Boy can I sure relate to this post! I see a Pulmonologist while also receiving allergy shots. I had some unanswered questions about the immunology shots that only the Allergist could answer. Can we say the Allergist is a bit arrogant? He totally disagreed with all the med’s that the Pulmonologist has me on..commented that it was a child’s dose. Said the blood test the Pulmonary dr. did was…"A waste of money"..questioned why I was changed from Serevent MDI to the Discus and the Pulmicort. Wanted to know why I was off the Flovent and this guy already slammed into me when I said I was experiencing side effects from the Flovent he said that it was.."ALL up in my head". That Flovent doesn’t cause side effects.
The 2 newest steroid inhalers in the US are Flovent [3 strengths, MDI & DPI versions] and the Pulmicort Turbuhaler. There seems to be a lot of controversy over which of the 2 is ‘best’. My personal preferance is the Pulmicort Turbuhaler [200 ug budesonide/puff]. 200 puffs/container My doctor has to write an annual justification to my HMO to cover it, but it’s the one that works best. It has no additives, just pure drug; and no propellant. And the 200 pf/canister lasts a long time. The Serevent Discus is one I would like to transfer to since it’s also a DPI, but don’t know if my HMO will cover it. It’s a little more expensive. Note that inhaled steroid should be used in the lowest dose needed to control the problem; if all you need is a ‘child’s dose’ that’s all you should use. However this is usually called a ‘Low Dose’, not a child’s dose. Maybe a new allergist would work better. Anyway I prefer advice from your pulmonologist on asthma drugs. Ellis
It’s impossible to generalize without knowing the individuals involved. I’m a pulmonologist and I use allergists and ENT’s. While I obviously have my bias, I just note to people that the pulmonologist will be able to take care of your asthma if you are hospitalized – even if you’re so sick you wind up on a ventilator. I don’t know of any ENT’s or allergists who do this. Most allergists don’t work in the hospital at all and most tend to not be that available after hours. Further, in the case of asthma (but perhaps not in other diseases) there’s no financial incentive on the part of the pulmonologist to pursue allergy shots or surgery though these referrals are certainly available if they seem indicated. I have both sinusitis and asthma. I have been to see ENTs, allergists, and pulmonologists. And one thing I have noticed is that each type of specialist seems to be a bit "prejudiced" toward the others. That is, some allergists think that ENTs only care about surgery; some pulmonologists think they know how to treat asthmatic bronchitis better than allergists; some allergists think THEY are the best experts on asthma; etc. Anyone else noticed this? Is it just good-natured rivalry, or is there some legitimate basis for this mutual suspicion?
– Don Elton Columbia, SC http://www.midcarolina.org
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Boy can I sure relate to this post! I see a Pulmonologist while also receiving allergy shots. I had some unanswered questions about the immunology shots that only the Allergist could answer. Can we say the Allergist is a bit arrogant? He totally disagreed with all the med’s that the Pulmonologist has me on..commented that it was a child’s dose. Said the blood test the Pulmonary dr. did was…"A waste of money"..questioned why I was changed from Serevent MDI to the Discus and the Pulmicort. Wanted to know why I was off the Flovent and this guy already slammed into me when I said I was experiencing side effects from the Flovent he said that it was.."ALL up in my head". That Flovent doesn’t cause side effects. Gee…could it be all the samples of Flovent I see marching in the doors sometimes? I had mentioned that they were alot of people on the internet suffering from side effects and this jerk proceeds to tell me.."Well, if you listen to the idiots on the internet there’s nothing I can tell you"….
Denice, as one of the "Internet idiots," I would like to point you to the Clinical Pharmacology database at http://cp.gsm.com/ where under "Flovent: Adverse Reactions", it states the following: "Common adverse reactions to oral inhalation of fluticasone include pharyngitis (10
Please, does anyone know of a source besides Ford for Power Door Lock actuators. Howabout a way to disable them so the door lock wont stick in the open position? Anybody have any info on these?
Please, does anyone know of a source besides Ford for Power Door Lock actuators. Howabout a way to disable them so the door lock wont stick in the open position? Anybody have any info on these?
I get mine at the local junkyard. Usually about $5 each. if you just want to disable them, remove the actuator arm(probably easier to pull the motor out).
Please, does anyone know of a source besides Ford for Power Door Lock actuators. Howabout a way to disable them so the door lock wont stick in the open position? Anybody have any info on these?
Any stereo shop that installs alarms will have generic actuators that I’m sure you can make work in place of the Ford units. I doubt these aftermarket ones are better than the stock Ford pieces though. My experience with them is that they can be very hard to turn with the key, unless of course they’re hooked into the alarm and you never have to use the key… Tom Shaver Powerdyne + TW
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please, does anyone know of a source besides Ford for Power Door Lock actuators. Howabout a way to disable them so the door lock wont stick in the open position? Anybody have any info on these? Any stereo shop that installs alarms will have generic actuators that I’m sure you can make work in place of the Ford units. I doubt these aftermarket ones are better than the stock Ford pieces though. My experience with them is that they can be very hard to turn with the key, unless of course they’re hooked into the alarm and you never have to use the key… Tom Shaver Powerdyne + TW
You can easily remove them if you don’t want them installed or if their causing problems with the normal operation of the key unlocking/locking the door from the outside. You’ll have to remove the door panels. They’re fastened in a plastic brace by little rubber boots. Once you see the actuator you’ll notice how easy it is to remove. If you want to replace them but don’t want to pay FORDMOCO’s price for new ones I replaced mine by going to a junk yard/spare parts yard and they found some for me for 20 bucks a piece. Works great! Like new.
~ ~Please, does anyone know of a source besides Ford for Power Door Lock ~actuators. Howabout a way to disable them so the door lock wont stick in ~the open position? Anybody have any info on these? ~ ~Any stereo shop that installs alarms will have generic actuators that I’m sure ~you can make work in place of the Ford units. I doubt these aftermarket ones are ~better than the stock Ford pieces though. My experience with them is that they ~can be very hard to turn with the key, unless of course they’re hooked into the ~alarm and you never have to use the key… ~ ~Tom Shaver ~Powerdyne + TW ~You can easily remove them if you don’t want them installed or if ~their causing problems with the normal operation of the key ~unlocking/locking the door from the outside. You’ll have to remove ~the door panels. They’re fastened in a plastic brace by little rubber ~boots. Once you see the actuator you’ll notice how easy it is to ~remove. If you want to replace them but don’t want to pay FORDMOCO’s ~price for new ones I replaced mine by going to a junk yard/spare parts ~yard and they found some for me for 20 bucks a piece. Works great! ~Like new. For cars that weren’t originally equipped with power door locks, is the necessary wiring already in the door? I’ve been toying with the idea of installing them on my LX so I can get one of those lazy-man FOBs connected to the alarm to lock/unlock the doors from inside when it’s cold/rainy and such. :-) Chris — Christopher Mauritz | For info on internet access: IBS Interactive, Inc. | http://www.interactive.net/
This ‘lil tidbit from an e-mail newsletter that I get daily, thought it might be of interest to some: —— *** Asthma drugs found for exercise-induced attacks Two new asthma drugs can help prevent attacks after exercising, but one loses its effectiveness over time and the other fails to work for one-in-four sufferers, according to two studies and an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine. Most people with asthma can exercise vigorously, but they risk developing an attack if their workout ends abruptly or if they exercise in cold, dry air. The two drugs, approved earlier this year and sold under the brand names Singulair and Serevert, helped many asthma sufferers breathe easier after a workout. More importantly, the effectiveness of the medicine did not seem to wane over time. See http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2555087115-ffc —– — rls, <–not really the one– adnohr at usa dot net barenaked in san diego http://www.concentric.net/~adnohr/
This ‘lil tidbit from an e-mail newsletter that I get daily, thought it might be of interest to some: —— *** Asthma drugs found for exercise-induced attacks
What I find intresting is how long ago this information was known to the members of this newsgroup. Maybe the newspapers should start following this newsgroup?
