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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by annalaura on July 8, 2001, at 10:30:06
Hi All,
I haven't been feeling very well lately: in the last two weeks, i've been over-eating, sleepin too much and doing my job done and homework it's more difficult then usual; i also lack of energy and i'm kind of sad at times. I feel desperate/pessimistic also. I'm currently on a TCA (amytryptiline, a compound similar to imipramine); I started it a couple of months ago, switching from Prozac. Didn't have any side-effects and quitting Prozac wasn't a problem.
The worsening of the mood coincided with the hot weather, so i thought the weather was to blame.
But the last week i had a awful PMS period, plus i felt very sad and desperate. Are you guys feeling this way also with the hot wetaher? I'd need a feed-back on that, so i'll get my medication fixed.(hope so, 'cause i'm really worried right now).
Thanks for listening
Anna Laura
Posted by Andy123 on July 8, 2001, at 15:41:33
In reply to Is this a poop-out or the hot weather?, posted by annalaura on July 8, 2001, at 10:30:06
> I haven't been feeling very well lately: in the last two weeks, i've been over-eating, sleepin too much and doing my job done and homework it's more difficult then usual; i also lack of energy and i'm kind of sad at times. I feel desperate/pessimistic also. I'm currently on a TCA (amytryptiline, a compound similar to imipramine); I started it a couple of months ago, switching from Prozac. Didn't have any side-effects and quitting Prozac wasn't a problem.
> The worsening of the mood coincided with the hot weather, so i thought the weather was to blame.
> But the last week i had a awful PMS period, plus i felt very sad and desperate. Are you guys feeling this way also with the hot wetaher? I'd need a feed-back on that, so i'll get my medication fixed.(hope so, 'cause i'm really worried right now).
> Thanks for listening
> Anna LauraThe hot weather isn't helping me much either. A heat index over 100 makes it hard to go out and do normal things There is this popular book called "Beyond Prozac" that stipulates that heat taxes your brain in a way that makes you particularly prone to depressive feelings. He also said that air conditioning produces some sort of change in the inside atmosphere that can make you kinda depressed, but he says its better than being hot. The whole book is kind of wacky and suspect, but you never know.
But really the heat shouldn't make you as depressed as you are describing. I think you should see your psychiatrist about changing from the TCA or adding something to it, maybe.
Andy
Posted by sl on July 8, 2001, at 23:05:17
In reply to Is this a poop-out or the hot weather?, posted by annalaura on July 8, 2001, at 10:30:06
Does it really matter? Besides knowing when it'll happen, I mean? One way or the other, you'll need to deal with it by adjusting meds or environment.
I personally know I don't sleep well when it's hot, and I get more depressed when I don't get enough sleep, so I'll be not-so-great when it's hot for days at a time.
sl
PS My PMS is a prob too, Prozac isn't helping but I'm changing birth control pills so hopefull that'll make it better. Right now it's very bad.
> The worsening of the mood coincided with the hot weather, so i thought the weather was to blame.
> But the last week i had a awful PMS period, plus i felt very sad and desperate. Are you guys feeling this way also with the hot wetaher? I'd
Posted by Cece on July 9, 2001, at 1:50:25
In reply to Is this a poop-out or the hot weather?, posted by annalaura on July 8, 2001, at 10:30:06
Hi Anna Laura-
I agree with previous posters who said that your meds probably need adjusting/augmenting.
But, ever since college (30 years ago) I have experienced a kind of reverse seasonal affective disorder. It doesn't usually get all that hot where I live (SF area), but I still get very depressed in the summer with it peaking in late July/August. I feel oppressed by the bright glaring light and want to hide away, and do. When the air is clean and the sky is blue, I feel a bit better, but I don't feel real relief until around October. I have identified some negative childhood associations with summer, but feel that the season itself affects my body in some way.
Last summer, when I was first on Lamictal (I am on other meds as well, including a TCA), I found that I was able to catch myself as I began to withdraw and move out of it. I was also able, for the first time in years, to enjoy some aspects of summer- lying in the sun, going swimming. Not a total reversal of the pattern, but a change for the better. I am really curious to see what this summer brings- I am continuing to build my Lamictal dose, and finding it to be an overall good med for me (I am BP II, with much depression). So far I am doing okay, despite the fact that I am working outside in the hot sun 3 days a week. Knock on wood!
Good luck,
Cece
> Hi All,
>
>
> I haven't been feeling very well lately: in the last two weeks, i've been over-eating, sleepin too much and doing my job done and homework it's more difficult then usual; i also lack of energy and i'm kind of sad at times. I feel desperate/pessimistic also. I'm currently on a TCA (amytryptiline, a compound similar to imipramine); I started it a couple of months ago, switching from Prozac. Didn't have any side-effects and quitting Prozac wasn't a problem.
> The worsening of the mood coincided with the hot weather, so i thought the weather was to blame.
> But the last week i had a awful PMS period, plus i felt very sad and desperate. Are you guys feeling this way also with the hot wetaher? I'd need a feed-back on that, so i'll get my medication fixed.(hope so, 'cause i'm really worried right now).
>
>
> Thanks for listening
>
>
> Anna Laura
Posted by ChrisK on July 9, 2001, at 5:20:21
In reply to Is this a poop-out or the hot weather?, posted by annalaura on July 8, 2001, at 10:30:06
Anna Laura,
I take Nortriptyline, another TCA and my bottle comes with a warning label that reads: "You should avoid prolonged exposure to direct and/or artificial sunlight while taking this medication." I don't know the exact reason for this warning but if you've been spending more time outside in the warmer weather it may be something to consider.
Posted by Roo on July 9, 2001, at 7:59:37
In reply to Re: Is this a poop-out or the hot weather? » annalaura, posted by Cece on July 9, 2001, at 1:50:25
Ce-Ce,Am curious to ask you a few questions since I just
started Lamictal. I was really concerned about being
in the sun b/c of all the rash warning stuff, and I
heard it's supposed to make you more sensitive to
the sun. Have you found that at all? How much are
you on? You've found it helps for your depression?
Did you gain any weight on it or have any side effects?
Posted by Cece on July 9, 2001, at 11:34:17
In reply to Re: Is this a poop-out or the hot weather? CE-CE, posted by Roo on July 9, 2001, at 7:59:37
> Hi Roo-
Check out my other recent post at: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010708/msgs/69446.html for more info about my med history including Lamictal.
As to side effects, other than the temporary ones that I mention in that post, I would say no problems, including weight gain. I am very slowly losing weight gained on other meds- if I were actually trying to lose weight consistently, I'm sure that I could..
Since I work out in the sun, and have for many years, and have fair skin, I have to really smear on the sunscreen. I try to remember to wear a hat when I'm working (I hate hats), and to put my sunglasses on (I get caught up in my work and forget). I haven't noticed any adverse effects, other than regular sunburn if I forget or don't reapply the sunscreen, and regular eyestrain if I forget the sunglasses.
Yes, my depression is slowly, but definitely, letting go.
Good luck,
Cece
Ce-Ce,
>
> Am curious to ask you a few questions since I just
> started Lamictal. I was really concerned about being
> in the sun b/c of all the rash warning stuff, and I
> heard it's supposed to make you more sensitive to
> the sun. Have you found that at all? How much are
> you on? You've found it helps for your depression?
> Did you gain any weight on it or have any side effects?
Posted by Roo on July 9, 2001, at 11:55:37
In reply to Re: Lamictal question » Roo, posted by Cece on July 9, 2001, at 11:34:17
Thanks Ce-Ce, that was helpful info. I take
prozac (20 mgs), neurotin (2100) and a small micro
dose of navane (1mg). I found I gained weight
on the neurotin and it seemed to poop out quickly
and I would keep needing more. Other than that,
I really liked it, but the weight gain was pretty
intense--15 pounds in 3 months. Also felt like I
needed more AD effect than the neurotin could provide.
I'm really crossing my fingers for lamictal...
Thanks again!
Posted by rod on July 9, 2001, at 14:07:16
In reply to Is this a poop-out or the hot weather?, posted by annalaura on July 8, 2001, at 10:30:06
> Hi All,
>
>
> I haven't been feeling very well lately: in the last two weeks, i've been over-eating, sleepin too much and doing my job done and homework it's more difficult then usual; i also lack of energy and i'm kind of sad at times. I feel desperate/pessimistic also. I'm currently on a TCA (amytryptiline, a compound similar to imipramine); I started it a couple of months ago, switching from Prozac. Didn't have any side-effects and quitting Prozac wasn't a problem.
> The worsening of the mood coincided with the hot weather, so i thought the weather was to blame.
> But the last week i had a awful PMS period, plus i felt very sad and desperate. Are you guys feeling this way also with the hot wetaher? I'd need a feed-back on that, so i'll get my medication fixed.(hope so, 'cause i'm really worried right now).
>
>
> Thanks for listening
>
>
> Anna LauraI feel the same! I also take amytryptiline (150mg). The warmer it gets, the brighter the sun shines gives me some kind of desperate feeling. But somehow I think it might not be the temperature or medication. Its almost like a confrontation with my unability to enjoy the fine weather and do what others use to do when the weather is fine (go swimming and so on). When the weather is awful, I have an excuse for sitting in my cave all time.
Posted by Mitch on July 9, 2001, at 23:09:27
In reply to Is this a poop-out or the hot weather?, posted by annalaura on July 8, 2001, at 10:30:06
Annalaura,
I have BPII and seasonal major depressions. The one I get that is "typical-seasonal" is in late fall/early winter when the light level is lowest. Yes, I have tried some forms of light augmentation and it has helped. However, I get the *other* one that kicks in in late June and intensifies rapidly through July and then fades out in August. It does seem to have something to do with the heat. I seen a neuro once and he said that he has seen a lot of depressive cycling during the hottest months. So, I don't like oppressive heat and darkness (sounds like hell, huh?). On the other hand, bright, snowy, cold, windless, moonlit nites in late-January in the country are fantastic!
Ahh, maybe a trip to British Columbia would be the thing?
Oh, about meds...the one AD that seemed to help the most during the heat of summer (the horse lattitudes) was Wellbutrin, just an FYI...
I have heard crap from docs like-"well you are in the A/C at work/home so now how could that have affected you"? Excuse me, you, well, you have to mow the lawn-water the flowers, get in and out of your car-shop, etc. YOU SWEAT, the SUN is DIRECTLY on YOUR SKIN. Your body knows when it is like this.
Mitch
> Hi All,
>
>
> I haven't been feeling very well lately: in the last two weeks, i've been over-eating, sleepin too much and doing my job done and homework it's more difficult then usual; i also lack of energy and i'm kind of sad at times. I feel desperate/pessimistic also. I'm currently on a TCA (amytryptiline, a compound similar to imipramine); I started it a couple of months ago, switching from Prozac. Didn't have any side-effects and quitting Prozac wasn't a problem.
> The worsening of the mood coincided with the hot weather, so i thought the weather was to blame.
> But the last week i had a awful PMS period, plus i felt very sad and desperate. Are you guys feeling this way also with the hot wetaher? I'd need a feed-back on that, so i'll get my medication fixed.(hope so, 'cause i'm really worried right now).
>
>
> Thanks for listening
>
>
> Anna Laura
Posted by Cecilia on July 13, 2001, at 2:39:50
In reply to Re: Is this a poop-out or the hot weather? » annalaura, posted by rod on July 9, 2001, at 14:07:16
> > Hi All,
> >
> >
> > I haven't been feeling very well lately: in the last two weeks, i've been over-eating, sleepin too much and doing my job done and homework it's more difficult then usual; i also lack of energy and i'm kind of sad at times. I feel desperate/pessimistic also. I'm currently on a TCA (amytryptiline, a compound similar to imipramine); I started it a couple of months ago, switching from Prozac. Didn't have any side-effects and quitting Prozac wasn't a problem.
> > The worsening of the mood coincided with the hot weather, so i thought the weather was to blame.
> > But the last week i had a awful PMS period, plus i felt very sad and desperate. Are you guys feeling this way also with the hot wetaher? I'd need a feed-back on that, so i'll get my medication fixed.(hope so, 'cause i'm really worried right now).
> >
> >
> > Thanks for listening
> >
> >
> > Anna Laura
>
> I feel the same! I also take amytryptiline (150mg). The warmer it gets, the brighter the sun shines gives me some kind of desperate feeling. But somehow I think it might not be the temperature or medication. Its almost like a confrontation with my unability to enjoy the fine weather and do what others use to do when the weather is fine (go swimming and so on). When the weather is awful, I have an excuse for sitting in my cave all time.I also find summers hard, partly because I hate hot weather, partly because some bad things have happened to me in the summer, and partly, like Rod said, because of the contrast between my feelings and the happiness I see, or imagine "normal" people experiencing. Christmas is hard too for the same reason, comparing my gloom with the joy others feel, or pretend to. (Deep down I have a hard time believing there really is such a thing as happiness, sometimes I wonder if everyone in the world is faking it) It`s a good thing I don`t live "down under" where I`d have to go through summer AND Christmas at the same time!
This is the end of the thread.
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