Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Aloha Daltons, I do not specifically about serotonin.  But… After several years of prednisone use I now have a bone density LOSS of about 35% per Dexascan.  No one knew?? the dangers when I started the drug in 1988. It can change,  mood, body weight (moon face), and other not so good side effects.  Avoid when you can and use very carefully.  According to an Endocrinologist sp?, steroids can affect bone density in one year or less. Mele Kaliki Maka, Merry Christmas to All, Edmund, Kauai, HI I have agressivness/anger/mood problems with prednisone in a major way.  This is the most problematic side effect for me.  :(

Yeah, it can do that too. See PI Precaution: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/pred.htm#sect-Precautions Excerpt: "Precautions: General Precautions The lowest possible dose of corticosteroid should be used to control the condition under treatment, and when reduction in dosage is possible, the reduction should be gradual. Psychic derangements may appear when corticosteroids are used,  ranging from euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality  changes, and severe depression, to frank psychotic  manifestations. Also, existing emotional instability or  psychotic tendencies may be aggravated by corticosteroids." I try to stay away from oral steroids like prednisone; have been able to control exacerbations with very high dose inhaled steroids, which is still much less steroid than prednisone, since its targeted to the lungs. So I double, triple, or if necessary quadruple my inhaled steroids during exacerbation (per Action Plan) Note–Oral steroids probably needed for peak flows below 50% of personal best. Ellis

Response:

Aloha Daltons, I do not specifically about serotonin.  But… After several years of prednisone use I now have a bone density LOSS of about 35% per Dexascan.  No one knew?? the dangers when I started the drug in 1988. It can change,  mood, body weight (moon face), and other not so good side effects.  Avoid when you can and use very carefully.  According to an Endocrinologist sp?, steroids can affect bone density in one year or less. Mele Kaliki Maka, Merry Christmas to All, Edmund, Kauai, HI

I have agressivness/anger/mood problems with prednisone in a major way.  This is the most problematic side effect for me.  :(  

Response:

Hi all  :) Anyone know the effect prednisone has on serotonin levels?

Response:

Aloha Daltons, I do not specifically about serotonin.  But… After several years of prednisone use I now have a bone density LOSS of about 35% per Dexascan.  No one knew?? the dangers when I started the drug in 1988. It can change,  mood, body weight (moon face), and other not so good side effects.  Avoid when you can and use very carefully.  According to an Endocrinologist sp?, steroids can affect bone density in one year or less. Mele Kaliki Maka, Merry Christmas to All, Edmund, Kauai, HI

Response:

Anyone know the effect prednisone has on serotonin levels?

I don’t know about serotonin interactions. Here’s a link to PI: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/pred.htm prednisone Excerpts: "Adverse Reactions: Neurological: Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema  (pseudo-tumor cerebri) usually after treatment; Convulsions;  Vertigo; Headache Endocrine: Menstrual irregularities; Development of Cushingoid state; Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma,  surgery or illness; Suppression of growth in children; Decreased carbohydrate tolerance; Manifestations of latent  diabetes mellitus; Increased requirements for insulin or  oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics Ophthalmic: Posterior subcapsular cataracts; Increased  intraocular pressure; Glaucoma; Exophthalmos" Copyright 1998 – Mosby Inc. – Mosby’s GenRx Many asthmatics on oral steroids have been able to switch to High Dose inhaled steroids like Pulmicort or Flovent 220, which results in a smaller systemic dose. Ellis

Response:

Question:

This is great.  Would you please add Singulair 10 mg and Flovent 220 or 110? Thanks so much.

Response:

Greetings again For some time now, I have spent various amounts of my online time searching the web for legitimate, reputable, online pharmacies, and checking their prices for various meds that I am on [almost all of which are asthma/allergy meds]. The differences in prices has been… fascinating…  Especially when comparing what I pay at retail stores and what the prices are online… Knowing that this information is useful for me, I am assuming that it would be useful for others  And, even if you do have insurance, you may want to take a look at what the prices are like [if nothing else, it will make you appreciate the value and cost of your insurance *When doing well* I spend $450 a month on meds, with no insurance, and I would gladly pay a few hundred a month to HAVE insurance...]. So… Within the next couple of days I will be posting a webpage of comparative drug prices. As of right now, I have prices on: Ventolin nebulizer solution Intal MDI Intal nebulizer solution Pulmicort turbuhaler Zyrtec [10 mg tablets] Serevent MDI Serevent Diskus And have used the following online pharmacies: PlanetRx DrugEmporium Drugstore.com <which is a Rite-Aid pharmacy] Eckerd.com If you have meds you would like included in the list, or online pharmacies to recommend…  Please let me know [preferrably by email so that I don't miss it, but posting to the newsgroup is fine too; or do both ].  I will try to include as many as I can, though I do reserve the right to pick and choose which ones will be included. For now, I am limiting the page to asthma and allergy meds [which therefore does include antihistamines], and will also for now limit it to those meds that require an Rx in the USA… I may add other comparative info… and maybe a guestbook or something where people can post comments and such…  But that shall come Later Hopefully someone will find the info useful! SW.

Response:

You can’t imagine how useful! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings again For some time now, I have spent various amounts of my online time searching the web for legitimate, reputable, online pharmacies, and checking their prices for various meds that I am on [almost all of which are asthma/allergy meds]. The differences in prices has been… fascinating…  Especially when comparing what I pay at retail stores and what the prices are online… Knowing that this information is useful for me, I am assuming that it would be useful for others  And, even if you do have insurance, you may want to take a look at what the prices are like [if nothing else, it will make you appreciate the value and cost of your insurance *When doing well* I spend $450 a month on meds, with no insurance, and I would gladly pay a few hundred a month to HAVE insurance...]. So… Within the next couple of days I will be posting a webpage of comparative drug prices. As of right now, I have prices on: Ventolin nebulizer solution Intal MDI Intal nebulizer solution Pulmicort turbuhaler Zyrtec [10 mg tablets] Serevent MDI Serevent Diskus And have used the following online pharmacies: PlanetRx DrugEmporium Drugstore.com <which is a Rite-Aid pharmacy] Eckerd.com If you have meds you would like included in the list, or online pharmacies to recommend…  Please let me know [preferrably by email so that I don't miss it, but posting to the newsgroup is fine too; or do both ].  I will try to include as many as I can, though I do reserve the right to pick and choose which ones will be included. For now, I am limiting the page to asthma and allergy meds [which therefore does include antihistamines], and will also for now limit it to those meds that require an Rx in the USA… I may add other comparative info… and maybe a guestbook or something where people can post comments and such…  But that shall come Later Hopefully someone will find the info useful! SW.

Response:

Question:

I too have mild, allergy and exercise induced asthma. I started Singulair over a year ago, and have hardly ever had to use any other medicine during that period. I am very happy this way. Erica Steve Freides heeft geschreven in bericht – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I changed a few medications at once a few months back, resulting in a huge improvement in my condition.  I was taking Serevent and Allegra and added Singulair and Flovent. (I didn’t add Flovent but switched from Serevent to Advair.) I know a significant number of people take Advair/Flovent but do not take Singulair.  I was wondering if many people take Singulair but not Advair/Flovent.  I’m considering trying a brief experiment of stopping Advair and seeing how I do.  My expectation is that I will miss Advair but I thought it would be interesting to give it a try. Background:  my asthma is mild and largely related to allergans and exercise, i.e., if I stay in my HEPA-filtered house and don’t exercise, I have no symptoms.  I have never been hospitalized for asthma or breathing difficulties of any kind.  I carry a Proventil inhaler for emergencies but have never needed it since I added Singulair and Advair to my routine.  I have discussed the matter with my physician who said, while he doesn’t think I should stop Advair, neither does he think it will hurt me. -S-

Response:

The lowest strength of Flovent is 50ug/pf fluticasone, usually prescribed 2 pf twice/day. This could be tapered in half to 1 pf x2; or cut in 1/4 to 1 pf/day.

I have used this method for quite sometime and have had good success.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It makes more sense to just change one drug at a time, so you can see what it’s effect is, independent of the other drugs. It would make sense to go back to Serevent and add Flovent to equal your present dose of Advair. Then taper down the Flovent to the level to control your symptoms and keep peak flows in the Green Zone on your peak flow meter. My Advair is the lowest doseage of Flovent already, so there’s nothing there to taper. The lowest dose strength of Advair is 100ug/pf fluticasone,  usually prescribed twice/day. This could be tapered in half  to 1 pf/day. The lowest strength of Flovent is 50ug/pf fluticasone, usually prescribed 2 pf twice/day. This could be tapered in half to 1 pf x2; or cut in 1/4 to 1 pf/day.

Good points.  I could try my 100/50 Advair only in the mornings, but I like the idea of separating them and trying to lower the Serevent best. -S- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ellis  I’m quite convinced that Singulair has helped me and that I may be able to get by without either Serevent or Flovent. Colin’s suggestion of separating Advair into its components then reducing the Serevent is certainly worth trying as well. I will do a bit of experimenting with what’s in-house here already and report back in a few weeks. -S- The general rule on steroid inhalers is to use the minimum dose to control the problem, especially at Moderate and High dose levels. As a more simplistic approach, you could just try reducing the puffs of Advair. [however this simultaneously reduces the salmeterol and fluticasone]. Note that Advair comes in 3 strengths; if you are not using the lowest strength version you could try switching to that. Note that Singulair only helps about 2/3 who try it; if it doesn’t help it should be dropped. In my case it helps my rhinitis more than the asthma. Ellis Background:  my asthma is mild and largely related to allergans and exercise, i.e., if I stay in my HEPA-filtered house and don’t exercise, I have no symptoms.  I have never been hospitalized for asthma or breathing difficulties of any kind.  I carry a Proventil inhaler for emergencies but have never needed it since I added Singulair and Advair to my routine.  I have discussed the matter with my physician who said, while he doesn’t think I should stop Advair, neither does he think it will hurt me. -S-

Response:

It makes more sense to just change one drug at a time, so you can see what it’s effect is, independent of the other drugs. It would make sense to go back to Serevent and add Flovent to equal your present dose of Advair. Then taper down the Flovent to the level to control your symptoms and keep peak flows in the Green Zone on your peak flow meter. My Advair is the lowest doseage of Flovent already, so there’s nothing there to taper.

The lowest dose strength of Advair is 100ug/pf fluticasone,  usually prescribed twice/day. This could be tapered in half  to 1 pf/day. The lowest strength of Flovent is 50ug/pf fluticasone, usually prescribed 2 pf twice/day. This could be tapered in half to 1 pf x2; or cut in 1/4 to 1 pf/day. Ellis  I’m quite convinced that Singulair has helped me and – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – that I may be able to get by without either Serevent or Flovent. Colin’s suggestion of separating Advair into its components then reducing the Serevent is certainly worth trying as well. I will do a bit of experimenting with what’s in-house here already and report back in a few weeks. -S- The general rule on steroid inhalers is to use the minimum dose to control the problem, especially at Moderate and High dose levels. As a more simplistic approach, you could just try reducing the puffs of Advair. [however this simultaneously reduces the salmeterol and fluticasone]. Note that Advair comes in 3 strengths; if you are not using the lowest strength version you could try switching to that. Note that Singulair only helps about 2/3 who try it; if it doesn’t help it should be dropped. In my case it helps my rhinitis more than the asthma. Ellis Background:  my asthma is mild and largely related to allergans and exercise, i.e., if I stay in my HEPA-filtered house and don’t exercise, I have no symptoms.  I have never been hospitalized for asthma or breathing difficulties of any kind.  I carry a Proventil inhaler for emergencies but have never needed it since I added Singulair and Advair to my routine.  I have discussed the matter with my physician who said, while he doesn’t think I should stop Advair, neither does he think it will hurt me. -S-

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I changed a few medications at once a few months back, resulting in a huge improvement in my condition.  I was taking Serevent and Allegra and added Singulair and Flovent. (I didn’t add Flovent but switched from Serevent to Advair.) I know a significant number of people take Advair/Flovent but do not take Singulair.  I was wondering if many people take Singulair but not Advair/Flovent.  I’m considering trying a brief experiment of stopping Advair and seeing how I do.  My expectation is that I will miss Advair but I thought it would be interesting to give it a try. It makes more sense to just change one drug at a time, so you can see what it’s effect is, independent of the other drugs. It would make sense to go back to Serevent and add Flovent to equal your present dose of Advair. Then taper down the Flovent to the level to control your symptoms and keep peak flows in the Green Zone on your peak flow meter.

Thank you and thanks to everyone else who has responded thus far. My Advair is the lowest doseage of Flovent already, so there’s nothing there to taper.  I’m quite convinced that Singulair has helped me and that I may be able to get by without either Serevent or Flovent. Colin’s suggestion of separating Advair into its components then reducing the Serevent is certainly worth trying as well. I will do a bit of experimenting with what’s in-house here already and report back in a few weeks. -S- – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The general rule on steroid inhalers is to use the minimum dose to control the problem, especially at Moderate and High dose levels. As a more simplistic approach, you could just try reducing the puffs of Advair. [however this simultaneously reduces the salmeterol and fluticasone]. Note that Advair comes in 3 strengths; if you are not using the lowest strength version you could try switching to that. Note that Singulair only helps about 2/3 who try it; if it doesn’t help it should be dropped. In my case it helps my rhinitis more than the asthma. Ellis Background:  my asthma is mild and largely related to allergans and exercise, i.e., if I stay in my HEPA-filtered house and don’t exercise, I have no symptoms.  I have never been hospitalized for asthma or breathing difficulties of any kind.  I carry a Proventil inhaler for emergencies but have never needed it since I added Singulair and Advair to my routine.  I have discussed the matter with my physician who said, while he doesn’t think I should stop Advair, neither does he think it will hurt me. -S-

Response:

It would make sense to go back to Serevent and add Flovent to equal your present dose of Advair. Then taper down the Flovent to the level to control your symptoms and keep peak flows in the Green Zone on your peak flow meter.

IMO, it would make more sense to taper the Serevent since Flovent prevents asthma symptoms and Serevent merely treats those symptoms. — "What Sept. 11 did was remind us that there are times when we must fight for our country, that, indeed, there are things – our liberty, our democracy, our belief in human rights and human dignity – worth fighting for." Newsday.com editorial – 27 May 2002

Response:

I take Advair and singulair with humibid.  This combination works really well for me.  I use proventil hcf for emergencies.  My dr told me that singulair is not a replacement of the inhalers only helps most.  I would recommend you go back to what your dr has told you to take and give it time to see if it works.  If the inhaler isn’t than call your pulmonary and let them know.  I mostly have myself under control with my copd and asthma.  But it take time.  UM MOM Susan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I changed a few medications at once a few months back, resulting in a huge improvement in my condition.  I was taking Serevent and Allegra and added Singulair and Flovent. (I didn’t add Flovent but switched from Serevent to Advair.) I know a significant number of people take Advair/Flovent but do not take Singulair.  I was wondering if many people take Singulair but not Advair/Flovent.  I’m considering trying a brief experiment of stopping Advair and seeing how I do.  My expectation is that I will miss Advair but I thought it would be interesting to give it a try. Background:  my asthma is mild and largely related to allergans and exercise, i.e., if I stay in my HEPA-filtered house and don’t exercise, I have no symptoms.  I have never been hospitalized for asthma or breathing difficulties of any kind.  I carry a Proventil inhaler for emergencies but have never needed it since I added Singulair and Advair to my routine.  I have discussed the matter with my physician who said, while he doesn’t think I should stop Advair, neither does he think it will hurt me. -S-

Response:

I changed a few medications at once a few months back, resulting in a huge improvement in my condition.  I was taking Serevent and Allegra and added Singulair and Flovent. (I didn’t add Flovent but switched from Serevent to Advair.) I know a significant number of people take Advair/Flovent but do not take Singulair.  I was wondering if many people take Singulair but not Advair/Flovent.  I’m considering trying a brief experiment of stopping Advair and seeing how I do.  My expectation is that I will miss Advair but I thought it would be interesting to give it a try.

It makes more sense to just change one drug at a time, so you can see what it’s effect is, independent of the other drugs. It would make sense to go back to Serevent and add Flovent to equal your present dose of Advair. Then taper down the Flovent to the level to control your symptoms and keep peak flows in the Green Zone on your peak flow meter. The general rule on steroid inhalers is to use the minimum dose to control the problem, especially at Moderate and High dose levels. As a more simplistic approach, you could just try reducing the puffs of Advair. [however this simultaneously reduces the salmeterol and fluticasone]. Note that Advair comes in 3 strengths; if you are not using the lowest strength version you could try switching to that. Note that Singulair only helps about 2/3 who try it; if it doesn’t help it should be dropped. In my case it helps my rhinitis more than the asthma. Ellis – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Background:  my asthma is mild and largely related to allergans and exercise, i.e., if I stay in my HEPA-filtered house and don’t exercise, I have no symptoms.  I have never been hospitalized for asthma or breathing difficulties of any kind.  I carry a Proventil inhaler for emergencies but have never needed it since I added Singulair and Advair to my routine.  I have discussed the matter with my physician who said, while he doesn’t think I should stop Advair, neither does he think it will hurt me. -S-

Response:

I changed a few medications at once a few months back, resulting in a huge improvement in my condition.  I was taking Serevent and Allegra and added Singulair and Flovent. (I didn’t add Flovent but switched from Serevent to Advair.) I know a significant number of people take Advair/Flovent but do not take Singulair.  I was wondering if many people take Singulair but not Advair/Flovent.  I’m considering trying a brief experiment of stopping Advair and seeing how I do.  My expectation is that I will miss Advair but I thought it would be interesting to give it a try. Background:  my asthma is mild and largely related to allergans and exercise, i.e., if I stay in my HEPA-filtered house and don’t exercise, I have no symptoms.  I have never been hospitalized for asthma or breathing difficulties of any kind.  I carry a Proventil inhaler for emergencies but have never needed it since I added Singulair and Advair to my routine.  I have discussed the matter with my physician who said, while he doesn’t think I should stop Advair, neither does he think it will hurt me. -S-

Response:

I was wondering if many people take Singulair but not Advair/Flovent.  I’m considering trying a brief experiment of stopping Advair and seeing how I do.  My expectation is that I will miss Advair but I thought it would be interesting to give it a try.

Here is my situation: I have had allergic and exercise induced asthma for over 10 years. Even with Albuterol, Severant, or Flovent I could not run more than a mile before having to stop, weeze, and gasp for air.  It was frustrating since I was trying to get back to running as I had done 10 years before, but couldn’t.  My saving medicine was Singulair.  It began to work the first day and has been helping me ever since I started it 2 1/2 years ago.  I got back to running a few weeks after starting Singulair and haven’t stopped since.  I’m 54 and run 4 miles about 4 times per week. Hardly olympic pace, but pretty good for someone my age.  I use my inhaler (Albuterol) about twice a week just to have ‘clear runs’ — I think this is more psychological than physiological, frankly.  I rarely (once every other month?) use my inhaler for any other reason.  I take no other asthma medication. Singulair is worth trying.  Your mileage may vary.  The following statistics come up a lot, but I’m not sure of their accuracy.  Take them as rough values.  About 1/3 of the people trying it are helped a lot (the lucky 1/3 I appear to be in),  1/3 are helped some, 1/3 are not helped at all.  I have zero side effects.  Some people have complained about vivid dreaming in Singulair (I thought I might be experiencing this from time to time, but, if so, I like it — I’m really not sure though).  A few people in this group have complained of headaches or difficulty sleeping.  Maybe others can add to this. Generally, it is free of side effects and for the most part (I’ve only seen one exception in this NG group) it does not lose its effectiveness.   Background:  my asthma is mild and largely related to allergans and exercise, i.e., if I stay in my HEPA-filtered house and don’t exercise, I have no symptoms.  I have never been hospitalized for asthma or breathing difficulties of any kind.  

Same for me, in general. — Lou Pecora   – My views are my own.

Response:

Question:

Hi everyone, i’ve suffered headaches off and on my whole life, but over the past 8 days, I have had a severe morning headache every single morning.  It is more in the back of my head, my neck muscles are very sore and my jaw and bottom molars are sore as well. I take two excedrin migraine and the headache is completely gone within an hour, if I don’t take the excedrin, then well the headache stays with me for most of the day until after lunch.  Also my eyes are very light sensitive with these headaches. I had been on zoloft 50mg for about 8 months and two months ago I stopped taking it, I slowly weaned myself off of it.  I’m thinking these headaches could be from the zoloft withdrawal?  I also feel that I may be grinding my teeth at night but i’m not sure.  Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Response:

I had been on zoloft 50mg for about 8 months and two months ago I stopped taking it, I slowly weaned myself off of it. I’m thinking these headaches could be from the zoloft withdrawal? I also feel that I may be grinding my teeth at night but i’m not sure. Any thoughts?

IMHO, it may well be the grinding of your teeth, as well as not taking zoloft anymore.  Doctors say that anti-depressants are not addictive as benzo’s, but they are so wrong.  I  weaned myself off prozac very slowly, and I felt ok for  a few months.  Then all of a sudden, I developed dizzy spells, felt very sad and awful.  So…I took the prozac again, and bingo, the dizziness went away, my crying fits stopped, and felt better (but still have that same underlying feelings of sadness and feelings of despair , guilt, etc.  Try taking the zoloft again in small doses, and see if the headaches stop.  Then you know it was the brain yelling out for the zoloft.  The brain does not forget these little pills we take, and lets us know that it wants it again.  Of course, I could be entirely wrong about this.  Maybe your headaches are caused by tension.  Maybe this, or maybe that.  Good luck and be well.   Art Decco… nyc, usa

Response:

Question:

Hi, Phil…. What you are describing sounds like generalized anxiety to me… in my humble layman’s opinion.  The neck tension.. and the sense of foreboding.. sound like very common symptoms for anxiety.  I’m wondering if this has all seemed to start since you went on the Lexapro.  If so, it may be something to talk to your doc about. I think the Xanax may help.  And it really can’t hurt to try one… or just half of one if you want, to begin with. Take care! MikeH

Mike, RE: "I’m wondering if this has all seemed to start since you went on the Lexapro" No, things are much better with the Lexapro.  I was on zoloft for 7 years and it stopped working so I was having much worse anxiety almost all day every day.  Panic quite often. What I am experiencing now is pretty mild in comparison, but it still bothers me and sometimes escalates into an attack.  It took me 6 months once to wean onto Zoloft before my anxiety went away, so I wonder if I should wait this out or up my dose next week. Lexapro and Zoloft are two different drugs I know… Thanks for helping me pin this down! Phil — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I am confused about what I am going through right now.  I thought it might be anxiety but I suppose it could be depression.  I just can’t tell. Almost all day long I feel fine – I don’t have a lot to do at work, but I do get most of it done.  Then in the evenings I start getting these headaches and lurking feeling of  foreboding, some fear that tonight might be a "bad one". That’s called anticipatory anxiety. I feel a drive to pack in a bunch of activities to keep my mind off things.  But often I get absolutely NOTHING done except being distracted. Lot’s of tension in my neck and shoulders… If I knew for sure it was anxiety, I’d probably take a xanax, IT is anxiety. I’d take a Xanax. but if it is definately depression I don’t want to make it worse by taking xanax. Xanax won’t make depression worse. When I’m depressed and take a Xanax, the depression improves. <–heck even that may not be an accurate feeling (?)  I’m kindof a med phobic who pretty much needs to be fighting a full blown PA before I’ll take xanax. Anyway, thanks for any assesments. P.S. I am 7 weeks into my Lexapro therapy 10mg. If you’re having that much anxiety after 7 weeks, I think you could use an increase to Lexapro 15 mg/day. Chip

