I hate everything - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

hoobie · 10-19-2006, 08:33 AM

Hi, I know there has been lots of talk on this forum about antidepressants and their side effects but I have a specific question.

Everything I try makes me so sleepy that I can't stay on it because there is no way I can sleep 11 hours a night. Has anyone else had this problem? What works?

My pdoc has tried giving me provigil to combat the sleepyness but I felt like my head was stuffed with cotton and I couldn't think straight. I also still felt sleepy on it, just hyped up too.

I've been on so many different meds over the past several months. I tapered off effexor a week ago and now I feel overwhelmed with depression, anxiety, sadness. I had to take the day off work I felt so down.

I'm starting cymbalta and I've read the cymbalta thread but I figure it won't be any different from the other meds I've tried. My pdoc is running out of ideas.

Here's what I've been on:

Prozac
zoloft
lexipro/celexa (severly allergic)
effexor

He says wellbutrin/buspar isn't good for anxiety so they're not an option. If cymbalta doesn't work, he might try combining it with ritalin to keep me awake.

Any thoughts? Advice?

I know I'm rambling but I just feel so overwhelmed with my job and my commitments that I don't have time for me and my mental or recovery health and I don't know what to do. I can't call in sick every time I feel like this

Don W · 10-19-2006, 11:26 AM

Sorry I don't have a better answer. I also am going crazy with the sleepy horrors. Just remember, I'm in a program where staying awake in class is demanded. The only thing I can think of is maybe something in our diet could help. I was just getting use to the welbutin, when they changed to abilify. I'm crazy but, almost want to just not take it a pretend I'm getting better. Like I could do that. The problem is although sleepy, I feel better. Not only that but, others have noticed an improvement. Sometimes others can provide encouragement while we adjust. Ramble on! I can identify with every word you type at least with the one eye I'm able to keep open----anyway.

gettingbetter32 · 10-19-2006, 12:02 PM

Hey,
I've had the same issues as you - and have been on almost everything out there , in different combinations. Right now it's Paxil and ritilan, and so far it seems to be making a difference, and working. Unfortunately, it's trial and error, as things work differently for different people. I hope you find what works for you and feel better soon!

Ten Chips Down · 10-19-2006, 12:06 PM

"I tapered off effexor a week ago and now I feel overwhelmed with depression, anxiety, sadness." Oh Hoobie, man do I know what you mean about the sadness. It's like a heavy weight, ain't it??

Sometimes I truly don't know what has come first (for me)--this intense mourning/sadness or the medication I started on many years to treat a much lighter depression.

Yeah, I'm fully entertaining the possibility that these new ADs set us up for a lifetime of needing them.

But on your case - wow - never heard of such a reaction to the newer ones (SSRIs & SNRIs). The TCAs (older class) were notorious for what you're describing.

Just wanted to say keep hammering away fella. Where there is trial and error, there is hope.

TenChips

BSPGirl · 10-19-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don W

Sorry I don't have a better answer. I also am going crazy with the sleepy horrors. Just remember, I'm in a program where staying awake in class is demanded. The only thing I can think of is maybe something in our diet could help. I was just getting use to the welbutin, when they changed to abilify. I'm crazy but, almost want to just not take it a pretend I'm getting better. Like I could do that. The problem is although sleepy, I feel better. Not only that but, others have noticed an improvement. Sometimes others can provide encouragement while we adjust. Ramble on! I can identify with every word you type at least with the one eye I'm able to keep open----anyway.

Hm to me it seems medication is like something you and your dr should work out, like you have a say in it and not that they're randomly changing it when you just feel better.

And as for the original topic, I have no clue I can only offer some hugs

...it sounds like a big mess to sort thru.

Marte

hoobie · 10-19-2006, 12:41 PM

Thank you all for the encouragement. I feel a little better now that I've gotten up and did some laundry and worked out.

I take meds because I've always had anxiety and somtimes its crippling. I guess I have minor depression too but it is usually situational. This morning however, I felt AWFUL! Its scary to think that coming off an antidepressant can do that. Or I have really bad PMS...

I'm dealing with some things that are causing severe stress and unhappiness in my life but are partly out of my control. So when I feel overwhelmed I freak out and/or drink. I'm trying to deal with things in healthier ways but DAMN is it hard!

For those of you on ritalin, what are the side effects? Is it like caffeine?

michski · 10-19-2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoobie

For those of you on ritalin, what are the side effects? Is it like caffeine?

Actually in a college study some years back I remember reading that students who took the ritalin had improved their grades scores considerably!!! Maybe this will make you even smarter than you are!!
I so hope this combo works for you!
(((( hoobie )))))

BSPGirl · 10-19-2006, 12:59 PM

Ritalin is a stimulant like amphetamine, be very very careful, is all I can say.

Marte

Ten Chips Down · 10-19-2006, 04:59 PM

Hoobie methylphenidate is a mild amphetamine (speed) derivative that has dopaminergic actions in addition to the expected stimulative qualities (it gets you high).

It is addictive. Leave it alone. Stop drinking, etc.

TenChips

hoobie · 10-19-2006, 05:53 PM

I don't want to take ritalin but I'm not sure if I'll have any other option if all antidepressants knock me out. Honestly, my huge stress now is my job and I'm just not sure if I'm mentally capable of dealing with it while working on anxiety and not drinking. UGH

10-19-2006, 08:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
hoobie Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: crazyville Posts: 40	I hate everything Hi, I know there has been lots of talk on this forum about antidepressants and their side effects but I have a specific question. Everything I try makes me so sleepy that I can't stay on it because there is no way I can sleep 11 hours a night. Has anyone else had this problem? What works? My pdoc has tried giving me provigil to combat the sleepyness but I felt like my head was stuffed with cotton and I couldn't think straight. I also still felt sleepy on it, just hyped up too. I've been on so many different meds over the past several months. I tapered off effexor a week ago and now I feel overwhelmed with depression, anxiety, sadness. I had to take the day off work I felt so down. I'm starting cymbalta and I've read the cymbalta thread but I figure it won't be any different from the other meds I've tried. My pdoc is running out of ideas. Here's what I've been on: Prozac zoloft lexipro/celexa (severly allergic) effexor He says wellbutrin/buspar isn't good for anxiety so they're not an option. If cymbalta doesn't work, he might try combining it with ritalin to keep me awake. Any thoughts? Advice? I know I'm rambling but I just feel so overwhelmed with my job and my commitments that I don't have time for me and my mental or recovery health and I don't know what to do. I can't call in sick every time I feel like this

10-19-2006, 11:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Don W Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Charleston S.C. Posts: 1,462	Sorry I don't have a better answer. I also am going crazy with the sleepy horrors. Just remember, I'm in a program where staying awake in class is demanded. The only thing I can think of is maybe something in our diet could help. I was just getting use to the welbutin, when they changed to abilify. I'm crazy but, almost want to just not take it a pretend I'm getting better. Like I could do that. The problem is although sleepy, I feel better. Not only that but, others have noticed an improvement. Sometimes others can provide encouragement while we adjust. Ramble on! I can identify with every word you type at least with the one eye I'm able to keep open----anyway. __________________ Captain America - On the side of good

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10-19-2006, 12:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
gettingbetter32 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Summerside, PEI Posts: 111	Hey, I've had the same issues as you - and have been on almost everything out there , in different combinations. Right now it's Paxil and ritilan, and so far it seems to be making a difference, and working. Unfortunately, it's trial and error, as things work differently for different people. I hope you find what works for you and feel better soon!

10-19-2006, 12:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ten Chips Down Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Virginia, U.S.A. Posts: 877	"I tapered off effexor a week ago and now I feel overwhelmed with depression, anxiety, sadness." Oh Hoobie, man do I know what you mean about the sadness. It's like a heavy weight, ain't it?? Sometimes I truly don't know what has come first (for me)--this intense mourning/sadness or the medication I started on many years to treat a much lighter depression. Yeah, I'm fully entertaining the possibility that these new ADs set us up for a lifetime of needing them. But on your case - wow - never heard of such a reaction to the newer ones (SSRIs & SNRIs). The TCAs (older class) were notorious for what you're describing. Just wanted to say keep hammering away fella. Where there is trial and error, there is hope. TenChips

10-19-2006, 12:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
hoobie Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: crazyville Posts: 40	Thank you all for the encouragement. I feel a little better now that I've gotten up and did some laundry and worked out. I take meds because I've always had anxiety and somtimes its crippling. I guess I have minor depression too but it is usually situational. This morning however, I felt AWFUL! Its scary to think that coming off an antidepressant can do that. Or I have really bad PMS... I'm dealing with some things that are causing severe stress and unhappiness in my life but are partly out of my control. So when I feel overwhelmed I freak out and/or drink. I'm trying to deal with things in healthier ways but DAMN is it hard! For those of you on ritalin, what are the side effects? Is it like caffeine?

10-19-2006, 12:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
BSPGirl Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nowhere Posts: 896	Ritalin is a stimulant like amphetamine, be very very careful, is all I can say. Marte

10-19-2006, 04:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ten Chips Down Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Virginia, U.S.A. Posts: 877	Hoobie methylphenidate is a mild amphetamine (speed) derivative that has dopaminergic actions in addition to the expected stimulative qualities (it gets you high). It is addictive. Leave it alone. Stop drinking, etc. TenChips

10-19-2006, 05:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
hoobie Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: crazyville Posts: 40	I don't want to take ritalin but I'm not sure if I'll have any other option if all antidepressants knock me out. Honestly, my huge stress now is my job and I'm just not sure if I'm mentally capable of dealing with it while working on anxiety and not drinking. UGH

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