NetWellness Depression

Anit-depressant weight gain

Lawson Wulsin MD — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:10:00 EST

Question: I am taking Savella. I have tried numerous other anti-depressants, for migraine, and Savella is the first that actually seems to be working. I have also tried a host of other meds. So switching to another one is not the answer. Although Savella is reported to be weight neutral, or even cause weight . . .

Answer: You're doing the right things to combat the weight gain. You could work with your doctor to see if adjusting the dose stops the weight gain or if a second medication might help. Topiramate can be helpful for both pain and weight gain. I don't have experience with Savella, but a specialist in fibromy . . .

Ask an Expert: Lawson Wulsin MD, Depression

New to Cymbalta

Lawson Wulsin MD — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:10:00 EST

Question: I have just been put on Cymbalta by my physician as a treament for anxiety, depression and chronic pain which I have been trying to deal with myself for the last 15 years. My doctor feels it will greatly improve my quality of life. However, I have read multiple stories of nightmarish withdrawal symp . . .

Answer: Withdrawal symptoms vary by individuals and depend on the rate at which the dose is decreased. As with any medication, withdrawal from Cymbalta can be prevented by gradual tapering schedules. I know of no studies that suggest that either Cymbalta or any other antidepressant causes brain damage. Howe . . .

Ask an Expert: Lawson Wulsin MD, Depression

Depressed........

Lawson Wulsin MD — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:10:00 EST

Question: I am 30 and my husband is 34. We have sex only once in a month or once in two months. He enjoys it when we do have intercourse but he simply has little interest. he says that sex is just not important and that it is natural for working couples to have sex less frequently. I don`t understand this. We . . .

Answer: It's time to get a professional evaluation of your marriage. You have tried a number of approaches on your own to resolve this distress, so I suggest you ask your primary care doctor for a referral to a psychologist or social worker who does couples therapy. This evaluation can help the two of you i . . .

Ask an Expert: Lawson Wulsin MD, Depression

Cymbalta

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:08:00 EST

Question: I have been on various drugs for about 15 years (started off with Paxil, zoloft, Effexor-when I was pregnat, now Cymbalta of about 3 years) - for Social Anxiety, then panic attacks. I have gone off the cymbalta now of almost 60 days.... the withdraw took 3 months... aweful!!! Now being off the drug . . .

Answer: Obviously this is a topic of discussion with you and your physician. Let me try and help "frame" this discussion for that meeting. If you derived some benefit from Cymbalta (without significant side effects) than some consideration for restarting it might be in order. Your concern about needing . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Depression

Depressed at school

Lawson Wulsin MD — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:06:00 EST

Question: I`m currently in college working toward my bachelor`s degree. I have had a hard time adjusting to school and being away from home. I get depressed pretty easily. What type of things can I do to help my mood? How should I know when to see a doctor?

Answer: First, learn to monitor your moods. You can use a 0-10 scale, the PHQ 9, or the Beck Depression Inventory. If you're ever down for most days during a couple of weeks, seek an evaluation at your student health center. You should know whether you have a clinical depression that requires treatment. You . . .

Ask an Expert: Lawson Wulsin MD, Depression

Can I ever become better?

Lawson Wulsin MD — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:05:00 EST

Question: I apologize for the length of this question. Feel free to skip to the last question if that helps! :o)

I am currently a sophomore going into my junior year and I am doing extremely terrible in school. I have my last final exam tomorrow and even if I got a 100% on the exam, I would still only ha . . .

Answer: You make a persuasive case for having a severe depression that has not responded to several reasonable initial efforts at treatment. But don't lose heart. You've got a good picture of the problem. Now you need to broaden your view of the options for treatment and get some additional help. Here are 3 . . .

Ask an Expert: Lawson Wulsin MD, Depression

Seeking help for my depressed mom

Lawson Wulsin MD — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:03:00 EST

Question: I am 17 years old and my mom is 47. my brother is 7 years old and he has autism. lately he has been doing extremely well, but the school he went to and my mom are having conflicts and lawsuits and other stressful stuff. My mom has been depressed basically my little brothers whole life up and down. i . . .

Answer: You're in a tough position, but I suggest you begin by working with your therapist to develop a plan to recruit adults with influence on your mother to urge her to seek more effective treatment for her depression than she has had in the past. Consider approaching her doctor, her siblings, her friend . . .

Ask an Expert: Lawson Wulsin MD, Depression

Menstrual Dysfunction

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:03:00 EST

Question: I have been on Lexapro for only about 2 months and the only side effect (if it is one) is my menstraul. I have not seen it for going on three months. I am not pregnant. I know this for sure because Ive taken tons of pregnancy tests and also had blood work done that said that I wasnt pregnant. I aske . . .

Answer: It is possible that Lexapro can causes changes in menstrual cycles although it is not the most common side effect. Alternatives for depression are a possibility depending on any improvement that you've experienced with Lexapro. Your primary care physician and/or OB-GYN can work together with yo . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Depression

Lexapro

Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:03:00 EST

Question: Can Lexapro interfere with a person trying to work?

Answer: Differentiating whether depression or anxiety is impacting on work or if it might be a side effect of the medication is the first evaluation to be done. If it is not depression or anxiety it could be Lexapro, which can increase fatigue, concentration, and possibly other cognitive (thinking) processe . . .

Ask an Expert: Nicholas Votolato RPh BCPP, Depression

Symptoms Associated with Anti-depressants

Lawson Wulsin MD — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:02:00 EST

Question: I have been on a generic version of Celexa for one year. Recently I have been experiencing dizziness randomly throughout the day. I also have a sense of pressure in my gums and lips when the dizziness hits. Accompanying these symptoms is sleeplessness.

The only change I`ve made recently is begi . . .

Answer: The best way to evaluate random dizziness is to see a primary care doctor. If you can tolerate this until your insurance begins, it's probably okay. The cheaper way to answer the question of whether this is a side effect is to try a brief cessation trial: rate your dizziness for several days, then s . . .

Ask an Expert: Lawson Wulsin MD, Depression