Question:

   So guess what? I can’t stop coughing! I hack quite a bit during the day, but at night I just can’t get to sleep at a decent time. I’m too busy coughing! On top of the serevent 2pffs 2X/day, ditto with flovent250, I’m Snipped    Any suggestions on what I can do? I know taking that much ventolin on top of the serevent couldn’t be that great for me,are there any other ways

Sounds like when I had Sinusitus.  At first I thought that my asthma was just getting worse and out of control.  Went to the Dr.  Even though I was not having any head pain, he said it was sinusitus.  The reason was because I coughed up yellow in the mornings that turned to clearish as the day went on and I was dizzy when I got up.  The coughing was worse in the morning.  Took some antibitics (zithromax) and it cleared up fast!   Hope you find what the problem is.  If your asthma is like mine, it is hard to tell the asthma from a cold or infection.   Good luck, Lynn*E

Response:

   I would like to thank everybody that gave me advice. I will be making an appointment with my respiratory specialist tomorrow. Thanks to those of you who responded to me privately and on this ng, I will be armed with some good questions. Appreciatively, Tina in Montreal – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   My daughter just started grade 1 on monday and I find myself having to walk her to and from school (9 blocks each way) 4 times a day. I don’t have a car, and I don’t know any neighbours who go to the same school.   So guess what? I can’t stop coughing! I hack quite a bit during the day, but at night I just can’t get to sleep at a decent time. I’m too busy coughing! On top of the serevent 2pffs 2X/day, ditto with flovent250, I’m now having to take 4pffs 3-4x/day of my ventolin (I have the shakes like crazy). And even that seems to do little good.   Any suggestions on what I can do? I know taking that much ventolin on top of the serevent couldn’t be that great for me,are there any other ways to reduce the coughing, especially at night?   Thanks in advance for any info. Tina in Montreal

Response:

   I would like to thank everybody that gave me advice. I will be making an appointment with my respiratory specialist tomorrow. Thanks to those of you who responded to me privately and on this ng, I will be armed with some good questions.

        hope you will share what you learn…<s

Response:

hope you will share what you learn…<s

   Don’t worry. I have trouble keeping my mouth shut when I get helpful news (I hope?). But in this case I’ll let my fingers do the talking. Tina in Montreal

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh, yeah. I forgot to add (thanks to my distracting 3 yr old) that I am waking up very dizzy as well. It takes a while to get up because of it. Tina in Montreal   My daughter just started grade 1 on monday and I find myself having to walk her to and from school (9 blocks each way) 4 times a day. I don’t have a car, and I don’t know any neighbours who go to the same school.   So guess what? I can’t stop coughing! I hack quite a bit during the day, but at night I just can’t get to sleep at a decent time. I’m too busy coughing! On top of the serevent 2pffs 2X/day, ditto with flovent250, I’m now having to take 4pffs 3-4x/day of my ventolin (I have the shakes like crazy). And even that seems to do little good.   Any suggestions on what I can do? I know taking that much ventolin on top of the serevent couldn’t be that great for me,are there any other ways to reduce the coughing, especially at night? Tina in Montreal

You’re pretty well maxed out on your meds; Flovent 220, Serevent, and Ventolin. It sounds like all that exercise may be exacerbating your asthma. Have you contacted the school office about your problem? Isn’t there a school limousine for handicapped people or cases like yours? Could your daughter take her lunch to school to cut the trips down to 2/day. Some exercise is good for you. Some doctors might put you on a pulse dose of prednisone, but I try to avoid that. Other meds you could consider adding  are TheoDur (I take 200 mg x 2 ) and Singulair, the new antileukotriene pill. Have you been evaluated for Sinusitis or GERD (reflux); both of these conditions can worsen asthma and cause coughing. Ellis, not a doctor

Response:

  So guess what? I can’t stop coughing! I hack quite a bit during the day, but at night I just can’t get to sleep at a decent time. I’m too busy coughing! On top of the serevent 2pffs 2X/day, ditto with flovent250, I’m now having to take 4pffs 3-4x/day of my ventolin (I have the shakes like crazy). And even that seems to do little good.   Any suggestions on what I can do? I know taking that much ventolin on top of the serevent couldn’t be that great for me,are there any other ways to reduce the coughing, especially at night?

Make an appointment with your doctor ASAP.  Your asthma is out of control and you need to find out what the problem is and get it fixed. Hopefully, with the number of medications you are on, you are being treated by a specalist?

Response:

   My daughter just started grade 1 on monday and I find myself having to walk her to and from school (9 blocks each way) 4 times a day. I don’t have a car, and I don’t know any neighbours who go to the same school.    So guess what? I can’t stop coughing! I hack quite a bit during the day, but at night I just can’t get to sleep at a decent time. I’m too busy coughing! On top of the serevent 2pffs 2X/day, ditto with flovent250, I’m now having to take 4pffs 3-4x/day of my ventolin (I have the shakes like crazy). And even that seems to do little good.    Any suggestions on what I can do? I know taking that much ventolin on top of the serevent couldn’t be that great for me,are there any other ways to reduce the coughing, especially at night?    Thanks in advance for any info. Tina in Montreal

Response:

Oh, yeah. I forgot to add (thanks to my distracting 3 yr old) that I am waking up very dizzy as well. It takes a while to get up because of it.    Thanks again. Tina in Montreal – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   My daughter just started grade 1 on monday and I find myself having to walk her to and from school (9 blocks each way) 4 times a day. I don’t have a car, and I don’t know any neighbours who go to the same school.   So guess what? I can’t stop coughing! I hack quite a bit during the day, but at night I just can’t get to sleep at a decent time. I’m too busy coughing! On top of the serevent 2pffs 2X/day, ditto with flovent250, I’m now having to take 4pffs 3-4x/day of my ventolin (I have the shakes like crazy). And even that seems to do little good.   Any suggestions on what I can do? I know taking that much ventolin on top of the serevent couldn’t be that great for me,are there any other ways to reduce the coughing, especially at night?   Thanks in advance for any info. Tina in Montreal

Response:

Question:

Has anyone ordered from here? I am instrested in the Kramer that is $179 (I forgot the model and am to lazy to load up the browser I has 2 "quad rail" humbukers and 1 double rail humbuker in the middle. Also comes with a Floyd Rose tremolo and some kick ass tuners. So, any good? Or has anyone ordered from their yet? Thanks Nicola

I’m interested too… it’d be nice to have a backup guitar with a floyd for gigs if my JEM breaks a string… *sigh* why can’t I be endorsed for JEMs?   Hehehe…  Where is the company located?  *crosses fingers* please say Canada… -=Devon Lougheed=- "if politics is the blind leading the blind, entertainment is the f**ked up leading the hypnotised" to reply remove NOSPAM from email adress

Response:

I bought the same guitar your looking at. I love it! Right now I own two Les Pauls, a JB player PRS copy, and a Cort Flying V. This guitar doesn’t sound like any of them. The sound is close to a Jackson or Ibanez but a little beefier. I play mainly hard rock in the vain of Ratt and it does great for what I need it for. I haven’t played out with it yet but I’ve recorded with it and it did great!! No Noise. I have a Line 6 Flextone 300 watt head through a Peavy 412e cab. So just about any guitar would sound great to me!! It will depend a lot on what type of setup you have and what style of music you play. The guitar stays in tune providing you have it setup correctly. It seems like it will hold up against the test of a musicians time!! My experience with music yo was very good. I placed my order and got a receipt number right away, then a thank you for your order the next day as well as a confirmation of shipment with a UPS tracking number. It was here in 6 days. These Krammers are made by Gibson and are shipped from the Gibson factory in Nash. Tenn. You can email Gibson for more info on the Krammer line. (since they are real quite about it online) Visit www.gibson.com Good Luck Laura

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone ordered from here? I am instrested in the Kramer that is $179 (I forgot the model and am to lazy to load up the browser I has 2 "quad rail" humbukers and 1 double rail humbuker in the middle. Also comes with a Floyd Rose tremolo and some kick ass tuners. So, any good? Or has anyone ordered from their yet? Thanks Nicola

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I bought the same guitar your looking at. I love it! Right now I own two Les Pauls, a JB player PRS copy, and a Cort Flying V. This guitar doesn’t sound like any of them. The sound is close to a Jackson or Ibanez but a little beefier. I play mainly hard rock in the vain of Ratt and it does great for what I need it for. I haven’t played out with it yet but I’ve recorded with it and it did great!! No Noise. I have a Line 6 Flextone 300 watt head through a Peavy 412e cab. So just about any guitar would sound great to me!! It will depend a lot on what type of setup you have and what style of music you play. The guitar stays in tune providing you have it setup correctly. It seems like it will hold up against the test of a musicians time!! My experience with music yo was very good. I placed my order and got a receipt number right away, then a thank you for your order the next day as well as a confirmation of shipment with a UPS tracking number. It was here in 6 days. These Krammers are made by Gibson and are shipped from the Gibson factory in Nash. Tenn. You can email Gibson for more info on the Krammer line. (since they are real quite about it online) Visit www.gibson.com Good Luck

Just that everyone understands, the new Kramer Strikers may be "shipped" from Gibson’s factory in Nashville TN but they are made in Korea. I’m still looking for someone here to post a review of the guitar. I’m looking for quality and playability.  I have to be honest in that I am intrested in picking one up (can’t beat the price) but the one thing that holds me back in the "rail" pickups that the guitar comes with. The MusicYo site states that the rail pickup’s have a 2/4 configuration where you can pull up on the tone knob to turn on all four pickup rails.  The problem for me is if I don’t like the pickups it doens’t seem like it would be very easy to just replace them with better pickups. The 2/4 pickup selector switch may have to be replaced as well.  I have played the new Kramer Baretta’s with the rail pickups and I wasn’t that impressed. The Jackson DK’s sounded much better (with the Duncan design pickups).   So can anyone who has purchased a new Kramer Striker from MusicYo post an in-depth review of the guitar (quility, sound, opinion of the "rail" pickups etc..). Regards, — — Matt Costanza Austin, TX USA

Response:

Very good company for their guitars, great service. For strings, give www.stringsdirect.co.uk a try – they are also apparently excellent but have far cheaper delivery costs. Stu

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair ….. Any feedback mush appreciated Rgds Gary

Response:

Hi, Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair ….. Any feedback mush appreciated

I purchased a guitar (Steinberger Spirit GT-Pro), gigbag, etc. from them.  I’ve been very pleased with their service, incl. customer service & tech support (I used email for both). Dave Morgenlender

Response:

I’ve dealt with them pretty extensively and have been happy with the instruments I purchased. I have purchased strings from them, but since I live in the US, shipping cost is not a major concern. My guess is you might be better off purchasing strings locally as suggested, unless they are the sole source (like for my Steinberger). If these are regular strings, I’d recommend also checking out musicians friend or American Musical Supply for bulk discounts and shipping. If you’r not concerned with brand names, they may have generic bulk strings you may purchase. Another possibility with Music Yo is to contact them to see if they will ship via your preffered shipper. They might be willing to do it for you. Contact is by email only, however, they have responded to some requests in the past and have been a pleasure to deal with. Toby

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair ….. Well, I don’t know about their shipping prices on small items like Christmas gift last year…….but I think if I was going to actually buy anything from them, it would be something like a guitar or amp and not strings.  Is there a reason you can’t go to a local store for strings? Charles — Head Papershuffler Paper Airplane Division (currently assigned to the Rubber Band Flight Dynamics project)

Response:

Hi, Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair

I noticed the UK prices are much higher. I have no idea about tariffs or costs in the US. The prices in the US are lower and you can use the US postal service to lower the delivery costs – something a lot of places are now using after the tech bubble collapsed and freebies and subsidies went out the window as wel las the feeling that online sales was the future of retailing. Fuel costs also rose with the rise of oil prices causing a rise a shipping prices. I got my bass delviered I think for $12 or so by the postal service and it got here in about a week about the same as UPS which would have cost $30-40.  

Response:

Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair …..

Well, I don’t know about their shipping prices on small items like gift last year…….but I think if I was going to actually buy anything from them, it would be something like a guitar or amp and not strings.  Is there a reason you can’t go to a local store for strings? Charles — Head Papershuffler Paper Airplane Division (currently assigned to the Rubber Band Flight Dynamics project)

Response:

Hi, Has anybody else had any dealings with MusicYo.com ? I logged on a couple of days ago to look at buying a few items, which initially looked good on pricing. However when it actually came to delivery costs, sheesh, it worked out more expensive than buying it from my local retailer ! I am based in the UK, and delivery for 1 (or 10) sets of strings worked out at 39.85 dollars standard delivery ( from the European warehouse) or $97.13 dollars for express delivery ( from the European warehouse) – I nearly fell off my chair ….. Any feedback mush appreciated Rgds Gary

Response:

Question:

OK, first of all, how are you functioning during the daytime, after your 5 hours?

80 % of the time I can function during the day, while feeling tired; 20 % of the time I lay in bed all day. Also, I have chronic Fatigue and I am on long term disability. Anything good happening from this medication after 7 weeks?

Yes, anxiety has become less pronounced, but still need to up the Effexor to better control my anxiety. My fear is if I up the Effexor then I will get no sleep at all. What is it being prescribed for?

Anxiety. Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – G Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Response:

OK, first of all, how are you functioning during the daytime, after your 5 hours?  Anything good happening from this medication after 7 weeks? What is it being prescribed for? G

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Response:

Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Response:

talk to the doc who prescribed the Effexor?? that would be my first step. Lobo

Response:

Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Do you take Effexor for anxiety/panic, depression? Does it work at this low dose? Good sedating antidepressants that work also for anxiety/panic are amitriptyline (TCA) and Paxil (SSRI). Also Remeron which as a rule is somewhat less effective for anxiety disorders but does help people. Low dose ami and ditto Remeron are succesfully prescribed as  sleeping aids. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Question:

Went fine I think.  PDoc recommended Lexpro instead of Celexa – said less side effects I started yesterday and continued today.  No bad stuff yet.  :)  Hope there isn’t any to come….. He said 3-4 days 1/2 lex pill = 5mg. with 1/2 my zoloft dosage Then go up to 10mg. almost 2 days down already! thanks,

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – :I meed with the doc tomorrow.  Called this morning and got an appt. – what :luck How did your appt go? I hope well. Tell us about it Jackie ~*~I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what~*~           ~Harper Lee~     ~~To Kill a Mockingbird~~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

:I started yesterday and continued today.  No bad stuff yet.  :)  Hope there :isn’t any to come….. : :He said 3-4 days 1/2 lex pill = 5mg. with 1/2 my zoloft dosage :Then go up to 10mg. : :almost 2 days down already! Glad it`s going well. Good luck with the lexapro, I hope it works out for you Jackie ~*~Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future~*~    ~ Deepak Chopra ~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I meed with the doc tomorrow.  Called this morning and got an appt. – what luck

Hope the appointment is productive! Let us know how it goes. xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

:I meed with the doc tomorrow.  Called this morning and got an appt. – what :luck How did your appt go? I hope well. Tell us about it Jackie ~*~I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what~*~             ~Harper Lee~     ~~To Kill a Mockingbird~~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Thanks Anne and Jacqueline for the followups. I meed with the doc tomorrow.  Called this morning and got an appt. – what luck Hope you are well.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – :I went to sleep and was startled awake probably 10 times the first hour. I :kept startling MYSELF awake. When my anxiety and panic is really bad, this is what happens to me. Some nights it was so bad that I couldn`t sleep at all. It was like my body just couldn`t relax, it was so use to being tense. :The funny thing is that there really isn’t :anything stressful going on in my life right now.  Things are looking up, :got some nice trips planned with my wife. Makes no sense, huh I`ve had times in my life where there was no reason to be anxious or panicky, I just was. Then times…. when I should have been paralyzed by anxiety due to lifes stressors, that it didn`t rear it`s ugly head. :It just feels like lately a "grim :reaper" type of feeling keeps pecking at me, ruining all the good times – :making everything difficult. When you get to this point, changes have to be made. No need to suffer like this when something could help. :The doc said that I’d cut my zoloft dose by 50% and take a 50% dose of :celexa for a few weeks and then see what happens. : :Anyone else make this switch and have any comments? I`ve never made a switch like this, but many others have with great success. Good luck and I hope you see some positive changes soon Jackie ~*~Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there’s still  time to change the road you’re on~*~" — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

:I went to sleep and was startled awake probably 10 times the first hour.  I :kept startling MYSELF awake.   When my anxiety and panic is really bad, this is what happens to me. Some nights it was so bad that I couldn`t sleep at all. It was like my body just couldn`t relax, it was so use to being tense. :The funny thing is that there really isn’t :anything stressful going on in my life right now.  Things are looking up, :got some nice trips planned with my wife. Makes no sense, huh I`ve had times in my life where there was no reason to be anxious or panicky, I just was. Then times…. when I should have been paralyzed by anxiety due to lifes stressors, that it didn`t rear it`s ugly head. :It just feels like lately a "grim :reaper" type of feeling keeps pecking at me, ruining all the good times – :making everything difficult. When you get to this point, changes have to be made. No need to suffer like this when something could help. :The doc said that I’d cut my zoloft dose by 50% and take a 50% dose of :celexa for a few weeks and then see what happens. : :Anyone else make this switch and have any comments? I`ve never made a switch like this, but many others have with great success. Good luck and I hope you see some positive changes soon Jackie ~*~Yes there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run, there’s still  time to change the road you’re on~*~" — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi all, I wrote recently about how I’ve been on zoloft for 8 years and tried to taper off 2 times.  Last year I weaned back up to my normal dose of zoloft, but still things don’t seem very good.  I am doing ok during the days, but when evening comes, I start to feel the anxiety setting in.  Last night I took a xanax to help with it, and it was still pretty bad.  I haven’t been sleeping well lately so I’ll take a tylenol pm too. I went to sleep and was startled awake probably 10 times the first hour.  I kept startling MYSELF awake.  I wake up feeling about 80% ok.  the other 20% is that oh-so dark feeling.  The funny thing is that there really isn’t anything stressful going on in my life right now.  Things are looking up, got some nice trips planned with my wife.  It just feels like lately a "grim reaper" type of feeling keeps pecking at me, ruining all the good times – making everything difficult. The doc said that I’d cut my zoloft dose by 50% and take a 50% dose of celexa for a few weeks and then see what happens. Anyone else make this switch and have any comments? thanks, Phil — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

The doc said that I’d cut my zoloft dose by 50% and take a 50% dose of celexa for a few weeks and then see what happens.

I did that with Paxil– Celexa, Phil.  I tapered down on the Paxil slowly (Verrrrry slowly!) from 30 mg per day to 10 mg.  I began to feel some breakthrough depression then, so my pdoc switched me immediately to 10 mg Celexa (discontinuing the Paxil) and I weaned up to 20 mg Celexa. This worked very well for me. I did have to wait a bit longer for the Celexa to address all my issues (depression in particular) than I had with the Paxil originally, but it was worth it — a great med for me, with almost no side effects. I hope the switch will work for you. It’s definitely better than going cold turkey off the Zoloft. xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Question:

How long have you been taking the Zoloft?  And are you taking anything else (such as Xanax)?  I had some of that early on, but I truly believe that it is the interim feeling you get when the Zoloft is fighting anxiety.  In other words, instead of feeling anxious, you feel cloudy. At least that is my experience, because the longer I’ve been on Zoloft and the less often I have felt anxious, the less I have had this problem.  Also, occasionally, when I’ve taken a Xanax for an extra bad day, I feel this way when I come off of it.  Interesting. Best, Charly

I’ve been taking Zoloft for 6 months, and I don’t take anything else…I hardly have any anxiety any more, but this spaciness is freaking me out… Thanks Mandy

Response:

I’ve been on Zoloft for almost six months now, and these feelings started around the same time…..it’s so weird!

Yes, it is. What does your doctor say? Maybe you could try either adding a benzo or switching to another SSRI? Philip (don’t know really) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – MandySince when have you been taking Zoloft? As a rule dissociation is not a SSRI side effect but nothing is impossible. I have found a benzo helps me with dissociative feelings and perceptions. YMMV. Philip

Response:

Hummingbird says

I posted a while ago about my feelings of unreality….I was wondering if maybe it is partly caused by the Zoloft….I feel like I’m just playing the part or something…It really scares me sometimes that I can’t FEEL some things….I take 200 mg/day…Does anybody know if Zoloft can cause these feelings?  I don’t understand why I feel this way.  It’s almost a constant thing now….I want to feel alive, but I just feel like nothing is real…Like I’m playing a part in some generic B movie or something….HELP! Mandy

hi mandy. I thought that was just of the effects of the anxiety/panic….jeeeezzzz! I don’t take Zoloft (but I like the big Z) – - though I know the "unreality" feeling. Hope your meds don’t cause that! Maybe some adjusting is needed by the doc….hmmm? -take care & good luck!! Z p.s. I usually feel like I’m some bizarre character in a Terry Gilliam movie if ya know what I mean.

Response:

I’ve been on Zoloft for almost six months now, and these feelings started around the same time…..it’s so weird! MandySince when have you been taking Zoloft? As a rule dissociation is not a SSRI – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -side effect but nothing is impossible. I have found a benzo helps me with dissociative feelings and perceptions. YMMV. Philip

Response:

no-archive:yes I posted a while ago about my feelings of unreality….I was wondering if maybe it is partly caused by the Zoloft….I feel like I’m just playing the part or something…It really scares me sometimes that I can’t FEEL some things….I take 200 mg/day…Does anybody know if Zoloft can cause these feelings?  I don’t understand why I feel this way.  It’s almost a constant thing now….I want to feel alive, but I just feel like nothing is real…Like I’m playing a part in some generic B movie or something….HELP! Mandy

How long have you been taking the Zoloft?  And are you taking anything else (such as Xanax)?  I had some of that early on, but I truly believe that it is the interim feeling you get when the Zoloft is fighting anxiety.  In other words, instead of feeling anxious, you feel cloudy. At least that is my experience, because the longer I’ve been on Zoloft and the less often I have felt anxious, the less I have had this problem.  Also, occasionally, when I’ve taken a Xanax for an extra bad day, I feel this way when I come off of it.  Interesting. Best, Charly

Response:

I posted a while ago about my feelings of unreality….I was wondering if maybe it is partly caused by the Zoloft….I feel like I’m just playing the part or something…It really scares me sometimes that I can’t FEEL some things….I take 200 mg/day…Does anybody know if Zoloft can cause these feelings?  I don’t understand why I feel this way.  It’s almost a constant thing now….I want to feel alive, but I just feel like nothing is real…Like I’m playing a part in some generic B movie or something….HELP!

Dear Mandy, Has this symptom only been around since being on zoloft? Your comment *I can`t feel some things*, sounds like you are numb or apathetic. This seems to happen to some people while they are on anti-depressants. I urge you to talk to your doctor about this, perhaps a med change is in order. Take care. Jackie

Response:

I posted a while ago about my feelings of unreality….I was wondering if maybe it is partly caused by the Zoloft….I feel like I’m just playing the part or something…It really scares me sometimes that I can’t FEEL some things….I take 200 mg/day…Does anybody know if Zoloft can cause these feelings?  I don’t understand why I feel this way.  It’s almost a constant thing now….I want to feel alive, but I just feel like nothing is real…Like I’m playing a part in some generic B movie or something….HELP! Mandy

Zoloft can cause feelings of unreality (called depersonalization/derealization), *especially* if your dose has been titrated upwards too rapidly. I’d check with your doc. You may need a  reduction in you Zoloft dose. Also benzos have been quite effective in relieving feelings of unreality I have had. Even in small dosage, such as Xanax 0.25 mg four times per day. Chip Before you buy.

Response:

.It really scares me sometimes that I can’t FEEL some things….

this is different qualitatively then dissociation where you feel outside yourself-one is a ramping down of emotion the other a ramping up-when we dissociate we are purposly excluding ourselves from the present moment to reduce sensory input as a defense an exhaustion-the inability to feel emotions as acutely or as intensly is and can be a side effect of any ad med as they can tend to in some reduce appropriate anxieties as well as reduce specific spontaneous emotional responses-they get slowed down which is how these drugs work to reduce some emotional disturbances-so you may have to clarify what it is you actualy are experiencing LM

Response:

I posted a while ago about my feelings of unreality….I was wondering if maybe it is partly caused by the Zoloft….I feel like I’m just playing the part or something…It really scares me sometimes that I can’t FEEL some things….I take 200 mg/day…Does anybody know if Zoloft can cause these feelings?  I don’t understand why I feel this way.  It’s almost a constant thing now….I want to feel alive, but I just feel like nothing is real…Like I’m playing a part in some generic B movie or something….HELP! Mandy

Since when have you been taking Zoloft? As a rule dissociation is not a SSRI side effect but nothing is impossible. I have found a benzo helps me with dissociative feelings and perceptions. YMMV. Philip

Response:

I find most meditations make me feel that way. I have come to know it is all part of my symptoms of my anxiety disorder. I like to do journalling and meditation to get in touch with my feelings. It definately is unpleasant…I go in and out of unreality feelings and spaceyness quite frequently, especially when I go for walks. I feel like I’m not real and the world around me seems distant. Typical of someone from a traumatic background. Disassociation….I love those moments of clarity much better. I do not suffer as bad as I did, so I keep the hope. (((((HUGS))))) Debbie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I posted a while ago about my feelings of unreality….I was wondering if maybe it is partly caused by the Zoloft….I feel like I’m just playing the part or something…It really scares me sometimes that I can’t FEEL some things….I take 200 mg/day…Does anybody know if Zoloft can cause these feelings?  I don’t understand why I feel this way.  It’s almost a constant thing now….I want to feel alive, but I just feel like nothing is real…Like I’m playing a part in some generic B movie or something….HELP! Mandy

Response:

I posted a while ago about my feelings of unreality….I was wondering if maybe it is partly caused by the Zoloft….I feel like I’m just playing the part or something…It really scares me sometimes that I can’t FEEL some things….I take 200 mg/day…Does anybody know if Zoloft can cause these feelings?  I don’t understand why I feel this way.  It’s almost a constant thing now….I want to feel alive, but I just feel like nothing is real…Like I’m playing a part in some generic B movie or something….HELP! Mandy

Response:

Question:

dragon wrote:

Guess what? My wife was diagnosed with severe OCD this morning.  I guess she may change her views.  What a mind trip! Calvin

Hi Calvin, What a strange twist. So, now what? — monkey http://pages.hotbot.com/health/sillychickens/ mon…@gilligansisland.net (to email me axe ‘gilligans’) —

Response:

dragon wrote:

Guess what? My wife was diagnosed with severe OCD this morning.  I guess she may change her views.  What a mind trip!

Wow!  I hope that she can change her views but only time will tell. Kind regards, Steve

Response:

Guess what? My wife was diagnosed with severe OCD this morning.  I guess she may change her views.  What a mind trip! Calvin * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

dragon wrote:

My wife says that if I take these medications, her and my son will be ashamed of me and that they are no different than illegal drugs.

and …

She is from China.  So she has a different view on everything due to her culture.

Hi Dragon, Like a few of the other posters said, you could take your wife to the doctor with you. Also, maybe you could locate a doctor that is Chinese and/or go to a Chinese Medicine clinic where maybe you could speak with someone who might help build a bridge between the ‘western’ medicine thought and the views your wife has. — monkey http://pages.hotbot.com/health/sillychickens/ mon…@gilligansisland.net (to email me axe ‘gilligans’) —

Response:

dragon wrote:

She is from China.  So she has a different view on everything due to her culture.

Hmmm… that’s a tough one. I can’t think of a better idea than fuzzybrain’s at the moment. I suppose that you could ignore her views but it could be a very unsatisfactory solution, especially if she has a lot of influence over your son. Kind regards, Steve

Response:

She is from China.  So she has a different view on everything due to her culture. Calvin Tait * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Dear Dragon Sounds like, if you can arrange it, you and your wife might benefit from a session together with your MD or whomever it was that prescribed the drugs. — peace from fuzzybrain I’m not GOING crazy, I’m already there!!!! dragon <p_taitNOp_S…@yahoo.com.invalid

wrote in message

news:028f1bce.06d3b421@usw-ex0106-048.remarq.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Does anyone use Effexor for OCD?  I have taken Paxil, Zoloft, and now Effexor XR with Klonopin for OCD and Anxiety. I take 150 mg a day. I have been diagnosed only a month ago with OCD My wife says that if I take these medications, her and my son will be ashamed of me and that they are no different than illegal drugs. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network

*

The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

dragon wrote:

Does anyone use Effexor for OCD?  I have taken Paxil, Zoloft, and now Effexor XR with Klonopin for OCD and Anxiety. I take 150 mg a day.

I used to take Paxil (50 mg) and I now take Effexor (375 mg).

I have been diagnosed only a month ago with OCD

It’s early days then. You may not notice any benefits from the Effexor for a while yet.

My wife says that if I take these medications, her and my son will be ashamed of me and that they are no different than illegal drugs.

What an extraordinary attitude! There must be some reason for your wife thinking like this. I think that fuzzybrain’s suggestion of letting your wife talk to your psychiatrist about medications was a very good one. Does she have some strong religious beliefs that perhaps forbid taking medications? She obviously feels very strongly about this and seems to also be prepared to influence your son’s thinking. Perhaps she regards OCD as a "weakness"? Can you talk with her to find out what’s going on? Kind regards, Steve

Response:

My wife says that if I take these medications, her and my son will be ashamed of me and that they are no different than illegal drugs.

That is terrible!  They are different from illegal drugs.  People use illegal drugs to get "high", to feel what a normal person cannot feel in a normal day of their lives. We use our medications to feel normal, to have a normal day in our life. Our brains (I would argue) seem to be lacking some important chemicals… and the drugs give us what we need to function close to normally. There is a myth among ‘normal’ people that prozac, and other drugs will make you happy.  They think it somehow magically makes you feel great everyday of your life ever after.  They have no clue what it’s really like to need these drugs. I’m so sorry that your wife feels that way.  If you need the drugs, take them. orlan

Response:

Does anyone use Effexor for OCD?  I have taken Paxil, Zoloft, and now Effexor XR with Klonopin for OCD and Anxiety. I take 150 mg a day. I have been diagnosed only a month ago with OCD My wife says that if I take these medications, her and my son will be ashamed of me and that they are no different than illegal drugs. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Would your wife be ashamed of you if you had high blood pressure and had to take medicine to control it? She is *seriously* misinformed about OCD and medication. I can not advise you specifically about Effexor because I take a different medication, but I *can* tell you that antidepressants have improved my life considerably. They *are* different than illegal drugs. No comparison. Maybe your doctor can talk some sense into her. Don’t let her fears and/or antipathy stop you from doing something that will probably help you in the long run. Regards, Ida dragon <p_taitNOp_S…@yahoo.com.invalid

wrote in message

news:028f1bce.06d3b421@usw-ex0106-048.remarq.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Does anyone use Effexor for OCD?  I have taken Paxil, Zoloft, and now Effexor XR with Klonopin for OCD and Anxiety. I take 150 mg a day. I have been diagnosed only a month ago with OCD My wife says that if I take these medications, her and my son will be ashamed of me and that they are no different than illegal drugs. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network

*

The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Question:

Hi Sophie, When I went on Zoloft for the first time, two years ago, I didn’t have any side-effects at all!! I had another doctor at that time. Now, the new doctor gave me the 50mg. I told her I remembered starting with a lower dose last time, but she said, no, 50 mg are the normal starting dose.

To bad we couldn`t make her take 50mgs of Zoloft and see if she likes it<EG!! Since my memory is generally very bad these days, I didn’t want to insist. Later, when the side-effects got so bad, I asked her again if I shouldn’t have started with a lower dose… she said no again.

I hate hearing this!! So many people are afraid to take anti-depressants because of bad experiences like this. You should have started at  12.5mgs or 25mgs, and weaned slowly. I also asked her if I couldn’t go up to the 100 mg a little slower then just doubling the dose. She said that wouldn’t have any effect at all. –

Well, the other day I went through my drawers and discovered a lonely left-over Zoloft tablet from two years ago, 25mg… Well, this teaches me to trust my own mind, however impaired it may be through depression and AD.. and not to believe everything my doc tells me. Thanks for your information!

Your welcome. I feel bad that you had to go through something like this. I am glad you realize that the fault lays with your doctor and not the Zoloft. Take care and good luck. Jackie "Am I right side up or upside down? Is this real or am I dreaming?"

Response:

Hi Jackie, When I went on Zoloft for the first time, two years ago, I didn’t have any side-effects at all!! I had another doctor at that time. Now, the new doctor gave me the 50mg.

Is she a GP or a psychiatrist? I told her I remembered starting with a lower dose last time, but she said, no, 50 mg are the normal starting dose.

12,5 mgs sounds more like it. Since my memory is generally very bad these days, I didn’t want to insist. Later, when the side-effects got so bad, I asked her again if I shouldn’t have started with a lower dose… she said no again.

Sweet, caring doc you have there…. I also asked her if I couldn’t go up to the 100 mg a little slower then just doubling the dose. She said that wouldn’t have any effect at all. –

Good grief….she doesn’t know the first thing about oanic and medication. Well, the other day I went through my drawers and discovered a lonely left-over Zoloft tablet from two years ago, 25mg… Well, this teaches me to trust my own mind, however impaired it may be through depression and AD.. and not to believe everything my doc tells me. Thanks for your information!

Sack the doc! Sophie

Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Sophie, You don`t have to go right to 100mgs….you could wean slowly to that dose, that is up to you though. You could go to 75mgs, or even 62.5mgs by cutting the tablet, you would stay at that dose for a week then either increase in 25mg increments, or 12.5mg increments until you reached the 100mgs. For many people a slow weaning process helps to minimize the side-effects. Alot of the side-effects you describe are normal, even the increase in anxiety, perhaps you didn`t wean to 50mgs, you just started at 50mgs? That could explain the hard time you had. Increase in anxiety can be helped by getting a script for a benzo, nausea can be helped by taking the Zoloft on a full stomach. Insomnia can be helped by taking the Zoloft in the AM. Fatigue should dissipate over time. Good luck. Jackie Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Hi Jackie, When I went on Zoloft for the first time, two years ago, I didn’t have any side-effects at all!! I had another doctor at that time. Now, the new doctor gave me the 50mg. I told her I remembered starting with a lower dose last time, but she said, no, 50 mg are the normal starting dose. Since my memory is generally very bad these days, I didn’t want to insist. Later, when the side-effects got so bad, I asked her again if I shouldn’t have started with a lower dose… she said no again. I also asked her if I couldn’t go up to the 100 mg a little slower then just doubling the dose. She said that wouldn’t have any effect at all. – Well, the other day I went through my drawers and discovered a lonely left-over Zoloft tablet from two years ago, 25mg… Well, this teaches me to trust my own mind, however impaired it may be through depression and AD.. and not to believe everything my doc tells me. Thanks for your information! Sophie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Sophie, You don`t have to go right to 100mgs….you could wean slowly to that dose, that is up to you though. You could go to 75mgs, or even 62.5mgs by cutting the tablet, you would stay at that dose for a week then either increase in 25mg increments, or 12.5mg increments until you reached the 100mgs. For many people a slow weaning process helps to minimize the side-effects. Alot of the side-effects you describe are normal, even the increase in anxiety, perhaps you didn`t wean to 50mgs, you just started at 50mgs? That could explain the hard time you had. Increase in anxiety can be helped by getting a script for a benzo, nausea can be helped by taking the Zoloft on a full stomach. Insomnia can be helped by taking the Zoloft in the AM. Fatigue should dissipate over time. Good luck. Jackie

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

writes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi all, I have a question about Zoloft and Valerian. I just moved, I left my boyfriend of 4 years and moved in with two roommates. They are absolutely sweet and all the changes in my life are for the better, but still I find my anxiety skyrocketing!! It is as bad a I never thought it would be… I am on 50 mg of Zoloft and I don’t really want to increase the dose (I don’t even know if it would help at all, since it works mainly against depression, not the anxiety itself, if I understand this correctly?), so I thought I’d try some Valerian to get me through the day and help me sleep. Do any of you have any information on SSRIs and Valerian? I seem to recall somebody saying one shouldn’t mix them… but on the other hand I always thought Valerian is a relatively harmless herb… some feedback would be greatly appreciated, Sophie Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

I tried Valerian some time ago, and I can’t say that I was very impressed personally.  If you use the herb form to make an infusion, it makes your kitchen smell like something died in there, and of course it gives you no way of knowing what kind of dose you are taking.  I also tried the tablet form, and found that it made me feel like hell the next day.  As always, YMMV . — Jon Guite When replying by email, please remove the trailing x from my return address

Response:

Thanks for your kind replies….. actually, it is a side-effect problem. When I started on Zoloft I was sick for over a week – not only did my anxiety increase, but I was tired at the same time, insomnia and most of all nausea.. I lost quite a bit of weight, which was nice, still I am not too keen on repeating this experience… but what you say sounds convincing, so I think I’ll try the 100 mg. Maybe it’ll work as well for me as for you… thanks again!! Sophie

Hi Sophie, You don`t have to go right to 100mgs….you could wean slowly to that dose, that is up to you though. You could go to 75mgs, or even 62.5mgs by cutting the tablet, you would stay at that dose for a week then either increase in 25mg increments, or 12.5mg increments until you reached the 100mgs. For many people a slow weaning process helps to minimize the side-effects. Alot of the side-effects you describe are normal, even the increase in anxiety, perhaps you didn`t wean to 50mgs, you just started at 50mgs? That could explain the hard time you had. Increase in anxiety can be helped by getting a script for a benzo, nausea can be helped by taking the Zoloft on a full stomach. Insomnia can be helped by taking the Zoloft in the AM. Fatigue should dissipate over time. Good luck. Jackie

Response:

I have a question about Zoloft and Valerian. I just moved, I left my boyfriend of 4 years and moved in with two roommates. They are absolutely sweet and all the changes in my life are for the better, but still I find my anxiety skyrocketing!! It is as bad a I never thought it would be… I am on 50 mg of Zoloft and I don’t really want to increase the dose (I don’t even know if it would help at all, since it works mainly against depression, not the anxiety itself, if I understand this correctly?), so I thought I’d try some Valerian to get me through the day and help me sleep. Do any of you have any information on SSRIs and Valerian? I seem to recall somebody saying one shouldn’t mix them… but on the other hand I always thought Valerian is a relatively harmless herb… some feedback would be greatly appreciated,

Hi Sophie, You have had some major life changes recently no wonder you anxiety is still skyrocketing. I am not sure about mixing Zoloft and Valerian, I would call your doctor and ask, many times herbs and meds don`t mix. I think your best bet is to increase the Zoloft, you can go as high as 200mgs, 50mgs might not be enough. Zoloft is effective for anxiety disorders as well as depression. You might be pleasantly surprised at what a increase might do for you. You could also ask your doctor for a benzo for your anxiety, many people take both a AD and a benzo. Take care. Jackie "Am I right side up or upside down? Is this real or am I dreaming?"

Response:

Thanks for your kind replies….. actually, it is a side-effect problem. When I started on Zoloft I was sick for over a week – not only did my anxiety increase, but I was tired at the same time, insomnia and most of all nausea.. I lost quite a bit of weight, which was nice, still I am not too keen on repeating this experience… but what you say sounds convincing, so I think I’ll try the 100 mg. Maybe it’ll work as well for me as for you… thanks again!! Sophie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sophie –   Actually, unless you have a particulary side-effect problem, I would highly recommend upping your Zoloft dose…My anxiety was not affected at all at 50 mg, but at 100 mg – it is almost entirely gone!  Like night and day…And you can take up to 200 mg/day if it’s needed…   It took some time, but it was worth it…Anyway, Zoloft is recommended for panic and anxiety, so give it a try…I think you’d be better off taking one med anyway (not really sure why you don’t want to increase the dose unless it’s a side-effect thing) than mixing meds…   Hope this helps…Not sure about Valerian…I took some Kava and it helped a little, but you shouldn’t take it with Xanax (which I also started taking with the Zoloft)…Valerian was also suggested to me as far as herbs…Not sure of any interactions here…   Email me anytime if you want…You sound like you are in the same boat as me with a series of life changes leading to terrible anxiety…I am much better with 100 mg Zoloft…I think you could be too… Best, — Charles Phipps

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Hi all, I have a question about Zoloft and Valerian. I just moved, I left my boyfriend of 4 years and moved in with two roommates. They are absolutely sweet and all the changes in my life are for the better, but still I find my anxiety skyrocketing!! It is as bad a I never thought it would be… I am on 50 mg of Zoloft and I don’t really want to increase the dose (I don’t even know if it would help at all, since it works mainly against depression, not the anxiety itself, if I understand this correctly?), so I thought I’d try some Valerian to get me through the day and help me sleep. Do any of you have any information on SSRIs and Valerian? I seem to recall somebody saying one shouldn’t mix them… but on the other hand I always thought Valerian is a relatively harmless herb… some feedback would be greatly appreciated, Sophie Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I have a question about Zoloft and Valerian. I just moved, I left my boyfriend of 4 years and moved in with two roommates. They are absolutely sweet and all the changes in my life are for the better, but still I find my anxiety skyrocketing!! It is as bad a I never thought it would be… I am on 50 mg of Zoloft and I don’t really want to increase the dose (I don’t even know if it would help at all, since it works mainly against depression, not the anxiety itself, if I understand this correctly?), so I thought I’d try some Valerian to get me through the day and help me sleep. Do any of you have any information on SSRIs and Valerian? I seem to recall somebody saying one shouldn’t mix them… but on the other hand I always thought Valerian is a relatively harmless herb… some feedback would be greatly appreciated, Sophie

Sophie –   Actually, unless you have a particulary side-effect problem, I would highly recommend upping your Zoloft dose…My anxiety was not affected at all at 50 mg, but at 100 mg – it is almost entirely gone!  Like night and day…And you can take up to 200 mg/day if it’s needed…   It took some time, but it was worth it…Anyway, Zoloft is recommended for panic and anxiety, so give it a try…I think you’d be better off taking one med anyway (not really sure why you don’t want to increase the dose unless it’s a side-effect thing) than mixing meds…   Hope this helps…Not sure about Valerian…I took some Kava and it helped a little, but you shouldn’t take it with Xanax (which I also started taking with the Zoloft)…Valerian was also suggested to me as far as herbs…Not sure of any interactions here…   Email me anytime if you want…You sound like you are in the same boat as me with a series of life changes leading to terrible anxiety…I am much better with 100 mg Zoloft…I think you could be too… Best, — Charles Phipps

Response:

Question:

Though I am nearly having a panic attack just –reading– these posts, it is extremely comforting to know I am not the "only" one !  mc

Response:

I forgot to mention something else that helps me with intrusions at work. I keep a white noise box, it doesn’t drown out everything, but it actually works quite well. They sell small ones that have like five sound effects (rain, ocean, white noise, babbling brook and rainforest.) Just a thought, if you can’t alleviate the intrusions, cover them up. It’s kind of like when your face breaks out.  There is no stopping the problem, but if you are like me, you cover that right up : ) Regards, Julie —

Response:

brownee – I have a quick question about your attempt at Effexor.  For the first 22 years that I had this disorder I came as close as any of my pdocs had seen to a unipolar manic — no sustained depressions, when I came off the manias (which were acute and severe) I went back to normal.  Then 3.5 years ago I had a triple whammy stress within one week right after a mania, and went into my first depression.  After 2 years of the depression, when I still showed no sign of coming out of it I finally talked my conservative pdoc into effexor. We ramped up so slowly I could scream, taking 6 months to get up to a therapeutic dosage.  But then it worked, and I never got manic (still on the Effexor).  Now, many moons later, I am finally getting off the effexor. How long did your pdoc take to bring you up to full speed, and do you think that going manic was the effexor or could it have been how quickly you were put on it?  Sympathetically, -Gandalf Souls are like athletes that need opponents worthy of them if they are to be tried and extended and pushed to the full use of their powers, and rewarded according to their capacity. (Thomas Merton) |I’ve tried Effexor and it has been the most effective AD I’ve ever |taken, so much so that it pushed me into the first purely manic episode |I’d ever had after decades of mixed episodes. But it too made that |horrible noise in my head, so now I’m trying Wellbutrin. | |brownee

Response:

My pdoc had me increase by 37.5 mg every 3 days until I was up to 300 mg. Starting it had some of the worst side effects of any medication I’ve ever had, but stopping it, at the same rate, was even worse. I had terrible nausea whenever I was even late with a dose, but at least that reminded me to take it. Cutting down I just had to live through the nausea. I’d been on only Prozac since 91 because I’d only been to idiots since then until I crashed big-time in December and got in to see a pdoc with a clue. Even when I spent 4 months in bed a few years ago, the doctors just told me to keep taking my Prozac and I’d be ok. So my experience about 6 weeks ago of my first purely manic episode was such a shock to my system after so many years (40+) of unrelenting depression relieved only by mixed episodes. I really couldn’t say with such limited experience on various ADs just what it was that threw me into mania. Seems like taking 6 months to get to a therapeutic dose isn’t any smarter than going too fast. I was in such bad shape that I wasn’t eating at all and was in danger of death from the kind of heart failure that anorexics die of, so the pdoc needed to do whatever it took to snap me out of it. brownee – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – brownee – I have a quick question about your attempt at Effexor.  For the first 22 years that I had this disorder I came as close as any of my pdocs had seen to a unipolar manic — no sustained depressions, when I came off the manias (which were acute and severe) I went back to normal.  Then 3.5 years ago I had a triple whammy stress within one week right after a mania, and went into my first depression.  After 2 years of the depression, when I still showed no sign of coming out of it I finally talked my conservative pdoc into effexor. We ramped up so slowly I could scream, taking 6 months to get up to a therapeutic dosage.  But then it worked, and I never got manic (still on the Effexor).  Now, many moons later, I am finally getting off the effexor. How long did your pdoc take to bring you up to full speed, and do you think that going manic was the effexor or could it have been how quickly you were put on it?  Sympathetically, -Gandalf Souls are like athletes that need opponents worthy of them if they are to be tried and extended and pushed to the full use of their powers, and rewarded according to their capacity. (Thomas Merton) |I’ve tried Effexor and it has been the most effective AD I’ve ever |taken, so much so that it pushed me into the first purely manic episode |I’d ever had after decades of mixed episodes. But it too made that |horrible noise in my head, so now I’m trying Wellbutrin. | |brownee

Response:

When my meds are not working that is when the "intrusions" are most annoying to me.  It is one of the ways that I know that it is time for another trip to the pdoc.  I could kill my hubby when he eats an apple

Then I must need a lot of trips to the pdoc, cause my meds never work But we’ll see if Neurontin works, also the psych (therp) I started seeing… ..always, Treacha ..as the twig bends…so the tree grows…

bw

Response:

brownee – I have a quick question about your attempt at Effexor.  For the first 22 years

Hi Brownee and Gandalf, My motto is "Start low and go SLOW!!! That way effects can be judiciously monitored. Peace, Reach beyond your grasp!

Response:

My motto is "Start low and go SLOW!!! HEAR, HEAR! With Effexor, it is especially important.  I went into a manic state you would have to have seen to believe when I was put on a huge dose of it.  Besides, that should be the rule for all meds.  IMHO

Amen! All pdocs should learn that on their very first day of residency. Also most meds require them to be tapered off — not stopping them cold turkey. Slowly on — slowly off. Your friend on the rollercoaster from hell, Shawn

Best regards from, James

Response:

<Posted and Mailed to Brownee [snipped] Kids shrieking and bass sounds are on my pet peeve list too. I’ve wondered though just what it is. When I complain about things like that to "normals" they just give me a disgusted look like can’t you come up with something more important to complain about and say everybody resents unwanted noise. But does the unwanted noise feel like physical assault, which is exactly what it feels like to me, to the "normals"? A minor inconvenience to others is acoustic "rape" to me. Thus I prefer to be online early in the morning before the "rapists" awaken. Thanks for using physical assault verbiage too. I’ve likened it to rape too but been told to chill. A relative tells me to "tune it out" while making tuning motions over her ears. Would she be telling me to tune out rape too?

If they don’t walk in our shoes, they can’t possibly understand or relate. [snipped] I no longer recommend regular Effexor now that the extended release (XR) formulation has come out. Originally regular Effexor was prescribed twice per day for me. I went into URC as the med came into my system and then departed — this was repeated twice per day. Once I realized what was happening, I took my total daily prescribed dose, divided it into 4 equal portions, and took it QID. My URC problem was solved immediately! Now I take Effexor XR BID with no cycling whatsoever. You might have a similar positive experience with Effexor XR. My pdoc just doesn’t give me any extended release anything, even though I tell him I can’t keep track of time very well these days. Right now I’m on regular Wellbutrin, which he wrote on the prescription to be taken 3X daily, at least 6 hours apart. How does he expect me to be able to do that when I can’t keep track of time, which I’d reminded him of minutes before? I’ve been on it for 2 weeks and haven’t made the third dose once yet.

Does your watch have an alarm function on it that you can set to remind you to take your meds? If not you should be able to buy an inexpensive digital travel alarm that would do the job. Is the XR more expensive? (HMO-paid Rxs)

Yes. But percentage wise not that much more — particularly considering the benefits you receive. I guess that’s why they’re asking what time of day I get manic and how long it lasts but I just can’t keep track of time well enough to tell them.

How about recording your mood index (1-10) every 15 minutes? You will need an alarm to remember to write the value down. Also record when you take your meds. Plotting your mood index can show med-induced URC. The reason that I mentioned Remeron is that it also works with the same two essential neurotransmitters (norepinephrine and serotonin) — however this med’s mechanism is different from than of Effexor. Wellbutrin addresses a third neurotransmitter (dopamine). BTW the SSRIs don’t do much for me (other than sending me hypomanic). So I infer that my brain needs more stimulation from norepinephrine (think adrenaline for the brain). Other options to consider are mood stabilizer meds that affect GABA (Neurontin and Gabatril). I have no personal experience with Gabatril but I have had truly exceptional results from Neurontin. YBMV. In what way is Neurontin different from Depakote?

Oh, about the difference between a 1920 Ford Model "T" and a 1999 Ferrari. There is no comparison whatsoever. But Neurontin is a bit tricky to "drive". It is very powerful and you can spin out and "lose" control — particularly since most pdocs don’t have the faintest idea how to prescribe it.  My guesstimate is that if properly prescribed, Neurontin would be effective for around 50% of those trying it as monotherapy. With polytherapy the percentage should increase. BTW I’m in the process of updating my FAQ on Mood Stabilizers used in the US. I’m up to a dozen and still counting. I doubt if I will post it today since I’m getting rather tired — and the Lord knows I need my beauty sleep. <G Depakote is the HMOs standard drug for mania, other drugs have to be justified by bad side-effects or lack of effectiveness.

<SIGH!!! Penny wise and pound foolish as always. I’ve only been on Depakote for 6 weeks, too soon to tell.

I suggest giving Depakote 2 months just to be sure. You should be in the established "therapeutic" range for 2 consecutive blood tests (usually a week apart). Your liver function should also be checked to make sure its not being adversely affected. Have you lost any hair or gained any weight? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW I think it was you that asked something about how certain meds can induce URC? I was trying to respond when something screwed up and I lost several posts. I may take some time off and try to formulate and solve the differential equations to demonstrate the effect of a short half life drug has on stability. It shouldn’t be too hard — assuming of course I can shift my brain into high gear. An interesting challenge. I haven’t done any math for more than ten years. BTW I even use a calculator to do basic arithmetic. <Sigh! Yes, it was me. I know you’ve been not feeling well these last few days, James, so I was hoping someone else would post something pointing me to some of your old posts or a Web page or something. This is the first time in my life I’ve been under active pdoc care during a crash-and-burn (I usually just go into total isolation and wait for it to be over) so the frequent changing of meds and constant questioning (what time of day do you start to get manic? how long does it last? etc.) are really disconcerting. I don’t know if what I’m going through now is what I do anyway, just haven’t been dwelling on it, or because of all the meds, or what. To reduce the confusion and to hopefully introduce some measure of order in the midst of chaos, I NEVER like to make more than one med or dosage change at a time. I then wait for a sufficient time and see what transpires. Now obviously in a hospital situation more aggressive measures can (and should) be taken. But what’s sufficient time?

It all depends on several factors (is the med metabolized?, if so how rapidly?, what is the removal half life?, and how long does it take for the brain require for it to become sensitized to the med?). It is the latter factor which gives rise to the greatest uncertainty. Because some people’s brains apparently never become sensitized and so the med is not effective for them. Others become desensitized and a med switch is necessary. I have no idea whether the meds I’m now on (Depakote and Wellbutrin) are doing enough of what they’re supposed to be doing, just that they aren’t having sufficiently bad side effects that I need to change. Up until this crash, I had been a slow cycler, but this time, events had been set in motion before the crash that are carrying me along in such a way that the crash would have been different anyway. (For example, this is the first time I’ve had disability insurance and so the first time I’ve had to deal with a bureaucracy during what is usually my isolation/recovery period.) So between just being totally screwed over by the severity of the depressive crash in December and these other influences, I’m having a very hard time judging anything.

Bureaucratic incompetencies are enough to drive a well person insane!!! James, I join the rest of those asking you to take care of yourself. Thank you! However as long as I don’t move, I seem to be doing OK. But I am intending additional bed rest. Then I’ll have to figure out some way of posting binary graphical files that people could decode. Or maybe I should just create a Web site? Any suggestions from anyone as to which is the best way to go? I guess creating a Web site would provide greater access — but since I have never done any HTML programming, it would be just one more thing for me to learn. I can’t afford to buy any of these specialized programs that aid in Web page creation. Besides I run 16-bit Windows. HTML is a snap. I had my first web page up within a couple of days of starting. Haven’t you done computer-type stuff before?

Sure, I’ve had experience with a couple dozen or so programming languages and operating systems. I presume there are tutorial Web pages about HTML. Do you have any URLs to recommend? My biggest mental block was that HTML is so crude it was beneath my dignity to learn. You don’t want anything very cutesy anyway, just a straightforward presentation of the facts. That’s assuming, of course, that you’re in a mental state to learn anything right now. You whip out these facts so readily that I assume you’re currently in good mental shape, just not physical, so maybe that was a wrong assumption. Hope you’re doing better today.

Mentally I’m doing OK. I just don’t want to bite off more than I can comfortably chew time wise. The number of NG posts seem to have increased of late. I hate to let them go while I’m dinking around with DEs and HTML. brownee

Best wishes from, James

Response:

[snipped] Kids shrieking and bass sounds are on my pet peeve list too. I’ve wondered though just what it is. When I complain about things like that to "normals" they just give me a disgusted look like can’t you come up with something more important to complain about and say everybody resents unwanted noise. But does the unwanted noise feel like physical assault, which is exactly what it feels like to me, to the "normals"? A minor inconvenience to others is acoustic "rape" to me. Thus I prefer to be online early in the morning before the "rapists" awaken.

Thanks for using physical assault verbage too. I’ve likened it to rape too but been told to chill. A relative tells me to "tune it out" while making tuning motions over her ears. Would she be telling me to tune out rape too? [snipped] I no longer recommend regular Effexor now that the extended release (XR) formulation has come out. Originally regular Effexor was prescribed twice per day for me. I went into URC as the med came into my system and then departed — this was repeated twice per day. Once I realized what was happening, I took my total daily prescribed dose, divided it into 4 equal portions, and took it QID. My URC problem was solved immediately! Now I take Effexor XR BID with no cycling whatsoever. You might have a similar positive experience with Effexor XR.

My pdoc just doesn’t give me any extended release anything, even though I tell him I can’t keep track of time very well these days. Right now I’m on regular Wellbutrin, which he wrote on the prescription to be taken 3xdaily, at least 6 hours apart. How does he expect me to be able to do that when I can’t keep track of time, which I’d reminded him of minutes before? I’ve been on it for 2 weeks and haven’t made the third dose once yet. Is the XR more expensive? (HMO-paid rx’s) I guess that’s why they’re asking what time of day I get manic and how long it lasts but I just can’t keep track of time well enough to tell them. The reason that I mentioned Remeron is that it also works with the same two essential neurotransmitters (norepinephrine and serotonin) — however this med’s mechanism is different from than of Effexor. Wellbutrin addresses a third neurotransmitter (dopamine). BTW the SSRIs don’t do much for me (other than sending me hypomanic). So I infer that my brain needs more stimulation from norepinephrine (think adrenaline for the brain). Other options to consider are mood stabilizer meds that affect GABA (Neurontin and Gabatril). I have no personal experience with Gabatril but I have had truly exceptional results from Neurontin. YBMV.

In what way is Neurontin different from Depakote? Depakote is the HMO’s standard drug for mania, other drugs have to be justified by bad side-effects or lack of effectiveness. I’ve only been on Depakote for 6 weeks, too soon to tell. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW I think it was you that asked something about how certain meds can induce URC? I was trying to respond when something screwed up and I lost several posts. I may take some time off and try to formulate and solve the differential equations to demonstrate the effect of a short half life drug has on stability. It shouldn’t be too hard — assuming of course I can shift my brain into high gear. An interesting challenge. I haven’t done any math for more than ten years. BTW I even use a calculator to do basic arithmetic. <Sigh! Yes, it was me. I know you’ve been not feeling well these last few days, James, so I was hoping someone else would post something pointing me to some of your old posts or a Web page or something. This is the first time in my life I’ve been under active pdoc care during a crash-and-burn (I usually just go into total isolation and wait for it to be over) so the frequent changing of meds and constant questioning (what time of day do you start to get manic? how long does it last? etc.) are really disconcerting. I don’t know if what I’m going through now is what I do anyway, just haven’t been dwelling on it, or because of all the meds, or what. To reduce the confusion and to hopefully introduce some measure of order in the midst of chaos, I NEVER like to make more than one med or dosage change at a time. I then wait for a sufficient time and see what transpires. Now obviously in a hospital situation more aggressive measures can (and should) be taken.

But what’s sufficient time? I have no idea whether the meds I’m now on (Depakote and Wellbutrin) are doing enough of what they’re supposed to be doing, just that they aren’t having sufficiently bad side-effects that I need to change. Up until this crash, I had been a slow cycler, but this time, events had been set in motion before the crash that are carrying me along in such a way that the crash would have been different anyway. (For example, this is the first time I’ve had disability insurance and so the first time I’ve had to deal with a bureaucracy during what is usually my isolation/recovery period.) So between just being totally screwed over by the severity of the depressive crash in December and these other influences, I’m having a very hard time judging anything. James, I join the rest of those asking you to take care of yourself. Thank you! However as long as I don’t move, I seem to be doing OK. But I am intending additional bed rest. Then I’ll have to figure out some way of posting binary graphical files that people could decode. Or maybe I should just create a Web site? Any suggestions from anyone as to which is the best way to go? I guess creating a Web site would provide greater access — but since I have never done any HTML programming, it would be just one more thing for me to learn. I can’t afford to buy any of these specialized programs that aid in Web page creation. Besides I run 16-bit Windows.

HTML is a snap. I had my first web page up within a couple of days of starting. Haven’t you done computer-type stuff before? My biggest mental block was that HTML is so crude it was beneath my dignity to learn. You don’t want anything very cutesy anyway, just a straightforward presentation of the facts. That’s assuming, of course, that you’re in a mental state to learn anything right now. You whip out these facts so readily that I assume you’re currently in good mental shape, just not physical, so maybe that was a wrong assumption. Hope you’re doing better today. brownee Best regards from, James

brownee

Response:

<Posted and Mailed to Brownee – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After I talked with my pdoc yesterday, I realized what my problem must be. It’s not a complete breakthru, I must have known it before.  A real breakthru would be to overcome these — intrusions. <snipped To me, the worst is the thwump-thwump-thwump of a basketball. On a good day I can drown it out making my own noise inside but on a bad day I’m in bed in a fetal position with hands over my head sobbing. All those noises feel like physical assaults, not just sound. A thump, thump bass sound does that to me. I don’t mind basketball sounds. Perhaps having played it may have some bearing. Another sound that grates on my nerves is the shrieks of young girls playing. They are just having fun. I assure you that it is NO FUN for me!!! Kids shrieking and bass sounds are on my pet peeve list too. I’ve wondered though just what it is. When I complain about things like that to "normals" they just give me a disgusted look like can’t you come up with something more important to complain about and say everybody resents unwanted noise. But does the unwanted noise feel like physical assault, which is exactly what it feels like to me, to the "normals"?

A minor inconvenience to others is acoustic "rape" to me. Thus I prefer to be online early in the morning before the "rapists" awaken. My pdoc says SSRIs help this problem but we haven’t been able to find one that doesn’t give me a rare side-effect — a staticky noise in my brain, like electricity going off in there. Makes taking all the other noises even harder. So maybe my pdoc isn’t right about this one. Just a thought: Have you ever tried Effexor XR or Remeron? No guarantees! Also there is the new antidepressant Celexa that reputedly has fewer adverse side effects than any other SSRI. I’ve tried Effexor and it has been the most effective AD I’ve ever taken, so much so that it pushed me into the first purely manic episode I’d ever had after decades of mixed episodes. But it too made that horrible noise in my head, so now I’m trying Wellbutrin.

I no longer recommend regular Effexor now that the extended release (XR) formulation has come out. Originally regular Effexor was prescribed twice per day for me. I went into URC as the med came into my system and then departed — this was repeated twice per day. Once I realized what was happening, I took my total daily prescribed dose, divided it into 4 equal portions, and took it QID. My URC problem was solved immediately! Now I take Effexor XR BID with no cycling whatsoever. You might have a similar positive experience with Effexor XR. The reason that I mentioned Remeron is that it also works with the same two essential neurotransmitters (norepinephrine and serotonin) — however this med’s mechanism is different from than of Effexor. Wellbutrin addresses a third neurotransmitter (dopamine). BTW the SSRIs don’t do much for me (other than sending me hypomanic). So I infer that my brain needs more stimulation from norepinephrine (think adrenaline for the brain). Other options to consider are mood stabilizer meds that affect GABA (Neurontin and Gabatril). I have no personal experience with Gabatril but I have had truly exceptional results from Neurontin. YBMV. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – BTW I think it was you that asked something about how certain meds can induce URC? I was trying to respond when something screwed up and I lost several posts. I may take some time off and try to formulate and solve the differential equations to demonstrate the effect of a short half life drug has on stability. It shouldn’t be too hard — assuming of course I can shift my brain into high gear. An interesting challenge. I haven’t done any math for more than ten years. BTW I even use a calculator to do basic arithmetic. <Sigh! Yes, it was me. I know you’ve been not feeling well these last few days, James, so I was hoping someone else would post something pointing me to some of your old posts or a Web page or something. This is the first time in my life I’ve been under active pdoc care during a crash-and-burn (I usually just go into total isolation and wait for it to be over) so the frequent changing of meds and constant questioning (what time of day do you start to get manic? how long does it last? etc.) are really disconcerting. I don’t know if what I’m going through now is what I do anyway, just haven’t been dwelling on it, or because of all the meds, or what.

To reduce the confusion and to hopefully introduce some measure of order in the midst of chaos, I NEVER like to make more than one med or dosage change at a time. I then wait for a sufficient time and see what transpires. Now obviously in a hospital situation more aggressive measures can (and should) be taken. James, I join the rest of those asking you to take care of yourself.

Thank you! However as long as I don’t move, I seem to be doing OK. But I am intending additional bed rest. Then I’ll have to figure out some way of posting binary graphical files that people could decode. Or maybe I should just create a Web site?

Any suggestions from anyone as to which is the best way to go? I guess creating a Web site would provide greater access — but since I have never done any HTML programming, it would be just one more thing for me to learn. I can’t afford to buy any of these specialized programs that aid in Web page creation. Besides I run 16-bit Windows. brownee

Best regards from, James

Response:

When my meds are not working that is when the "intrusions" are most annoying to me.  It is one of the ways that I know that it is time for another trip to the pdoc.  I could kill my hubby when he eats an apple ..always, Treacha ..as the twig bends…so the tree grows…

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <Posted and Mailed to Brownee After I talked with my pdoc yesterday, I realized what my problem must be. It’s not a complete breakthru, I must have known it before.  A real breakthru would be to overcome these — intrusions. <snipped To me, the worst is the thwump-thwump-thwump of a basketball. On a good day I can drown it out making my own noise inside but on a bad day I’m in bed in a fetal position with hands over my head sobbing. All those noises feel like physical assaults, not just sound. A thump, thump bass sound does that to me. I don’t mind basketball sounds. Perhaps having played it may have some bearing. Another sound that grates on my nerves is the shrikes of young girls playing. They are just having fun. I assure you that it is NO FUN for me!!!

Kids shrieking and bass sounds are on my pet peeve list too. I’ve wondered though just what it is. When I complain about things like that to "normals" they just give me a disgusted look like can’t you come up with something more important to complain about and say everybody resents unwanted noise. But does the unwanted noise feel like physical assault, which is exactly what it feels like to me, to the "nromals"? My pdoc says SSRIs help this problem but we haven’t been able to find one that doesn’t give me a rare side-effect — a staticky noise in my brain, like electricity going off in there. Makes taking all the other noises even harder. So maybe my pdoc isn’t right about this one. Just a thought: Have you ever tried Effexor XR or Remeron? No guarantees! Also there is the new antidepressant Celexa that reputedly has fewer adverse side effects than any other SSRI.

I’ve tried Effexor and it has been the most effective AD I’ve ever taken, so much so that it pushed me into the first purely manic episode I’d ever had after decades of mixed episodes. But it too made that horrible noise in my head, so now I’m trying Wellbutrin. BTW I think it was you that asked something about how certain meds can induce URC? I was trying to respond when something screwed up and I lost several posts. I may take some time off and try to formulate and solve the differential equations to demonstrate the effect of a short half life drug has on stability. It shouldn’t be too hard — assuming of course I can shift my brain into high gear. An interesting challenge. I haven’t done any math for more than ten years. BTW I even use a calculator to do basic arithmetic. <Sigh!

Yes, it was me. I know you’ve been not feeling well these last few days, James, so I was hoping someone else would post something pointing me to some of your old posts or a webpage or something. This is the first time in my life I’ve been under active pdoc care during a crash-and-burn (I usually just go into total isolation and wait for it to be over) so the frequent changing of meds and constant questioning (what time of day do you start to get manic? how long does it last? etc) are really disconcerting. I don’t know if what I’m going through now is what I do anyway, just haven’t been dwelling on it, or because of all the meds, or what. James, I join the rest of those asking you to take care of yourself. Then I’ll have to figure out some way of posting binary graphical files that people could decode. Or maybe I should just create a Web site? brownee Best regards from, James

brownee

Response:

<snip That is tough, I can relate.  I get overwhelmed by intrusions alot.  I need peace time.  Time by myself to rejuvenate or I am lost.

<snip me too. You are optimistic, I think, to think of these things as intrusions. I whine about "painful stimuli".  Also, as my dearest friends know…I am developing agorophobia as a coping mechanism.  Seriously, not afraid to leave the house, just not willing to pay the price much anymore. Kicker, isn’t it, when even good times are stressors?! Understand completely (?), regards from julie

Response:

<Posted and Mailed to Brownee After I talked with my pdoc yesterday, I realized what my problem must be. It’s not a complete breakthru, I must have known it before.  A real breakthru would be to overcome these — intrusions. <snipped To me, the worst is the thwump-thwump-thwump of a basketball. On a good day I can drown it out making my own noise inside but on a bad day I’m in bed in a fetal position with hands over my head sobbing. All those noises feel like physical assaults, not just sound.

A thump, thump bass sound does that to me. I don’t mind basketball sounds. Perhaps having played it may have some bearing. Another sound that grates on my nerves is the shrikes of young girls playing. They are just having fun. I assure you that it is NO FUN for me!!! My pdoc says SSRIs help this problem but we haven’t been able to find one that doesn’t give me a rare side-effect — a staticky noise in my brain, like electricity going off in there. Makes taking all the other noises even harder. So maybe my pdoc isn’t right about this one.

Just a thought: Have you ever tried Effexor XR or Remeron? No guarantees! Also there is the new antidepressant Celexa that reputedly has fewer adverse side effects than any other SSRI. BTW I think it was you that asked something about how certain meds can induce URC? I was trying to respond when something screwed up and I lost several posts. I may take some time off and try to formulate and solve the differential equations to demonstrate the effect of a short half life drug has on stability. It shouldn’t be too hard — assuming of course I can shift my brain into high gear. An interesting challenge. I haven’t done any math for more than ten years. BTW I even use a calculator to do basic arithmetic. <Sigh! Then I’ll have to figure out some way of posting binary graphical files that people could decode. Or maybe I should just create a Web site? brownee

Best regards from, James

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A perfect illustration between the bipolar and the schizophrenic was learned in my psych rotation… Bipolar is a mood disorder classification(like yhu don’t know that one) Depression is depression, mania is mania.  Really reallyhappy…really really said – DUH…right? Scizophrenia is a thought disorder.   My schz pt scored higher on the Beck depression score than I did. No depressive symtpoms noted with the exception of the flat affect and lethargic gait, most likely due to meds.  However, when asked to write a letter to his mom, he wrote the whole letter and then starting back from the beginning – added the punctuation!  THOOUGHT Disorder. Bipolar – as I am sure you are aware – can have psychotic features, and especially drug induced which is very commen in non compliant pts who self medicate. My mother too, was diagnosed scz in the 60’s when psychiatric research was still so young….but as i look back now, and replay the pattern of her life.  She was Bipolar with drug indced psychosis, noncompliant, self medicater. Just a thought. Elaine A perfect illustration between the bipolar and the schizophrenic was learned in my psych rotation… Bipolar – as I am sure you are aware – can have psychotic features, and especially drug induced which is very commen in non compliant pts who self medicate.

I think that may be the case, but he doesn’t self medicate anymore.  I think he just got fried as a guinea pig in the institutions.  He was completely at their mercy.  All I remember is when he got out… in a moment of clarity, he remarked "I have walked through hell." I don’t know if he is bipolar and severely burned from treatment, or a true sz. May none of us know the hell he saw. He went to NY and lived the streets for three years after that.  He went to California.  When he finally returned to Miami he was so far gone. Those moments of clarity are fewer than ever.  I think part of the delusions are armor for protection.  I will never know. My mother too, was diagnosed scz in the 60’s when psychiatric research was still so young….but as i look back now, and replay the pattern of her life.  She was Bipolar with drug indced psychosis, noncompliant, self medicater.

In the early days he would use alcohol but that ended after his hospitalizations to the best of my knowledge. Just a thought.

Thanks for your input Elaine. Julie —

Response:

My father is a diagnosed schizophrenic.  Interesting.  (I mentioned my father to my pdoc.  He doesn’t think I’m sz, but he has me on Risperdal, which is a typical sz med.)

My father is also a dx’d schizophrenic, although my doc believes that he is BP since my sister and I are BP.  I understand alot of people are misdiagnosed.  I must say that my father was not misdiagnosed.  He is a true schizophrenic.   This might explain the way I feel so sensitized to stimuli all around me. Hmmmmmmmmmm. Julie —

Response:

A perfect illustration between the bipolar and the schizophrenic was learned in my psych rotation… Bipolar is a mood disorder classification(like yhu don’t know that one) Depression is depression, mania is mania.  Really reallyhappy…really really said – DUH…right? Scizophrenia is a thought disorder.   My schz pt scored higher on the Beck depression score than I did. No depressive symtpoms noted with the exception of the flat affect and lethargic gait, most likely due to meds.  However, when asked to write a letter to his mom, he wrote the whole letter and then starting back from the beginning – added the punctuation!  THOOUGHT Disorder. Bipolar – as I am sure you are aware – can have psychotic features, and especially drug induced which is very commen in non compliant pts who self medicate. My mother too, was diagnosed scz in the 60’s when psychiatric research was still so young….but as i look back now, and replay the pattern of her life.  She was Bipolar with drug indced psychosis, noncompliant, self medicater. Just a thought. Elaine

Response:

<Posted and Mailed

                                                     <Snipped – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Many (most?) people just plain don’t care how much their actions may annoy others! My current Major Objection is the fact that I live in a low income housing project where it must the requirement for every vehicle to be equipped with kilowatt subwuffers continually blasting out rap at top volume. Even in my cave barricaded against all types of sounds, I am immersed, assaulted, awakened, and auditorily raped. This goes on for hours on end. At times I think I need to scream! I would — if I thought it would do any good whatsoever. Perhaps some relief may occur when the temperature will get hot enough to turn on the swamp cooler.

                                                <snipped James

When the thumping bass of my neighbors stereo is louder in my appartment than my own TV….I seriously consider introducing my neighbor to an ancient chinese addage that goes "please don’t hit my fist with your face."  Then add to that "rap" sh*t, the sounds of car alarm systems, screaming at 2am "THE VIPER IS ARMED". I hear what you are saying James. Ralph

Response:

I am in psych graduate school, and in one class we had a guest lecturer from the Health Science Center here in Denver.  He talked about experiments which they have done upon schizophrenics (sz) in which they expose the sz to repeated clicks next to their ears.  Normal controls eventually habituate to the sound, i.e. eventually their brains don’t even register the sound any more and it becomes background noise.  In contrast, sz never habituate, and the evoked potentials in their brains are just as "startled" looking after 15 minutes of continuous ear clicks.  So the poor sz is never able to tune the sound out. They have explored this finding and found that relatives of sz also share this phenomena — they don’t shut out the sound either — but somehow these healthier relatives are able to "multitask" and follow that sound as well as other stimuli.

My father is a diagnosed schizophrenic.  Interesting.  (I mentioned my father to my pdoc.  He doesn’t think I’m sz, but he has me on Risperdal, which is a typical sz med.) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -In addition there was evidence that within the family that the sz have a smaller brain region (I believe it was hippocampus but don’t quote me) than their relatives who were able to multitask.  So, in a bizarre way, conceivably this ability to handle multiple stimuli at once is an evolutionary advantage for most relatives in sz families, except for the unfortunates who have the disorder or a damaged hippocampus.  If you have a half-pint screening device and the ability to hear all of the radio stations at once that inability to hunker down and shut out all of the competing stimuli drives you crazy. -Gandalf There is a silence where hath been no sound There is a silence where no sound may be In the cold grave, under the deep deep sea. Thomas Hood (1799-1845)

bw

Response:

<Posted and Mailed – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After I talked with my pdoc yesterday, I realized what my problem must be. It’s not a complete breakthru, I must have known it before.  A real breakthru would be to overcome these — intrusions. Intrusions. When people in the next cubicle talk loudly and laugh loudly and I can hear them over my earplugs and headphone music, they are intrusive. When I have to take a big whiff of somebody else’s microwave meal, although my cubicle is not very close to the microwave, it is intrusive. When I am in my house , with the windows shut, and I have to hear outside noises (dogs, cars, lawn mowers & blowers, etc.), they are intrusive. When I am trying to concentrate in a class or meeting, and people tap their pencils or play drums on the tables, or shuffle their feet or bounce their legs, or other audible and visible distractions, they are intrusive. I can think of many other examples of how people can be intrusive, even if they don’t mean to be (yeah, right!)  But that’s my problem.

Many (most?) people just plain don’t care how much their actions may annoy others! My current Major Objection is the fact that I live in a low income housing project where it must the requirement for every vehicle to be equipped with kilowatt subwuffers continually blasting out rap at top volume. Even in my cave barricaded against all types of sounds, I am immersed, assaulted, awakened, and auditorily raped. This goes on for hours on end. At times I think I need to scream! I would — if I thought it would do any good whatsoever. Perhaps some relief may occur when the temperature will get hot enough to turn on the swamp cooler. I thought about this ever since I told my pdoc about the Poe "The Fall of the House of Usher", where the man would be tormented by sounds and smells.  Could that be me?  (Who’d ever think a Poe tale to be therapeutic?  :)

I am even tormented by people grilling a steak a block away. I immediately feel like making new friends. Interests (as I posted) — I have several.  There are many things I want to do.  But people with their intrusions get in the way. Neurontin — I just started.  Hope it works.  (My lithium level was too low, but I had too many side effects.)  Zoloft and Risperdal — they continue.

If you are sensitive to Neurontin’s antidepressive effects, you may need to reduce or even totally eliminate Zoloft to prevent (hypo)mania from being induced. Be warned and be very careful how you take Neurontin. But whatever the meds, I have to somehow deal with the intrusion factor.

Short of a prefrontal lobotomy — I don’t know what to do either. I certainly wish I could turn my sensitivity setting down a bunch!!! Maybe this is a social phobia issue?  But I tried the social phob. NG before. Nobody would answer what I had to say.  (Too phobic, I guess.  <g ) Hope you-all answer.  Thanks. bw PS  The internet at work is down, so I’m going in late;  I am typing this from the public library.  (Which isn’t easy for me, with all the people here. Maybe I’m putting my nervous energy toward this message?)  So you can see that either this issue is important to me, or I’m an NG addict or something …

I don’t mind admitting that I’m a Net addict. I believe that some addictions are worth having. James

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After I talked with my pdoc yesterday, I realized what my problem must be. It’s not a complete breakthru, I must have known it before.  A real breakthru would be to over come these — intrusions.

<snipped To me, the worst is the thwump-thwump-thwump of a basketball. On a good day I can drown it out making my own noise inside but on a bad day I’m in bed in a fetal position with hands over my head sobbing. All those noises feel like physical assaults, not just sound. My pdoc says SSRIs help this problem but we haven’t been able to find one that doesn’t give me a rare side-effect — a staticky noise in my brain, like electricity going off in there. Makes taking all the other noises even harder. So maybe my pdoc isn’t right about this one. brownee

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I can usually handle the music at loud parties in the nieghbor hood – it is the screaming OVER the music that I just go ballistic over. And what about people you ride in the car with who take 10 minutes to find the perfect station, turn up the volumne and then start a conversation? Elaine

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I am in psych graduate school, and in one class we had a guest lecturer from the Health Science Center here in Denver.  He talked about experiments which they have done upon schizophrenics (sz) in which they expose the sz to repeated clicks next to their ears.  Normal controls eventually habituate to the sound, i.e. eventually their brains don’t even register the sound any more and it becomes background noise.  In contrast, sz never habituate, and the evoked potentials in their brains are just as "startled" looking after 15 minutes of continuous ear clicks.  So the poor sz is never able to tune the sound out. They have explored this finding and found that relatives of sz also share this phenomena — they don’t shut out the sound either — but somehow these healthier relatives are able to "multitask" and follow that sound as well as other stimuli.  In addition there was evidence that within the family that the sz have a smaller brain region (I believe it was hippocampus but don’t quote me) than their relatives who were able to multitask.  So, in a bizarre way, conceivably this ability to handle multiple stimuli at once is an evolutionary advantage for most relatives in sz families, except for the unfortunates who have the disorder or a damaged hippocampus.  If you have a half-pint screening device and the ability to hear all of the radio stations at once that inability to hunker down and shut out all of the competing stimuli drives you crazy. -Gandalf There is a silence where hath been no sound There is a silence where no sound may be In the cold grave, under the deep deep sea. Thomas Hood (1799-1845)

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After I talked with my pdoc yesterday, I realized what my problem must be. It’s not a complete breakthru, I must have known it before.  A real breakthru would be to over come these — intrusions. Intrusions. When people in the next cubicle talk loudly and laugh loudly and I can hear them over my earplugs and headphone music, they are intrusive. When I have to take a big whiff of somebody else’s microwave meal, although my cubicle is not very close to the microwave, it is intrusive. When I am in my house , with the windows shut, and I have to hear outside noises (dogs, cars, lawn mowers & blowers, etc), they are intrusive. When I am trying to concentrate in a class or meeting, and people tap their pencils or play drums on the tables, or shuffle their feet or bounce their legs, or other audible and visible distractions, they are intrusive.

Don’t forget the evil perfume addicts. I can think of many other examples of how people can be intrusive, even if they don’t mean to be (yeah, right!)  But that’s my problem. I thought about this ever since I told my pdoc about the Poe "The Fall of the House of Usher", where the man would be tormented by sounds and smells.  Could that be me?  (Who’d ever think a Poe tale to be therapeutic?  :) Interests (as I posted) — I have several.  There are many things I want to do.  But people with their intrusions get in the way.

That is tough, I can relate.  I get overwhelmed by intrusions alot.  I need peace time.  Time by myself to rejuvenate or I am lost. Neurontin — I just started.  Hope it works.  (My lithium level was to low, but I had too many side effects.)  Zoloft and Risperdal — they continue.

Neurontin here too.  Unfortunately it is a new drug for me so no advice here.  I hope it helps, especially with fewer side effects! But whatever the meds, I have to somehow deal with the intrusion factor. Maybe this is a social phobia issue?  But I tried the social phob. NG before. Nobody would answer what I had to say.  (Too phobic, I guess.  <g ) Hope you-all answer.  Thanks. bw PS  The internet at work is down, so I’m going in late;  I am typing this from the public library.  (Which isn’t easy for me, with all the people here.  Maybe I’m putting my nervous energy toward this message?)  So you can see that either this issue is important to me, or I’m an NG addict or something

Ditto… it is my equivalent to an interactive soap opera.   Normally I don’t respond to this many posts, but I have more free time and the Neurontin is making me happy! Good Luck! Julie —

Response:

After I talked with my pdoc yesterday, I realized what my problem must be. It’s not a complete breakthru, I must have known it before.  A real breakthru would be to over come these — intrusions. Intrusions. When people in the next cubicle talk loudly and laugh loudly and I can hear them over my earplugs and headphone music, they are intrusive. When I have to take a big whiff of somebody else’s microwave meal, although my cubicle is not very close to the microwave, it is intrusive. When I am in my house , with the windows shut, and I have to hear outside noises (dogs, cars, lawn mowers & blowers, etc), they are intrusive. When I am trying to concentrate in a class or meeting, and people tap their pencils or play drums on the tables, or shuffle their feet or bounce their legs, or other audible and visible distractions, they are intrusive. I can think of many other examples of how people can be intrusive, even if they don’t mean to be (yeah, right!)  But that’s my problem. I thought about this ever since I told my pdoc about the Poe "The Fall of the House of Usher", where the man would be tormented by sounds and smells.  Could that be me?  (Who’d ever think a Poe tale to be therapeutic?  :) Interests (as I posted) — I have several.  There are many things I want to do.  But people with their intrusions get in the way. Neurontin — I just started.  Hope it works.  (My lithium level was to low, but I had too many side effects.)  Zoloft and Risperdal — they continue. But whatever the meds, I have to somehow deal with the intrusion factor. Maybe this is a social phobia issue?  But I tried the social phob. NG before. Nobody would answer what I had to say.  (Too phobic, I guess.  <g ) Hope you-all answer.  Thanks. bw PS  The internet at work is down, so I’m going in late;  I am typing this from the public library.  (Which isn’t easy for me, with all the people here.  Maybe I’m putting my nervous energy toward this message?)  So you can see that either this issue is important to me, or I’m an NG addict or something …

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just experienced another terrible time driving to and from work today. My panic attacks which have reappeared after a number of years on Tofranil-Xanax and then more recently Zoloft-Xanax are causing me huge problems driving. Each trip to work now is an experience to be dreaded. During the drive I am overcome with these intense feelings of panic, lightheadedness, and the desire to stop the car and get out. It seems worst when I stop at traffic lights. (I am now back on up to 2-mg of Xanax a day as needed and 3-tabs of Imipramine at bedtime-which I hope kicks back in soon). My psychiatrist seems to have little more to offer now except a day long clinic at a local hospital. ( I am looking into changing to a local clinic that specializes in panic disorders) I am considering stoping the driving now and getting a ride to work with a coworker but my psychiatrist says that will only make the agoraphobia worse and it would be better to struggle through the driving problem even if I am uncomfortable. I would appreciate any comments.

Hi, James — Far be it for me to suggest your shrink is wrong, but I do disagree with him/her on this one.  Struggling with driving problems can be dangerous. Why not try what you thought of and get a ride with a co-worker?  I just don’t see how that will make your agoraphobia worse, which, by the way, does not sound like agoraphobia to me.  I’m reminded of the time I was struggling to discontinue Xanax and the horrible problems I experienced with switching to Ativan and then tapering off of Ativan in a 15-day period.  I was told that, yes, I might be *uncomfortable* but that I would be safe.  Ha!  The last thing I was concerned about was being *safe* — I was experiencing severe withdrawal problems and could barely talk or walk, and sleep was out of the question.  I may be completely off on this one, as I am not a doctor of any sort.  Just seems to me that there are other options for you than *struggling with the driving problem.* Best Wishes — Blue

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just experienced another terrible time driving to and from work today. My panic attacks which have reappeared after a number of years on Tofranil-Xanax and then more recently Zoloft-Xanax are causing me huge problems driving. Each trip to work now is an experience to be dreaded. During the drive I am overcome with these intense feelings of panic, lightheadedness, and the desire to stop the car and get out. It seems worst when I stop at traffic lights. (I am now back on up to 2-mg of Xanax a day as needed and 3-tabs of Imipramine at bedtime-which I hope kicks back in soon). My psychiatrist seems to have little more to offer now except a day long clinic at a local hospital. ( I am looking into changing to a local clinic that specializes in panic disorders) I am considering stoping the driving now and getting a ride to work with a coworker but my psychiatrist says that will only make the agoraphobia worse and it would be better to struggle through the driving problem even if I am uncomfortable. I would appreciate any comments.

It’s impolite behaviour of some AD’s to suddenly stop working. If you did well for a long time on imipramine you might now want to try one of its next of kin (which often seem to work best), preferably clomipramine which is imipramine’s closest relative (brand name: Anafranil) or desipramine. But maye you’ll find imipramine working for you this time around as well. It seems you are talking about 75 mgs of imipramine and 2 mgs of Xanax. Both may be raised considerably (imipramine up to 250  mgs, Xanax up to 4 or 5 mgs at least). It sounds like a good idea to change doctors as there are many more possibilities med-wise that can be tried while being an outpatient. Considering the specific anxiety driving, you might want to start CBT which works especially for these kinds of *situational anxiety*. Philip

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Hi,   I’m going through the exact same thing!  I few weeks ago I started having full blowns while driving, mainly home from work , on the interstate.  It seems to have happened when the time changed and the lights, traffic , etc really get me going!  I’ve been pretty much panic free for 5 years now except for anxiety here and there, now BOOM..back again!     I went to my psychiatrist who prescribed zoloft and i’ve been taking that for over 2 wks now + low dosage Klonopin…isn’t helping too much yet.    When i’m driving, I get REALLY dizzy, shaky, and i feel as though i am going to black out.  Every night I have to take a closer exit off the interstate and go the back roads, which take me forever to get home….it’s a struggle every day now….    If you find something to help you, please let me know.  I can’t afford to quit my job and that’s the frame of mind i’m in..just tired of fighting it on a daily basis. Good luck,   Deb

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I have started having attacks as i drive now to.Stoplights are the worst for me.Lately i find that if I talk to myself(I know it sounds wierd)and tell myself that it will be green soon it does help a little.

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Darryl,   The symptoms you describe sound all to familiar, The description of wanting to park the car and fleeing, well I have been there! I have been in this exact situation. I have then let it heighten to the point where my vision became blurred my hearing became so acute, and hands began to turn into clenched fists. You Know!    Darryl YOU KNOW. we are like a secret society, we understand one another, WE KNOW  when our friends and loved ones do not! Fear, Panic, not just being anxious, but sheer indescribable PANIC. The fear of loosing control, fear of a nervous breakdown, visions of mental institutions, what others think of us, being unstable or out of control.   I am not one to say "Come on Darryl, pick yourself up, dust yourself off." No, because I have been there, and am keenly aware that this panic disorder can come to me again. It seemed that  what seemed to hurt me the most, was I lost valuable time and I let this panic rob me of my sense of humor. I hid, afraid that I might have an attack, and that I would have to run out of an uncomfortable situation.   My advise, get some good relaxation tapes and practice, practice until you can say to yourself RELAX and you can feel yourself doing exactly that, slowing down, taking the edge off … by yourself .. without the medication.  Remind yourself of one simple FACT .. and that is:            " NO ONE EVER DIED FROM A PANIC ATTACK ! " It may sound corny, but please. When you feel as though the only thing that will get you through these attacks is to run, or avoid going for a ride or crossing bridges or whatever you associate with having these attacks. Remember NO ONE EVER DIED FROM A PANIC ATTACK! Learn to relax  Deep breaths, holding your breath and slowing exhaling telling yourself to relax, and getting the reward of feeling how cool it feels to sink into whatever you are sitting on and feeling relaxed, limp and relaxed. Practice this technique. and my mantra  . NO ONE …well hopefully you know it by now. Darryl do as I tell you, and the next time you have an attack it will get a little better for you, and then each time the attacks will loose intensity. You will be here Tomorrow no matter how severe the attack, to E-Mail me and let me know if this has in any way helped you.   Learn to laugh at yourself, don’t be too hard on yourself. Every thing is cool, everythings OK.               Jack We should have a secret hand shake or sign.     I KNOW! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So how are you when you drive at other times ie not associated with work? Darryl Just experienced another terrible time driving to and from work today. My panic attacks which have reappeared after a number of years on Tofranil-Xanax and then more recently Zoloft-Xanax are causing me huge problems driving. Each trip to work now is an experience to be dreaded. During the drive I am overcome with these intense feelings of panic, lightheadedness, and the desire to stop the car and get out. It seems worst when I stop at traffic lights. (I am now back on up to 2-mg of Xanax a day as needed and 3-tabs of Imipramine at bedtime-which I hope kicks back in soon). My psychiatrist seems to have little more to offer now except a day long clinic at a local hospital. ( I am looking into changing to a local clinic that specializes in panic disorders) I am considering stoping the driving now and getting a ride to work with a coworker but my psychiatrist says that will only make the agoraphobia worse and it would be better to struggle through the driving problem even if I am uncomfortable. I would appreciate any comments.

Response:

So how are you when you drive at other times ie not associated with work? Darryl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just experienced another terrible time driving to and from work today. My panic attacks which have reappeared after a number of years on Tofranil-Xanax and then more recently Zoloft-Xanax are causing me huge problems driving. Each trip to work now is an experience to be dreaded. During the drive I am overcome with these intense feelings of panic, lightheadedness, and the desire to stop the car and get out. It seems worst when I stop at traffic lights. (I am now back on up to 2-mg of Xanax a day as needed and 3-tabs of Imipramine at bedtime-which I hope kicks back in soon). My psychiatrist seems to have little more to offer now except a day long clinic at a local hospital. ( I am looking into changing to a local clinic that specializes in panic disorders) I am considering stoping the driving now and getting a ride to work with a coworker but my psychiatrist says that will only make the agoraphobia worse and it would be better to struggle through the driving problem even if I am uncomfortable. I would appreciate any comments.

Response:

Just experienced another terrible time driving to and from work today. My panic attacks which have reappeared after a number of years on Tofranil-Xanax and then more recently Zoloft-Xanax are causing me huge problems driving. Each trip to work now is an experience to be dreaded. During the drive I am overcome with these intense feelings of panic, lightheadedness, and the desire to stop the car and get out. It seems worst when I stop at traffic lights. (I am now back on up to 2-mg of Xanax a day as needed and 3-tabs of Imipramine at bedtime-which I hope kicks back in soon). My psychiatrist seems to have little more to offer now except a day long clinic at a local hospital. ( I am looking into changing to a local clinic that specializes in panic disorders) I am considering stoping the driving now and getting a ride to work with a coworker but my psychiatrist says that will only make the agoraphobia worse and it would be better to struggle through the driving problem even if I am uncomfortable. I would appreciate any comments.

Response:

Question:

Group A relatively short-time ago, a questionnaire appeared about medication, etc.–I tried to answer it but had a difficult "computer day"–(i..e. couldn’t send it via trumpet news reader. Given that, is there any way that I can view the results of this survey??–could it be posted to the group???  Or I would like it via my Thanks!! chief

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: A relatively short-time ago, a questionnaire appeared about medication, : etc.–I tried to answer it but had a difficult "computer day"–(i..e. couldn’t : send it via trumpet news reader. : : Given that, is there any way that I can view the results of this : survey??–could it be posted to the group???  Or I would like it via my Hi Chief, That survey was not exactly a *survey*, but rather a means of sharing our collective experience with a variety of therapies, medications, and coping techniques. A copy of the questionnaire follows for anyone who would like to give it a try. So far, about 80 people have tried this and the feedback has been mostly positive. In my own case, it proved helpful with finding appropriate and effective medications, which I have been exploring with the guidance of a doctor. One of the best sources for help these days is the anxiety clinics appearing in major metropolitan hospitals. Some doctors specializing in anxiety and panic disorders are really beginning to understand such disorders and how to treat them. Most other doctors, however, are still very unfamiliar with anxiety and panic disorders. Be cautious about independant clinics that are not associated with a hospital.                                         Best Wishes,                                         Arthur        A Questionnaire of Symptoms and Treatments             for Anxiety and Panic Disorders Introduction: This is a questionnaire regarding the symptoms and treatments associated with anxiety and panic disorders. If you fill out this questionnaire and send it to confidential database with the responses of others. Based on case by case similarities, a private report will be generated for your specific case which will suggest treatments that other related cases have found helpful. This private report will be sent to you via e-mail so that you and your doctor may explore such treatments at your discretion. There is no fee associated with this service. The only public reports that may be posted in future would regard general observations of the many cases and will not include names or data specific to any one case. Processing of all questionnaires and generation of reports have no professional certification in medicine, psychiatry, or psychology. I am, however, a fellow sufferer of panic disorder and am applying my background in science and computing to help us find relief from chronic anxiety and panic. This effort is driven by the current lack of adequate diagnostics for anxiety and panic disorders. Instructions: If you have ever experienced an anxiety or panic disorder, please fill out this questionnaire. Even if you consider yourself recovered, please fill out this questionnaire as best as you can remember your experiences. Enter your answers to the right of each question or item. Answers do not have to be precise, simply an approximate guess will do. Do not to focus on your worst or last attack, but consider your attacks in general as you answer these questions. When finished, please e-mail (DO NOT POST) your completed completely confidential. General Questions: Please indicate your Sex (M/F). At what Age do you believe your anxiety or panic disorder began? How long ago was your last anxiety or panic attack? (five years ago? three months ago? yesterday?) Currently, do you feel that your life is being more controlled or less controlled by anxiety or panic attacks? (less/same/more) Do you think there is a history of anxiety-panic disorder in your family? (Y/N) The following sentences describe anxiety or panic of different severity. For each sentence, indicate how often you experience such anxiety or panic. 0 = never 1 = several times over several years 2 = several times a year 4 = several times a month 6 = several times a week 8 = several times a day 10 = constantly every day I am nervous, but I can still function. I am very nervous, but I think I can get through the next hour. I am scared, and would like to go home immediately. I am very frightened, and don’t feel comfortable anywhere. I am terrified and feel like I’m about to pass out. I am terrified and feel that I am about to die. I am horrified beyond death-like terror. I am actually "paralyzed" with unimaginable horror. During our anxiety or panic disorder, we may experience a variety of symptoms. These symptoms may occur either during or between attacks. Please rate the severity of which you have experienced each of the following symptoms on a scale of zero to ten. (Blank or 0 = not at all, …, 10 = extremely severe) Fears and Phobias: Agoraphobia (a fear of anxiety or panic attacks that often results in a growing avoidance of things or situations) Fear of Being Alone Fear of Being With People Fear of Closed Spaces (Claustrophobia) Fear of Confrontation Fear of Dark Rooms Fear of Diseases (Hypochondria) Fear of Dying Fear of Fear Fear of Food Poisoning or Contamination Fear of God Fear of Going Insane Fear of Heights (Acrophobia) Fear of Help Not Being Available Fear of Humiliation Fear of Living Fear of Open Spaces Fear of Persecution Fear of Public Places Fear of Public Speaking Fear of Responsibility (Performance Anxiety) Fear of Social Diseases (VD, AIDS, etc.) Fear of Social Situations Fear of Snakes Fear of Specific People Fear of Spiders (Arachniphobia) Fear of Standing in Lines Fear of Traveling Psychological Sensations: Anger Anxiety (In Certain Situations) Anxiety (Generalized, Anytime) Anxiety (School, Work, Career) Anxiety (Family) Anxiety (Friends) Anxiety (Romance) Compulsive or Overly Repetitive Behavior Concentration Difficulty Chronic Nightmares Chronic Worrying Crying Depression Derealisation (Feeling of Unreality) Depersonalisation Dissociation Eating Disorder (Bulimia, Anorexia) Eating Disorder (Compulsive, Binge) Escape into Fantasy Feelings of Guilt Feelings of Persecution (present tense) Hopelessness Housebound Low Self-Esteem Memory Problems (Short Term) Memory Problems (Long Term) Mood Swings Obsessive Thinking Panic Attacks (In Certain Situations) Panic Attacks (Random, Anytime) Recurring Memories of Traumatic Event Self Abuse (Bruising, Cutting, etc.) Suicidal Thoughts Physical Sensations: Headaches Craving for Alcohol Insomnia (Trouble Getting to Sleep) Sleepiness (During Awake Hours) Dizziness or Vertigo Light-headedness Fainting (Actually Passing Out) Temporary Paralysis Easily Startled (Jumpy) Allergies Dry Eyes Watery Eyes Overly Sensitive to Sunlight Visual Disturbances Burning or Pressure Around Eye or Nose Area Overly Sensitive to Odors Sinus Congestion Overly Sensitive to Noise Ringing in Ears Dry Mouth Dehydration (Often Thirsty) Breathing Difficulties (Hyperventilating, etc.) Feeling of Abnormal Heartbeat Chest Pains Appetite Loss Appetite Gain Weight Loss Weight Gain Nausea Intestinal Pains (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Diarrhea Joint Pain Muscular Pain Muscular Tension Muscular Tics, Twitches, or Spasms Weakness in Arms or Legs Overly Sensitive to The Way Things Feel (Tactile) Uncontrollable Shaking or Trembling Unsteadiness Cold, Clammy Skin Cold Extremities (Hands or Feet) Cold Chills Sweating Hot Flashes Numbness in Arms or Legs "Pins and Needles" Sensation Itching Excema and Rashes Fatigue (Tired, Low Energy) Hyperness (Too Much Energy) Erratic Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) Reduced Resistance to Colds or Viruses If you have experience with symptoms not listed here (fears, psychological or physical sensations), please list them below along with a severity from zero to ten. Please rate your experience of each of the following treatments on a scale of -10, …, 0, …, +10. (-10 = very negative reaction to treatment, …, blank or 0 = have not tried or not at all helpful, …, 10 = extremely helpful) Medications and Supplements: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Atenolol Ativan Buspar Buspirone Clonazepam (Rivotril, Klonopin) Colofac (Mebervine) Desipramine DHEA Effexor (venlafaxine) Fluanxol (Flupenthixol) GABA Gammanil (Lofepramine) GLS Gravol Halcion Haloperidol Herbal Suppliments Ibuprofen (Advil) Imipramine Inderal (Propranalol) Kava Kava L-Tryptophan (Tryptan) Lecithin Lectopam Librium Lorazepam Ludiomil Lustral (Setraline hydrochloride) Luvox (fluvoxamine) Magnesium Oxide Melatonin Modulon Motilium Nardil Nortriptyline (Aventyl) Pantothenic Acid Parlodal (Bromocriptine) Parnate Paxil (Paroxetine, Seroxat) Prothiaden (Dothiepin hydrochloride) Prozac (fluoxetine) Serax Serzone (Nefazodone) Thyroid Hormone Valerian Valium Vitamin B Complex Vitamin B12 Vitamin C Wellbutrin Xanax (Alprazolam) Zantac Zoloft (sertraline) Psychological Therapies: Behavioral Therapy Biofeedback Cognitive Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Counseling or Social Work Group Therapy Hypnotic Psychotherapy Hypnotic Suggestion Positive Thoughts Psychotherapy (Gestalt or Psychoanalysis) Support Group Other: Acupuncture Adjusting Lifestyle (School, Work, Career) Adjusting Lifestyle (Family) Adjusting Lifestyle (Friends) Adjusting Lifestyle (Romance) Breathing Exercises Chiropractic Confronting Fears Discovering or Expressing True Self Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Faith, Religion, or Spiritual Pursuits Gardening Physical Exercise Planned or Controlled Diet Playing with Children or Pets Homeopathy Laughter Massage Meditation (Deep Relaxation, Yoga, … read more »

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