Question:

I know it’s way too early to tell, but I swear I’m getting relief from Sinulair… I’m a mild asthmatic and finally wenr to the doctors after a cold kept me weezing for an entire week (prior episodes were confined to 1-2x month)…  after an in-office test he prescribed everything – Flo-Vent + Singulair + Albuterol for weezing… I am a borderline health "nut" and avoid drugs if at all possible… I told him I would not take the full regiment to start, but instead would try just the singulair and see how it goes… well it’s been a week and my night’s have been wonderful!   Clear, full breaths with no effort!  Keep in mind, I wasn’t moderate or severe prior to taking the Singulair… but my relief is self-evident nonetheless… We’ll see if it keeps up. Brad

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know it’s way too early to tell, but I swear I’m getting relief from Sinulair… I’m a mild asthmatic and finally wenr to the doctors after a cold kept me weezing for an entire week (prior episodes were confined to 1-2x month)…  after an in-office test he prescribed everything – Flo-Vent + Singulair + Albuterol for weezing… I am a borderline health "nut" and avoid drugs if at all possible… I told him I would not take the full regiment to start, but instead would try just the singulair and see how it goes… well it’s been a week and my night’s have been wonderful!   Clear, full breaths with no effort!  Keep in mind, I wasn’t moderate or severe prior to taking the Singulair… but my relief is self-evident nonetheless… We’ll see if it keeps up. Brad

Glad to see the singulair works for you but as with any drug, keep an Eye on other side effects it may bring. It is a new drug and I have had some things happen that greatly concern me, since starting the singulair. I will not mention what, as i don’t want to influence your judgement. If you have been reading other peoples posting about singullair you probably know what might happen. The drug helped bring up my peak flow readings as well, but I think the other side effects far outway the 20 points higher on my readings. So i am not on the drug any more. Dont forget to look at possible food/allergies etc. that might be causing problems during sleep, also have you had reflux ruled out. No eating after 8pm!!! Take care,, Mountain Mama

Response:

Question:

I have been on Singulair since Feb 98.  I also have noticed fatigue and depression.  I was going to stop once, but, since this is the only drug that has seemed to help I tell myself that I can handle it.  Since nothing else has changed in my life since I started taking Singulair, I really feel that this is a problem due to the drug  

Response:

I’ve noticed a tendency for Singulair to cause fatigue. I think the fatigue reduces with time, but still exists. [I'm in the 50% who experience significant improvement with Singulair, 25% get dramatic improvement, 25% no improvement] I still take Pulmicort, Serevent, and low dose TheoDur. My peak flows are running around 100%, but I have gained weight and have exercise induced asthma. I’ve been experimenting dropping the Singulair; or taking a reduced dose by using every other day (or splitting tablet). I am 60; children take a half dose; maybe certain others should be on a half dose? Singulair PI at www.singulair.com Fatigue is shown as 1.8% versus 1.2% for placebo. Also see: http://www.rxlist.com/scripts/patient/piumore.pl?mononum=806&order=0&… Patient Monograph – montelukast Excerpt: "What should my health care professional know before I use  montelukast? They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

Question:

((((((Deirdre)))))) I wish I had the right words, any words to say right now to you.  I’m so very sorry about what happened to you and how you are feeling. Do you have a therapy session or pdoc’s appointment soon.  It would do you good to talk with a professional about how you are feeling. Please vent all you need to us.  We are here for you. smiles, Elise

I’m close to crashing and burning. Anybody wants to know more check the blog home.earthlink.net/~deirdre1952 THanks for caring Anne – it feels really good. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

Thank you Anne, Jackie, Diane, and Elise — and the others who have given me such kind support. I’m still struggling, but I’m doing the best I can. My brother is coming by today on his way to a gig – he’s going to help me gather up all the trash bags and get them to the dumpster. That he’s doing it for Mom rather than for me is expected. That doesn’t matter a lot to me — just a little — but any assistance at all is a gift. I wish I the equivalent of 7 dwarves who could come into my house and whistle while they work, doing all the things I am currently incapable of doing. (Yuck. I hate Disney imagery.) Anyway, thank you all again. I’m still around, just very wobbly both physically and emotionally. Medications help somewhat. I am finding it difficult to meditate: sometimes my brain is racing too fast and furiously, sometimes I just sit and cry. There are three things that keep me going: 1. Mom (she loves me and needs me) 2. the knowledge that I’ve been in this state before and survived 3. my support system, of which ASAP-M is a major part. Thanks again to all, Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

One day at a time. love Meryl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thank you Anne, Jackie, Diane, and Elise — and the others who have given me such kind support. I’m still struggling, but I’m doing the best I can. My brother is coming by today on his way to a gig – he’s going to help me gather up all the trash bags and get them to the dumpster. That he’s doing it for Mom rather than for me is expected. That doesn’t matter a lot to me — just a little — but any assistance at all is a gift. I wish I the equivalent of 7 dwarves who could come into my house and whistle while they work, doing all the things I am currently incapable of doing. (Yuck. I hate Disney imagery.) Anyway, thank you all again. I’m still around, just very wobbly both physically and emotionally. Medications help somewhat. I am finding it difficult to meditate: sometimes my brain is racing too fast and furiously, sometimes I just sit and cry. There are three things that keep me going: 1. Mom (she loves me and needs me) 2. the knowledge that I’ve been in this state before and survived 3. my support system, of which ASAP-M is a major part. Thanks again to all, Deirdre

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

Response:

Just wondering how you’re doing…  Sending good thoughts your way. xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I’m close to crashing and burning. Anybody wants to know more check the blog home.earthlink.net/~deirdre1952 THanks for caring Anne – it feels really good. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Deirdre:  I had just read your blog before I posted.  :-( Please tell us how we can help.  Do you have AIM or Yahoo Messenger? xxoo Anne — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

~*~I’m close to crashing and burning. Anybody wants to know more check the Dear Deirdre, I wish I could say or do something to make you feel better. Everything I want heart-breaking and brutally honest. I don`t know if you realize it but you are an incredibly strong, courageous woman, one I admire and care for very much. Good thoughts being sent your way. Hoping you will heal from both your physical and emotional pain one day soon…. (((((Deirdre))))) P.S. Never forget farts in the barn. I still laugh to this day when I think about that ) Jackie ~*~Advice is like snow – the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind~*~  ~~By Samuel Taylor Coleridge.~~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Sorry for top posting, but I agree with Jackie.  {{{{{Deirdre}}}}} Love, Di

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ~*~I’m close to crashing and burning. Anybody wants to know more check the Dear Deirdre, I wish I could say or do something to make you feel better. Everything I want heart-breaking and brutally honest. I don`t know if you realize it but you are an incredibly strong, courageous woman, one I admire and care for very much. Good thoughts being sent your way. Hoping you will heal from both your physical and emotional pain one day soon…. (((((Deirdre))))) P.S. Never forget farts in the barn. I still laugh to this day when I think about that ) Jackie

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

Response:

It’s nice to see you here again, Deirdre.  Glad things are pretty much normal for you and your Mom.  Just wanted to hear something from you, that’s all.  {{{{{Deirdre}}}}}

Thanks, Di — I appreciate that. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Philip, and everyone, The good news is: since I’ve been meditating regularly I haven’t had any anxiety at all. Peace to all, Deirdre Hi Deirdre.  It is good to read your posts again!!  Please can you teach us a little about your meditation methods?  I would be very interested in hearing about this!

Hi TJ, I posted about my meditation practice —  it has links to downloads and some other info. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Deirdre, Good to hear from you.  Glad the meditation is helping with the anxiety. Take care and you know where we are… smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may have missed something but I am wondering where Deirdre is. I miss her here. Anyone know? Philip Hi Philip, and everyone, It’s nice to be missed — sorry if I worried anyone.  I just haven’t been motivated to post anything.  Mostly I feel I have nothing to contribute about anxiety and panic. The good news is: since I’ve been meditating regularly I haven’t had any anxiety at all.  The weird news is:  since I’ve been meditating regularly I have been lethargic and uninterested in most things.  I can’t quite shake the (irrational?) thought that maybe I need a little anxiety to keep me moving. So, make of that what you will.  It feels like depression without sadness. Is that possible?  My pdoc du jour is not a lot of help.  He’s nice and earnest and looks to be about 14 years old.  Lots of reference books and very little real experience.  That’s what we po’ folks get. I’m currently taking 60 mg fluoxetine (Prozac) and 150 mg venlafaxine (Effexor) daily.  I have clonazepam (Klonopin) on hand but haven’t needed it in quite a while.  Same with the trazodone for insomnia.  Since pdoc added the Effexor, the only apparent change is an increase in exhaustingly bizarre dreams.  I’ve always had wild dreams, but these are way off the charts.  I wake up shaking my head in amazement.  OTOH, maybe meditation is stripping away layers of the mental onion, so to speak, and I’m getting down to the deeper levels of me.  Whatever the case, there’s another unshakable (irrational?) thought: I am just really good at masking total madness. Raging psychosis under the quiet exterior.  Once again, pdoc du jour is too green to understand me.  I’ll be getting the next pdoc (a new one every summer) in a month or two.  We’ll see what the psych professors have dreamed up during the past 12 months. Other than mental health issues, I’m fairly healthy.  Meditation has significantly lowered and stabilized my blood pressure.  Mom is doing fine, in that there have been no crises.  She’s weaker and slower — the daily changes are imperceptible, but over a few months I can tell she’s slowing down.  My brother is fine, my nephew is grand.  My cat is occasionally snuggly. I guess that’s my report for now.  I’ll try to post more often, but I can’t promise anything. Peace to all, Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

"Deirdre" wrote : The good news is: since I’ve been meditating regularly I haven’t had any anxiety at all.  The weird news is:  since I’ve been meditating regularly I have been lethargic and uninterested in most things.  I can’t quite shake the (irrational?) thought that maybe I need a little anxiety to keep me moving.

