Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I suppose the heading says it all but I’ll tell my story of woe.  I am 39, diagnosed with asthma at 34 — although in retrospect, I suspect I’ve had it much longer (but I never complained to the doc. about my shortness of breath because I’m overweight and "knew" that he’d just tell me to loose weight).  When I was first diagnosed at 34 I had quit smoking for about a year — then I started again about 1 yr after diagnosis (we won’t discuss that stupid decision).  Anyways, I’ve always viewed my asthma as a very "minor" issue in my life. I took my steriodal inhalers — occasionally had to double dose in the AM — but generally I did pretty good.  I quit smoking on August 11 of this year.  On August 19 I woke in the morning and after ventolin managed a measely 150 on my Peak Flow (when my asthma is sort of in abeyance I blow around 400). Went to see the Dr. and was put on Prednisone — so I was taking Pred. 40 mg/day, Becloforte 2XDay, 4 puffs, plus ventolin.  Things seemed to get better — off the pred. on August 25.  On Sept. 1 I made a visit to emergency for a nebulizer and was put back on pred.  On the 2nd, I ended up in hospital with asthma problems but with the additional diagnosis of pneumonia in my right lung.  I was released today.  SO…. still on Pred. with all the inherent nasty side-effects there, eurethromyecin (antibiotic), ventolin, becloforte (soon to be flovent)and alledgedly on the mend.  However, I DON’T FEEL ON THE MEND. I feel much better than I did, I can get air into my passages, sort of, my peak flow is hovering between 220-260 (before and after ventolin), while after the nebs in the hospital I was getting about 310.  I’m not wheezing.  But, my lungs are tight, it hurts to inhale deeply, like I should, and I have so far resisted "double dosing" my ventolin, but the temptation is coming closer since I know that if I take my dose, wait 5 min. and take another, I can actually breath. Having now discovered "what" the problem is with asthma — can anyone tell me what to expect from here — what should I do, not do, see, take, not take….I’ve read the site that John Rhoades is linked too and the FAQ — I guess what I’m looking for now is some quick tips for the fast cure.  I’m back to see a Doc. on Sept. 11 — this is all complicated by the fact that my Dr. has left town and I was in the process of getting a new one with this "crap" all happened.  So….tell me — What should I be doing, saying etc. before and to the Dr.?  All words of advice appreciated.

Under current US Guidelines, you should also be taking a long-term, bronchodilator; either salmeterol (Serevent) inhaler [2 puffs x 2] or theophylline SR [TheoDur] tablets. Ex-smokers sometimes benefit from using the Atrovent inhaler. A new inhaler, Combivent, combines Atrovent and Ventolin in one inhaler, for those who need both. It would be advisable to have lung function tests in a pulmonary test lab after you recover, to determine how much of your problem is asthma and how much is chronic bronchitis or emphysema. The later 2 conditions tend to be caused by smoking. You may benefit from programs in smoking cessation, diet, and exercise. Ellis

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I suppose the heading says it all but I’ll tell my story of woe.  I am 39, diagnosed with asthma at 34 — although in retrospect, I suspect I’ve had it much longer (but I never complained to the doc. about my shortness of breath because I’m overweight and "knew" that he’d just tell me to loose weight).  When I was first diagnosed at 34 I had quit smoking for about a year — then I started again about 1 yr after diagnosis (we won’t discuss that stupid decision).  Anyways, I’ve always viewed my asthma as a very "minor" issue in my life. I took my steriodal inhalers — occasionally had to double dose in the AM — but generally I did pretty good.  I quit smoking on August 11 of this year.  On August 19 I woke in the morning and after ventolin managed a measely 150 on my Peak Flow (when my asthma is sort of in abeyance I blow around 400). Went to see the Dr. and was put on Prednisone — so I was taking Pred. 40 mg/day, Becloforte 2XDay, 4 puffs, plus ventolin.  Things seemed to get better — off the pred. on August 25.  On Sept. 1 I made a visit to emergency for a nebulizer and was put back on pred.  On the 2nd, I ended up in hospital with asthma problems but with the additional diagnosis of pneumonia in my right lung.  I was released today.  SO…. still on Pred. with all the inherent nasty side-effects there, eurethromyecin (antibiotic), ventolin, becloforte (soon to be flovent)and alledgedly on the mend.  However, I DON’T FEEL ON THE MEND. I feel much better than I did, I can get air into my passages, sort of, my peak flow is hovering between 220-260 (before and after ventolin), while after the nebs in the hospital I was getting about 310.  I’m not wheezing.  But, my lungs are tight, it hurts to inhale deeply, like I should, and I have so far resisted "double dosing" my ventolin, but the temptation is coming closer since I know that if I take my dose, wait 5 min. and take another, I can actually breath. Having now discovered "what" the problem is with asthma — can anyone tell me what to expect from here — what should I do, not do, see, take, not take….I’ve read the site that John Rhoades is linked too and the FAQ — I guess what I’m looking for now is some quick tips for the fast cure.  I’m back to see a Doc. on Sept. 11 — this is all complicated by the fact that my Dr. has left town and I was in the process of getting a new one with this "crap" all happened.  So….tell me — What should I be doing, saying etc. before and to the Dr.?  All words of advice appreciated. Many thanks.

I am not a doctor but I have had similar problems with breathing during and after prednisone.  Prednisone tends to bloat you just as eating a large meal can.  Your stomach can push your lungs up and it becomes very hard to breathe.  I would suggest to you, just as my dr. did to me, eat very small meals about 5-6 times a day. Your stomach will never be as full.  Pneumonia can also damage your lungs somewhat.  I can even be responsible for the onset of emphysema, especially in us astmatics.  I have asthma and emphysema.  Good luck and health to you. Sharon Adkins

Response:

I suppose the heading says it all but I’ll tell my story of woe.  I am 39, diagnosed with asthma at 34 — although in retrospect, I suspect I’ve had it much longer (but I never complained to the doc. about my shortness of breath because I’m overweight and "knew" that he’d just tell me to loose weight).  When I was first diagnosed at 34 I had quit smoking for about a year — then I started again about 1 yr after diagnosis (we won’t discuss that stupid decision).  Anyways, I’ve always viewed my asthma as a very "minor" issue in my life. I took my steriodal inhalers — occasionally had to double dose in the AM — but generally I did pretty good.  I quit smoking on August 11 of this year.  On August 19 I woke in the morning and after ventolin managed a measely 150 on my Peak Flow (when my asthma is sort of in abeyance I blow around 400). Went to see the Dr. and was put on Prednisone — so I was taking Pred. 40 mg/day, Becloforte 2XDay, 4 puffs, plus ventolin.  Things seemed to get better — off the pred. on August 25.  On Sept. 1 I made a visit to emergency for a nebulizer and was put back on pred.  On the 2nd, I ended up in hospital with asthma problems but with the additional diagnosis of pneumonia in my right lung.  I was released today.  SO…. still on Pred. with all the inherent nasty side-effects there, eurethromyecin (antibiotic), ventolin, becloforte (soon to be flovent)and alledgedly on the mend.  However, I DON’T FEEL ON THE MEND.   I feel much better than I did, I can get air into my passages, sort of, my peak flow is hovering between 220-260 (before and after ventolin), while after the nebs in the hospital I was getting about 310.  I’m not wheezing.  But, my lungs are tight, it hurts to inhale deeply, like I should, and I have so far resisted "double dosing" my ventolin, but the temptation is coming closer since I know that if I take my dose, wait 5 min. and take another, I can actually breath. Having now discovered "what" the problem is with asthma — can anyone tell me what to expect from here — what should I do, not do, see, take, not take….I’ve read the site that John Rhoades is linked too and the FAQ — I guess what I’m looking for now is some quick tips for the fast cure.  I’m back to see a Doc. on Sept. 11 — this is all complicated by the fact that my Dr. has left town and I was in the process of getting a new one with this "crap" all happened.  So….tell me — What should I be doing, saying etc. before and to the Dr.?  All words of advice appreciated. Many thanks.

Response:

Question:

Sorry dude, I tend to agree on the side effects of Xanax..I actually was on Xanax for almost 3 yrs, AND (forgive me) was working as a P.medic at the same time…I was a walking zombie and my partners had to cover my azz more than once cuz I was falling asleep everywhere..I couldnt think straight…I couldnt DRIVE at all, and put my car in the ditch at least once…I was trying to attend college but my grades dropped like a bomb..I felt like I was in another world (I was taking this for panic attacks)…then finally, one day, I was getting into the ambulance and fell out the back door while closing it…that was enuff..withdrawal was HEAVENLY..*I love to puke, since IM also bulimic so this was right up my alley…sigghh…the dry heaves was an added bonus since I also like to punish myself..the headaches werent so cool thooo…any other questions about this lovely wonder drug?  Paxil: I just took this one 2 yrs ago for depression..was on it for about 9 mos….It made me nauseous and my stomach hurt all the time..I had headaches and felt like I had a cold all the time (stuffy head feeling)..withdrawal was not as bad as with some others, but there still was the nauseau/vomiting thing etc..so it felt just like I was still taking it till it was out of my system…blah…~Ima – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – People with biplar disorder should not take Paxil or any other anti depressant long term. I am sick and tired about all these posts trying to scare people away from trying xanax.  As someone who has suffered from bipolar disorder(type 2) for 15 years, tried all the antidepressants, now on a cocktail of meds, including xanax and paxil, my experience is that PAXIL has many more adverse effects versus the marginal benefit of some anxiety relief.  I took Paxil for 5 months and was not taking any xanax, and I got some anticapation anxiety relief at the cost of NO LIBIDO, sleeping 12 hours a day, having no motivation, just didn’t give a shit, already gained 10 pounds in 5 months with the carbo craving…..And people want to talk about xanax dependency and problems with withdrawl.  I am not trying to minimize people’s experience or their pain, but with anxiety or other mental health issues, the word is YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY(YMMY).  I am a college graduate in electrical engineering from a top 5 engineering college, and now have not worked for over two years mostly because of anxiety and some depression yearly.  After working for 11 years struggling with depression and anxiety, I now have a hard time stepping outside my home.  I have considered suicide 1000’s of times over the last 15 years, actually researched and made the plans and was about to end it, and then I started on the Paxil…….Yeah, my suicidal obsessions went away, but now I was content to veg out all day watching TY or on the Net, my desire to GET A JOB disappeared.  Go research web sites and you will see how many people have problems with SSRI’s, yeah they are alive and taking that $3 pill two times a day or many $3 pills for me, but now I am NUMB and just there.  Prior to Paxil I use to be a emotional person, felt the pain of others and would cry when touched by something, but now I am a Paxil-zombie, yeah some anxiety relief but a LOT OF ME is also gone.  So all those xanax phobics, please allow people to fail with their options without scaring them.  What are people’s choices when it comes to anxiety or panic, yes paxil, yes benzo’s, yes MAIO’s, yes CBT(Cognitive Behavior Therapy).  My experience is PAXIL SUCKS and THE WITHDRAWAL IS HORRIBLE BASED ON MUCH FEEDBACK I HAVE READ ON THE NET, MAIO’S like parnate have some studies that back them up but the food restrictions are VERY DIFFICULT(no cheese, wine, beer, chocolate, many OTC meds, etc.), CBT might work for some but the feedback I have heard is that CBT plus meds work the best and I HAVE DONE THE THERAPY ROUTE and it was a waste of money. As one doctor told me, people who suffer from PANIC and think they are dieing have never been told that "your not going to die, it is all in your head"…Well that was my last session with him.  Just to repeat, this is MY EXPERIENCE and YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.  Now I could continue to HIBERNATE IN MY HOUSE, NOT WORK, RUN OUT OF MONEY AND THEN BE HOMELESS…..Or I can be proactive and continue to experiment and try to find some solution that will allow me to work and have a life.  I have taken xanax in the past, just started it one month ago, still taking a low dose of paxil, and I am MUCH MUCH BETTER at dealing with day to day life, interacting with people, giving my shit done, etc. Yeah, maybe I will be taking xanax for the rest of my life but the only side effect I have had is some sleepiness.  And to those who talk about TOLERANCE BUILDUP, that is a CROCK, yes you might have to increase your xanax from .25mg 3 times a day to .50mg 3 times a day, there are people who have taken xanax for 5 to 15 years and most leveled out after 1 year at a dose and have no desire to increase. People need to do some research and FIND OUT THE REAL TRUTH, not what BIG PHARMA and BIG BUSINESS OWNED MEDIA OUTLETS want us to believe. Not to be cynical, but $3 no generic available paxil is much better for DRUG COMPANIES, then CHEAP GENERIC XANAX which might be more effective with less side-effects.  Why are benzo’s so hard to get, cause drug lobbiest have access to CONGRESS and made sure that THE NO-PROFIT SOLUTIONS(IE LIKE BENZO’S) are not readily available. Linda Channell, (740) 548-6874, 88 Ravine Rd, Powell, OH 43065 Let me make THE NEWCOMERS TO MENTAL ILLNESS aware that HYPE ABOUT THE LATEST ANTIDEPRESSANT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WILL BE MADE ON THE DRUG, and the only time you will hear about THE NEGATIVES about that drug will be when it comes off-patent. Now that we have generic prozac, we will hear more about side effects like NO LIBIDO, WEIGHT GAIN, SUICIDE, AND OTHER  EFEECTS.  Of course, as long as Paxil and Zoloft have no generics, MEDIA HYPE will be still muted, but give it time.  Just as all the SSRI’s go generic, we will hear about ALL THE NEGATIVES and out will come the new batch of 8 TO 12 WEEK STUDIED ANTIDEPRESSANTS to start the new profit cycle.  People with mental illness are just pawns, half ass useless meds are approved based on 8 week studies, NO REASON FOR A LONG TERM STUDY, we really don’t want to KNOW THE TRUTH, and as soon as the generics start rolling out, OUT COMES THE DIRTY LAUNDRY, not to HELP US, NO, ONLY SO THAT WE GO ON THE LATEST $5 PILL THAT HAS A 80% SUCCESS RATE AND EVEN LESS SIDE EFFECTS.  Hell as long as everyone is making money, who cares about THE CRAZIES that take the product, we just need them alive and taking their meds.  Now I forget, was I taking about the cigarette industry or drug companies, HELL WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.  This of course is just the opinion of a mentally ill patient with 15 years of experience popping pills, all of which have a 70% effective rate, but I guess I am the exception, "ALIVE" AND NOT SUICIDAL, AND NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. White Knight

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sorry dude, I tend to agree on the side effects of Xanax..I actually was on Xanax for almost 3 yrs, AND (forgive me) was working as a P.medic at the same time…I was a walking zombie and my partners had to cover my azz more than once cuz I was falling asleep everywhere..I couldnt think straight…I couldnt DRIVE at all, and put my car in the ditch at least once…I was trying to attend college but my grades dropped like a bomb..I felt like I was in another world (I was taking this for panic attacks)…then finally, one day, I was getting into the ambulance and fell out the back door while closing it…that was enuff..withdrawal was HEAVENLY..*I love to puke, since IM also bulimic so this was right up my alley…sigghh…the dry heaves was an added bonus since I also like to punish myself..the headaches werent so cool thooo…any other questions about this lovely wonder drug?  Paxil: I just took this one 2 yrs ago for depression..was on it for about 9 mos….It made me nauseous and my stomach hurt all the time..I had headaches and felt like I had a cold all the time (stuffy head feeling)..withdrawal was not as bad as with some others, but there still was the nauseau/vomiting thing etc..so it felt just like I was still taking it till it was out of my system…blah…~Ima

The worst thing about it, in my experience is the panic attacks that arose from reaching tolerance level.  After many years, maybe 7 or 10, I started getting severe panic attacks every day; it was a nightmare.  I got out of it myself by searching the net and suspecting that indeed this was addiction.  But my doctor did not know this I don’t think — I was helped and contratulated to get off altogether.  I believe that the longer term benzos are different in this respect – perhaps requiring much longer time to reach tolerance or habituation of the nervous system. I no longer have panic attacks – they destroyed my life and my career during my 30s and 40s – I’m wondering what’s next with the rest of my meds. Squiggles

Response:

the only thing that helped me was the book traveling light.I recommend it to anyone.its by Max Lucado.

Response:

the only thing that helped me was the book traveling light.I recommend it to anyone.its by Max Lucado.

Dawn, No offense but just because the medical establishment hasn’t got it right on psychopharmacology, doesn’t mean that Christianity does.  If it helped you that’s good, but spirituality is one thing and medicine another. Squiggles

Response:

Squiggles, I was not telling anyone that they had to go off their medication,I was just letting everyone know that I like that book and I want everyone to know that it was good.it had nothing to do with medication,because no matter how much I believe in god as my savior,I will always be mentally ill.I am sorry if you thought I was attacking you in anyway.

Response:

I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

Response:

I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

You should have a "post new message" or "new message" command around somewhere, use that instead of replying to someone else’s post. If you reply it will appear linked to the post to which you replied, even if you change the subject line. Can’t be more specific without knowing what program you’re using. Fiona — If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste the adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.      – Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral, 1664

Response:

"Dawn" wrote I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

Do you have a "New Post" button? Oh, I see Fiona has already enswered this. Well, good luck, Dawn. Hugs, TK

Response:

Squiggles, I was not telling anyone that they had to go off their medication,I was just letting everyone know that I like that book and I want everyone to know that it was good.it had nothing to do with medication,because no matter how much I believe in god as my savior,I will always be mentally ill.I am sorry if you thought I was attacking you in anyway.

OK – sorry, I suppose I have become hypervigilant to propaganda on the net.  I apologize. Squiggles

Response:

Benzodiazepines cause cognitive decline and depression.

All of them?  Gasp — I have to take clonazepam for bipolar disorder, and some kids have to take 10 times my dose for epilepsy.  Are you sure? Squiggles

Response:

You have done it! Victoria – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Organization: Road Runner Newsgroups: alt.support.depression.manic,alt.support.personality,alt.support.depression .me dication I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

Response:

    I have the impression that convulsions cause brain damage too. Goblin

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Benzodiazepines cause cognitive decline and depression. All of them?  Gasp — I have to take clonazepam for bipolar disorder, and some kids have to take 10 times my dose for epilepsy.  Are you sure? Squiggles Cognitive Impairment and Long-Term Damage The many papers published in the 1960s and early to mid 1970s on this subject were largely single dose therapeutic dose studies or low-dose studies for periods of a few weeks. They showed a range of deficits in cognitive function, psychomotor performance and short-term memory problems with no development of tolerance. It was not until the late 1970s and early 1980s (when therapeutic dose dependency was belatedly accepted), that cognitive function and other tests on long-term benzodiazepine users (up to 10 years) were studied both during use and in acute withdrawals. From the mid 1980s to mid 1990s there was an increasing number of studies looking at damage after long-term use and at follow-up periods after discontinuation of up to six years. Several of these studies involve CT scans of the brain looking for structural changes. Summary Benzodiazepines produce impairment of cognitive functioning and psychomotor performance e.g. reaction time, vigilance, arousal, judgement, reasoning, speed and accuracy of information processing, visual spatial ability, co-ordination, short-term and post drug long-term memory, ‘blackouts’ and learned tasks. These effects are independent of abuse, dependency, non-dependency, normal, healthy, young or old subjects. Impairment increases with chronic use. Development of tolerance to these effects is very slow. CT brain scans show a difference in ventricular cerebral spinal fluid space dimensions between benzodiazepine users and non-users, and also between high and low benzodiazepine users. The functional brain damage causes increased morbidity, increased mortality and social deterioration. Subjects are generally not aware of their reduced capacity or the fact that they are not functioning well in every day life. In general much of the impairment is slowly reversible. Some aspects show improvement after six years, some are semi-permanent or permanent. http://www.benzo.org.uk/vot4.htm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Benzodiazepines cause cognitive decline and depression. All of them?  Gasp — I have to take clonazepam for bipolar disorder, and some kids have to take 10 times my dose for epilepsy.  Are you sure? Squiggles Cognitive Impairment and Long-Term Damage The many papers published in the 1960s and early to mid 1970s on this subject were largely single dose therapeutic dose studies or low-dose studies for periods of a few weeks. They showed a range of deficits in cognitive function, psychomotor performance and short-term memory problems with no development of tolerance. It was not until the late 1970s and early 1980s (when therapeutic dose dependency was belatedly accepted), that cognitive function and other tests on long-term benzodiazepine users (up to 10 years) were studied both during use and in acute withdrawals. From the mid 1980s to mid 1990s there was an increasing number of studies looking at damage after long-term use and at follow-up periods after discontinuation of up to six years. Several of these studies involve CT scans of the brain looking for structural changes. Summary Benzodiazepines produce impairment of cognitive functioning and psychomotor performance e.g. reaction time, vigilance, arousal, judgement, reasoning, speed and accuracy of information processing, visual spatial ability, co-ordination, short-term and post drug long-term memory, ‘blackouts’ and learned tasks. These effects are independent of abuse, dependency, non-dependency, normal, healthy, young or old subjects. Impairment increases with chronic use. Development of tolerance to these effects is very slow. CT brain scans show a difference in ventricular cerebral spinal fluid space dimensions between benzodiazepine users and non-users, and also between high and low benzodiazepine users. The functional brain damage causes increased morbidity, increased mortality and social deterioration. Subjects are generally not aware of their reduced capacity or the fact that they are not functioning well in every day life. In general much of the impairment is slowly reversible. Some aspects show improvement after six years, some are semi-permanent or permanent. http://www.benzo.org.uk/vot4.htm

Right, Am I speaking with Ray or Rand or possible David Woolfe’s ghost? Squiggles

Response:

You have done it!

Depends on how the newsreader threads it. In Netscape this shows up with the new subject line but still under the old thread, so I don’t see the new subject line unless I open the old thread for it. Fiona — If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste the adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.      – Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral, 1664

Response:

I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

You just title it and post it usnig new message.I have a AC and have the option of posting to the ngs. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

Dawn I was wondering exactly who you are posting to. Cause right now you are posting to 5 different groups. ~Michele

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

Response:

thanks Michelle I was a little confused.I am new to this.I just started.thanks

Response:

    I have the impression that convulsions cause brain damage too. Goblin

correct. very seriously, if left untreated and they are severe convulsions… — ~~~~~<:~~~~~ iriXx "sometimes i get overcharged…   that’s when you see sparks   you ask me where the hell i’m going   at a thousand feet per second…" radiohead: the tourist

Response:

Now I’m confused.  (?) ~Michele

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – thanks Michelle I was a little confused.I am new to this.I just started.thanks

Response:

Dawn I was wondering exactly who you are posting to. Cause right now you are posting to 5 different groups. ~Michele

thats probably cos she hit reply to one of those messages that was crossposted to all and sundry… its not her fault. m — ~~~~~<:~~~~~ iriXx "sometimes i get overcharged…   that’s when you see sparks   you ask me where the hell i’m going   at a thousand feet per second…" radiohead: the tourist

Response:

I didn’t mean for it to sound mean. I really wanted to know who she was posting to. I’m confused.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dawn I was wondering exactly who you are posting to. Cause right now you are posting to 5 different groups. ~Michele thats probably cos she hit reply to one of those messages that was crossposted to all and sundry… its not her fault. m — ~~~~~<:~~~~~ iriXx "sometimes i get overcharged…   that’s when you see sparks   you ask me where the hell i’m going   at a thousand feet per second…" radiohead: the tourist

Response:

I didn’t mean for it to sound mean. I really wanted to know who she was posting to. I’m confused.

its okay. which group are you on? i think this was intended for alt.support.depression.manic m — ~~~~~<:~~~~~ iriXx "sometimes i get overcharged…   that’s when you see sparks   you ask me where the hell i’m going   at a thousand feet per second…" radiohead: the tourist

Response:

Good author—-writes good books!! cal

Response:

Gee, I have been using Klonopin off and on now for around..oh..10 yrs now..in doses from .5 mg to 5mgs daily…..and my brain isnt fried….(half-baked but not fried)…in fact, I had to have an IQ test for the state to see if I was qualified for rehab (and not retarded) last year and had a very hefty score above 140…*but I didnt get to join rehab cuz they tells me I aint KURED enuff to join the work force in doing the menial minimum wage training of cleaning dirty lunch trays-which is what they wanted to ‘train’ me to do-so I could RE-enter society…(I was a paramedic for 16 yrs prior, so cleaning lunch trays was considered something I would be qualified to do thru rehab).. Good thing Ive been taking them tranks tho..keeps my mind clean and ..um, um..what was I saying? Was I saying something?  What the hell am I doing here anyway? Just forget it..I dont even know who you are..stop stealing my jacks or IM gonna tell.. ~Ima – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     I have the impression that convulsions cause brain damage too. Goblin correct. very seriously, if left untreated and they are severe convulsions… — ~~~~~<:~~~~~ iriXx "sometimes i get overcharged…   that’s when you see sparks   you ask me where the hell i’m going   at a thousand feet per second…" radiohead: the tourist

Response:

     i haven’t read this book yet—-what is the "theme"?      i have read some of his other books—he is great.      If this helped you, don’t let ANYONE discourage you!! cal

Response:

EXACTELY. What about the damage these other meds cause like Li and anti psychotics? We could go on and on. Or even the progressive nature of BP/ and connvulsions. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have the impression that convulsions cause brain damage too. Goblin

Response:

I didn’t mean for it to sound mean. I really wanted to know who she was posting to. I’m confused.

its okay. which group are you on? i think this was intended for alt.support.depression.manic m — ~~~~~<:~~~~~ iriXx "sometimes i get overcharged…   that’s when you see sparks   you ask me where the hell i’m going   at a thousand feet per second…" radiohead: the tourist

Response:

Gee, I have been using Klonopin off and on now for around..oh..10 yrs now..in doses from .5 mg to 5mgs daily…..and my brain isnt fried….(half-baked but not fried)…in fact, I had to have an IQ test for the state to see if I was qualified for rehab (and not retarded) last year and had a very hefty score above 140…*but I didnt get to join rehab cuz they tells me I aint KURED enuff to join the work force in doing the menial minimum wage training of cleaning dirty lunch trays-which is what they wanted to ‘train’ me to do-so I could RE-enter society…(I was a paramedic for 16 yrs prior, so cleaning lunch trays was considered something I would be qualified to do thru rehab).. Good thing Ive been taking them tranks tho..keeps my mind clean and ..um, um..what was I saying? Was I saying something?  What the hell am I doing here anyway? Just forget it..I dont even know who you are..stop stealing my jacks or IM gonna tell.. ~Ima – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     I have the impression that convulsions cause brain damage too. Goblin correct. very seriously, if left untreated and they are severe convulsions… — ~~~~~<:~~~~~ iriXx "sometimes i get overcharged…   that’s when you see sparks   you ask me where the hell i’m going   at a thousand feet per second…" radiohead: the tourist

Response:

thanks Michelle I was a little confused.I am new to this.I just started.thanks

Response:

    I have the impression that convulsions cause brain damage too. Goblin

correct. very seriously, if left untreated and they are severe convulsions… — ~~~~~<:~~~~~ iriXx "sometimes i get overcharged…   that’s when you see sparks   you ask me where the hell i’m going   at a thousand feet per second…" radiohead: the tourist

Response:

Now I’m confused.  (?) ~Michele

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – thanks Michelle I was a little confused.I am new to this.I just started.thanks

Response:

Dawn I was wondering exactly who you are posting to. Cause right now you are posting to 5 different groups. ~Michele

thats probably cos she hit reply to one of those messages that was crossposted to all and sundry… its not her fault. m — ~~~~~<:~~~~~ iriXx "sometimes i get overcharged…   that’s when you see sparks   you ask me where the hell i’m going   at a thousand feet per second…" radiohead: the tourist

Response:

I didn’t mean for it to sound mean. I really wanted to know who she was posting to. I’m confused.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dawn I was wondering exactly who you are posting to. Cause right now you are posting to 5 different groups. ~Michele thats probably cos she hit reply to one of those messages that was crossposted to all and sundry… its not her fault. m — ~~~~~<:~~~~~ iriXx "sometimes i get overcharged…   that’s when you see sparks   you ask me where the hell i’m going   at a thousand feet per second…" radiohead: the tourist

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Benzodiazepines cause cognitive decline and depression. All of them?  Gasp — I have to take clonazepam for bipolar disorder, and some kids have to take 10 times my dose for epilepsy.  Are you sure? Squiggles Cognitive Impairment and Long-Term Damage The many papers published in the 1960s and early to mid 1970s on this subject were largely single dose therapeutic dose studies or low-dose studies for periods of a few weeks. They showed a range of deficits in cognitive function, psychomotor performance and short-term memory problems with no development of tolerance. It was not until the late 1970s and early 1980s (when therapeutic dose dependency was belatedly accepted), that cognitive function and other tests on long-term benzodiazepine users (up to 10 years) were studied both during use and in acute withdrawals. From the mid 1980s to mid 1990s there was an increasing number of studies looking at damage after long-term use and at follow-up periods after discontinuation of up to six years. Several of these studies involve CT scans of the brain looking for structural changes. Summary Benzodiazepines produce impairment of cognitive functioning and psychomotor performance e.g. reaction time, vigilance, arousal, judgement, reasoning, speed and accuracy of information processing, visual spatial ability, co-ordination, short-term and post drug long-term memory, ‘blackouts’ and learned tasks. These effects are independent of abuse, dependency, non-dependency, normal, healthy, young or old subjects. Impairment increases with chronic use. Development of tolerance to these effects is very slow. CT brain scans show a difference in ventricular cerebral spinal fluid space dimensions between benzodiazepine users and non-users, and also between high and low benzodiazepine users. The functional brain damage causes increased morbidity, increased mortality and social deterioration. Subjects are generally not aware of their reduced capacity or the fact that they are not functioning well in every day life. In general much of the impairment is slowly reversible. Some aspects show improvement after six years, some are semi-permanent or permanent. http://www.benzo.org.uk/vot4.htm

Right, Am I speaking with Ray or Rand or possible David Woolfe’s ghost? Squiggles

Response:

I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

hey, dont worry…. what system are you using? if you’re on Outlook or Outlook Express, you should have a button at the top marked New Message… hit that instead of hitting reply…. its the same in netscape (which is what im using )…. m — ~~~~~<:~~~~~ iriXx "sometimes i get overcharged…   that’s when you see sparks   you ask me where the hell i’m going   at a thousand feet per second…" radiohead: the tourist

Response:

I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

You just title it and post it usnig new message.I have a AC and have the option of posting to the ngs. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

Dawn I was wondering exactly who you are posting to. Cause right now you are posting to 5 different groups. ~Michele

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

Response:

You have done it!

Depends on how the newsreader threads it. In Netscape this shows up with the new subject line but still under the old thread, so I don’t see the new subject line unless I open the old thread for it. Fiona — If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste the adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.      – Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral, 1664

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sorry dude, I tend to agree on the side effects of Xanax..I actually was on Xanax for almost 3 yrs, AND (forgive me) was working as a P.medic at the same time…I was a walking zombie and my partners had to cover my azz more than once cuz I was falling asleep everywhere..I couldnt think straight…I couldnt DRIVE at all, and put my car in the ditch at least once…I was trying to attend college but my grades dropped like a bomb..I felt like I was in another world (I was taking this for panic attacks)…then finally, one day, I was getting into the ambulance and fell out the back door while closing it…that was enuff..withdrawal was HEAVENLY..*I love to puke, since IM also bulimic so this was right up my alley…sigghh…the dry heaves was an added bonus since I also like to punish myself..the headaches werent so cool thooo…any other questions about this lovely wonder drug?  Paxil: I just took this one 2 yrs ago for depression..was on it for about 9 mos….It made me nauseous and my stomach hurt all the time..I had headaches and felt like I had a cold all the time (stuffy head feeling)..withdrawal was not as bad as with some others, but there still was the nauseau/vomiting thing etc..so it felt just like I was still taking it till it was out of my system…blah…~Ima

The worst thing about it, in my experience is the panic attacks that arose from reaching tolerance level.  After many years, maybe 7 or 10, I started getting severe panic attacks every day; it was a nightmare.  I got out of it myself by searching the net and suspecting that indeed this was addiction.  But my doctor did not know this I don’t think — I was helped and contratulated to get off altogether.  I believe that the longer term benzos are different in this respect – perhaps requiring much longer time to reach tolerance or habituation of the nervous system. I no longer have panic attacks – they destroyed my life and my career during my 30s and 40s – I’m wondering what’s next with the rest of my meds. Squiggles

Response:

the only thing that helped me was the book traveling light.I recommend it to anyone.its by Max Lucado.

Response:

the only thing that helped me was the book traveling light.I recommend it to anyone.its by Max Lucado.

Dawn, No offense but just because the medical establishment hasn’t got it right on psychopharmacology, doesn’t mean that Christianity does.  If it helped you that’s good, but spirituality is one thing and medicine another. Squiggles

Response:

Squiggles, I was not telling anyone that they had to go off their medication,I was just letting everyone know that I like that book and I want everyone to know that it was good.it had nothing to do with medication,because no matter how much I believe in god as my savior,I will always be mentally ill.I am sorry if you thought I was attacking you in anyway.

Response:

I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

Response:

I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

You should have a "post new message" or "new message" command around somewhere, use that instead of replying to someone else’s post. If you reply it will appear linked to the post to which you replied, even if you change the subject line. Can’t be more specific without knowing what program you’re using. Fiona — If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste the adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.      – Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral, 1664

Response:

"Dawn" wrote I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

Do you have a "New Post" button? Oh, I see Fiona has already enswered this. Well, good luck, Dawn. Hugs, TK

Response:

Squiggles, I was not telling anyone that they had to go off their medication,I was just letting everyone know that I like that book and I want everyone to know that it was good.it had nothing to do with medication,because no matter how much I believe in god as my savior,I will always be mentally ill.I am sorry if you thought I was attacking you in anyway.

OK – sorry, I suppose I have become hypervigilant to propaganda on the net.  I apologize. Squiggles

Response:

Benzodiazepines cause cognitive decline and depression.

All of them?  Gasp — I have to take clonazepam for bipolar disorder, and some kids have to take 10 times my dose for epilepsy.  Are you sure? Squiggles

Response:

You have done it! Victoria – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Organization: Road Runner Newsgroups: alt.support.depression.manic,alt.support.personality,alt.support.depression .me dication I want to know how to make or create a message so it doesn’t appear under someone else’s topic?that’s why squiggles got angry.

Response:

    I have the impression that convulsions cause brain damage too. Goblin

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Benzodiazepines cause cognitive decline and depression. All of them?  Gasp — I have to take clonazepam for bipolar disorder, and some kids have to take 10 times my dose for epilepsy.  Are you sure? Squiggles Cognitive Impairment and Long-Term Damage The many papers published in the 1960s and early to mid 1970s on this subject were largely single dose therapeutic dose studies or low-dose studies for periods of a few weeks. They showed a range of deficits in cognitive function, psychomotor performance and short-term memory problems with no development of tolerance. It was not until the late 1970s and early 1980s (when therapeutic dose dependency was belatedly accepted), that cognitive function and other tests on long-term benzodiazepine users (up to 10 years) were studied both during use and in acute withdrawals. From the mid 1980s to mid 1990s there was an increasing number of studies looking at damage after long-term use and at follow-up periods after discontinuation of up to six years. Several of these studies involve CT scans of the brain looking for structural changes. Summary Benzodiazepines produce impairment of cognitive functioning and psychomotor performance e.g. reaction time, vigilance, arousal, judgement, reasoning, speed and accuracy of information processing, visual spatial ability, co-ordination, short-term and post drug long-term memory, ‘blackouts’ and learned tasks. These effects are independent of abuse, dependency, non-dependency, normal, healthy, young or old subjects. Impairment increases with chronic use. Development of tolerance to these effects is very slow. CT brain scans show a difference in ventricular cerebral spinal fluid space dimensions between benzodiazepine users and non-users, and also between high and low benzodiazepine users. The functional brain damage causes increased morbidity, increased mortality and social deterioration. Subjects are generally not aware of their reduced capacity or the fact that they are not functioning well in every day life. In general much of the impairment is slowly reversible. Some aspects show improvement after six years, some are semi-permanent or permanent. http://www.benzo.org.uk/vot4.htm

Response:

Sorry dude, I tend to agree on the side effects of Xanax..I actually was on Xanax for almost 3 yrs, AND (forgive me) was working as a P.medic at the same time…I was a walking zombie and my partners had to cover my azz more than once cuz I was falling asleep everywhere..I couldnt think straight…I couldnt DRIVE at all, and put my car in the ditch at least once…I was trying to attend college but my grades dropped like a bomb..I felt like I was in another world (I was taking this for panic attacks)…then finally, one day, I was getting into the ambulance and fell out the back door while closing it…that was enuff..withdrawal was HEAVENLY..*I love to puke, since IM also bulimic so this was right up my alley…sigghh…the dry heaves was an added bonus since I also like to punish myself..the headaches werent so cool thooo…any other questions about this lovely wonder drug?  Paxil: I just took this one 2 yrs ago for depression..was on it for about 9 mos….It made me nauseous and my stomach hurt all the time..I had headaches and felt like I had a cold all the time (stuffy head feeling)..withdrawal was not as bad as with some others, but there still was the nauseau/vomiting thing etc..so it felt just like I was still taking it till it was out of my system…blah…~Ima – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – People with biplar disorder should not take Paxil or any other anti depressant long term. I am sick and tired about all these posts trying to scare people away from trying xanax.  As someone who has suffered from bipolar disorder(type 2) for 15 years, tried all the antidepressants, now on a cocktail of meds, including xanax and paxil, my experience is that PAXIL has many more adverse effects versus the marginal benefit of some anxiety relief.  I took Paxil for 5 months and was not taking any xanax, and I got some anticapation anxiety relief at the cost of NO LIBIDO, sleeping 12 hours a day, having no motivation, just didn’t give a shit, already gained 10 pounds in 5 months with the carbo craving…..And people want to talk about xanax dependency and problems with withdrawl.  I am not trying to minimize people’s experience or their pain, but with anxiety or other mental health issues, the word is YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY(YMMY).  I am a college graduate in electrical engineering from a top 5 engineering college, and now have not worked for over two years mostly because of anxiety and some depression yearly.  After working for 11 years struggling with depression and anxiety, I now have a hard time stepping outside my home.  I have considered suicide 1000’s of times over the last 15 years, actually researched and made the plans and was about to end it, and then I started on the Paxil…….Yeah, my suicidal obsessions went away, but now I was content to veg out all day watching TY or on the Net, my desire to GET A JOB disappeared.  Go research web sites and you will see how many people have problems with SSRI’s, yeah they are alive and taking that $3 pill two times a day or many $3 pills for me, but now I am NUMB and just there.  Prior to Paxil I use to be a emotional person, felt the pain of others and would cry when touched by something, but now I am a Paxil-zombie, yeah some anxiety relief but a LOT OF ME is also gone.  So all those xanax phobics, please allow people to fail with their options without scaring them.  What are people’s choices when it comes to anxiety or panic, yes paxil, yes benzo’s, yes MAIO’s, yes CBT(Cognitive Behavior Therapy).  My experience is PAXIL SUCKS and THE WITHDRAWAL IS HORRIBLE BASED ON MUCH FEEDBACK I HAVE READ ON THE NET, MAIO’S like parnate have some studies that back them up but the food restrictions are VERY DIFFICULT(no cheese, wine, beer, chocolate, many OTC meds, etc.), CBT might work for some but the feedback I have heard is that CBT plus meds work the best and I HAVE DONE THE THERAPY ROUTE and it was a waste of money. As one doctor told me, people who suffer from PANIC and think they are dieing have never been told that "your not going to die, it is all in your head"…Well that was my last session with him.  Just to repeat, this is MY EXPERIENCE and YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.  Now I could continue to HIBERNATE IN MY HOUSE, NOT WORK, RUN OUT OF MONEY AND THEN BE HOMELESS…..Or I can be proactive and continue to experiment and try to find some solution that will allow me to work and have a life.  I have taken xanax in the past, just started it one month ago, still taking a low dose of paxil, and I am MUCH MUCH BETTER at dealing with day to day life, interacting with people, giving my shit done, etc. Yeah, maybe I will be taking xanax for the rest of my life but the only side effect I have had is some sleepiness.  And to those who talk about TOLERANCE BUILDUP, that is a CROCK, yes you might have to increase your xanax from .25mg 3 times a day to .50mg 3 times a day, there are people who have taken xanax for 5 to 15 years and most leveled out after 1 year at a dose and have no desire to increase. People need to do some research and FIND OUT THE REAL TRUTH, not what BIG PHARMA and BIG BUSINESS OWNED MEDIA OUTLETS want us to believe. Not to be cynical, but $3 no generic available paxil is much better for DRUG COMPANIES, then CHEAP GENERIC XANAX which might be more effective with less side-effects.  Why are benzo’s so hard to get, cause drug lobbiest have access to CONGRESS and made sure that THE NO-PROFIT SOLUTIONS(IE LIKE BENZO’S) are not readily available. Linda Channell, (740) 548-6874, 88 Ravine Rd, Powell, OH 43065 Let me make THE NEWCOMERS TO MENTAL ILLNESS aware that HYPE ABOUT THE LATEST ANTIDEPRESSANT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WILL BE MADE ON THE DRUG, and the only time you will hear about THE NEGATIVES about that drug will be when it comes off-patent. Now that we have generic prozac, we will hear more about side effects like NO LIBIDO, WEIGHT GAIN, SUICIDE, AND OTHER  EFEECTS.  Of course, as long as Paxil and Zoloft have no generics, MEDIA HYPE will be still muted, but give it time.  Just as all the SSRI’s go generic, we will hear about ALL THE NEGATIVES and out will come the new batch of 8 TO 12 WEEK STUDIED ANTIDEPRESSANTS to start the new profit cycle.  People with mental illness are just pawns, half ass useless meds are approved based on 8 week studies, NO REASON FOR A LONG TERM STUDY, we really don’t want to KNOW THE TRUTH, and as soon as the generics start rolling out, OUT COMES THE DIRTY LAUNDRY, not to HELP US, NO, ONLY SO THAT WE GO ON THE LATEST $5 PILL THAT HAS A 80% SUCCESS RATE AND EVEN LESS SIDE EFFECTS.  Hell as long as everyone is making money, who cares about THE CRAZIES that take the product, we just need them alive and taking their meds.  Now I forget, was I taking about the cigarette industry or drug companies, HELL WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.  This of course is just the opinion of a mentally ill patient with 15 years of experience popping pills, all of which have a 70% effective rate, but I guess I am the exception, "ALIVE" AND NOT SUICIDAL, AND NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. White Knight

Response:

Question:

Mart, I seem to recall that not long ago that there was some concern that you were  planning on getting rid of yourself.  So are you investigating self-destructive techniques like getting stabbed and smashed on the head with a bottle? Ha! There must be easier ways surely?!?

Yeah, but we’re not telling….. I would grab you be the ankles, turn you upside down and shake you until some common sense fell into your head, but I think Vanessa’s already done that, albeit much more gently and rationally. I prefer Vanessa`s gentle touch, but I can`t argue….you`re absoluetly right!

Well, being gentle isn’t one of the listed adverse side effects of Effexor : Anyway, I’m glad you’re recovering from this adventure of yours. DON’T DO IT AGAIN! Cheers. The fact that my survival instincts kicked in and gave me the strenght to run prove (maybe) that I DO want to live?!?

Yep, good message there.  Your survival instinct does seem to be in pretty good shape.  BTW, I liked your original subject heading that fear can be good for you. P.S.  I tried to post a reply yesterday via xusenet, but that seems to be the only place it showed up.  But maybe one of these days a duplicate message will show up.  Feel free to ignore it. I only post on Google Groups these days and have no problem with it. Best wishes, Martin

I’m using Google now, but the problem I’ve got with it is that it runs behind my read-only newsserver.  It’s frustrating to see a message in my newsreader and not be able to respond because it hasn’t hit Google yet.  Once I get past some personal problems I’ll have to find a better way of doing this. Take care, Fig

Response:

Mart, I seem to recall that not long ago that there was some concern that you were  planning on getting rid of yourself.  So are you investigating self-destructive techniques like getting stabbed and smashed on the head with a bottle?

Ha! There must be easier ways surely?!? I would grab you be the ankles, turn you upside down and shake you until some common sense fell into your head, but I think Vanessa’s already done that, albeit much more gently and rationally.

I prefer Vanessa`s gentle touch, but I can`t argue….you`re absoluetly right! Anyway, I’m glad you’re recovering from this adventure of yours. DON’T DO IT AGAIN!

Cheers. The fact that my survival instincts kicked in and gave me the strenght to run prove (maybe) that I DO want to live?!? Take care, Figaro P.S.  I tried to post a reply yesterday via xusenet, but that seems to be the only place it showed up.  But maybe one of these days a duplicate message will show up.  Feel free to ignore it.

I only post on Google Groups these days and have no problem with it. Best wishes, Martin

Response:

You sure don’t do things by halves! Welcome back and please allow yourself time to heal. love Meryl

Thanks to you too, Meryl. I`m healing nicely…just a matter of time to see how much the scars fade. Love Mart

Response:

Yes, I`m back again. You thought you could get rid of me but here I am!!

Mart, I seem to recall that not long ago that there was some concern that you were  planning on getting rid of yourself.  So are you investigating self-destructive techniques like getting stabbed and smashed on the head with a bottle? I would grab you be the ankles, turn you upside down and shake you until some common sense fell into your head, but I think Vanessa’s already done that, albeit much more gently and rationally. Anyway, I’m glad you’re recovering from this adventure of yours. DON’T DO IT AGAIN! Take care, Figaro P.S.  I tried to post a reply yesterday via xusenet, but that seems to be the only place it showed up.  But maybe one of these days a duplicate message will show up.  Feel free to ignore it.

Response:

WOW… what an adventure you have been on!! No more playing "The Hulk" for you!! Make sure your stitch sites dont get infected…. I personally freak out over little things like that. Take care and stay the HELL out of the park at night Stacy

My stitches are out and the main wound (the arm one) is healing nicely. I learnt my lesson that I`m no superhero! It`s just you don`t expect 13-15 year old kids to carry bottles and knives (well not when I was that age). It`s amazing I had the strength to run, really. It could`ve been a lot worse if I had gone down. We live and learn! Mart

Response:

Wow, Mart, you have been through it!  Glad to see you back.  Leave those young punks alone next time!! Glad you are ok! Vicki

Many thanks Vicki. I think I`ll leave the heroics to the movies from now on! Love, Mart

Response:

Hope the stitches heal soon. Hope the pain is not too bad and that you are fit and healthy real soon. How is your anxiety these days? Vanessa

I know all the other stuff you said was right. I must have been told it a thousand times now but I know it`s only coz you (and my family/friends etc.) care! I`m not in pain now and the scar on my head is barely visible. My arm doesn`t ache anymore but the scar is still quite red. It definately has shortened though – maybe this is part of the healing process – and all the bruising has gone. It looks a hell of a lot better than it did! My anxiety is pretty much the same, though I`m trying out some meditation tapes….so we`ll see how that goes. Thanks for you concern. Love, Martin

Response:

You sure don’t do things by halves! Welcome back and please allow yourself time to heal. love Meryl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Yes, I`m back again. You thought you could get rid of me but here I am!! So what`s been happening while I`ve been away? I`ve had a few minor problems since I was last here. Namely being bottled on the head and stabbed! It was partly my own fault…some youths offered me into a park for a fight…I`d had a few beers and thought I could take them on. Initially they ran away when I charged at them (it, as it turns out, is a gang well known to the local police). They were only 13-15 year-olds, but one of them hit me on the head with a bottle (from behind). I shouted, "come on, at least attack me from the front" then looked down to see my body streaming with blood (it was a hot night and I had my T-shirt tied round my waist). I had bent double from the force of the blow but had not hit the ground….but the sight of blood made me sober-up very quickly and I ran! Not long after (I was gonna walk home) a police van pulled up and I told them what had happened. One said, "By the way, you`ve also been stabbed!" I didn`t even know! I suppose the mixture of booze, adrenalin and the smash on my head had masked the pain. The back of my right arm had been slashed. An ambulance arrived and I was taken to hospital where I had a special glue for the head wound and 10 stitches in my arm. I`ve had them out now, but I`ll be scarred for life in both places. I blame Xanax in a way, because I`d had a few pills as well as the drink and it made me TOO confident. There were about 10 of them but I had no fear, and I`ve now realised how fear can actually help you. I thought they`d just stitch me up and I`d be able to carry on as normal. Not true. My arm has been aching so much…I went back to work with the stitches in, for 2 weeks. Then I woke up one morning and couldn`t move my arm. The doctor said I`d gone back to work too soon and signed me off for a week. I`m OK now though, which is why I`ve had the strength (typing-wise) to come on here and post such a long message to you guys. It`s not like me to ramble on but I thought I should tell you lot why I`ve been off here for ages. I`ll post this message on ASAPM so forgive me if you see it twice. I know I`ve been foolish but all posts of comfort will be gratefully received!!!! Love, Martin

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, I`m back again. You thought you could get rid of me but here I am!! So what`s been happening while I`ve been away? I`ve had a few minor problems since I was last here. Namely being bottled on the head and stabbed! It was partly my own fault…some youths offered me into a park for a fight…I`d had a few beers and thought I could take them on. Initially they ran away when I charged at them (it, as it turns out, is a gang well known to the local police). They were only 13-15 year-olds, but one of them hit me on the head with a bottle (from behind). I shouted, "come on, at least attack me from the front" then looked down to see my body streaming with blood (it was a hot night and I had my T-shirt tied round my waist). I had bent double from the force of the blow but had not hit the ground….but the sight of blood made me sober-up very quickly and I ran! Not long after (I was gonna walk home) a police van pulled up and I told them what had happened. One said, "By the way, you`ve also been stabbed!" I didn`t even know! I suppose the mixture of booze, adrenalin and the smash on my head had masked the pain. The back of my right arm had been slashed. An ambulance arrived and I was taken to hospital where I had a special glue for the head wound and 10 stitches in my arm. I`ve had them out now, but I`ll be scarred for life in both places. I blame Xanax in a way, because I`d had a few pills as well as the drink and it made me TOO confident. There were about 10 of them but I had no fear, and I`ve now realised how fear can actually help you. I thought they`d just stitch me up and I`d be able to carry on as normal. Not true. My arm has been aching so much…I went back to work with the stitches in, for 2 weeks. Then I woke up one morning and couldn`t move my arm. The doctor said I`d gone back to work too soon and signed me off for a week. I`m OK now though, which is why I`ve had the strength (typing-wise) to come on here and post such a long message to you guys. It`s not like me to ramble on but I thought I should tell you lot why I`ve been off here for ages. I`ll post this message on ASAPM so forgive me if you see it twice. I know I`ve been foolish but all posts of comfort will be gratefully received!!!!

Helloooooo Mart How scary. Glad you are ok and hugs for a speedy recovery. What I’m about to say is going to sound like a bit of a lecture but it’s because I care that I am writing it. I hope you will take it in the spirit it is intended Yes you were foolish and glad that you realised this my friend. IMO it wasn’t the Xanax at fault it was the mixing of the alcohol with it. And as you found out it numbed your reflexes and your thinking to the point where you did not sense the fear or the danger you put yourself in.  Please take care with self-medicating with alcohol Mart – it is not only about impairing your judgement but it can make your meds less effective not to mention what it can do to your long term health. Hope the stitches heal soon. Hope the pain is not too bad and that you are fit and healthy real soon. How is your anxiety these days? Vanessa

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes, I`m back again. You thought you could get rid of me but here I am!! So what`s been happening while I`ve been away? I`ve had a few minor problems since I was last here. Namely being bottled on the head and stabbed! It was partly my own fault…some youths offered me into a park for a fight…I`d had a few beers and thought I could take them on. Initially they ran away when I charged at them (it, as it turns out, is a gang well known to the local police). They were only 13-15 year-olds, but one of them hit me on the head with a bottle (from behind). I shouted, "come on, at least attack me from the front" then looked down to see my body streaming with blood (it was a hot night and I had my T-shirt tied round my waist). I had bent double from the force of the blow but had not hit the ground….but the sight of blood made me sober-up very quickly and I ran! Not long after (I was gonna walk home) a police van pulled up and I told them what had happened. One said, "By the way, you`ve also been stabbed!" I didn`t even know! I suppose the mixture of booze, adrenalin and the smash on my head had masked the pain. The back of my right arm had been slashed. An ambulance arrived and I was taken to hospital where I had a special glue for the head wound and 10 stitches in my arm. I`ve had them out now, but I`ll be scarred for life in both places. I blame Xanax in a way, because I`d had a few pills as well as the drink and it made me TOO confident. There were about 10 of them but I had no fear, and I`ve now realised how fear can actually help you. I thought they`d just stitch me up and I`d be able to carry on as normal. Not true. My arm has been aching so much…I went back to work with the stitches in, for 2 weeks. Then I woke up one morning and couldn`t move my arm. The doctor said I`d gone back to work too soon and signed me off for a week. I`m OK now though, which is why I`ve had the strength (typing-wise) to come on here and post such a long message to you guys. It`s not like me to ramble on but I thought I should tell you lot why I`ve been off here for ages. I`ll post this message on ASAPM so forgive me if you see it twice. I know I`ve been foolish but all posts of comfort will be gratefully received!!!! Love, Martin

Wow, Mart, you have been through it!  Glad to see you back.  Leave those young punks alone next time!! Glad you are ok! Vicki

Response:

| Yes, I`m back again. You thought you could get rid of me but here I | am!! | | So what`s been happening while I`ve been away? | | I`ve had a few minor problems since I was last here. Namely being | bottled on the head and stabbed! It was partly my own fault…some | youths offered me into a park for a fight…I`d had a few beers and | thought I could take them on. Initially they ran away when I charged | at them (it, as it turns out, is a gang well known to the local | police). They were only 13-15 year-olds, but one of them hit me on the | head with a bottle (from behind). I shouted, "come on, at least attack | me from the front" then looked down to see my body streaming with | blood (it was a hot night and I had my T-shirt tied round my waist). I | had bent double from the force of the blow but had not hit the | ground….but the sight of blood made me sober-up very quickly and I | ran! | | Not long after (I was gonna walk home) a police van pulled up and I | told them what had happened. One said, "By the way, you`ve also been | stabbed!" I didn`t even know! I suppose the mixture of booze, | adrenalin and the smash on my head had masked the pain. The back of my | right arm had been slashed. | | An ambulance arrived and I was taken to hospital where I had a special | glue for the head wound and 10 stitches in my arm. I`ve had them out | now, but I`ll be scarred for life in both places. I blame Xanax in a | way, because I`d had a few pills as well as the drink and it made me | TOO confident. There were about 10 of them but I had no fear, and I`ve | now realised how fear can actually help you. | | I thought they`d just stitch me up and I`d be able to carry on as | normal. Not true. My arm has been aching so much…I went back to work | with the stitches in, for 2 weeks. Then I woke up one morning and | couldn`t move my arm. The doctor said I`d gone back to work too soon | and signed me off for a week. | | I`m OK now though, which is why I`ve had the strength (typing-wise) to | come on here and post such a long message to you guys. It`s not like | me to ramble on but I thought I should tell you lot why I`ve been off | here for ages. | | I`ll post this message on ASAPM so forgive me if you see it twice. I | know I`ve been foolish but all posts of comfort will be gratefully | received!!!! | | Love, | Martin WOW… what an adventure you have been on!! No more playing "The Hulk" for you!! Make sure your stitch sites dont get infected…. I personally freak out over little things like that. Take care and stay the HELL out of the park at night Stacy

Response:

Yes, I`m back again. You thought you could get rid of me but here I am!! So what`s been happening while I`ve been away? I`ve had a few minor problems since I was last here. Namely being bottled on the head and stabbed! It was partly my own fault…some youths offered me into a park for a fight…I`d had a few beers and thought I could take them on. Initially they ran away when I charged at them (it, as it turns out, is a gang well known to the local police). They were only 13-15 year-olds, but one of them hit me on the head with a bottle (from behind). I shouted, "come on, at least attack me from the front" then looked down to see my body streaming with blood (it was a hot night and I had my T-shirt tied round my waist). I had bent double from the force of the blow but had not hit the ground….but the sight of blood made me sober-up very quickly and I ran! Not long after (I was gonna walk home) a police van pulled up and I told them what had happened. One said, "By the way, you`ve also been stabbed!" I didn`t even know! I suppose the mixture of booze, adrenalin and the smash on my head had masked the pain. The back of my right arm had been slashed. An ambulance arrived and I was taken to hospital where I had a special glue for the head wound and 10 stitches in my arm. I`ve had them out now, but I`ll be scarred for life in both places. I blame Xanax in a way, because I`d had a few pills as well as the drink and it made me TOO confident. There were about 10 of them but I had no fear, and I`ve now realised how fear can actually help you. I thought they`d just stitch me up and I`d be able to carry on as normal. Not true. My arm has been aching so much…I went back to work with the stitches in, for 2 weeks. Then I woke up one morning and couldn`t move my arm. The doctor said I`d gone back to work too soon and signed me off for a week. I`m OK now though, which is why I`ve had the strength (typing-wise) to come on here and post such a long message to you guys. It`s not like me to ramble on but I thought I should tell you lot why I`ve been off here for ages. I`ll post this message on ASAPM so forgive me if you see it twice. I know I`ve been foolish but all posts of comfort will be gratefully received!!!! Love, Martin

Response:

Question:

Hithere… for anyone who cares to know.  I am doing remarkably well on day 2 at 25% of my regular 50 mg Zoloft dosage.  I will remain at this dosage until after my menses have passed as PMS can be hellish. Happy as a Clam… PW

Hello.  I have dealt with anxiety and secondary depression for about 15 years.  I have been misdiagnosed more times than I have fingers.  I am under the impression that diagnoses are merely a way for the

psychology/psychiatry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – industry to allocate medication.  It has nothing to do with management.  I have been on Prozac, Melaril, Paxil, Zoloft, Depakote, Risperdal and Xanax. Of all of them I found Zoloft to be the most helpful.  Unfortunately, one of the side effects is weight gain.  I have been on it, 2nd time around, for about a year and a half.  I have learned of a new pseudo-natural supplement called L5 Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP).  It’s a lot like Tryptophan in that it helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin.  I lost my job about 6 months ago, as I go through them like kleenex tissues, and, subsequently lost my health insurance.  I cannot afford to see my psychiatrist anymore. I have always been inclined toward natural healing techniques and really wanted to come off the Zoloft.  I also wanted to lose the 30 pounds I gained in the last 9 months.  I tried to come off it and I started feeling edgy on day 3.  On day 4 I was as maniacal as I was at my absolute worst.  I did some research to learn that there are indeed significant withdrawal symptoms associated with SSRIs not excluding permanent neurological damage and death.  Of all 20 or so doctors I have seen in the last 15 years nobody ever mentioned this!  I was appalled.  Had I known this I may have looked deeper into alternatives.  It’s like coming off heroin!  I am on my 6th week of tapering off.  I have had to cut my 40 hour week (at my new job w/o insurance) to 20.  Fortunately I have a job where this is possible.  I am consulting with a nutritionist on my diet and 5HTP.  She has personal experience with the same type of disorder manifestation as myself except she was on Prozac prior to using 5HTP. What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage.  I use a subligual form of melatonin at night to help me stay asleep, as I have a tendancy to wake up every hour.  It’s working so far.  I am down by 50% of my 50 mg dosage. To women out there:  I do not recommend adjusting your dosage during PMS. Most of us have it worst during this time.  I adjust my dosage about a week into my cycle – when I am at my best.  I have had the best results this way. Also, it takes me about a week to adjust to the lowered dosage.  I have been working with this for nearly 2 months now.  I found that using 5HTP with the SSRI is not good.  I was flooded with serotonin and nuts as ever. I’d love to hear other ppls’ experience coming off SSRIs and the use of natural "supplements".  Thanks! Ms. PW

Response:

I suppose you know that kava is not recommended for use with any other psychoactive drug.  Kava is known to potentiate (increase) the effects of other drugs e,g,, benzodiazepenes, alcohol and barbituates.  I  haven’t seen anything specific to SSRIs or other drugs that affect serotonin, just educated speculation that kava could have a negative impact on serotonin utilization.  Another poster related a problem with anxiety rebound when taking kava, a report I’ve never seen before; I wonder if he/she was taking another drug at the time. From your last post, though, the combination seems to be working for you. I’d suggest, though, that you keep a close watch on your reactions and discontinue the kava as appropriate.  I’d be interested in hearing how it goes for you. I gather that your intent is to withdraw from Zoloft and start on 5-HTP. May I suggest that you hold off on the 5-HTP and just stay on kava for awhile?  If you have anxiety-driven depression, you may not need anything else, or perhaps something milder like an omega-3 supplement (skip St. John’s Wort – it eats kava as well as birth control pills, HIV medication, etc.)  Anyway, take the time to evaluate yourself before you take on the possible risks associated with 5-HTP.  (Actually, I’m considering taking 5-HTP in lieu of melatonin – still researching the issue of combining it with kava) One other note about kava:  researchers may have found the reason why some users have suffered liver damage.  It seems that some herbal manufacturers have been making their kava extracts from "peelings", the bark of the aboveground stems of the plant; which contain pipemethystine, a substance proved to be toxic to liver cultures.  Peelings are a by-product of kava use in the South Pacific and are normally discarded as waste material; in 1998, though, 82% of the kava imported into the U.S. consisted of dried peelings. It would be reasonable for all kava users to research the product they use and determine whether any of the above ground portions of the plant (peelings, stem or leaves) are used; if so, change to another brand that only uses the underground portions (lateral roots and rootstalk).  You don’t need hepititis or cirrohsis on top of your other problems. You may also end up with a more effective kava :}. Cheers, Figaro

Response:

I am reevaluating my need for 5-htp at all.  Kava does seem to be working for me.  I actually only need it on days 1-3 (about) after downgrading my Zoloft dose.  After that, I seem to level out naturally, except for the use of sublingual melatonin.  I think that working only 20 hours a week really halps too, though I can’t do this forever. I have forwarded your message to my nutritionist.  I am particularly interested in what she has to say about the peelings.  The brand of kava I use is Gaia Herbs.  I’ve used other supplements they manufacture with positive results. I have heard of the anxiety rebound effect of kava though, as of yet, it’s not happened to me.  It may be because I don’t use it all the time, only while transitioning to a lower dose ssri. My most annoying withdrawal symptoms now is nausea.  It only lasts for a couple of days and it’s mild, but it makes eating difficult.  The other side of that is that I eat less.  Since I gained 30 pounds on Zoloft, I’m not complaining too loudly.  I anticipate it stopping after I come off the ssri completely. I have lost 10 of the 30 pounds in the last 6 weeks.  Every time I downgrade my dose I lose 3 pounds in the first 36 hours!  Woo-Hoo! PW

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I suppose you know that kava is not recommended for use with any other psychoactive drug.  Kava is known to potentiate (increase) the effects of other drugs e,g,, benzodiazepenes, alcohol and barbituates.  I  haven’t seen anything specific to SSRIs or other drugs that affect serotonin, just educated speculation that kava could have a negative impact on serotonin utilization.  Another poster related a problem with anxiety rebound when taking kava, a report I’ve never seen before; I wonder if he/she was taking another drug at the time. From your last post, though, the combination seems to be working for you. I’d suggest, though, that you keep a close watch on your reactions and discontinue the kava as appropriate.  I’d be interested in hearing how it goes for you. I gather that your intent is to withdraw from Zoloft and start on 5-HTP. May I suggest that you hold off on the 5-HTP and just stay on kava for awhile?  If you have anxiety-driven depression, you may not need anything else, or perhaps something milder like an omega-3 supplement (skip St. John’s Wort – it eats kava as well as birth control pills, HIV medication, etc.)  Anyway, take the time to evaluate yourself before you take on the possible risks associated with 5-HTP.  (Actually, I’m considering taking 5-HTP in lieu of melatonin – still researching the issue of combining it with kava) One other note about kava:  researchers may have found the reason why some users have suffered liver damage.  It seems that some herbal manufacturers have been making their kava extracts from "peelings", the bark of the aboveground stems of the plant; which contain pipemethystine, a substance proved to be toxic to liver cultures.  Peelings are a by-product of kava use in the South Pacific and are normally discarded as waste material; in 1998, though, 82% of the kava imported into the U.S. consisted of dried peelings. It would be reasonable for all kava users to research the product they use and determine whether any of the above ground portions of the plant (peelings, stem or leaves) are used; if so, change to another brand that only uses the underground portions (lateral roots and rootstalk).  You don’t need hepititis or cirrohsis on top of your other problems. You may also end up with a more effective kava :}. Cheers, Figaro

Response:

 Another poster related a problem with anxiety rebound when taking kava, a report I’ve never seen before; I wonder if he/she was taking another drug at the time.

That was me.  The only other drug I was on was alcohol… and lot’s of it.  I was self medicating for about 25 years. Over 15 months sober, one day at a time. Tono

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  Another poster related a problem with anxiety rebound when taking kava, a report I’ve never seen before; I wonder if he/she was taking another drug at the time. That was me.  The only other drug I was on was alcohol… and lot’s of it.  I was self medicating for about 25 years. Over 15 months sober, one day at a time. Tono

Thanks for posting the info, Tono.  I just try to collect info on kava whereever it may be!

Response:

LM, Thank you for your information.  I am working with a nutritionist who has an MS.  She has informaed me that the blood levels of 5HTP are a concern only for those very few with serious metabolic issues.  I am quite healthy in that regard.  She assures me that in her years of working with the CDC she participated in clinical studies on the use of 5htp and tryptophan and found that both amino acids are quite safe in healthy individuals.  She has several patients who are taking up to 250 mg of 5htp daily and have for a year or better with no problems at all.  In my opinion, the ssris are a much greater risk for me personally since there are no clinical studies on the effect ssris in ppl taking them over one year.  The side effects of ssris have been devastating for me.  For those with metabolic issues it should not be taken lightly though.  Thank you.  I will keep the group informed on my progress. PW

Hello.  I have dealt with anxiety and secondary depression for about 15 years.  I have been misdiagnosed more times than I have fingers.  I am under the impression that diagnoses are merely a way for the

psychology/psychiatry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – industry to allocate medication.  It has nothing to do with management. I have been on Prozac, Melaril, Paxil, Zoloft, Depakote, Risperdal and Xanax. Of all of them I found Zoloft to be the most helpful.  Unfortunately, one of the side effects is weight gain.  I have been on it, 2nd time around, for about a year and a half.  I have learned of a new pseudo-natural supplement called L5 Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP).  It’s a lot like Tryptophan in that it helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin.  I lost my job about 6 months ago, as I go through them like kleenex tissues, and, subsequently lost my health insurance.  I cannot afford to see my psychiatrist anymore. I have always been inclined toward natural healing techniques and really wanted to come off the Zoloft.  I also wanted to lose the 30 pounds I gained in the last 9 months.  I tried to come off it and I started feeling edgy on day 3.  On day 4 I was as maniacal as I was at my absolute worst.  I did some research to learn that there are indeed significant withdrawal symptoms associated with SSRIs not excluding permanent neurological damage and death.  Of all 20 or so doctors I have seen in the last 15 years nobody ever mentioned this!  I was appalled.  Had I known this I may have looked deeper into alternatives.  It’s like coming off heroin!  I am on my 6th week of tapering off.  I have had to cut my 40 hour week (at my new job w/o insurance) to 20.  Fortunately I have a job where this is possible.  I am consulting with a nutritionist on my diet and 5HTP.  She has personal experience with the same type of disorder manifestation as myself except she was on Prozac prior to using 5HTP. What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage.  I use a subligual form of melatonin at night to help me stay asleep, as I have a tendancy to wake up every hour.  It’s working so far.  I am down by 50% of my 50 mg dosage. To women out there:  I do not recommend adjusting your dosage during PMS. Most of us have it worst during this time.  I adjust my dosage about a week into my cycle – when I am at my best.  I have had the best results this way. Also, it takes me about a week to adjust to the lowered dosage.  I have been working with this for nearly 2 months now.  I found that using 5HTP with the SSRI is not good.  I was flooded with serotonin and nuts as ever. I’d love to hear other ppls’ experience coming off SSRIs and the use of natural "supplements".  Thanks! Ms. PW please do not take 5ht without discussing it thoroughly with a doctor-it can cause elevated serum levels of serotonin which does not pass the blood brain barrier but can destroy the valves of your heart-tryptophan as a supplement will not do this because the metabolic process of converting tryptophan buffers the larger flooding of blood levels if you truly believe this supplement is working  for you a urinary 5HIAA test should be done every month or so to see if your blood level of serotonin isn’t too high-if you have any coronary artery disease using this supplement is dangerous there is a whole complex interplay between B vitamins and serotonin as well as its percursors like 5ht -natural supplements are often drugs or co-drugs in a sense so please don’t be over-comfortable by their "natural" label-there are cancerous tumors that secrete gobs of 5ht and that is natural too-for the tumors. Just be careful please LM

Response:

Thanks, Tono.  Actually the kava kava really does help me.  The thing I like to keep in mind is that everyone is different.  That’s why I have a hard time beleiving in diagnoses – there are too many variations.  I’ll keep your suggestion in mind.  But for now it’s the only thing that DOES help.

Well, I’m glad it’s helping.  Just be sure not to over do it.  As far as the diagnosis, I know what you mean.  My Dr. never gave me an actual diagnosis, or I would have 10 or 20 of them!  He only tries to work with all my various symptoms. And like Margrove said, BE CAREFULL! Tono – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  PW What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage. Kava always gave me an awful rebound effect of anxiety.  It worsened each day and I needed more and more of it.  It’s one of the worst "natural" remedies I’ve tried.  Remember, natural doesn’t mean it’s good or safe.  I’d never drink crude oil. Tono

Response:

Hello.  I have dealt with anxiety and secondary depression for about 15 years.  I have been misdiagnosed more times than I have fingers.  I am under the impression that diagnoses are merely a way for the psychology/psychiatry industry to allocate medication.  It has nothing to do with management.  I have been on Prozac, Melaril, Paxil, Zoloft, Depakote, Risperdal and Xanax. Of all of them I found Zoloft to be the most helpful.  Unfortunately, one of the side effects is weight gain.  I have been on it, 2nd time around, for about a year and a half.  I have learned of a new pseudo-natural supplement called L5 Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP).  It’s a lot like Tryptophan in that it helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin.  I lost my job about 6 months ago, as I go through them like kleenex tissues, and, subsequently lost my health insurance.  I cannot afford to see my psychiatrist anymore. I have always been inclined toward natural healing techniques and really wanted to come off the Zoloft.  I also wanted to lose the 30 pounds I gained in the last 9 months.  I tried to come off it and I started feeling edgy on day 3.  On day 4 I was as maniacal as I was at my absolute worst.  I did some research to learn that there are indeed significant withdrawal symptoms associated with SSRIs not excluding permanent neurological damage and death.  Of all 20 or so doctors I have seen in the last 15 years nobody ever mentioned this!  I was appalled.  Had I known this I may have looked deeper into alternatives.  It’s like coming off heroin!  I am on my 6th week of tapering off.  I have had to cut my 40 hour week (at my new job w/o insurance) to 20.  Fortunately I have a job where this is possible.  I am consulting with a nutritionist on my diet and 5HTP.  She has personal experience with the same type of disorder manifestation as myself except she was on Prozac prior to using 5HTP. What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage.  I use a subligual form of melatonin at night to help me stay asleep, as I have a tendancy to wake up every hour.  It’s working so far.  I am down by 50% of my 50 mg dosage. To women out there:  I do not recommend adjusting your dosage during PMS. Most of us have it worst during this time.  I adjust my dosage about a week into my cycle – when I am at my best.  I have had the best results this way. Also, it takes me about a week to adjust to the lowered dosage.  I have been working with this for nearly 2 months now.  I found that using 5HTP with the SSRI is not good.  I was flooded with serotonin and nuts as ever. I’d love to hear other ppls’ experience coming off SSRIs and the use of natural "supplements".  Thanks! Ms. PW

Response:

What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage.

Kava always gave me an awful rebound effect of anxiety.  It worsened each day and I needed more and more of it.  It’s one of the worst "natural" remedies I’ve tried.  Remember, natural doesn’t mean it’s good or safe.  I’d never drink crude oil. Tono

Response:

Thanks, Tono.  Actually the kava kava really does help me.  The thing I like to keep in mind is that everyone is different.  That’s why I have a hard time beleiving in diagnoses – there are too many variations.  I’ll keep your suggestion in mind.  But for now it’s the only thing that DOES help.  PW

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage. Kava always gave me an awful rebound effect of anxiety.  It worsened each day and I needed more and more of it.  It’s one of the worst "natural" remedies I’ve tried.  Remember, natural doesn’t mean it’s good or safe.  I’d never drink crude oil. Tono

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello.  I have dealt with anxiety and secondary depression for about 15 years.  I have been misdiagnosed more times than I have fingers.  I am under the impression that diagnoses are merely a way for the psychology/psychiatry industry to allocate medication.  It has nothing to do with management.  I have been on Prozac, Melaril, Paxil, Zoloft, Depakote, Risperdal and Xanax. Of all of them I found Zoloft to be the most helpful.  Unfortunately, one of the side effects is weight gain.  I have been on it, 2nd time around, for about a year and a half.  I have learned of a new pseudo-natural supplement called L5 Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP).  It’s a lot like Tryptophan in that it helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin.  I lost my job about 6 months ago, as I go through them like kleenex tissues, and, subsequently lost my health insurance.  I cannot afford to see my psychiatrist anymore. I have always been inclined toward natural healing techniques and really wanted to come off the Zoloft.  I also wanted to lose the 30 pounds I gained in the last 9 months.  I tried to come off it and I started feeling edgy on day 3.  On day 4 I was as maniacal as I was at my absolute worst.  I did some research to learn that there are indeed significant withdrawal symptoms associated with SSRIs not excluding permanent neurological damage and death.  Of all 20 or so doctors I have seen in the last 15 years nobody ever mentioned this!  I was appalled.  Had I known this I may have looked deeper into alternatives.  It’s like coming off heroin!  I am on my 6th week of tapering off.  I have had to cut my 40 hour week (at my new job w/o insurance) to 20.  Fortunately I have a job where this is possible.  I am consulting with a nutritionist on my diet and 5HTP.  She has personal experience with the same type of disorder manifestation as myself except she was on Prozac prior to using 5HTP. What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage.  I use a subligual form of melatonin at night to help me stay asleep, as I have a tendancy to wake up every hour.  It’s working so far.  I am down by 50% of my 50 mg dosage. To women out there:  I do not recommend adjusting your dosage during PMS. Most of us have it worst during this time.  I adjust my dosage about a week into my cycle – when I am at my best.  I have had the best results this way. Also, it takes me about a week to adjust to the lowered dosage.  I have been working with this for nearly 2 months now.  I found that using 5HTP with the SSRI is not good.  I was flooded with serotonin and nuts as ever. I’d love to hear other ppls’ experience coming off SSRIs and the use of natural "supplements".  Thanks! Ms. PW

please do not take 5ht without discussing it thoroughly with a doctor-it can cause elevated serum levels of serotonin which does not pass the blood brain barrier but can destroy the valves of your heart-tryptophan as a supplement will not do this because the metabolic process of converting tryptophan buffers the larger flooding of blood levels if you truly believe this supplement is working  for you a urinary 5HIAA test should be done every month or so to see if your blood level of serotonin isn’t too high-if you have any coronary artery disease using this supplement is dangerous there is a whole complex interplay between B vitamins and serotonin as well as its percursors like 5ht -natural supplements are often drugs or co-drugs in a sense so please don’t be over-comfortable by their "natural" label-there are cancerous tumors that secrete gobs of 5ht and that is natural too-for the tumors. Just be careful please LM

Response:

Question:

    Uh, just a thought. How high a dose of thyroid hormones are you on? T3 ? T4? Both maybe? The reason I ask is that if you are on too high a dose you can get shaky BUT when I was extremely hypo I shook pretty bad too. I never took Xanax, I take Valium. I think it is gentler on the system than Xanax. Do you take in much caffeine in the course of a day? Caffeine will make your hands tremble too. The adrenals can cause problems and often go hand in hand with thyroid problems, just another thing to consider.     Being a guy, I can’t vouch for if menopause would cause this but I can tell you I’ve never heard of it, even though it can do some strange things so I don’t discount that either ( I told you I might not have a good answer for you ).     Did you by chance have a recent copy of any tests you had done? Posting them here will get you replies that might be a bit more revealing or at least tell you a bit more about what is going on. "PowerPoster" <powerpos…@nospam.com

wrote in message

news:tNOu6.104188$tP3.1638117@news1.rdc1.bc.home.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hi, my main questions were: – is constant tremor ever experienced by any of you on thyroid

replacement,

or who took xanax – do any of the women reading this have menopausal symptoms at the same

time > and have any of your doctors figured out which is menopause and which is > thyroid related. If so, has estrogen helped? > John Riggs <johnri32…@yahoo.com

wrote in message

> news:99ebgv$qa94$1@ID-41632.news.dfncis.de… > >     You don’t want junk mail? Gosh, and I was so looking forward to > sending > > mine off to some underprivileged soul > >     I’m sorry, I read your post but I lost track of what it was you were > > asking. Could you post a short, eentsy, version just for me? Pretty > please? > > I promise to give an answer, even if it’s wrong. > >     Thanks > >             John > > "PowerPoster" <powerpos…@nospam.com

wrote in message

> > news:Aoxu6.96934$tP3.1557994@news1.rdc1.bc.home.com… > > > Sorry, i forgot to give my address for those who can reply, it is > > > suz…@yahoo.com. Although I also will read the newsgroup. Thanks. I > > didn’t > > > have it in my preferences to avoid masses of unwanted junk mail.

Response:

    You don’t want junk mail? Gosh, and I was so looking forward to sending mine off to some underprivileged soul     I’m sorry, I read your post but I lost track of what it was you were asking. Could you post a short, eentsy, version just for me? Pretty please? I promise to give an answer, even if it’s wrong.     Thanks             John "PowerPoster" <powerpos…@nospam.com

wrote in message

news:Aoxu6.96934$tP3.1557994@news1.rdc1.bc.home.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Sorry, i forgot to give my address for those who can reply, it is suz…@yahoo.com. Although I also will read the newsgroup. Thanks. I

didn’t

have it in my preferences to avoid masses of unwanted junk mail.

Response:

Hi, my main questions were: – is constant tremor ever experienced by any of you on thyroid replacement, or who took xanax – do any of the women reading this have menopausal symptoms at the same time and have any of your doctors figured out which is menopause and which is thyroid related. If so, has estrogen helped? John Riggs <johnri32…@yahoo.com

wrote in message

news:99ebgv$qa94$1@ID-41632.news.dfncis.de… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    You don’t want junk mail? Gosh, and I was so looking forward to

sending

mine off to some underprivileged soul     I’m sorry, I read your post but I lost track of what it was you were asking. Could you post a short, eentsy, version just for me? Pretty

please? > I promise to give an answer, even if it’s wrong. >     Thanks >             John > "PowerPoster" <powerpos…@nospam.com

wrote in message

> news:Aoxu6.96934$tP3.1557994@news1.rdc1.bc.home.com… > > Sorry, i forgot to give my address for those who can reply, it is > > suz…@yahoo.com. Although I also will read the newsgroup. Thanks. I > didn’t > > have it in my preferences to avoid masses of unwanted junk mail.

Response:

Sorry, i forgot to give my address for those who can reply, it is suz…@yahoo.com. Although I also will read the newsgroup. Thanks. I didn’t have it in my preferences to avoid masses of unwanted junk mail.

Response:

HI Suze, I better leave someone who knows more about thyroid to answer your post but I thought I would let the US readers know that the  CES you mention is a plant based conjugated estrogen similiar to Cenestin sold in the US. I’ve also removed the other newsgroup for this reply. Kathryn kathr…@telus.net On Thu, 22 Mar 2001 22:07:46 GMT, "PowerPoster" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<powerpos…@nospam.com

wrote: I went to my dr. today to get the results of my blood test last week. He won’t give them on the phone. It was very hard driving there, I have constant tremors and they are worsening. However, he dismissed them as well as my shivering and arm and leg weakness, these all have been with me only since early Feb, for no known reason. For the first time he chose not to order a TSH – only a free T4. So, it was 20.8. Normal range is 10.5 to 20.0, so it is just slightly high, but that then might explain why I have felt attacks of hyper adrenaline? And yet, I have felt ill and almost comatose on a lower dose, previously, and was attempting not to be hypothyroid. But he says that 100 mcg is too high and 75 would be too low, so I must now take .88. My last test a few months ago, the free t4 was 18 or high normal, and I was taking 100 then too, and told to stay on 100. Then I was switched by my endocrinologist to a combo of T4 and T3, which was excessive and made me have more heart pounding than usual, and I stopped the T3. I also felt hypo on the divided dose .50-T4, .12-T3 regimen, but more T3 seemed to make me have more sudden bursts of heart pounding. Even with the combined dose, the equivalent I tried to get was 100 mcg a day as it seemed to make me feel less ill and less hypo than other doses. I have years of journals to analyze for symptoms and doses; it has not helped me find an answer. It is always either too high or too low, with a euthyroid feeling appearing so rarely that maybe 2 or 3 times in ten years I have felt it and diarized it as a massively red letter day, virtually a feeling of euphoria. This euthyroid is the way I felt for the rest of my life  the first 45 years until the diseases started. Just able to function and feeling well. So my T4 is slightly high, and I should therefore not have hypo symptoms, which I do still have – feeling suddenly sleepy at any time and falling asleep for an hour or two. (Yet I have insomnia late at night, and spells of hyper, surging, too much unuseable adrenaline coursing through me). Swelling feet and legs, no appetite, hair falling out in my brush and when I wash it in huge clumps, trouble with digestion when I do eat, but the number one hypo symptom I have day and night is freezing cold, shivering, every day, unrelated to the temperature, that nothing will warm up until it passes. It’s an internal thing.  The constant tremors are not always shivering from cold…sometimes I have them together. These are NOT hyper symptoms so why would I think the dose was too high? My basal temperataure, when I get up, has ranged from 97.3 to 98.2, which I believe is normal according to Dr. Broda Barnes. One would think my dose was good. In the past the temperature was in the 96 range, and yet I felt better then, at a lower dose, though I had the hypo symptoms. Someone posted the query, which would you rather be – hypo or hyper? Choosing between them is something I have always had to do, and each one becomes horrific, causing me to go the other way for a time. Can this constant seesawing be causing the new problems? If one has to choose, hypo is less debilitating and life-destroying. One gets fat with painful joints, and slow, and placid, and confused, but there is a calm. And yet, then one is wistful for the energetic bursts, relative fit body and occasional clear thinking one did have even with the accompanying high anxiety, nervous state. As I am trying to explain, now I seem to be both hyper and hypo, but the test says slightly hyper. Besides the T4 test I had an FSH test. A year or so ago it was still normal, 22, now it is 47, which is out of range. Though I have had perimenopausal symptoms – severe ones, and all of them, for 6 years now, my tests were always in the normal range until now. So he gave me estrogen – CES, a ‘natural’ plant based one. He said more women were against Premarin now (which I used to be, but now I don’t care – I just want relief). I will take them, what else can I do? Hoping it will help. I studied this 3 or 4 years ago and was even given both Premarin and CES by doctors at the time of my hot flashes but I did not have good results and stopped them. Now that the hormone levels have changed maybe this is the answer. Does anyone have experience with CES? I have become a querulous, middle aged woman whom no one wants to know about, I suddenly realized in his office when facing his contempt and his lack of sympathy for me as a person, and his dismissing my complete worsening in the last 2 months…..his restating what he always states: "We’ll have to see if this gets the thyroid in range…" In ten years nothing has worked, and currently I am worse than ever before. My health has deteriorated drastically since around last October. The pains, weakness, unsteadiness, tremor are considered ‘essential tremor’ by a neurologist, and fibromyalgia by a rheumatologist, but there is NO treatment for these…until I take the .88 T4 for a while and if I don’t improve then my g.p. will give me a form of propanolol. This is the same thing I took when I first got Graves’ disease in 1989 and before the radiation. Why is this happening? If the T4 level is so  high then why not just stop the thyroid and become completely hypothyroid, that will calm me and make me placid like a cow, and overweight….which is what happened last year, i basically had ONLY intense muscle pain and hot flashes most of the time. No anxiety or heart pounding attacks, tremors or shivering. I don’t MIND hot flashes. I wish that was all I did have again. I learned to accept and deal with them. I cannot deal with a head tremor and weak muscles. Even my jaw feels sprained after chewing; I cannot hold a cup with one hand. If 100 was such a massive dose that it makes me hyper, then why the combined symptoms which include hypo items like hair loss, cold, confusion, cognitive problems with words and memory, and the rest? My God, I am at the end of my rope, and other than an expensive holistic doctor or naturopath, who might have an insight and might just be a quack, there is nowhere else to turn. It is not a simple matter to change doctors. I can barely stand to go to the ones I do have, that already know my complicated case. It is an ordeal, as everything is such an effort now. But my mind objects, wanting a way out of this nightmare. There surely is a first cause somewhere….the only one I know of is the Graves’ disease, the hyperthyroid suddenly in 1989. Everything else followed. I’ve said this before, I was an energetic, smart, normal looking and successful working mother with many friends and a full life and unbounded energy. And after the treatment I still functioned until 1996 when my body just began to be unable to function. The menopausal stuff began in 1994 and yes I did get worse after that, but nothing helped, and by 1996 I was too disabled to work. Four years now have been lost from my life because of iatrogenic disease. My psychiatrist says it is iatrogenic – doctor-caused. Wrong treatment, wrong pills. I no longer have a thyroid, and nothing replaces it correctly. He just listens to me – he cannot help the physical things and the doctors will not. He gives me Xanax, but i worry that it only makes it worse in the long run, causing rebound anxiety when not taken, as it messes up the GABA receptors in the brain. Yet, I guess I will still rely on it for the worst of the spells I have. Without any thyroid of course I cannot survive, but no combination or amount has worked for long, and these other worse conditions have happened one after another including 3 root canals needed for abcesses in the last year, and continued tooth pain. Despite no sugar in my diet for a year. I read in a doctor’s waiting room once that estrogen is used for every part of the body including the teeth. If that is the case could my tooth problems, nerve problems and the rest all be part of the menopause? I was once an expert on this, I wrote a paper on it that was published to high praise, and now I am too confused to figure it out, as nothing makes sense anymore, and my case does not fit any I read about. I don’t even have hot flashes most of the time and they were not a serious problem for me, in retrospect. I do periodically for a few months and then none. The cold spells and shivering are the thing now. And that totally indicates more thyroid needed, and yet the test shows no, I have even excess T4 in the blood. Any ideas, please, would be welcome. I also have fibromyalgia, and iGa nephropathy, both considered nothing by the medical profession, but those were the diagnoses. I live with constant back pain, but that does not affect my life the way the lack of stable hormones does. I lost 35 pounds since last May, when I deliberately lowered my food intake and did yoga. I continue at the lower weight, but do not lose more as I eat everything I feel like now since I so seldom have any appetite and since food causes indigestion. I felt better when I was obese, but I didn’t like the way I looked. Was it a mistake to diet? I no longer have knee problems, as my doctor promised when the weight came off, and my heel spur also went away. If being obese would restore my stable constitution though I’d do it again, except I am now unable to overeat to the required extent, my digestion won’t allow it. I was told to take Xanax, in November, for the attacks of heart pounding and surging which started

… read more »

Response:

I went to my dr. today to get the results of my blood test last week. He won’t give them on the phone. It was very hard driving there, I have constant tremors and they are worsening. However, he dismissed them as well as my shivering and arm and leg weakness, these all have been with me only since early Feb, for no known reason. For the first time he chose not to order a TSH – only a free T4. So, it was 20.8. Normal range is 10.5 to 20.0, so it is just slightly high, but that then might explain why I have felt attacks of hyper adrenaline? And yet, I have felt ill and almost comatose on a lower dose, previously, and was attempting not to be hypothyroid. But he says that 100 mcg is too high and 75 would be too low, so I must now take .88. My last test a few months ago, the free t4 was 18 or high normal, and I was taking 100 then too, and told to stay on 100. Then I was switched by my endocrinologist to a combo of T4 and T3, which was excessive and made me have more heart pounding than usual, and I stopped the T3. I also felt hypo on the divided dose .50-T4, .12-T3 regimen, but more T3 seemed to make me have more sudden bursts of heart pounding. Even with the combined dose, the equivalent I tried to get was 100 mcg a day as it seemed to make me feel less ill and less hypo than other doses. I have years of journals to analyze for symptoms and doses; it has not helped me find an answer. It is always either too high or too low, with a euthyroid feeling appearing so rarely that maybe 2 or 3 times in ten years I have felt it and diarized it as a massively red letter day, virtually a feeling of euphoria. This euthyroid is the way I felt for the rest of my life  the first 45 years until the diseases started. Just able to function and feeling well. So my T4 is slightly high, and I should therefore not have hypo symptoms, which I do still have – feeling suddenly sleepy at any time and falling asleep for an hour or two. (Yet I have insomnia late at night, and spells of hyper, surging, too much unuseable adrenaline coursing through me). Swelling feet and legs, no appetite, hair falling out in my brush and when I wash it in huge clumps, trouble with digestion when I do eat, but the number one hypo symptom I have day and night is freezing cold, shivering, every day, unrelated to the temperature, that nothing will warm up until it passes. It’s an internal thing.  The constant tremors are not always shivering from cold…sometimes I have them together. These are NOT hyper symptoms so why would I think the dose was too high? My basal temperataure, when I get up, has ranged from 97.3 to 98.2, which I believe is normal according to Dr. Broda Barnes. One would think my dose was good. In the past the temperature was in the 96 range, and yet I felt better then, at a lower dose, though I had the hypo symptoms. Someone posted the query, which would you rather be – hypo or hyper? Choosing between them is something I have always had to do, and each one becomes horrific, causing me to go the other way for a time. Can this constant seesawing be causing the new problems? If one has to choose, hypo is less debilitating and life-destroying. One gets fat with painful joints, and slow, and placid, and confused, but there is a calm. And yet, then one is wistful for the energetic bursts, relative fit body and occasional clear thinking one did have even with the accompanying high anxiety, nervous state. As I am trying to explain, now I seem to be both hyper and hypo, but the test says slightly hyper. Besides the T4 test I had an FSH test. A year or so ago it was still normal, 22, now it is 47, which is out of range. Though I have had perimenopausal symptoms – severe ones, and all of them, for 6 years now, my tests were always in the normal range until now. So he gave me estrogen – CES, a ‘natural’ plant based one. He said more women were against Premarin now (which I used to be, but now I don’t care – I just want relief). I will take them, what else can I do? Hoping it will help. I studied this 3 or 4 years ago and was even given both Premarin and CES by doctors at the time of my hot flashes but I did not have good results and stopped them. Now that the hormone levels have changed maybe this is the answer. Does anyone have experience with CES? I have become a querulous, middle aged woman whom no one wants to know about, I suddenly realized in his office when facing his contempt and his lack of sympathy for me as a person, and his dismissing my complete worsening in the last 2 months…..his restating what he always states: "We’ll have to see if this gets the thyroid in range…" In ten years nothing has worked, and currently I am worse than ever before. My health has deteriorated drastically since around last October. The pains, weakness, unsteadiness, tremor are considered ‘essential tremor’ by a neurologist, and fibromyalgia by a rheumatologist, but there is NO treatment for these…until I take the .88 T4 for a while and if I don’t improve then my g.p. will give me a form of propanolol. This is the same thing I took when I first got Graves’ disease in 1989 and before the radiation. Why is this happening? If the T4 level is so  high then why not just stop the thyroid and become completely hypothyroid, that will calm me and make me placid like a cow, and overweight….which is what happened last year, i basically had ONLY intense muscle pain and hot flashes most of the time. No anxiety or heart pounding attacks, tremors or shivering. I don’t MIND hot flashes. I wish that was all I did have again. I learned to accept and deal with them. I cannot deal with a head tremor and weak muscles. Even my jaw feels sprained after chewing; I cannot hold a cup with one hand. If 100 was such a massive dose that it makes me hyper, then why the combined symptoms which include hypo items like hair loss, cold, confusion, cognitive problems with words and memory, and the rest? My God, I am at the end of my rope, and other than an expensive holistic doctor or naturopath, who might have an insight and might just be a quack, there is nowhere else to turn. It is not a simple matter to change doctors. I can barely stand to go to the ones I do have, that already know my complicated case. It is an ordeal, as everything is such an effort now. But my mind objects, wanting a way out of this nightmare. There surely is a first cause somewhere….the only one I know of is the Graves’ disease, the hyperthyroid suddenly in 1989. Everything else followed. I’ve said this before, I was an energetic, smart, normal looking and successful working mother with many friends and a full life and unbounded energy. And after the treatment I still functioned until 1996 when my body just began to be unable to function. The menopausal stuff began in 1994 and yes I did get worse after that, but nothing helped, and by 1996 I was too disabled to work. Four years now have been lost from my life because of iatrogenic disease. My psychiatrist says it is iatrogenic – doctor-caused. Wrong treatment, wrong pills. I no longer have a thyroid, and nothing replaces it correctly. He just listens to me – he cannot help the physical things and the doctors will not. He gives me Xanax, but i worry that it only makes it worse in the long run, causing rebound anxiety when not taken, as it messes up the GABA receptors in the brain. Yet, I guess I will still rely on it for the worst of the spells I have. Without any thyroid of course I cannot survive, but no combination or amount has worked for long, and these other worse conditions have happened one after another including 3 root canals needed for abcesses in the last year, and continued tooth pain. Despite no sugar in my diet for a year. I read in a doctor’s waiting room once that estrogen is used for every part of the body including the teeth. If that is the case could my tooth problems, nerve problems and the rest all be part of the menopause? I was once an expert on this, I wrote a paper on it that was published to high praise, and now I am too confused to figure it out, as nothing makes sense anymore, and my case does not fit any I read about. I don’t even have hot flashes most of the time and they were not a serious problem for me, in retrospect. I do periodically for a few months and then none. The cold spells and shivering are the thing now. And that totally indicates more thyroid needed, and yet the test shows no, I have even excess T4 in the blood. Any ideas, please, would be welcome. I also have fibromyalgia, and iGa nephropathy, both considered nothing by the medical profession, but those were the diagnoses. I live with constant back pain, but that does not affect my life the way the lack of stable hormones does. I lost 35 pounds since last May, when I deliberately lowered my food intake and did yoga. I continue at the lower weight, but do not lose more as I eat everything I feel like now since I so seldom have any appetite and since food causes indigestion. I felt better when I was obese, but I didn’t like the way I looked. Was it a mistake to diet? I no longer have knee problems, as my doctor promised when the weight came off, and my heel spur also went away. If being obese would restore my stable constitution though I’d do it again, except I am now unable to overeat to the required extent, my digestion won’t allow it. I was told to take Xanax, in November, for the attacks of heart pounding and surging which started in October out of the blue. I took it only sporadically as needed for the worst, then was told to take it every day once the tremors became a daily problem, no matter how I felt, but that did not eliminate the tremors. It just makes me apathetic and totally cut off from the world, mentally it shuts down the brain, which no longer cares. As I don’t like that feeling, I don’t take it in big doses as recommended. I wondered if any of this new stuff was really xanax withdrawal or reaction, as it is known to be highly addictive even … read more »

Response:

Question:

Hi, My son & I are both on Paxil.  I think it’s the best drug I’ve ever taken (so far), and it works very well on my son.  For me, it has the least amount of side effects than Zoloft, Buspar & Luvox. Good luck, Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will it have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated thanks Smurf

Response:

"Smurf" <Smurf…@btinternet.com

wrote in message

news:8si9ta$k6n$1@neptunium.btinternet.com…

I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will

it

have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated

It’s pretty similar to Prozac in many respects but for some people the *initial* side-effects seem to be a bit more dramatic. It has a much shorter half-life than Prozac which means that a week after you stop taking it, the drug will leave your body – Prozac can stay around for much longer. There isn’t too much difference between the 2 drugs. Gareth.

Response:

http://paxil.bizland.com/ check this out first. it works well but it’s hell on earth to get off it!!!! "Smurf" <Smurf…@btinternet.com

wrote in message

news:8si9ta$k6n$1@neptunium.btinternet.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will

it

have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated thanks Smurf

Response:

Paxil helped me a lot more than Prozac ever did. The only bad problem I have ever had with Paxil is when I get a hair up my ass and decide not to take my medicine any more and tried to wean off of it. It is definitely a drug that has to be weaned from slowly. I’ve gotten very dizzy and had these shock like feelings going through my arms if I don’t take it. Ida Smurf <Smurf…@btinternet.com

wrote in message

news:8si9ta$k6n$1@neptunium.btinternet.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will

it

have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated thanks Smurf

Response:

Smurf wrote:

I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will it have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated thanks Smurf

I know I’m starting to sound like a walking advertisement for Paxil, but it’s helped me a lot.  I’ve never been on Prozac, so I can’t compare the two.  I did have some side effects, but they faded pretty quickly.  Can I ask why you’re switching from Prozac to Paxil, and what specifically is worrying you about it? Good luck! — Dave Hollinden   david.hollin…@sdrc.com (work) dholl…@iglou.com       (home)

Response:

I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will it have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated thanks Smurf

Response:

Question:

I have been taking zoloft for 2 years now and I have noticed that I do not feel as good as I had. It did stop my head chatters. I think it is an OCD thought pattern but I am becoming more irritable and tired. Also my BP went up after starting zoloft and I have psoriasis and this also worsened. I am down to 25 mg every other day and will stop all next week. I feel better but some of the thought pattern has come back. This is ok I can deal. Has anyone come off and feel they do not need it anylonger. I weened myself off xanex a year ago and have done great without it also. Joan

Response:

I am down to 25 mg every other day and will stop all next week. A daily Zoloft dose would be preferrable to every other day dosing. I realize those 50 mg tabs are hard to cut up with a knife, but I’ve done it. Chip

Response:

Hi,   I have also been on zoloft for 2 yrs.at one point i went off of them and felt great for about 5 months,then slowly but surely the panic attacks and depression came back. its been over a year since i went back on zoloft,ive been doing really well.but i don’t want to take it forever if i don’t have to.i am also  weening off the zoloft.so far i feel good,but have noticed a few things,dizziness,tingleling around my mouth and heart flutters,im not sure if this is from weening off or these herbs that i am trying(5-htp).i called my doc about it and she said i took too high of a dose of the herb,i think it’s a combo of both.if these herbs don’t work i will go back on zoloft and forget about tring other things.my only complaint about zoloft is the weight i’ve gained,other then that it’s been great.also it did seem like lately it wasn’t working as well,so instead of upping my dose i decided to try 5-htp.   hope this helps. ~~~  Your goals,minus your doubts,equal your reality ~~~~                                Julie

Response:

I  have been prescribed zoloft (25mg 1 week then 50) by my Dr. I went to him complaining of very bad irritability. I mean to say I get mad and aggitated very easily. I had PA’s for about 7 years and they went away after stopping my high caffiene intake and depression runs in my family. The DR. thought that my temper problem could be a mild depression and thus the zoloft pescription. I would like to know what side effects I may have and if anyone has had the same thing prescribed for these symptoms. Dan

Response:

I  have been prescribed zoloft (25mg 1 week then 50) by my Dr. I went to him complaining of very bad irritability. I mean to say I get mad and aggitated very easily. I had PA’s for about 7 years and they went away after stopping my high caffiene intake and depression runs in my family. The DR. thought that my temper problem could be a mild depression and thus the zoloft pescription. I would like to know what side effects I may have and if anyone has had the same thing prescribed for these symptoms. Dan Hi Dan,

I have been on Zoloft 25mg for a couple of months.  It wasn’t my first ssri- I started with Paxil and switched to Zoloft – so I missed out on the weaning on process.  The only thing I did/do experience was stomach discomfort(long story) other than that I can relate to your temper and irritability – I still get that way sometimes but It doesn’t CONSUME me.  I can let it go- no problem.  Sucks living without coffee doesn’t it?- I think I’m going through withdrawal – gosh -I could go for cup right now.  No beer, No cigs, No Coffee- Is this hell or what? Just kidding Bonnie Before you buy.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I  have been prescribed zoloft (25mg 1 week then 50) by my Dr. I went to him complaining of very bad irritability. I mean to say I get mad and aggitated very easily. I had PA’s for about 7 years and they went away after stopping my high caffiene intake and depression runs in my family. The DR. thought that my temper problem could be a mild depression and thus the zoloft pescription. I would like to know what side effects I may have and if anyone has had the same thing prescribed for these symptoms. Dan

Hi Dan, Weaning on it you might not get any side effects. The most noticeable for me was upset stomach and dry mouth. Oh yes I also Yawned allot. If you get side effects that bother you talk to your doctor. You can always cut back to a quarter of the 25. I started out at 12.5 and upped it from there. Charla Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Ah no, actually it is technically not an MAOI I got that all wrong. I am back to my norminal condition now.

Response:

Apparently according to my doc the smallest dose is 50mg. Mabe the pharmesuitical ( ) companies thing that people in the Uk are harder and can start on 50mg *shrug* I had to stop it I could not work. Instead I am going back on st johns whilst waiting to see if I can see a physchatrist.

Response:

Apparently according to my doc the smallest dose is 50mg. Mabe the pharmesuitical ( ) companies thing that people in the Uk are harder and can start on 50mg *shrug* I had to stop it I could not work. Instead I am going back on st johns whilst waiting to see if I can see a physchatrist.

Jason, they should be available in 25mg tablets.  Even if they’re not, invest in a pill cutter and make them smaller (don’t try to use a knife, you’ll wind up with a bunch of powder). Matt

Response:

And that is the same as Sertraline hydroxide isn’t it? I woudn’t worry but I had bad stuff happening on a dose of 50mg.

No wonder as this is far too high a dose to start on. A good starting dose would be 12.5 mg… Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Addendum – I had taken an MAOI for ten days previously. St John’s wort. (hypericum)

It is imperative to have at least a two week washing out period between a MAOI and an SSRI. Whether SJW actually *is* a MAOI remains to be seen but it is sometimes said to have MAOI-like properties at higher doses. Philip

Response:

Addendum – I had taken an MAOI for ten days previously. St John’s wort. (hypericum)

Response:

Can’t SJW +MAOIs cause the same sorts of problems SSRIs or TCAs with MAOIs can? I can’t believe that there wasn’t a waiting period with the MAOI.  This should be very disturbing to you Jason, and suggests strongly you seek another p-doc, or a p-doc if you’re with a GP.  (Though it’s such a basic fact about psychotropic drugs, s/he *had* to know about the risk of mixing MAOIs and SSRIs.) If you’re feeling really depressed and can handle some agitation for a few days, you probably could start at 25mg.  I always start off an SSRI at a really low dose (in this case 12.5mg) because of my high level of anxiety. Matt

Response:

And that is the same as Sertraline hydroxide isn’t it? I woudn’t worry but I had bad stuff happening on a dose of 50mg. These were my symptoms: Day 1 Panic, very anxious, high pulse rate, fidgeting, hot/cold, odd sense of smell/taste, Cannot eat much, Talking to myself more than usual, shaky, hypermania, langauge difficulties, Can’t sleep. DAY 2 Spelling difficulties ( I spelt ofcourse as +ACI-obvcourse+ACI-  ), Slight anxiety, sweating lots, got out of bed 3.30am, felt afraid for some reason. – This is when I decided to stop. I have stopped taking them now. And feel much better. I still have some written langauge difficulties, and some hypertension. It is very rare indeed to get all of these symptoms, it’s wasn’t hugely traumatic and a doctor I saw wasn’t worried. ( tried to persuade me to carry on – but I HAVE to work next week )

Response:

I  have been prescribed zoloft (25mg 1 week then 50) by my Dr. I went to him complaining of very bad irritability. I mean to say I get mad and aggitated very easily. I had PA’s for about 7 years and they went away after stopping my high caffiene intake and depression runs in my family. The DR. thought that my temper problem could be a mild depression and thus the zoloft pescription. I would like to know what side effects I may have and if anyone has had the same thing prescribed for these symptoms. Dan

Dan, SSRIs have a tendency to make people less sensitive to events in their life.  Some people even complain of apathy as a result of taking them. I’ve heard of them being used successfully for irritability, or at least having the effect of making people less irritable.  If I recall correctly (it’s been a while), Peter Kramer even notes this in _Listening to Prozac_ (with respect to Prozac). There is some info on SSRIs and apathy at dr-bob.org/tips  search under "apathy" Best, Matt

Response:

Question:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

Can I just send you pictures instead? -cg

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA Can I just send you pictures instead? -cg What, no web-cam?

i dunno , i’m not done yet . but it don’t feel empty . —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA Can I just send you pictures instead? -cg

What, no web-cam?

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.

As a 70 year old man, I am pleased to report (using various methods) that I have this experience approximately 75 times per month. How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? I take about 6 kinds of medication and it has slowed me down considerably as you can see by my number. And I ask you, docz, can you top this?

Response:

I see no one has dared to give a straight answer on this question.  I wonder why? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

Response:

Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

  Orion The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.        Walden * 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:

I would give an answer, but Mary Beth has me handcuffed under her desk, and I can’t reach the number keys.

+ I see no one has dared to give a straight answer on this question.  I + wonder why? +Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you +experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any +medication you have taken affected this rate? + +TIA — For info about this service, see http://www.twwells.com/anon/ or e-mail:

Response:

i want to see the prevalence sexual disinterest side effect of meds for depression. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -x-no-archive: yes ummmm…why do you wanna know. and  why should we wanna answer? (besides – how do you quantify this when  multiples are taken into consideration?) I see no one has dared to give a straight answer on this question.  I wonder why? Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA – Sasha "I must live this chaos"            - Anais Nin

Response:

female. never achieved orgasm but still have hormones…. sex? whenever i want it, usually a fair bit at the moment. do not get me on the subject of sex when i have work to do… — And if I was an angel I could fly over Jordan And I wouldn’t need no Greyhound to save my soul But maybe that’s a good thing because I’ll be home before I know And if I was an angel I’d have a long way to go — Matraca Berg

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate? TIA

Response:

lines of text: Please answer honestly.  What is your gender and how often do you experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month.  How have any medication you have taken affected this rate?

To have sex you must have a partner to do it with.  whether you a partner or not will affect the frequency of your sex much more than any level of depression would. truthseeker (Don’t forget to change header to seekertruth0 at mindspring.com if replying by email.)

Response:

+Please answer honestly. What is your gender and how often do you +experience orgasm (any means to achieve it) per month. How have any +medication you have taken affected this rate? + +TIA

Well, I’m male, 22 years old, been diagnosed with dysthemia, and i’m on 225mg of Effexor Daily… With regards to sex, well, i’ll just say, i rub my firemans purple helmet till he spits in my eye(!)  one or twice a week, (8 to 10 times a month) or if i’m feeling fruity… I was one Seroxat once, which stopped my fireman sneezing!!!!!! (Not a very pleasant side effect, let me tell you). Oh, one more thing, i’ve also got a blue dick, as i’m a tight fisted wanker!!!!! DepressedNudist Before you buy.

Response:

Sorry to topple you Stan…. but I have approximately (give or take a hundred) 289 & 1/2 orgasms with my g/f – all of course simultaneously with her! per week! This is despite the fact she lives on another continent! We must just be really good at sex!  :) God Im good! As is she! Lee * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

I would give an answer, but Mary Beth has me handcuffed under her desk, and I can’t reach the number keys.

Shut up or I’ll tighten them again. Mary Beth

Response:

Sorry to topple you Stan…. but I have approximately (give or take a hundred) 289 & 1/2 orgasms with my g/f – all of course simultaneously with her! per week! This is despite the fact she lives on another continent! We must just be really good at sex!  :) God Im good! As is she!

I yield to a champion.:-)) Stan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Lee * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

very, very easily thank you very much. And no, i don’t need *your* help so stay the hell away from me *plonk* away you go — *** DO NOT ADJUST YOUR MIND; THE FAULT IS WITH REALITY! Adam came first. But then, men always do. God created men because a vibrator couldn’t mow the lawn so you can make me cum — that doesn’t make you jesus

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gnomie said: <<never achieved orgasm Oh, that is so sad. How can you put up with that kind of life?

Response:

Gnomie said: <<never achieved orgasm Oh, that is so sad. How can you put up with that kind of life?

Response:

Question:

After about 7 months on Paxil, I started becoming very depressed.  My pdoc reduced the dosage and I was better, but then the pa’s started to get worse again.  When she increased the Paxil, the depression returned.  So now I’m off Paxil.  Actually, I wish the depression hadn’t happened, I was doing pretty good on Paxil for a while. Peg

Response:

 Hi Lynne, The SSRIs can induce or exacerbate movement disorders (possibly related to their effects on dopamine). I had a temporary increase in my restless legs syndrome (RLS) after a Zoloft increase which resolved after a Zoloft dose reduction. Zoloft has more effect on dopamine reuptake than any of the other SSRIs, and thus may cause these problems more frequently than other SSRIs. Bruxism (teeth grinding) can be brought on by an SSRI. A temporary reduction in your Paxil dose may resolve this problem, as may the addition of certain meds (Bromocriptine for one, I think). It’s also possible you’re exeriencing Paxil "poop out" with lessening of anti-aNXIETY EFFECTS AND NEED A DOSAGE ADJUSTMENT OR AUGMENTATION with another med. Good luck, Chip P.s. if I were in your situation I think I would try a reduction in Paxil dose and see if the teethgrinding improved. I have been taking Paxil for a year and a half and have suddenly developed what I think may be new side effects to the medicine. I was wondering if anyone else has had a side effect pop up after being on the medicine for quite awhile?. I am suddenly more nervous, anxious and generally stressed for no known reason. I have developed jaw clenching and have to wear a mouth guard at night. My jaw and neck also get tight during the day. I have had other side effects like insomnia all the way along, but not this new "tension" stuff. Thanks for any help or insight. Lynne

Response:

So your saying everyone is not entitled their own opinion?  Kiss my ass. Xanman — Depressed?  Anxious?  http://members.tripod.com/Xanman22/index.html Xanland – http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/9098/ Xanland – A little insanity in an sane wolf.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Not good to share with the group.  Some people have done great on paxil. I for one don’t want to read what bad things can happen.  Remember, every med reacts differently with everyone. What kind of support is this group for then? You should not share bad experiences with meds? How about bad emotional phases, are they "allowed"? Nonsense. This is a support group, and in order to get support, we have to share the good with the bad. If somebody is in distress because they are unsure what to think of a med they are taking, why should they not ask others about it? It was not a "all meds are evil" mail after all. Skreee http://members.xoom.com/Skreee/James/JamesMason.html

Response:

I have been taking Paxil for a year and a half and have suddenly developed what I think may be new side effects to the medicine.  I was wondering if anyone else has had a side effect pop up after being on the medicine for quite awhile?.  I am suddenly more nervous, anxious and generally stressed for no known reason.  I have developed jaw clenching and have to wear a mouth guard at night.  My jaw and neck also get tight during the day.  I have had other side effects like insomnia all the way along, but not this new "tension" stuff.  Thanks for any help or insight.  Lynne

Response:

Not good to share with the group.  Some people have done great on paxil.  I for one don’t want to read what bad things can happen.  Remember, every med reacts differently with everyone. Xanman — Depressed?  Anxious?  http://members.tripod.com/Xanman22/index.html Xanland – http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Gallery/9098/ Xanland – A little insanity in an sane wolf.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been taking Paxil for a year and a half and have suddenly developed what I think may be new side effects to the medicine.  I was wondering if anyone else has had a side effect pop up after being on the medicine for quite awhile?.  I am suddenly more nervous, anxious and generally stressed for no known reason.  I have developed jaw clenching and have to wear a mouth guard at night.  My jaw and neck also get tight during the day.  I have had other side effects like insomnia all the way along, but not this new "tension" stuff.  Thanks for any help or insight.  Lynne

Response:

My jaw and neck also get tight during the day.  I have had other side effects like insomnia all the way along, but not this new "tension" stuff.

Hello, I am experiencing this too.  I have to mentally remind myself to loosen my jaw.  I did not think it was because of the paxil though, but who knows.  I get the insomnia occasionally, but to cope with that I switch to taking the pill in the morning for a few days and that seems to fix it.  I don’t know what to think about the jaw clenching, but do not feel it is serious enough to stop the paxil. Take Care, Amy Jo

Response:

HI Lynne, I have the same symptoms of jaw clenching, I know how unpleasant it can be. I had a mouth guard many years ago (at the time we thought it was TMJ).  The guard doesn’t fit any more so now I am getting a partial upper plate (if the damn Dentist would just call me back).  I do relaxation exercises to help me relaxe those clenched muscles.  Oh BTW, I don’t take Paxil. Cathy — P.H.O.B.I.A. People Helping Others Become Independent Again Off-line Self Help Support Group, NJ http://community.nj.com/cc/phobia Anxiety Treatment Options http://www.members.tripod.com/~PhobiaGroup/index.html

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been taking Paxil for a year and a half and have suddenly developed what I think may be new side effects to the medicine.  I was wondering if anyone else has had a side effect pop up after being on the medicine for quite awhile?.  I am suddenly more nervous, anxious and generally stressed for no known reason.  I have developed jaw clenching and have to wear a mouth guard at night.  My jaw and neck also get tight during the day.  I have had other side effects like insomnia all the way along, but not this new "tension" stuff.  Thanks for any help or insight.  Lynne

Response:

I have been taking Paxil for a year and a half and have suddenly developed what I think may be new side effects to the medicine.  I was wondering if anyone else has had a side effect pop up after being on the medicine for quite awhile?.  I am suddenly more nervous, anxious and generally stressed for no known reason.  I have developed jaw clenching and have to wear a mouth guard at night.  My jaw and neck also get tight during the day.  I have had other side effects like insomnia all the way along, but not this new "tension" stuff.  Thanks for any help or insight.  Lynne

Dear Lynn, You really should talk to your doctor about how poorly you are feeling. IMO…..it sounds like the Paxil dose you are on is not as effective as it was and you are experiencing a increase in your anxiety. There was recently a thread on SSRI anti-depressants and jaw clenching, it could be a side-effect of Paxil. Jaw clenching is also a symptom of anxiety, and you seem to be living with alot of tension and anxiety right now. You need to talk to your doctor, treatment might include increasing your paxil dose, or augmenting it with another med. Also, have you ever looked into CBT? P.S.  It wouldn`t hurt to have a good checkup with your doctor to rule out any physical causes of these symptoms. Take care. Jackie

Response:

I have been taking Paxil for a year and a half and have suddenly developed what I think may be new side effects to the medicine.  I was wondering if anyone else has had a side effect pop up after being on the medicine for quite awhile?

I feel like some of the effects have really come and gone.  I’ve had almost all of them, it seems, but few have lasted the whole time so far. But how I think about it right now is that they are all tolerable except for weight gain.  And that’s interesting, because I know that without the drug I would totally be in fear of all of them.

Response:

Paxil definitely causes some people to involuntarily clench their jaws and/or grind their teeth (bruxism). I had my dentist custom-make a nighttime mouth guard for me, and that has helped a lot… I was getting a very sore TMJ (temporomandibular joint or something like that — where your jaw hinges to your head, just below your ear) from grinding my teeth all night. I still grind my teeth sometimes during the day but try to prevent it by reminding myself all the time. If it doesn’t look too silly, or when you’re alone, try sticking just the tip of your tongue between your teeth so you won’t bite down or clench! (You can do this with your mouth closed.) So far I’ve cracked two molars, loosened a canine tooth, and scraped the enamel off the tops of my front teeth — all from this newly intensified teeth-grinding since I’ve been on Paxil (one year plus two months). But for me — IT’s WORTH IT! Paxil has worked too well for my panic and depression for me to consider discontinuing it; I’ll stick with my mouth guard and other tricks to try and save my teeth.  :-) – Anne —

Response:

Question:

Hello All, I’ve been bipolar for years and have anxiety that truly gets in the way. Well last Wed. I saw a therapist for the first time in many years and told her how I felt. Friday I get a call from her saying that my pdoc wants me to go on Celexa asap. I’m a little reluctant as I just got off Serzone a month or so ago. (I never thought I had any luck with A/D’s at all). Does anone take Celexa here? I found out its only been out since July/98. If so e-mail me your results, I would appreciate it. Ihave the bottle sitting here but not sure if I’m going to use it. Please Help!!! Thanks…Mike

Response:

Mike ,     On thursday when I see my Psychiatrist I am going to ask to try Celexa. I have worn out Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, Lithium ( not for me at all, made me a zombie) and Luvox. Would love to hear from anyone also , why they took it, how they felt. pcangel

Response:

This is a question for those who have tried celexa.  Could you tell me the following? 1.  did it help you 2.  dosage 3.  side effects I am going to try celexa and wanted to know a little bit what to expect. Thank you for your input. debbie m.

Response:

I have been on for about a year and it has helped me greatly !!! Little noticable side effects. It takes about a month or so to get the full benefit- so dont give up too soon. I started out taking 1 pink tablet = 20 mg. But now I take 1 and 1/2  = 30 mg daily. good luck

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This is a question for those who have tried celexa.  Could you tell me the following? 1.  did it help you 2.  dosage 3.  side effects I am going to try celexa and wanted to know a little bit what to expect. Thank you for your input. debbie m.

Response:

From ~ dawn ~: I have been on for about a year and it has helped me greatly !!! Little noticable side effects. It takes about a month or so to get the full benefit- so dont give up too soon. I started out taking 1 pink tablet = 20 mg. But now I take 1 and 1/2  = 30 mg daily. good luck

I think it’s a great antidepressant, and I’ve taken a lot of them. Doesn’t make me drowsy, but doesn’t make me speedy either. I take 30 mg, too. It’s kind of like a second generation Prozac, with the "kinks" worked out. At least that’s what my therapist says… -kk – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This is a question for those who have tried celexa.  Could you tell me the following? 1.  did it help you 2.  dosage 3.  side effects I am going to try celexa and wanted to know a little bit what to expect. Thank you for your input. debbie m.

  <<<<http://members.home.net/karensears<<<< – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

This is a question for those who have tried celexa.  Could you tell me the following? 1.  did it help you 2.  dosage 3.  side effects I am going to try celexa and wanted to know a little bit what to expect. Thank you for your input. debbie m.

Response:

I have been on for about a year and it has helped me greatly !!! Little noticable side effects. It takes about a month or so to get the full benefit- so dont give up too soon. I started out taking 1 pink tablet = 20 mg. But now I take 1 and 1/2  = 30 mg daily. good luck

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This is a question for those who have tried celexa.  Could you tell me the following? 1.  did it help you 2.  dosage 3.  side effects I am going to try celexa and wanted to know a little bit what to expect. Thank you for your input. debbie m.

Response:

From ~ dawn ~: I have been on for about a year and it has helped me greatly !!! Little noticable side effects. It takes about a month or so to get the full benefit- so dont give up too soon. I started out taking 1 pink tablet = 20 mg. But now I take 1 and 1/2  = 30 mg daily. good luck

I think it’s a great antidepressant, and I’ve taken a lot of them. Doesn’t make me drowsy, but doesn’t make me speedy either. I take 30 mg, too. It’s kind of like a second generation Prozac, with the "kinks" worked out. At least that’s what my therapist says… -kk – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This is a question for those who have tried celexa.  Could you tell me the following? 1.  did it help you 2.  dosage 3.  side effects I am going to try celexa and wanted to know a little bit what to expect. Thank you for your input. debbie m.

  <<<<http://members.home.net/karensears<<<< – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response: