Question:

I posted earlier that it’s starting to seem that albuterol is either not working, or, is actually starting to tighten me up, rather than loosen me up (paradoxical reaction?).  I seem to be tight all the time (have been checked for heart and other lung issues, but, nothing shows up). I finally convinced my doctor to try me on another MDI, so, he gave me Alupent.  I’ve tried it twice today (first time 2 puffs, second time, 8 hours later, three puffs, and don’t really see that it does anything–my pulse isn’t even going up, and, I don’t have any kind of nervous feeling. Any others have experiences with this? TIA!

Response:

Yep, I have asthma–all my life, and I’m 50.  I’m using Flovent and Serevent, too.  My doctor wanted to try me on MaxAir, rather than Alupent, but, the Pharmacy doesn’t stock it.  I’ve used the Alupent several times, and, it doesn’t really seem to do…anything–not even making my heart race. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I posted earlier that it’s starting to seem that albuterol is either not working, or, is actually starting to tighten me up, rather than loosen me up (paradoxical reaction?).  I seem to be tight all the time (have been checked for heart and other lung issues, but, nothing shows up). I finally convinced my doctor to try me on another MDI, so, he gave me Alupent.  I’ve tried it twice today (first time 2 puffs, second time, 8 hours later, three puffs, and don’t really see that it does anything–my pulse isn’t even going up, and, I don’t have any kind of nervous feeling. Any others have experiences with this? TIA! Alupent is generaly not considered as good a beta2-agonist bronchodilator for asthma, as albuterol. Alupent is not listed as a preferred drug in the latest asthma guidelines. There are other beta2 agonists that are listed, like terbutaline & pirbuterol. It sounds like you may need a steroid inhaler for long term maintenance; like Pulmicort or Flovent. Have you had PFTs [pulmonary function tests] to demonstrate you have asthma? Ellis

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Question:

Has anyone heard of a side effect  from Triamcinolone acetonide (Azmacort) that presents like Parkinsons disease?  My mother has just been possibly diagnosted with Parkinsons disease (the neurologist wasn’t sure but he couldn’t prove she had had a stoke ). We had heard a rumor that adrenocorticoids from inhalors (Mom has been on an inhalor for 8 years) could give Parkinson’s like symptoms but can’t find any medical source to confirm this. Please help.  Deon

Response:

Has anyone heard of a side effect  from Triamcinolone acetonide (Azmacort) that presents like Parkinsons disease?  My mother has just been possibly diagnosted with Parkinsons disease (the neurologist wasn’t sure but he couldn’t prove she had had a stoke ). We had heard a rumor that adrenocorticoids from inhalors (Mom has been on an inhalor for 8 years) could give Parkinson’s like symptoms but can’t find any medical source to confirm this. Please help.  Deon Dear Deon I have had a suspicion that tremors I have been experiencing are due to azmacort. I stopped the azmacort for a week and the tremors went away. I NEED the azmacort so I had to restart it.The tremors are back.However, I am also taking numerous other medications and indeed the tremors couldbe due even to another illness I am experiencing. So I need the azmacort and don’t want to risk another self-experiment. I did not see anything about such symptoms in the pamphlet included with the azmacort. BTW, We’re switching to the Blue cross insurance HMO (MASS, USA) and they will cover flovent and pulmicort, but not azmacort! The doctor had taken me off flovent because hethought it was very strong and causing recurring thrush.I wonder how people like pulmicort inhalers. I think opinions have been voiced on this before. I’ve been told that Parkinsonian like symptoms can occur with other medications. Chilla

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Question:

Those spacers are good. . .but the neatest thing I have seen is a product called MDI Tutor.  It is tiny [barely adds any size to the inhaler] and helps you use your inhaler properly.

Response:

My Aerochamber makes a whistleing sound when I inhale too fast.  Is that what you’re talking about? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those spacers are good. . .but the neatest thing I have seen is a product called MDI Tutor.  It is tiny [barely adds any size to the inhaler] and helps you use your inhaler properly.

Response:

Please email your mailing address.  I will send you a complete package of information on what has finally given me drug free relief after thirty years of suffering!!!

Response:

I can’t imagine taking inhalers anymore without the Aerochamber.  It cuts out that hoarse throat, and just all around seems to be more efficient at getting the medicine where its supposed to go.  Before it would land on my upper pallette (sp?) and leave a spot of medicine there.  Now I don’t have to pay so much attention to how I’m taking it except for expelling my breath before. Sue M.

I agree with you … Aerochambers are great. There’s a really good one out there called an OptiHaler, made by Healthscan Products. I don’t know if you’ve tried it but I personally like to use it a little better than those clear AeroChamber ones. The OptiHaler is more compact so it’s easier to carry around, and I like how it functions. You can store your medication inside it, too. It’s hard to find though at the pharmacies.                                              http://www.europa.com/~bjknotts/

Response:

I can’t imagine taking inhalers anymore without the Aerochamber.  It cuts out that hoarse throat, and just all around seems to be more efficient at getting the medicine where its supposed to go.  Before it would land on my upper pallette (sp?) and leave a spot of medicine there.  Now I don’t have to pay so much attention to how I’m taking it except for expelling my breath before. Sue M.

Response:

What is an aerochamber? Kathy Anderson fellow-sufferer

Response:

What is an aerochamber? Kathy Anderson fellow-sufferer

See the alt.support.asthma FAQ – I wrote a bit on Aerochambers in the FAQ. Briefly, it is a holding chamber that makes inhalers easier and more efficient to use: you spray your medication into it and then inhale the medication from it, at your own comfortable rate. Certainly worth having, since the inhalation speed required for matching the inhaler’s spray speed is difficult for many to achieve (especially during a flare), and since, without one, those who take inhaled steroids are more likely to get thrush. — Mark Feblowitz,   GTE Laboratories Inc., 40 Sylvan Rd.  Waltham, MA 02254

Response:

 When I posted my first note about a month ago I got a lot of wonderful advice from people and many asked for an update after I saw the doctor. Here it is!  I went to the doctor today and by the time I left I was so elated! What a relief to finally get professional help, I feel so relaxed. He put me on Methylprednisolone tabs for 6 days and I also have Flovent and Serevent that I take two puffs of twice a day. I got Albuterol for when/if I have any problems. He also gave me an AeroChamber and a peak flow meter. Now I’m cooking with gas!  :)  Thanks for all the concern. Tammy

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Question:

Ted said in this very newsgroup… it is the SAME stuff you have been taking, and the price is now only TEN times the price people outside the US pay.

We can only hope that competition will bring the benefits to our US cousins that we Europeans have. Generic Metformin, on a three doses a day basis (1500mg total dose) is sold to the British NHS at a basic price of $4 a week or thereabouts. That is the price the NHS pays; anyone not able to supply at that price does not get used. So therefore as many manufacturers are supplying at that price there is no reason why it should not be available at around those prices in the US. I have had Israeli manufactured Metformin in the past; supplied at that price. Absolutely perfect generic Metformin. The manufacturers would not be selling at the UK price if it was unprofitable. This is not gloating BTW. It really sickens me that our good US friends are being taken for a ride. Ratty — Type 2 since 93 Can I get a new pancreas under the warranty? This one’s burnt out…. http://www.asduk.org.uk our shiny new website!

Response:

it is the SAME stuff you have been taking, and the price is now only TEN times the price people outside the US pay. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just got back from the pharmacy where I discovered that my insurance company forced a switch to the new generic metformin. Anyone have any experience with it yet? Any different (or new) side effects that I should be aware of? I still have about 20 days of the old stuff available, so I’d like to be forewarned if possible. Thanks in advance.

Response:

Bill Josephs said in this very newsgroup… I just got back from the pharmacy where I discovered that my insurance company forced a switch to the new generic metformin. Anyone have any experience with it yet? Any different (or new) side effects that I should be aware of? I still have about 20 days of the old stuff available, so I’d like to be forewarned if possible. Thanks in advance.

The only real meaningful difference is the name. Metformin is the lab name of the compound that Glucophage contains. The active ingredients are identical. Ratty — email: flyingrat at totalise.co.uk giggle: http://www.users.totalise.co.uk/~royellor/ spam: kiss my ar*e

Response:

I just got back from the pharmacy where I discovered that my insurance company forced a switch to the new generic metformin. Anyone have any experience with it yet? Any different (or new) side effects that I should be aware of? I still have about 20 days of the old stuff available, so I’d like to be forewarned if possible. Thanks in advance.

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Question:

I lived in Holland for two years, and my asthma worsened to the point where my Doctor prescribed Serevent and Flixotide (Flovent in the US) twice a day along with Ventolin for emergencies. We recognized that the climate was the major culprit, and I decided to move back to the states to the desert of New Mexico. My life-long asthma symptoms are clearing up, and I want to stop taking the inhaled corticosteroid and the serevent. Does anyone have experience with tapering off of these drugs? My stateside doctor certainly hasn’t got a clue!

Response:

I lived in Holland for two years, and my asthma worsened to the point where my Doctor prescribed Serevent and Flixotide (Flovent in the US) twice a day along with Ventolin for emergencies. We recognized that the climate was the major culprit, and I decided to move back to the states to the desert of New Mexico. My life-long asthma symptoms are clearing up, and I want to stop taking the inhaled corticosteroid and the serevent. Does anyone have experience with tapering off of these drugs? My stateside doctor certainly hasn’t got a clue!

Current asthma guidelines are that the asthmatic use an Action Plan to adjust medications, based on peak flow readings and symptoms. The goal is to keep lung function in the Green Zone (80% personal best), but at the same time minimize the amount of inhaled steroid used or/and Serevent. Opinions differ as to whether Serevent or inhaled steroids should be reduced first. During an exacerbation when peak flow readings drop into Yellow Zone (50-80% PB) typically inhaled steroids are doubled and Ventolin used as needed. Ellis

Response:

Chris Writes: I lived in Holland for two years, and my asthma worsened to the point where my Doctor prescribed Serevent and Flixotide (Flovent in the US) twice a day along with Ventolin for emergencies. We recognized that the climate was the major culprit, and I decided to move back to the states to the desert of New Mexico. My life-long asthma symptoms are clearing up, and I want to stop taking the inhaled corticosteroid and the serevent. Does anyone have experience with tapering off of these drugs? My stateside doctor certainly hasn’t got a clue!

Greetings fellow Chris,    I have recently been taken off Serevent and Flovent, I had only taken Flovent for a few  weeks before I was taken off of it but the Serevent I was on for a long time.  I don’t think I tapered off of the drugs, I think I just stopped them cold turkey.  I had no problems with them though, but then again I have been taking various Asthma medications since I was born so I am used to it.   Chris Have Asthma?  Check out the IRC channel #Asthma on ChatNet. Fun and support for all asthma sufferers.

Response:

Chris, The asthma guidelines indicate: If you’re taking none or very little ventolin. First cut down on serevent. If you’re okay after a couple of weeks start cutting down Flixotide . About  25% – 30% gradual reduction over 2 months . Then slowly reduce over another couple of months. Always keep a ventolin on you just in case. It took me ages to find this out! Janet – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I lived in Holland for two years, and my asthma worsened to the point where my Doctor prescribed Serevent and Flixotide (Flovent in the US) twice a day along with Ventolin for emergencies. We recognized that the climate was the major culprit, and I decided to move back to the states to the desert of New Mexico. My life-long asthma symptoms are clearing up, and I want to stop taking the inhaled corticosteroid and the serevent. Does anyone have experience with tapering off of these drugs? My stateside doctor certainly hasn’t got a clue!

Response:

Question:

On 4/22/05 9:00 AM, in article 3csld4F6m22n…@individual.net, "Susan" <Su…@nothankyou.com

wrote: I think it’s helping, but if I get infected again, I’d like to know which abx I can use with the irrigator, instead of systemically?

Many doctors are switching to using the antibiotic via hydro pulse irrigation. You remove the thick mucus to get the abx in better contact with the bacteria too. If your doctor has any questions he can contact me directly.

Response:

On 4/22/05 6:06 AM, in article 3csb6cF6kvuh…@individual.net, "Susan" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<Su…@nothankyou.com

wrote: x-no-archive: yes Murray Grossan wrote: We regularly combine Astelin with a Steroid spray. Are you using Pulsatile irrigation? Thanks for the info, Murray.  Yes, I’m irrigating at least daily, using some SinoFresh now and then in the evening, now that tree pollen is out. I’m about to finish the Augmentin XR, and I still have only a very small, almost pea sized area of soreness in the inner corner of my browbone (it extended almost the length of my eye when I began abx). I don’t want to have to medicate again, this is the third round this year. I just went back to my old allergist and am finally injecting potent desensitization doses of my serum again; the new allergist was so cautious (as convention dictates) that the shots had no effect at all. I’m hoping that the dramatic relief I get from these shots will knock down the allergy/infection/asthma cycle.  I feel a lot less dizzy and weak today, having skipped Advair last night. What drug would my doctor need to rx if we wanted to try irrigating with an abx instead of using it orally?  The same one? Thanks again, Susan

If you are having a sinus – asthma cycle, the cause may be failure of your nasal cilia to remove biofilm with its bacteria. Ask your doctor if using pulsatile irrigation would be of benefit for you.

Response:

On 4/21/05 7:21 AM, in article 3cpr7cF6nht7…@individual.net, "Susan" – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -<Su…@nothankyou.com

wrote: x-no-archive: yes I have chronic sinusitis that is finally coming under control after a month of Augmentin XR and nasal irrigation daily.  I still have pn drip, though, and plenty of clear mucus. The reason I’ve become  very concerned is that this is now triggering asthma, something I’ve not suffered from in the past. I gave up steroid sprays years ago, thinking they might contribute to infections by immune suppression, but I have adverse reactions to Singulair, and maybe Advair, too (elevated bp). Does anyone here know if it’s safe and/or advisable to combine Astelin with occasional steroid nasal spray?  I’ve always gotten excellent results from the Astelin, so I’m not about to give it up. Susan

We regularly combine Astelin with a Steroid spray. Are you using Pulsatile irrigation?

Response:

"Susan" <Su…@nothankyou.com

wrote in message

news:3cpr7cF6nht7qU1@individual.net…

x-no-archive: yes

(snip)

Does anyone here know if it’s safe and/or advisable to combine Astelin with occasional steroid nasal spray?  I’ve always gotten excellent results from the Astelin, so I’m not about to give it up. Susan

I’m not sure what benefit occasional steroid spray use would be, since steroid sprays take at least 3 repeated days of use to have any significant effect at all, and to truly work well, you would need to use them at least 1 squirt per side every day. btw- I use Flonase every day and Astelin almost every day – with no apparent negative effects.   AW

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Question:

Yes, but being a ‘learned scholar’ in one particular area does not mean that your ADVICE will help everyone…which ends up giving out misinformation to patients who are suffering. So instead of expounding on what your career ‘used to be’ and college degree, just try and be compassionate to share what works for you…. it may NOT work for others. The mouthwash DOES NOT do a thing for my thrush….good old mycostatin, and meds does it for me…. I  was a Med/Tech writer editor for 20yrs. but in Radiation Oncology, does that mean I can give advice on curing cancerous lymphomas? I also went to the garage several times, does that make me a mechanic?    LOL Just trying to lighten the mood. thanks

Response:

try using mouth wash( the kind that kills bacteria).  take a swig and hold it in your mouth for as long as you can then spit it out.  this will be a little uncomfortable but it helps

Response:

Dear Carrie,  I had the same problem with the pulmocort and I think you are right about the delivery system.  I rinsed my mouth out faithfully after each use and still had thrush.  I would go off the pulmicort and get the thrush cleared up and go back on it, the thrush would be back within a week.  I finally changed to flovent with the airchamber and have not had any problems.  Pam – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I use a MDI and aerochamber and I rinse my mouth out with water after using my Flovent inhaler.  Ever since I started doing that, I haven’t gotten thrush since.  I don’t know if you have been doing the same, but it has helped me. Carrie I am very upset and miserable. I have thrush again, due to my inhaler. I am on Pulmicort Turbo inhaler. I don’t know if my theory holds any water, but I wondered if I switched to a different mode of delivery….back to a metered dose inhaler…I might not get this thrush as often. With the aero-chamber and a metered dose inhaler I might be able to get it past my tongue better. I have only been on Azmacort and Pulmi-cort. Does Pulmicort come in a metered dose Inhaler? If not, which one would you recommend? Thanks so much DOn * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

do not use a mouth wash that kills bacteria. Thrush is caused by a fungus if you kill the bacteria that normally live in your mouth the naturally occurring fungus will be able to gain a stronger hold on the mucousal surfaces of your mouth and the thrush will become worse.

This information is correct. Antifungal therapy, spacers, mouth rinsing/gargling with water-(try warm water not cold- could solubilize it better), weeker steroid inhalers (I was switched from flovent to  azmacort even though i hohum about it for many reasons)..these are ways to avoid/get rid of thrush. Chilla (the Candida biologist turned science writer)

Response:

I know this information is correct. I’m a microbiologist as well;-)

BTW, hansen’t a gene been identified that produces a susceptibility to yeast infections?  I wonder if (assuming an easy and inexpensive test were available) we could identify if any particular person was more likely to develop thrush? "Keep looking below surface appearances. Don’t shrink from doing so (just) because you might not like what you find."    General Colin Powell

Response:

I know this information is correct. I’m a microbiologist as well;-)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – do not use a mouth wash that kills bacteria. Thrush is caused by a fungus if you kill the bacteria that normally live in your mouth the naturally occurring fungus will be able to gain a stronger hold on the mucousal surfaces of your mouth and the thrush will become worse. This information is correct. Antifungal therapy, spacers, mouth rinsing/gargling with water-(try warm water not cold- could solubilize it better), weeker steroid inhalers (I was switched from flovent to  azmacort even though i hohum about it for many reasons)..these are ways to avoid/get rid of thrush. Chilla (the Candida biologist turned science writer)

Response:

Yes, the mouthwash helped me a bit, temporarily,,,but didnt relieve the horrible pain, peeling, and tenderness of MY thrush; so always end up telling my doc to call in a prescription of "Nystatin" (mycostatin) oral rinse….swish and swallow, boy, does it do the trick for me in two days!!! Just thought this may help those that dont get relef from the home remedies. thanks.

Response:

I am very upset and miserable. I have thrush again, due to my inhaler. I am on Pulmicort Turbo inhaler. I don’t know if my theory holds any water, but I wondered if I switched to a different mode of delivery….back to a metered dose inhaler…I might not get this thrush as often. With the aero-chamber and a metered dose inhaler I might be able to get it past my tongue better. I have only been on Azmacort and Pulmi-cort. Does Pulmicort come in a metered dose Inhaler? If not, which one would you recommend? Thanks so much DOn * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

As far as I know, Pulmicort does not come as a MDI, which is why I’m resisting agains my Doc switching me over to it. I believe that Flovent is just as good, but you would have to ask a doc about that. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am very upset and miserable. I have thrush again, due to my inhaler. I am on Pulmicort Turbo inhaler. I don’t know if my theory holds any water, but I wondered if I switched to a different mode of delivery….back to a metered dose inhaler…I might not get this thrush as often. With the aero-chamber and a metered dose inhaler I might be able to get it past my tongue better. I have only been on Azmacort and Pulmi-cort. Does Pulmicort come in a metered dose Inhaler? If not, which one would you recommend? Thanks so much DOn * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I use a MDI and aerochamber and I rinse my mouth out with water after using my Flovent inhaler.  Ever since I started doing that, I haven’t gotten thrush since.  I don’t know if you have been doing the same, but it has helped me. Carrie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am very upset and miserable. I have thrush again, due to my inhaler. I am on Pulmicort Turbo inhaler. I don’t know if my theory holds any water, but I wondered if I switched to a different mode of delivery….back to a metered dose inhaler…I might not get this thrush as often. With the aero-chamber and a metered dose inhaler I might be able to get it past my tongue better. I have only been on Azmacort and Pulmi-cort. Does Pulmicort come in a metered dose Inhaler? If not, which one would you recommend? Thanks so much DOn * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

do not use a mouth wash that kills bacteria. Thrush is caused by a fungus if you kill the bacteria that normally live in your mouth the naturally occurring fungus will be able to gain a stronger hold on the mucousal surfaces of your mouth and the thrush will become worse. For what it’s worth I very rarely have trouble with thrush, despite being permanently on oral steroids as well as very high dose inhaled and when I do get it eating natural yoghurt helps heaps.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – try using mouth wash( the kind that kills bacteria).  take a swig and hold it in your mouth for as long as you can then spit it out.  this will be a little uncomfortable but it helps

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Question:

I’ve been taking B-multi vitamin for years, and it does help. i recently started drinking st. johns wort tea, which also helps. but i find that none of that helps enough anymore.

Response:

Hello gang, This is my first post here. I started taking St. Johns Wort about two weeks ago for Anxiety/Panic and Depression. Over the past few days my symptoms have almost completely vanished!! I did the Paxil/Zoloft/Xanax/Buspar crap, and all they did was make me worse! Thank God for St. Johns Wort! I also started taking a multivitamin twice a day, and b-complex 3 times a day. I read that most people who suffer from Anxiety/Panic and Depression are usually very deficient in B vitamins. Have a great day!! Bryan Z.

Response:

Hi Bryan, It’s great that you’re feeling better. I just wanted to echo your support for St John’s Wort.  I’m in a similar situation.  I’ve been taking it only about a week and a half, and feel so much better too.  I’m also taking b vitamins and multivitamins… so maybe there is a connection here. Take Care, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello gang, This is my first post here. I started taking St. Johns Wort about two weeks ago for Anxiety/Panic and Depression. Over the past few days my symptoms have almost completely vanished!! I did the Paxil/Zoloft/Xanax/Buspar crap, and all they did was make me worse! Thank God for St. Johns Wort! I also started taking a multivitamin twice a day, and b-complex 3 times a day. I read that most people who suffer from Anxiety/Panic and Depression are usually very deficient in B vitamins. Have a great day!! Bryan Z.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello gang, This is my first post here. I started taking St. Johns Wort about two weeks ago for Anxiety/Panic and Depression. Over the past few days my symptoms have almost completely vanished!! I did the Paxil/Zoloft/Xanax/Buspar crap, and all they did was make me worse! Thank God for St. Johns Wort! I also started taking a multivitamin twice a day, and b-complex 3 times a day. I read that most people who suffer from Anxiety/Panic and Depression are usually very deficient in B vitamins. Have a great day!! Bryan Z.

Wow… I know what I’m switching to when my prozac runs out. — ICQ me at 29104200

Response:

Question:

Depression 101 is now dismissed.  ;-) Jenny Thanks so much for the information.  I have one question.  You mentioned about when depression lasts a long time.  What are the general timeframes for a long time? Leslie – Glen Ellyn, IL *****I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is; I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat      Rebecca West 1913*****

Can you remember the last time you felt good?  Does it seem like a long time?  For some people a week is a long time.  For others of us it takes years before we admit there’s a problem. — Cindy Brown Cross-stitcher, quilter, designer, and cat-lover "If you know what you want, then you go and you find it, and you get it…. When the end is right, it justifies the beans!"            _Into the Woods_ by Stephen Sondheim

Response:

Over the  past several weeks, I’ve been reading the posts on depression.  I decided this evening that it’s time to speak up. I am a mental health professional, a therapist.  Although my primary focus is children and families, I also run our clinic’s Medication Clinic, where I assist the psychiatrist who comes once each week.  Personally, I have been taking Effexor for four years due to Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, without Psychotic Features.  Now that I’ve stated my credentials, let me make a few clarifications. 1.  The predominant theory, and most widely accepted, of depression is that it is caused by a combination of a neurochemical imbalance and poor coping skills.  Thus a person may have an imbalance  but good coping skills or not much conflict or adversity, and only experience more frequent down days than an otherwise normal person.  If that person were to suddenly have a major crisis, he or she would be more likely to suffer a depressive episode. 2.  "Clinical" and "chronic" refer to the level and length of the depression. Clinical depression is the type that requires counseling and usually medication.  Situational depression results for something going on in the person’s life and usually can be treated with counseling alone.  Chronic depression means it has been going on for a long time, usually most of the person’s life.  Dysthymia  is a mild depression  every  day for at least two years.  Depression can also be related to medical conditions and substance abuse.  Bipolar Disorder, or manic-depression,  is a chemical imbalance which causes the person to have severe mood swings.  It is usually treated with lithium but also responds to some of the drugs that are used to treat seizure disorders.  Bipolar Disorder is *not* treated with anti-anxiety drugs. 3.  Depression doesn’t always present as the stereotypical tearfulness, hopelessness, and helplessness.  The person can be easily agitated and prone to angry outbursts.  This is especially true in children.  The person can be easily distracted and have very poor concentration.  Frequently children are misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when they are really depression. Children who have to take really  high doses of Ritalin or Cylert may be depressed not hyperactive. 4.  Several types of drugs are used to treat depression, from the older tricyclics and MAO inhibitors to the newer SRI inhibitors (Prozac, Effexor, Paxil).  A new generation of drugs is now on the market that works differently from all the others.  These different types of drugs are necessary because each person’s depression is different, caused by a different set of factors. Besides chemotherapy and counseling, increased activity is essential.  That’s why doing needlework can help. There are several sites on the web for information about depression.  However, if you or a loved one  is suffering from a mood disorder,  you need to seek counseling.  It doesn’t go away by itself.  You have to work at it.  And it may be some of the hardest work you’ve ever done, but it’s well worth the effort to have yourself back. Depression 101 is now dismissed.  ;-) Jenny

Response:

: Depression 101 is now dismissed.  ;-) : Jenny : : : Thanks so much for the information.  I have one question.  You mentioned about : when depression lasts a long time.  What are the general timeframes for a long : time?   Well let’s see….. an abusive childhood resulted in at least 12 years of depression-like syptoms before I was diagnosed upon entering therapy. And the diagnosis was in the Autumn of 1992. Just one example….  ;) Sherri : Leslie – Glen Ellyn, IL : *****I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is; I : only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that : differentiate me from a door mat      Rebecca West 1913*****

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Depression 101 is now dismissed.  ;-) Jenny

Thanks so much for the information.  I have one question.  You mentioned about when depression lasts a long time.  What are the general timeframes for a long time?   Leslie – Glen Ellyn, IL *****I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is; I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat      Rebecca West 1913*****

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(NikoKat) writes: The person can be easily agitated and prone to

angry outbursts.  This is especially true in children

It is even more especially true in men…I bought a book about Men’s Depression, "I Don’t Want to Talk About It" and many symptoms of depression in men show up so differently…it even eluded that it can lead to abuse of women and children. Denise in Akron, Ohio X/USA/H2/X13/Y9/1D/XXX/0=/:-D~/L/G-/Wo/D/M/B/b/R+/S+/K-/E/Anthony Hopkins/Robert Naseef/cold pumpkin pie with whipped cream sprinkled with a sugar/cinnamon mix

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Hi Robbi!  I have recently started a brand new drug put out by Eli Lily called Zyprexa and am having really good results with it.  It is somewhat similar to Risperdal without the drowsiness.  Costs about $5.00 a pill, but it is once a day dosing.  I have a couple of tendencies to complicate my bipolar disorder and it is especially helping with those

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   While hypo last night, I added a drug information link page to my site. It is up and running for information on many drugs with more to come. Drugs included on the site so far are; Lithium, Depakote, Tegretol, Neurontin, Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Elavil, Wellbutrin, Pamelor, Ativan, Xanax, Klonapin, Desyrel, Lamictal, Risperdal, and Trilafon.    I also have a general link to other antidepressants. If you can think of a medication that needs to be added to my site, please let me know. I am doing this so we all can gain more knowledge of our treatment. — ~Robbi~  "oo" "There is no great genius without a tincture of madness." John Dryden 1631-1701 http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/7160

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