Thanks Chip, Do you or anyone know if I do decide to go up to 15mg if the extra 5mg is normally a smooth transition? or do I have a couple weeks of nausea and headaches to look forward to? Thanks again, Phil — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

:Almost all day long I feel fine – I don’t have a lot to do at work, but I do :get most of it done.  Then in the evenings I start getting these headaches :and lurking feeling of  foreboding, some fear that tonight might be a "bad ne".  I feel a drive to pack in a bunch of activities to keep my mind off :things.  But often I get absolutely NOTHING done except being distracted. : :Lot’s of tension in my neck and shoulders… : :If I knew for sure it was anxiety, I’d probably take a xanax, but if it is :definately depression I don’t want to make it worse by taking xanax. :<–heck even that may not be an accurate feeling (?)  I’m kindof a med :phobic who pretty much needs to be fighting a full blown PA before I’ll take anax. Dear Phil, opinion, it sounds like anxiety. Why not take a xanax and see what happens? At the very worst, it won`t help, but there is a good chance that it could alleviate some, maybe a lot…… of this anxiety you are feeling in the evening. Once your evening anxiety levels come down……I bet you will start to enjoy those activities instead of doing them just as a distraction. A long hot shower, a massage and muscle relaxation exercises could really help the tension in your neck and shoulders. Take care and feel better soon Jackie ~*~I may not be perfectly beautiful, I may not be perfectly wise, I may not be perfectly obedient, but I am perfectly me~*~ — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

: o you or anyone know if I do decide to go up to 15mg if the extra 5mg is :normally a smooth transition? or do I have a couple weeks of nausea and :headaches to look forward to? Dear Phil, There is no way to predict how you will do side-effect wise if you increase the dose. You could experience some side-effects or it could be painless When I was weaning on paxil, sometimes I had uncomfortable side-effects when I increased my dose and then there were times I felt nothing. You won`t know unless you give it a try. Jackie ~*~I may not be perfectly beautiful, I may not be perfectly wise, I may not be perfectly obedient, but I am perfectly me~*~ — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Thanks Chip, Do you or anyone know if I do decide to go up to 15mg if the extra 5mg is normally a smooth transition? or do I have a couple weeks of nausea and headaches to look forward to? Thanks again, Phil

Seems like it depends on the person, Phil. When I went on Zoloft I had 1 month of slight nausea and loss of appatite. I was talking to my mother last night and she said she had no side effects going on Zoloft for anxiety. Chip — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mike, RE: "I’m wondering if this has all seemed to start since you went on the Lexapro" No, things are much better with the Lexapro.  I was on zoloft for 7 years and it stopped working so I was having much worse anxiety almost all day every day.  Panic quite often. What I am experiencing now is pretty mild in comparison, but it still bothers me and sometimes escalates into an attack.  It took me 6 months once to wean onto Zoloft before my anxiety went away, so I wonder if I should wait this out or up my dose next week. Lexapro and Zoloft are two different drugs I know…

Dear Phil, Unfortunately, there’s really no way to know how you will react to upping the dose.  With some meds, upping the dose can lessen the side effects. It’s all such a YMMV kinda thing.  If your pdoc has said to move up next week, then I would probably go ahead and attempt it.  Of course, (and I know of whence I speak, here) if you *think* you are going to have adverse side effects, that increases the chances that you will have extra anxiety.  :( It’s not easy being us, is it?? Take care… and keep us posted on what you decide! MikeH — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

        Sounds like anxiety to me. Dennis — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi all, I am confused about what I am going through right now.  I thought it might be anxiety but I suppose it could be depression.  I just can’t tell.

I can’t tell either. I stopped trying to figure out which parts of my symptoms are anxiety and which are depression. I just know when I don’t feel right and can describe how I feel and what I’m doing, but I don’t know for sure if something is anxiety or depression caused.  It would make more sense to guess that what you are feeling is anxiety but again, I don’t know for sure because it seems to me, for me at least, that I can feel both at the same time sometimes and at other times it feels like one comes first and then leads to the other – with depression being first for me. As I said I just know when I’m feeling anxious but to say that it is all anxiety and not depression, I just don’t know. Geez maybe they are the same thing? Almost all day long I feel fine – I don’t have a lot to do at work, but I do get most of it done.  Then in the evenings I start getting these headaches and lurking feeling of  foreboding, some fear that tonight might be a "bad one".  I feel a drive to pack in a bunch of activities to keep my mind off things.  But often I get absolutely NOTHING done except being distracted. Lot’s of tension in my neck and shoulders… If I knew for sure it was anxiety, I’d probably take a xanax, but if it is definately depression I don’t want to make it worse by taking xanax. <–heck even that may not be an accurate feeling (?)  I’m kindof a med phobic who pretty much needs to be fighting a full blown PA before I’ll take xanax.

I’m a med phobic too. For myself, I would take a benzo only if a real bad panic attack was taking place – and I mean a real bad one. From your description it sounds like maybe you are experiencing the

"on the verge of a panic attack" thing. When that happens to me, I do long yoga-type stretches – nothing pretzel-like – just sustained stretching and this works well – it calms me down. And I talk out loud about what is on my mind. I talk to my dog. If he is not listening, I talk out loud anyway. If it is really bad, and my mind is racing and I’m ruminating about things, I say things like "OK wheel in my head that keeps on turning, why don’t you just slow down now." I swear it has worked in the past because you get the sense that you are in more control of this than you thought you were. I remind myself that I am OK too. Give it a try. Anyway, thanks for any assesments. P.S. I am 7 weeks into my Lexapro therapy 10mg. Best wishes to all! Phil — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi all, I am confused about what I am going through right now.  I thought it might be anxiety but I suppose it could be depression.  I just can’t tell. Almost all day long I feel fine – I don’t have a lot to do at work, but I do get most of it done.  Then in the evenings I start getting these headaches and lurking feeling of  foreboding, some fear that tonight might be a "bad one".

That’s called anticipatory anxiety. I feel a drive to pack in a bunch of activities to keep my mind off things.  But often I get absolutely NOTHING done except being distracted. Lot’s of tension in my neck and shoulders… If I knew for sure it was anxiety, I’d probably take a xanax,

IT is anxiety. I’d take a Xanax. but if it is definately depression I don’t want to make it worse by taking xanax.

Xanax won’t make depression worse. When I’m depressed and take a Xanax, the depression improves. <–heck even that may not be an accurate feeling (?)  I’m kindof a med phobic who pretty much needs to be fighting a full blown PA before I’ll take xanax. Anyway, thanks for any assesments. P.S. I am 7 weeks into my Lexapro therapy 10mg.

If you’re having that much anxiety after 7 weeks, I think you could use an increase to Lexapro 15 mg/day. Chip — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Phil, When you speak of the tension in your neck and shoulders that says to me anxiety.  I experience this often (usually while driving).  Even half of a Xanax could help relieve some of the tension and  help with any underlying anxiety. Is your lexapro at a normal dosage for this med? Best wishes. smiles, Elise

Elise, My doc said I might want to go up to 15 mg in a week or so if things aren’t better.  I sort of dread that move – not sure if side effects will get worse or not. But thanks for helping to pin down what I’m going through. Phil. — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m so sorry you’re feeling like this, Phil.  I’m not a doctor so I can’t give you a real diagnosis, but it sounds like anxiety to me.  I also get that foreboding feeling too and ask myself why.  I can usually come up with a reason, but sometimes I get stumped.  Come to find out, there might be something coming up that I have to do and I’ll feel the foreboding a few days earlier.  Once in a great while there really isn’t any good reason why I feel that way, but just because there isn’t a *good* reason doesn’t mean there isn’t a reason at all.  Hope I didn’t confuse you.  :-)  I hope you feel better today. Hugs, Di

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I am confused about what I am going through right now.  I thought it might be anxiety but I suppose it could be depression.  I just can’t tell. Almost all day long I feel fine – I don’t have a lot to do at work, but I do get most of it done.  Then in the evenings I start getting these headaches and lurking feeling of  foreboding, some fear that tonight might be a "bad one".  I feel a drive to pack in a bunch of activities to keep my mind off things.  But often I get absolutely NOTHING done except being distracted. Lot’s of tension in my neck and shoulders… If I knew for sure it was anxiety, I’d probably take a xanax, but if it is definately depression I don’t want to make it worse by taking xanax. <–heck even that may not be an accurate feeling (?)  I’m kindof a med phobic who pretty much needs to be fighting a full blown PA before I’ll take xanax. Anyway, thanks for any assesments. P.S. I am 7 weeks into my Lexapro therapy 10mg. Best wishes to all! Phil

– The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m not a Dr. nor do I play one on TV, but it sounds like anxiety to me, followed by feeling crappy about the anxiety, which gives you some depression.  I’d try using the xanax for what it is prescribed for and see what happens. Tono – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I am confused about what I am going through right now.  I thought it might be anxiety but I suppose it could be depression.  I just can’t tell. Almost all day long I feel fine – I don’t have a lot to do at work, but I do get most of it done.  Then in the evenings I start getting these headaches and lurking feeling of  foreboding, some fear that tonight might be a "bad one".  I feel a drive to pack in a bunch of activities to keep my mind off things.  But often I get absolutely NOTHING done except being distracted. Lot’s of tension in my neck and shoulders… If I knew for sure it was anxiety, I’d probably take a xanax, but if it is definately depression I don’t want to make it worse by taking xanax. <–heck even that may not be an accurate feeling (?)  I’m kindof a med phobic who pretty much needs to be fighting a full blown PA before I’ll take xanax. Anyway, thanks for any assesments. P.S. I am 7 weeks into my Lexapro therapy 10mg. Best wishes to all!

– The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Phil, this sounds like anxiety to me.  It’s almost like an anticipation anxiety.  You tend to panic/worry over the fact that you MAY have a bad night.  I do this often myself and it goes right to my neck and shoulders! I would definitely take a Xanax and see if it helps. Hugs to you, Gigglz

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I am confused about what I am going through right now.  I thought it might be anxiety but I suppose it could be depression.  I just can’t tell. Almost all day long I feel fine – I don’t have a lot to do at work, but I do get most of it done.  Then in the evenings I start getting these headaches and lurking feeling of  foreboding, some fear that tonight might be a "bad one".  I feel a drive to pack in a bunch of activities to keep my mind off things.  But often I get absolutely NOTHING done except being distracted. Lot’s of tension in my neck and shoulders… If I knew for sure it was anxiety, I’d probably take a xanax, but if it is definately depression I don’t want to make it worse by taking xanax. <–heck even that may not be an accurate feeling (?)  I’m kindof a med phobic who pretty much needs to be fighting a full blown PA before I’ll take xanax. Anyway, thanks for any assesments. P.S. I am 7 weeks into my Lexapro therapy 10mg. Best wishes to all! Phil — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Phil…. What you are describing sounds like generalized anxiety to me… in my humble layman’s opinion.  The neck tension.. and the sense of foreboding.. sound like very common symptoms for anxiety.  I’m wondering if this has all seemed to start since you went on the Lexapro.  If so, it may be something to talk to your doc about. I think the Xanax may help.  And it really can’t hurt to try one… or just half of one if you want, to begin with. Take care! MikeH

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I am confused about what I am going through right now.  I thought it might be anxiety but I suppose it could be depression.  I just can’t tell. Almost all day long I feel fine – I don’t have a lot to do at work, but I do get most of it done.  Then in the evenings I start getting these headaches and lurking feeling of  foreboding, some fear that tonight might be a "bad one".  I feel a drive to pack in a bunch of activities to keep my mind off things.  But often I get absolutely NOTHING done except being distracted. Lot’s of tension in my neck and shoulders… If I knew for sure it was anxiety, I’d probably take a xanax, but if it is definately depression I don’t want to make it worse by taking xanax. <–heck even that may not be an accurate feeling (?)  I’m kindof a med phobic who pretty much needs to be fighting a full blown PA before I’ll take xanax. Anyway, thanks for any assesments. P.S. I am 7 weeks into my Lexapro therapy 10mg. Best wishes to all!

