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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Benny on October 23, 2003, at 22:02:53
Suffer from Major Uni-polar Depression and Anxiety/Panic disorder. Nothing new in this department I guess except for the fact that I have had a 'paradoxical reaction' to all classes of antidepressants regardless of dose. It is supposedly unheard of ???
There is no question I react severely to psychotropic drugs usually within 4-7 days depending on class and dose. Unfortunately it is the wrong kind of reaction. Found that I have one strange reaction that is always present when the AD is kicking in. Chills...become so cold that I end up spending days and nights in the shower just trying to keep warm. I try to push through the pain barrier but it is just so horrific and I usually end up in a psych hospital if I do. I am tempted to ask to be strapped to a bed and knocked unconcious for 2 months until they do their thing.
Lithium even made me suicidal! ECT did nothing. Most anti-convulsants were not helpful and caused many depressive side effects. Found Klonipin and Neurontin to have partial benefit for lifting brain fog, but are completely ineffective for lifting mood.
Why do I have such a horrific reaction to antidepressants when it is perfectly clear I need them? I know many people have reactions at first to one sort or another, but usually they settle down or they find something else that works. What the hell is going on?
Posted by Larry Hoover on October 23, 2003, at 22:33:50
In reply to Paradoxical reaction to antidepressants, posted by Benny on October 23, 2003, at 22:02:53
> Suffer from Major Uni-polar Depression and Anxiety/Panic disorder. Nothing new in this department I guess except for the fact that I have had a 'paradoxical reaction' to all classes of antidepressants regardless of dose. It is supposedly unheard of ???
>
> There is no question I react severely to psychotropic drugs usually within 4-7 days depending on class and dose. Unfortunately it is the wrong kind of reaction. Found that I have one strange reaction that is always present when the AD is kicking in. Chills...become so cold that I end up spending days and nights in the shower just trying to keep warm. I try to push through the pain barrier but it is just so horrific and I usually end up in a psych hospital if I do. I am tempted to ask to be strapped to a bed and knocked unconcious for 2 months until they do their thing.
>
> Lithium even made me suicidal! ECT did nothing. Most anti-convulsants were not helpful and caused many depressive side effects. Found Klonipin and Neurontin to have partial benefit for lifting brain fog, but are completely ineffective for lifting mood.
>
> Why do I have such a horrific reaction to antidepressants when it is perfectly clear I need them? I know many people have reactions at first to one sort or another, but usually they settle down or they find something else that works. What the hell is going on?Any chance you have PTSD?
One option is to try pediatric forms, the liquid ones. You can titrate the dose from very tiny amounts, just by varying the volume of liquid in each dose. Maybe what you need is a very prolonged induction period.
Alternatively, you may want to try something like St. John's wort, or the Ayervedic herb Ashwagghanda.
Lar
Posted by Emme on October 23, 2003, at 22:34:35
In reply to Paradoxical reaction to antidepressants, posted by Benny on October 23, 2003, at 22:02:53
You're not alone with the chills thing. My pdoc says it happens with some drugs. 4 mg Celexa made me so cold I'd be ready to jump into a fireplace. That stopped as soon as I stopped the Celexa. What is the pain barrier you try to push through? The psychic pain of depression, or a hideous side effect?
Have you been checked for other causes of depression/anxiety? I've been checked for: thyroid, antinuclear antibodies (looking for things like Lupus), Lyme disease, B-12 and folate deficiency, am waiting to find out about human growth hormone test, urine catecholamines, and probably a few others I've forgotten.
Paradoxical reactions to ADs...any possibility you are in the bipolar spectrum? You said "most anticonvulsants". Which ones haven't you tried? There are a couple of relatively new ones out: Zonegran, Keppra. Strattera is supposed to have AD properties for some. Abilify was very helpful for me for a while (didn't like side effects, but you might be okay - who knows?). Provigil has been mood-brightening for me and the klonopin would progably offset some of its stimulating properties. Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.
Emme
Posted by Benny on October 24, 2003, at 2:14:02
In reply to Re: Paradoxical reaction to antidepressants » Benny, posted by Larry Hoover on October 23, 2003, at 22:33:50
Tried Lamotrogine or Lamictal to see if I was Bi-Polar 2. Absolute shocker. I am Australian so names vary slightly. Pretty much all anti-convulsants up to 1.5 years ago. Maybe tried 4 very powerful frontline anti-convulsants. Toprimate was tried as well, which as far as I know is also used in PTSD. Couldn't walk, talk or read on that one. A real brain scrambler! St. John's wort did what SSRI's do. Not as severe but sismilar side effect profile.
The pain barrier I refer to is an increased sense of fear, depression and panic. Like being in a perpetual nightmare that I can't wake up from. Very scary and very traumatic stuff. I would even go as far as saying it is as close to a PTSD experience.
Anyway, appreciate the good ideas. Low titration in liquid form may be just the thing. Never thought about that one.
Posted by glenn on October 24, 2003, at 8:59:46
In reply to Paradoxical reaction to antidepressants, posted by Benny on October 23, 2003, at 22:02:53
Ihave a paradoxical reaction to valium, 30 minutes after one I sweat shiver my heart beats terribly and I feel terribly anxious, xanax however is a dream!
So you are not alone, maybe a benzo or maoi would help or maybe a jensen stlye trialGlenn
Posted by crazychickuk on October 24, 2003, at 13:47:28
In reply to Re: Paradoxical reaction to antidepressants, posted by glenn on October 24, 2003, at 8:59:46
i also had a paradoxical reaction to valuim and now lately i been getting it with remeron after being on it for 4 mnths?
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