Please do e-mail me one as I was unable to find it on the net when I looked under Chris King. A very popular name I found. Thanks, Eileen Jackson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This ‘lil tidbit from an e-mail newsletter that I get daily, thought it might be of interest to some: —— *** Asthma drugs found for exercise-induced attacks Two new asthma drugs can help prevent attacks after exercising, but one loses its effectiveness over time and the other fails to work for one-in-four sufferers, according to two studies and an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine. Most people with asthma can exercise vigorously, but they risk developing an attack if their workout ends abruptly or if they exercise in cold, dry air. The two drugs, approved earlier this year and sold under the brand names Singulair and Serevert, helped many asthma sufferers breathe easier after a workout. More importantly, the effectiveness of the medicine did not seem to wane over time. See http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2555087115-ffc —– — rls, <–not really the one– adnohr at usa dot net barenaked in san diego http://www.concentric.net/~adnohr/
writes Please do e-mail me one as I was unable to find it on the net when I looked under Chris King. A very popular name I found.
We do tend to get buried under all the stuff for cycling accessories, amongst other things. Chris (No, I’m not the guy who used to be a BBC camera-man, honest !!!) — Chris King http://www.csking.demon.co.uk
Hi to everyone! Good news about me, I think I am on my way out of depression 
Two days ago, I felt very bad, and anxious because of the effexor withdrawal. Desperately, I took 30mg mianserin for the sedative effect to sleep. (Last summer, my ex-doctor prescribed me 10mg mianserin to be taken one hour before bedtime. It was for the sedative effect to help sleep, not for antidepressant purpose. Mianserin can be sedative at low doses, but its antidepressant effect begins at 30mg daily!) The next day, (yesterday) I felt a bit drowsy, but I felt energetic in a way, and the anxiety was gone. So, I asked my doctor if it would be OK to try mianserin at 30mg/day, and he said: "Go ahead!" Today, I’m nothing but depressed! My sleep improved dramatically. I did not have those vivid dreams caused by effexor. My sleep was not disturbed. I don’t feel any anxiety, and I could go through the day with 8 hours of sleep without taking a nap. This is the first time since a very very very long time. I just can’t believe it! I never thought of taking mianserin as an antidepressant agent, because it is very sedative. I never could imagine that a sedative antidepressant could be such a wonder drug for me. I hope this does not fade! If I go on like this, I can find the energy and the courage to finish my school, and go ahead with my life. I am very hopeful this time, wish me luck best wishes for everyone out there, cem
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi to everyone! Good news about me, I think I am on my way out of depression Two days ago, I felt very bad, and anxious because of the effexor withdrawal. Desperately, I took 30mg mianserin for the sedative effect to sleep. (Last summer, my ex-doctor prescribed me 10mg mianserin to be taken one hour before bedtime. It was for the sedative effect to help sleep, not for antidepressant purpose. Mianserin can be sedative at low doses, but its antidepressant effect begins at 30mg daily!) The next day, (yesterday) I felt a bit drowsy, but I felt energetic in a way, and the anxiety was gone. So, I asked my doctor if it would be OK to try mianserin at 30mg/day, and he said: "Go ahead!" Today, I’m nothing but depressed! My sleep improved dramatically. I did not have those vivid dreams caused by effexor. My sleep was not disturbed. I don’t feel any anxiety, and I could go through the day with 8 hours of sleep without taking a nap. This is the first time since a very very very long time. I just can’t believe it! I never thought of taking mianserin as an antidepressant agent, because it is very sedative. I never could imagine that a sedative antidepressant could be such a wonder drug for me. I hope this does not fade! If I go on like this, I can find the energy and the courage to finish my school, and go ahead with my life. I am very hopeful this time, wish me luck best wishes for everyone out there, cem
Very wonderful news!! Good for you, Cem. Thanks for the wonderful post! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Sam I was on Zoloft for 6 years. It gave me back my life. Don’t be afraid of it. You only hear the negatives , never the success stories. Be well. Bob
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I guess I would do well to tell you a little bit about myself… -snipped the background- So I’ve been going to my doctor and seeing a psychologist. My GP has been trying to get me on medication for months. I take 2mg of Xanax to help me sleep (rather unsuccessfuly) and the Zoloft now. My psychologist resigned and moved interstate so I had to go to another one…it was hideous. So unpleasant. We argued for an hour. He said that I wasn’t depressed I was just very lazy and that perhaps I wasn’t as good as I think I am. I was shattered. So upset. This was about a month or so ago. I have been refusing to see one ever since. My GP wants me to see a psychiatrist but now I’m frightened of such negative judgements, I’m refusing to go. Does Zoloft only work in conjunction with therapy? Finding a good therapist that is a good match for you can often be more difficult and emotion/time consuming than finding a useful medication. And for some people all they need is the medication. Everyone is different. But one thing is for sure, medication doesn’t work as well in conjunction with a *shitty* therapist!!! Don’t give up on getting good help. Rely on your gut. If one therapist is a jerk, just remember that they are only human. Look for another one. Good luck. Maybe keep us posted (so to speak) on your efforts?? Sincerely Stewart PS. Your GP *can* prescribe zoloft for you, tho he/she *may* not want to do so, and may prefer to defer to a specialist for that. If you really want to try an antidepressant and you really don’t want to talk with a psychiatrist to get it, you can find another GP who might be more willing to prescribe it for you. Most GP’s hand out zoloft like it was candy (not that I personally think that is such a good thing, but it’s there….) — The Metaphor Man *and* The Great Defender of the Self (remove the SPAMBLOCK) Please send me an e-mail copy of your posted response.
Well, first of all finding a therapist who "fits" is important. From my own experience, I was severely depressed for for years and saw a therapist for three of those four years. We did absolutely no ‘therapy’ because I was too depressed to actually talk, but he cared about me, helped me have flashes where I almost believed I wasn’t evil – the depression was making me think so. I think I would have died if it weren’t for my therapists support. Angela
I guess I would do well to tell you a little bit about myself…
-snipped the background- So I’ve been going to my doctor and seeing a psychologist. My GP has been trying to get me on medication for months. I take 2mg of Xanax to help me sleep (rather unsuccessfuly) and the Zoloft now. My psychologist resigned and moved interstate so I had to go to another one…it was hideous. So unpleasant. We argued for an hour. He said that I wasn’t depressed I was just very lazy and that perhaps I wasn’t as good as I think I am. I was shattered. So upset. This was about a month or so ago. I have been refusing to see one ever since. My GP wants me to see a psychiatrist but now I’m frightened of such negative judgements, I’m refusing to go. Does Zoloft only work in conjunction with therapy?
Finding a good therapist that is a good match for you can often be more difficult and emotion/time consuming than finding a useful medication. And for some people all they need is the medication. Everyone is different. But one thing is for sure, medication doesn’t work as well in conjunction with a *shitty* therapist!!! Don’t give up on getting good help. Rely on your gut. If one therapist is a jerk, just remember that they are only human. Look for another one. Good luck. Maybe keep us posted (so to speak) on your efforts?? Sincerely Stewart PS. Your GP *can* prescribe zoloft for you, tho he/she *may* not want to do so, and may prefer to defer to a specialist for that. If you really want to try an antidepressant and you really don’t want to talk with a psychiatrist to get it, you can find another GP who might be more willing to prescribe it for you. Most GP’s hand out zoloft like it was candy (not that I personally think that is such a good thing, but it’s there….) — The Metaphor Man *and* The Great Defender of the Self (remove the SPAMBLOCK) Please send me an e-mail copy of your posted response.
Hi Stewart, Thanks for taking the time to write to me. I do appreciate it a whole lot. I guess I would do well to tell you a little bit about myself… I am a 19yo university student. I began uni. this year, enrolled in Arts/Music. I play classical piano. I’ve been very successful at it and was given the best teacher imaginable. he only accepted three students in the entire country. At the time I was over the moon, but very soon expectation kicked in. Success equals demise. Every time I find success, the expectations associated with it make me push myself away from it. I lasted a semester, withdrew from the Music component. People actually screamed at me. It was a hard decision. Music has always been what I do. I went to a specialist secondary school for music and dance students so it’s been my life for a long time. So that left me in Arts. I was studying Philosophy and Literature. I stopped going about 2 months ago and have failed the lot. Everything. Expectations! Always told how well I’m going to do, so I lash back against it. I’ve failed the lot. Everything. Anyway, so i’ve had a lot of time on my hands… and have been doing a lot of accompanying. Opera is my love. I am working with 4 fantastic singers at the moment. Only been doing it for a couple of months and already the expectations are kicking in. I’ve been too successful again. This really really bothers me. Positive comments from important people left, right and centre. Invited to play in front of 15 000 people on X-mas eve. And I’m not even studying music!!! So now that I’m succeeding at it, I’m losing interest….along with everything else *sigh*. I think perhaps I’m scared of success. If you are successful at something, failing at it becomes so much worse. So I’ve been going to my doctor and seeing a psychologist. My GP has been trying to get me on medication for months. I take 2mg of Xanax to help me sleep (rather unsuccessfuly) and the Zoloft now. My psychologist resigned and moved interstate so I had to go to another one…it was hideous. So unpleasant. We argued for an hour. He said that I wasn’t depressed I was just very lazy and that perhaps I wasn’t as good as I think I am. I was shattered. So upset. This was about a month or so ago. I have been refusing to see one ever since. My GP wants me to see a psychiatrist but now I’m frightened of such negative judgements, I’m refusing to go. Does Zoloft only work in conjunction with therapy? Hope to hear from you soon. Keep well and try to be happy. Sam
Hi everyone, Sam here again. I tried and tried to get myself through depression without drugs…but finally admitted defeat on Wednesday. I’m now taking Zoloft, 50mg for a week then up to 100mg. I’ve been rather alarmed at the negative response I’ve been reading online about the drug. I’m sure you’re all bored to tears by the topic, but could we please discuss Zoloft for my benefit??? I would really appreciate it *ingratiating smile* Thanks Sam
Sam, I was one of the people that was posting about negative side effects from Zoloft. But, the side effects I was having (it gave me really bad agitation and anxiety and screwed up my thinking even more than it was screwed up from the depression alone), are actually very rare side-effects for Zoloft. Many people have had good results from this drug, and it’s actually one of the drugs that causes the least amount of side effects in most people. So, I would try it, and see if it works for YOU. If it doesn’t, you can always try something else. Good luck! persephone — "It
Effexor can cause terrible nausea. You need to take it on a full stomach, and with some time (a week?) it usually dissipates. Nausea can be a side effect of SSRI’s too. The reason is that there is seratonin receptors in the stomach, and having these stimulated can make you nauseaus. It almost always goes away. Talk to your doctor, though. They are the best to help you with this stuff. Also, 50mg is a very low dose of effexor. They usually taper you up slowly to avoid side effects. But keep in mind, the average dose is around 225mg, so if 50 mg didn’t work before, that may be why. You have to give it time and taper up at your doctor’s discretion. Good luck.
I take Effexor and have not experienced that…but I know Effexor is one med that you must slowly increase your mg’s. It may have been a shock to your body taking Effexor after being off of it. I think Effexor is a good med. I hope you continue with it and it works. Chris G
Damn.. I haven’t posted here in awhile, but I was just wondering if anyone has experienced something similar to what I just did. A bit of history first.. I was in a very bad place a few months, mentally. I don’t want to go into the whole thing, but I wasn’t interested in anything in life, to put it mildly. No medication that they tried worked (Prozac, Effexor), so I stopped taking it. My condition slowly and eventually improved to the point where I can now funciton in life. Something is still missing (which I don’t know if I’ll ever get back), but I am able to laugh and have a good time again. Lately, I’ve been getting an empty feeling that I had before again.. not as strong, but it’s still there. So, today I decided to start taking Effexor again (I have a bag full of it left over). I took 50mg about an hour ago. While I was playing the game Half-Life, this overwhelming wave of nausea came over me. I have never felt it that strongly before.. I went into my bathroom and dry heaved for about 5 minutes before the feeling passed (I haven’t eaten since yesterday – I would’ve definitely vomited if I had). Well, the nausea is gone, and I hope it doesn’t come back (especially since I have a job interview in 45 minutes). Has anybody else experienced anything like this with anti-depressants? I don’t think the game helped, as it is a 3D shooter that can be nausea inducing. I’m kind of afraid to take it tomorrow, now.. Web site: http://www.blarghnet.com/supper "What do you do when your roots have dissolved and broken down And the soil that you grew in when you were small Has become nothing more than dirt In some dirty town" – Marillion, "This Town"
HELP! I just got an email on Zoloft not warning public about depression being a side effect and the Phil Hartman family is suing cuz his wife was on Zoloft….course she was also on cocaine and alcohol when she shot him. Anyway my breathing symptom has made me depressed and yesterday I had some pretty hard thoughts about my depression. I not a depressed person I dont think and I even posted this. I know the media likes to exagerate any meds sometimes like they say prozac causes violence (probably Littleton teen were on meds).Anyway would like feedback. Hey if it block my pa’s its a great drug for me. Take care Brenda in her fourth week of Zoloft.
Typical, she was stoned out of her brain on coke and booze, but the And in the high school shooting the guys involved were taunted etc for years, but because one was on Luvox, naturally the med was And for a long time Prozac was the "demon" med from hell because some of it’s users commited suicide, totally ignoring the fact that about 20% of those with emotional disorders try this, thats why many were on BULLSHIT!!! Ian
thnaks for reminding me how hypersensitive we are to news. Listen to this news flash….. (since we are so hypersensitive to suggestion) SSRI are making people well again….drug companies will probably lower the costs Society accredite psych drugs to helping people get along…no more wars Studies show after year of the stigma of pschologically challenged people find out they had all the answers…. The PDOC were more informed (due to med that gives you PD for one year before you can become a PDOC) prayer brought back into school road ragers given tickets and script for Prozac and Cowboys actually had a better season…..welll maybe not that one
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -thnaks for reminding me how hypersensitive we are to news. Listen to this news flash….. (since we are so hypersensitive to suggestion) SSRI are making people well again….drug companies will probably lower the costs Society accredite psych drugs to helping people get along…no more wars Studies show after year of the stigma of pschologically challenged people find out they had all the answers…. The PDOC were more informed (due to med that gives you PD for one year before you can become a PDOC) prayer brought back into school road ragers given tickets and script for Prozac and Cowboys actually had a better season…..welll maybe not that one
LOL. But this could happen if a certain "herb" is legalised!!!! But, maybe not, IME most journos are already supplementing their alcohol intake with one or other of the "feel good" *meds* not normally available at you friendly neighbourhood pharmacy. Ian
HELP! I just got an email on Zoloft not warning public about depression being a side effect and the Phil Hartman family is suing cuz his wife was on Zoloft….course she was also on cocaine and alcohol when she shot him. Anyway my breathing symptom has made me depressed and yesterday I had some pretty hard thoughts about my depression. I not a depressed person I dont think and I even posted this. I know the media likes to exagerate any meds sometimes like they say prozac causes violence (probably Littleton teen were on meds).Anyway would like feedback. Hey if it block my pa’s its a great drug for me. Take care Brenda in her fourth week of Zoloft.
Hi Brenda…I also, read this is in the paper(about HArtman’s wife) but as you already mentioned…she was on cocaine as well….i would more than likely blame the coke. I’ve been on Zoloft for 5 years, and it did not alter me a a person. Kerrie
If you suddenly start collecting firearms and have a desire for black trench coats then you should stop the meds. Imo anybody who commits acts of violence is predisposed to the meds are an excuse. If the dose of an ad is too high people can get hypomanic or a little uncaring a little too spontaneous a little too too-but most people with anxiety could use that little too too so don’t sweat the se of these drugs liten up stop reading this shit and try and relax–if the med isn’t working for you in a few more weeks try another or give it up. Everybody looks for real stupid excuses for peoples stupid behavior this woem killed a man she’s nuts-period- the kids in co. were off the fn wall there is no excuse just real sick minds. These meds are scary but taking asprin is scary too no? Watching the news and reading this stuff when highly sensitized makes you feel ill–so don’t do it for a while LM
I’ve been on Zoloft for 6 years and I haven’t killed anyone (yet). :-) My, we’re a suggestable lot. And we have so many side effects to pick from. Sometimes I just read the PDR and wonder if I have the symptoms listed. Sometime I do. But other times I’m not sure (but I never eliminate the possibility that I might!). I also do the "what if" thing. That’s when I don’t have the symptom, but I start wondering "what if" if I did get the symptom. (Just because I don’t have it now is no guarantee I won’t have it in the future!). And there’s another part of that "what if" thing: that’s when I read the side effects, and don’t have them, but I say "what if" I DO HAVE them, but I just don’t realize I have them. Well, I better go now. I feel like I need to throw up. Also I’ve been thinking about the woman on Zoloft who killed her husband. What was her dose? I’m on a pretty low dose, I hope. I don’t have any guns in the house, but I keep a baseball bat under the bed in case of burglars. I’ve never heard of anyone killing himself with a baseball bat, BUT, "what if" it’s possible? Sometimes I think I worry too much. But, other times I say "what if" I never worried. Now thats got me worried. Are they sure it was the Zoloft that did it? Even if they don’t know for sure, it could have been. Probably was. : – )
HELP! I just got an email on Zoloft not warning public about depression being a side effect and the Phil Hartman family is suing cuz his wife was on Zoloft….course she was also on cocaine and alcohol when she shot him. Anyway my breathing symptom has made me depressed and yesterday I had some pretty hard thoughts about my depression. I not a depressed person I dont think and I even posted this. I know the media likes to exagerate any meds sometimes like they say prozac causes violence (probably Littleton teen were on meds).Anyway would like feedback. Hey if it block my pa’s its a great drug for me. Take care Brenda in her fourth week of Zoloft.
I would continue with the Zoloft if I were you. It’s still early days. Zoloft is an *antidepressant* so it’s more likely to counteract than to cause depression although it possibly can occur as a very are adverse effect. If depression was a documented side effect of Zoloft, the manufacturer would have mentioned it in the insert were it only to be legally covered just in case. The media hype around SSRI’s and violence can safely be ignored IMO. Let them change education and the school system and a few other things about contemporary society g, that’s where the real problems are. People do all kinds of things while being on meds or not – any causality is highly unlikely. You are, like most of us, a sensitive soul and a med phobic but please give Zoloft time – after another four weeks you will either feel *much* better or know for sure that Zoloft is not the med for you. My money is on success. Philip
i am 30 years of age and two years ago-suffered a major panic attact and then depression-PAXIL has been a life saver-the first dose was bad for me, but then it was ok i think you should give it a try-but take it faithfully-just recently i skipped a few doses and the attacks and depression are back-i saw my doctor last week and she gave me a presc. to take with my paxil -10grams of celex-i haven’t tried yet-as panic suffers are against medication-i think i am fixing to try it-good luck let me know how it turns out
i am 30 years of age and two years ago-suffered a major panic attact and then depression-PAXIL has been a life saver-the first dose was bad for me, but then it was ok i think you should give it a try-but take it faithfully-just recently i skipped a few doses and the attacks and depression are back-i saw my doctor last week and she gave me a presc. to take with my paxil -10grams of celex-i haven’t tried yet-as panic suffers are against medication-i think i am fixing to try it-good luck let me know how it turns out
Do you mean *Celexa?* In that case I would be interested to know why your doctor prescribes two SRI’s for you. Not that I think it’s wrong, just interested. Philip
Dolores, I’m so sorry for your loss. Thanksgiving was melancholy for me because my mom is in a nursing home after having a stroke 3 weeks ago. I know it’s not the same as losing someone to death, but she’s not the same person anymore so in that sense I’m grieving the loss of the beautiful mother I knew. Christmas won’t be much better I’m afraid. I’m on Paxil and I can highly recommend it, if you’re not bothered by the sexual side effects. I’m not married so it’s no big deal for me. I’m not sure if Zoloft is the same way. Anyway, Paxil got me through some very rough times over the past few weeks (with a little help from xanax) so I can recommend it from personal experience. If you go with Paxil, I would start ASAP because by the time the holidays hit it should have kicked in for you. Start slowly at about 10 mg. and increase after 10 days or so. All with your doctor’s guidance, of course. Best of luck and let us know how you’re doing. Sharon
i TRIED PAXIL FOR 2 MONTHS AND I WAS A ZOMBIE ALL THE TIME, I FELL ASLEEP DRIVING TWICE, NOW I AM ON MY 3RD MONTH OF ZOLOFT AND DOING GREAT! GOOD LUCK
I knew the holidays were going to be rough this year (widowed 4/98) and I also felt that the .5 mg of Klonopin wasn’t going to carry me though the next month. I was right. I’ve been weepy for the last two weeks, and the panic and anxiety are starting up again, which I have been free of since August! So you see, I need to do something. I’m so sick of this and wish I could propel myself into the future just to be normal again. Tomorrow I’m going to make an appt. to get my meds changed. I think I need the SSRI as my doc kept drilling into me, but Prozac didn’t work well for me. So what has been your experiences with Paxil or Zoloft? I have a friend who said Paxil gave him diahrea -don’t want that! Would a Zoloft/Klonopin mix work? Does that sound reasonable?
Maybe you only have to raise the Klonopin dose from .5 mgs to the average therapeutic dose which is around 3 mgs. If that doesn’t work after, say, two weeks, it might be a good idea to add an AD. Zoloft and Klonopin make a good combination if you’re not troubles by Zoloft side effects such as sexual dysfunction. Philip
Try the Paxil. You need to really give it a chance, though. It can take up to three weeks to notice any results. The thing with medications such as Paxil, people think they will feel ‘happy’, or their problems will go away. This is not true. It will put you in a mindset to deal with your problems like ‘normal’ people. Normal meaning: someone with regular amounts of serratonnin in their brain. Good luck. S
I knew the holidays were going to be rough this year (widowed 4/98)
Dolores, I am so sorry for the death of your husband….. death is never easy to deal with when it comes to someone you love, but, the holidays can just stink, because of it. I lost my step mom (who truly *was* my mother, in the highest sense of the word) four years ago, this month. Then my sister, two years ago, this month, and last year, my grandmother. Novembers just BLOW, AFAIC. I think I know some of what you’re feeling, and I am feeling right along with you. Taking an antidepressant is a good starting place. When life is this tough, you sometimes need a biological correction to get you to a point where you can help yourself heal. (healthy diet, exercise, socializing, hobbies, etc.) It can really make the difference between being so stuck that you can’t find a way out, and feeling confident enough to work on taking care of yourself. There is also the phenomena associated with extended grief, which I am very familiar with — it can promote anxiety, panic attacks, clinical depression and obsessive thinking. Physically, it can prompt a first diagnosis of fibromyalgia in a person who is prone to it, and it can also compromise your immune system. Any of the a/d’s are probably as good as any others to start with, as there is no "blood test" they can do to target what biochemicals are unbalanced. You’ve already tried Prozac, so that probably isn’t an option, right now. There are many very effective ones out there, but, none of them are correct for everyone. Celexa seems to be the most promising as far as limited side effects. Maybe you could suggest that one to your doctor. He’s probably been bombarded with samples from the pharmaceutical rep, anyway. I’ve tried about eight or ten different ones, over the last two years, and haven’t yet found the one that works best for me. All have seemed to have their complications, even though I start each trial with every hope that this time, I’ve got the *right* one. <G But, this seems to be a lot more to do with the other disorders and dysfunctions that I have than it has to do with effects on the Panic Disorder. You’ll have to try them until you find the one that suits you. Most people hit on the right one within just a few tries, I would bet. (Just from what I’ve read on ASAP and mailing lists. So, you should feel confident that there is help on the way. If you go with Paxil, you will need to start with "micro" doses – very small doses, to avoid triggering anxiety and some of the side effects (Which vary tremendously from person to person!) If you take Paxil for more than about two months (I think that’s right?) you will also have to discontinue it slowly. Zoloft is another good choice — it works wonders for many people. As do Serzone, Effexor, and some of the older tricyclics. AFAIK, all of the antidepressants can be used at the same time as the benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin. But, just a thought — Klonopin is known to induce depression in some anxiety patients, while xanax has an anti-depressant effect all by itself, in others. I am not sure that only .5mg/day of Klonopin would be enough to induce dysphoria or depression, but, if you are susceptible to that particular effect, it can’t be doing the depression much good. At the same time, I am not sure that only .5mg/day of Klonopin is enough to keep the anxiety under control, but, maybe someone else can jump in here. It might be trial and error, but, OTOH, it just might be "trial and win!" in your case. Very best of luck to you!! Elizabeth
I knew the holidays were going to be rough this year (widowed 4/98) and I also felt that the .5 mg of Klonopin wasn’t going to carry me though the next month. I was right. I’ve been weepy for the last two weeks, and the panic and anxiety are starting up again, which I have been free of since August! So you see, I need to do something. I’m so sick of this and wish I could propel myself into the future just to be normal again. Tomorrow I’m going to make an appt. to get my meds changed. I think I need the SSRI as my doc kept drilling into me, but Prozac didn’t work well for me. So what has been your experiences with Paxil or Zoloft? I have a friend who said Paxil gave him diahrea -don’t want that! Would a Zoloft/Klonopin mix work? Does that sound reasonable?
Ann, Just wanted to compliment you on your great response to the man asking about the side effects of SJW. Great job! Ginny
Just wanted to compliment you on your great response to the man asking about the side effects of SJW. Great job! Ginny
Why, thank you SO much, Ginny — you really made my evening!! :-) Anne ^ ^ {__} The only problem with finally making it to the top of the mountain is that the only way to go from there is DOWN.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE BELOW YOu mentioned that you are not interested in the Prozac "nation" type of drugs. Please don’t forget that St. John’s Wort, even though it’s an herb is still a chemical. In particular, it is a MAO (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor). There are many prescription drugs that are chemically related. All MAO inhibitor drugs have problems with interactions with OTC medications as well as many foods that contain high amounts of Tyrosine (i.e., aged meats and cheeses). If your depression is severe enough, I wouln’t discount the effectiveness of certain prescription drugs. Prozac got a bad rap because of its misuse by doctors that wanted to prescribe for things such as weight loss, etc. Only a trained Psychiatrist would know when to prescribe because Prozac can bring on manic episodes if the person is predisposed to bi-polar depression. Many people think (the uninformed ones) that herbs are completely safe because they are natural. They are still powerful chemicals and you have to be completely informed about their appropriate use. Personally, I have tried St. John’s Wort with no effect. I am currently on Effexor and have seen dramatic improvement in the span of only 2 weeks. Hope this information helps. Please be aware, that the above dialogue is my opinion. Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have a question regarding possible side-effects from St John’s Wort and have not been able to find an answer anywhere else. I’ve looked in over a dozen book that mention SJW/Hypercium and checked with two pharmacists, yet found no mention or possible explanation for my situation. Having wrestled with depression for some time (the diagnosis from a Doc was Dystimia), it was suggested by a friend who suffers from bouts of depression, and-off the record-by a psychiatrist, that I try SJW and see if it helped. The initial results were *very* promising: I felt balanced, energized and normal for the first time in I don’t know how long. Aside from some slight indigestion and grumbling bowels (which were not a problem when I took the SJW with a good breakfast), there were no immediate difficulties. However, about one month into taking SJW I began to have trouble sitting for long periods due to what felt like swollen testicles. They became very sensitive and I began to experience that most unpleasant of male maladies-cracking one’s nuts-on a daily basis. At first I thought I had another hernia (having had one 10 years ago), for the pressure and irritation on and around my lower abdomen was similar. Still, the pressure was different enough-and had started after I started taking SJW-that I suspected otherwise. Perhaps there was an unfortunate interaction between the SJW and some of the other medications I have to take (in this case, for allergies and for psoriasis). I stopped taking everything, and within 10 days the pressure on my testicles was gone. I’d like to start taking the SJW again, but want first to see if there is any knowledge or documentaion of side effects of this nature. The manufacturer’s blanket warning on the SJW bottle (more of a "cover your ass" for the parent company than a conveyor of information) mentions that one should consider avoiding the product if you’ve had prostrate enlargement in the past-yet I have found no where any mention of either prostrate enlargement or testicular swelling as a side-effect of hypercium. One book on herbal medicines did mention that while taking SJW one should abstain from coffee, tea, alcohol ("Great!…now what am I going to drink?!?) and a huge list of foods…but gave no explanation as to why someone should alter their diet such. It’s very important to me to clear up this question (hence my willingness to let it "all hang out" for the on-line world to see), for the positive effects of St Joh’s were extremely helpful in getting my life back on track. (And for the record, while I ‘ve been prescribed Prozac, I am in no way interested in joining the ProzacNation and dealing with my situation chemically. This is an absolute last-resort measure.) Thanks to anyone who has an answer to this, J.P.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a question regarding possible side-effects from St John’s Wort and have not been able to find an answer anywhere else. I’ve looked in over a dozen book that mention SJW/Hypercium and checked with two pharmacists, yet found no mention or possible explanation for my situation. Having wrestled with depression for some time (the diagnosis from a Doc was Dystimia), it was suggested by a friend who suffers from bouts of depression, and-off the record-by a psychiatrist, that I try SJW and see if it helped. The initial results were *very* promising: I felt balanced, energized and normal for the first time in I don’t know how long. Aside from some slight indigestion and grumbling bowels (which were not a problem when I took the SJW with a good breakfast), there were no immediate difficulties. However, about one month into taking SJW I began to have trouble sitting for long periods due to what felt like swollen testicles. They became very sensitive and I began to experience that most unpleasant of male maladies-cracking one’s nuts-on a daily basis. At first I thought I had another hernia (having had one 10 years ago), for the pressure and irritation on and around my lower abdomen was similar. Still, the pressure was different enough-and had started after I started taking SJW-that I suspected otherwise. Perhaps there was an unfortunate interaction between the SJW and some of the other medications I have to take (in this case, for allergies and for psoriasis).
Testicular swelling is a known possible side-effect of some of the tricyclic antidepressant drugs such as imipramine. I suspect that St. John’s Wort’s mode of action is similar to the tricyclic class of antidepressants and shares this possible side-effect with them. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I stopped taking everything, and within 10 days the pressure on my testicles was gone. I’d like to start taking the SJW again, but want first to see if there is any knowledge or documentaion of side effects of this nature. The manufacturer’s blanket warning on the SJW bottle (more of a "cover your ass" for the parent company than a conveyor of information) mentions that one should consider avoiding the product if you’ve had prostrate enlargement in the past-yet I have found no where any mention of either prostrate enlargement or testicular swelling as a side-effect of hypercium. One book on herbal medicines did mention that while taking SJW one should abstain from coffee, tea, alcohol ("Great!…now what am I going to drink?!?) and a huge list of foods…but gave no explanation as to why someone should alter their diet such. It’s very important to me to clear up this question (hence my willingness to let it "all hang out" for the on-line world to see), for the positive effects of St Joh’s were extremely helpful in getting my life back on track. (And for the record, while I ‘ve been prescribed Prozac, I am in no way interested in joining the ProzacNation and dealing with my situation chemically. This is an absolute last-resort measure.)
I don’t understand your reluctance to try Prozac since St. John’s Wort is also a chemical treatment of depression. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Thanks to anyone who has an answer to this, J.P.
However, about one month into taking SJW I began to have trouble sitting for long periods due to what felt like swollen testicles. They became very sensitive and I began to experience that most unpleasant of male maladies-cracking one’s nuts-on a daily basis. At first I thought I had another hernia (having had one 10 years ago), for the pressure and irritation on and around my lower abdomen was similar. Still, the pressure was different enough-and had started after I started taking SJW-that I suspected otherwise.
J.P. – I’m so glad to hear that you have had such good results overall with St. John’s Wort. Most of what has been said about your problem in this thread so far has been fairly good advice (particularly that concerning the need for being careful of the MAOI-like effects of SJW, and possible VERY adverse food/drug interactions because of that). I haven’t heard of the discomfort that you are describing PRECISELY, but I have heard of something a little bit similar. A patient contacted me to ask about a rather strange sort of experience that he was having, wherein he would develop considerable abdominal distention and discomfort, while finding himself to also be developing a spontaneous penile erection at the same time. After extensive questioning, it was finally determined that this person would develop these strange, distressing symptoms after ingesting an assortment of herbs that he was taking in order to "enhance" his immune system. As you will see from other posts on this board, just because a preparation is sold as an "herbal" preparation over the counter, without a prescription; that in NO WAY means that it is entirely innocuous!! In this other person’s case, I finally figured out that what he was having was an odd sort of allergic reaction to the herbs that he was taking, and this was how it was manifesting for him. When I pointed this out to him, he then related to me an experience that he had had of taking a preparation containing the herb yohimbine; and then having this strange type of side effect SO severely that he (in his own words) nearly passed out and ejaculated at the same time while riding on the subway. It sounds to me, J.P., as if what you are describing is some sort of mild allergice reaction to the SJW. One VERY common response to an allergic reaction to something is to retain fluid. My guess would be that you might very well just be experiencing/noticing the fluid retention of an allergic reaction to the SJW primarily in the scrotal and testicular area. Part of the biochemical reaction of an allergic reaction is for the body to release excess amounts of a body chemical known as "histamine". One of the effects of histamine is to mediate sexual response. In the case of this other individual, he was experiencing that effect somewhat in the extreme. Perhaps you are experiencing a combination of that, along with some fluid retention — and the resultant effect is the sensations that you have described. Does what you experience resemble that old male malady commonly referred to colloquially as "blue balls"? If so, then I would say that what you are experiencing IS indeed an excess histamine response. If that is the case, you could try an over-the-counter antihistamine (such as ChlorTrimeton or Benadryl) to see if that might help to relieve this problem. You might also try adding something such as Zantac (which is a partial histamine H-2 blocker), too. Unfortunately, I don’t know if the addition of something such as these histamine blockers will negate the beneficial effects of the SJW. Probably the only way to tell is to just simply give it a try. (They shouldn’t interact adversely with the SJW — I can’t tell you about the other medications that you may be taking, though.) Although this probably isn’t of any concern to you at this time of year, one other not-insignificant side effect of SJW is photosensitivity. What this means is that you need to be VERY careful of exposure to ultra-violet light. If you get too much while taking the SJW, you could very easily develop a very bad sunburn and/or bad rash. Just for the record, to correct a few other minor things that have been said in this thread — it is TYRAMINE in various foods that is of concern when taking an MAOI — not tyrosine. (Tyrosine is the precursor to tyramine, which then breaks down to norepinephrine in the body. Not all tyrosine breaks down to tyramine, though; and not all foods high in tyramine are also high in tyrosine.) MAOI drugs can interact adversely with foods that are high in tyramine (as well as with numerous other medications), and cause a VERY serious — possibly even fatal — hypertensive crisis, J.P. That is the reason why that book advised against the ingestion of certain foods and beverages when taking SJW. Also, you probably were told that you suffer from "dysthymia" — not "distimia". And don’t be TOO quick to knock Prozac — it has saved many people’s lives, and greatly improved many other people’s lives. No — it’s not a miracle nor a panacea — but nor is it the much-maligned boogey-man that it’s been made out to be, either. Much like many things in this world, it is an inanimate object — and is what we make of it — good OR bad. Anyway, I hope that this might be of some help to you. Good luck! Anne ^ ^ {__} Have you ever felt as if you’ve finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel — only to discover that it’s really a locomotive aimed straight at you?
You mentioned the use of Prozac as a way to treat depression, and the "Prozac nation." I am in no way interested in joining the ProzacNation and dealing with my situation chemically. During my course of treatment for depression I was prescribed several medications, including Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, and Imiprimine. Imiprimine was one that I did not tolerate well. My Psych. then prescribed Zoloft, To which I eventually developed a tolerance; then Effexor, same problem; then Prozac, which I took for a little over 2yrs. I am now taking SJW to help combat some situational "blues" and a mild case of Seasonal Affected Disorder (Wintertime Blues). During this time I am ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN PSYCHOTHERAPY. My piont is that no one can Heal depression with just chemicals. If you don’t deal with the life situations that are exacerbating your depression, you may end up taking chemicals for the rest of your life. I am aware that there are some people out there who are diagnosed with depression as a chemical imbalance. This may ne so, but far more use chemicals to keep from dealing with the shit floating around in their head. In these situations the meds are just a cop-out. If you are interested in more about SJW try reading: THE NATURAL PROZAC PROGRAM by Johnathan Zeus M.D. For more info on depressioI recommend tracking down a copy of HEALING DEPRESSION, but I don’t have the author’s name handy. I’ll get off ny soapbox now. Rowan Rowan "To Do Is To Be." -Plato "To Be Is To Do." -Socrates "Do Be Do Be Do" -Sinatra
YOu mentioned that you are not interested in the Prozac "nation" type of drugs. Please don’t forget that St. John’s Wort, even though it’s an herb is still a chemical. In particular, it is a MAO (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor). There are many prescription drugs that are chemically related. All MAO inhibitor drugs have problems with interactions with OTC medications as well as many foods that contain high amounts of Tyrosine (i.e., aged meats and cheeses). If your depression is severe enough, I wouln’t discount the effectiveness of certain prescription drugs. Prozac got a bad rap because of its misuse by doctors that wanted to prescribe for things such as weight loss, etc. Only a trained Psychiatrist would know when to prescribe because Prozac can bring on manic episodes if the person is predisposed to bi-polar depression.
I’ve never heard of the prostate warning either (see original message below), but SJW’s mild MAOI property together with the allergy meds (if they contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine [other no-no's?]) could theoretically cause some overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system (mostly high blood pressure), but again, I’ve never heard of testicle problems being part of the syndrome (I have heard of one man who experienced some kind of partial paralysis or loss of sensation in his penis on SJW). You (J. P.) might want to ask your pharmacist if a MAOI _drug_ together with any of the meds you’re taking could cause your symptoms. Regardless of the answer, if you’d like to stick with the SJW, a trial of it sans any meds that are contraindicated for people using MAOIs (your pharmacist, the web, or the library can give you the details) would be an option. If you could let us/me know how it works out (I write about health — including SJW — professionally), I would appreciate it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Many people think (the uninformed ones) that herbs are completely safe because they are natural. They are still powerful chemicals and you have to be completely informed about their appropriate use. Personally, I have tried St. John’s Wort with no effect. I am currently on Effexor and have seen dramatic improvement in the span of only 2 weeks. Hope this information helps. Please be aware, that the above dialogue is my opinion. Jeff I have a question regarding possible side-effects from St John’s Wort and have not been able to find an answer anywhere else. I’ve looked in over a dozen book that mention SJW/Hypercium and checked with two pharmacists, yet found no mention or possible explanation for my situation. Having wrestled with depression for some time (the diagnosis from a Doc was Dystimia), it was suggested by a friend who suffers from bouts of depression, and-off the record-by a psychiatrist, that I try SJW and see if it helped. The initial results were *very* promising: I felt balanced, energized and normal for the first time in I don’t know how long. Aside from some slight indigestion and grumbling bowels (which were not a problem when I took the SJW with a good breakfast), there were no immediate difficulties. However, about one month into taking SJW I began to have trouble sitting for long periods due to what felt like swollen testicles. They became very sensitive and I began to experience that most unpleasant of male maladies-cracking one’s nuts-on a daily basis. At first I thought I had another hernia (having had one 10 years ago), for the pressure and irritation on and around my lower abdomen was similar. Still, the pressure was different enough-and had started after I started taking SJW-that I suspected otherwise. Perhaps there was an unfortunate interaction between the SJW and some of the other medications I have to take (in this case, for allergies and for psoriasis). I stopped taking everything, and within 10 days the pressure on my testicles was gone. I’d like to start taking the SJW again, but want first to see if there is any knowledge or documentaion of side effects of this nature. The manufacturer’s blanket warning on the SJW bottle (more of a "cover your ass" for the parent company than a conveyor of information) mentions that one should consider avoiding the product if you’ve had prostrate enlargement in the past-yet I have found no where any mention of either prostrate enlargement or testicular swelling as a side-effect of hypercium. One book on herbal medicines did mention that while taking SJW one should abstain from coffee, tea, alcohol ("Great!…now what am I going to drink?!?) and a huge list of foods…but gave no explanation as to why someone should alter their diet such. It’s very important to me to clear up this question (hence my willingness to let it "all hang out" for the on-line world to see), for the positive effects of St Joh’s were extremely helpful in getting my life back on track. (And for the record, while I ‘ve been prescribed Prozac, I am in no way interested in joining the ProzacNation and dealing with my situation chemically. This is an absolute last-resort measure.) Thanks to anyone who has an answer to this, J.P.
Syd **** Syd Baumel author of Dealing With Depression Naturally (Keats Publishing Inc., 1995)
Dunno.. Sounds a bit ’strange’ to me.. But I have been wondering about the effects of "getting off" the stuff… Possibly (also?) just a coincidence, but I felt a ‘major case’ of the blues after going without the stuff for a few days awhile ago. Much worse than anything I can remember experiencing before starting to take the stuff!
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have a question regarding possible side-effects from St John’s Wort and have not been able to find an answer anywhere else. I’ve looked in over a dozen book that mention SJW/Hypercium and checked with two pharmacists, yet found no mention or possible explanation for my situation. Having wrestled with depression for some time (the diagnosis from a Doc was Dystimia), it was suggested by a friend who suffers from bouts of depression, and-off the record-by a psychiatrist, that I try SJW and see if it helped. The initial results were *very* promising: I felt balanced, energized and normal for the first time in I don’t know how long. Aside from some slight indigestion and grumbling bowels (which were not a problem when I took the SJW with a good breakfast), there were no immediate difficulties. However, about one month into taking SJW I began to have trouble sitting for long periods due to what felt like swollen testicles. They became very sensitive and I began to experience that most unpleasant of male maladies-cracking one’s nuts-on a daily basis. At first I thought I had another hernia (having had one 10 years ago), for the pressure and irritation on and around my lower abdomen was similar. Still, the pressure was different enough-and had started after I started taking SJW-that I suspected otherwise. Perhaps there was an unfortunate interaction between the SJW and some of the other medications I have to take (in this case, for allergies and for psoriasis). I stopped taking everything, and within 10 days the pressure on my testicles was gone. I’d like to start taking the SJW again, but want first to see if there is any knowledge or documentaion of side effects of this nature. The manufacturer’s blanket warning on the SJW bottle (more of a "cover your ass" for the parent company than a conveyor of information) mentions that one should consider avoiding the product if you’ve had prostrate enlargement in the past-yet I have found no where any mention of either prostrate enlargement or testicular swelling as a side-effect of hypercium. One book on herbal medicines did mention that while taking SJW one should abstain from coffee, tea, alcohol ("Great!…now what am I going to drink?!?) and a huge list of foods…but gave no explanation as to why someone should alter their diet such. It’s very important to me to clear up this question (hence my willingness to let it "all hang out" for the on-line world to see), for the positive effects of St Joh’s were extremely helpful in getting my life back on track. (And for the record, while I ‘ve been prescribed Prozac, I am in no way interested in joining the ProzacNation and dealing with my situation chemically. This is an absolute last-resort measure.) Thanks to anyone who has an answer to this, J.P.
I have a question regarding possible side-effects from St John’s Wort and have not been able to find an answer anywhere else. I’ve looked in over a dozen book that mention SJW/Hypercium and checked with two pharmacists, yet found no mention or possible explanation for my situation. Having wrestled with depression for some time (the diagnosis from a Doc was Dystimia), it was suggested by a friend who suffers from bouts of depression, and-off the record-by a psychiatrist, that I try SJW and see if it helped. The initial results were *very* promising: I felt balanced, energized and normal for the first time in I don’t know how long. Aside from some slight indigestion and grumbling bowels (which were not a problem when I took the SJW with a good breakfast), there were no immediate difficulties. However, about one month into taking SJW I began to have trouble sitting for long periods due to what felt like swollen testicles. They became very sensitive and I began to experience that most unpleasant of male maladies-cracking one’s nuts-on a daily basis. At first I thought I had another hernia (having had one 10 years ago), for the pressure and irritation on and around my lower abdomen was similar. Still, the pressure was different enough-and had started after I started taking SJW-that I suspected otherwise. Perhaps there was an unfortunate interaction between the SJW and some of the other medications I have to take (in this case, for allergies and for psoriasis). I stopped taking everything, and within 10 days the pressure on my testicles was gone. I’d like to start taking the SJW again, but want first to see if there is any knowledge or documentaion of side effects of this nature. The manufacturer’s blanket warning on the SJW bottle (more of a "cover your ass" for the parent company than a conveyor of information) mentions that one should consider avoiding the product if you’ve had prostrate enlargement in the past-yet I have found no where any mention of either prostrate enlargement or testicular swelling as a side-effect of hypercium. One book on herbal medicines did mention that while taking SJW one should abstain from coffee, tea, alcohol ("Great!…now what am I going to drink?!?) and a huge list of foods…but gave no explanation as to why someone should alter their diet such. It’s very important to me to clear up this question (hence my willingness to let it "all hang out" for the on-line world to see), for the positive effects of St Joh’s were extremely helpful in getting my life back on track. (And for the record, while I ‘ve been prescribed Prozac, I am in no way interested in joining the ProzacNation and dealing with my situation chemically. This is an absolute last-resort measure.) Thanks to anyone who has an answer to this, J.P.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m a new poster to this list and I am hoping that someone out there can give me some advice on Effexor. I take anti-depressants for chronic pain. I just recently switched from Serzone to Effexor. The Serzone was working well, but I was having trouble concentrating. I have been taking the Effexor for two weeks. When I first started taking it, I was taking 75 mg. per day, but I had terrible side effects. I had panic attacks, blurred vision so bad I couldn’t drive, twitching/shaking, and more. I’ve cut the dosage down to 37.5 but I’m still having some sleep disturbances and difficulty achieving orgasm. Other than that, I’m actually feeling pretty good on it? Does anybody have any input on this? Or had any experiences with side effects?
Been on it about 9-10 months. Have had mostly good to say about it (but the first couple of days were tough). The side effects have waned considerably without excessive loss of efficacy. I still don’t sleep well though unless I take my nighly Ambien. I don’t know if that particularly side effect will ever go away. Given that I already had problems with insomnia… But by and large it’s been great for me. The only times that it seems to not keep me from slipping are hormone upheaval times and I’d have to guess by your address name that this won’t be a problem for you. (too much anyway). Take care and good luck, KCat — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:
I take anti-depressants for chronic pain. I just recently switched from Serzone to Effexor. The Serzone was working well, but I was having trouble concentrating. I have been taking the Effexor for two weeks. When I first started taking it, I was taking 75 mg. per day, but I had terrible side effects. I had panic attacks, blurred vision so bad I couldn’t drive, twitching/shaking, and more.
I am currently taking Effexor myself at 150mg a day with no severe problems. It took me over two weeks to adjust to it though. The very first day I took the medication was not very pleasant, as I recall. I had all kinds of side effects for the first two weeks. These side effects grew less with time. I’ve cut the dosage down to 37.5 but I’m still having some sleep disturbances and difficulty achieving orgasm. Other than that, I’m actually feeling pretty good on it? Does anybody have any input on this? Or had any experiences with side effects?
Effexor can cause both of the problems you describe. In my case, my last dosage is at 4 PM so I do not have problems sleeping. Maybe you should consult your doctor over the times you take the medication. Effexor can cause anorgasmia and other anomalies of that kind (I know!), but except in severe cases this should not be a severe problem (in some ways it can be viewed as an advantage!). If you need more details feel free to mail me at (remove the —-)
I have been taking the Effexor for two weeks. When I first started taking it, I was taking 75 mg. per day, but I had terrible side effects.
My doctor started me out at 37.5 per day for a few days, then I went up to 75. Now, I’m at 150. Of the four ADs I’ve been on, Effexor has probably been the least annoying. I’ve cut the dosage down to 37.5 but I’m still having some sleep disturbances and difficulty achieving orgasm.
Effexor tends to be stimulating. My pdoc had me go with the last dose about 4 PM and that helped. (Actually, as long as I don’t take it immediately before going to bed.) Other than that, I’m actually feeling pretty good on it
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Hi, I’m a new poster to this list and I am hoping that someone out there can give me some advice on Effexor. I take anti-depressants for chronic pain. I just recently switched from Serzone to Effexor. The Serzone was working well, but I was having trouble concentrating. I have been taking the Effexor for two weeks. When I first started taking it, I was taking 75 mg. per day, but I had terrible side effects. I had panic attacks, blurred vision so bad I couldn’t drive, twitching/shaking, and more. I’ve cut the dosage down to 37.5 but I’m still having some sleep disturbances and difficulty achieving orgasm. Other than that, I’m actually feeling pretty good on it? Does anybody have any input on this? Or had any experiences with side effects?