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Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Concussion Syndrome For traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post concussion syndrome (PCS). |
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07-24-2012, 09:21 PM | #1 | ||
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Last week at the rehab clinic I was prescribed Cipralex (Lexapro, Escitalopram) and am finding its kicking my butt.
Before taking it, I was already very tired and now I'm so tired I'm finding it difficult to do the bare minimum around here and keep everyone fed. (Something I've been doing since I got my brain injury!) Its like a major step backwards for me. I sleep at least 10 hours a night, then I NEED to sleep another 4 hours during the day, minimum. And I'm talking out cold sleeping. Before I started the drugs, when I would wake up in the morning or after a nap, I would have some energy to do a few things and that was great. Now, when I wake up, I can barely drag myself out of bed and then sit in my chair downstairs. I don't even have to be doing anything, I can spend much time just staring at one spot... its ridiculous. Its not even been a full week yet, but I think I'm giving up on it... I was ok to drive before... now, I'm so tired, I feel its iffy! So frustrated... even though I barely have the energy to be frustrated. Anyone else experience anything like this? Is there a better drug for me to try? Right now, I feel I was better off before they starting "helping" me!! Starr |
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07-25-2012, 01:20 AM | #2 | ||
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Legendary
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Starr,
Did they start you on a full dose? I started Paxil at 1/2 dose for the first week and then tapered up to full dose It take a while for your body to adjust to an SSRI. What are they trying to treat with the Cipralex? just depression? I take a max dose of Paxil to reduce my brain's tendency to get stuck on mundane repetitive thoughts. It helps lots but not completely. The side-effects can be tough. I am used to them now. I sweat like I am in the shower if I exert myself in the slightest. Give it time to see if the benefits are worth the side-effects. My best to you.
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Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
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07-25-2012, 06:31 AM | #3 | ||
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Mark,
They prescribed cipralex to help with my "irritability" (as they politely put it). The depression screening showed I was not depressed even though I would say I am. I mean it sucks to not be able to do what you want , right? Between the exhaustion these cause, the warning about them possibly causing changes in the hearts electrical system and the warning that when you come off you can get brain zaps, its just too much. Starr |
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07-25-2012, 06:41 AM | #4 | ||
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A few months ago I tried Zoloft. I gave it up after 6 days because I felt so messed up I didn't feel safe to drive.
I have now been on Prozac for a little over 3 weeks. I had an upset stomach for the first week but really no other bad side affects. I actually sleep regular for the first time in over 2 years. I don't get thoughts repeating over and over; they go away easier. Another major benefit is that my anger issues have lessened considerably.
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My life has been interrupted by PCS (Post Concussion Syndrome) aka TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) due to a car wreck April 13, 2010. It can go back to normal any day now! |
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07-25-2012, 01:53 PM | #5 | ||
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I take amitryptaline which is a depression medication but the Dr. prescribed it to prevent headaches. My headaches got significantly better once I started using it for a couple weeks. I recently tried to stop taking it and found the withdrawl symptoms pretty bad and am now trying to taper off it.
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"Thanks for this!" says: | "Starr" (07-25-2012) |
07-25-2012, 02:49 PM | #6 | ||
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Legendary
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Starr,
Different SSRI's effect different people different ways. Nobody can predict how you will respond. Maybe you would respond better to a different SSRT. What steps have you taken to accept you current limitations? Changing the way you choose to respond to your limitations will make 2 improvements. You will feel less stress and you will give your brain a better opportunity to recover. Maybe the Serenity Prayer will help you. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. My best to you.
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Mark in Idaho "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | "Starr" (07-25-2012) |
07-25-2012, 04:50 PM | #7 | ||
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Quote:
I'm not sure if these are the answers to that question or not: -- I make time to nap almost daily -- I understand it takes me longer to do things and I get less done in a day than I used to, but I don't like that. -- Since paying cash causes me many problems with figuring out change etc, I now only use debit and credit cards to reduce my stress. -- I try to avoid situations that increase my symptoms or that I know will induce my anger. I see this injury as a temporary situation, I remember what it was like to be me in the past and I expect to get back there or close to there. Maybe this is the unreasonable part of my thinking? All I know is I didn't take my pill last night before bed and today I feel better than I have in a week. I still had to nap, but I didn't feel so tired that even breathing was too much work! If that's the best they can offer (and maybe its not? I've only been once to the rehab clinic) then I'll just muddle along on my own. I already feel I've given up so much and I can't do much about it, I'm not willing to give up more for a pill that may or may not eventually improve my life. I have things to do... I want to move forward from this. Starr |
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07-25-2012, 04:53 PM | #8 | ||
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Roadrunner63, your experience with zoloft sounds like my experience with cipralex. Awful, isn't it? I'm glad prozac is working for you, especially for the sleep and anger issues!
Todayistomorrow, glad to hear your headaches were better on the amitryptaline. Sorry that the withdrawal from it is unpleasant and difficult. Best of luck to you both. Starr |
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07-27-2012, 06:26 PM | #9 | |||
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Since my concussion, I have been through the following anti-depressants:
Prozac (fluoxetine) Elavil (amitriptyline) - mostly for headache prevention Celexa (citalopram) I am currently on Effexor (venlafaxine). As far as energy level goes, it is better than some of the others. I have been having more frequent and intense suicidal ideation, but the doctor thinks it's because my dose is not high enough yet. I'm tapering up and hopefully that will help.
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mTBI and PCS after sledding accident 1-17-2011 Was experiencing: Persistent headaches, fatigue, slowed cognitive functions, depression Symptoms exacerbated by being in a crowd, watching TV, driving, other miscellaneous stress & sensory overload Sciatica/piriformis syndrome with numbness & loss of reflex Largely recovered after participating in Nedley Depression Recovery Program March 2012: . Eowyn Rides Again: My Journey Back from Concussion . |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | "Starr" (07-29-2012) |
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