        Interesting!  I’d expect that it would make you more alert.  I need to meditate more myself.           You said you’d posted on your meditation practices.  Where might we find that?  Do you still have your blog? Other than mental health issues, I’m fairly healthy.  Meditation has significantly lowered and stabilized my blood pressure.  Mom is doing fine, in that there have been no crises.  She’s weaker and slower — the daily changes are imperceptible, but over a few months I can tell she’s slowing down.  My brother is fine, my nephew is grand.  My cat is occasionally snuggly.

        I’m glad family is going relatively well.  ;-)  Do you have a boyfriend currently? Dennis — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Deirdre schreef:

<snip Mostly I feel I have nothing to contribute about anxiety and panic. Anything you write is worth reading.

Sweet talker <lol. The good news is: since I’ve been meditating regularly I haven’t had any anxiety at all.  The weird news is:  since I’ve been meditating regularly I have been lethargic and uninterested in most things.  I can’t quite shake the (irrational?) thought that maybe I need a little anxiety to keep me moving. Hehe. What kind of meditation do you practice?

see my post "my meditation practice" also — Basically two types of meditation practice that enhance each other. These increase concentration and insight: –mindfulness of the breath –mindfulness of the body –mindfulness of feelings –mindfulness of thoughts And metta meditation, also called lovingkindness meditation. I usually begin each sitting with standard relaxation exercises. In terms of psychiatric benefits, I’m starting to realize that the mindfulness meditations are more suited to combatting anxiety and panic, and the metta meditation is most beneficial against depression.  Looks like I need to do more metta:-) You don’t need anxiety in the pathological sense, no one does. But maybe you need other kinds of stimuli?

I download movies a lot.  But that’s just really high-tech escapism.  I have heaps of books but my attention span isn’t what it used to be.  And Mom is still saying "no" when I express my wish for a motorcycle. <sigh It feels like depression without sadness. It sounds like depression to me, some kind of dissociated depression maybe (hm, that sounds *deep*, I wonder what I mean by that).

I think you’re on the right track. "Dissociated" seems accurate. Is that possible?  My pdoc du jour is not a lot of help.  He’s nice and earnest and looks to be about 14 years old. A child prodigy in psychiatry! Psychiatry needs its very own Mozart.

In musical terms, this guy is more Manilow than Mozart.  Well-meaning, but little substance. <snip Did your child pdoc give a reason for prescribing Effexor together with 60 mg of Prozac or is he just trying the next cvombo he can think of?

You win a gold star.  He went over the long list of the drugs I’ve had previously, and we decided "Hey, maybe Effexor will be fun."  <shrug  It doesn’t seem to do much for me.  I just dread the inevitable weaning-off, whenever that comes.  Lots of horror stories out there. <snip Keep us posted please, maybe this one will be a drooling octogenarian?

<LOL Other than mental health issues, I’m fairly healthy.  Meditation has significantly lowered and stabilized my blood pressure. I want to learn it too!

It’s so simple.  It requires patience and dedication to practice, but it really is simple.  If you can sit and breathe, you can meditate.  See my post about my practice for suggestions on how to start. <snip   I’ll try to post more often, but I can’t promise anything. It’s not an *obligation*. We’re happy when you post because we *like* you a lot so it’s good to know how you are and you’ve been a lot worse.

Thanks, Philip.  I like you, I like this group.  I still think you hit the nail squarely on the head with "dissociation".  I’m here and not-here. That’s too Zen for me, but still.  :-) Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

"Deirdre" wrote : The good news is: since I’ve been meditating regularly I haven’t had

<snip    You said you’d posted on your meditation practices.  Where might we find that?

"my meditation practice" is the subject line Do you still have your blog?

Yes.  I write stuff there from time to time http://360.yahoo.com/deirdre_faithnomore I write about meditation there, among other topics. Do you have a boyfriend currently?

I honestly don’t know.  He who might be the boyfriend is an enigma.  He remains in poor health 3000 miles away. I care about him and his wellbeing, but there’s nothing I can do for him other than wish good things for him. In fact, that’s the only thing resembling help that he accepts from me. Anyway, I have my own wellbeing to tend to, and that of my mother, and that’s a lot of tending.  I’m all about decreasing suffering, so dwelling on a doomed love relationship is something I avoid. I hope you are well. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

<gently snipped ::Other than mental health issues, I’m fairly healthy.  Meditation has ::significantly lowered and stabilized my blood pressure.  Mom is doing fine, ::in that there have been no crises.  She’s weaker and slower — the daily ::changes are imperceptible, but over a few months I can tell she’s slowing ::down.  My brother is fine, my nephew is grand.  My cat is occasionally ::snuggly. Dear Deirdre, It’s nice to see you again. Sorry to hear your Mom is slowing down but glad there have been no crises. Hope you stick around. (((((Deirdre))))) Jackie ~*~"What I cannot love, I overlook."~*~    ~~ Anais Nin — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <gently snipped ::Other than mental health issues, I’m fairly healthy.  Meditation has ::significantly lowered and stabilized my blood pressure.  Mom is doing fine, ::in that there have been no crises.  She’s weaker and slower — the daily ::changes are imperceptible, but over a few months I can tell she’s slowing ::down.  My brother is fine, my nephew is grand.  My cat is occasionally ::snuggly. Dear Deirdre, It’s nice to see you again. Sorry to hear your Mom is slowing down but glad there have been no crises. Hope you stick around. (((((Deirdre)))))

Thanks, Jackie ! Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Deirdre schreef: You don’t need anxiety in the pathological sense, no one does. But maybe you need other kinds of stimuli? I download movies a lot.  But that’s just really high-tech escapism.  I have heaps of books but my attention span isn’t what it used to be.  And Mom is still saying "no" when I express my wish for a motorcycle. <sigh

Well, you *are* an adult… you don’t need your mother’s approval. And a motorcycle may just be what the doctor ordered (maybe your insurance company will pay for it because it’s *outside*, adventurous, into the world! I didn’t mean movies or books (love them too) but rather interaction with the outside world. It feels like depression without sadness. It sounds like depression to me, some kind of dissociated depression maybe (hm, that sounds *deep*, I wonder what I mean by that). I think you’re on the right track. "Dissociated" seems accurate.

So focussing on everyday practical things seems beneficial. But it takes work and *motivation*. And motivation will never come if you wait for it. You have to act first and the the motivation will follow. As they say "Depression hates a moving target". Is that possible?  My pdoc du jour is not a lot of help.  He’s nice and earnest and looks to be about 14 years old. A child prodigy in psychiatry! Psychiatry needs its very own Mozart. In musical terms, this guy is more Manilow than Mozart.  Well-meaning, but little substance.

LOL. Hate Manilow. Now Mozart is quite a different proposition. <snip Did your child pdoc give a reason for prescribing Effexor together with 60 mg of Prozac or is he just trying the next cvombo he can think of? You win a gold star.  He went over the long list of the drugs I’ve had previously, and we decided "Hey, maybe Effexor will be fun."  <shrug  It doesn’t seem to do much for me.  I just dread the inevitable weaning-off, whenever that comes.  Lots of horror stories out there.

YMMV, as they say. Did you ever try a TCA? And proper CBT? (Lesse,, how many other abbr. do I know? Other than mental health issues, I’m fairly healthy.  Meditation has significantly lowered and stabilized my blood pressure. I want to learn it too! It’s so simple.  It requires patience and dedication to practice, but it really is simple.  If you can sit and breathe, you can meditate.  See my post about my practice for suggestions on how to start.

I did and I think it’s about time for me to go and practice some serious meditation.I did it off and on but that doesn’t work (stoy of my lazy life Thanks for sharing, it sounds inspirational.   I’ll try to post more often, but I can’t promise anything. It’s not an *obligation*. We’re happy when you post because we *like* you a lot so it’s good to know how you are and you’ve been a lot worse. Thanks, Philip.  I like you, I like this group.  I still think you hit the nail squarely on the head with "dissociation".  I’m here and not-here. That’s too Zen for me, but still.  :-)

One of my favourite Zen text: "Before I was enlightened the trees were trees and the mountains were mountains. When I started to become enlightened the trees weren’t trees and the mountains weren’t mountains. Now that I am enlightened the trees are trees and the mountains are mountains." One of the most profound statements I know. Not that it helps with anxiety/panic/depression Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Deirdre, Good to hear from you.  Glad the meditation is helping with the anxiety. Take care and you know where we are… smiles, Elise

Thanks, Elise D. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Deirdre schreef: I may have missed something but I am wondering where Deirdre is. I miss her here. Anyone know? Philip Hi Philip, and everyone,

Well HELLOOOOOOOOOOooooooo! It’s nice to be missed — sorry if I worried anyone.  I just haven’t been motivated to post anything.  Mostly I feel I have nothing to contribute about anxiety and panic.

Anything you write is worth reading. Anxiety and panic are overrated anyway The good news is: since I’ve been meditating regularly I haven’t had any anxiety at all.  The weird news is:  since I’ve been meditating regularly I have been lethargic and uninterested in most things.  I can’t quite shake the (irrational?) thought that maybe I need a little anxiety to keep me moving.

Hehe. What kind of meditation do you practice? You don’t need anxiety in the pathological sense, no one does. But maybe you need other kinds of stimuli? So, make of that what you will.  It feels like depression without sadness.

It sounds like depression to me, some kind of dissociated depression maybe (hm, that sounds *deep*, I wonder what I mean by that). Is that possible?  My pdoc du jour is not a lot of help.  He’s nice and earnest and looks to be about 14 years old.

A child prodigy in psychiatry! Psychiatry needs its very own Mozart. I’m currently taking 60 mg fluoxetine (Prozac) and 150 mg venlafaxine (Effexor) daily.  I have clonazepam (Klonopin) on hand but haven’t needed it in quite a while.  Same with the trazodone for insomnia.  Since pdoc added the Effexor, the only apparent change is an increase in exhaustingly bizarre dreams.  I’ve always had wild dreams, but these are way off the charts.  I wake up shaking my head in amazement.  OTOH, maybe meditation is stripping away layers of the mental onion, so to speak, and I’m getting down to the deeper levels of me.

I don’t know if we consist of deeper and more superficial levels. I also doubt that dreams mean anything except what we interpret them to mean (which can be good material, not only for psychodynamic therapy nut for cognitive therapy as well). Did your child pdoc give a reason for prescribing Effexor together with 60 mg of Prozac or is he just trying the next cvombo he can think of?   Whatever the case, there’s another unshakable (irrational?) thought: I am just really good at masking total madness. Raging psychosis under the quiet exterior.

That thought indeed sounds quite irrational to me. I don’t subscribe to this concept of the onion either. I do think we can have many different and contradictory thoughts and feelings (when we are awake and when we are dreaming) but I don’t think we’re like vulcanos (which is somewhat like you describe yourself: psychosis raging under the quiet exterior). I think you may sometimes have psychotic episodes and when they’re over they’re over and not somewhere "down there" waiting for th next chance to erupt. I don’t think that way about panic atacks either and I wonder if you do…   Once again, pdoc du jour is too green to understand me.  I’ll be getting the next pdoc (a new one every summer) in a month or two.  We’ll see what the psych professors have dreamed up during the past 12 months.

Keep us posted please, maybe this one will be a drooling octogenarian? Other than mental health issues, I’m fairly healthy.  Meditation has significantly lowered and stabilized my blood pressure.

I want to learn it too!   Mom is doing fine, in that there have been no crises.  She’s weaker and slower — the daily changes are imperceptible, but over a few months I can tell she’s slowing down.  My brother is fine, my nephew is grand.  My cat is occasionally snuggly.

Sounds good to me. I guess that’s my report for now.  I’ll try to post more often, but I can’t promise anything.

It’s not an *obligation*. We’re happy when you post because we *like* you a lot so it’s good to know how you are and you’ve been a lot worse. . Peace to all,

Yeah, baby. Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Philip, and everyone, The good news is: since I’ve been meditating regularly I haven’t had any anxiety at all. Peace to all, Deirdre

Hi Deirdre.  It is good to read your posts again!!  Please can you teach us a little about your meditation methods?  I would be very interested in hearing about this! — _TJ_ <TJ_IREL at YAHOO dot IE — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may have missed something but I am wondering where Deirdre is. I miss her here. Anyone know? Philip Hi Philip, and everyone, It’s nice to be missed — sorry if I worried anyone.  I just haven’t been motivated to post anything.  Mostly I feel I have nothing to contribute about anxiety and panic. The good news is: since I’ve been meditating regularly I haven’t had any anxiety at all.  The weird news is:  since I’ve been meditating regularly I have been lethargic and uninterested in most things.  I can’t quite shake the (irrational?) thought that maybe I need a little anxiety to keep me moving. So, make of that what you will.  It feels like depression without sadness. Is that possible?  My pdoc du jour is not a lot of help. He’s nice and earnest and looks to be about 14 years old.  Lots of reference books and very little real experience.  That’s what we po’ folks get. I’m currently taking 60 mg fluoxetine (Prozac) and 150 mg venlafaxine (Effexor) daily.  I have clonazepam (Klonopin) on hand but haven’t needed it in quite a while.  Same with the trazodone for insomnia. Since pdoc added the Effexor, the only apparent change is an increase in exhaustingly bizarre dreams.  I’ve always had wild dreams, but these are way off the charts.  I wake up shaking my head in amazement.  OTOH, maybe meditation is stripping away layers of the mental onion, so to speak, and I’m getting down to the deeper levels of me.  Whatever the case, there’s another unshakable (irrational?) thought: I am just really good at masking total madness. Raging psychosis under the quiet exterior.  Once again, pdoc du jour is too green to understand me.  I’ll be getting the next pdoc (a new one every summer) in a month or two.  We’ll see what the psych professors have dreamed up during the past 12 months. Other than mental health issues, I’m fairly healthy.  Meditation has significantly lowered and stabilized my blood pressure.  Mom is doing fine, in that there have been no crises.  She’s weaker and slower — the daily changes are imperceptible, but over a few months I can tell she’s slowing down.  My brother is fine, my nephew is grand.  My cat is occasionally snuggly. I guess that’s my report for now.  I’ll try to post more often, but I can’t promise anything. Peace to all, Deirdre

Thanks for chiming in Deirdre.  We just want to know you’re alive. kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

It’s nice to see you here again, Deirdre.  Glad things are pretty much normal for you and your Mom.  Just wanted to hear something from you, that’s all.  {{{{{Deirdre}}}}} Love, Di

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I may have missed something but I am wondering where Deirdre is. I miss her here. Anyone know? Philip Hi Philip, and everyone, It’s nice to be missed — sorry if I worried anyone.  I just haven’t been motivated to post anything.  Mostly I feel I have nothing to contribute about anxiety and panic. The good news is: since I’ve been meditating regularly I haven’t had any anxiety at all.  The weird news is:  since I’ve been meditating regularly I have been lethargic and uninterested in most things.  I can’t quite shake the (irrational?) thought that maybe I need a little anxiety to keep me moving. So, make of that what you will.  It feels like depression without sadness. Is that possible?  My pdoc du jour is not a lot of help.  He’s nice and earnest and looks to be about 14 years old.  Lots of reference books and very little real experience.  That’s what we po’ folks get. I’m currently taking 60 mg fluoxetine (Prozac) and 150 mg venlafaxine (Effexor) daily.  I have clonazepam (Klonopin) on hand but haven’t needed it in quite a while.  Same with the trazodone for insomnia.  Since pdoc added the Effexor, the only apparent change is an increase in exhaustingly bizarre dreams.  I’ve always had wild dreams, but these are way off the charts.  I wake up shaking my head in amazement.  OTOH, maybe meditation is stripping away layers of the mental onion, so to speak, and I’m getting down to the deeper levels of me.  Whatever the case, there’s another unshakable (irrational?) thought: I am just really good at masking total madness. Raging psychosis under the quiet exterior.  Once again, pdoc du jour is too green to understand me.  I’ll be getting the next pdoc (a new one every summer) in a month or two.  We’ll see what the psych professors have dreamed up during the past 12 months. Other than mental health issues, I’m fairly healthy.  Meditation has significantly lowered and stabilized my blood pressure.  Mom is doing fine, in that there have been no crises.  She’s weaker and slower — the daily changes are imperceptible, but over a few months I can tell she’s slowing down.  My brother is fine, my nephew is grand.  My cat is occasionally snuggly. I guess that’s my report for now.  I’ll try to post more often, but I can’t promise anything. Peace to all, Deirdre

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

Response:

Thanks for chiming in Deirdre.  We just want to know you’re alive. kili

I’m alive.  At least I think so. I’m glad your latest health report looks so good. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Deirdre, where are you?  I hope everything is alright.  {{{{{Deirdre}}}}} Post, if you can. Love, Di

I may have missed something but I am wondering where Deirdre is. I miss her here. Anyone know? Philip

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

Response:

I may have missed something but I am wondering where Deirdre is. I miss her here. Anyone know? Philip

Hi Philip, and everyone, It’s nice to be missed — sorry if I worried anyone.  I just haven’t been motivated to post anything.  Mostly I feel I have nothing to contribute about anxiety and panic. The good news is: since I’ve been meditating regularly I haven’t had any anxiety at all.  The weird news is:  since I’ve been meditating regularly I have been lethargic and uninterested in most things.  I can’t quite shake the (irrational?) thought that maybe I need a little anxiety to keep me moving. So, make of that what you will.  It feels like depression without sadness. Is that possible?  My pdoc du jour is not a lot of help.  He’s nice and earnest and looks to be about 14 years old.  Lots of reference books and very little real experience.  That’s what we po’ folks get. I’m currently taking 60 mg fluoxetine (Prozac) and 150 mg venlafaxine (Effexor) daily.  I have clonazepam (Klonopin) on hand but haven’t needed it in quite a while.  Same with the trazodone for insomnia.  Since pdoc added the Effexor, the only apparent change is an increase in exhaustingly bizarre dreams.  I’ve always had wild dreams, but these are way off the charts.  I wake up shaking my head in amazement.  OTOH, maybe meditation is stripping away layers of the mental onion, so to speak, and I’m getting down to the deeper levels of me.  Whatever the case, there’s another unshakable (irrational?) thought: I am just really good at masking total madness. Raging psychosis under the quiet exterior.  Once again, pdoc du jour is too green to understand me.  I’ll be getting the next pdoc (a new one every summer) in a month or two.  We’ll see what the psych professors have dreamed up during the past 12 months. Other than mental health issues, I’m fairly healthy.  Meditation has significantly lowered and stabilized my blood pressure.  Mom is doing fine, in that there have been no crises.  She’s weaker and slower — the daily changes are imperceptible, but over a few months I can tell she’s slowing down.  My brother is fine, my nephew is grand.  My cat is occasionally snuggly. I guess that’s my report for now.  I’ll try to post more often, but I can’t promise anything. Peace to all, Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I may have missed something but I am wondering where Deirdre is. I miss her here. Anyone know? Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I may have missed something but I am wondering where Deirdre is. I miss her here. Anyone know? Philip

Good question, Philip.  I haven’t heard from her either. kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Question:

LEASE STOP NAGGING ALL THE TIME, IT’S GETTING ON MY NERVES! : hilip (indeed, it’s that time of the month again bloating, water retention and boobs that feel like they are being twisted in a vise. Probably breaking out with a few pimples as well? ) Jackie ~*~Would you respect my mind more if it bounced gently when I walked?~*~ — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

((((((((((((Tony))))))))))))) Don’t be sorry for being absent.  (I know I do the same thing…so slap me) I hope you feel better…because that is what’s most important (I can give advice, but can’t take it…so slap me again)  :-) Hang in there, hun…and I hope you’re feeling ALL better soon. Hugs, Gigglz

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I feel like I’m finally making progress against this sinus infection but today my anxiety has been rising. a) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling withdrawal. b) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling "inflamed". c) Getting better finally and getting my energy back. d) Getting better and now realizing that my Effexor dose     is too high. I’ll let you know how I feel in the morning. Sorry for being absent today. Tony — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

LEASE STOP NAGGING ALL THE TIME, IT’S GETTING ON MY NERVES! : hilip (indeed, it’s that time of the month again bloating, water retention and boobs that feel like they are being twisted in a vise. Probably breaking out with a few pimples as well? )

LOL! So glad to meet someone who *understands*… P. Jackie ~*~Would you respect my mind more if it bounced gently when I walked?~*~ — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

PLEASE STOP NAGGING ALL THE TIME, IT’S GETTING ON MY NERVES!

Yes, dear. I understand. Right. Ah-huh. Sorry. Would it help if I whipped myself?  Or jumped off the roof onto my head? What?   OK, I’ll just keep my mouth shut. Chip   ~holding both hands over BIG mouth~ — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

PLEASE STOP NAGGING ALL THE TIME, IT’S GETTING ON MY NERVES! Yes, dear. I understand. Right. Ah-huh. Sorry. Would it help if I whipped myself?  Or jumped off the roof onto my head?

We won’t know until you try P(MS) — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

(((Tony))) Hope you figure out what is happening and feel better soon. Take care, Liz

*I feel like I’m finally making progress against this sinus *infection but today my anxiety has been rising. * * *a) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling withdrawal. *b) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling "inflamed". *c) Getting better finally and getting my energy back. *d) Getting better and now realizing that my Effexor dose *    is too high. * *I’ll let you know how I feel in the morning. * *Sorry for being absent today. * *Tony * *– *The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm * — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

PLEASE STOP NAGGING ALL THE TIME, IT’S GETTING ON MY NERVES! Yes, dear. I understand. Right. Ah-huh. Sorry. Would it help if I whipped myself?  Or jumped off the roof onto my head? We won’t know until you try P(MS)

Good one, P. Chip  :^) — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Philip, Chocolate…run for chocolate…lol! smiles, Elise

Oh dear, I *love* chocolate, it’s the single best thing ever invented. Unfortunately I have to *lose* weight, not gain any…. P. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sorry you are feeling anxious and irritable today. Are you sure you aren`t PMS`ing? I think all the men on ASAP-M have PMS along with the women. It’s very contagious! Chip  :^) PLEASE STOP NAGGING ALL THE TIME, IT’S GETTING ON MY NERVES! Philip (indeed, it’s that time of the month again — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

I feel like I’m finally making progress against this sinus infection but today my anxiety has been rising. a) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling withdrawal. b) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling "inflamed". c) Getting better finally and getting my energy back. d) Getting better and now realizing that my Effexor dose     is too high. I’ll let you know how I feel in the morning. Sorry for being absent today. Tony — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Tony, Good to hear your sinus problem is starting to get better but the rising anxiety doesn’t sound good.   have no idea of why your anxiety is rising but hope it dissipates and you are feeling lots better today. Please let us know how you are doing today… smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I feel like I’m finally making progress against this sinus infection but today my anxiety has been rising. a) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling withdrawal. b) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling "inflamed". c) Getting better finally and getting my energy back. d) Getting better and now realizing that my Effexor dose     is too high. I’ll let you know how I feel in the morning. Sorry for being absent today. Tony — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I feel like I’m finally making progress against this sinus infection but today my anxiety has been rising. a) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling withdrawal. b) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling "inflamed". c) Getting better finally and getting my energy back. d) Getting better and now realizing that my Effexor dose     is too high. I’ll let you know how I feel in the morning. Sorry for being absent today. Tony

I go for C Hope you feel better tomorrow ! Your friend Anna — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hope you soon feel better, Tony!! MikeH

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I feel like I’m finally making progress against this sinus infection but today my anxiety has been rising. a) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling withdrawal. b) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling "inflamed". c) Getting better finally and getting my energy back. d) Getting better and now realizing that my Effexor dose     is too high. I’ll let you know how I feel in the morning. Sorry for being absent today. Tony

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

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I feel like I’m finally making progress against this sinus infection but today my anxiety has been rising. a) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling withdrawal. b) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling "inflamed". c) Getting better finally and getting my energy back. d) Getting better and now realizing that my Effexor dose     is too high. I’ll let you know how I feel in the morning. Sorry for being absent today. Tony I go for C Hope you feel better tomorrow ! Your friend Anna

I slept on the question and now I know that I’m still sick.  The Medrol had me feeling pretty good while I was on the high dose but now I need to take ibuprofen to relax my nervous system. I need a vacation from this sickness I’m going bananas!!! Your friend, Tony — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Tony, Good to hear your sinus problem is starting to get better but the rising anxiety doesn’t sound good.   have no idea of why your anxiety is rising but hope it dissipates and you are feeling lots better today. Please let us know how you are doing today… smiles, Elise

I’m still sick and my nervous system feels sick. I am coming out of the brain fog and maybe that is making me more aware of how sick my body feels. I took some ibuprofen last night and that helped.  I’ll do it again this morning. Thanks, Tony — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Sorry you are feeling anxious and irritable today. Are you sure you aren`t PMS`ing? I think all the men on ASAP-M have PMS along with the women. It’s very contagious! Chip  :^)

PLEASE STOP NAGGING ALL THE TIME, IT’S GETTING ON MY NERVES! Philip (indeed, it’s that time of the month again — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

Philip, Chocolate…run for chocolate…lol! smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sorry you are feeling anxious and irritable today. Are you sure you aren`t PMS`ing? I think all the men on ASAP-M have PMS along with the women. It’s very contagious! Chip  :^) PLEASE STOP NAGGING ALL THE TIME, IT’S GETTING ON MY NERVES! Philip (indeed, it’s that time of the month again — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

:I think all the men on ASAP-M have PMS I`m glad you said that and not me :along with the women. I NEVER, EVER, have PMS.  <HISS ~~~ :It’s very contagious! I know, we catch everything from you guys<g! Jackie ~*~Would you respect my mind more if it bounced gently when I walked?~*~ — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I know, we catch everything from you guys<g!

Ha ha!  <clap clap clap   ER, I mean:  <applause xo Anne — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

: :a) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling withdrawal. :b) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling "inflamed". :c) Getting better finally and getting my energy back. :d) Getting better and now realizing that my Effexor dose :    is too high. Sorry you are feeling anxious and irritable today. Are you sure you aren`t PMS`ing? It`s probably a combination of the above that is reeking havoc with you. Rest assured that this is just a temporary feeling. I suggest you lay on the couch all day and pig out on chocolate. That always makes me feel better :I’ll let you know how I feel in the morning. : :Sorry for being absent today. I hope you feel better soon. Don`t worry about being absent, it`s more important to take care of "you". {{{{{Tony}}}}} Jackie ~*~Would you respect my mind more if it bounced gently when I walked?~*~ — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

glad your sinus infection better hopefully it just a small adjustment till you feel better all around Jim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I feel like I’m finally making progress against this sinus infection but today my anxiety has been rising. a) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling withdrawal. b) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling "inflamed". c) Getting better finally and getting my energy back. d) Getting better and now realizing that my Effexor dose     is too high. I’ll let you know how I feel in the morning. Sorry for being absent today. Tony — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

Sorry you are feeling anxious and irritable today. Are you sure you aren`t PMS`ing?

I think all the men on ASAP-M have PMS along with the women. It’s very contagious! Chip  :^) — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I feel like I’m finally making progress against this sinus infection but today my anxiety has been rising. a) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling withdrawal. b) Tapering off the Medrol and feeling "inflamed". c) Getting better finally and getting my energy back. d) Getting better and now realizing that my Effexor dose     is too high. I’ll let you know how I feel in the morning. Sorry for being absent today. Tony

So Tony, how are you feeling today?  I have it today.  Pretty bad too.  The nervous jitters and all.  I hope you are feeling better. BTW, the weather is gorgeous here today.  Mid 60’s sunshine and the beaches are gorgeous (water is around 53 degrees however) Take care, friend, Vicki — The charter is available at:  http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

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| 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

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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

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Question:

        What are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? One         person has mentioned headaches.

Response:

what are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? one person has mentioned headaches. Paxil (paroxetine) may cause side effects similar to those of the other major serotonin reuptake inhibitors currently on the market, Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline), namely:  dryness of the eyes and mouth, mild constipation, restless sleep or insomnia, and decreased libido.  i have been taking paxil for depression for the past six months and have experienced all of these effects, but they have all abated as time passes, except that i still have problems with restless sleep, and bruxism or grinding of the teeth during sleep.  i’ve been experimenting with timing of the dosage to prevent this.  apparently Paxil gives some people a feeling of more energy, and some a feeling of tiredness.  i was advised that it has the least side effects of any of the serotonin reuptake inhibitors, especially in the area of stomach upset and/or decreased appetite.  i haven’t experienced either of these, nor have i had headaches. i don’t want to take it forever, but i’ve had good results with it–in combination with sessions with a reputable therapist–for depression/social phobia. megan

Response:

        What are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? One         person has mentioned headaches.

Response:

what are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? one person has mentioned headaches. Paxil (paroxetine) may cause side effects similar to those of the other major serotonin reuptake inhibitors currently on the market, Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline), namely:  dryness of the eyes and mouth, mild constipation, restless sleep or insomnia, and decreased libido.  i have been taking paxil for depression for the past six months and have experienced all of these effects, but they have all abated as time passes, except that i still have problems with restless sleep, and bruxism or grinding of the teeth during sleep.  i’ve been experimenting with timing of the dosage to prevent this.  apparently Paxil gives some people a feeling of more energy, and some a feeling of tiredness.  i was advised that it has the least side effects of any of the serotonin reuptake inhibitors, especially in the area of stomach upset and/or decreased appetite.  i haven’t experienced either of these, nor have i had headaches. i don’t want to take it forever, but i’ve had good results with it–in combination with sessions with a reputable therapist–for depression/social phobia. megan

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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

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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

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Question:

Has anybody been on Effexor? I have been on it since November and I have recently figured out it is the cause of the strange symptoms I’ve been having. I have been bothered by mouth ulcers that make eating and drinking almost anything painful. I also get very hot with the least little bit of exertion. And it also was part of the cause of the strange dreams I was having, as well as the dizziness. I think the Effexor along with the Ginko Balboa I was trying did not do well together. Since I stopped taking the Ginko Balboa, neither one has bothered me as bad. Anyway, my question is: has anyone taken Effexor? I need to know how to taper off, because I hear the withdrawl can be bad. I was taking 225mg and have gone down to 150mg, as of two days ago, but am afraid to cut back anymore. I have a job and a family, and I don’t need to hallucinate or be sick right now! If anyone has any advice I’d appreciate it. Michele

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Hi Michelle I was just prescribed this wonder drug ang I was so dizzy and sick to my stomach so I cut my per down to 1/2 a pill twice a day.It was prescribed for neurogenic pain and muscle spasms.I wanted Neurontin but the doc said this had less side effects!As far as I can see,all it is,is an antidepressant.What did you get it prescribed for?225 mg is the maximum dosage.Your doctor really started you off with a bang. What do you think is a better alternative? Carol — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

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the smart thing to do is to call your doctor. you shouldnt be looking to non-medical people for such important info! @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Be Well, Lisa anti-spam in effect. remove 123 from my address. "Please explain to me the scientific nature of ‘The Whammy’" – Scully "The dope’s that there’s still hope." – Bruce Springsteen @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

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I have called my doctor, but I thought I would see how other people got off it while I was waiting for him to call me back. Michele

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I have called my doctor, but I thought I would see how other people got off it

while I was waiting for him to call me back.

I just quit.  Didn’t suffer for it.  Were there more specific questions you have? Dabrinah

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Question:

Boy did this one thing you asked ring a bell.I am tired of hearing a doctor or professional tell me , I couldn’t have felt the affects of the medication because its too early.What a bunch of bull.Too often the real truth is professionals and psychiaitry is practiced so unevenly its truly a sin!.Each time you ask someone else you get a different answer.I too have taken Buspar for a day and instantly felt more relaxed.But I don’t take it too often cause I believe its just a stronger version of valium.at least and at most too strong.You have to determine whats right for you.However incidentally I had a doctor tell me, to take it as needed , no need to take it for weeks.With prozac I didn’t need to take that stuff longer then a week (2 bloody noses) to know what I felt and didn’t need  anyone to tell me what I felt was real or not real. what hogwash.Still glad buspar is around but still waiting for better science. Tell daughter to try exercise, stop smoking and eat healthy .

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I do realize however that some meds do work after getting in blood stream , and some especially anti depressants and mood meds might take a few weeks.Every person is different but more importantly  listen to your body , and incidentally Buspar is not one of the drugs that HAVE to be in your system for weeks.

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My teenage daughter (17 years old)  is taking Buspar for sever anxiety and panic disorder. I was wondering if anyone can help me here. She has just been on this medication for nearly 3 weeks now. Her inital does was 5mg morn 5mg afternoon and 10mg beditime. That was the first 2 weeks. She did show some signs of improvement but not nearly enough. Her dosage has now been increased to 7.5mg morn 7.5mg afternoon and 15mg bedtime. Question here is i understand that it takes weeks for it to take full effectivness, but seems when she feels anxiety now and takes the medication within mins she feels somewhat better. Is this possible, or does it have to reach its full limits before it works? Hope you can understand this question. Thanks in advance!

Hi Dad! BuSpar will *not* block panic attacks. The meds of choice for panic disorder are those that *do* block panic attacks. And these include the benzos (e.g. Xanax, Klonopin, etc) and the SSRIs (e.g. Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, etc.). Sounds like your daughter saw a GP instead of a psychiatrist (who she should see for med advice on panic disorder). Feeling better within minutes of taking a  BuSpar pill is a *placebo* effect (i.e. you have "faith" it will help, and thus it does). Chip Before you buy.

Response:

My teenage daughter (17 years old)  is taking Buspar for sever anxiety and panic disorder. I was wondering if anyone can help me here. She has just been on this medication for nearly 3 weeks now. Her inital does was 5mg morn 5mg afternoon and 10mg beditime. That was the first 2 weeks. She did show some signs of improvement but not nearly enough. Her dosage has now been increased to 7.5mg morn 7.5mg afternoon and 15mg bedtime. Question here is i understand that it takes weeks for it to take full effectivness, but seems when she feels anxiety now and takes the medication within mins she feels somewhat better. Is this possible, or does it have to reach its full limits before it works? Hope you can understand this question. Thanks in advance!

Response:

I sympathize, Neal, and oh, Thank You for answering one of my questions! I took the 3 others, for panic/anxiety… Prozac, zoloft, and paxil, and felt worse within a week. When I was prescribed Buspar, I had no high hopes, but I swear within an hour, I felt a heaviness, rather than extreme panic. An almost calmness, maybe sleepy, and it made me feel better immediately. I was given 7.5 mg, in am and again at pm for a week, then 15 mg am and pm, since then, about 2 months now. It hasnt helped completely, but feel a difference. I’m sorry I can’t answer your question, but sometimes, just having someone share an experience helps, a bit. I have been told by therapist that I may need an increase, but I haven’t felt comfortable about it yet. (also, i had been told before that there are no side effects from paxil, zoloft or prozac, and i KNOW that there are!) so go with what feels right, and what seems to be working- even a little bit at a time.

Response:

Hi, I was recently prescribed Buspar for genreral anxiety disorder and after researching it a bit, I find I’m very confused.  I have both depression and GAD, but it’s the anxiety that’s bothering me most at the moment. (It’s hard sometimes to separate these things into categories, btw).  My question is this (I’m a bit of a newbie poster but I’ve read a lot).  Buspar and and SSRI’s appear to do different things.  Anxiety is apparently caused by too much serotonin. According to the www.buspar.com home page (sponsored by Bristol/Myers/Squibb):          "Your symptoms of persistent anxiety may be due to an imbalance of          a chemical called "serotonin" in the brain. It is believed that          an excess of serotonin may be one of the causes of persistent          anxiety. Other anti-anxiety medications work on different          chemicals in the brain.          BuSpar works differently from other anti-anxiety medications –          BuSpar works on the "serotonin system" in the brain to bring          serotonin levels back to normal." But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin. I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things. A quick history – I’ve had depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember and the only medicinal success I’ve had was with Zoloft several years ago.  Zoloft helped tremendously, it seemed to knock out the anxiety and lifted my depression.  There were side effects (drowsiness, sexual dampening, some word finding trouble), but it worked.  I went off it after I decided I was feeling good enough to give it a try.  The depression and anxiety gradually returned. A year later I tried it again but it increased my anxiety so much (like drinking several pots of coffee!) that I was unable to tolerate it even at small doses and I gave up before it gave me any benefit. Right now I’ve been on Buspar for about a week (10mg/day – I’m sensitive to drugs).  I’m not feeling any better, in fact the main effects seem to be dizziness, drowsiness, headache and poor concentration, even worse than before.  And improving concentration is one of the things Buspar is supposed to help!  And as evidenced by this post, my chronic worry doesn’t seem to be getting any better either  :-)  I seem to be getting a bit of the bruxism/jaw clenching that I recall was a side effect of zoloft too. Can anyone out there, either fellow sufferer or pharmacist help me understand the mechanics of these drugs? Anyway, should I should I stick it out with Buspar for a while (it’s been one week) despite the side effects? How long until I know whether it’s doing anything for me? I do recall that I had similar side effects for a couple weeks with zoloft (even worse.. there  was nausea too) before they started to subside and my depression/anxiety started to improve.  This time around, I’m more skeptical (both from the posts here that say Buspar isn’t generally too effective and from my confusion about how this drug is supposed to work.) The doc says that we may try Buspar in combination with a small dose of an antidepressant if it seems to help at all.  Again, this sounds confusing, but I’ve heard people have had some sucess with this. Thanks in advance -Grisha

Response:

(snip) But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin.

This is what I understood, too.  I’m on Zoloft. for GAD. I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things. A quick history – I’ve had depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember and the only medicinal success I’ve had was with Zoloft several years ago.  Zoloft helped tremendously, it seemed to knock out the anxiety and lifted my depression.  There were side effects (drowsiness, sexual dampening, some word finding trouble), but it worked.

Ah, I’ve ben wondering if my "word finding trouble" (<—good description!) is related to the Zoloft.  I guess maybe it is.   I went off it after I decided I was feeling good enough to give it a try.  The depression and anxiety gradually returned. A year later I tried it again but it increased my anxiety so much (like drinking several pots of coffee!) that I was unable to tolerate it even at small doses and I gave up before it gave me any benefit. Right now I’ve been on Buspar for about a week (10mg/day – I’m sensitive to drugs).  I’m not feeling any better, in fact the main effects seem to be dizziness, drowsiness, headache and poor concentration, even worse than before.

(snip) This probably won’t help you much, but I’ve been reading some of the posts from people on Buspar and wondering just how effective this drug is.  Four people I know were prescribed Buspar for anxiety/panic by their GP’s or OBGYN’s, and all 4 said it made them so much worse! They felt totally out of control on the Buspar, and did so much better on a different drug (Zoloft and maybe Prozac, IIRC).   Luckily, my psych. put me on Z from the get-go and I haven’t had any problems.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Anyway, should I should I stick it out with Buspar for a while (it’s been one week) despite the side effects? How long until I know whether it’s doing anything for me? I do recall that I had similar side effects for a couple weeks with zoloft (even worse.. there  was nausea too) before they started to subside and my depression/anxiety started to improve.  This time around, I’m more skeptical (both from the posts here that say Buspar isn’t generally too effective and from my confusion about how this drug is supposed to work.) The doc says that we may try Buspar in combination with a small dose of an antidepressant if it seems to help at all.  Again, this sounds confusing, but I’ve heard people have had some sucess with this. Thanks in advance -Grisha

Response:

Hi, I was recently prescribed Buspar for genreral anxiety disorder and after researching it a bit, I find I’m very confused.  I have both depression and GAD, but it’s the anxiety that’s bothering me most at the moment. (It’s hard sometimes to separate these things into categories, btw).  My question is this (I’m a bit of a newbie poster but I’ve read a lot).  Buspar and and SSRI’s appear to do different things.  Anxiety is apparently caused by too much serotonin. According to the www.buspar.com home page (sponsored by Bristol/Myers/Squibb):

Hi, Grisha, good to have you posting <some snipping Bristol/Myers/Squibb were, as one might expect, being a leetle selective with the facts there. As I understand it, no one really knows what causes anxiety disorders. Serotonin is one of the substances impilcated – but just one. It’s important to remember, for example, that a very fair proportion of people on this NG don’t use medications that affect serotonin at all and yet get very effective relief from what they do use – benzodiazepines. Arguably their problem concerns GABA, not serotonin. <more snipping But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin.

Exactly right, as I understand it, so possibly a clue why Buspar isn’t widely regarded as an effective medication by the majority of people who’ve posted here? I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things.

I simply don’t know the answer to this but perhaps one of the wetstuff techies can help us? <yet more snipping Anyway, should I should I stick it out with Buspar for a while (it’s been one week) despite the side effects? How long until I know whether it’s doing anything for me? I do recall that I had similar side effects for a couple weeks with zoloft (even worse.. there  was nausea too) before they started to subside and my depression/anxiety started to improve.  This time around, I’m more skeptical (both from the posts here that say Buspar isn’t generally too effective and from my confusion about how this drug is supposed to work.) The doc says that we may try Buspar in combination with a small dose of an antidepressant if it seems to help at all.  Again, this sounds confusing, but I’ve heard people have had some sucess with this.

Personally, I won’t tolerate side effects lasting more than about ten-14 days, but that’s just me. I worry about Buspar – not because I think it does people harm, but because I sense it is being prescribed as an alternative to benzodiazepines by doctors who have swallowed the myths and propaganda about "addiction" concerning the latter. It’s fair enough to try it, but to persist against the odds seems like bad practice to me. Have you tried the combination of an AD and a benzo? Judging by the posts here, that seems to be the most useful combination for those with coincident depression and I wonder if it might be worth discussing it with your doctor? Just a thought — Gary Cooper

Response:

<snipped some good stuff : I just started takign BuSpar as an enhancer to the Effexor that I’m already taking.   In addition, I take klonopin.  The idea is to get me up to 15 mg/day. I have lots of problems with anxiety, but my main hope for BuSpar is that it will pick up the Effexor…. No longer searching for beauty or love, just some kind of life with the edges taken off. –Jarvis Cocker

Response:

Bristol/Myers/Squibb were, as one might expect, being a leetle selective with the facts there. As I understand it, no one really knows what causes anxiety disorders. Serotonin is one of the substances impilcated – but just one. It’s important to remember, for example, that a very fair proportion of people on this NG don’t use medications that affect serotonin at all and yet get very effective relief from what they do use – benzodiazepines. Arguably their problem concerns GABA, not serotonin.

I’ve heard this theory several times before.  I take it that it is possible that people have a problem with levels of serotonin, and this is causing the anxiety, but the increase in the strength of binding of GABA (which is what the benzos do) has an effect that offsets the effects of the serotonin problem.  This might explain why people get relief from anxiety from both serotoninigic and GABA-related treatments.  (Or, maybe the reverse is the case, for that matter.) People like, e.g. Peter Kramer (and many other people I’ve run across in print) move from the fact that drug x increases y and drug x cures depression that depression is caused by (in part, at least) too little y. I just think that this is a bit quick.  It’s certainly one potential explanation, and perhaps the best one.  But it’s not the only one.  Again, it might be that the depression is caused by some other factor, z, whose effects are overridden by the effects of the increase in y. (Gary–not directed at you personally, and please don’t take me as being pedantic; I don’t mean to be.  Just a question I have about an inference that I see made all over.) <more snipping But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin.

Though BuSpar does work for some (just not many, it seems).  I think that this just shows that we’re a long way from understanding how these drugs cure depression and anxiety. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things. I simply don’t know the answer to this but perhaps one of the wetstuff techies can help us? Anyway, should I should I stick it out with Buspar for a while (it’s been one week) despite the side effects? How long until I know whether it’s doing anything for me? I do recall that I had similar side effects for a couple weeks with zoloft (even worse.. there  was nausea too) before they started to subside and my depression/anxiety started to improve.  This time around, I’m more skeptical (both from the posts here that say Buspar isn’t generally too effective and from my confusion about how this drug is supposed to work.) The doc says that we may try Buspar in combination with a small dose of an antidepressant if it seems to help at all.  Again, this sounds confusing, but I’ve heard people have had some sucess with this.

It depends on how bad the side effects are–BuSpar, like SSRIs, takes 2-4 weeks to really start working (if it does at all). snip  I worry about Buspar – not because I think it does people harm, but because I sense it is being prescribed as an alternative to benzodiazepines by doctors who have swallowed the myths and propaganda about "addiction" concerning the latter. It’s fair enough to try it, but to persist against the odds seems like bad practice to me.

I totally agree. Have you tried the combination of an AD and a benzo? Judging by the posts here, that seems to be the most useful combination for those with coincident depression and I wonder if it might be worth discussing it with your doctor? Just a thought

And, IMHO, the right thought.  I second the motion. Matt

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<some snipping for space People like, e.g. Peter Kramer (and many other people I’ve run across in print) move from the fact that drug x increases y and drug x cures depression that depression is caused by (in part, at least) too little y. I just think that this is a bit quick.  It’s certainly one potential explanation, and perhaps the best one.  But it’s not the only one.  Again, it might be that the depression is caused by some other factor, z, whose effects are overridden by the effects of the increase in y. (Gary–not directed at you personally, and please don’t take me as being pedantic; I don’t mean to be.  Just a question I have about an inference that I see made all over.)

<rest snipped Oh, I certainly don’t Matt. But, personally, I long ago realised that I hadn’t the dedication to go into the minuteae of the neuro-chemistry of this – particularly as it’s such a conjectural field anyway. To do so to any level that might satisfy me intellectually, I’d effectively have to take a DIY med. degree and even then I’d be banging heads with the experts, who seem hopelessly confused themselves – blown around the map of the brain like pre-chronometer navigators I almost hate admitting this to a philosopher but I trust my intuition and that tells me that Clarke’s Law applies here. Too many eminent pshrinks are talking about serotonin for that to possibly be the answer Maybe it is? Maybe it’s CCK? Maybe it’s dopamine? None of us knows so, for now, all we can be is engineers, rather than theoretical physicists. Sometimes I’m not sure that’s a bad thing, either — Gary Cooper

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <some snipping for space People like, e.g. Peter Kramer (and many other people I’ve run across in print) move from the fact that drug x increases y and drug x cures depression that depression is caused by (in part, at least) too little y. I just think that this is a bit quick.  It’s certainly one potential explanation, and perhaps the best one.  But it’s not the only one.  Again, it might be that the depression is caused by some other factor, z, whose effects are overridden by the effects of the increase in y. (Gary–not directed at you personally, and please don’t take me as being pedantic; I don’t mean to be.  Just a question I have about an inference that I see made all over.) <rest snipped

snip I almost hate admitting this to a philosopher but I trust my intuition and that tells me that Clarke’s Law applies here. Too many eminent pshrinks are talking about serotonin for that to possibly be the answer

Maybe it is? Maybe it’s CCK? Maybe it’s dopamine? None of us knows so, for now, all we can be is engineers, rather than theoretical physicists.

Yah, I’m certainly not claiming to know either –just looking at an inference Matt

Response:

[...] But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression?

There’s no conflict there. Psychiatric diagnoses are made on the basis of symptoms not pathophysiology. It’s not like having both diabetes and hypoglycemia. (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin. I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things.

[...] _You’re_ confused? Think of the people doing the research. They’re making careers out of their confusion. If anything, you’re confused because you’re approaching the matter as though the antidepressant mechanism of SSRI’s were a settled question. (Come to think of it, this probably screws up the researchers’ heads too). Yes, SSRI’s increase synaptic serotonin — that’s known. What isn’t fully understood is what happens next and how it improves mood. Is it 5HT-receptor upregulation? How significant are the well-known ‘downstream’ effects on dopamine and norepinephrine? Three neurotransmitter systems have been implicated in the doings of buspirone. It is a high-affinity 5HT1A partial agonist. Already a pain in the ass, since it’s not always clear whether a partial agonist acts primarily as an agonist or an antagonist. It may be one or the other depending on many factors. So already you wonder: is the anxiolytic effect based on agonist or antagonist activity? Those who attribute the anxiolytic effect to 5HT activity seem to think of it as an agonist (shutting off of 5HT release), but if it is the other way ’round, antagonizing 5HT1A and preventing natural 5HT shutdown, is anything any less (or more) clear? Next, it appears to be a a2-adrenergic antagonist. Some researchers attribute the anxiolytic effect to this. But this also seems odd in light of the fact that the a2-adrenergic _agonist_ clonidine is famed for its ability to reduce anxiety, particularly in drug withdrawal. And a2-adrenergic antagonists promote norepinephrine production. A sympathomimetic anxiolytic? And then there’s its D2-antagonist activity. This has been dismissed as clinically insignificant, though it does appear prominently in the early research. It’s at least more consistent with what one would expect from a non-GABAergic anxiolytic. But it’s probably not the answer. There is no reason not to be confused. In fact, if you’re not confused, you are either delusional or a marketing executive at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Response:

  How does BuSpar work? It doesn’t.  BuSpar has no effect at all.

Response:

… Exactly right, as I understand it, so possibly a clue why Buspar isn’t widely regarded as an effective medication by the majority of people who’ve posted here?

I have what might be a simpler clue…the doses commonly used (15-30mg/day) may not be high enough!  I think that if you can tolerate it (start low, go slow), it might be worthwhile to try going up to 90mg/day – especially if you have GAD and depression and no history of panic attacks (BuSpar really isn’t for panic).  30-90mg/day is the dose range for major depression (including melancholic depression).  (The original trials for schizophrenia used doses up to, get this, 2400mg/day, with an average dose around 1500mg/day.) -elizabeth

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I was recently prescribed Buspar for genreral anxiety disorder and after researching it a bit, I find I’m very confused.  I have both depression and GAD, but it’s the anxiety that’s bothering me most at the moment. (It’s hard sometimes to separate these things into categories, btw).  My question is this (I’m a bit of a newbie poster but I’ve read a lot).  Buspar and and SSRI’s appear to do different things.  Anxiety is apparently caused by too much serotonin. According to the www.buspar.com home page (sponsored by Bristol/Myers/Squibb):          "Your symptoms of persistent anxiety may be due to an imbalance of          a chemical called "serotonin" in the brain. It is believed that          an excess of serotonin may be one of the causes of persistent          anxiety. Other anti-anxiety medications work on different          chemicals in the brain.          BuSpar works differently from other anti-anxiety medications –          BuSpar works on the "serotonin system" in the brain to bring          serotonin levels back to normal." But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? (a common complaint, judging from a.s.d and a.s.p-a).  The SSRI I took several years ago (zoloft) seemed to greatly allieviate both anxiety and depression and I thought the mechanism was by increasing the effectiveness of serotonin (by inhibiting reuptake and leaving it in the synapses longer). Effectively correcting a _deficiency_ of serotonin. I’m confused. Moreover, my pdoc (confirmed by postings here) says that Buspar is sometimes combined with an antidepressant (SSRI or other) to increase the effective relief — either of GAD, depression or both! They seem to be doing opposite things, wouldn’t they cancel each other out? I’m sure I’m confused because I’m oversimplifying things. A quick history – I’ve had depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember and the only medicinal success I’ve had was with Zoloft several years ago.  Zoloft helped tremendously, it seemed to knock out the anxiety and lifted my depression.  There were side effects (drowsiness, sexual dampening, some word finding trouble), but it worked.  I went off it after I decided I was feeling good enough to give it a try.  The depression and anxiety gradually returned. A year later I tried it again but it increased my anxiety so much (like drinking several pots of coffee!) that I was unable to tolerate it even at small doses and I gave up before it gave me any benefit. Right now I’ve been on Buspar for about a week (10mg/day – I’m sensitive to drugs).  I’m not feeling any better, in fact the main effects seem to be dizziness, drowsiness, headache and poor concentration, even worse than before.  And improving concentration is one of the things Buspar is supposed to help!  And as evidenced by this post, my chronic worry doesn’t seem to be getting any better either  :-)  I seem to be getting a bit of the bruxism/jaw clenching that I recall was a side effect of zoloft too. Can anyone out there, either fellow sufferer or pharmacist help me understand the mechanics of these drugs? Anyway, should I should I stick it out with Buspar for a while (it’s been one week) despite the side effects? How long until I know whether it’s doing anything for me? I do recall that I had similar side effects for a couple weeks with zoloft (even worse.. there  was nausea too) before they started to subside and my depression/anxiety started to improve.  This time around, I’m more skeptical (both from the posts here that say Buspar isn’t generally too effective and from my confusion about how this drug is supposed to work.) The doc says that we may try Buspar in combination with a small dose of an antidepressant if it seems to help at all.  Again, this sounds confusing, but I’ve heard people have had some sucess with this. Thanks in advance -Grisha

Grisha — That’s a long message!  I’ve posted on alt.support.anxiety.panic how SSRIs work to the best of my knowledge (someone already corrected me on a mistake I made).  But I’m not sure how Buspar works.  I don’t the the docs really know either.  Someone read it to me in a counseling book, and the authors weren’t too sure either. my advice:  If the shoe fits, wear it.  If it don’t, throw it out. — Geoff

Response:

  How does BuSpar work? It doesn’t.  BuSpar has no effect at all.

Not exactly true.  Current thought is that BuSpar is ineffective for panic, although it may be better for GAD.  My doc refuses to prescribe it for panic.  However, I have recently spoken to a top anxiety specialist who uses it as a second-line med, and has had some positive results with panic disorder patients.  Not all, but some.  He admits he has been too lazy to write this up and get it into the literature So, while there are many meds that are more effective than BuSpar for panic, it is an option for those who have problems with other meds. YMMV hugely. Hirsch

Response:

My pdoc seems to be down on benzos, he called them tranquilizers and seemed to regard them as masking rather than dealing with the problem.  He also said they’re addictive and sedating like alcohol (though this Buspar is having a sedating/groggy inducing effect)  This seems to be a common story. So I doubt I’ll have luck with him giving me the AD/benzo combination that you’ve recommended.  Shopping for another doctor seems just beyond me at this point. Obviously, I should probably be patient and see if the Buspar does anything for me besides side effects.  But if nothing (as seems likely from the consensus here) then what?  Find an AD I can tolerate, perhaps and see if I can suggest he prescribe a benzo?

If the BuSpar doesn’t work, I’d be firm with him.  It’s your body, after all.  Benzos are called "minor tranquilizers," though the connotations of that word probably are such that tehy shouldn’t be called that.  As to their addictiveness–this amounts to the fact that you need to taper off slowly if you’re going to stop taking them if you’ve taken them for a while.  They’re seldom abused by patients, and they almost never are such that you develop a tolerance to their anti-anxiety properties.  Plus, side effect-wise, they’re good drugs.  Most of the side effects go away after a few weeks (the grogginess, sleepiness, etc.) for most people.  Then the anti-anxiety properties remain. You also could go to your gp and talk to her about your situation.  Maybe she’ll be more rational about benzos. Good luck, Matt

Response:

[...] But I thought depression was caused by not enough serotonin.  If this is true, how can a person have both GAD and depression? There’s no conflict there. Psychiatric diagnoses are made on the basis of symptoms not pathophysiology. It’s not like having both diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Thanks everyone for all the information.  You’re all great! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one confused here (I think I’m glad). The mechanism of buspar must be similar in some ways to zoloft, because my side effect profile is similar.  I’m getting jaw clenching and increased tension in my neck and shoulders (where I carry my stress anyway)  (is this norepinephrine?) similar to when I was starting on zoloft.  I’ve got a constant headache (listed as a common side effect) and am sweating like a pig.  Drowsy, dizzy no concentration, still anxious as ever.  No actual _beneficial_ effects yet (after one week) it seems.  It’s very frustrating to say the least because I’m told to be patient and wait for 2-4 weeks to notice anything.  Just my luck I’ll get the sexual side effects too (not that it matters at the moment . Some people have no side effects whatsoever to this drug (or to many of the others), so obviously this neurochemistry thing is extremely complex. I’ve never been on a benzo, so I have no idea what it would feel like to get immediate relief to this chronic worry, tension and anxiety.  I don’t have true Panic Attacks, I don’t think, where I’m paralyzed with panic and have chest pains and everything, but I do hyperventilate and get the tingly face and hands feeling, particularly in traffic, but sometimes for no apparent reason, it just seems like a slightly more intense version of the anxiety I feel all the time. It’s pretty clearly GAD with depression, now, I just need to find something that will take care of it. My pdoc seems to be down on benzos, he called them tranquilizers and seemed to regard them as masking rather than dealing with the problem.  He also said they’re addictive and sedating like alcohol (though this Buspar is having a sedating/groggy inducing effect)  This seems to be a common story. So I doubt I’ll have luck with him giving me the AD/benzo combination that you’ve recommended.  Shopping for another doctor seems just beyond me at this point. Obviously, I should probably be patient and see if the Buspar does anything for me besides side effects.  But if nothing (as seems likely from the consensus here) then what?  Find an AD I can tolerate, perhaps and see if I can suggest he prescribe a benzo? Thanks again everyone for your continued support and explanations (or approximations) of the chemistry behind these drugs. -Grisha

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Yeh Gary, I asked my Doc here in Australia about Buspar long ago – he laughed and said: "I don’t even prescribe that crap for *minor* anxiety, it’s basically useless for panic disorder. Benzodiazapine’s are safer and *much* more effective" He then wrote me a script for Xanax – and asked *me* to tell him how much worked – then asked that I ring his surgery for repeats as needed….

Blimey, Mike – that’s the second good reason I’ve seen for emigration to Oz in the past few weeks! I wish we had a few doctors like that, over here. — Gary Cooper

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<much interesting commentary snipped There is no reason not to be confused. In fact, if you’re not confused, you are either delusional or a marketing executive at Bristol-Myers Squibb.

And ain’t *that* the truth! — Gary Cooper

Response:

<Good Stuff Snipped Exactly right, as I understand it, so possibly a clue why Buspar isn’t widely regarded as an effective medication by the majority of people who’ve posted here?

<More Good Stuff Snipped Yeh Gary, I asked my Doc here in Australia about Buspar long ago – he laughed and said: "I don’t even prescribe that crap for *minor* anxiety, it’s basically useless for panic disorder. Benzodiazapine’s are safer and *much* more effective" He then wrote me a script for Xanax – and asked *me* to tell him how much worked – then asked that I ring his surgery for repeats as needed…. Cheers, Mike from OZ

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Question:

 I used Zoloft for a year or so along with other  mood altering  meds. I have sever deppresion and am schizoaffective disorder, Zoloft provided some relief, however  I experienced headaches and weight gain. When I stopped the headaches subsided, Ilost the excess weight and noticed little difference  in my mood. I really did’nt  benifit  from it.

Response:

Hi, I have been on Zoloft since 94 or 95 (cant remember which)  The only side effects I have noticed is a decreased sex drive and touble reaching climax. But I also have a fertility hormonal problem that could be producing the low sex drive.  To conquer the insomnia, you need to take the Zoloft in the morning, perferably before noon, or Im up all night.  I take 100mg per day since about a year ago, but was on it for  a year at 50mg.  But got out in the real world again and work, so it got stressful, which stress brings on panic, and depression, so it was upped to 100mg.  One note of caution, I was a few months ago having a teriible problem with teh depression, and upped it to 125 (with approval) and notcied panic got worse, shakes and  dizziness with it.  It was too high for me and one side effect of zoloft if its too high a dose is that it can cause some anxiety.

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Hi Jo, I dont know if 3 years is quite long enough for what you have in mind, but 3 years is 3 years..lol… Hmmm…. I think, and this is a personal opinion based on what I have seen, read and heard, that one reason Zoloft hasnt been able to document long term effects is two things: 1) the person gets better, by whatever means they found to be valuable to them and /or 2) a very wide-spread common complaint regarding the long-term effects of Zoloft is that the effect seems to decrease after around the 2 year mark. I dont know why, and I have yet to understand it, yet to understand the clinical reasoning… But here I was, thinking Zoloft was just 10 kinds of heaven when I started it three years ago, and now, whether it is a combination of many stressors addingtaking away from the effects, I find myself REgressing rather than PROgressing… I am very frustrated by this, as I know Zoloft, I know the way it effects me, etc. and now I am faced with the decision of either increasing the dose to 100mgs a day and combining it– I could be wrong, but I think it was Ativan recommended for the sleep problems–or switching to a new med, like Prozac…Or, of course, there is always the option of living with the panic/anxiety, depression and eating disorders without meds, but I dont find that a very realistic option…I trust my new counselor, but sheesh! It is like starting all over from square one again… Good luck to you! ] ~~Miriam~~ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (I’m new to this group, so bear with me)   I’ve been on Zoloft (50mg/day) for the past 9 months.  I’ve got G.A.D. (generalized anxiety disorder) and also suffer from PA and depression. I’ve been having reasonable success with Zoloft (only side effects being decreased sex-drive and sometimes-insomnia), but I did some research on it and noticed that Pfizer (co. that makes it) hasn’t done any studies on the long-term effects.  So….I’m curious if anyone out there has been on it for awhile and can let me know if anything bad/good has happened. Thanks! jo

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It’s only been out since 92, so it’s a bit tough to have the sort of long-term studies it’d be nice to have.   Nobody seems to understand why this is the case, but all the SSRIs seem to have a tendency to "poop out" after a period of time.  This isn’t to say they will for everyone, but quite often they do.  For me on Prozac, it was 3 years.  Another joyous thing about the SSRIs. Matt

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It’s only been out since 92, so it’s a bit tough to have the sort of long-term studies it’d be nice to have.   Nobody seems to understand why this is the case, but all the SSRIs seem to have a tendency to "poop out" after a period of time.  This isn’t to say they will for everyone, but quite often they do.  For me on Prozac, it was 3 years.  Another joyous thing about the SSRIs. Matt

Prozac quit working for me after about 6 months! Tammy

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s only been out since 92, so it’s a bit tough to have the sort of long-term studies it’d be nice to have.   Nobody seems to understand why this is the case, but all the SSRIs seem to have a tendency to "poop out" after a period of time.  This isn’t to say they will for everyone, but quite often they do.  For me on Prozac, it was 3 years.  Another joyous thing about the SSRIs. Matt Prozac quit working for me after about 6 months! Tammy

Well, one good thing is that there is a whole spate of ad’s currently being tested (something like 40).  So, in a few years there should be more in the way of options, hopefully of drugs that don’t poop out.  (Many of these drugs aren’t SSRIs.) Matt

Response:

(I’m new to this group, so bear with me)   I’ve been on Zoloft (50mg/day) for the past 9 months.  I’ve got G.A.D. (generalized anxiety disorder) and also suffer from PA and depression. I’ve been having reasonable success with Zoloft (only side effects being decreased sex-drive and sometimes-insomnia), but I did some research on it and noticed that Pfizer (co. that makes it) hasn’t done any studies on the long-term effects.  So….I’m curious if anyone out there has been on it for awhile and can let me know if anything bad/good has happened. Thanks! jo

Response: