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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 12:35:23
Has anybody here ever experienced an EXTREMELY fast reaction time to an anti-dep.?
I read how it takes weeks, even months, but has anybody ever went from feeling very depressed to MUCH, MUCH better in a mere few, or, even a couple days?
Or, how about: if a med DID work for you BUT you went off of it for a decent period of time and the depression came back....and then you restarted the med again...ANYBODY ever feel 'fine' in a day or two? Thanks! I need answers.
Posted by IsoM on September 27, 2002, at 13:13:28
In reply to What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has worked, posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 12:35:23
Simply said - yes, to both answers. It was Celexa that did it & not a placebo effect either. No other AD worked so quickly, some didn't work at all.
I can state that both times, after 5 days, I noticed a significant improvement. The first time, I did not believe it to be happening as it didn't make sense to feel an AD so quickly, but the improvement continued & lasted.
When I went back on Celexa the second time, I thought the quick improvement the first time was just a fluke & didn't expect it to happen again. But happily, it worked that quickly again.
One of my sons noticed the same quick improvement in him too & he seemed resistant to many other ADs. Perhaps it's a gentic trait in us.
Posted by Mr. SadPuppyDog on September 27, 2002, at 13:34:55
In reply to What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has worked, posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 12:35:23
> Has anybody here ever experienced an EXTREMELY fast reaction time to an anti-dep.?
> I read how it takes weeks, even months, but has anybody ever went from feeling very depressed to MUCH, MUCH better in a mere few, or, even a couple days?
> Or, how about: if a med DID work for you BUT you went off of it for a decent period of time and the depression came back....and then you restarted the med again...ANYBODY ever feel 'fine' in a day or two? Thanks! I need answers.ECT is the single fastest antidepressant. It can start to work after just a few days. Some report an improvement after just one ECT session, most it takes at least three sessions, but most report improvement by the third or fourth ECT session. That means ECT can work within one week.
The MAOI Parnate worked pretty fast for me. Inside of a week I was feeling much better. Two weeks and I was feeling like a different man. Three weeks and I was feeling about the best I had felt in a couple years. Also, I found Remeron to be fast, I dont know why but it has a reputation as being one of the faster acting ADs.
I will give you a little known secret about "speeding up" response to antidepressants. After you start taking your antidepressant, on the third or fourth day of beginning the drug, make yourself go work out everyday. Do something aerobic, as intensely as you can stand it for 20-30 minutes a day. I GUARANTEE you will begin feeling the effect from the AD faster if you do this. I dont know why Pdocs dont tell their patients about the relationship between aerobic exercise and antidepressant effectiveness. I suppose they dont know enough about it to inform their patients.
Once I got Paxil to kick in within only eight days using the above method. Without the exercise, I figure it would have been two or maybe three weeks til I felt anything good.
Mr. Sad PuppyDog
Posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 13:37:32
In reply to Re: What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has worked » McPac, posted by IsoM on September 27, 2002, at 13:13:28
IsoM,
Were you VERY badly depressed when the Celexa worked (and reworked) that quickly...or were you only 'moderately/mildly' depressed?
I have been helped even MUCH faster than 5 days before! Recently, after going off of Zoloft for a while and having symptoms return, I was VERY much helped in a day! It must be some sort of incredible 'sensitivity' to the medicine (because it is not placebo effect). It defies everything I've ever read or heard before.
Posted by IsoM on September 27, 2002, at 13:44:29
In reply to IsoM, posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 13:37:32
I was between the two - not suicidal (I'm too logical) but certainly more than mod/mild depression. A strong sense of duty made me force myself to do what was absolutely required, but barely & no more than that. Everything else was ignored. I wished to non-exist.
The very quick response you had (& for me too possibly) might have to do with previous exposure to ADs & downregulation of receptors that might still be in effect. I don't know enough to be certain.
Posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 13:51:35
In reply to Re: IsoM » McPac, posted by IsoM on September 27, 2002, at 13:44:29
IsoM "The very quick response you had (& for me too possibly) might have to do with previous exposure to ADs & downregulation of receptors that might still be in effect. I don't know enough to be certain".
>>>>>I thought something similar---that the brain somehow "remembered" the prior effect...or, so to speak, that what in the brain that was in the past "lit" quickly became "relit"
Posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 13:55:36
In reply to Re: the secret to speeding up AD response!!, posted by Mr. SadPuppyDog on September 27, 2002, at 13:34:55
"I will give you a little known secret about "speeding up" response to antidepressants. After you start taking your antidepressant, on the third or fourth day of beginning the drug, make yourself go work out everyday. Do something aerobic, as intensely as you can stand it for 20-30 minutes a day. I GUARANTEE you will begin feeling the effect from the AD faster if you do this. I dont know why Pdocs dont tell their patients about the relationship between aerobic exercise and antidepressant effectiveness. I suppose they dont know enough about it to inform their patients".
>>>>>I KNOW EXACTLY what you mean!!! That has worked for me on different occassions!! (Strenuous very heavy bike peddling and weight-lifting!
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 27, 2002, at 15:01:51
In reply to What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has worked, posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 12:35:23
> Has anybody here ever experienced an EXTREMELY fast reaction time to an anti-dep.?
---------------------Heh. LSD got me wide awake and bursting with happiness in about 2 hours, after a seemingly endless year or so of lethargy and absolute sadness. Not really an antidepressant, but I'm amazed that micrograms of a drug can have such a profound effect on something as subjective (and entrenched) as mood.
Posted by Mr. SadPuppyDog on September 27, 2002, at 16:57:05
In reply to Re: What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has worked, posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 27, 2002, at 15:01:51
> > Has anybody here ever experienced an EXTREMELY fast reaction time to an anti-dep.?
> ---------------------
>
> Heh. LSD got me wide awake and bursting with happiness in about 2 hours, after a seemingly endless year or so of lethargy and absolute sadness. Not really an antidepressant, but I'm amazed that micrograms of a drug can have such a profound effect on something as subjective (and entrenched) as mood.Well if you want to look at this way, I could go drink a six pack of my favorite beer, Beck's Dark tonight and Id be buzzed and feelin good tonight. Id pay for it tomorrow and for the next couple days though, booze worsens my depression. Same thing with hallucinogenic drugs like LSD and ecstasy. These are short term (very short term!) solutions to major medical problems. Kind of like using band aids to treat a brain tumor.
Mr. Sad PuppyDog
Posted by Mr Beev on September 27, 2002, at 18:13:43
In reply to What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has worked, posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 12:35:23
I responded instantly and strongly - within hours - to the lowest dose of Effexor XR, 37.5mg. I did not stabilize however until I worked up to the 150mg dose. My pdoc tells me, however, that my rapid response was extremely unusual.
Best regards,
Mr Beev
Posted by Mystia on September 27, 2002, at 19:22:05
In reply to Re: What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has worked » McPac, posted by IsoM on September 27, 2002, at 13:13:28
I felt better after 6-7 days on Lexapro (the fastest out of all 6 SSRI's I have tried!!). The great feeling has continued (yay for no bad s/e's!) and today was 3 weeks since I started taking Lexapro!
I love this drug =)Myst
Posted by Jerrympls on September 28, 2002, at 2:09:02
In reply to What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has worked, posted by McPac on September 27, 2002, at 12:35:23
Approx. 11 years ago, when I was first put on an antidepressant (trazodone 75mg) I was practically cured in two weeks. I experienced the "better than well" usually associated with Prozac - although it wasn't better than well - it was normal - just right where I thought and felt I should be. Unfortuately, 3 months later I decided I was "back on track" and stopped the Trazodone abruptly. 11 years later, I haven't responded to any treatment.....not even trazodone again.
But it was miraculous. 2 weeks and no depression. That's why I continue to hold on....because I know I can feel like that again....
> Has anybody here ever experienced an EXTREMELY fast reaction time to an anti-dep.?
> I read how it takes weeks, even months, but has anybody ever went from feeling very depressed to MUCH, MUCH better in a mere few, or, even a couple days?
> Or, how about: if a med DID work for you BUT you went off of it for a decent period of time and the depression came back....and then you restarted the med again...ANYBODY ever feel 'fine' in a day or two? Thanks! I need answers.
Posted by Denise528 on September 28, 2002, at 6:26:13
In reply to Re: IsoM » McPac, posted by IsoM on September 27, 2002, at 13:44:29
> I was between the two - not suicidal (I'm too logical) but certainly more than mod/mild depression. A strong sense of duty made me force myself to do what was absolutely required, but barely & no more than that. Everything else was ignored. I wished to non-exist.
>
> The very quick response you had (& for me too possibly) might have to do with previous exposure to ADs & downregulation of receptors that might still be in effect. I don't know enough to be certain.I'm not sure I agree that the quick response was due to do with previous exposure to ADs and downregulation of receptors. The First AD I ever tried was prothiaden and that worked pretty much within 24 hours. Again, I know for sure it wastn't a placebo response.
Denise
Posted by Denise528 on September 28, 2002, at 7:51:38
In reply to Re: What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has wo, posted by Jerrympls on September 28, 2002, at 2:09:02
Hi,
I took prothiaden at 25 and it worked within a day. About 4 years later I took Seroxat and that two worked within about 4 days, after taking Seroxat/Sertraline for several years I stupidly came off them. Now 4 years later they no longer seem to work. Like Jerrympls I continue to hold on and persist because I know that there is a better way to feel than like this.
As an additional note, my Doctor also said that it was highly unusual for an AD to work within 24 hours, he even tried to suggest that it was placebo (I know for a fact it wastn't). After reading some of the threads on this board it seems that this istn't so unusual after all. This makes me question the theory that ADs are supposed to take several weeks to work because of having to wait for downegulation of the post synaptic receptors.Denise
Posted by IsoM on September 28, 2002, at 11:52:54
In reply to Re: IsoM, posted by Denise528 on September 28, 2002, at 6:26:13
Thanks for the info, Denise. Like you, I'm gathering info & trying to understand it better too. Any additional bits help fine-tune it. Thanks again.
Posted by IsoM on September 28, 2002, at 11:58:07
In reply to Re: What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has wo, posted by Denise528 on September 28, 2002, at 7:51:38
Back in the mid-80s when I first started ADs, a science journal I read speculated that the reason ADs took about 3 or more weeks to work was it took that length of time for the neurons to make new connections & for new dendrites to grow. Later, that theory was swept out the door. I don't doubt that downregulation theory may go the same route. The thing is no one knows why & researchers are still trying to find out why. Like you said, those who respond surprisingly fast show the answers aren't all cut & dried.
Posted by Arthur Gibson on September 28, 2002, at 15:45:45
In reply to Re: downregulation of receptors... » Denise528, posted by IsoM on September 28, 2002, at 11:58:07
Two hours after I took my first PROZAC tablet I had a strong halucination that my head had opened up and the sun was streaming in to warm my brain. It was a wonderful feeling. I then experienced a total and complete remission of my very serious depression. I was completely cured and could not believe my luck.
About eight hours later it all faded and my depression returned full force. I swollowed another PROZAC in desperation but it did not help. It took about seven weeks for the PROZAC to slowly bring me back to that state thereafter.
So what does that tell us? Was it a PROZAC induced mood swing? Is my relief now just a long term mood swing? What will happen when I come off PROZAC?
We do not seem to know how these things work, but my experience must illustrate that rapid healing is possible, if they could only figure out what happened to me and replicate it successfully.
Posted by McPac on September 28, 2002, at 22:23:52
In reply to Re: What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has wo, posted by Denise528 on September 28, 2002, at 7:51:38
Denise "As an additional note, my Doctor also said that it was highly unusual for an AD to work within 24 hours, he even tried to suggest that it was placebo (I know for a fact it wastn't). After reading some of the threads on this board it seems that this istn't so unusual after all. This makes me question the theory that ADs are supposed to take several weeks to work because of having to wait for downegulation of the post synaptic receptors".
>>>>>>>>>>>>>Denise, my pdoc INSISTED that it HAD to be the placebo effect! (He was an old, worthless pdoc).
Posted by Jaynee on September 30, 2002, at 0:01:55
In reply to Re: What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has worked, posted by Eddie Sylvano on September 27, 2002, at 15:01:51
I have only tried one ADD and it was Celexa. It started to work in about 5 days. I was very depressed, I don't know if I would say suicidal, but when I get that bad, especially the acute anxiety, I sometimes feel the only way out of the mental pain is by putting a bullet through my head. So far I have always managed to avoid that. But that is how bad the anxiety can get, all consuming, like the most powerful panic attack that doesn't go away. No sleep, and I mean no sleep, without tranquilizers, and no food, because your stomach and just about everything else quits working. Anyways, thankfully for me Celexa worked fast and well. I was very lucky.
I hope you will be too.
Posted by McPac on September 30, 2002, at 16:32:09
In reply to Re: What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has worked, posted by Jaynee on September 30, 2002, at 0:01:55
Jaynee, Lithium (for me, very low dose) works AWESOME for that type of extreme anxiety.
What do you take for that?
p.s. It is terrible anxiety along with depression, where you can't eat, sleep and just feel like 'doubling over' and 'holding yourself'?
Posted by Jaynee on September 30, 2002, at 17:43:23
In reply to Re: What is the FASTEST time that an AD/SRI has worked, posted by McPac on September 30, 2002, at 16:32:09
I get the horrific anxiety/depression bouts every 5 to 6 years. Started in the 3rd grade for me. I never took anything for it until 1991. I weathered the storm on my own with no help and it always went away. In 1991 it got so I just couldn't do it on my own, so I tried an ativan. It truly was a life saver. I will take about 6mg of ativan through out the day and night for about a week and then usually I am able to get on top of the anxiety, and then I can basically quit the ativan and go with the meditation, cognitive behavioural therapy and exercise. I found this time round that I really wanted to try an anti-depressant and was very lucky with Celexa. Although I had done my research and decided it was the one for me. I am taking nothing right now and probably won't have to for another 4 years. Although I had been suffering from low grade depression before this last serious go-around. If I start to feel like I am going down I will not hesitate to start the anti-depressant again, since I don't want to let it get out of control. I am in Canada, so I am anxiously awaiting Lexapro's release.
I have never been diagnosed as bipolar, but sometimes I wonder. I never ever thought lithium would help anxiety.
Thanks and I hope all is well with you.
This is the end of the thread.
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