Question:

Prozac May Soon Have a Generic Brand (washingtonpost.com)        By Katrina Hull       Associated Press Writer       Monday, July 30, 2001; 5:48 PM       INDIANAPOLIS

Question:

I have suffered with severe sinus infections for the last ten years. When I wake with a headache, I dread getting out of bed.  You are at tmes totally incapacitated with these.  Nothing ever helped.  Even antibiotics did not do the job at this point.  I read an article in a magazine about the benefits of drinking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in an 8 oz. glass of water each day.  I did more research on this and found that it is supposed to be very beneficial.  Knock on wood, since I started this regimen about 6 weeks ago, I have not had a serious sinus headache.  If I wake with the sinus stuffiness and drainage, the apple cider vinegar and water quickly relieve the condition.  Good luck to all who have this problem.  

Response:

How odd… i heard two tablespoons of warm apple cider vinegar was good for the arthristis…  wonder what else it is good for except maybe salad dressing?! -pam – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have suffered with severe sinus infections for the last ten years. When I wake with a headache, I dread getting out of bed.  You are at tmes totally incapacitated with these.  Nothing ever helped.  Even antibiotics did not do the job at this point.  I read an article in a magazine about the benefits of drinking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in an 8 oz. glass of water each day.  I did more research on this and found that it is supposed to be very beneficial.  Knock on wood, since I started this regimen about 6 weeks ago, I have not had a serious sinus headache.  If I wake with the sinus stuffiness and drainage, the apple cider vinegar and water quickly relieve the condition.  Good luck to all who have this problem.  

Response:

Hi Pam and everyone else: Finally got the strength to go back to a doctor only a kinder one this time and she gave me a five day treatment of Zithromax. It, along with a good OTC saline solution and Nasalcrom is working wonders for me, but I might get some more antibiotics because five days may not be enough to completely cure it. Also thinking of going to allergist to solve the flare ups once and for all,:) Happy Holidays to all:) Coral. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – About a week ago, I started noticing: I had a pain going across my forehead and between my eyes, felt like my face was hurting me, My nose was stuffier than usual, (I always have a stuffy nose) Coughing up thick brown phlem. Post nasal drip Feeling constantly dizzy all day long, has lasted about 3 days now. Constantly running to the bathroom to spit up phlem. Ears and hearing are annoying me. I went to a doctor a few days ago, and had Is this a Sinus Infection? This is what I had starting Dec1st.  Coughing earaches sore throat and sore chest.  Primary doctor put me on 6 days of antibiotics for 6 days.  A week later came back and went to allergist and he gave me a shot of cortisone and another double round of antibiotics and I am fine.  This is your difference where the primary doctor does not have time for all the patients.  A specialist will go a step further and cover all the bases.  I did have blaring of vision and dizziness.  See an allergist.  You woun’t be sorry. chest X ray Spirometry test EKG blood test. all were good and the doctor delcared me healthy, BUT he didnt check my nose for imflammation or give me a sinus Xray, my question is, could I have a sinus infection, is feeling dizzy a possible symptom with Sinus infectioned. — Re:  Serevent and Flovent.  My biggest problem is not being permitted to Before you buy.

Response:

Finally got the strength to go back to a doctor only a kinder one this time and she gave me a five day treatment of Zithromax but I might get some more antibiotics because five days may not be enough to completely cure it.

Zythromax is different than most antibioyics and 5 days is like taking 10 days of them.  If I understand correctly, it keeps working for days after you stop it.

Response:

I thank you very large. reble

me too Ellis…this has really helped over the last couple of days…thanks eric "the alternative to seeing things in black and white is to see them in full colour"

Response:

Hi Pam and everyone else: Finally got the strength to go back to a doctor only a kinder one this time and she gave me a five day treatment of Zithromax. It, along with a good OTC saline solution and Nasalcrom is working wonders for me, but I might get some more antibiotics because five days may not be enough to completely cure it. Also thinking of going to allergist to solve the flare ups once and

for Sinus Infections in the winter are caused from being in the house where the air is too dry.  We are going to kick up our humidifier on the furnace and hope that will help.  Also using ocean spray in the nostrils should help.  I am finnally at the point that I am not coughing after three weeks and the visit to the allergist.  I still have a lot of days to finish on the antibiotics but I am finally starting to feel good.  However, I do find that the 24 hr Clairitn-d keeps me from sleeping so I am going to take the 12 hr.  Hope everyone else gets better.  I think I will also use the nasal chrome.  And hopefully all my problems will disappear for good. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – all,:) Happy Holidays to all:) Coral. About a week ago, I started noticing: I had a pain going across my forehead and between my eyes, felt like my face was hurting me, My nose was stuffier than usual, (I always have a stuffy nose) Coughing up thick brown phlem. Post nasal drip Feeling constantly dizzy all day long, has lasted about 3 days now. Constantly running to the bathroom to spit up phlem. Ears and hearing are annoying me. I went to a doctor a few days ago, and had Is this a Sinus Infection? This is what I had starting Dec1st.  Coughing earaches sore throat and sore chest.  Primary doctor put me on 6 days of antibiotics for 6 days.  A week later came back and went to allergist and he gave me a shot of cortisone and another double round of antibiotics and I am fine.  This is your difference where the primary doctor does not have time for all the patients.  A specialist will go a step further and cover all the bases.  I did have blaring of vision and dizziness.  See an allergist.  You woun’t be sorry. chest X ray Spirometry test EKG blood test. all were good and the doctor delcared me healthy, BUT he didnt check my nose for imflammation or give me a sinus Xray, my question is, could I have a sinus infection, is feeling dizzy a possible symptom with Sinus infectioned. — Re:  Serevent and Flovent.  My biggest problem is not being permitted to Before you buy.

– Re:  Serevent and Flovent.  My biggest problem is not being permitted to Before you buy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – About a week ago, I started noticing: I had a pain going across my forehead and between my eyes,  felt like my face was hurting me, My nose was stuffier than usual, (I always have a stuffy nose) Coughing up thick brown phlem. Post nasal drip Feeling constantly dizzy all day long, has lasted about 3 days now. Constantly running to the bathroom to spit up phlem. Ears and hearing are annoying me. —cut—-  The first thing to try for rhinitis is Nasalcrom (cromolyn) nasal spray, now OTC. It has virtually no side effects. I also recommend saline washes; the simple way is mix some warm salt water, inhale from palm of hand. Ellis — How much saline solution are you talking about? Is this essentially the same a using a saline nasal spary such as "Ocean" available OTC? reble OTC saline solution could be used, but it’s expensive. You could take a half a cup of warm water, sprinkle in some salt; pour into palm of one hand and inhale with one nostril, tip head back so it starts to run down throat, cough and spit out. Repeat on the other side, as is necessary to clear the mucus. If there is not enough or too much salt, there will be a burning sensation. Here’s a link with a recipe: http://www.aos-jax.com/nasal.htm Excerpt: "What is nasal irrigation? This is a procedure in which the nasal cavity is washed with a soothing solution. It can be done by using a bulb syringe or an electric dental device (such as Water Pik). Why would I need to do nasal irrigation? People with upper airway problems may have dry nasal membranes. Also, the mucous secretion is thick and the hairs are not able to move the mucus out. In some people, the mucus dries and forms crusts that interfere with sinus drainage. Crusting and poor drainage also causes headaches, infection, and bad odors. By using nose drops and nasal irrigation, this problem can be relieved and comfort restored. Irrigation with a Bulb Syringe or an Electric Dental Device Equipment needed: Bulb syringe or electric dental device (Water Pik) Irrigation tips (if using Water Pik) Saline solution: One gallon of boiled or distilled water 4 teaspoons of sea salt or canning salt 1 teaspoon of Arm & Hammer baking soda Solution may be warmed prior to irrigation. Always use caution if warming solution to avoid excessive heating. Have a thermometer handy to measure the temperature. Temperature should be 103

Question:

I have had surgery 3 times since 1984 to remove nasal polyps.  These procedures always seem to increase my airflow and help my breathing.  However, my sense of smell still comes and mostly goes.  I am wondering if the nasal irrigation procedure I am reading about in this NG – specifically, the one with the water pik will help me regain my sense of smell? The only thing that has worked in the past is when I was prescribed an anti-biotic.  This always seems to return my sense of smell, for as much as 30 days, then I can’t smell again.  Sometimes, for no apparent reason, my sense of smell returns and I am the happiest man in the world.  My whole attitude improves 100% those few days a year I cam smell.   I know whatever body part is responsible for letting me smell works fine.  I think my problem is that air the air I breathe in is obstructed and can’t reach the receptors that let me smell.  My ENT tells me that is no big deal, but I find the lack of smelling is quite debilitating. If anyone has had similar problems or solutions please contact me. Thanks in advance Ron

Response:

Ron, I have had 3 sinus surgeries to remove polyps and currently have no sense of smell either.  It improves slightly for a short time after the surgery, but after a few months it is totally gone.  Although I try not to think about it, it certainly compromises my quality of life and affects my mood.  If I were in a burning building the only way I would know is to see the smoke. The only time I get any sensation of smell is after a course of oral steroids such as Medrol and this only lasts for a short time. My ENT tells me that the problem is the same as you describe, congestion blocking the air flow to the area near the olfactory nerve.  He tells me this area is so close to the brain stem that it is too dangerous to perform surgery there. I share your frustration and unfortunately do not have a solution, but hopefully someone out there does. Alan

Response:

Hi Ron, Brother! Does your tale sound familiar! That sense of absolute elation! I can smell! It’s so joyful, and then, it’s gone. I have been without smell (or health insurance) for the last couple of years, and I was just in despair, terrible depression. No smell at all except at random intervals–usually after hiking in very clean outdoor environments, and sometimes in very steamy kitchens. I’ve had to seek therapy and get antidepressants. Just because losing smell doesn’t "handicap" you in a noticable way, doesn’t mean it isn’t debilitating you. Loss of a sense is a tremendous loss and it has real emotional effects. Smell is so strongly associated with emotions, and with sensuality and pleasure–taste, enjoyment of food and flowers and nature, all that good delicious yummy stuff. When you lose it, you really are suffering. But I never cut myself enough slack about it, tried to say it wasn’t the worst thing that could happen, which probably only made me more depressed. The last straw for me came when I became seriously sick from a gas leak and didn’t know what was going on or why I was feeling so sick until I found visual evidence of a problem anyone else could have smelled in a second. Anyway, I am now recuperating from my first (and I hope only) sinus surgery to remove polyps, straighten out a very deviated septum and clean up a mess in my frontal sinuses. (OUCH! How long does this last?)  My ENT has been very straightforward about the polyps possibly recurring and he wants to try Singulair on an ongoing basis (see earlier posts about this drug) to control recurrance. Polyps are caused by chronic inflammation and the singulair helps turn off that hyper-immune response. He’s pretty optimistic that it can work in combination with self care and keeping environmental allergies under control. He’s also optimistic that it will restore my sense of smell fully, because as you suspect about yourself, polyps were blocking the airways to the olfactory nerves. I’m optimistic because, in preparation for the surgery, he started me on the Singulair, and a short course of steriods. Within four days I was smelling things as the polyps shrank. Wheeeeee! They kicked in about the same time the anti-depressants did. I’m not exaggerating when I say I feel like I have come back from the dead. Even my boyfriend smells good. I irrigation alone couldn’t work for me. The polyps were so huge I could not get water to pass up my nostrils so I never got very far with it. You know, I have envied my cats so much the last two years! They live in a world of smell and obviously get so much pleasure from it. I see them sitting outside, eyes closed, heads tilted back and their little noses twitching…. I want to sit out on the patio with them and sniff the night air. I hope this all works and that you find a way too. Zamboni? Hockey fan? I’m missing hockey a lot since leaving Chicago. Best, Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Zamboni88 wrote:

I have had surgery 3 times since 1984 to remove nasal polyps.  These procedures always seem to increase my airflow and help my breathing.  However, my sense of smell still comes and mostly goes.  I am wondering if the nasal irrigation procedure I am reading about in this NG – specifically, the one with the water pik will help me regain my sense of smell? The only thing that has worked in the past is when I was prescribed an anti-biotic.  This always seems to return my sense of smell, for as much as 30 days, then I can’t smell again.  Sometimes, for no apparent reason, my sense of smell returns and I am the happiest man in the world.  My whole attitude improves 100% those few days a year I cam smell. I know whatever body part is responsible for letting me smell works fine.  I think my problem is that air the air I breathe in is obstructed and can’t reach the receptors that let me smell.  My ENT tells me that is no big deal, but I find the lack of smelling is quite debilitating. If anyone has had similar problems or solutions please contact me. Thanks in advance Ron

Response:

You know, one other thought. If your ENT thinks it’s no big deal you can’t smell, fire the jerk and find another. It IS a big deal. That so-called specialist isn’t very understanding about how serious a loss of your humanity you are suffering. It _is_ depressing! It _is_ a loss! Demand that he take it seriously! If he doesn’t, check out the phone book. I didn’t give myself permission to take it seriously until I nearly got gassed to death. It’s not crippling me, I can still see, hear, walk, all that stupid stuff I kept saying to myself. No wonder I was so depressed! Don’t do to youself what I did. Good luck, Ron. Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Zamboni88 wrote:

I have had surgery 3 times since 1984 to remove nasal polyps.  These procedures always seem to increase my airflow and help my breathing.  However, my sense of smell still comes and mostly goes.  I am wondering if the nasal irrigation procedure I am reading about in this NG – specifically, the one with the water pik will help me regain my sense of smell? The only thing that has worked in the past is when I was prescribed an anti-biotic.  This always seems to return my sense of smell, for as much as 30 days, then I can’t smell again.  Sometimes, for no apparent reason, my sense of smell returns and I am the happiest man in the world.  My whole attitude improves 100% those few days a year I cam smell. I know whatever body part is responsible for letting me smell works fine.  I think my problem is that air the air I breathe in is obstructed and can’t reach the receptors that let me smell.  My ENT tells me that is no big deal, but I find the lack of smelling is quite debilitating. If anyone has had similar problems or solutions please contact me. Thanks in advance Ron

Response:

Question:

napi said: "The reason I wrote was for any other ways of getting his motivation up so when he gets his grades back and gets back to gymnastics, he will still have the motivation to continue to do his work." I would urge you, as strongly as I can, to NOT look at this as a motivation issue.

Response:

I would urge you, as strongly as I can, to NOT look at this as a motivation issue. Napi is asking:

What kind of issue is it?  I am pulling at strings here.  I am wondering, why it wouldn’t be a motivational problem when he can discuss things and do reports that are interesting to him? I don’t know what you mean.

Response:

"What kind of issue is it?  I am pulling at strings here.  I am wondering, why it wouldn’t be a motivational problem when he can discuss things and do reports that are interesting to him? I don’t know what you mean." Because this "interest" thing is a "red herring" when it comes to ADHD. We don’t choose what we’re interested in. The topic or activity chooses us. By that I mean –we have a narrower path we can walk on these things. The topic has to go to strong interests of ours, feed into a talent or ability of ours — some special quality has to be there. We can’t get interested in the causes of WWII just because the history teacher assigned it. It’s very hard to explain if you don’t have ADHD, but it isn’t motivation, and it isn’t "choice."

Response:

Hi.  I am new here.  can you help me with the hundreds of questions I have about diagnosing ADD?  My son is 8 and we have started testing him. After filling out surveys, meeting with teachers,  and going to the doctor,I am still very unsure about the whole thing. ( so is the doc.) The school seems convinced he has ADD but I’m not.  I want to do everything I possibly can for my son. But how do you really know its ADD? I hear other parents know without a doubt and are thankful for meds.  any advice or opinions would be priceless.  Sorry this note is going to be so long but I wanted to comment on the sports thing.  Both my kids have been in tae kwon do for about a month.  I think it is an excellent program that ADDers can benifit from.  They have a unique way of motivating a kid(or adult) if you go to the right school. I wont ramble on with all the details but its worth checking into.

Response:

He knows about his condition.  There is a wonderful site called brain wiring on the web.  We looked at it and there was an interesting article about how ADDers are more like the hunters of old,  focus had to shift easily and lots of other cool things that made hime feel better.  We took him out temporarily from sports.  When he brings his classwork to present and for 2 weeks of getting all work done, he can go back to his sport.  It is not a team like sport so the gym knows what is going on and has a place still for him.  He has a plan on the fridge door and knows his chores.  He does them.  The only problem we are having is school work.  It isn’t wierd, I know, but it makes him feel different.  Knowing that he has no ambition for this school thing.  He wants to be a scientist when he grows up and we keep informing him that he needs school to get where he wants to be.  He understands, just doesn’t want to go through the steps to get there.

Just a comment here…. I did original scientific research even tho it wasn’t the field in which I obtained a degree.  With luck and brains (and more LUCK!) he/she may get to do what he wants. I did a tremendous amount of reading in the field I found most interesting, on my own time, but it paid off.

Response:

I would like to thank you all for all of your input.  The discontinuing sports is only going to be temporary.  Maybe 3 weeks.  He is in gymnastics. His place in class is being held.  I do realize that sports are very important to him and to me.  I love to see him excel in something he loves. Not many ADDer children get a chance to smile at school because they have been "pegged" as a bad kid or for not listening.  It is wonderful to see him go wild and have fun and not get in trouble for being active.  And that it should not be taken away.  So we told him that the sport is on hold for his classwork.  He knows and understands what his fast little brain is going through.  He is smart enough and has been taught cause and effect.  He understands that the act of not getting his work done will effect his ability to go and do something he loves.  As it stands right now, he was taken out on Jan 12th.  His back class work is almost current and he is doing his best in class to get things turned in on time.  Sports was used as a last resort.  We tried to give him as much possibilities for bringing up his classwork.  Since he has been out of sports, that is the only thing that did motivate him to buckle down, and get it done. The reason I wrote was for any other ways of getting his motivation up so when he gets his grades back and gets back to gymnastics, he will still have the motivation to continue to do his work. I do again thank you  and if anyone has any suggestions still, I would love to hear them.

Response:

I have read that as a general rule, rewards and punishments do not work well for ADD children. They sure didn’t for us. ADDers sometimes simply *can’t* do the work–motivated or not.

I think this is a very valid statement:  At least in my own ADD experience, I have found that all too often, the very academic subject areas in which I am MOST interested and/or initially excited about turn out to be the areas in which I have the most trouble staying focused, completing the work, keeping up.  I don’t know why this is; it certainly doesn’t make sense.  Actually, I do in fact have a theory or two as to why I do this, but it’s kind of hard to explain… Furthermore, I wanted to comment on the following: "Not to be flip, but I do not have ADD, and when I’m not interested in something, I don’t have much motivation either. So, to me, this actually sounds normal." I think you’re very right in pointing this out, Nancy.  In the past, you have stated yourself that often, ADDers posting in here can get a bit carried away in their analysis of personality types, behaviors, ways of thinking, etc…. And as a result, there seems to be a tendency to over-classify such traits as being completely ADD-related, when in fact they aren’t uncommon traits among the general population.   I’m not trying to criticize or anything – I know that I personally tend to observe a quirk of mine, and then assume that it is a part of my ADD, even though it may not be… and then sometimes, it’s just really hard to tell… So anyway, Nancy, I just wanted to let you know, that I really appriciate having the non-ADDer point of view on certain topics — It helps keep things in perspective megan

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Have you tried discussing with him what his condition is? Also, if he is shown how learning can help him in the future, with an example of how he would benefit it might get him to see the big picture. Additionally, helping you son to schedule his days can help to keep him on a path of remembering, and prioritizing certain daily activites that need to be accomplished.  Placing the schedule in a place that is plain view (i.e. the frig, or on his door) will also help with accountability.  However, taking him out of sports may have an affect on his motivation.  If he has no serious physical outlet where he can see some form of progress, or strive towards a goal that he can reach physically, then he will have no motivation for those things that are more cerebral than physical, thusly he will not completely grasp complex concepts, unless he has a desire to do so. Just some thoughts from an old ADD’er He knows about his condition.  There is a wonderful site called brain

wiring on the web.  We looked at it and there was an interesting article about how ADDers are more like the hunters of old,  focus had to shift easily and lots of other cool things that made hime feel better.  We took him out temporarily from sports.  When he brings his classwork to present and for 2 weeks of getting all work done, he can go back to his sport.  It is not a team like sport so the gym knows what is going on and has a place still for him.  He has a plan on the fridge door and knows his chores.  He does them.  The only problem we are having is school work.  It isn’t wierd, I know, but it makes him feel different.  Knowing that he has no ambition for this school thing.  He wants to be a scientist when he grows up and we keep informing him that he needs school to get where he wants to be.  He understands, just doesn’t want to go through the steps to get there.

Response:

Hi!! I’m new here and have a 10 year old with ADHD.  He is smart a whip, both his teachers and the principal at school say so.  He has interests, and when school is talking about something he is interested in, he listens, participates, and is exteremely vocal is discussion.  The problem is when he is not interested, he has no motivation.

Not to be flip, but I do not have ADD, and when I’m not interested in something, I don’t have much motivation either. So, to me, this actually sounds normal.  Can someone help with ideas & pointers?  I have taken him out of sports because of his grades.

My 16 yo ADD son has always been active in sports (since he was a preschooler.) When I have talked to different school counselors and to doctors over the years about the wisdom of taking him out of sports (hoping that would either: 1. motivate him to work harder in school, or 2. spend more time on his school work), *every* advisor said, "Don’t do it. He needs sports." Yes, school should come first, but school isn’t everything. Physical activities, like sports, aren’t *rewards.* They should be part of every child’s life. All kids should have a physical outlet. Kids like my son especially need the physical outlet. Sports provide that AND structure, and supervision. Sports taught him lessons in cooperation and teamwork, good sportsmanship, responsibility, grace under pressure, working hard for a goal. Sports gave my son a chance to be successful. A boost to his self-esteem and self-confidence. Something he needs after the mental and psychological exhaustion of trying to deal with academics. Also, at least in our case, taking away something he liked to motivate him to do something he didn’t, never worked. We did take away some other things he liked, like TV. But, eventually, we had taken away just about everything that gave him some joy, and all he had, except for sports, was a life of dreary (to him) school work and chores. No wonder he felt so bad. Sports just got my son his first two jobs. He referees youth soccer games and he has just been hired as a soccer instructor. He loves both jobs! It’s wonderful to see him so enthusiastic about working.  I told him when he gets his grades up, he can go back.  I have tried a rainbow of things for encouragement, king for a day, movie day, out with mom day, out with dad day, computer time, etc.  The motivation is not there.

I have read that as a general rule, rewards and punishments do not work well for ADD children. They sure didn’t for us. ADDers sometimes simply *can’t* do the work–motivated or not. They also have difficulty linking actions to consequences.  I have asked the school to try and tie things in that he is interested in with the lessons.  Its just that not all,or most, kids like the subjects that he likes.  So they really cannot do that.  None of us (school, my son, myself, my husband) would like to see him be retained this year.  But that is what we are looking at if he doesn’t work hard.  I work with him at least 1hr a day with back work and extra credit.  It may not help though.  Please if anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it.

I wish I could offer you a solution. So many of us have struggled with academic issues. Maybe it’s time for you and the school to revisit his IEP if he has one, or his 504 plan. Sounds like he may need more classroom support and accommodations. Nancy Unique, like everyone else

Response:

napi said: "This is me again.  Nothing out of the ordinary is going on at home.  He does his chores.  He loves animals.  He plays when his homework is done.  He is a normal 10 year old boy.  We thought he was depressed.  So we took him to psychiatrists.  They said he is not.  Which is good.  We do not want him on more medication than absolutely necessary.  We thought putting him in a sport he was interested in would help.  It didn’t work, now he is not in sports because of his grades." Please — this is a DEVASTATINGLY bad outcome. I urge you to rethink the notion that you "don’t want him on more medication than absolutely necessary." If meds will help here — they really sound ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to me… this is a terrible experience for your son he’s going through.

Response:

The problem is when he is not interested, he has no motivation. A common feature of ADD is that ADDers very nearly *can’t* pay attention when they aren’t interested.  Providing rewards won’t change it, because it isn’t about not caring or not wanting to do well.

       Nod, but meds do help this with me, at least.   At that point, I *CAN*, even if I don’t really want to.  It can be hard to tell the "damn, but I really don’t want to do this" from the "damn, I’m trying to do this and can’t".

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi!! I’m new here and have a 10 year old with ADHD.  He is smart a whip, both his teachers and the principal at school say so.  He has interests, and when school is talking about something he is interested in, he listens, participates, and is exteremely vocal is discussion.  The problem is when he is not interested, he has no motivation.  Can someone help with ideas & pointers?  I have taken him out of sports because of his grades.  I told him when he gets his grades up, he can go back.  I have tried a rainbow of things for encouragement, king for a day, movie day, out with mom day, out with dad day, computer time, etc.  The motivation is not there.  I have asked the school to try and tie things in that he is interested in with the lessons.  Its just that not all,or most, kids like the subjects that he likes.  So they really cannot do that.  None of us (school, my son, myself, my husband) would like to see him be retained this year.  But that is what we are looking at if he doesn’t work hard.  I work with him at least 1hr a day with back work and extra credit.  It may not help though.  Please if anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. Thank you This is me again.  Nothing out of the ordinary is going on at home.  He does his chores.  He loves animals.  He plays when his homework is done.  He is a normal 10 year old boy.  We thought he was depressed.  So we took him to psychiatrists.  They said he is not.  Which is good.  We do not want him on more medication than absolutely necessary.  We thought putting him in a sport he was interested in would help.  It didn’t work, now he is not in sports because of his grades. He does get punished when he does wrong.  But he doesn’t get spankings. Only for the fact that he is getting older and talking about what needs to be done for punishment seems to make him think more about what he has done. As I have said before, he gets his medication [Dexedrine 10mg bid] and he seems to be ok for quieting down.  He just doesn’t have any motivation when not interested.  Behavior modifications include leneancy regarding writing [print not cursive], doing less written work more verbal, frequent "rest periods" at home from work.  Don’t get me wrong, we don’t baby him, we just know that simple modifications help focus.  But not lately.  It is like he has grown out of modifications.  Do you get what I mean?

Have you tried discussing with him what his condition is? Also, if he is shown how learning can help him in the future, with an example of how he would benefit it might get him to see the big picture. Additionally, helping you son to schedule his days can help to keep him on a path of remembering, and prioritizing certain daily activites that need to be accomplished.  Placing the schedule in a place that is plain view (i.e. the frig, or on his door) will also help with accountability.  However, taking him out of sports may have an affect on his motivation.  If he has no serious physical outlet where he can see some form of progress, or strive towards a goal that he can reach physically, then he will have no motivation for those things that are more cerebral than physical, thusly he will not completely grasp complex concepts, unless he has a desire to do so. Just some thoughts from an old ADD’er

Response:

" A common feature of ADD is that ADDers very nearly *can’t* pay attention when they aren’t interested.  Providing rewards won’t change it, because it isn’t about not caring or not wanting to do well.        Nod, but meds do help this with me, at least.   At that point, I *CAN*, even if I don’t really want to.  It can be hard to tell the "damn, but I really don’t want to do this" from the "damn, I’m trying to do this and can’t".

And also, one shades into the other.  There’s the area where "I could do this if I threw every ounce of effort at it, but it isn’t important enough for that."" I find this a very interesting conversation because I have students on my caseload with ADHD and have observed this in a couple of them. Instead of calling them lazy (I am pretty sure that wouldn’t improve things — smile) I have told them — "Look, you have ADHD, and this is one of the things ADHD can do to you — it can keep you from getting interested in an assignment you have to do." This is particularly a problem in longer assignments, and my students will read and write about one topic for weeks at a time… So we are actively working together to find personal devices they can use to increase their interest in a necessary but uninteresting task.

Response:

I have taken him out of sports because of his grades.

I just wanted to say this may not be the best idea.   Physical activity is very important for ADDers.  It helps them focus and burn off the stress of life.

Response:

I have taken him out of sports because of his grades.

"I just wanted to say this may not be the best idea.   Physical activity is very important for ADDers.  It helps them focus and burn off the  stress of life." I absolutely agree.  I don’t know how I would have gotten through high school if I hadn’t been involved in sports.  I know that competitive athletics benefited me on several levels:  Besides being an excellent stress outlet and just plain healthy, it provided me with more confidence than anything probably has in my life yet.  Also, it allowed for some great social/friendship delvelopments.   Something else not to overlook is the discipline and the **structure** that comes with athletic training and being on a team.  THAT is definitely something that I lacked (but craved) in the rest of my life, but quickly embraced when it came to sports. megan

Response:

Hi EmmaAnne, My own personal experience would dictate that you keep your child in sports if at all possible. Of course this is only one person’s observation, but clearly my 17 yo son did much better in school while participating in football last fall.  At the conclusion of the season and for 2 full weeks, he didn’t turn in any homework what-so-ever.  Needless to say he dropped from an A-B student to a D-E(F) in a real short order. I always figured that sports were a real great thing for him (social, esteem and fitness), but I never witnessed such a clear direct relationship between sports and grades.  It just caught me off guard when the football season ended and he suddenly didn’t have that to kinda anchor his life. Hopefully you will have a better experience than I.  My general advice to ADD parents is to keep the kids busy!!! FWIW. Regards,

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have taken him out of sports because of his grades. I just wanted to say this may not be the best idea.   Physical activity is very important for ADDers.  It helps them focus and burn off the stress of life.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The problem is when he is not interested, he has no motivation. A common feature of ADD is that ADDers very nearly *can’t* pay attention when they aren’t interested.  Providing rewards won’t change it, because it isn’t about not caring or not wanting to do well.        Nod, but meds do help this with me, at least.   At that point, I *CAN*, even if I don’t really want to.  It can be hard to tell the "damn, but I really don’t want to do this" from the "damn, I’m trying to do this and can’t".

And also, one shades into the other.  There’s the area where "I could do this if I threw every ounce of effort at it, but it isn’t important enough for that."

Response:

decided it would be nice to share this stuff with the rest of us: —-I’m new here and have a 10 year old with ADHD.  He is smart a whip, both his —-teachers and the principal at school say so.  He has interests, and when —-school is talking about something he is interested in, he listens, —-participates, and is exteremely vocal is discussion.  The problem is when he —-is not interested, he has no motivation.  Can someone help with ideas & —-pointers?  I have taken him out of sports because of his grades. I told him —-when he gets his grades up, he can go back.  I have tried a rainbow of —-things for encouragement, king for a day, movie day, out with mom day, out —-with dad day, computer time, etc.  The motivation is not there. I have —-asked the school to try and tie things in that he is interested in with the —-lessons.  Its just that not all,or most, kids like the subjects that he —-likes.  So they really cannot do that.  None of us (school, my son, myself, —-my husband) would like to see him be retained this year.  But that is what —-we are looking at if he doesn’t work hard.  I work with him at least 1hr a —-day with back work and extra credit.  It may not help though. Please if —-anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. —- —-If anyone’s got help for this, I’d like to know, as I’m extremely —-unmotivated as well.  I just can’t be bothered to put much effort int —-things I don’t like.  Threats or incentives are absolutely useless. —-Everything is, it seems.   My parents tried both threats and incentives, the reality is, I’m as stubborn as most Germans can be and the ADD helps me dig in even more This Kid is just being difficult, what else is going on at home? I kinda feel that you are telling me your kid is getting wet, and you forgot to tell me that he is standing in the rain, so I can’t be of much assistance. "Education is the Progressive Discovery of our own Ignorance" -Will Durant "People who read the Tabloids deserve to be lied to" —     Jerry Seinfeld "You don’t Know what you got ’till it’s Gone" —            Joni Mitchell "I’m Just a soul whose intentions are Good … " — Eric Burden

Response:

The problem is when he is not interested, he has no motivation.

A common feature of ADD is that ADDers very nearly *can’t* pay attention when they aren’t interested.  Providing rewards won’t change it, because it isn’t about not caring or not wanting to do well. — "Why do they call you the Warrior Princess?" "Ceasar was already taken" Xena: Warrior Princess

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m new here and have a 10 year old with ADHD.  He is smart a whip, both his teachers and the principal at school say so.  He has interests, and when school is talking about something he is interested in, he listens, participates, and is exteremely vocal is discussion.  The problem is when he is not interested, he has no motivation.  Can someone help with ideas & pointers?  I have taken him out of sports because of his grades.  I told him when he gets his grades up, he can go back.  I have tried a rainbow of things for encouragement, king for a day, movie day, out with mom day, out with dad day, computer time, etc.  The motivation is not there.  I have asked the school to try and tie things in that he is interested in with the lessons.  Its just that not all,or most, kids like the subjects that he likes.  So they really cannot do that.  None of us (school, my son, myself, my husband) would like to see him be retained this year.  But that is what we are looking at if he doesn’t work hard.  I work with him at least 1hr a day with back work and extra credit.  It may not help though.  Please if anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. If anyone’s got help for this, I’d like to know, as I’m extremely unmotivated as well.  I just can’t be bothered to put much effort int things I don’t like.  Threats or incentives are absolutely useless. Everything is, it seems.

Exactly!!!  My son gets behavior modification (leaway) and still nothing.

Response:

Hi!! I’m new here and have a 10 year old with ADHD.  He is smart a whip, both his teachers and the principal at school say so.  He has interests, and when school is talking about something he is interested in, he listens, participates, and is exteremely vocal is discussion.  The problem is when he is not interested, he has no motivation.  Can someone help with ideas & pointers?  I have taken him out of sports because of his grades.  I told him when he gets his grades up, he can go back.  I have tried a rainbow of things for encouragement, king for a day, movie day, out with mom day, out with dad day, computer time, etc.  The motivation is not there.  I have asked the school to try and tie things in that he is interested in with the lessons.  Its just that not all,or most, kids like the subjects that he likes.  So they really cannot do that.  None of us (school, my son, myself, my husband) would like to see him be retained this year.  But that is what we are looking at if he doesn’t work hard.  I work with him at least 1hr a day with back work and extra credit.  It may not help though.  Please if anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. Thank you

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi!! I’m new here and have a 10 year old with ADHD.  He is smart a whip, both his teachers and the principal at school say so.  He has interests, and when school is talking about something he is interested in, he listens, participates, and is exteremely vocal is discussion.  The problem is when he is not interested, he has no motivation.  Can someone help with ideas & pointers?  I have taken him out of sports because of his grades.  I told him when he gets his grades up, he can go back.  I have tried a rainbow of things for encouragement, king for a day, movie day, out with mom day, out with dad day, computer time, etc.  The motivation is not there.  I have asked the school to try and tie things in that he is interested in with the lessons.  Its just that not all,or most, kids like the subjects that he likes.  So they really cannot do that.  None of us (school, my son, myself, my husband) would like to see him be retained this year.  But that is what we are looking at if he doesn’t work hard.  I work with him at least 1hr a day with back work and extra credit.  It may not help though.  Please if anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. Thank you

This is me again.  Nothing out of the ordinary is going on at home.  He does his chores.  He loves animals.  He plays when his homework is done.  He is a normal 10 year old boy.  We thought he was depressed.  So we took him to psychiatrists.  They said he is not.  Which is good.  We do not want him on more medication than absolutely necessary.  We thought putting him in a sport he was interested in would help.  It didn’t work, now he is not in sports because of his grades. He does get punished when he does wrong.  But he doesn’t get spankings.

Only for the fact that he is getting older and talking about what needs to be done for punishment seems to make him think more about what he has done. As I have said before, he gets his medication [Dexedrine 10mg bid] and he seems to be ok for quieting down.  He just doesn’t have any motivation when not interested.  Behavior modifications include leneancy regarding writing [print not cursive], doing less written work more verbal, frequent "rest periods" at home from work.  Don’t get me wrong, we don’t baby him, we just know that simple modifications help focus.  But not lately.  It is like he has grown out of modifications.  Do you get what I mean?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – First question–what treatment is he receiving? — — — John Reply to jclarke at eye bee em dot net Hi!! I’m new here and have a 10 year old with ADHD.  He is smart a whip, both his teachers and the principal at school say so.  He has interests, and when school is talking about something he is interested in, he listens, participates, and is exteremely vocal is discussion.  The problem is when he is not interested, he has no motivation.  Can someone help with ideas & pointers?  I have taken him out of sports because of his grades.  I told him when he gets his grades up, he can go back.  I have tried a rainbow of things for encouragement, king for a day, movie day, out with mom day, out with dad day, computer time, etc.  The motivation is not there.  I have asked the school to try and tie things in that he is interested in with the lessons.  Its just that not all,or most, kids like the subjects that he likes.  So they really cannot do that.  None of us (school, my son, myself, my husband) would like to see him be retained this year.  But that is what we are looking at if he doesn’t work hard.  I work with him at least 1hr a day with back work and extra credit.  It may not help though.  Please if anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. Thank you

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’m new here and have a 10 year old with ADHD.  He is smart a whip, both his teachers and the principal at school say so.  He has interests, and when school is talking about something he is interested in, he listens, participates, and is exteremely vocal is discussion.  The problem is when he is not interested, he has no motivation.  Can someone help with ideas & pointers?  I have taken him out of sports because of his grades.  I told him when he gets his grades up, he can go back.  I have tried a rainbow of things for encouragement, king for a day, movie day, out with mom day, out with dad day, computer time, etc.  The motivation is not there.  I have asked the school to try and tie things in that he is interested in with the lessons.  Its just that not all,or most, kids like the subjects that he likes.  So they really cannot do that.  None of us (school, my son, myself, my husband) would like to see him be retained this year.  But that is what we are looking at if he doesn’t work hard.  I work with him at least 1hr a day with back work and extra credit.  It may not help though.  Please if anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it.

If anyone’s got help for this, I’d like to know, as I’m extremely unmotivated as well.  I just can’t be bothered to put much effort int things I don’t like.  Threats or incentives are absolutely useless. Everything is, it seems.  

Response:

First question–what treatment is he receiving? — — — John Reply to jclarke at eye bee em dot net

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi!! I’m new here and have a 10 year old with ADHD.  He is smart a whip, both his teachers and the principal at school say so.  He has interests, and when school is talking about something he is interested in, he listens, participates, and is exteremely vocal is discussion.  The problem is when he is not interested, he has no motivation.  Can someone help with ideas & pointers?  I have taken him out of sports because of his grades.  I told him when he gets his grades up, he can go back.  I have tried a rainbow of things for encouragement, king for a day, movie day, out with mom day, out with dad day, computer time, etc.  The motivation is not there.  I have asked the school to try and tie things in that he is interested in with the lessons.  Its just that not all,or most, kids like the subjects that he likes.  So they really cannot do that.  None of us (school, my son, myself, my husband) would like to see him be retained this year.  But that is what we are looking at if he doesn’t work hard.  I work with him at least 1hr a day with back work and extra credit.  It may not help though.  Please if anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it. Thank you

Response:

Gee, for as second I thought I’d written all of this. Randor

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <<A cheapo kitchen count down timer does wonder for me, 1. The impending doom of not getting my 1 or 2 minute task done before the darn thing starts beeping gives me a sense of immediate stress that I crave 2. The stress causes me to work in hyperactive overdrive, which I love. 3. It’s very useful in keeping me from going into Internet hyperfocus. Set it for 20 minutes and struggle to get your e-mail read.  Set it for 5 minutes and I’m less likely to open up 15 Washington Post or NY Times articles. 4. If I want to get off the computer no later than a certain time at night, I can set it for a longer term ‘fun’ time and still get to bed before dawn. Now where the hell did I last see it? Mujibar –Yep–a kitchen timer is one of the few things that works for me.  Even today when I did have lots of time to do stuff it was tough after about 2 hours to do much–I had finished all the fun stuff… oops! –It’s the working on boring stuff that is tough–the problem is that working on papers actually takes organized thought–and that tends to get strenuous–the researching it and performing the experiments are fun and lots of variety–organizing it into a paper is BORING… –Hmmm–any way that a kitchen timer makes things less boring?! –RV

Response:

<< –Hmmm–any way that a kitchen timer makes things less boring?! –RV

_______ Blog, or dog? Who knows. But if you see my lost pup, please ping me! http://journals.aol.com/virginiaz/DreamingofLeonardo                   \  - –  //

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – << –Hmmm–any way that a kitchen timer makes things less boring?! –RV _______ Blog, or dog? Who knows. But if you see my lost pup, please ping me! http://journals.aol.com/virginiaz/DreamingofLeonardo                   \  - –  //

Depends how you use it I suppose

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : The other is lock yourself in a room with some food and access to a : bathroom and *nothing else to do* and work like a maniac for eight hours : or so.  I have only done this once or twice in my life, for obvious : reasons, but it works amazingly well for true emergencies. : I’m trying to get two years worth of incompleates in philosophy classes done : over this summer so I can graduate.  I leave the house maybe twice a week. : I’ve been putting in 12-14 hours a day.  I have tons of stuff to reread, : and I’ve always been a slow reader.  I’m making headway though.  I try and : keep the modem unplugged or start some huge download so I can’t use the net : while I’m working. To your list of bathroom access and food, I add a tin of : the strongest pipe tobacco I can stand (Dunhill Nightcap works nicely), dr God i miss smoking sometimes. Ever tried Gitanes (from France)? The nicotine rush is enough to blow one’s head off. Three puffs and i’m ready to pass out.

I lived in France for a number of years in the 60s.  I smoked Gauloises, Gitanes and Gitanes Papier Ma

Question:

Anyone have any experience with Effexor.  I’ve tried Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin.  None of them work well. Thanx!

See earlier comments. Effexor, although some people have good experiences with it, is not a first choice in treating PAD. Philip

Response:

Anyone have any experience with Effexor.  I’ve tried Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin.  None of them work well. Thanx! See earlier comments. Effexor, although some people have good experiences with it, is not a first choice in treating PAD. Philip

Hi…I have been on Effexor (was on) XR for a month. At first, it seemed to lift a bit of my depression and worry, but after, my anxiety became really bad. I seemed to become almost "hypo-manic", and my sleep was WORSE then it ever had been. I could fall asleep fairly easy, but would wake up VERY early, feeling really "hung-over". I really had alot of hope for this drug, but I guess everbody does <g. Well..back to the drawing board…. Peace… James

Response:

Anyone have any experience with Effexor.  I’ve tried Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin.  None of them work well. Thanx!

Response:

Anyone have any experience with Effexor.  I’ve tried Prozac, Paxil, Wellbutrin. None of them work well. Thanx!

     I was on venlafaxine (Effexor) for about 3 months.  It worked great for my depression and pain, however the only side effect was sexual dysfunction, so I discontinued it for that reason.  Can’t say it worked on any of my anxiety because I’m on clonazepam (Klonopin) for that, but I know it didn’t cause any increase in anxiety either.  My dosage was 75 mg bid (twice daily).  My dose of clonazepam is really low, almost subtherapeutic, 0.5 mg bid. Good Luck, Chris

Response:

hi all my doc suggested today that i go off clonazepam and start taking effexor as she is not happy with me being on clonazepam for indefinitely.  i have tried many SSRI and was as sick as a dog and had anxiety like 24 hours a day for a long time.  what has your experience of effexor been??? also how long does it take to taper off clonazepam??? thanks a lot kim

Does clonazepam work for you? If so, don’t switch meds but doctors. Effexor is not an SSRI but close enough. *If* you should decide to try Effexor do *not* stop clonazepam at the same time as you risk experiencing both Effexor initial side effects (including worsening of anxiety) and clomazepam withdrawal symptoms. Tapering off of clonazepam takes as long as it takes depending on how high the dose is and how you’ve been taking it. Diminishing the dose with one fourth or less every two weeks or so is a good pace as a rule but YMMV. But once again: if clonazepam works well, why fix something that isn’t broken? Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

hi all my doc suggested today that i go off clonazepam and start taking effexor as she is not happy with me being on clonazepam for indefinitely.  i have tried many SSRI and was as sick as a dog and had anxiety like 24 hours a day for a long time.  what has your experience of effexor been??? also how long does it take to taper off clonazepam??? thanks a lot kim

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi all my doc suggested today that i go off clonazepam and start taking effexor as she is not happy with me being on clonazepam for indefinitely.  i have tried many SSRI and was as sick as a dog and had anxiety like 24 hours a day for a long time.  what has your experience of effexor been??? also how long does it take to taper off clonazepam??? thanks a lot kim

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh this is stoopid medicine your doc is a benzophobe and believes that effexor is less addictive or dependency causing then a benzo-it isn’t. It has to be weaned on and weaned off and is not less toxic a compound then clonazepam. If the Klonopin helps you then why tamper with what works-find another doc if possible effexor is a very good medication in more comprehensive in its ability then ssri’s similar to tca’s-in low doses it works well for loads of people-its main side effect is gastrointestinal and increased levels of anxiety similar to the ssri’s I wouldn’t hesitate to use it if it is indicated or in conjunction with klonopin if needed but your doc’s reasoning for using it is downright wrong LM

Response:

I was put on Effexor and it help me as far as the depression, I started on 150 mg and then my doc put me on Clonazepam (klonapin) .5 mg a day half in the morning and half at night. At the same time he increased my Effexor to 225 mg and to be honest I think the Klonapin is helping better because it takes care of my anxiety to a point and without anxiety I am not depressed…….lol I think Effexor works but I am going to talk my doc into lowering the effexor and increasing the klonapin…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For me it helped less with the panic/anxiety part. Had to supplement it with klonopin. It takes about 2-6 weeks to work. Less sexual side effects for me than paxil — "Oh dear, I think you’ll find reality’s on the blink again." — Marvin The Paranoid Android : hi everyone. I need your help . I was on PAXIL CR for a year for panic : attacks but had to be taken off of it cause it was raising my liver : enzyme level too high. So my doctor changed my medication to EFFEXOR. : Does anyone know anything about this medicine? Any bad side effects to : it? How long will it take for it to work? Well any information would be : helpful and much appreciated. Thanks so much. Tony : : : : : :

Response:

I was put on Effexor and it help me as far as the depression, I started on 150 mg and then my doc put me on Clonazepam (klonapin) .5 mg a day half in the morning and half at night. At the same time he increased my Effexor to 225 mg and to be honest I think the Klonapin is helping better because it takes care of my anxiety to a point and without anxiety I am not depressed…….lol I think Effexor works but I am going to talk my doc into lowering the effexor and increasing the klonapin…

keep in mind that the two meds treat different symptoms of anxiety.  the effexor is good for the obsessive worries, "rumination" as my therapist calls it.  the nagging thoughts in the back of your head that won’t leave you alone.  benzos don’t help much with those, but they relieve the physical symptoms, the fear, the dumping of adrenaline, etc.  i think you have a good combo there (i’m on both as well).  :-) -kelly

Response:

hi everyone. I need your help . I was on PAXIL CR for a year for panic attacks but had to be taken off of it cause it was raising my liver enzyme level too high. So my doctor changed my medication to EFFEXOR. Does anyone know anything about this medicine? Any bad side effects to it? How long will it take for it to work? Well any information would be helpful and much appreciated. Thanks so much. Tony

Response:

For me it helped less with the panic/anxiety part. Had to supplement it with klonopin. It takes about 2-6 weeks to work. Less sexual side effects for me than paxil — "Oh dear, I think you’ll find reality’s on the blink again." — Marvin The Paranoid Android

: hi everyone. I need your help . I was on PAXIL CR for a year for panic : attacks but had to be taken off of it cause it was raising my liver : enzyme level too high. So my doctor changed my medication to EFFEXOR. : Does anyone know anything about this medicine? Any bad side effects to : it? How long will it take for it to work? Well any information would be : helpful and much appreciated. Thanks so much. Tony : : : : : :

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i’ve used this three times for bad panic attacks, and while it does sedate me, the after effects are really awful.  the next day when i wake up, i feel like my body is still asleep, like i have to drag my limbs around.  my teeth kind of buzz in my head (like with SSRI withdrawal), and i feel very "out of it", as though i’m watching myself go through the motions from outside my body (depersonalization?).  my pulse seems high, and i just have trouble doing every day things.  this lasts for at least 32 hours after i take even a minute dose (10 mg, my prescription is for 25).  i’ve taken this before for allergies and never had this reaction.  it feel so much like SSRI withdrawal, i wonder if it could be blocking my Effexor or something? i’m only taking Effexor SR 150 mg regularly, no other meds except Atatax 25mg as needed. -kelly

atarax was originally designed as a mild antihistamine similar to other first generation drugs like benadryl-it had a few other effects that seemed to be useful for treating other conditions one being its sedating ability-it really isn’t an anxiolytic-it was also and still is used as a presurgical med-it helps knock you out. It can potentiate the effects of effexor or vice versa, so you may be more deeply sedated from it. The response you have and the side effects you are having are not uncommon even when the drug is used alone LM

Response:

atarax was originally designed as a mild antihistamine similar to other first generation drugs like benadryl-it had a few other effects that seemed to be useful for treating other conditions one being its sedating ability-it really isn’t an anxiolytic-it was also and still is used as a presurgical med-it helps knock you out. It can potentiate the effects of effexor or vice versa, so you may be more deeply sedated from it. The response you have and the side effects you are having are not uncommon even when the drug is used alone

thanks, i’ll be asking for something different at my next appt.  i can’t use a medication that knocks me out for 32 hours afterwards. -kelly

Response:

Atarax is not a good med for anx/pan. Take a benzo like Xanax or Ativan *as needed*, they actually work.

ok… but for now, all i have is Atarax, and i was wondering if anyone else had any similar experiences with it. -kelly

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i’ve used this three times for bad panic attacks, and while it does sedate me, the after effects are really awful.  the next day when i wake up, i feel like my body is still asleep, like i have to drag my limbs around.  my teeth kind of buzz in my head (like with SSRI withdrawal), and i feel very "out of it", as though i’m watching myself go through the motions from outside my body (depersonalization?).  my pulse seems high, and i just have trouble doing every day things.  this lasts for at least 32 hours after i take even a minute dose (10 mg, my prescription is for 25).  i’ve taken this before for allergies and never had this reaction.  it feel so much like SSRI withdrawal, i wonder if it could be blocking my Effexor or something? i’m only taking Effexor SR 150 mg regularly, no other meds except Atatax 25mg as needed. -kelly

Atarax is not a good med for anx/pan. Take a benzo like Xanax or Ativan *as needed*, they actually work. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Question:

I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Response:

I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Hi,  I wonder why you are on both Zoloft and Welbutrin? Do you have any kids? Do you know if Margo Hemingway is related to Ernest? She went out the Hemingway too didn’t she? hope you feel better soon.

Response:

Welcome to ASD. I understand how you are feeling. You can talk about things here. And you will most likely make friends here. Stan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Response:

I know, people think that misfortune is like a disease. Everyone was all over me while I was pregnant, and nobody wants to come near me since my son has died, except the ones who really matter. It hurts though. Some people are ignorant assholes. That is really horrible shit to go through. Do anything for yourself that makes you feel better, the meds, talk therapy, a whole tub of chocolate icecream… You deserve it. Your husband’s actions would make a lot of people feel worthless, but I hope you know you’re not, now, and taking the initiative in leaving him was a step in the right direction, in building a new life for yourself where _you_ are important. The same thing happened to my best friend’s mother, she also lost her father to cancer and her husband cheated on her and is now living with the other woman. She did go through a really depressed period where she was hospitalised and tried to take her life, but now she’s studying fine art and is a much happier and more successful person than she ever was with her husband. It does happen, but give yourself time, and love. What doesn’t kill you will eventually make you stronger, so for now I too am just concentrating on staying alive. Amy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Hi M I’m taking 40mg Prozac and two hundred mg Welbutrin now for the past 30 days or so.  I think that I’m feeling better, but that just may be the Glenn Livet. I see many parallels in your story to mine, although I have *always* had a predisposition toward clinical depression. This is a good place to be.  You will find that just "being" with similarly afflicted souls will make you feel better (at least that is my experience). Welcome.  Read, and post whne you feel like it. -=oc=-

Response:

Hope you feel better soon, but just thought that I would add that Wellbutrin kept me awake for 2 weeks before I gave up.  Just something to keep in mind. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Response:

Well, a man is only as faithful as his options…I guess it’s their payback for being the buyer in the dating game….since women have a sex life while men have ’sex years’.  But you can get a little satisfaction from the probability that he’ll do the same thing to her….who know’s, maybe you stole him from one upstream?  But what are we supposed to make stop?  If you don’t want pain, avoid humans. They’re always gonna disappoint.  Get a dog…..or you can be unoriginal like 99.9% of the other women pet owners on the planet and get a cat. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Response:

  Margaux Hemingway was a granddaughter of Ernest.  She died from an overdose of sedatives, probably Klonopin per CNN.  She was the fifth person in her family to suicide. sad. Erminia

yes very sad, seems like a legacy for them. it just shows how suicide causes more suicide.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M Hi,  I wonder why you are on both Zoloft and Welbutrin? Do you have any kids? Do you know if Margo Hemingway is related to Ernest? She went out the Hemingway too didn’t she? hope you feel better soon.

Margaux Hemingway was a granddaughter of Ernest.  She died from an overdose of sedatives, probably Klonopin per CNN.  She was the fifth person in her family to suicide. sad. Erminia

Response:

Question:

I have been taking effexor for two weeks after being on parnate for ten years and have been having terrible dreams and a very hard time coming out of a dream sleep in the morning- kind of like dreaming while awake- it’s really unpleasant.                                                                  Has anyone out there had  a similiar experience with effexor or any other anti- depressent? Thanks. Lara

Response:

I have been taking effexor for two weeks after being on parnate for ten years and have been having terrible dreams and a very hard time coming out of a dream sleep in the morning- kind of like dreaming while awake- it’s really unpleasant.                                Has anyone out there had  a similiar experience with effexor or any other anti- depressent? Thanks. Lara

Hi lara, I did take Effexor but did not experience any side effects. Here is some info on side effects. No mention of bad dreams. http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-e02.html#Head_6 Adverse Effects Commonly Observed Adverse Reactions: The most commonly observed adverse events associated with the use of venlafaxine (incidence of 5% or greater) and not seen at an equivalent incidence among placebo-treated patients (i.e., incidence for venlafaxine at least twice that for placebo), derived from the 1% incidence Table III, were asthenia, sweating, nausea, constipation, anorexia, vomiting, somnolence, dry mouth, dizziness nervousness, anxiety, tremor, blurred vision, and abnormal ejaculation/orgasm and impotence in men. Adverse Reactions Associated with Discontinuation of Treatment: Nineteen percent (537/2897) of venlafaxine-treated patients in Phase II and III depression studies discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction (see Table II). The more common events (=1%) associated with discontinuation of treatment and considered to be drug-related (i.e., those events associated with dropout at a rate approximately twice or greater for venlafaxine compared to placebo) included Table II. Table II Adverse Reactions Associated with Discontinuation of Treatment                       Venlafaxine   Placebo CNS   Somnolence              3%           1%   Insomnia                3%           1%   Dizziness               3%           —   Nervousness             2%           —   Dry Mouth               2%           —   Anxiety                 2%           1% Gastrointestinal   Nausea                  6%           1% Urogenital   Abnormal Ejaculation*   3%           — Other   Headache                3%           1%   Asthenia                2%           —  Sweating                 2%           —  *  percentages based on the number of males.  – Less than 1% Incidence in Controlled Trials: Table III that follows enumerates adverse events that occurred at an incidence of 1% or more, and were more frequent than in the placebo group, among venlafaxine-treated patients who participated in 4- to 8-week placebo-controlled trials in which patients were administered doses in the range of 75 to 375 mg/day. Reported adverse events were classified using a standard COSTART-based Dictionary terminology. Dose Dependency of Adverse Events: A comparison of adverse event rates in a fixed-dose study comparing Effexor 75, 225, and 375 mg/day with placebo revealed a dose dependency for some of the more common adverse events associated with Effexor use, as shown in Table IV. The rule for including events was to enumerate those that occurred at an incidence of 5% or more for at least one of the venlafaxine groups and for which the incidence was at least twice the placebo incidence for at least one Effexor group. Tests for potential dose relationships for these events (Cochran-Armitage Test, with a criterion of exact 2-sided p-value <= 0.05) suggested a dose-dependency for several adverse events in this list, including chills, hypertension, anorexia, nausea, agitation, dizziness, somnolence, tremor, yawning, sweating, and abnormal ejaculation . – Table III Treatment-Emergent Adverse Experience Incidence in 4-to 8-Week Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials (Percentage) –                                              Effexor   Placebo Body System          Preferred Term          (n=1033)  (n=609) – Body as a whole      Headache                    25        24                      Asthenia                    12         6                      Infection                    6         5                      Chills                       3        –                      Chest Pain                   2         1                      Trauma                       2         1 Cardiovascular       Vasodilatation               4         3                      Increased blood/pressure                        hypertension               2        –                      Tachycardia                  2        –                      Postural hypotension         1        – Dermatological       Sweating                    12         3                      Rash                         3         2                      Pruritus                     1        – Gastrointestinal     Nausea                      37        11                      Constipation                15         7                      Anorexia                    11         2                      Diarrhoea                    8         7                      Vomiting                     6         2                      Dyspepsia                    5         4                      Flatulence                   3         2 Metabolic            Weight loss                  1        – Nervous              Somnolence                  23         9                      Dry mouth                   22        11                      Dizziness                   19         7                      Insomnia                    18        10                      Nervousness                 13         6                      Anxiety                      6         3                      Tremor                       5         1                      Abnormal Dreams              4         3                      Hypertonia                   3         2                      Paraesthesia                 3         2                      Libido decreased             2        –                      Agitation                    2        –                      Confusion                    2         1                      Thinking abnormal            2         1                      Depersonalization            1        –                      Depression                   1        –                      Urinary retention            1        –                      Twitching                    1        – Respiration          Yawn                         3        – Special Senses       Blurred vision               6         2                      Taste perversion             2        –                      Tinnitus                     2        –                      Mydriasis                    2        – Urogenital           Abnormal ejaculation/                        orgasm                    12 [2]     2                      Impotence                    6 [2]     2                      Urinary frequency            3         2                      Urination impaired           2        –                      Orgasm disturbance           2 [3]    – [3]                      Menstrual disorder           1 [3]    – [3] – [1] Events reported by at least 1% of patients treated with Effexor are     included, and are rounded to the nearest %. Events for which the     Effexor incidence was equal to or less than placebo are not listed     in the table, but included the following: abdominal pain, pain, back     pain, flu syndrome, fever, palpitation, increased appetite, myalgia,     arthralgia, amnesia, hypaesthesia, rhinitis pharyngitis, sinusitis     cough increased urinary tract infection and dysmenorrhoea [3] —  Incidence less than 1% [2] Incidence based on number of male patients. [3] Incidence based on number of female patients. – Adaptation to Certain Adverse Events: Over a 6-week period, there was evidence of adaptation to some adverse events with continued therapy (e.g., dizziness and nausea), but less to other effects (e.g., abnormal ejaculation and dry mouth). Vital Sign Changes: Venlafaxine treatment (averaged over all dose groups) in clinical trials was associated with a mean increase in pulse rate of approximately 3 beats per minute, compared to no change for placebo. It was associated with mean increases in diastolic blood pressure ranging from 0.7 to 2.5 mm Hg averaged over all dose groups, compared to mean decreases ranging from O.9 to 3.8 mm Hg for placebo. However, there is a dose dependency for blood pressure increase (see Warnings). Laboratory Changes: Of the serum chemistry and hematology parameters monitored during clinical trials with venlafaxine, a statistically significant difference with placebo was seen only for serum cholesterol, i.e., patients treated with venlafaxine had mean increases from baseline of 3 mg/dL, a change of unknown clinical significance. Table IV Treatment-Emergent Adverse Experience Incidence    in a Dose Comparison Trial                                      Effexor (mg/day) Body System/              Placebo     75        225       375 Preferred Term            (n=92)    (n=89)    (n=89)    (n=88) Body as Whole   Abdominal pain            3.3%      3.4%      2.2%      8.0%   Asthenia                  3.3%     16.9%     14.6%    

… read more »

Response:

Hi Lara, Yes the odd dreaming is definatly a side effect of effexor. Some people also have a terrible time getting to sleep. I found that when I put the dose up, my anxiety got worse and I used to get very frustrated trying to get to sleep! I also had really WEIRD dreams. Aswell as yelling out in my sleep (I’ve always talked in my sleep though), I sometimes punched and kicked my poor fiance! This is my advice to you: 1. If you find yourself getting anxious and irritable, and your doctor tells you to up the dose, be VERY wary of doing that, because it is possible that the effexor could be causing the anxiety. 2. When/if you decide to come off the effexor, please do it VERY slowly. Some people go fine going off it over a week or two, but others have very serious yucky withdrawls. (I did it over 2 weeks and got really dizzy and nauseous and very, very moody!). To help you sleep better, perhaps try some simple relaxation techniques before bed (like stretching, then when you’re in bed concentrate on your breathing or something. I you’ll find that you’re dreams will be worse if you’re particularily stressed when you go to bed. Um… I hope this helped a little. Kara.

Response:

Question:

Ditto to everything Chip and Randee posted.  There is absolutely no evidence to support that any SSRI causes permanent brain damage….in rats or in humans….and they sliced up a lot of rodents to find this out.  SPECT and MRI scans indicate the same for humans….and I’m sure that over the next decade, posthumous studies will produce the same results.  What you should know is that the average age of onset for most Axis I diagnoses is 18-25. More than likely your continued problems are as Philip described synchronous rather than caused by the meds.  We have all been angry about the seeming failure of our body chemistry as expressed by psych symptoms.  However, blaming it on the meds, is a cop-out of taking responsibility for making yourself well…..and posting such accusations here causes a lot of unnecessary worry by people who need their energies to focus on REAL problems.  Get some counseling.   ~Valerie

Response:

I take zoloft and I was crazy before I took it. Panic and the constant thought pattern ruined my life. Zoloft has really helped me. Yes, I had some side effects but nothing like I had on other meds. I will not say neg on xanex but I am sure long term use may also cause you to go crazy. I also have psoriasis and this is not caused by zoloft. Got that before the zoloft or panic. Read up on psoriasis.Psoriasis may aggrivate the zoloft. Some meds do. Good luck on your research but remember many of us need this medication and unless you are 100% sure of what you have found I would be careful before you scare to many people. Joan

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     ***I’m trying to get to the bottom of this *** I am posting this because of this problem and research I am doing on Zoloft… I have also found another person that has te same exact problems that I have because of this anti-depressant.. First of all , I think it causes permanent brain damage.. I also think that a person who starts out on zoloft will need some sort of anti-depressant for the rest of their life because of the damage it does.. Well, I’ll just try to be short here because I dont know how many of you will have the same problem..   When I was 18, I took zoloft.. I felt very weird in the beggining. Like a draining , kind of brain meltdown feeling… And ever since then (6 years without zoloft) I have had a constant numbing feeling on the left side of my head… It makes me feel more prone to stress/anxiety/panic.. Since then I have also developed a social phobia , psoriasis , and psoriatic arthritis….  Even though I was a little depressed when I was 18, I never knew that this crazyness was going to happen.. It made my condition much worse.. Now i’m stuck with taking xanax for the rest of my life….Anybody else expierence simaler symptoms?? We should sue these damn companies for this garbage.

I’d say it’s doubtful that your complaints are the result of having taken Zoloft. There seems to be a *synchronicity* here but not necessarily a *causal* relationship. It might be the original anxiety for all I know (or can conclude from the sparse data you provided). Does Xanax work for these symptoms as you say that you’re taking it? If it works (at what dose?) it’s obviously a better med for you than Zoloft was. Some of us (including me) will have to be on meds for the rest of our lives. I’d rather not be on meds but it’s the only way for me to have a life. You may be just like me… Philip

Response:

    ***I’m trying to get to the bottom of this *** I am posting this because of this problem and research I am doing on Zoloft… I have also found another person that has te same exact problems that I have because of this anti-depressant.. First of all , I think it causes permanent brain damage.. I also think that a person who starts out on zoloft will need some sort of anti-depressant for the rest of their life because of the damage it does..

 Well, I’ll just try to be short here because I dont know how many of you will have the same problem..   When I was 18, I took zoloft.. I felt very weird in the beggining. Like a draining , kind of brain meltdown feeling… And ever since then (6 years without zoloft) I have had a constant numbing feeling on the left side of my head… It makes me feel more prone to stress/anxiety/panic.. Since then I have also developed a social phobia , psoriasis , and psoriatic arthritis….  Even though I was a little depressed when I was 18, I never knew that this crazyness was going to happen.. It made my condition much worse.. Now i’m stuck with taking xanax for the rest of my life….Anybody else expierence simaler symptoms?? We should sue these damn companies for this garbage.

Mike you can spend the rest of your life trying to figure out why you have this disorder. I seriously doubt that Zoloft is the cause. You were put on Zoloft for a reason, what was that reason? Depression and anxiety are closely related. My disorder started when I was 18, one day I was fine and the next day I was different. Mike you can try to find the reason for your disorder, and try to place blame. You are going to make yourself nuts trying to find the cause. Even if you do find the cause, it won`t help you much. Unless you accept your disorder and own it, you are not going to move on and get better. There are many people that have never been on anti-depressants, that have depression, anxiety, panic, social phobia and psoriasis. How do you explain that Mike? Take all this energy that you are using to blame Zoloft into getting better instead. Jackie

Response:

Would it be safe to say…that Zoloft is a powerful drug?For me the answer is YES. Did Zoloft increase my Anxiety?…yes for me it did! The first month or so were the weirdest (kind of a slight mania….depersonalization ) it pretty much went away.(.except for Anxiety) the longer I stayed on it! I can see how it can help people, I think it helped me with a uplifting state of mind; but it didn’t seem to be worth the price of continuing if I still had to deal Tension and Anxiety. I have discontinued Zoloft for about 2 weeks and I can’t tell much difference; except I can tell I’m not quite as know) I wanted them all to work wonders for me…but they created there own little draw-backs. I’ve given Zoloft 2 trys. I can see why somebody posted about the effects of this drug…I’ve read many places and from ASAP posters on the things I went through…I know that I’m not alone. BUT I know this drug has worked wonders for many other people. Anyway just sharing…not an expert(Obviously) Oh by the way if anybody can offer me a better alternative drug….I’m all EARS! Thanks Much       Wild & Crazy                                                            P.S. my other 2 drugs are Trazodone and Zanax( I really like the Zanax!) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     ***I’m trying to get to the bottom of this *** I am posting this because of this problem and research I am doing on Zoloft… I have also found another person that has te same exact problems that I have because of this anti-depressant.. First of all , I think it causes permanent brain damage.. I also think that a person who starts out on zoloft will need some sort of anti-depressant for the rest of their life because of the damage it does.. Well, I’ll just try to be short here because I dont know how many of you will have the same problem..   When I was 18, I took zoloft.. I felt very weird in the beggining. Like a draining , kind of brain meltdown feeling… And ever since then (6 years without zoloft) I have had a constant numbing feeling on the left side of my head… It makes me feel more prone to stress/anxiety/panic.. Since then I have also developed a social phobia , psoriasis , and psoriatic arthritis….  Even though I was a little depressed when I was 18, I never knew that this crazyness was going to happen.. It made my condition much worse.. Now i’m stuck with taking xanax for the rest of my life….Anybody else expierence simaler symptoms?? We should sue these damn companies for this garbage. My wife has been on Imiprimine, Luvox, and Zoloft.  The imiprimine helped her depression but the side effects were almost bad enough that the depression was better.  The Luvox had very mild side effects, but it didn’t do much for her depression.  Zoloft has been effective with her depression and with very mild side effects.  I see no evidence of brain dammage. I was on prozac (an SSRI, the same family as Zoloft) for 2 weeks.  It gave me tinnitus and halucinations.  I won’t take an SSRI again.  These are very rare side effects for Prozac, but I’m not the first to get them.  However, just because SSRIs are a bad choice for me, doesn’t mean that huge numbers of users haven’t been helped by them.  Xanax is what helps me, and I may have to take it the rest of my life, but there’s enough research to suggest that there’s a good chance that I won’t. If Zoloft really does cause brain dammage, I think it would of turned up prior to now.  I agree with the prior posts that say you have an anxiety/panc disorder that just happend to manifest itself after you went off the Zoloft. I would also say that you at least have a chance that it’s not permenant. Good Luck,  Mark Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     ***I’m trying to get to the bottom of this *** I am posting this because of this problem and research I am doing on Zoloft… I have also found another person that has te same exact problems that I have because of this anti-depressant.. First of all , I think it causes permanent brain damage.. I also think that a person who starts out on zoloft will need some sort of anti-depressant for the rest of their life because of the damage it does.. Well, I’ll just try to be short here because I dont know how many of you will have the same problem..   When I was 18, I took zoloft.. I felt very weird in the beggining. Like a draining , kind of brain meltdown feeling… And ever since then (6 years without zoloft) I have had a constant numbing feeling on the left side of my head… It makes me feel more prone to stress/anxiety/panic.. Since then I have also developed a social phobia , psoriasis , and psoriatic arthritis….  Even though I was a little depressed when I was 18, I never knew that this crazyness was going to happen.. It made my condition much worse.. Now i’m stuck with taking xanax for the rest of my life….Anybody else expierence simaler symptoms?? We should sue these damn companies for this garbage.

My wife has been on Imiprimine, Luvox, and Zoloft.  The imiprimine helped her depression but the side effects were almost bad enough that the depression was better.  The Luvox had very mild side effects, but it didn’t do much for her depression.  Zoloft has been effective with her depression and with very mild side effects.  I see no evidence of brain dammage. I was on prozac (an SSRI, the same family as Zoloft) for 2 weeks.  It gave me tinnitus and halucinations.  I won’t take an SSRI again.  These are very rare side effects for Prozac, but I’m not the first to get them.  However, just because SSRIs are a bad choice for me, doesn’t mean that huge numbers of users haven’t been helped by them.  Xanax is what helps me, and I may have to take it the rest of my life, but there’s enough research to suggest that there’s a good chance that I won’t. If Zoloft really does cause brain dammage, I think it would of turned up prior to now.  I agree with the prior posts that say you have an anxiety/panc disorder that just happend to manifest itself after you went off the Zoloft. I would also say that you at least have a chance that it’s not permenant. Good Luck,   Mark Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am posting this because of this problem and research I am doing on Zoloft… I have also found another person that has te same exact problems that I have because of this anti-depressant.. First of all , I think it causes permanent brain damage.. I also think that a person who starts out on zoloft will need some sort of anti-depressant for the rest of their life because of the damage it does.. Well, I’ll just try to be short here because I dont know how many of you will have the same problem..  When I was 18, I took zoloft.. I felt very weird in the beggining. Like a draining , kind of brain meltdown feeling… And ever since then (6 years without zoloft) I have had a constant numbing feeling on the left side of my head… It makes me feel more prone to stress/anxiety/panic.. Since then I have also developed a social phobia , psoriasis , and psoriatic arthritis….  Even though I was a little depressed when I was 18, I never knew that this crazyness was going to happen.. It made my condition much worse.. Now i’m stuck with taking xanax for the rest of my life….Anybody else expierence simaler symptoms?? We should sue these damn companies for this garbage.

You may be confusing cause and effect here. There are many people on this NG who take or have taken Zoloft as well as many other AD’s. The symptoms that you describe could mean that you are still have problems with depression. I’m not saying outright that you are wrong, however, there is no current evidence to support your claim, either from the med reaearch or, more importantly, anecodotes posted to the NG’s. Is it possible than somehow in your mind that it might be easier to believe your symptoms were induced by your use of Zoloft than to acknowledge that you have an ongoing problem with Panic and/or depression? Keep us up to date if you find any research on the topic. Regards, JaneB

Response:

   These kind of messages really make me mad.Keep your opinions to yourself. Its not enough that I have to take this but then there are people like you who have to make it worse for me.Zoloft is really helping me and I definatly have no brain damage and i’m not depressed.So when you have real proof then post it!!!! Randee

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     ***I’m trying to get to the bottom of this *** I am posting this because of this problem and research I am doing on Zoloft… I have also found another person that has te same exact problems that I have because of this anti-depressant.. First of all , I think it causes permanent brain damage.. I also think that a person who starts out on zoloft will need some sort of anti-depressant for the rest of their life because of the damage it does.. Well, I’ll just try to be short here because I dont know how many of you will have the same problem..   When I was 18, I took zoloft.. I felt very weird in the beggining. Like a draining , kind of brain meltdown feeling… And ever since then (6 years without zoloft) I have had a constant numbing feeling on the left side of my head… It makes me feel more prone to stress/anxiety/panic.. Since then I have also developed a social phobia , psoriasis , and psoriatic arthritis….  Even though I was a little depressed when I was 18, I never knew that this crazyness was going to happen.. It made my condition much worse.. Now i’m stuck with taking xanax for the rest of my life….Anybody else expierence simaler symptoms?? We should sue these damn companies for this garbage.

  I don’t know about this either…I have had fewer side-effects on Zoloft than I’ve had on any other med but aspirin and ibuprofen (no kidding)…Antibiotics give me flu-like symptoms, antihistimines knock me on my ass and cause dizziness…The list goes on…I have had almost NIL side-effects on Zoloft…Not only that, but like others have said, I was drained and sick WELL before I took Zoloft…If I still am when I get off, I can only assume I still need it, not that it caused it…   Finally, all the research I have read recently is starting to suggest just the opposite of what you say…That depression and anxiety (specifically cortisol and other hormones that are overstimulated in depressed and anxious folks) CAUSES brain damage…Long time depressives have smaller brains in some places  (I cannot remember the specific region at 12:20 PM! ) that control emotions…This seems to be reversible, but that is inconclusive…Also, research shows that taking medications and getting therapy immediately is the best way to prevent this effect and reduce or eliminate further epsiodes… Best, — Charles Phipps

Response:

I’d be interested in whatever you find out about zoloft. I have been on it since March 99. Only 50mg. Haven’t seen a lot of improvement, but I thought it was to treat depression. I went to the Pdoc complaining of anxiety,panic and lack of sleep. Although, he did give me xanax as well for that. You may be right in your claim about zoloft, but I have not heard this before about the medicine.

Response:

Hi, New Jersey! Haven’t  I seen you before down on the boardwalk in Atlantic City , and over there at the Trump Plaza? You look familiar.  : ) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -New Jersey writes: I’m trying to get to the bottom of this. I am posting this because of this problem and research I am doing on Zoloft… I have also found another person that has te same exact problems that I have because of this anti-depressant.. First of all , I think it causes permanent brain damage.. I also think that a person who starts out on zoloft will need some sort of anti-depressant for the rest of their life because of the damage it does.. Well, I’ll just try to be short here because I dont know how many of you will have the same problem.. When I was 18, I took zoloft.. I felt very weird in the beggining. Like a draining , kind of brain meltdown feeling… And ever since then (6 years without zoloft) I have had a constant numbing feeling on the left side of my head… It makes me feel more prone to stress/anxiety/panic.. Since then I have also developed a social phobia , psoriasis , and psoriatic arthritis…. Even though I was a little depressed when I was 18, I never knew that this crazyness was going to happen.. It made my condition much worse.. Now i’m stuck with taking xanax for the rest of my life….Anybody else expierence simaler symptoms?? We should sue these damn companies for this garbage.

NJ, I’ve been on Zoloft for the last 6 years, and so far, no brain damage, just less depression and anxiety. And I’ve been very pleased with this med. And I have never even heard that it causes brain damage. And untill someone shows me proof, I won’t believe it. Just because you met someone that claims his problems are due to brain damage caused by Zoloft doesn’t mean it’s true. It sounds like you were depressed enough at 18 to be treated with Zoloft. I don’t know how long you took it. It seems you now have anxieties, phobias, numbness on your face.  All of these are part of an anxiety disorder. Some, like you,  get depressed first, and later on get the anxiety symptoms. Others have the anxiety symptoms first and may get depressed later on. I had depression in my late teens, and onset of panic disorder  and phobias at age 22. And I had alot of strange feelings all over my body and thought I had disease. But I didn’t. It sounds like you have the same problems we  have here at ASAP. And they’re not due to brain damage from meds. So, are you ever going to go back down to Atlantic City, again?  : ) Take care, Chip

Response:

    ***I’m trying to get to the bottom of this *** I am posting this because of this problem and research I am doing on Zoloft… I have also found another person that has te same exact problems that I have because of this anti-depressant.. First of all , I think it causes permanent brain damage.. I also think that a person who starts out on zoloft will need some sort of anti-depressant for the rest of their life because of the damage it does.. Well, I’ll just try to be short here because I dont know how many of you will have the same problem..   When I was 18, I took zoloft.. I felt very weird in the beggining. Like a draining , kind of brain meltdown feeling… And ever since then (6 years without zoloft) I have had a constant numbing feeling on the left side of my head… It makes me feel more prone to stress/anxiety/panic.. Since then I have also developed a social phobia , psoriasis , and psoriatic arthritis….  Even though I was a little depressed when I was 18, I never knew that this crazyness was going to happen.. It made my condition much worse.. Now i’m stuck with taking xanax for the rest of my life….Anybody else expierence simaler symptoms?? We should sue these damn companies for this garbage.

Response:

Question:

Hi gang.  My Mother-in-law called today as she read an article about Taco Neck offending those with ST in Baton Rouge, LA.  There was a local phone number & I called and found there exists a number of people with dystonia living in my area. They have a "group" but it doesn’t meet due to the fact that many members cannot get there as they are homebound.  Most of the members have ST, however, which differs from me as I am generalized.  I did find out that the head of the local group presented ST info to a local neurologist and that physician made a point to go to Houston and learn how to give BOTOX injections.  He has saved several people the long drive and it sounds as if he has done a lot of good.  I had heard of this physician when people thought I had MS and almost contacted him to see if he would like to take a shot at helping my dystonia, but I was afraid he’d look at my records and think I was crazy again…he is in the same clinic with one of the neuros who sent me home with a bag of depression meds; later he said I had a benign essential tremor with "some rigidity". Not!!!   After talking with the head of the group, I learned that none of them accessed info on the computer and he was surprised at how many of us correspond with one another with such frequency.  He asked the cutest question, "Well, tell me, have you been able to find very many people with dystonia by looking in your computer?" He was blown away by my answer!!! Now he wants to try to "rejuvenate" the group  and try to meet again to set up a way to meet regularly.  He wants me to tell them about our newsgroup and all the friends we’ve all made, how we keep each other from feeling misunderstood, alone.  It was a good time to talk to him because I feel like I’ve been losing the battle against dystonia lately…I’m sure it’s temporary as I’ve never been hit this hard for long since I got on the meds.  He said there’s no one in the group who has it all over them this way, but he said that regardless of what happens, I’m going to win anyway, he said he heard it in my voice. (What if I lose my voice!<g) I’m scared to death, but I’m thinking about making an appointment with that physician.  He’s even on my PPO so it will only be $10.  I haven’t seen a doctor since last September and I was there to get a letter that said I was doing great so our group insurance could be moved to a less expensive carrier.  I will be hurt if I subject myself to this man and he comes up with some oddball stress and anxiety diagnosis.  Then he’d probably send that to my primary care physician and mess up the only reasonable avenue I have for help here.  Okay, I’m out of the closet now…the Slipper is scared of being called a nut (well at least by doctors). —Gene, don’t you dare jump on that statement!!!<g The other good news is that our nine-parish newspaper printed the short article about Taco Neck and ST and the phone number.  Perhaps it will get the attention of someone like me. Okay, so that’s that.  I’m no longer an alien life form here in this town. (—I’m warning you Gene..don’t say it!!!<g) Love yaw, Slipper

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi gang.  My Mother-in-law called today as she read an article about Taco Neck offending those with ST in Baton Rouge, LA.  There was a local phone number & I called and found there exists a number of people with dystonia living in my area. They have a "group" but it doesn’t meet due to the fact that many members cannot get there as they are homebound.  Most of the members have ST, however, which differs from me as I am generalized.  I did find out that the head of the local group presented ST info to a local neurologist and that physician made a point to go to Houston and learn how to give BOTOX injections.  He has saved several people the long drive and it sounds as if he has done a lot of good.  I had heard of this physician when people thought I had MS and almost contacted him to see if he would like to take a shot at helping my dystonia, but I was afraid he’d look at my records and think I was crazy again…he is in the same clinic with one of the neuros who sent me home with a bag of depression meds; later he said I had a benign essential tremor with "some rigidity". Not!!!   After talking with the head of the group, I learned that none of them accessed info on the computer and he was surprised at how many of us correspond with one another with such frequency.  He asked the cutest question, "Well, tell me, have you been able to find very many people with dystonia by looking in your computer?" He was blown away by my answer!!! Now he wants to try to "rejuvenate" the group  and try to meet again to set up a way to meet regularly.  He wants me to tell them about our newsgroup and all the friends we’ve all made, how we keep each other from feeling misunderstood, alone.  It was a good time to talk to him because I feel like I’ve been losing the battle against dystonia lately…I’m sure it’s temporary as I’ve never been hit this hard for long since I got on the meds.  He said there’s no one in the group who has it all over them this way, but he said that regardless of what happens, I’m going to win anyway, he said he heard it in my voice. (What if I lose my voice!<g) I’m scared to death, but I’m thinking about making an appointment with that physician.  He’s even on my PPO so it will only be $10.  I haven’t seen a doctor since last September and I was there to get a letter that said I was doing great so our group insurance could be moved to a less expensive carrier.  I will be hurt if I subject myself to this man and he comes up with some oddball stress and anxiety diagnosis.  Then he’d probably send that to my primary care physician and mess up the only reasonable avenue I have for help here.  Okay, I’m out of the closet now…the Slipper is scared of being called a nut (well at least by doctors). —Gene, don’t you dare jump on that statement!!!<g The other good news is that our nine-parish newspaper printed the short article about Taco Neck and ST and the phone number.  Perhaps it will get the attention of someone like me. Okay, so that’s that.  I’m no longer an alien life form here in this town. (—I’m warning you Gene..don’t say it!!!<g) Love yaw, Slipper

Slipper: Sorry to hear you’re on a downer — these slides are tough. In my case it has been deemed too risky for me to see a neurologist as my case got botched so much it became almost political with a large "P". Anyway, it has not escaped my attention what happened after I simply wandered by and posted that "Library Neck" story. Well, well, seems you, Gene and Catherine just jumped on my innocent question about the source of Gene’s humour — er, I mean printed jokes <<g. Boy did you three run with that one! Proving to us all that the three of you are sorta, kinda, somewhat, grudgingly, in an offhanded way, indirectly, less than obviously pals . SO glad <<g I could help!!! Gotta watch those innocent questions of mine! Hi to all John

Response:

writes: ..just send flowers to Gaby, you will know what happened…..<<g Send flowers to Gaby anyway!!! <g Gene, Gene listen, listen to me…behave.

You know I always behave, don’t ya?   <g <<<<<<<<<<<<<<G -Slip

OK! OK!  Slipper you win, you win….<g It is true, Slipper and I are good friends and we don’t fight off line.   It’s a nice sunny day out and it reminds me to wish everyone (including a special someone:-) a great summer.  I am taking a break but will be checking my e-mail sporadically  and responding to anyone who writes. Gene

Response:

. Boy did you three run with that one! Proving to us all that the three of you are sorta, kinda, somewhat, grudgingly, in an offhanded way, indirectly, less than obviously pals .

Actually John, and don’t repeat this, we fight all the time off line. You haven’t seen my eyes….and  bruises here and there, I am a mess….  Now Slipper has instructed the whole gang to.."go get him." Yikes!!!!!!  If you stop hearing from me….just send flowers to Gaby, you will know what happened…..<<g

Response:

writes: ..just send flowers to Gaby, you will know what happened…..<<g

Send flowers to Gaby anyway!!! <g Gene, Gene listen, listen to me…behave. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<G -Slip

Response: