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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by deniseuk190466 on April 1, 2007, at 12:12:55
Not that I'll get what I ask for but this Lexapro at 10mg just doesn't seem to be doing the trick.
I still lack interest in anything, don't really feel like doing anything, don't seem to enjoy food and will the hours away. I've been able to work and have actually been able to go for two interviews but I really don't seem to be enjoying much of anything which is all par for the course I guess.
I don't know what to try and push for at my next visit, does anyone have any suggestions based on experience and bearing in mind that Seroxat that had worked quite well for two years had stopped working. As you will probably see I'm anxious because I'm posting on this board asking so many questions, questions going on in my own head as to what to do next. Should I
a) Ask to push up the dose of Lexapro.
b) Ask to add Amulsupride to it.
c) Ask to add Abilify to it.
d) Ask to add a stimulant to it (bearing in mind I'm not somnolent nt just lack any reallly motivation or drive) but still anxious at the same time.
e) Ask to augment with somthing else.
Ideally, I'd like to try all of the above consecutively for a week trial for every single one but I doubt very much she will go for that, infact I doubt if she will let me have any say at all.
Denise
I
Posted by Quintal on April 1, 2007, at 12:53:32
In reply to What to ask for at my next Psychiatrists visit., posted by deniseuk190466 on April 1, 2007, at 12:12:55
>a) Ask to push up the dose of Lexapro.
Most feasible option. She'll probably be happy with this and it will show you're being a good girl.
>b) Ask to add Amulsupride to it
I'd second that. They shouldn't have too much of a problem with it.
>c) Ask to add Abilify to it.
I wouldn't personally recommend that because if you have a bad reaction (many people do) you'll be in a worse place with your mood and anxiety, and the psychiatrist will probably be even more pissed off with you for wasting her precious time and budget money. So my vote is for the amisulpride but that might just be my own personal prejudice against Abilify and US-generated antipsychotics in general.
>d) Ask to add a stimulant to it (bearing in mind I'm not somnolent nt just lack any reallly motivation or drive) but still anxious at the same time.
No, don't even go there. Not in the UK - you'll look like a drug molester and it will probably be recorded as such in your notes.
>e) Ask to augment with somthing else.
Maybe bupropion (Wellbutrin/Zyban in the UK)?
Q
Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2007, at 14:20:01
In reply to Re: What to ask for at my next Psychiatrists visit. » deniseuk190466, posted by Quintal on April 1, 2007, at 12:53:32
If you're doing well and not quite there up the lexapro. A lot of people I know do quite well on the med. Love Phillipa
Posted by DStupid on April 1, 2007, at 20:20:52
In reply to Re: What to ask for at my next Psychiatrists visit., posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2007, at 14:20:01
Denise: Since you already have the Lexapro 10 mg pills, why not double the dosage on your own and take 20 mg for a week (if you have enough pills) to see if the increased dosage works? And if does, save the trip to the psychiatrist.
Posted by greywolf on April 1, 2007, at 20:25:42
In reply to Re: What to ask for at my next Psychiatrists visit., posted by DStupid on April 1, 2007, at 20:20:52
I'd go with the previous posters' advice to ask your doctor to up the Lex.And I would never, ever, specifically ask for a stimulant. That's a red flag for many doctors who fear the potential for abuse of stimulants.
Greywolf
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 3, 2007, at 5:44:35
In reply to Re: What to ask for at my next Psychiatrists visit. » deniseuk190466, posted by Quintal on April 1, 2007, at 12:53:32
Thanks Quintal,
You are probably right.
I'm not too sure about stimulants though, I did mention them to her at my last meeting and said it might be something to add in the future.
Thanks for your advice though.
Denise
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 3, 2007, at 5:51:06
In reply to Re: What to ask for at my next Psychiatrists visit., posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2007, at 14:20:01
Thanks Phillipa, it's just that I can't help thinking that I'm not going to get that much more of a benefit than I did with Seroxat 40mg which had stopped working.
Still it's better than nothing. I just want more though :-)
Denise
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 3, 2007, at 6:04:49
In reply to Re: What to ask for at my next Psychiatrists visit., posted by DStupid on April 1, 2007, at 20:20:52
Hi DStupid,
Yes, my idea exactly, trouble is I only have an extra 4 10mg tabs over the months supply. So I'm only going to be able to double the dose for four days.
I'm doing it though just to see how it will affect me but I doubt that it will be long enough to get a good idea.
Thanks anyway.
Denise
Posted by Quintal on April 3, 2007, at 6:11:50
In reply to To Quintal, posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 3, 2007, at 5:44:35
I really can't imagine a British pdoc prescribing stimulants for your symptoms Denise, in fact they're strictly contra-indicated in depression, but I'll follow your case with interest. Did you specifically mention Dexedrine and Ritalin, or just 'stimulants'?
__________________________________________________Central nervous system stimulants include the amphetamines (notably dexamfetamine) and related drugs (e.g. methylphenidate). They have very few indications and in particular, should not be used to treat depression, obesity, senility, debility, or for relief of fatigue.
http://www.bnf.org/bnf/bnf/53/3373.htm?q=%22cns%22%22stimulants%22
__________________________________________________Q
Posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 3, 2007, at 6:32:17
In reply to Re: What to ask for at my next Psychiatrists visit., posted by greywolf on April 1, 2007, at 20:25:42
Greywolf,
Ok, thanks I'll ask her to up the dose of Lexapro, I just hate the fact that I'll probably have to wait another six weeks at 20mg. I wish the process was quicker.
Denise
Posted by greywolf on April 3, 2007, at 7:25:09
In reply to Greywolf, posted by Deniseuk190466 on April 3, 2007, at 6:32:17
I know what you mean, Denise. I've been trying to find the right meds for many years, and one of the most frustrating things is waiting until a med gets to a therapeutic level to see if it will do anything for you.Greywolf
Posted by elanor roosevelt on April 3, 2007, at 22:00:44
In reply to Re: Greywolf » Deniseuk190466, posted by greywolf on April 3, 2007, at 7:25:09
if the 20 mg dose of lexapro is going to work you will know in a few days
stay busy
you might be a bit wired at first
i hear the pdocs there are pretty benzo phobic
you might want to take some benadryl at firstlexapro/celexa, after all the meds i have taken have been the ones that allow me to have a positive sense of future
which i missup that dosage and hope for the best
good luck
This is the end of the thread.
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