my depression. Some of the meds you listed treat those who are obese (appetite supressant), have thyroid problems, or suffer from ADD/ADHD. Again, I fear my doctor would not prescribe anything like this, but stick to more of the "tried and true" anti-depressants.

[DR.D]

Yeah, I went through a dozen docs before I found one who was sympathetic to my requests. If you demonstrate responsible use, a good doc will give you what works best, no matter what it is. You may have to try all the common ones first, but if they don't work, then you'll finally get to the CIII's. Amphetamines gave me the best bounce of any anti-depressant I ever tried. I may still get deppressed, but I would recover faster and it would be less frequent. They just work, and many docs are starting to feel OK about prescribing them again. Remember, a doc is just like anyone else you pay. They work for you, so get a new one if they're not doing there job. A doc should really care and want to see you improve, not worry about what current convention dictates.

Zeromagnus, just keep working on him. It may take awhile, but let him know that the drugs he's using on you aren't doing it. If he won't try something new, get a new doc.

Ryansm, this is why one should never get silly with it. If you do, you'll burn out early and it loses it's benefit. Take it from someboby who knows. Take a drug holiday for a few months and then rechallenge with lower doses. If that doesn't work, I'd say Pemoline, Prozac, or even a Benzo would be best. Ativan puts me in good spirits everytime I get emotionally depressed and it's less sedating than diazepam or xanax. It also lowers cortisol levels so it's a great anti-catabolic to help you "come down" if you lift late.

[ryansm]

Sounds good, but how habit forming is Ativan, and can it cure anxiety or just put it off and potentially make it worse when you stop using it?

I have already burnt myself out due to poor judgement as a youth, I deal with it everyday now. By the way I'm not trying to sound like some self sorry dope, it's just a real concern that I have, and more drugs just seem to be more problems.

[DR.D]

Sounds good, but how habit forming is Ativan, and can it cure anxiety or just put it off and potentially make it worse when you stop using it?

I have already burnt myself out due to poor judgement as a youth, I deal with it everyday now. By the way I'm not trying to sound like some self sorry dope, it's just a real concern that I have, and more drugs just seem to be more problems.

No, Ativan is the best of the benzos. It changes your attitude very well. I remember one time when I split up with my wife and got really depressed and futile. It was what got me through (this was before I believed in Christ and the power of prayer) I could take 2mg Ativan and cope, still go to work and be functional. I knew my life was ****ed up, I knew I could do some crazy **** at any moment, but I didn't. It's amazing in it's ability to relie anxiety in a very unique way. I still was fully aware of how things were, but it didn't seem to matter as much. Not like a doped up lethargic indifference, I just didn't respond with negative emotion. I could deal with it so much more appropriately. Before that, I was jumping out of my car at stop lights trying to fight anyone that looked at me wrong, crying like a little girl, assalt, property damage, I just really flip when I lose it. Ativan works wonders when your in an aggressive mood. It is situational relief, so it just delays the depression, but that's the whole thing about depression. There is no cure, a good man just does his best to deal with it and get over it as fast as he can, but we are all susceptable and some more than others. But no, you don't rebound when you stop taking it. As long as you keep the dose low. I also use it to help when I can't sleep, but I don't use it daily. If your intentions are to get high, you can do it with a benzo, so it can be habit forming. But like I said, it lowers cortisol and the long term toxicity is nil especially compared to dope or booze. I took it for a few years straight until I decided that I didn't need it like that anymore. Now, a few times a week is all I need. It not a "bad" drug.

[ryansm]

YGPM

[Mr.50]

I have to weigh in here as I have had over 15years personally and professionally with this topic. I must say that I agree with everything that Dr.D has said. The most current and cutting edge research supports the thought process that mood disorders are caused by changes in varous neurotransmitters and that the simple addition of a chemical that selectively affects one neurotransmitter (SSRIs for example) while promoting a higher emtional baseline is not often successful in returning a person to a normal range of emotions. Ensuring that thyroid function is normal and in optimal range should be a primary concern. If thyroid function is abnormal most antidepressants will have little to no effectivness anyway. Even if thyroid function is "normal" often times the addition of small doses of T3 throughout the day to an antidepressant regime will greatly improve symptoms in previously unresponsive individuals. Amphetamines will additionally be a great addition and are very effective. The only negative experience I have had or seen with them is that some individuals experience a "rebound type" crash effect after the effects of the drug wears off similar to an ephedrine junkie who has been overdoing it for six months on end and then abruptly stops taking his ephedrine.

If you have access to and foreign med suppliers I would seriously look into trying to acquire a selective MAO-B inhibitor. This class of drug has been extremely effective in Europe for treating depression without the SSRI type side effects or the typical side effects associated with MAO inhibitors. Of course, unfortunately, it is not even available as a prescription in this country.

Mr.50

[msclbldrguy]

I just recently went to dr and he put me on lexapro. depression is better but this lethargy has gotta go. havent really had any other sides....i'm gonna lay off this for a day or so and see what happens.

Good luck man..what did you decide to do?

[jjjd]

Dr. D. just a little clarification for you. the ampetamines are CII not CIII. it is not clear from your context which CIII's you were referring to, but you mentioned amphetamines in the next sentence and those (e.g. dexedrine, etc.) are CII not CIII

[Mr.50]

msclbldrguy,


I wouldn't lay off the Lexapro for a day or two. That may actually make the symptoms worse. Antidepressants are the type of thing that some of the initial discomfort wears off after taking them straight through for a while. As far as the Lexapro in general though, I have never talked with any men that are active that have had good results. Check out issue number 7 of The Bull over at Bulk Nutrition for a good article comparing SSRIs.


Mr.50

[DR.D]

Dr. D. just a little clarification for you. the ampetamines are CII not CIII. it is not clear from your context which CIII's you were referring to, but you mentioned amphetamines in the next sentence and those (e.g. dexedrine, etc.) are CII not CIII

You are quite right, sorry for confusing anyone. It's those triplicate Rx's that I must have been thinking of, even Ritalin is a CII, crazy man. As for Celexa or it's isomers, I like the effects, but just can't take the sides. Sore throat is the biggy

[jjjd]

i can understand why they are schedule II, due to the rampant abuse of these as street drugs. these are the HOT street drugs among high school kids in my area. kids selling their ritalin, dexedrines, etc. is very common. or male kids giving them to female kids in exchange for 'special consideration' is not too uncommon either. it's kind of funny to think these drugs are the same schedule as cocaine or oxycontins, though. i agree.

[Mr.50]

The potential for abuse is definately there. It is unfortunate that such effective drugs also hold such a potential to cause other problems for people if they can not control their use.



Mr.50

[willieman]

The problem with many "anti depresants" is they are over prescribed as far as dosages, and people could benifit by lower doses, not be numbed up, and still be able to deal with life in general.One of the other problems is mixing other drugs, and or alchohol while using them...this is a big no no.
My personal expirence with Fluoxetine (Prozac) is at lower doses (10mg per day, 20+is regular), it has been extremely effective in dealing with depresion (family history) without the side of numbness, or a limp willie, and makes it a little easier to deal with things, but at the same time does not make things go away, and mentally still have to deal with life.
From hearing from people I know, higher doses are hard to come off of...Paxil being the worse..and has been a living hell for a friend of mine, even following the prescribed process of "coming down".
An article in the wallstreet Jornal had the FDA and some medical association siting the testing for Zoloft was highly inaccurate in that they presented the facts for the drug as being successful, but also hid the finding that a placebo was just as sucessful.
In any case do your research, research the findings and test studies, the stuff does work and can make a difference, but remember that the drug companies out there are here to make a profit, and will push wheever the market has an opening.

Peace!

[MaDmaN]

Im on a mission to limit my seasonal affective disorder..I use Rhodiola rosea 1.5 grams a day and St.Johns Wort..This is the 6th day in a row in New England with no sun,cloudy,snow,fog,gloomy I F---king hate it.Im not dancing in the streets but these 2 herbs seem to help..If you feel real bad do not take it lightly call for professional help.

[DR.D]

The problem with many "anti depresants" is they are over prescribed as far as dosages, and people could benifit by lower doses, not be numbed up, and still be able to deal with life in general.One of the other problems is mixing other drugs, and or alchohol while using them...this is a big no no.
My personal expirence with Fluoxetine (Prozac) is at lower doses (10mg per day, 20+is regular), it has been extremely effective in dealing with depresion (family history) without the side of numbness, or a limp willie, and makes it a little easier to deal with things, but at the same time does not make things go away, and mentally still have to deal with life.
From hearing from people I know, higher doses are hard to come off of...Paxil being the worse..and has been a living hell for a friend of mine, even following the prescribed process of "coming down".
An article in the wallstreet Jornal had the FDA and some medical association siting the testing for Zoloft was highly inaccurate in that they presented the facts for the drug as being successful, but also hid the finding that a placebo was just as sucessful.
In any case do your research, research the findings and test studies, the stuff does work and can make a difference, but remember that the drug companies out there are here to make a profit, and will push wheever the market has an opening.

Peace!

10mg is the right dose for me too, it's really rare that a drug is misdosed so bad. Same with Effexor, like 12.5mg is all I can handle.

[DR.D]

Im on a mission to limit my seasonal affective disorder..I use Rhodiola rosea 1.5 grams a day and St.Johns Wort..This is the 6th day in a row in New England with no sun,cloudy,snow,fog,gloomy I F---king hate it.Im not dancing in the streets but these 2 herbs seem to help..If you feel real bad do not take it lightly call for professional help.

Bio told me once the Rhod worked well, maybe I'm dosing too low cause I don't get a benefit.

[MaDmaN]

Bio told me once the Rhod worked well, maybe I'm dosing too low cause I don't get a benefit.

Dr.D Check out chemical comp. I thought of you when I read it because it seems something you would understand..I read 1.5 to 2 grams a day for mood.

http://smart-drugs.net/Rhodiola-rosea.htm