– The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Phil, When you speak of the tension in your neck and shoulders that says to me anxiety.  I experience this often (usually while driving).  Even half of a Xanax could help relieve some of the tension and  help with any underlying anxiety. Is your lexapro at a normal dosage for this med? Best wishes. smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I am confused about what I am going through right now.  I thought it might be anxiety but I suppose it could be depression.  I just can’t tell. Almost all day long I feel fine – I don’t have a lot to do at work, but I do get most of it done.  Then in the evenings I start getting these headaches and lurking feeling of  foreboding, some fear that tonight might be a "bad one".  I feel a drive to pack in a bunch of activities to keep my mind off things.  But often I get absolutely NOTHING done except being distracted. Lot’s of tension in my neck and shoulders… If I knew for sure it was anxiety, I’d probably take a xanax, but if it is definately depression I don’t want to make it worse by taking xanax. <–heck even that may not be an accurate feeling (?)  I’m kindof a med phobic who pretty much needs to be fighting a full blown PA before I’ll take xanax. Anyway, thanks for any assesments. P.S. I am 7 weeks into my Lexapro therapy 10mg. Best wishes to all! Phil — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I am confused about what I am going through right now.  I thought it might be anxiety but I suppose it could be depression.  I just can’t tell. Almost all day long I feel fine – I don’t have a lot to do at work, but I do get most of it done.  Then in the evenings I start getting these headaches and lurking feeling of  foreboding, some fear that tonight might be a "bad one".  I feel a drive to pack in a bunch of activities to keep my mind off things.  But often I get absolutely NOTHING done except being distracted. Lot’s of tension in my neck and shoulders… If I knew for sure it was anxiety, I’d probably take a xanax, but if it is definately depression I don’t want to make it worse by taking xanax. <–heck even that may not be an accurate feeling (?)  I’m kindof a med phobic who pretty much needs to be fighting a full blown PA before I’ll take xanax. Anyway, thanks for any assesments. P.S. I am 7 weeks into my Lexapro therapy 10mg. Best wishes to all! Phil

This is just my opinion, so… When you say "foreboding", "fear of a bad one" and "lot’s of tension" I immediately want to say anxiety. And this is what I think you are experiencing. Also, I’ve never known of anyone complaining of Xanax causing or worsening anxiety. I would suggest you try a Xanax one night and see what happens. At the absolute worst, if it is depression and the Xanax worsens it, you will have one night of a little more depression.  If it is anxiety, the Xanax should ease it and you’ll know. Depression is a hard thing to pin down. I realize that I’ve been depressed for a long time and didn’t know it, until it cleared and I saw how I was and how I’d been. Depression is more than just a sadness. It’s a sadness that doesn’t seem to have any purpose, reason or solution. In fact, because depression for me is also a lack of motivation, it’s a sadness that prevents activities that may be a solution, like getting out and having some fun. Depression, again to me, eliminates the desire to acheive. Even to the point of eliminating the desire to fix the depression. It’s an emptiness. A hollow spot that no light enters. I could go on but that wasn’t your question. I think you are experiencing anxiety. Give the Xanax a try and see what happens. David There is seldom reason or sense involved in these matters of love — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi all, I am confused about what I am going through right now.  I thought it might be anxiety but I suppose it could be depression.  I just can’t tell. Almost all day long I feel fine – I don’t have a lot to do at work, but I do get most of it done.  Then in the evenings I start getting these headaches and lurking feeling of  foreboding, some fear that tonight might be a "bad one".  I feel a drive to pack in a bunch of activities to keep my mind off things.  But often I get absolutely NOTHING done except being distracted. Lot’s of tension in my neck and shoulders… If I knew for sure it was anxiety, I’d probably take a xanax, but if it is definately depression I don’t want to make it worse by taking xanax. <–heck even that may not be an accurate feeling (?)  I’m kindof a med phobic who pretty much needs to be fighting a full blown PA before I’ll take xanax. Anyway, thanks for any assesments. P.S. I am 7 weeks into my Lexapro therapy 10mg. Best wishes to all! Phil — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Question:

I am starting welbutrin sr and need to know what to expect. I am bi-polar/mood swings/OCD/major panic attacks, and I am obsessive about what meds will do to me. Then I panic once I take them, and It is just a bad circle of needing meds/ being afraid of meds.I have been on different meds in the past, but have been off them for a while(except xanax, I keep that around just in case a panick attack). Any info on what I should expect with wellbutrin sr would be great….Mary

Response:

I am starting welbutrin sr and need to know what to expect. I am bi-polar/mood swings/OCD/major panic attacks, and I am obsessive about what meds will do to me. Then I panic once I take them, and It is just a bad circle of needing meds/ being afraid of meds.I have been on different meds in the past, but have been off them for a while(except xanax, I keep that around just in case a panick attack). Any info on what I should expect with wellbutrin sr would be great….Mary

– I’ve heard that is one of the more stimulating ones – so if you are anxiety prone, you might get more anxious with this one – but I have not tried it myself.  For bipolar, lithium with some long-term benzo seems to be a first choice, or tegratol, or Valproate.  I used to take Xanax for panic but I think i had the panic from too high a Synthroid dose.  I only take it now very rarely but my Synthroid has been reduced since then about 40%. Squiggles

Response:

It seems to me that that Wellbutrin is not the best choice for someone with your conditions.  I’m only going on memory of the many posts here by other members and various links supplied also.  I took Wellbutrin and was suffering from mood swings.  I ended up hypomanic and had to stop. Well, I’m not the word of God about this.  Just check into it. Good luck. Carrie ;o)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am starting welbutrin sr and need to know what to expect. I am bi-polar/mood swings/OCD/major panic attacks, and I am obsessive about what meds will do to me. Then I panic once I take them, and It is just a bad circle of needing meds/ being afraid of meds.I have been on different meds in the past, but have been off them for a while(except xanax, I keep that around just in case a panick attack). Any info on what I should expect with wellbutrin sr would be great….Mary

Response:

—–BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE—– Hash: SHA1

I am starting welbutrin sr and need to know what to expect. I am bi-polar/mood swings/OCD/major panic attacks, and I am obsessive about what meds will do to me. Then I panic once I take them, and It is just a bad circle of needing meds/ being afraid of meds.I have been on different meds in the past, but have been off them for a while(except xanax, I keep that around just in case a panick attack). Any info on what I should expect with wellbutrin sr would be great….Mary

As always, the effects depend on the individual, and I am not a medical pro. However, I am ramping up on Wellbutrin myself.  Your results may vary, especially since I am very responsive to any neuro drug I can find (one drink gives me a buzz, one cup of coffee wakes me right up, one dose of Benadril makes me a zombie for 24 hours) Wellbutrin claims to be very low on side effects (it claims to be one of the few ADs that rarely cause sexual side effects).  The only ones I have noticed from personal experience are diminished appetite and weight loss, which are fine since I’m overweight to begin with.  BTW, that’s why anorexia and bulimia are contraindications. The other big contraindication is alcohol.  Stay completely dry while on Wellbutrin.  Alcohol may interfere with other ADs, but with Wellbutrin it can cause seizures.  If you can be (or already are) a teatotaller, this should be no problem for you. My prescriber is also trying to find an antianxiety med that I can tolerate (I have nasty side effects with Effexor and Celexa), so I’m guessing that Wellbutrin isn’t itself an antianxiety.  But for me, it is good at treating depression.  I sensed immediate results during the first week at the 50mg/day level (standard therepudic dose is 300 mg/day).  Again, I am likely _very_ responsive to Wellbutrin, so you may have to wait several weeks at a higher dose. —–BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE—– Version: PGPfreeware 6.5.8 for non-commercial use <http://www.pgp.com iQA/AwUBPIUmCkdroV5D+kXPEQJumQCgrRN47bk6RWTmoZnHmLKB2l4LmoEAnR58 AC1BP8lgKRyh8WCV6ON+kh19 =08UA —–END PGP SIGNATURE—–

Response:

Question:

Just cuprous?????? 225mg daily here??? 12 weeks your turn…..

Response:

Just cuprous?????? 225mg daily here??? 12 weeks your turn…..

375mg….too many weeks to count…. I am more myself in Solitude. For in solitude I am myself.                            -Melia Benjamin (c)August 2000

Response:

The big question is…is it working? I just started and I wonder what I’m

After like one or two weeks on it, I noticed myself getting a little antsy and wanting to do something, but I still felt down and didn’t enjoy anything. That was kind of wierd, but the next week the other half got better too. I couldn’t sleep right though, and I twitched/spasmed a fair amount in my sleep, (no other side effects though–oh, except I often wake up from dreams totally soaked in sweat, and I mean whole-body damp spot here) so I started taking a little dose of trazodone each night before bed. That combination worked really really well for quite a while.   Several months later I really didn’t feel like I was getting much from it anymore. I also started feeling more and more drugged/groggy in the morning and found out that I no longer needed the trazodone to sleep (ie it didn’t seem to have worn off by morning). We increased the effexor dose, and I seemed to get worse (especially sleeping a lot) so I brought the dose back down, and also tried taking it before bed (since, heck, it seemed to be making me sleep). That actually helped. Currently, I’m taking effexor before bed and welbutrin in the morning and afternoon. I still twitch a lot, especially before I wake up–I think maybe it would be best to take the effexor like 4 hours before waking instead of before bed, but I can’t really manage that… I’m still far from the best I felt on the effexor, though.   My wife’s also taking effexor now, and it has helped her quite a bit, although she has only been on it a few months, so I don’t know if it will change.   By the way: you _really_ do have to take it at the same time every day.   There have even been times where I’m pretty sure it needed to be taken with food to work well.  Different for every person, though…   —     Robert Braddock    

Response:

225mg for months upon months mixed with buspar and tamazepam. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just cuprous?????? 225mg daily here??? 12 weeks your turn…..

Response:

The big question is…is it working?  I just started and I wonder what I’m in for. "Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity, and in cold weather becomes frozen, even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind."   –   Leonardo Da Vinci, 1452-1519

Response:

I was on it at 150….I feel like a wimp.. been off it for about a month and a half….not easy…that’s all I can say. Jen And there was much rejoicing,     yaaaaaaaayyyyyyy. "My head won’t leave my head alone" -Dave Matthews band

Response:

Good question..sometimes it feels it is and other times nothing? I guess that’s why the increases?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The big question is…is it working?  I just started and I wonder what I’m in for. "Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity, and in cold weather becomes frozen, even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind."   –   Leonardo Da Vinci, 1452-1519

Response:

Hi Glen, is that effexor xr???  do you have any problems with fatigue? thx – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just cuprous?????? 225mg daily here??? 12 weeks your turn….. Steady at 335 — all I can handle <:= Glen

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Okay, the fellows and the ladies that don’t want to read a discussion about PMS, periods, symptoms, etc, might want to pick now to get out. Alright, you’ve been warned! Hi Liz. I didn’t realize until very recently that I HAD PMS.  I find that as I get older, the symptoms, which never bothered me when I was younger that I am aware of are getting worse and so is cramping which also didn’t bug me. Well, when I was younger, PMS was still supposedly ‘all in our heads’, so though I had cramping and a fair bit of pain and got quite emotional, I didn’t know it was PMS. After I had my kids, I had my tubes tied.  That’s when I noticed it started getting worse.  They couldn’t do one of those nice little laparoscopic surgeries, too many adhesions and too much scar tissue (which the doc already knew about and he and I both concluded it was likely from the abuse. It was there when I had surgery when I was 19).  So, probably, I ended up adding to the scar tissue and adhesions by having the surgery.  It was my choice, though.  I couldn’t take the pill, and didn’t want to have 10 kids in 11 years.  ;-) As I get older, it does, definitely, get worse.  Matter of fact, I’m calling the doctor today, to make an appointment, to talk to him about it. My problem is I don’t realize I am PMSing until well into it….and if anyone says anything to me along the lines of ‘getting ready to start your period’ I growl at them until they go away.  i feel kind of…I don’t know. Hopeless. My husband has gotten smart about it.  Now he just says to me, "By the way, what’s the date?"  When I ask why, he just says, "Oh, just wondering."  He knows I’ll catch on, and I’ll laugh, too.  He’s good about stuff like that. If I’m particularly angry and stuff, he just goes bowling alot.  hehehe.  I guess he learned something in 23 years. I find the emotional effects of PMS do seem to get worse, as I’ve gotten into my mid to late 30’s.  I get so angry, over such stupid stuff.  I cry easily, but that’s something I have done anyway, since I got in touch with my emotions.  Never used to do either, get angry or cry, at all.  PMS makes it worse. Also, starting about 3 or 4 years ago, I get cyclical migraines.  They are different than the other migraines, in that they are more intense, don’t respond as well to medication, and last for days. My periods are quite regular, so I have the advantage of knowing when it’s coming, and knowing I’m PMSing, when my emotions become difficult to deal with.  I do tend to isolate myself, during that time, somewhat.  I don’t like to be hurtful to others, even those I don’t like.  It makes me feel like I am out of control and they know it.  I don’t like others seeing that, feels like they know my weakness, you know?  So learning to identify when I’m PMSing, and stopping myself from acting out at that time, has become important for me. I AM trying the b complex vitamins and rose something or other that is supposed to help.  Also, to be real honest, a stiff drink does wonders. I take a ’stress tab’ type of multivitamin, I think they help somewhat. Also, I take zoloft, for depression, and I find that does have an effect on the hopelessness and the anger.  Have you ever tried an anti-depressant? They help for more than just depression.  Zoloft is the third one, I’ve been on.  I couldn’t take prozac, it made me sick.  Paxil had some nasty ’sexual dysfunction’ side effects, but zoloft has worked wonders for me. But yeah, sometimes, a stiff drink works wonders. Do you find it got worse with you as you got older? Yes, yes, yes!!!! Not only has the PMS become more intense, but I have a lot more cramping and pain.  The cyclical migraines didn’t start until I was in my mid-30s.  On top of that, my periods have gotten longer, heavier and more painful.  7-9 days is toooo long!!  Last few months my cycle has been shortening, too, from my usual 28 days, to 21.  That is not fun!!! ;-P That’s why I decided I had better see the doctor.  I have heard that can be a sign of being pre-menopausal. (I can only hope!!!) rosee

I hope you don’t mind my asking something personal.  :) How old are you? Just curious. XO Rachel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Liz http://www.geocities.com/wellesley/7368 A closed mind gathers no thoughts. -Anonymous friend — For more information about this posting service, contact: If you want an anonymous account, visit our sign-up page: http://asarian-host.org/emailform.html

Response:

Hi rosee My preference is for docphobia He sounds a nice guy. I am glad he allows someone in with you. I hate these exams and I usually close my eyes and try to imagine I am somewhere where there are palm trees, soft breezes and sweet music, Takes a bit of doing but I concentrate reeeeeal hard Trying it now can you hear the gears grinding hehehheee Ruth — Today, is the tomorrow, you worried about yesterday. Anonymous

| Hi Ruth! | | Now, you are the opposite of me, the crampier I am, the more irritable I am. | That may have something to do with the fact that I am a HUGE suck, when it | comes to pain.  It makes me more cranky, I think. | | | Menopause doesn’t look that bad, just now, even with the hot flashes! | <g | | I see the doc at the end of April, though, about the lengthening periods and | the shortening cycle. | | I start praying now, that I have the courage to go, and don’t chicken out | and cancel like I did the last time I made an appt for a physical.  I hate call that, | medicaphobia, docaphobia? *g*) doesn’t make it any easier. | | It’s so weird too.  I really like my doctor.  I really trust my doctor. | He’s been wonderful about my phobia, has really tried to be accomadating. | He lets my daughter or my husband come in with me and hold my hand. | | Well, at least, now, I get there, most of the time. | | | take care | rosee | |

| Hi rosee | | Yep I find as I get older the cramping gets worse and the | flow is heavier, although I put some of that down to the | fact that I am taking aspirin to thin my blood. I find that | if I am having bad cramps that I am not so irritable and the | times I am really irritable I am not in as much pain. | Like you I hope I do not have much longer to go before they | go away | | Ruth | | | — | Today, is the tomorrow, you worried about yesterday. | Anonymous | |

| | Okay, the fellows and the ladies that don’t want to read a | discussion about | | PMS, periods, symptoms, etc, might want to pick now to get | out. | | | | Alright, you’ve been warned! | | | | | | Hi Liz. | | | | I didn’t realize until very recently that I HAD PMS. I | find that as I get | | older, the symptoms, which never bothered me when I was | younger that I am | | aware | | of are getting worse and so is cramping which also | didn’t bug me. | | | | Well, when I was younger, PMS was still supposedly ‘all in | our heads’, so | | though I had cramping and a fair bit of pain and got quite | emotional, I | | didn’t know it was PMS. | | | | After I had my kids, I had my tubes tied.  That’s when I | noticed it started | | getting worse.  They couldn’t do one of those nice little | laparoscopic | | surgeries, too many adhesions and too much scar tissue | (which the doc | | already knew about and he and I both concluded it was | likely from the abuse. | | It was there when I had surgery when I was 19).  So, | probably, I ended up | | adding to the scar tissue and adhesions by having the | surgery.  It was my | | choice, though.  I couldn’t take the pill, and didn’t want | to have 10 kids | | in 11 years.  ;-) | | | | As I get older, it does, definitely, get worse.  Matter of | fact, I’m calling | | the doctor today, to make an appointment, to talk to him | about it. | | | | | | My problem is I don’t realize I am PMSing until well | into it….and if | | anyone | | says anything to me along the lines of ‘getting ready to | start your | | period’ I | | growl at them until they go away.  i feel kind of…I | don’t know. | | Hopeless. | | | | My husband has gotten smart about it.  Now he just says to | me, "By the way, | | what’s the date?"  When I ask why, he just says, "Oh, just | wondering."  He | | knows I’ll catch on, and I’ll laugh, too.  He’s good about | stuff like that. | | | | If I’m particularly angry and stuff, he just goes bowling | alot.  hehehe.  I | | guess he learned something in 23 years. | | | | I find the emotional effects of PMS do seem to get worse, | as I’ve gotten | | into my mid to late 30’s.  I get so angry, over such | stupid stuff.  I cry | | easily, but that’s something I have done anyway, since I | got in touch with | | my emotions.  Never used to do either, get angry or cry, | at all.  PMS makes | | it worse. | | | | Also, starting about 3 or 4 years ago, I get cyclical | migraines.  They are | | different than the other migraines, in that they are more | intense, don’t | | respond as well to medication, and last for days. | | | | My periods are quite regular, so I have the advantage of | knowing when it’s | | coming, and knowing I’m PMSing, when my emotions become | difficult to deal | | with.  I do tend to isolate myself, during that time, | somewhat.  I don’t | | like to be hurtful to others, even those I don’t like. It | makes me feel | | like I am out of control and they know it.  I don’t like | others seeing that, | | feels like they know my weakness, you know?  So learning | to identify when | | I’m PMSing, and stopping myself from acting out at that | time, has become | | important for me. | | | | | | I AM trying the b complex vitamins and rose something or | other that is | | supposed | | to help.  Also, to be real honest, a stiff drink does | wonders. | | | | I take a ’stress tab’ type of multivitamin, I think they | help somewhat. | | Also, I take zoloft, for depression, and I find that does | have an effect on | | the hopelessness and the anger.  Have you ever tried an | anti-depressant? | | They help for more than just depression.  Zoloft is the | third one, I’ve been | | on.  I couldn’t take prozac, it made me sick.  Paxil had | some nasty ’sexual | | dysfunction’ side effects, but zoloft has worked wonders | for me. | | | | But yeah, sometimes, a stiff drink works wonders. | | | | | | Do you find it got worse with you as you got older? | | | | Yes, yes, yes!!!! | | | | Not only has the PMS become more intense, but I have a lot | more cramping and | | pain.  The cyclical migraines didn’t start until I was in | my mid-30s.  On | | top of that, my periods have gotten longer, heavier and | more painful.  7-9 | | days is toooo long!!  Last few months my cycle has been | shortening, too, | | from my usual 28 days, to 21.  That is not fun!!! ;-P | | | | That’s why I decided I had better see the doctor.  I have | heard that can be | | a sign of being pre-menopausal. (I can only hope!!!) | | | | rosee | | | | | | | | | | Liz | | http://www.geocities.com/wellesley/7368 | | A closed mind gathers no thoughts. -Anonymous friend | | [snip] | | | | | | | | | — | For more information about this posting service, contact: | administrator | | If you want an anonymous account, visit our sign-up page: | | http://asarian-host.org/emailform.html | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Response:

Well, since you asked *G* here it is.  Now, this is herbal stuff and I know some people don’t trust it, but it is what I do.  First off, there are many symptoms attached to PMS and one herb may be more suited to YOUR symptoms than others. Secondly, one person can be more sensitive to specific herbs than others.  This is long, so I am cutting out the previous letters.  <extracted from Herbal Cures for common ailments Borage Oil and Black Currant Oil-  These are both excellent sources of gamma linoleic acid (GLA).  GLA is an effective anti-inflammatory agent that has no side effects.  Both of these oils are an effective treatment for PMS, but they don’t work instantaneously.  You must take one or the other treatment for 6-8 weeks before it takes effect and you notice any changes.  Black currant oil and borage oil also contain an abundant amount of GLA.   Mix teaspoon of borage oil in juice and drink it daily.  Dr. Weil recommend 500mg of black currant oil 2xdaily as the most economical form. BUCHU- This is an ecellent diuretic and is useful in relieving the bloating that is characteristic of PMS.   To make a cup of tea, mix 2 tsp of dried leaves per cup of boiling water.  Steep 20min and drink 3 cups per day.  Or take a teaspoon of tincture 3xdaily.  WARNING: PREGNANT AND NURSING WOMEN SHOULD NOT USE THIS HERB. DANDELION-  This is another diuretic that helps relieve that uncomfortable, bloated feeling.   Make a tea with an ounce of dried leaves per cup of boiling water and steep 10min.  Drink 3 cups per day.  Or take 2tsp of tincture 3xdaily.  In addition, you can add dandelion greens to a salad, but don’t rely on greens alone to counteract bloating.  Combine them with tea or tincture for maximum effectiveness.      WARNING:  PREGNANT AND NURSING WOMEN SHOULD NOT USE THIS HERB. DONG QUAI-  Just as this traditional Chinese herb is useful for menopause, it can relieve the unpleasant symptoms of PMS.  It produces a balancing effect on estrogen activity and a tonic effect on the uterus.  It is great for PMS and menstrual cramps.  The herb also happens to be rich in vitamins A, B12, and E. JUNIPER-  Ass this herb to your list of diuretics.  It may come in handy for the bloating period.  To make a tea, place a tsp of bruised juniper berries in a cup of boiling water and steep for 15-20min.  Drink ONLY 2 cups a day. WARNING:  PREGNANT AND NURSING WOMEN SHOULD NOT USE THIS HERB. MOTHERWORT-  This is excellent for cramps, as well as the irritability and headaches associated with PMS.    Make a tea with 2 tsp of dried herb in a cup of boiling water and steep for 10min.  Or mix 10-15 drops of extract in warm liquid and drink 3xday. PARSLEY-Here’s a diuretic that will also leave you with fresh breath.  Mix 2 tsp of dried leaves in a cup of boiling water and steep for 15min.  Drink 3xday. WARNING:  PREGNANT AND NURSING WOMEN SHOULD NOT USE THIS HERB. RED RASPBERRY LEAVES-  This is an excellent anti-spasmodic that alleviates cramps.   One tsp steep 10 min in a cup of boiling water makes an excellent tea.  Drink one cup a day. THIS HERB IS GREAT FOR NURSING WOMEN. Also, not in this book, is Nettle Tea.  It is a equalizer.  It will equalize the amounts of progesterone and estrogen in your system, which, I believe, is a cause of PMS.  It will also equalize blood pressure.  I take the capsule, 2 capsule 2-3xday.  You can also drink the tea.  Steep 2 tsp to a cup of boiling water 10-15 min and drink 2-3xday. Hope you haven’t fallen asleep already.  I also hope this is useful. Take care, Phoenix — And she rose from the ashes of her past… http://people.delphi.com/sphynx/sfs/index.htm ICQ 24933714            xgrmpflmprxyzzz 87%dragon!  Fanatic When replying, "nospam" must be removed from this address.

Response:

Just a little bit to add if you dont mind. I work in a coed atmosphere. Instead of saying p.m.s or its that time, we say" the painters are coming" lookout!!!!! In Ojibway Fist nations,  that time is refereed to as  the "moon time" Dar – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Okay, the fellows and the ladies that don’t want to read a discussion about PMS, periods, symptoms, etc, might want to pick now to get out. Alright, you’ve been warned! Hi Liz. I didn’t realize until very recently that I HAD PMS.  I find that as I get older, the symptoms, which never bothered me when I was younger that I am aware of are getting worse and so is cramping which also didn’t bug me. Well, when I was younger, PMS was still supposedly ‘all in our heads’, so though I had cramping and a fair bit of pain and got quite emotional, I didn’t know it was PMS. After I had my kids, I had my tubes tied.  That’s when I noticed it started getting worse.  They couldn’t do one of those nice little laparoscopic surgeries, too many adhesions and too much scar tissue (which the doc already knew about and he and I both concluded it was likely from the abuse. It was there when I had surgery when I was 19).  So, probably, I ended up adding to the scar tissue and adhesions by having the surgery.  It was my choice, though.  I couldn’t take the pill, and didn’t want to have 10 kids in 11 years.  ;-) As I get older, it does, definitely, get worse.  Matter of fact, I’m calling the doctor today, to make an appointment, to talk to him about it. My problem is I don’t realize I am PMSing until well into it….and if anyone says anything to me along the lines of ‘getting ready to start your period’ I growl at them until they go away.  i feel kind of…I don’t know. Hopeless. My husband has gotten smart about it.  Now he just says to me, "By the way, what’s the date?"  When I ask why, he just says, "Oh, just wondering."  He knows I’ll catch on, and I’ll laugh, too.  He’s good about stuff like that. If I’m particularly angry and stuff, he just goes bowling alot.  hehehe.  I guess he learned something in 23 years. I find the emotional effects of PMS do seem to get worse, as I’ve gotten into my mid to late 30’s.  I get so angry, over such stupid stuff.  I cry easily, but that’s something I have done anyway, since I got in touch with my emotions.  Never used to do either, get angry or cry, at all.  PMS makes it worse. Also, starting about 3 or 4 years ago, I get cyclical migraines.  They are different than the other migraines, in that they are more intense, don’t respond as well to medication, and last for days. My periods are quite regular, so I have the advantage of knowing when it’s coming, and knowing I’m PMSing, when my emotions become difficult to deal with.  I do tend to isolate myself, during that time, somewhat.  I don’t like to be hurtful to others, even those I don’t like.  It makes me feel like I am out of control and they know it.  I don’t like others seeing that, feels like they know my weakness, you know?  So learning to identify when I’m PMSing, and stopping myself from acting out at that time, has become important for me. I AM trying the b complex vitamins and rose something or other that is supposed to help.  Also, to be real honest, a stiff drink does wonders. I take a ’stress tab’ type of multivitamin, I think they help somewhat. Also, I take zoloft, for depression, and I find that does have an effect on the hopelessness and the anger.  Have you ever tried an anti-depressant? They help for more than just depression.  Zoloft is the third one, I’ve been on.  I couldn’t take prozac, it made me sick.  Paxil had some nasty ’sexual dysfunction’ side effects, but zoloft has worked wonders for me. But yeah, sometimes, a stiff drink works wonders. Do you find it got worse with you as you got older? Yes, yes, yes!!!! Not only has the PMS become more intense, but I have a lot more cramping and pain.  The cyclical migraines didn’t start until I was in my mid-30s.  On top of that, my periods have gotten longer, heavier and more painful.  7-9 days is toooo long!!  Last few months my cycle has been shortening, too, from my usual 28 days, to 21.  That is not fun!!! ;-P That’s why I decided I had better see the doctor.  I have heard that can be a sign of being pre-menopausal. (I can only hope!!!) rosee Liz http://www.geocities.com/wellesley/7368 A closed mind gathers no thoughts. -Anonymous friend — For more information about this posting service, contact: If you want an anonymous account, visit our sign-up page: http://asarian-host.org/emailform.html

Response:

Hi rosee Yep I find as I get older the cramping gets worse and the flow is heavier, although I put some of that down to the fact that I am taking aspirin to thin my blood. I find that if I am having bad cramps that I am not so irritable and the times I am really irritable I am not in as much pain. Like you I hope I do not have much longer to go before they go away Ruth — Today, is the tomorrow, you worried about yesterday. Anonymous

| Okay, the fellows and the ladies that don’t want to read a discussion about | PMS, periods, symptoms, etc, might want to pick now to get out. | | Alright, you’ve been warned! | | | Hi Liz. |

| I didn’t realize until very recently that I HAD PMS.  I find that as I get | older, the symptoms, which never bothered me when I was younger that I am | aware | of are getting worse and so is cramping which also didn’t bug me. | | Well, when I was younger, PMS was still supposedly ‘all in our heads’, so | though I had cramping and a fair bit of pain and got quite emotional, I | didn’t know it was PMS. | | After I had my kids, I had my tubes tied.  That’s when I noticed it started | getting worse.  They couldn’t do one of those nice little laparoscopic | surgeries, too many adhesions and too much scar tissue (which the doc | already knew about and he and I both concluded it was likely from the abuse. | It was there when I had surgery when I was 19).  So, probably, I ended up | adding to the scar tissue and adhesions by having the surgery.  It was my | choice, though.  I couldn’t take the pill, and didn’t want to have 10 kids | in 11 years.  ;-) | | As I get older, it does, definitely, get worse.  Matter of fact, I’m calling | the doctor today, to make an appointment, to talk to him about it. | | | My problem is I don’t realize I am PMSing until well into it….and if | anyone | says anything to me along the lines of ‘getting ready to start your | period’ I | growl at them until they go away.  i feel kind of…I don’t know. | Hopeless. | | My husband has gotten smart about it.  Now he just says to me, "By the way, | what’s the date?"  When I ask why, he just says, "Oh, just wondering."  He | knows I’ll catch on, and I’ll laugh, too.  He’s good about stuff like that. | | If I’m particularly angry and stuff, he just goes bowling alot.  hehehe.  I | guess he learned something in 23 years. | | I find the emotional effects of PMS do seem to get worse, as I’ve gotten | into my mid to late 30’s.  I get so angry, over such stupid stuff.  I cry | easily, but that’s something I have done anyway, since I got in touch with | my emotions.  Never used to do either, get angry or cry, at all.  PMS makes | it worse. | | Also, starting about 3 or 4 years ago, I get cyclical migraines.  They are | different than the other migraines, in that they are more intense, don’t | respond as well to medication, and last for days. | | My periods are quite regular, so I have the advantage of knowing when it’s | coming, and knowing I’m PMSing, when my emotions become difficult to deal | with.  I do tend to isolate myself, during that time, somewhat.  I don’t | like to be hurtful to others, even those I don’t like.  It makes me feel | like I am out of control and they know it.  I don’t like others seeing that, | feels like they know my weakness, you know?  So learning to identify when | I’m PMSing, and stopping myself from acting out at that time, has become | important for me. | | | I AM trying the b complex vitamins and rose something or other that is | supposed | to help.  Also, to be real honest, a stiff drink does wonders. | | I take a ’stress tab’ type of multivitamin, I think they help somewhat. | Also, I take zoloft, for depression, and I find that does have an effect on | the hopelessness and the anger.  Have you ever tried an anti-depressant? | They help for more than just depression.  Zoloft is the third one, I’ve been | on.  I couldn’t take prozac, it made me sick.  Paxil had some nasty ’sexual | dysfunction’ side effects, but zoloft has worked wonders for me. | | But yeah, sometimes, a stiff drink works wonders. | | | Do you find it got worse with you as you got older? | | Yes, yes, yes!!!! | | Not only has the PMS become more intense, but I have a lot more cramping and | pain.  The cyclical migraines didn’t start until I was in my mid-30s.  On | top of that, my periods have gotten longer, heavier and more painful.  7-9 | days is toooo long!!  Last few months my cycle has been shortening, too, | from my usual 28 days, to 21.  That is not fun!!! ;-P | | That’s why I decided I had better see the doctor.  I have heard that can be | a sign of being pre-menopausal. (I can only hope!!!) | | rosee | | | | | Liz | http://www.geocities.com/wellesley/7368 | A closed mind gathers no thoughts. -Anonymous friend | | | | | | — | For more information about this posting service, contact: | administrator | | If you want an anonymous account, visit our sign-up page: | | http://asarian-host.org/emailform.html

Response:

hehe rosee, i’m sure the guys appreciated the warning i just had my first PMS 2 weeks ago. (and i’m 32!!) all those years that i had PCOS undiagnosed, and before that even, never had a "normal" period. (never had enough estrogen.) i thought i was just blessed! 3 days light spotting, no cramps, came around every 6 to 9 weeks, sometimes longer. then my endocrinologist and gyn. started me on BC pills, ones with a "high estrogen producing effect." at first all i had was that breakthrough bleeding, then spotting, but no periods. then 2 weeks ago … i had a period! and i got all bloated up, i whined and cried for 2 days, and i had the nastiest bouts of cramps. YECCCCH!! first thing i said when i saw the endocrinologist last week was "thanks a LOT! PPPP~~~" he laughed, he said most of his patients say the same thing, hehe. at least i don’t get angry or bitchy *knock wood* just cry a lot. well, if this makes me fertile in the long run, i guess it’s worth it. ironic that i have to be on birth control for a year, to become fertile. but i gotta say, there are benefits to androgen and testosterone except for leg shaving, that was a real bitch. my leg and arm hair has gotten much lighter and very fine, the dr. says that’s how they can follow my hormonal progress. so, i shave less, i bleed more peace and laughter, karmagrrl

Response:

I can identify with you PMS problems.  As I told Liz, if anyone wants some herbal remedies for PMS I’ll do my best to email em to you, or post them if no one minds.  I had found (when I was having periods) that these worked for me, in varying degrees, and it shouldn’t hurt to try them.  Let me know if you want to take me up on the offer. LIZ! (IF you are reading this) If I missed a post from you saying you would like to try it, I apologize, just email me the request again, please.  I am still having ISP problems. Take care, Phoenix – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Okay, the fellows and the ladies that don’t want to read a discussion about PMS, periods, symptoms, etc, might want to pick now to get out. Alright, you’ve been warned! Hi Liz. I didn’t realize until very recently that I HAD PMS.  I find that as I get older, the symptoms, which never bothered me when I was younger that I am aware of are getting worse and so is cramping which also didn’t bug me. Well, when I was younger, PMS was still supposedly ‘all in our heads’, so though I had cramping and a fair bit of pain and got quite emotional, I didn’t know it was PMS. After I had my kids, I had my tubes tied.  That’s when I noticed it started getting worse.  They couldn’t do one of those nice little laparoscopic surgeries, too many adhesions and too much scar tissue (which the doc already knew about and he and I both concluded it was likely from the abuse. It was there when I had surgery when I was 19).  So, probably, I ended up adding to the scar tissue and adhesions by having the surgery.  It was my choice, though.  I couldn’t take the pill, and didn’t want to have 10 kids in 11 years.  ;-) As I get older, it does, definitely, get worse.  Matter of fact, I’m calling the doctor today, to make an appointment, to talk to him about it. My problem is I don’t realize I am PMSing until well into it….and if anyone says anything to me along the lines of ‘getting ready to start your period’ I growl at them until they go away.  i feel kind of…I don’t know. Hopeless. My husband has gotten smart about it.  Now he just says to me, "By the way, what’s the date?"  When I ask why, he just says, "Oh, just wondering."  He knows I’ll catch on, and I’ll laugh, too.  He’s good about stuff like that. If I’m particularly angry and stuff, he just goes bowling alot.  hehehe.  I guess he learned something in 23 years. I find the emotional effects of PMS do seem to get worse, as I’ve gotten into my mid to late 30’s.  I get so angry, over such stupid stuff.  I cry easily, but that’s something I have done anyway, since I got in touch with my emotions.  Never used to do either, get angry or cry, at all.  PMS makes it worse. Also, starting about 3 or 4 years ago, I get cyclical migraines.  They are different than the other migraines, in that they are more intense, don’t respond as well to medication, and last for days. My periods are quite regular, so I have the advantage of knowing when it’s coming, and knowing I’m PMSing, when my emotions become difficult to deal with.  I do tend to isolate myself, during that time, somewhat.  I don’t like to be hurtful to others, even those I don’t like.  It makes me feel like I am out of control and they know it.  I don’t like others seeing that, feels like they know my weakness, you know?  So learning to identify when I’m PMSing, and stopping myself from acting out at that time, has become important for me. I AM trying the b complex vitamins and rose something or other that is supposed to help.  Also, to be real honest, a stiff drink does wonders. I take a ’stress tab’ type of multivitamin, I think they help somewhat. Also, I take zoloft, for depression, and I find that does have an effect on the hopelessness and the anger.  Have you ever tried an anti-depressant? They help for more than just depression.  Zoloft is the third one, I’ve been on.  I couldn’t take prozac, it made me sick.  Paxil had some nasty ’sexual dysfunction’ side effects, but zoloft has worked wonders for me. But yeah, sometimes, a stiff drink works wonders. Do you find it got worse with you as you got older? Yes, yes, yes!!!! Not only has the PMS become more intense, but I have a lot more cramping and pain.  The cyclical migraines didn’t start until I was in my mid-30s.  On top of that, my periods have gotten longer, heavier and more painful.  7-9 days is toooo long!!  Last few months my cycle has been shortening, too, from my usual 28 days, to 21.  That is not fun!!! ;-P That’s why I decided I had better see the doctor.  I have heard that can be a sign of being pre-menopausal. (I can only hope!!!) rosee Liz http://www.geocities.com/wellesley/7368 A closed mind gathers no thoughts. -Anonymous friend — For more information about this posting service, contact: If you want an anonymous account, visit our sign-up page: http://asarian-host.org/emailform.html

– And she rose from the ashes of her past… http://people.delphi.com/sphynx/sfs/index.htm ICQ 24933714            xgrmpflmprxyzzz 87%dragon!  Fanatic When replying, "nospam" must be removed from this address.

Response:

Question:

Hi all, My fiance has been put on Zoloft for anxiety.  He’s taking 25 mg daily, which is half of the proscribed dosage, but he feels it’s working well enough to stick with that dosage.  His neuro put him on nortriptyline last week for migraines and said "it tends to work well in conjunction with zoloft."  Problem is the drowsiness it’s causing is leaving him a zombie, and he feels the migraines are better than the drowsiness.  Furthermore, he looked in his drug reference book and, according to that, zoloft and nortriptyline do EXACTLY the same thing in terms of serotonin reuptake. So my questions are: Why would a neuro prescribe nortriptyline and zoloft at the same time?  Do they really do the same thing/is there any benefit to taking them both at the same time?  Is anyone out there taking zoloft and nortriptyline together?  And–probably most important–how long can he expect the drowsiness to last?  He’s already decided to quit the nortriptyline altogether and double the zoloft dose, but we’re both sort of wondering if that’s the right thing to do. — someone

Response:

Okay, let me clarify.  First, he only took nortriptyline for about 4 days, as it was *just* prescribed by his neuro.  So the fact that he quit "cold turkey" isn’t really significant IMO.  The neuro did indeed tell him it would take about 6 weeks for any "noticeable effects," and that the drowsiness would last maybe 2-4 weeks; but he decided that he could not deal with it for that long.  (BTW he was taking it at bedtime and then sleeping for 10+ hours, but was still like a zombie the next day.)  As for the zoloft, that was prescribed by his psychiatrist for anxiety.  He started that in the usual fashion with an extremely small dose and worked up to .25 mg, which is half of the proscribed "full dose."  His shrink had intended for him to advance to the full dose, but he stopped at .25 mg because he felt it was doing a very good job with the anxiety at that level, so taking more was not necessary (he discussed this with his shrink just last week, and even he felt that was pretty sound logic).  Then when he read that zoloft and nortriptyline do the same thing, he decided to drop the nortryptiline and up the zoloft to the originally intended dose. Incidentally, *now* he’s not sure he’s even *having* migraines anymore; he says now that he thinks about it, he can’t remember the last time he had a *real* migraine.  He has some of the symptoms all the time, like flashing lights, etc., but as far as *pain* goes, he’s beginning to think that those are either tension headaches or Excedrin rebound headaches–since they don’t occur just on one side like his usual migraines.  Seems like the *possible* (we hope) disappearance of full-blown migraines correlates pretty well with when he started taking zoloft.  We’ve got our fingers crossed. And here’s an interesting side note: Last October he underwent a sleep study to test for possible sleep apnea.  He has serious problems getting up in the morning, and is physically tired all day regardless of how much sleep he gets.  The study did not turn up any signs of sleep apnea, but did show an early-onset of REM which, according to the neuro, is common in people who suffer from depression (which causes which, nobody knows).  BUT he does not suffer from depression at all, at least no outward signs.  Is it possible to have "clinical depression" without *ever* feeling depressed?  Anyway the neuro said nortryptiline is especially good at treating depression, and "works well in conjunction with zoloft."  Too bad he couldn’t handle the drowsiness. BTW, he is still taking zoloft at bedtime, with xanax to counteract the jitters.  I guess the nortryptiline did *too good* of a job counteracting them. Whew!  So then, you seem to have a certain amount of medical background. What do you think of all this? — Ninerfan (a.k.a. Someone–now posting from her own computer instead of her boyfriend’s)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Zoloft (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a/k/a SSRI)often causes "jitters," and difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep. The sedating tricyclic/heterocyclic(TCAs or HCAs) antidepressants (ADs) cause drowsiness or deep sleep without addiction. (Some drugs in that class aren’t sedating.) Both are useful for migraine prophylaxis (px); ergo, each prescribed together, with extra potential to prevent migraines, increase your actual physical pain tolerance, increase the effectiveness of analgesics and each (with luck) canceling out some of the side effects of each other. This is awfully clever prescribing, actually, and I wish my docs had thought of it! Pamelor (nortriptyline) is a second-generation tricyclic, a direct derivative of Elavil or Tofranil (I forget which)–sort of a pre-digested Elavil/Tofranil. First-generation drugs go through a bunch o’ changes as they’re metabolized. The thinking was that for depression, if you could give patients something which was farther along in the process of conversion to a substance useful to the body, the AD would work faster. This might mean patients wouldn’t have to wait 4-6 weeks to see if the AD would work. Unfortunately, second- and third-generation ADs were no faster at lifting depressions. However, they had fewer serious side effects for many people while still maintaining the effectiveness of the older drugs for many people. Pamelor is generally prescribed before bedtime and Zoloft in the morning. Anxiety disorders generally don’t respond well to the TCAs or HCAs, but many of the SSRIs and the neither/or ADs (Desyrel/trazodone, for instance) are very useful in obsess.-comp. dis., gen’l anx. dis., etc. ABSOLUTELY do not d/c nortriptyline abruptly!!! This is very important. And NEVER double the dosage of a psych medicine on your own. Some cause heart arrythmias, some cause whacko neurological problems, wierd thoughts/behavior, etc. Call the doctor and state the complaint. Hi all, My fiance has been put on Zoloft for anxiety.  He’s taking 25 mg daily, which is half of the proscribed dosage, but he feels it’s working well enough to stick with that dosage.  His neuro put him on nortriptyline last week for migraines and said "it tends to work well in conjunction with zoloft."  Problem is the drowsiness it’s causing is leaving him a zombie, and he feels the migraines are better than the drowsiness.  Furthermore, he looked in his drug reference book and, according to that, zoloft and nortriptyline do EXACTLY the same thing in terms of serotonin reuptake. So my questions are: Why would a neuro prescribe nortriptyline and zoloft at the same time?  Do they really do the same thing/is there any benefit to taking them both at the same time?  Is anyone out there taking zoloft and nortriptyline together?  And–probably most important–how long can he expect the drowsiness to last?  He’s already decided to quit the nortriptyline altogether and double the zoloft dose, but we’re both sort of wondering if that’s the right thing to do. — someone

Response:

Question: *Why* is it a "good idea" to wean yourself off of a medication which is preventing migraines?

My opinion…. A medication takes upwards to 6 weeks at times to fully get into ones system….. stopping a medication quickly can shock ones system and might cause further medical complications… the medications dont know that we are taking them for migraines…… I take a blood pressure medication called Inderal… if I were to stop taking this completely cold turkey, it might shock my pressure and system and cause all sorts of difficulities…… make sense? Kristen Leigh

Response:

Hi Debby, He only took nortriptyline for about 4 days, so we’re not really worried about side effects.  I’m concerned that maybe he didn’t give it long enough, but he’s a big boy, so I can’t really make him take it if he doesn’t want to. Question: *Why* is it a "good idea" to wean yourself off of a medication which is preventing migraines? — Ninerfan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – and I agree would be a good idea.  Please be very careful—if you are considering changing medication don’t do it suddenly or without consulting your doctor–there can be VERY nasty side effects from sudden withdrawal. Debby

Response:

Zoloft (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, a/k/a SSRI)often causes "jitters," and difficulty in getting to sleep or staying asleep. The sedating tricyclic/heterocyclic(TCAs or HCAs) antidepressants (ADs) cause drowsiness or deep sleep without addiction. (Some drugs in that class aren’t sedating.) Both are useful for migraine prophylaxis (px); ergo, each prescribed together, with extra potential to prevent migraines, increase your actual physical pain tolerance, increase the effectiveness of analgesics and each (with luck) canceling out some of the side effects of each other. This is awfully clever prescribing, actually, and I wish my docs had thought of it! Pamelor (nortriptyline) is a second-generation tricyclic, a direct derivative of Elavil or Tofranil (I forget which)–sort of a pre-digested Elavil/Tofranil. First-generation drugs go through a bunch o’ changes as they’re metabolized. The thinking was that for depression, if you could give patients something which was farther along in the process of conversion to a substance useful to the body, the AD would work faster. This might mean patients wouldn’t have to wait 4-6 weeks to see if the AD would work. Unfortunately, second- and third-generation ADs were no faster at lifting depressions. However, they had fewer serious side effects for many people while still maintaining the effectiveness of the older drugs for many people. Pamelor is generally prescribed before bedtime and Zoloft in the morning. Anxiety disorders generally don’t respond well to the TCAs or HCAs, but many of the SSRIs and the neither/or ADs (Desyrel/trazodone, for instance) are very useful in obsess.-comp. dis., gen’l anx. dis., etc. ABSOLUTELY do not d/c nortriptyline abruptly!!! This is very important. And NEVER double the dosage of a psych medicine on your own. Some cause heart arrythmias, some cause whacko neurological problems, wierd thoughts/behavior, etc. Call the doctor and state the complaint. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, My fiance has been put on Zoloft for anxiety.  He’s taking 25 mg daily, which is half of the proscribed dosage, but he feels it’s working well enough to stick with that dosage.  His neuro put him on nortriptyline last week for migraines and said "it tends to work well in conjunction with zoloft."  Problem is the drowsiness it’s causing is leaving him a zombie, and he feels the migraines are better than the drowsiness.  Furthermore, he looked in his drug reference book and, according to that, zoloft and nortriptyline do EXACTLY the same thing in terms of serotonin reuptake. So my questions are: Why would a neuro prescribe nortriptyline and zoloft at the same time?  Do they really do the same thing/is there any benefit to taking them both at the same time?  Is anyone out there taking zoloft and nortriptyline together?  And–probably most important–how long can he expect the drowsiness to last?  He’s already decided to quit the nortriptyline altogether and double the zoloft dose, but we’re both sort of wondering if that’s the right thing to do. — someone

Response:

I am taking Elavil and Prozac together, and I had the same questions as to why take two antidepressants together.  I’m not sure what the reasoning is behind it, but it’s quite common for migraines.  I take the Elavil at night and it helps me sleep.  The first week or so I was a zombie, but it got better after about 10 days.  Tell him to hang in there, it gets better.

Response:

snip<  i THINK that nortriptyline is amytriptyline (sp?) (elavil)? & is classified as a tricyclic, wheras zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).  

Nortriptyline is the generic name for Pamelar and amytriptyline is the generic name for Elavil.  They are similar but not the same.   I’m not sure if they are classified as tricyclics…I never did understand what tricyclics were anyway. if that’s the case, perhaps they work a little differently, albeit both on the serotonin. in any event, my experience with the drowsiness is that it passes after awhile.  it was the dry mouth (from elavil; i haven’t been on zoloft) that bummed me out.

I’ve been on nortriptyline for 5 years.  My dosage has ranged from 50 to 100 mgs.  I barely notice the side effects.  I keep trying to find a less stressful time so that I can start to wean myself which my doctor and I agree would be a good idea.  Please be very careful—if you are considering changing medication don’t do it suddenly or without consulting your doctor–there can be VERY nasty side effects from sudden withdrawal. Debby

Response:

: , he : looked in his drug reference book and, according to that, zoloft and : nortriptyline do EXACTLY the same thing in terms of serotonin reuptake. :  i THINK that nortriptyline is amytriptyline (sp?) (elavil)? & is classified : as a tricyclic, wheras zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake : inhibitor).   if that’s the case, perhaps they work a little differently, : albeit both on the serotonin. in any event, my experience with the : drowsiness is that it passes after awhile.  it was the dry mouth (from : elavil; i haven’t been on zoloft) that bummed me out. I believe nortriptyline is *related* to amitriptyline (none of this spelling looks right to me), not the same thing. Many of these antidepressants do *roughly* the same thing, but in slightly different ways.  This is why they may have different side effects and may work better in combination than alone. I’m switching off of Zoloft, and am trying Wellbutrin.  (Actually I’m on both now, as the Wellbutrin settles in, so I don’t get left with a period with no antidepressant — I have clinical depression.)  I may, however, end up taking two different antidepressants, taking one which has sleepiness side effects in the evening and Wellbutrin, which has energizing side effects, earlier in the day.  Lots of folks do it that way.  The sedative effect of the med taken in the evening helps one sleep. Years ago I was on amitryptaline to see if it would help my migraines, and I discovered that I could count on falling asleep almost exactly 30 minutes after I took my dose.  Which was great, because I often have trouble falling asleep. Priscilla

Response:

, he looked in his drug reference book and, according to that, zoloft and nortriptyline do EXACTLY the same thing in terms of serotonin reuptake.

 i THINK that nortriptyline is amytriptyline (sp?) (elavil)? & is classified as a tricyclic, wheras zoloft is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).   if that’s the case, perhaps they work a little differently, albeit both on the serotonin. in any event, my experience with the drowsiness is that it passes after awhile.  it was the dry mouth (from elavil; i haven’t been on zoloft) that bummed me out.

Response:

You miss the point.  Why stop at all, if that medication is preventing the migraines?  Isn’t this sort of telling the patient that the migraine is all in your head and you just have to deal with it?  As if you have agoraphobia or something that you just have to "get over"?  To put it another way, if you were taking insulin shots for diabetes, would your doctor attempt to "wean" you off of insulin?

No, I dont think it is the same thing and I dont think that the doctors are saying that it is all in our heads.. at least the good ones…… what I do think is that… as I posted earlier….. I was told that it is possible that the migraine is cyclic… meaning that they come in cycles and if that cycle is broken, it is possible to be without the medications for a while…. I am not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be one.. all I know is what I have been told and learned myself….. and that is that I see two possibilities for weaning off a medication… one the med isnt working and one is at a dosage that is too high just to stop cold turkey and switch….. as is the case I have with the inderal I am on… or two….. that the doctor wants to see if the patient is able to survive off the medications without getting the migraines back again…… if I had the possibility of breaking a cycle of migraines and living life with one or two a year and NOT being on medications….. well, it would be a dream come true….. I would think that it would be worth a shot at least to find out….. from a laymans point of view……unlike a diabetic….. blood sugar levels are able to be tested where as migraines (at least most from what I gather) cannot be found on any one test…. this leaves open a lot of room for opinion and differences  in treatments……. if a diabetic’s system were to improve then this person would need less and less insulin…. possibly even get to a point where they dont need it….. as has happened with juvinile diabetis… sooooooo  lets get hypothetical for a moment….. if there WERE a test for migraines.. and a patients system were to show that they are needing less and less of a medication… wouldnt it make sense for them to take the lesser dosage necessary?  so in that respect… since there ISNT a test to tell this…. one must try it and see…. as with us trying different medications and different courses of treatment.. each is different… each doctor is different.. each migraine is different… all one can do is experiment and try to get to the as I said, this is just my opinion and what I have been told….. Again, I am not a doctor and cannot speak for why individuals are weaned off meds or not, it is just a theory which in my laypersons opinion.. think is a valid one that if I were to get to the point that I  did not have a migraine in lets say  a year …. I would certaintly want to TRY and see if I were able to survive without all these drugs…. I hate taking them at all times and even now dream for the day to live life without them…… it is a constant fight going on within… why at 25 do I have to take all this junk…… what did I ever do… I might never have that answer…. who knows? Kristen Leigh

Response:

You miss the point.  Why stop at all, if that medication is preventing the migraines?  Isn’t this sort of telling the patient that the migraine is all in your head and you just have to deal with it?  As if you have agoraphobia or something that you just have to "get over"?  To put it another way, if you were taking insulin shots for diabetes, would your doctor attempt to "wean" you off of insulin? — Ninerfan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Question: *Why* is it a "good idea" to wean yourself off of a medication which is preventing migraines? My opinion…. A medication takes upwards to 6 weeks at times to fully get into ones system….. stopping a medication quickly can shock ones system and might cause further medical complications… the medications dont know that we are taking them for migraines…… I take a blood pressure medication called Inderal… if I were to stop taking this completely cold turkey, it might shock my pressure and system and cause all sorts of difficulities…… make sense? Kristen Leigh

Response:

: Question: *Why* is it a "good idea" to wean yourself off of a medication : which is preventing migraines? Because stopping *any* medication too suddenly can shock the body and produce unpleasant effects. Priscilla

Response:

Hi Debby, snip< Question: *Why* is it a "good idea" to wean yourself off of a medication which is preventing migraines? — Ninerfan

Hi Ninerfan, Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to your question. I’ve been taking nortriptyline in varying dosages for about six years. In the meantime, I have also taken various other combinations of medicine to prevent my migraines and to treat my chronic daily headaches.  In addition to the nortriptyline, I also take Verapamil (calan){as a preventative} which is a calcium-channel blocker usually prescribed for high blood pressure.  When I began taking the Verapamil several years ago, my chronic daily headaches disappeared almost immediately.  Unless I am extremely stressed, my migraines (with aura) are pretty infrequent and they respond well to a combination of midrin and compazine or to DHE. I started taking nortriptyline when I was first being treated for rebound headaches from taking too much tylenol.  At that time I was having headaches every day and migraines, as often as 2 – 3 times a week.  Since my headaches seem to be much less of a problem, it seems like a good idea to try to eliminate one of the medicines I take every day.  I expect to take Verapamil or other blood pressure medicines for quite some time since I am also taking them because I have moderately elevated blood pressure.  We’re trying to determine if I still need to take the nortriptyline anymore. I’m not a doctor nor do I play one on this newsgroup but I hope that this explanantion is helpful. Debby

Response:

Question:

hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

No problem J. Welcome to ASAP. Most of us are here because we have the same problem you do. It’s really difficult inthe beginning,but it does get better. Curious, do you have depression to? If not, why the Zoloft? Xanax works great for panic without any additional meds. And, with lots less )or no) side effects. Just something you might want to talk to your doc about. Your best bet is to talk topeople who are positive and supportive here. Ignore the flames and trolls. They come and go. Don’t let them get to you. Get the weekly FAQ and also visit lots of the great web sites that are out there. Like Arthur Anderon’s website! It’s one of the best. Educating yourself about this disorder is one of the best things you can do! Feel free to e-mail me if you’d like. Regards, Jen

Response:

hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

Response:

HI J!!! Sorry to hear you have become "One of us", but glad you found this NG all the same! Jen really said it best as far as educating yourself about panic/anxiety… The best thing you could do, at least for me anyway, is to read as much as you can. I found what was the scariest of all was the not knowing, the lack of understanding as to what was exactly a panic attack meant, what the terms were, etc. Once I understood what was taking place during an attack, I was able to then try and find ways to cope with them. Of course, I am still searching for ways, but…. I am on the Zoloft also… How are you doing with that? I bet at times you may feel a little lost…Dont get down! You will survive! Oh, and for what its worth.. Know the best thing about panic sufferers? They are probably the most understanding, caring, compassionate folk you will ever come across… What you were seeing, like Jen said, is the trouble makers…. Wishing you the best!! — Miriam     (These opinions are mine and mine alone… YMMV) Energizer bunny arrested, charged with battery. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

Response:

hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K?

Hi, J – welcome to ASAP Glad to hear that you’re getting proper treatment and I hope you find this NG the valuable resource that so many of us have. — Gary Cooper

Response:

JSmittie schreef: hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

Hi J! Don’t worry. You’ll find much knowledge and support here. It’s a shame that new people should have to worry about posting here these days. The only reason why anybody will not be gentle with someone else here is when this someone else is consciously posting desinformation or writing insulting posts just to disrupt the newsgroup. These people are called *trolls* in Internet lingo and they’re to be found in every newsgroup on Usenet. Don’t worry about them. How long have you been on Zoloft? Does it work for you? It’s often a good idea to take a benzo like Xanax in at least the initial stages of a AD like Zoloft, to let your body adjust itself to it. Hope that you will post more often! Philip

Response:

Hi there!  I’ve only been here a little over 2 months, but some of the folks have been here literally for years.  So, there’s quite a lot of accumulated wisdom that has been of great help to me. I’m glad to have you here, "fellow newbie".  Just ignore the flame threads, delete the whole thread if it bothers you.  You’ll do fine. E. Brent Price

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

Response:

Hi J, I think the more you find out about PD the less you will be afraid…now you have a name for what you have been feeling, when I was diagnosed this summer and had the "names" spelled out for me, I felt a little "nuts", but now I DON’T feel that way. This isn’t some "head thing". For me trying to cope with it on my own was barely tolerable and now I am on the way to developing more appropriate methods of dealing with it. Keep reading and coming to this ng, there’s a lot of good info and support to be found here. Michelle says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -hello all….I have receantly been diagnosed with PD… this is a scary thing!!!!!!!     I have been reading this NG for a week or so and seem to relate to many of you. I am studing up on this PD thing and "trying to stay vertical" I am on Zoloft and Xanax as needed. Just saying "Hello I have a problem" is enough to flip me out! Be gentle with me K? J

Response: