Question:

Increasing one’s albuterol is not one of the recommended answers to falling peak flows. Inhaled steroids… yes. The overall goal is to use as little of the albuterol as possible. This should have been something that your doctor discussed. I would certainly call your doctor if your peak flows fall below 80%… and I would expect some immediate treatment.

Response:

I have a question. I recently started on Pulmicort and Accolate. For the past week, I have had very few symptoms and haven’t used any albuterol. My peak flow is running from 80% to 85% of peak. This means my peak flow is about 400 most of the time with my max at 500. The question is this, should I use albuterol when I reach the 80% mark? Or should I pass it up since I feel OK? I haven’t been using it on the theory that the least medicine is the best. I’d like to see your opinions on this. I haven’t had a chance to get back to my doctor for a while. Probably won’t see him until April. Thanks, Jim

Response:

Question:

Hi all, My shrink firmly believes that I am feeding my own panic and I think he may have a point.  This is coming from a girl whose had this crappy disorder for 17 years and thought she had no fear left.  Lately I find that the increased zoloft dose I’m on helps, but in no way like it used to. The klonopin I took for three months helped a great deal, but I was told it wasn’t good to stay on and is hell to come off.  Since I want to have a baby in 3 years, and can only do it on 50mg of zoloft or less I decided to try CBT.  I’m tired of popping pills, tired of relapses trying to get off meds, tired of coming all this way and falling down.  I haven’t tried CBT yet, and have heard good things about it. HAVE YOU EVER DONE IT..AND IF SO DID IT HELP AT ALL? It’s expensive, but it’s a good investment.  What could be better than investing in your health?  Even if it works I’m gonna stay at a low dose of zoloft, cause I learned the hard way that coming totally off can be a bad descision, and getting back on it isn’t as effective.  I beleive in the mind/body link and think this could help me.  WHAT DO YOU THINK? Always, AD

Response:

I haven’t tried CBT yet, and have heard good things about it. HAVE YOU EVER DONE IT..AND IF SO DID IT HELP AT ALL?

AD, What I learned in therapy (CBT) kept me out of the hospital the end of December, when I went into one of my spiraling, deep depressions.   It was the first time I’ve ever been that sick and was able to bounce back without a hospitalization.  It has helped me VERY much.  I hope you have as much success with it as I have.  I am very glad that I got a therapist that knew how to counsel me in it. Sara    ^..^< Anxiety, I can’t get nothin done Anxiety destroys all the fun – Pat Benetar

Response:

Hi all, My shrink firmly believes that I am feeding my own panic and I think he may have a point.  This is coming from a girl whose had this crappy disorder for 17 years and thought she had no fear left.  Lately I find that the increased zoloft dose I’m on helps, but in no way like it used to. The klonopin I took for three months helped a great deal, but I was told it wasn’t good to stay on and is hell to come off.  Since I want to have a baby in 3 years, and can only do it on 50mg of zoloft or less I decided to try CBT.  I’m tired of popping pills, tired of relapses trying to get off meds, tired of coming all this way and falling down.  I haven’t tried CBT yet, and have heard good things about it. HAVE YOU EVER DONE IT..AND IF SO DID IT HELP AT ALL?

Have a look at: http://www.webdesignsw.com/benzos/Cognitive%20behaviour%20therapy-4%2… You may find something there that will answer your questions. HTH [...]

Response:

Have a look at: http://www.webdesignsw.com/benzos/Cognitive%20behaviour%20therapy-4%2… You may find something there that will answer your questions. HTH

Hello, Thanks for the article. I found it very interesting. AD

Response:

Have a look at: http://www.webdesignsw.com/benzos/Cognitive%20behaviour%20therapy-4%2… You may find something there that will answer your questions. HTH Hello, Thanks for the article. I found it very interesting.

I’m pleased to have been able to help. ;o)

Response:

Hi AD Yes I have been through CBT and it really helped me. It took a combination of CBT and medication (xanax)but it did the trick. I could barely leave my home before and now I am able to lead a relatively normal life. I do hope you have really good success with it. Deb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, My shrink firmly believes that I am feeding my own panic and I think he may have a point.  This is coming from a girl whose had this crappy disorder for 17 years and thought she had no fear left.  Lately I find that the increased zoloft dose I’m on helps, but in no way like it used to. The klonopin I took for three months helped a great deal, but I was told it wasn’t good to stay on and is hell to come off.  Since I want to have a baby in 3 years, and can only do it on 50mg of zoloft or less I decided to try CBT.  I’m tired of popping pills, tired of relapses trying to get off meds, tired of coming all this way and falling down.  I haven’t tried CBT yet, and have heard good things about it. HAVE YOU EVER DONE IT..AND IF SO DID IT HELP AT ALL? It’s expensive, but it’s a good investment.  What could be better than investing in your health?  Even if it works I’m gonna stay at a low dose of zoloft, cause I learned the hard way that coming totally off can be a bad descision, and getting back on it isn’t as effective.  I beleive in the mind/body link and think this could help me.  WHAT DO YOU THINK? Always, AD

Response:

I do hope you have really good success with it. Deb

Hi Deb, Thanks for letting me know how CBT worked for you.  I am very excited about starting, but it is so expensive and i can’t find a therapist who is totally covered by my insurance.  A lot of CBT therepists I called said they don’t work with insurance companies because the demand for CBT is so high, they don’t have to!  Good for them, bad for me. Always, AD

Response:

Part of CBT is practicing it yourself.  Check out some good books on it and they should help you.  If you see a therapist every few weeks or so the CBT books will help you practice what the therapist offers. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I do hope you have really good success with it. Deb Hi Deb, Thanks for letting me know how CBT worked for you.  I am very excited about starting, but it is so expensive and i can’t find a therapist who is totally covered by my insurance.  A lot of CBT therepists I called said they don’t work with insurance companies because the demand for CBT is so high, they don’t have to!  Good for them, bad for me. Always, AD

Response:

HAVE YOU EVER DONE IT..AND IF SO DID IT HELP AT ALL? It’s expensive, but it’s a good investment.  What could be better than investing in your health?  Even if it works I’m gonna stay at a low dose of zoloft, cause I learned the hard way that coming totally off can be a bad descision, and getting back on it isn’t as effective.  I beleive in the mind/body link and think this could help me.  WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I am a strong advocate of CBT as it helped turn my life around many years ago and 18 months ago after a huge setback. The great thing about it is that even if you have setbacks you can re-apply the strategies you learn. As Mr Anxiety suggested putting the theory into practice is critical. BTW I understand your reluctance to stay on klonopin but it is the other reason I have managed my condition so well. Vanessa

Response:

My pdoc is going to start CBT w/me and told my fdoc to not renew my benzo script because it interferes with success and the rate of relapse is higher. Has your dr said anything to this effect?  Lucky me that I got another anti-benzo doc.  Just curious because the thought of not having them if I need it frightens me. — ~Heidi~

Hi AD Yes I have been through CBT and it really helped me. It took a combination of CBT and medication (xanax)but it did the trick. I could barely leave my home before and now I am able to lead a relatively normal life. I do hope you have really good success with it. Deb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, My shrink firmly believes that I am feeding my own panic and I think he may have a point.  This is coming from a girl whose had this crappy disorder for 17 years and thought she had no fear left.  Lately I find that the increased zoloft dose I’m on helps, but in no way like it used to. The klonopin I took for three months helped a great deal, but I was told it wasn’t good to stay on and is hell to come off.  Since I want to have a baby in 3 years, and can only do it on 50mg of zoloft or less I decided to try CBT.  I’m tired of popping pills, tired of relapses trying to get off meds, tired of coming all this way and falling down.  I haven’t tried CBT yet, and have heard good things about it. HAVE YOU EVER DONE IT..AND IF SO DID IT HELP AT ALL? It’s expensive, but it’s a good investment.  What could be better than investing in your health?  Even if it works I’m gonna stay at a low dose of zoloft, cause I learned the hard way that coming totally off can be a bad descision, and getting back on it isn’t as effective.  I beleive in the mind/body link and think this could help me.  WHAT DO YOU THINK? Always, AD

Response:

My pdoc is going to start CBT w/me and told my fdoc to not renew my benzo script because it interferes with success and the rate of relapse is higher. Has your dr said anything to this effect?  Lucky me that I got another anti-benzo doc.  Just curious because the thought of not having them if I need it frightens me.

There is no hard evidence that CBT without meds works better and has a lower relapse rate than CBT with meds but some CBT hardliners entertain this idea. If you can do without meds that’s great of course but I wouldn’t recommend stopping the regular daily use of a benzo while starting CBT, it tends to muddle the picture IMO. If you take a benzo every now and then *as needed* it can be tried though. What benzo do you take and how often at what dose? Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — ~Heidi~ Hi AD Yes I have been through CBT and it really helped me. It took a combination of CBT and medication (xanax)but it did the trick. I could barely leave my home before and now I am able to lead a relatively normal life. I do hope you have really good success with it. Deb Hi all, My shrink firmly believes that I am feeding my own panic and I think he may have a point.  This is coming from a girl whose had this crappy disorder for 17 years and thought she had no fear left.  Lately I find that the increased zoloft dose I’m on helps, but in no way like it used to. The klonopin I took for three months helped a great deal, but I was told it wasn’t good to stay on and is hell to come off.  Since I want to have a baby in 3 years, and can only do it on 50mg of zoloft or less I decided to try CBT.  I’m tired of popping pills, tired of relapses trying to get off meds, tired of coming all this way and falling down.  I haven’t tried CBT yet, and have heard good things about it. HAVE YOU EVER DONE IT..AND IF SO DID IT HELP AT ALL? It’s expensive, but it’s a good investment.  What could be better than investing in your health?  Even if it works I’m gonna stay at a low dose of zoloft, cause I learned the hard way that coming totally off can be a bad descision, and getting back on it isn’t as effective.  I beleive in the mind/body link and think this could help me.  WHAT DO YOU THINK? Always, AD

Response:

Hi Heidi My pdoc is going to start CBT w/me and told my fdoc to not renew my benzo script because it interferes with success and the rate of relapse is higher.

I took xanax the whole six months I was in therapy. My therapist didnt have a problem with it. I doubt I would have even gone to the sessions if I couldnt take the medicine. I was also agorophobic at the time and just being away from home for an hour was terrifying to me but taking the xanax before I left allowed me to calm down enough to be able to go. I cant imagine what it would have been like if I didnt have it. Good luck with your CBT and I hope the Pdoc changes his mind and allows you to take the meds if you feel you really need them to get through it. Deb

Response:

Question:

Yoga can help to relax. Meditation is mehtode for relaxation. More active and proven to be helpful with depression is running. I only have a link to a dutch site about running therapie, but i’m sure ther will be more in your language if you’ll seek with a searchengine Take Care and Good Luck – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello there, Having recently being diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I have started to regularly take my zoloft, xanax and risperdal. They kinda work, although the strange skin sensitivity (imaginary I guess) and the hair-loss (very actual, I am afraid) continue. But I feel not-so-down Browsing through the newsgroup, I found some tips about things we can do to help ourselves. Any ideas anyone? Or any URLs to study? I would try *anything*. For example physical excercise, mentioned in one of the previous messages, seems to be a good idea. Do you favor weight lifting or something more on the aerobic kind? All ideas welcomed and needed. Regards,  Sofia (Athens-Greece)

Response:

9:46 AM: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello there, Having recently being diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I have started to regularly take my zoloft, xanax and risperdal. They kinda work, although the strange skin sensitivity (imaginary I guess) and the hair-loss (very actual, I am afraid) continue. But I feel not-so-down Browsing through the newsgroup, I found some tips about things we can do to help ourselves. Any ideas anyone? Or any URLs to study? I would try *anything*. For example physical excercise, mentioned in one of the previous messages, seems to be a good idea. Do you favor weight lifting or something more on the aerobic kind? All ideas welcomed and needed. Regards, Sofia (Athens-Greece)

either weight-lifting or aerobics or anything else that you enjoy and will do regularly will help you. I go for walks.  i like walking because it doesn’t require special equipment or training, and walking can take me to new places at a pace that will allow me to see my surrondings.  but that’s me.  back in college i took ballet as an exercise class, and always felt better afterward. also food:  it is pretty well documented now that food which contains omega-3 fatty acids help with depression.  the best sources are fish like tuna and salmon (but not the farmed salmon, it has to be wild).  their might be other sources, but i don’t remember them.  if you do a search on google.com, then you’ll probably find more than you need to know. good luck. Erminia

Response:

All ideas welcomed and needed.

Here’s a URL, maybe you’ve seen it already: http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html — Compute Free <http://debian.org<http://freedos.org<http://openbsd.org  Get a Life <http://gadenrelief.org<http://ipb.org<http://www.msf.org <http://icbl.org<http://www.icrc.org<http://iwpr.net<http://rawa.org <http://greenpeace.org<http://gush-shalom.org<http://warresisters.org

Response:

Hello there, Having recently being diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I have started to regularly take my zoloft, xanax and risperdal. They kinda work, although the strange skin sensitivity (imaginary I guess) and the hair-loss (very actual, I am afraid) continue. But I feel not-so-down Browsing through the newsgroup, I found some tips about things we can do to help ourselves. Any ideas anyone? Or any URLs to study? I would try *anything*. For example physical excercise, mentioned in one of the previous messages, seems to be a good idea. Do you favor weight lifting or something more on the aerobic kind? All ideas welcomed and needed. Regards,  Sofia (Athens-Greece)

Response:

Thanks guys, these advices are very interesting. I’ll try running asap, although I am scared that it might let the mind unfocused to hover towards unpleasent thoughts. Swimming definitely did that. Maybe dancing is more appropriate for me.. Thanks again

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello there, Having recently being diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I have started to regularly take my zoloft, xanax and risperdal. They kinda work, although the strange skin sensitivity (imaginary I guess) and the hair-loss (very actual, I am afraid) continue. But I feel not-so-down Browsing through the newsgroup, I found some tips about things we can do to help ourselves. Any ideas anyone? Or any URLs to study? I would try *anything*. For example physical excercise, mentioned in one of the previous messages, seems to be a good idea. Do you favor weight lifting or something more on the aerobic kind?

I have been going to the local fitness center for over a year now. They recommended a program of both strength training and aerobics. I go three times a week and use the Nautilus machines for strength training and then use a treadmill for 30 minutes of aerobics. I definitely feel better after each session. I am more relaxed and problems seem to disappear or be less of a strain on me. (And, in addition it is very healthy.) Another thing is to do things that keep your mind focused. For example, I am better off being online and actively involved in news groups or editing photographs or chatting than I am to be watching TV. My therapist has helped me to realize that we all need to have meaningful things to do- meaningful to us. Stan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – All ideas welcomed and needed. Regards,  Sofia (Athens-Greece)

Response:

Question:

Philately = the study of stamps (FIH-lah-teh-lee) Philatelist = (fih-LAH-ta-list) Damn. That’s not what *I* thought it meant.

Philatelists do it first class, don’tcha know? <g Myra

Response:

I just figured out something. I drink a lot of ice tea, I mean a lot. At lunch I usually can put away about 5-8 tall glasses of the stuff. Now, tea has some carbs. I wonder how much extra carbs I’m getting. Anyone?

Response:

I just figured out something. I drink a lot of ice tea, I mean a lot. At lunch I usually can put away about 5-8 tall glasses of the stuff. Now, tea has some carbs. I wonder how much extra carbs I’m getting. Anyone? You can look up any food or drink at: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl According to them, brewed unsweetened tea is approx .71 carbs per 8 ounce cup. Brewed unsweetened herbal teas are approx. .47 carbs per 8 ounce cup.

Response:

I just figured out something. I drink a lot of ice tea, I mean a lot. At lunch I usually can put away about 5-8 tall glasses of the stuff. Now, tea has some carbs. I wonder how much extra carbs I’m getting. Anyone?

My cookbook software lists 8 cups of tea, brewed, as 5.8 carb. CAD 2/94 LC 7/01 188/167/126

Response:

I just figured out something. I drink a lot of ice tea, I mean a lot. At lunch I usually can put away about 5-8 tall glasses of the stuff. Now, tea has some carbs. I wonder how much extra carbs I’m getting. Anyone? My cookbook software lists 8 cups of tea, brewed, as 5.8 carb.

… and if  you’re adding and AS packet to each glass, add another five to  8g of carbs.  DAMN those sneaky carbs! — Stop By And Sign My Guest Book! My LC Home Page:  http://www.angelfire.com/nc3/marengo Peter

Response:

Not to mention all the caffeine. – Violet

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just figured out something. I drink a lot of ice tea, I mean a lot. At lunch I usually can put away about 5-8 tall glasses of the stuff. Now, tea has some carbs. I wonder how much extra carbs I’m getting. Anyone? My cookbook software lists 8 cups of tea, brewed, as 5.8 carb. … and if  you’re adding and AS packet to each glass, add another five to  8g of carbs.  DAMN those sneaky carbs! — Stop By And Sign My Guest Book! My LC Home Page:  http://www.angelfire.com/nc3/marengo Peter

Response:

… and if  you’re adding and AS packet to each glass, add another five to  8g of carbs.  DAMN those sneaky carbs!

I will never give up my beloved teas!  NEVER! Of course, I don’t use sweeteners, lemon or cream, and I try to keep my tea consumption to just a couple of times a week. The thing is – I’m hooked on teas the way an oenologist is hooked on wines.   And it didn’t help matters much when a new restaurant opened up nearby that not only has quite a few low-carb food choices, but the biggest tea selection I have ever seen.  And you can buy teas to take home, too!   My last visit to the place netted me an ounce of lapsang souchong (a tea I’ve been looking for for *years*), as well as a lovely oolong and the best jasmine tea I’ve ever tried.  (I went for one of each kind – black, oolong and green.)  And I’ve hardly even scratched the surface. One of my great pleasures is to sit down with a cup of one of my teas (brewed loose-leaf in a French press), and just relax.  <g Myra

Response:

Oenologist. Myra, is that pronounced "ween ol o jist" as it would have been if it were a Latin word? Because if it is, I’m gonna love springing it on my 13 year old. CAD 2/94 LC 7/01 188/167/126

Response:

Oenologist. Myra, is that pronounced "ween ol o jist" as it would have been if it were a Latin word? Because if it is, I’m gonna love springing it on my 13 year old.

Oenology is a variant of enology, which is pronounced "eh-nah-low-gee."  I guess it would be pronounced "eh-nah-low-jist." Here’s some other words – all directly related to my business – to spring on your kidlet: Philately = the study of stamps (FIH-lah-teh-lee) Philatelist = (fih-LAH-ta-list) Numismatics = the study of coins (NOO-miz-mah-tiks) Numismatist = (noo-MIZ-mah-tist) Deltiology = the study of postcards (DEL-tee-ah-low-gee) Deltiologist = (del-TEE-ah-low-jist) <g Myra

Response:

My last visit to the place netted me an ounce of lapsang souchong (a tea I’ve been looking for for *years*), as well as a lovely oolong and the best jasmine tea I’ve ever tried.  (I went for one of each kind – black, oolong and green.)  And I’ve hardly even scratched the surface.

Ooooohhhhhh Myra.  It’s a good thing I don’t live anywhere near you or I’d be there buying them up regularly.  I’m LLLLLOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE tea, unadulterated of course.  Lapsang (aka Bushfire Tea) is a real favourite of mine, as are both oolong and jasmine.   One of my great pleasures is to sit down with a cup of one of my teas (brewed loose-leaf in a French press), and just relax.  <g Myra

I love using my Favourite Teapot (actually, an old china Coffee pot painted with delicate violets, part of a demitasse kit I picked up for a song in an antique shop about 15 years ago) together with one of my collection of fine bone china teacups with a Really Good Tea.  My favourite cup is a deep burgundy with delicate traceries of gold leaf, 3 darling little legs (yes, legs – similar in shape though not (of course) in size to those found on clawfooted bath tubs) also gold. The inside of the cup is a delicate mother-of-pearl finish and the saucer is also mother-of-pearl and gold, and has deep indented ‘cut work’ edge that makes it appear to be edged in china ‘lace’.  Even an average tea seems to taste better when drunk from such beautiful things. Aramanth (sipping a mug of Earl Grey as I type).

Response:

Ooooohhhhhh Myra.  It’s a good thing I don’t live anywhere near you or I’d be there buying them up regularly.  

I have to keep myself away.  Those teas are *expensive* – up to $200 a pound ($387 AUS).  Of course, I only buy one ounce at a time…. LOL! I’m LLLLLOOOOOVVVVVEEEEE tea, unadulterated of course.

Of course.  Putting stuff in tea just kills the taste. Lapsang (aka Bushfire Tea) is a real favourite of mine, as are both oolong and jasmine.

Is that what you call it there?  I think of it as hickory-smoked tea.   Or tarry tea.  It just has that wonderful aroma and flavor – so rich, that I keep myself to no more than a cup of it a week. I love using my Favourite Teapot (actually, an old china Coffee pot painted with delicate violets, part of a demitasse kit I picked up for a song in an antique shop about 15 years ago) together with one of my collection of fine bone china teacups with a Really Good Tea.  

Sounds lovely!  And those special finds in little shops are so much more fun to have than anything you could get in a big department store.  I call it the thrill of the hunt. Alas, I never got into tea cups, preferring mugs instead.  Besides my French press, I have a teapot-for-one that comes with a 12-ounce pot, lid and cup that fits over the top.  I also have my Portmeirion botanical garden pattern – pot, tray and four mugs. There’s a little store about a mile from where I live called "Almost and Perfect English China," that has all kinds of interesting little things – a very good store if you’re missing a piece of something or other.  I remember the lid to my Portmeirion pot was broken (either an earthquake or move – I don’t remember now), and they had a replacement for me. My favourite cup is a deep burgundy with delicate traceries of gold leaf, 3 darling little legs (yes, legs – similar in shape though not (of course) in size to those found on clawfooted bath tubs) also gold. The inside of the cup is a delicate mother-of-pearl finish and the saucer is also mother-of-pearl and gold, and has deep indented ‘cut work’ edge that makes it appear to be edged in china ‘lace’.  Even an average tea seems to taste better when drunk from such beautiful things.

Oh, that cup sounds gorgeous!  Beats hell out of my favorite Boynton cat mug – the one with the big cat on it with the caption, "I am not fat.   I’m fluffy!" (sipping a mug of Earl Grey as I type).

Ah, there, now you’ve lost me.  I’m just not an Earl Grey fan – the bergemot oil tastes weird to me. Myra Sipping a mug of Eight Immortals Oolong

Response:

Oenologist. Myra, is that pronounced "ween ol o jist" as it would have been if it were a Latin word? Because if it is, I’m gonna love springing it on my 13 year old. Oenology is a variant of enology, which is pronounced

"eh-nah-low-gee."  I guess it would be pronounced "eh-nah-low-jist." Here’s some other words – all directly related to my business – to spring on your kidlet: Philately = the study of stamps (FIH-lah-teh-lee) Philatelist = (fih-LAH-ta-list) Numismatics = the study of coins (NOO-miz-mah-tiks) Numismatist = (noo-MIZ-mah-tist) Deltiology = the study of postcards (DEL-tee-ah-low-gee) Deltiologist = (del-TEE-ah-low-jist)

Myram I love when you talk dirty!  <g — Stop By And Sign My Guest Book! My LC Home Page:  http://www.angelfire.com/nc3/marengo Peter

Response:

Myram I love when you talk dirty!  <g

You want to see dirty (messy)?  You should see our office – looks like Santa’s Workshop exploded into a stamp show.  Oy. Myra Busy scanning stamps and inspecting toy soldiers today

Response:

Ooooohhhhhh Myra.  It’s a good thing I don’t live anywhere near you or I’d be there buying them up regularly.   I have to keep myself away.  Those teas are *expensive* – up to $200 a pound ($387 AUS).  Of course, I only buy one ounce at a time…. LOL!

I’d have to limit myself to that, too, at those prices.  Good thing you can get a lot of cups from an ounce of leaves! Lapsang (aka Bushfire Tea) is a real favourite of mine, as are both oolong and jasmine. Is that what you call it there?  I think of it as hickory-smoked tea.   Or tarry tea.  It just has that wonderful aroma and flavor – so rich, that I keep myself to no more than a cup of it a week.

Most people just call it "urgh"!  "Bushfire Tea" is the name a friend and I gave it after the Ash Wednesday Fires (January 83?  I think – substantial amounts of bushland in 3 states went  up in flames) when you could smell and taste the burnt-eucalypt on the air for weeks.  It smelled much like the aroma of lapsang. Alas, I never got into tea cups, preferring mugs instead.  Besides my French press, I have a teapot-for-one that comes with a 12-ounce pot, lid and cup that fits over the top.  I also have my Portmeirion botanical garden pattern – pot, tray and four mugs.

It depends on my mood.  If I’m rushed or not able to sit and enjoy I’ll use a mug because it stays hotter longer.  If I’ve got time to sit and enjoy then it’s a dainty cup every time.   I also have a pot-for-one with cup that fits over the top, a HUGE pot in a cat shape that a friend painted for me, and several ‘ordinary’ pots that I accumulated as gifts. (sipping a mug of Earl Grey as I type). Ah, there, now you’ve lost me.  I’m just not an Earl Grey fan – the bergemot oil tastes weird to me. Myra Sipping a mug of Eight Immortals Oolong

I like the mild undertang of the citrus – I also like Lady Grey, which is EG with lemon and orange.   Aramanth

Response:

I’d have to limit myself to that, too, at those prices.  Good thing you can get a lot of cups from an ounce of leaves!

I managed to resist the $200 tea, but I did buy them in the $40-120 range.  Three ounces was about $18 U.S. (about $33 AUS). Most people just call it "urgh"!  "Bushfire Tea" is the name a friend and I gave it after the Ash Wednesday Fires (January 83?  I think – substantial amounts of bushland in 3 states went  up in flames) when you could smell and taste the burnt-eucalypt on the air for weeks.  It smelled much like the aroma of lapsang.

You’re right – it *does* smell like a brushfire!  But it’s heavenly to drink.   I first learned about it when I was a kid and read James Michener’s "Centennial."  One of the characters got hooked on it. It depends on my mood.  If I’m rushed or not able to sit and enjoy I’ll use a mug because it stays hotter longer.  If I’ve got time to sit and enjoy then it’s a dainty cup every time.  

For me, growing up with my coffee-drinking folks meant that mugs were pretty much all there were.  My mother never used her "dainty" cups because my father just couldn’t hold them due to his essential tremor.   He needs to wrap his hand around a thick mug, and so I’ve just carried that around ever since. I also have a pot-for-one with cup that fits over the top, a HUGE pot in a cat shape that a friend painted for me, and several ‘ordinary’ pots that I accumulated as gifts.

My mother collects tiny little pots in unusual shapes, but none of them are usable.  I just have the ones I mentioned, plus an Italian coffee service and a sake set.  And I don’t even drink sake! Oh, wait a sec – I do have a Chinese tea set, too. I like the mild undertang of the citrus – I also like Lady Grey, which is EG with lemon and orange.  

Lady Grey is pretty new around here – I just started seeing it in stores. I’m not tempted to try it, though, because it still has the bergemot oil in it. Myra

Response:

Oenologist. Myra, is that pronounced "ween ol o jist" as it would have been if it were a Latin word? Because if it is, I’m gonna love springing it on my 13 year old. Oenology is a variant of enology, which is pronounced "eh-nah-low-gee."  I guess it would be pronounced "eh-nah-low-jist." Here’s some other words – all directly related to my business – to spring on your kidlet: Philately = the study of stamps (FIH-lah-teh-lee) Philatelist = (fih-LAH-ta-list)

Damn. That’s not what *I* thought it meant.

Response:

some nice teas at www.alltea.com allison – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d have to limit myself to that, too, at those prices.  Good thing you can get a lot of cups from an ounce of leaves! I managed to resist the $200 tea, but I did buy them in the $40-120 range.  Three ounces was about $18 U.S. (about $33 AUS). Most people just call it "urgh"!  "Bushfire Tea" is the name a friend and I gave it after the Ash Wednesday Fires (January 83?  I think – substantial amounts of bushland in 3 states went  up in flames) when you could smell and taste the burnt-eucalypt on the air for weeks.  It smelled much like the aroma of lapsang. You’re right – it *does* smell like a brushfire!  But it’s heavenly to drink.   I first learned about it when I was a kid and read James Michener’s "Centennial."  One of the characters got hooked on it. It depends on my mood.  If I’m rushed or not able to sit and enjoy I’ll use a mug because it stays hotter longer.  If I’ve got time to sit and enjoy then it’s a dainty cup every time.   For me, growing up with my coffee-drinking folks meant that mugs were pretty much all there were.  My mother never used her "dainty" cups because my father just couldn’t hold them due to his essential tremor.   He needs to wrap his hand around a thick mug, and so I’ve just carried that around ever since. I also have a pot-for-one with cup that fits over the top, a HUGE pot in a cat shape that a friend painted for me, and several ‘ordinary’ pots that I accumulated as gifts. My mother collects tiny little pots in unusual shapes, but none of them are usable.  I just have the ones I mentioned, plus an Italian coffee service and a sake set.  And I don’t even drink sake! Oh, wait a sec – I do have a Chinese tea set, too. I like the mild undertang of the citrus – I also like Lady Grey, which is EG with lemon and orange.   Lady Grey is pretty new around here – I just started seeing it in stores. I’m not tempted to try it, though, because it still has the bergemot oil in it. Myra

"I love my decadent, cosmopolitan, self-indulgent, racially-mixed, godless, intellectually dilletante, drug-abusing, promiscuous, queer-loving country. And its flag is the Stars and Stripes." Patrick Nielsen Hayden

Response:

Question:

Justin,     Depression is a bummer, in and of itself. Have you asked your doc to check other things out? I have a thyroid problem and one of the things that surfaces with it is depression and a tendency to sleep 14 hours a day ( really ), skin problems, other health problems can accompany it. Most docs blow us off because, as men, we are in the minority with this, and so they seldom screen for it. Having checked a few things back for about 20 years or more, it is highly probable I’ve had for some time. A couple of simple blood tests and you’ll have a good idea if it is or isn’t, but it is not normal to be depressed and it would be one less worry. It could be something so simple but life changing as this that it would be prudent to discuss it with your doc.     A good place to ask for more question on this might be Alt.Support.Thyroid , as they are good, gentle folks with a lot of answers pertaining to what you’ve described, and it is quite possible to have a life changing event cause a temporary health issue. If that isn’t the case, feel free to vent, rant, or rave here. We’ll listen.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This post is not divorce, but I do need help. I have posted at other ng some have been helpful others have not. I’m looking for advice, I will be preprared to take it. Which can be hard for me. I have posted here before. My name is Justin, I’m 22/m I feel like my life is a real mess, I don’t know how to get out of this rut. Most days I rather be dead then go on. I don’t feel like I will neber ever, ever get better It starts here. Im upset because I feel like I  disappointed my parents at many levels. After graduating high school in 98′ I went off to the University Of Toledo. I stayed 5 days. I left because I was paranoid about some stuff from high school, which I rather not mention. Upon coming home I worked several jobs. I didn’t stay at many because I was too paranoid. I eventually became house bound. The only time I left was to see my doctor. Its almost like my mom hated my mom for not understanding my problems. I wasn’t a perfect kid, but most of my problems stemed from this issue. I finally moved in with my father. I did get better. I started doing the phones at his office and became confident. But living with my father was hell. He made me ill and I became aneroxic at some level. I’m about 5′11" I dropped down to 135Ib. Eventually I moved out. I couldn’t  stand the asshole. I did it overnight without hi knowing (If you ask my father he will tell you what a rotten kid I was) I then moved into an apartment. In a good neighborhood. But even in good areas there are some real nuts. The lady who lived across from me was a cocaine addict. She even proposition me for sex in the middle of the night. I didn’t touch the skank. Eventually, I moved out of that apartment and one across the street. I then met up with this dude, while working at the movie theatre. That was a bad sitution. He never took showers. He left meatloaf out for weeks, he had cereal all over the floor in his room. The list goes on and on. The apartment managers let me break my lease. I now live by myself(boy, im glad I don’t live with anyone) Then 7 months ago. I was so depressed I hooked up with some guy I met on the net. I regret doing this, one because Im not gay. But I was so unhappy. I would do anything to relieve stress. Lately, I look at porn on the net because Im miserable. Then last week I got fired from my job at Nordstroms as a dishwasher.. I was only there for about 5 weeks. So it wasn’t a big deal. The reason is I don’t know how  to do washes. I also put the trash in the wrong place a few times. I know this was my fault. I got a little lazy. The last day I was there this dude got in my face and was yelling at me about how I don’t know how to do dishes. He put his finger in my face. I dont look weak now. I now weigh abou 170 5′11" medium build. Im pissed another dude got in my face. I told my grandfather what happened he said i "fucked up" and on the wrong track in life. Today, its 5:30 am. I feel like shit. I’m thinking about cutting school. I sleep like 14 hrs a day. Im so depressed, and even a little suicidal. I have bad obsessions. I’m always concerned with my looks. I always think Im ugly, but I’m not I’m actually good looking. I stand in the mirrors for awhile picking at whats wrong with my face, and how i could correct it. I’m seething about some other things. I was talking to this kid I know from one of the ng. I told him how sometimes I read posts with advice and I get upset. He told me im too emotional, and then he said im as emotional as a woman. After he said that I started insulting him like crazy. I usually feel bad when Im brutally mean to people this time, I wasn’t. I could barley sleep last  night because of this comment. I don’t feel like I will get over this comment. Boy, am I angry. Then last night I read a helpful post on here. Anyway, I took it the wrong way and got upset. I was then obsessing about it all last night and still am. The comment was just how relationships are 50/50 nothing bad. Well, I then started to worry that Im just a totaly self-absorbed dude. Which Im not, except when it comes to my problems.  I see myself being absorbed in them. After I read that post I was got all paranoid that when Im not absorbed in my own problems Im not interested in others. I dont want people to see me like this, so now im very worried. So I traced back to all the people I talk to at school and wondered if I seemed interested in them. And I did. But now I fear that I will worry if  I seem interested in people and watch everything I say, and maybe say things just so I seem interested. Maybe ask them questions that I might not normally do. I once did this before and I felt fake. I rather be mother fucking dead then to have this obsession return and thats what its fucking doing. To some this may seem like nothing to me this is a huge deal. I rather stay home then bare this worry. What’s funny is people do REALLY like me. People ask me where the parties are, boy if they only knew how horrible my life is. I once took a survery at the mall while I had some extra time. The kid doing the survey was in high school. He said I bet your a frat boy. Its funny because I see myself as an ugly, loser fuck. Will I get better? I have been going through hell for the last 5 years I see a doc, take meds, do everything. nothin works Justin

Response:

 But now I fear that I will worry if  I seem interested in people and watch everything I say, and maybe say things just so I seem interested. Maybe ask them questions that I might not normally do. I once did this before and I felt fake. I rather be mother fucking dead then to have this obsession return and thats what its fucking doing. To some this may seem like nothing to me this is a huge deal. I rather stay home then bare this worry.

Ask your doc if you can get into some sort of support group for obsessives.   I think obsessions can be an offshoot from anxiety disorders, and are not exactly the same as depression.  But ask a pro, i really don’t know.  I do know from experience that medications made obsessions worse for me.  I still deal with them but they’re more under control, and even channeled into positive things sometimes…  I wonder if your past anorexia is related to that, also?  I was told it was all related.  Congrats on getting past that part, that’s a big step that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Good luck.  

Response:

Justin, I am sorry you are feeling so depressed and going through sucha horrible time of it. But As you say this is a divorce support group and I don;t know how much good posting here will do, have you tried posting on the Alt. Support Depressed or depression NG? Have you tired talking to people, to friends to the doctor even?

Response:

This post is not divorce, but I do need help. I have posted at other ng some have been helpful others have not. I’m looking for advice, I will be preprared to take it. Which can be hard for me. I have posted here before. My name is Justin, I’m 22/m Will I get better? I have been going through hell for the last 5 years SNIP, SNIP, SNIP I see a doc, take meds, do everything. nothin works Justin

Will you get better?  Sure you will!  It’s obvious to me that you are TOO HARD ON YOURSELF.  When I was 22 years old I felt the same way…which is pitiful because very few people have found themselves at such an early age…meanwhile a lot of your friends have graduated from college and look like they had all the self-direction in the world.  Don’t believe it. You need to send a cheap little greeting card to your parents every now and then.  Falling out of contact is not very good psychology….even if you’re at a place in life when you don’t like them and think their values stink. I’m going to sing a song… listen to the words… DESYREL, LITHIUM, ZOLOFT, XANAX, LORAZAPAM, NORTRIPTOLEAN, PROZAC and PAXIL. It took over seven years of trial and error to get the right medication before life began to be bearable.   You want advice?  Contruct a diary of your moods and chart the highs and lows.  Write a lil’ story about your past history of abuse and addiction. 2. Go back to your medical doctor and tell him you want to visit a psychiatrist.  He’ll give you a medical referral 3.   A good psychiatrist will ask you 50-100 questions…in rapid fire… He’ll then construct a baseline on where you are right now verses where you ought to be.  4) You’ll have routine visits with him– adjusting medication. PS You know you’re not a loser…just take better care of yourself.

Response:

This post is not divorce, but I do need help. I have posted at other ng some have been helpful others have not. I’m looking for advice, I will be preprared to take it. Which can be hard for me. I have posted here before. My name is Justin, I’m 22/m I feel like my life is a real mess, I don’t know how to get out of this rut. Most days I rather be dead then go on. I don’t feel like I will neber ever, ever get better It starts here. Im upset because I feel like I  disappointed my parents at many levels. After graduating high school in 98′ I went off to the University Of Toledo. I stayed 5 days. I left because I was paranoid about some stuff from high school, which I rather not mention. Upon coming home I worked several jobs. I didn’t stay at many because I was too paranoid. I eventually became house bound. The only time I left was to see my doctor. Its almost like my mom hated my mom for not understanding my problems. I wasn’t a perfect kid, but most of my problems stemed from this issue. I finally moved in with my father. I did get better. I started doing the phones at his office and became confident. But living with my father was hell. He made me ill and I became aneroxic at some level. I’m about 5′11" I dropped down to 135Ib. Eventually I moved out. I couldn’t  stand the asshole. I did it overnight without hi knowing (If you ask my father he will tell you what a rotten kid I was) I then moved into an apartment. In a good neighborhood. But even in good areas there are some real nuts. The lady who lived across from me was a cocaine addict. She even proposition me for sex in the middle of the night. I didn’t touch the skank. Eventually, I moved out of that apartment and one across the street. I then met up with this dude, while working at the movie theatre. That was a bad sitution. He never took showers. He left meatloaf out for weeks, he had cereal all over the floor in his room. The list goes on and on. The apartment managers let me break my lease. I now live by myself(boy, im glad I don’t live with anyone) Then 7 months ago. I was so depressed I hooked up with some guy I met on the net. I regret doing this, one because Im not gay. But I was so unhappy. I would do anything to relieve stress. Lately, I look at porn on the net because Im miserable. Then last week I got fired from my job at Nordstroms as a dishwasher.. I was only there for about 5 weeks. So it wasn’t a big deal. The reason is I don’t know how  to do washes. I also put the trash in the wrong place a few times. I know this was my fault. I got a little lazy. The last day I was there this dude got in my face and was yelling at me about how I don’t know how to do dishes. He put his finger in my face. I dont look weak now. I now weigh abou 170 5′11" medium build. Im pissed another dude got in my face. I told my grandfather what happened he said i "fucked up" and on the wrong track in life. Today, its 5:30 am. I feel like shit. I’m thinking about cutting school. I sleep like 14 hrs a day. Im so depressed, and even a little suicidal. I have bad obsessions. I’m always concerned with my looks. I always think Im ugly, but I’m not I’m actually good looking. I stand in the mirrors for awhile picking at whats wrong with my face, and how i could correct it. I’m seething about some other things. I was talking to this kid I know from one of the ng. I told him how sometimes I read posts with advice and I get upset. He told me im too emotional, and then he said im as emotional as a woman. After he said that I started insulting him like crazy. I usually feel bad when Im brutally mean to people this time, I wasn’t. I could barley sleep last  night because of this comment. I don’t feel like I will get over this comment. Boy, am I angry. Then last night I read a helpful post on here. Anyway, I took it the wrong way and got upset. I was then obsessing about it all last night and still am. The comment was just how relationships are 50/50 nothing bad. Well, I then started to worry that Im just a totaly self-absorbed dude. Which Im not, except when it comes to my problems.  I see myself being absorbed in them. After I read that post I was got all paranoid that when Im not absorbed in my own problems Im not interested in others. I dont want people to see me like this, so now im very worried. So I traced back to all the people I talk to at school and wondered if I seemed interested in them. And I did. But now I fear that I will worry if  I seem interested in people and watch everything I say, and maybe say things just so I seem interested. Maybe ask them questions that I might not normally do. I once did this before and I felt fake. I rather be mother fucking dead then to have this obsession return and thats what its fucking doing. To some this may seem like nothing to me this is a huge deal. I rather stay home then bare this worry. What’s funny is people do REALLY like me. People ask me where the parties are, boy if they only knew how horrible my life is. I once took a survery at the mall while I had some extra time. The kid doing the survey was in high school. He said I bet your a frat boy. Its funny because I see myself as an ugly, loser fuck. Will I get better? I have been going through hell for the last 5 years I see a doc, take meds, do everything. nothin works Justin

Response:

Question:

Deb, When I first started Zoloft, I had migraines for about the first two weeks.  My Dr. told me tha this is a very common side effect of Zoloft and does subside after  about two weeks….It was very very hard those first two weeks, but I managed to survive it, and after that, was fine….to this day, don’t know how I did survive it ;o)…. Robin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Corna I forget the name of the one that gave me the headache so severly, but I have been on the prozac and the elavil, the prozac was a low dosage so I did not have much problem with that one but the one that gave me the headache…. shish that one you might as well called me a zombie! But I am going to see a new dr for my depression and wanted to get some great advice before talking it over with him deb/fl Hell o Deb, What type of antidepressants are you on that effect your sexlife.  I ask because I have know sexual urges at all and I know that a big part of it is that I am in constant pain which just shrivels up all of my sexualness period, but I am also on Prosac.  Do you know anything about that drug? Thanks, Erica Glynn Cona

I am in no way a physician or any other type of medical professional.  I am just speaking from personal experience or information gained during my treatment or research ;o). Remove NOSPAM from the above email address to contact me.

Response:

Yikes! Migraines for two weeks?!?!?! How awful for you. I take 150 mgs of Zoloft daily and my experience has been good. No headaches. No decrease at all in either sexual desire or the ability to achieve orgasm (my lover has always said I am the most orgasmic woman he’s ever known… I attribute this to his skill <g). Also, the Zoloft has not unduly affected my appetite, which is good since I run to the underweight side anyway. Prozac and Paxil both killed my appetite completely. Of course, everyone is affected differently.

Response:

One of the most reported side effects of Prozac (or any SSRI) is that of sexual dysfunction.  The higher the dose, the more likely you will experience this side effect.  So….if RSD does cause sexual dysfunction…and…the large amount of Prozac you are taking causes sexual dysfunction…   Well, it seems like you’re dealing with a double whammy. Hope you are able to take something like Viagra to overcome this! Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The prozac was prescribed by Dr. Robert L. Knobler, One of the foremost authorities in RSD and neurological diseases. If you care to dispute that with him, feel free to do so. He is an MD, Phd, psychiatrist and the professor of neurology at the Thomas Jefferson College Of Medicine. In Philadelphia, Pa. Julio This is pure nonsense. A very large percentage of all people taking Prozac report diminished or absent interest in sex, or delayed or absent orgasm. This is more likely to occur on large doses, and 80 mg./day is a large dose. Make sure that the prescribing MD knows what he/she is doing. Normally, only psychiatrists know enough about the kind of conditions that justify very large doses of Prozac. Tim Miller I am up to 80Mg of Prozac a day, and the doctor said; "it’s not the prozac that dampens the sex drive." He went on to say that due to RSD affecting the lymbic system and the brain stem, (Primitive brain) That dampens the sex drive, and the ability to have an effective erection. My neighbors have the audacity to call me a hard man. LOL Julio It seems that no 2 people react the same to any given anti-depresant. I’ve tried a half dozen or so and can’t take any of them for one reason or another. a few really psycotic reactions convinced me that the whole class of meds probably was not a good thing for me. So far, none of my doctors has managed to convince me otherwise and believe me, they’re NOT likely to. That said, My partner takes Wellbutrin with very few unwanted side effects and only a little damping of the sex drive. (Of course, with a stiff neck and bad shoulders…. but that’s another story) Good luck Ty

Response:

Deb, I’m not a Pharmacist, but I did take Prozac on two different occasions, and do know some.  A dose of 60mg daily of Prozac is a good healthy dose.  Many people start off at 20mg and stay there for a long time or indefinitely.  Also Prozac can take 6-8 weeks before it starts working, so you may not have given it enough time.  Remember, that 6-8 weeks is an average…some may respond faster, while others take longer to respond. May I ask, who Rx’ed the Prozac to you? Someone else just posted about higher doses should really only be Rx’ed by a Psychiatrist who knows all about the drugs.  On the other hand, Prozac just may not have been the drug for you.  I have been on different Antidepressants (AD’s) over the years, be it for pain, depression, or both (some of the AD’s are also used to treat pain…Elavil, the other tricyclics, ad a new one out called Effexor, which is what I take now….).  Some have worked well, while others didn’t do a thing.  Paxil didn’t work at all for me, while Zoloft worked well, but stopped working completely after about two years, even after increasing the dose. Hope this has helped some…please email me off list if I can help you with anythihng else, or you just want to chat, vent, whatever ;o)…. Robin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Julio Nice neighbor hahaha I took prozac once and I didn’t think it seemed to help me much at all as I recall it was only 60mg but I took it for two months and still was in my black mood I wonder if maybe I needed a higher dosage… thanks for the input deb/fl I am up to 80Mg of Prozac a day, and the doctor said; "it’s not the prozac that dampens the sex drive." He went on to say that due to RSD affecting the lymbic system and the brain stem, (Primitive brain) That dampens the sex drive, and the ability to have an effective erection. My neighbors have the audacity to call me a hard man. LOL Julio It seems that no 2 people react the same to any given anti-depresant. I’ve tried a half dozen or so and can’t take any of them for one reason or another. a few really psycotic reactions convinced me that the whole class of meds probably was not a good thing for me. So far, none of my doctors has managed to convince me otherwise and believe me, they’re NOT likely to. That said, My partner takes Wellbutrin with very few unwanted side effects and only a little damping of the sex drive. (Of course, with a stiff neck and bad shoulders…. but that’s another story) Good luck Ty

I am in no way a physician or any other type of medical professional.  I am just speaking from personal experience or information gained during my treatment or research ;o). Remove NOSPAM from the above email address to contact me.

Response:

One anti depressant that isn’t supposed to affect libido is Wellbutrin….. Robin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – K Once you find that anti-depressant that doesn’t suppress the libido, give me a call.  Uh … wait.  Once you find that anti-depressant that doesn’t suppress libido, give me a month or two to switch, and then call me. Still intellectually interested in the abstract idea db I was on zoloft, with a similar problem, and they put me on Luvox, which apparently has less affect on sexual functioning, although they’ve only tested it on *men*. Better, but still not what it was… Libido’s not as much of a problem as the climax issue. I’ve used up lots of batteries…. K. Yikes !!! Nope I think I would rather be happy and not sexually deprived hahaha thanks for your info deb/fl Well Celexa is supposed to be good for that… i am on it and it really did snap me out of my depression BUT despite what the "they say" my libido has definitely been affected along with the ability to climax, which is pretty damn depressing. You may want to try it, everyone is different and it’s supposed to have fewer side affects.

I am in no way a physician or any other type of medical professional.  I am just speaking from personal experience or information gained during my treatment or research ;o). Remove NOSPAM from the above email address to contact me.

Response:

Joani I read your post and had to giggle thanks for the uplifting post and I couldn’t agree with you more even at 44 Your the best deb/fl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been taking Elavil and Zoloft. 100mg. Elavil and 100 mg of Zoloft….taken the Elavil longer, about ten years! So…the dry mouth is really, really a problem because I also have Sjrogren’s! I may be 65….but…I Am Not Dead!  If you get my meaning…but..it is hard to find a "friend" at my age…so in the long run, I guess not having any isn’t to bad a problem. But I sure do Miss It!!!!  Joani

Response:

K Once you find that anti-depressant that doesn’t suppress the libido, give me a call.  Uh … wait.  Once you find that anti-depressant that doesn’t suppress libido, give me a month or two to switch, and then call me. Still intellectually interested in the abstract idea db

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was on zoloft, with a similar problem, and they put me on Luvox, which apparently has less affect on sexual functioning, although they’ve only tested it on *men*. Better, but still not what it was… Libido’s not as much of a problem as the climax issue. I’ve used up lots of batteries…. K. Yikes !!! Nope I think I would rather be happy and not sexually deprived hahaha thanks for your info deb/fl Well Celexa is supposed to be good for that… i am on it and it really did snap me out of my depression BUT despite what the "they say" my libido has definitely been affected along with the ability to climax, which is pretty damn depressing. You may want to try it, everyone is different and it’s supposed to have fewer side affects.

Response:

Corna I forget the name of the one that gave me the headache so severly, but I have been on the prozac and the elavil, the prozac was a low dosage so I did not have much problem with that one but the one that gave me the headache…. shish that one you might as well called me a zombie! But I am going to see a new dr for my depression and wanted to get some great advice before talking it over with him deb/fl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hell o Deb, What type of antidepressants are you on that effect your sexlife.  I ask because I have know sexual urges at all and I know that a big part of it is that I am in constant pain which just shrivels up all of my sexualness period, but I am also on Prosac.  Do you know anything about that drug? Thanks, Erica Glynn Cona

Response:

I have been taking Elavil and Zoloft. 100mg. Elavil and 100 mg of Zoloft….taken the Elavil longer, about ten years! So…the dry mouth is really, really a problem because I also have Sjrogren’s! I may be 65….but…I Am Not Dead!  If you get my meaning…but..it is hard to find a "friend" at my age…so in the long run, I guess not having any isn’t to bad a problem. But I sure do Miss It!!!!  Joani

Response:

The only anti-depressants that I’ve tried were the tricyclics (but I went through over a half-dozen of them) and in anything near an effective dosage, libido wasn’t the only problem — every one of them (and the others I suppose too) are psycho-active drugs and every one of them produces personality changes, after all, they ARE psycho-active drugs. The common side-effects are loss of libido, a general tranquilizing effect (that can be quite severe), and a sometimes separate loss of "will-power". And several of them also have cardiac side effects too. I also found that with Elavil (amytriptaline ?sp?) that the dry-mouth was intolerable in the dosage I required (100 mg).         Norm

Response:

Howard thanks a million for your input! deb/fl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you don’t mind a male entering this discussion – I tried four or five anti-depresants before I found one that works without negatively affecting my sex life or having negative side effects. Zoloft killed my sex drive and so did one or two others. For me Wellbutrin works well (no pun). Howard Aloha! Oh my!  Is this a chicken and egg question? Our pain causes depression which will surpress the libido which is even more depressing. So start on the assumption that once the anti-depressant helps get the pain under control maybe the libido will have a chance to do its thing again. At least, I think so.  Maybe not. Alohas!  Suse  (*_*)   -**** Posted from RemarQ, http://www.remarq.com/?a ****- Search and Read Usenet Discussions in your Browser – FREE –

Response:

Ty thanks for the input I know I have alot of side affects from different ones.. weight gain to headaches etc and I was just trying to get all the imput possible before asking the dr for another type. deb/fl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It seems that no 2 people react the same to any given anti-depresant. I’ve tried a half dozen or so and can’t take any of them for one reason or another. a few really psycotic reactions convinced me that the whole class of meds probably was not a good thing for me. So far, none of my doctors has managed to convince me otherwise and believe me, they’re NOT likely to. That said, My partner takes Wellbutrin with very few unwanted side effects and only a little damping of the sex drive. (Of course, with a stiff neck and bad shoulders…. but that’s another story) Good luck Ty

Response:

Julio Nice neighbor hahaha I took prozac once and I didn’t think it seemed to help me much at all as I recall it was only 60mg but I took it for two months and still was in my black mood I wonder if maybe I needed a higher dosage… thanks for the input deb/fl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am up to 80Mg of Prozac a day, and the doctor said; "it’s not the prozac that dampens the sex drive." He went on to say that due to RSD affecting the lymbic system and the brain stem, (Primitive brain) That dampens the sex drive, and the ability to have an effective erection. My neighbors have the audacity to call me a hard man. LOL Julio It seems that no 2 people react the same to any given anti-depresant. I’ve tried a half dozen or so and can’t take any of them for one reason or another. a few really psycotic reactions convinced me that the whole class of meds probably was not a good thing for me. So far, none of my doctors has managed to convince me otherwise and believe me, they’re NOT likely to. That said, My partner takes Wellbutrin with very few unwanted side effects and only a little damping of the sex drive. (Of course, with a stiff neck and bad shoulders…. but that’s another story) Good luck Ty

Response:

This is pure nonsense. A very large percentage of all people taking Prozac report diminished or absent interest in sex, or delayed or absent orgasm. This is more likely to occur on large doses, and 80 mg./day is a large dose. Make sure that the prescribing MD knows what he/she is doing. Normally, only psychiatrists know enough about the kind of conditions that justify very large doses of Prozac. Tim Miller – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am up to 80Mg of Prozac a day, and the doctor said; "it’s not the prozac that dampens the sex drive." He went on to say that due to RSD affecting the lymbic system and the brain stem, (Primitive brain) That dampens the sex drive, and the ability to have an effective erection. My neighbors have the audacity to call me a hard man. LOL Julio It seems that no 2 people react the same to any given anti-depresant. I’ve tried a half dozen or so and can’t take any of them for one reason or another. a few really psycotic reactions convinced me that the whole class of meds probably was not a good thing for me. So far, none of my doctors has managed to convince me otherwise and believe me, they’re NOT likely to. That said, My partner takes Wellbutrin with very few unwanted side effects and only a little damping of the sex drive. (Of course, with a stiff neck and bad shoulders…. but that’s another story) Good luck Ty

Response:

 It seems that no 2 people react the same to any given anti-depresant. I’ve tried a half dozen or so and can’t take any of them for one reason or another. a few really psycotic reactions convinced me that the whole class of meds probably was not a good thing for me. So far, none of my doctors has managed to convince me otherwise and believe me, they’re NOT likely to. That said, My partner takes Wellbutrin with very few unwanted side effects and only a little damping of the sex drive. (Of course, with a stiff neck and bad shoulders…. but that’s another story) Good luck Ty

Response:

Each antidepressant is a little different, and individual reactions differ, but Luvox is very similar to Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and others. It is prescribed less often because it is more likely to cause problems with nausea, and it is only labled for obsessive-compulsive disorder, though this is stricly a marketing ploy. Tim Miller – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was on zoloft, with a similar problem, and they put me on Luvox, which apparently has less affect on sexual functioning, although they’ve only tested it on *men*. Better, but still not what it was… Libido’s not as much of a problem as the climax issue. I’ve used up lots of batteries…. K. Yikes !!! Nope I think I would rather be happy and not sexually deprived hahaha thanks for your info deb/fl Well Celexa is supposed to be good for that… i am on it and it really did snap me out of my depression BUT despite what the "they say" my libido has definitely been affected along with the ability to climax, which is pretty damn depressing. You may want to try it, everyone is different and it’s supposed to have fewer side affects.

Response:

I was on zoloft, with a similar problem, and they put me on Luvox, which apparently has less affect on sexual functioning, although they’ve only tested it on *men*. Better, but still not what it was… Libido’s not as much of a problem as the climax issue. I’ve used up lots of batteries…. K. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yikes !!! Nope I think I would rather be happy and not sexually deprived hahaha thanks for your info deb/fl Well Celexa is supposed to be good for that… i am on it and it really did snap me out of my depression BUT despite what the "they say" my libido has definitely been affected along with the ability to climax, which is pretty damn depressing. You may want to try it, everyone is different and it’s supposed to have fewer side affects.

Response:

Prozac is well-known to reduce sexual interest, interfere with orgasm, etc. Same is true for other members of Prozac family, including Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, probably Effexor. Celexa might be better. Not clear yet. Other antidepressants don’t interfere with sexual interest, but the "tricyclic antidepressants" do often cause weight gain. Elavil, Tofranil, Pamelor, and others. (These are brand names. They have all gone generic, but the generics are harder to spell. amitriptylene is one of them. nortriptylene is another. imipramine is a third.) Antidepressants that don’t often cause weight gain and don’t normally interfere with sexual interest include Serzone and Wellbutrin, also Remeron, but watch out for weight gain, and trazadone (brand name is Desyrel). Maybe a few others I didn’t think of. There is a recent trend to help chronic pain sufferers with Depakote and Neurontin, particularly Neurontin. It’s labeled as an anticonvulsant, but has several good psychiatric uses. HTH. Tim Miller – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hell o Deb, What type of antidepressants are you on that effect your sexlife.  I ask because I have know sexual urges at all and I know that a big part of it is that I am in constant pain which just shrivels up all of my sexualness period, but I am also on Prosac.  Do you know anything about that drug? Thanks, Erica Glynn Cona

Response:

Hell o Deb, What type of antidepressants are you on that effect your sexlife.  I ask because I have know sexual urges at all and I know that a big part of it is that I am in constant pain which just shrivels up all of my sexualness period, but I am also on Prosac.  Do you know anything about that drug? Thanks, Erica Glynn Cona

Response:

If you don’t mind a male entering this discussion – I tried four or five anti-depresants before I found one that works without negatively affecting my sex life or having negative side effects. Zoloft killed my sex drive and so did one or two others. For me Wellbutrin works well (no pun). Howard – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Aloha! Oh my!  Is this a chicken and egg question? Our pain causes depression which will surpress the libido which is even more depressing. So start on the assumption that once the anti-depressant helps get the pain under control maybe the libido will have a chance to do its thing again.  At least, I think so.  Maybe not. Alohas!  Suse  (*_*)   -**** Posted from RemarQ, http://www.remarq.com/?a ****- Search and Read Usenet Discussions in your Browser – FREE –

Response:

Hello Everyone I hope you all are having a pain free day.. My question is can anyone give me advice about anti-depressants that do not mess up your sexual urges? Thanks deb/fl

Response:

Aloha!
Oh my!  Is this a chicken and egg question?
Our pain causes depression which will surpress the libido which is even more depressing.
So start on the assumption that once the anti-depressant helps get the pain under control maybe the libido will have a chance to do its thing again.  At least, I think so.  Maybe not.
Alohas!  Suse  (*_*)    -**** Posted from RemarQ, http://www.remarq.com/?a ****-  Search and Read Usenet Discussions in your Browser – FREE –

Response:

Thanks Suse I was also under this impression however I have heard that they have new meds on the market that help with that problem I have seen the commercials on tv about it and just wondered if anyone from the group had tried any of them and how they thought they worked compared to the conventional anti-depressants deb/fl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Aloha! Oh my!  Is this a chicken and egg question? Our pain causes depression which will surpress the libido which is even more depressing. So start on the assumption that once the anti-depressant helps get the pain under control maybe the libido will have a chance to do its thing again. At least, I think so.  Maybe not. Alohas!  Suse  (*_*)    -**** Posted from RemarQ, http://www.remarq.com/?a ****-  Search and Read Usenet Discussions in your Browser – FREE –

Response:

Well Celexa is supposed to be good for that… i am on it and it really did snap me out of my depression BUT despite what the "they say" my libido has definitely been affected along with the ability to climax, which is pretty damn depressing. You may want to try it, everyone is different and it’s supposed to have fewer side affects.

Response:

Yikes !!! Nope I think I would rather be happy and not sexually deprived hahaha thanks for your info deb/fl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well Celexa is supposed to be good for that… i am on it and it really did snap me out of my depression BUT despite what the "they say" my libido has definitely been affected along with the ability to climax, which is pretty damn depressing. You may want to try it, everyone is different and it’s supposed to have fewer side affects.

Response:

Question:

Struggling to survive <OnTheRebo…@home.net

wrote in message

news:7__U3.48644$23.1836784@typ11.nn.bcandid.com… | it’s been really hard these 15 years pretending | everything is ok when my kids couldn’t have things other kids had while my | ex lived a lavish lifestyle.  So there’s been many times when she | disappointed the kids not even sending a birthday card that I wished I had | done an O. J. on her the night I watched through the window her screwing my | "friend" | | do you think I’m bitter?  Lol | ok ladies let the flames begin ) No flames from me.  I think you have done a great job… #1. for letting her live and #2. for raising your children in a stable home.  I applaud you for that. Bitter? You?  nah!  :o)  LOL Tee

Response:

In article <7__U3.48644$23.1836…@typ11.nn.bcandid.com

, "Struggling to

survive" <OnTheRebo…@home.net

wrote:

|  I on the other hand I’m a guy and we don’t get things like child custody | and child support much less alimony. Well, I’m a guy too… With my lawyer on a carefully managed leash, I counter sued for divorce. As I could substanciate my claims much better than she could, my case made it. When this became evident, suddenly mediation became an option…  From her ‘take the kids, and everything’ start, we separated on joint custody, with the kids have a choice, if we lived far appart; and the person without the kids having to provide (minor) financial support for the kids. When I moved from Manitoba to BC, all three of my kids chose to come with me. I raised them, essentially by myself, for the next 6 years (until they were ready to be on their own). YMMV — Take care James (#11)

Response:

On 06 Nov 1999 17:04:08 GMT, kamatth…@aol.com (Kathi Matthews) wrote:

And he said this with a straight face? Kathi

Not only said it, but had his lawyer write it down.  At that time in Pennsylvania, there was no "no fault" divorce.  Somebody had to be to blame, and it turned out to be me. Being a sort of mild-mannered lady, hayfever was about the worst of the sins he could come up with. Kate

Response:

Hello ’struggling to survive’.  You won’t be getting any flames from me. It’s good to hear your story so the men with MS going through a divorce can see what might be coming at them down the road.  You are one strong person! Lorraine Reed. Struggling to survive <OnTheRebo…@home.net

wrote in message

news:7__U3.48644$23.1836784@typ11.nn.bcandid.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

So there’s been many times when she disappointed the kids not even sending a birthday card that I wished I had done an O. J. on her the night I watched through the window her screwing

my

"friend" do you think I’m bitter?  Lol ok ladies let the flames begin )

Response:

Paul, It is very likely that the extreme fatigue and the unusual need for sleep is related to stress. You have been under terrible stress for several months now, with no letup. The lawyer seems like a jerk, but you do have to look after your own interests. Gaylan Paul Jones <Paul_Jo…@btinternet.com

wrote in message

news:38236527.82029857@btinternet.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Went to my GP this morning to get a repeat perscription for the sertraline (Zoloft) and talked about the fatigue and MS etc. He reckons I might have a thyroid problem to boot I hope not or do I? I guess I could just take some thyroxin and all this godamn tiredness would go away. That does it, I’m going to get out my spirit level and check my bed – I suspect that it must be perfectly horizontal Still three autoimmune diseases does seem a bit bloody rotten luck especially since I’m a bloke and they are rarer for us than for gals. 15 months ago I thought I was a perfect specimen of health. Oh well, it could be worse – I know some of you have more than this and worse ones as well. Blessings 1 – Curses 999. The nurse took 15 million little phials of blood and I’m a complete baby. Had a ‘flu jab as well. Bet I get a relapse from that – things just aren’t smiling at me right now. Next I went to my lawyer. No wonder so many people wind up in bitter divorce battles. The guy was so adversarial. He said (with relish) that this case was no ordinary divorce and he could stack up the MS as a good weapon and was just itching to tear up the pre-nuptual <sp? that muggins signed a couple of days before the knot was tied. He said it had no meaning in an English court and we could start to tear into all my wife’s assets in Spain. It made me quite sick. I’m a daft bugger but I refuse to descend to this level. I knew what I was signing, so I shall honour it. I see him getting me

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. Overall Im doing better and better. My hyper self seems to be kicking back in and that is some of my problem. Here the main one. Tue will start my 8th week I think or is it my 7th. dont remember. I was weaning on soooooo slow that Im not even up to 50mg yet but heres the ?. Im up to 37mg and cutting the 50mg off at the end. Less and less so I am probably close to 43 now. The day before yesterday I did soooo much stuff. Yesterday I started feeling the tremors like I had 10 cups of coffee. Breathing is ok. Just really jittery and shaky. The emotional stuff is not as bad either. I also have had a headache in my temples…tension..Tue I am going to take the full 50mg Zoloft. I need to get back to work and at a theraputic dose. If this shakyness is from even my increase Tue I can handle it. I still have my Xanax. What do you all think…Like I said I have been doing alot better. The fear to stay around the house has vanished except for yesterday and today. I probably do need to rest. This normal stuff for even 7-8weeks. I guess I thought I would be pretty much back to normal…..but getting there. Thanks Brenda

Brenda, It sounds like great progress. As you say you’re doing a lot better. I think you can take 50 mgs now and go to work and be fine. Slowly things will become more *routine-like* and you won’t notice every small change in your body or at least not in an unpleasant way which keeps you *catastrophizing* over it. There will be good days and not so good days, we all have them, but you have Xanax for when you need it.  Moreover, the Zoloft dose is still low. If this works that’s fantastic, if you have to decide somewhere along the road to take more it would be no problem at all. Enjoy your *new life*! Philip

Response:

Hi all. Overall Im doing better and better. My hyper self seems to be kicking back in and that is some of my problem. Here the main one. Tue will start my 8th week I think or is it my 7th. dont remember. I was weaning on soooooo slow that Im not even up to 50mg yet but heres the ?. Im up to 37mg and cutting the 50mg off at the end. Less and less so I am probably close to 43 now. The day before yesterday I did soooo much stuff. Yesterday I started feeling the tremors like I had 10 cups of coffee. Breathing is ok. Just really jittery and shaky. The emotional stuff is not as bad either. I also have had a headache in my temples…tension..Tue I am going to take the full 50mg Zoloft. I need to get back to work and at a theraputic dose. If this shakyness is from even my increase Tue I can handle it. I still have my Xanax. What do you all think…Like I said I have been doing alot better. The fear to stay around the house has vanished except for yesterday and today. I probably do need to rest. This normal stuff for even 7-8weeks. I guess I thought I would be pretty much back to normal…..but getting there. Thanks Brenda

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. Overall Im doing better and better. My hyper self seems to be kicking back in and that is some of my problem. Here the main one. Tue will start my 8th week I think or is it my 7th. dont remember. I was weaning on soooooo slow that Im not even up to 50mg yet but heres the ?. Im up to 37mg and cutting the 50mg off at the end. Less and less so I am probably close to 43 now. The day before yesterday I did soooo much stuff. Yesterday I started feeling the tremors like I had 10 cups of coffee. Breathing is ok. Just really jittery and shaky. The emotional stuff is not as bad either. I also have had a headache in my temples…tension..Tue I am going to take the full 50mg Zoloft. I need to get back to work and at a theraputic dose. If this shakyness is from even my increase Tue I can handle it. I still have my Xanax. What do you all think…Like I said I have been doing alot better. The fear to stay around the house has vanished except for yesterday and today. I probably do need to rest. This normal stuff for even 7-8weeks. I guess I thought I would be pretty much back to normal…..but getting there. Thanks Brenda

Brenda –   It’s a slow process…I am starting week 8 myself (which means you are too I believe )…I noticed the shakes with each increase of Zoloft for a few days…this is probably what you are experiencing…The good part is that the shakes go away, but the feeling better doesn’t…Anyway, hang in there!  We’ll both get there – I know it!!!  I am still at the stage where the fear of having future attacks is a problem…Still need more time…At least my physiological symptoms are much better…Except for the last 2 days (see blood work 2 post) Best, — Charles Phipps

Response:

Question:

 Well, I have stumbled into a setback the last few days…I am much more functional since I started the Zoloft, and when my time is occupied I do pretty dang well…However, the last couple of days, I have been alone with not much to occupy my time…This has been difficult…Not as bad as before but difficult…Today I cannot enjoy my usual Sunday morning lounge with paper in hand…Now I am begining to worry that I have peaked in the effect I will get from the Zoloft/Xanax combo…Could this be?  I am just about through with week 4 (2 weeks at 50, 2 at 100), will I see more improvement as the weeks go on…I got lots of improvement after 2 weeks, but haven’t seen any since…Need some good stuff today from you all!

Hi Charles, I can only speak from my experience with Paxil, the way I felt at week 4 was alright, the way I felt at  week 8 was good. I had a slow but steady improvement from the second week on Paxil which was the beginning of April, all the way through the summer, even though I didn`t increase my dose past the beginning of May. And I do remember having a off week around week 9 or 10, it had to do with a conflict I had with a family member. And I was so afraid I was having a setback or the med stopped working, which just added to my anxiety. Being alone use to  be a trigger for my anxiety, I think it was a lack of stimulation for me. I can tell you since being on Paxil, I LOVE being alone when I have the opportunity. My husband just had a business trip to Mexico, and normally I would be anxious, I enjoyed him being gone, this tells me I am really doing well( or maybe it is that he annoys the hell out of me <g ) You are having a rough week, but the Zoloft probably has not reached full effectiveness. You have to give it more time. I know this is easier said than done, but you need to occupy your mind. When I had a problem with boredom, what would happen is my thoughts turn inward, thinking about my anxiety and monitoring every sensation and twitch I was having. Even though you are having a bad time, from what you wrote I see improvement.  Sometimes getting better isn`t just measured in  having "good" days, but how we handle our bad days, and you say yourself, it is not as difficult as before. That tells me Zoloft is having a effect on you. Patience my dear friend, you will get there. *Hugs* P.S. And in a few weeks, if you feel you are`nt at the place you want to be, maybe increasing the Zoloft, you can go as high as 200mgs. Jackie "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I cannot accept, And the wisdom to  hide the bodies of those I had to kill today because they ticked me  off and also, help me to be careful of the toes I step on today, as  they may be connected to the butt I may have to kiss tomorrow.

Response:

Hi Charles! I cannot help with the meds questions, but I did want you to know that I am sending positive thoughts your way1 I hope you feel better soon! Being alone is tough, I know but you will get through it! Hang in there! Steph

Charles Writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -To all:  Well, I have stumbled into a setback the last few days…I am much more functional since I started the Zoloft, and when my time is occupied I do pretty dang well…However, the last couple of days, I have been alone with not much to occupy my time…This has been difficult…Not as bad as before but difficult…Today I cannot enjoy my usual Sunday morning lounge with paper in hand…Now I am begining to worry that I have peaked in the effect I will get from the Zoloft/Xanax combo…Could this be?  I am just about through with week 4 (2 weeks at 50, 2 at 100), will I see more improvement as the weeks go on…I got lots of improvement after 2 weeks, but haven’t seen any since…Need some good stuff today from you all! Thanks, — Charles Phipps

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After a pretty severe crash last week (cutting and all), I’m working my way back out.  But it seems like I’m climbing up a gravel cliff-little things seem to push me back down again.  I have no idea where the top is, but it’s a lot harder to get out each time I crash. My therapist thinks there’s something I’m not telling her, and my PDoc keeps upping my Zoloft dose.  He says that any other meds are a ’shot in the dark’ as to their effectiveness with me, and since Zoloft worked for me once (before I went off it-not recommended!), it should again, but I’m at double the dose now w/ no relief and the side effects are increasing. My wife is getting frustrated, since I’m such a burden when I crash, and it takes me *so* long to get back to ‘normal’.  She’s a rock, but after an episode, she tends to get a bit more upset with me since it builds up. At least I had one good realization while I was down: I felt that it *would* pass at some point.  That’s a first.  So score one for my sense of self-preservation. Thanks to all the asd’ers and grinchers that supported me last week.  I hope I didn’t bring you down. Mark "I was told that ‘Pain is just weakness escaping.’  Well, then I should be freakin’ Hercules by now."

 Mark, *Any* med is a shot in the dark.  The fact that Zoloft worked once, doesn’t mean it will work forever for you.  Since the side effects seem to be increasing and the Zoloft isn’t working, maybe it’s time to try something else.  You’re paying the pdoc for help, insist that you get it. chuck

Response:

After a pretty severe crash last week (cutting and all), I’m working my way back out.  But it seems like I’m climbing up a gravel cliff-little things seem to push me back down again.  I have no idea where the top is, but it’s a lot harder to get out each time I crash. My therapist thinks there’s something I’m not telling her, and my PDoc keeps upping my Zoloft dose.  He says that any other meds are a ’shot in the dark’ as to their effectiveness with me, and since Zoloft worked for me once (before I went off it-not recommended!), it should again, but I’m at double the dose now w/ no relief and the side effects are increasing. My wife is getting frustrated, since I’m such a burden when I crash, and it takes me *so* long to get back to ‘normal’.  She’s a rock, but after an episode, she tends to get a bit more upset with me since it builds up. At least I had one good realization while I was down: I felt that it *would* pass at some point.  That’s a first.  So score one for my sense of self-preservation. Thanks to all the asd’ers and grinchers that supported me last week.  I hope I didn’t bring you down. Mark "I was told that ‘Pain is just weakness escaping.’  Well, then I should be freakin’ Hercules by now."

Response: