Question:

Paul, perhaps try some Paxil instead of prozac. If you are Bipolar, try some Lamictal <sp which has some anti-depressant properties. This is what helps my seasonal depression to some degree. (this has not been a good year for me, since my Mother passed away January 2003) Hugs, Ralph

It does? My pdoc gave me some. I’m taking Paxil currently. I feel like depression is often at the core of my problems. MorphGrrl

Response:

Yes, Lamictal is a mood stableizer with some anti-depressant properties. You will discover that my Bipolar Disorder takes the unenviable configuration of  98% depression, 1% "normal" (whatever that is?), and 1% mixed states, irritable depression, also known as "Rotten Ralph" <grin.

I tend to get euphoric at times and learned how bring it out in some way. But it still is much depression even if slightly now. I did better in sales today at work so that made me happier. Before I went to work I was a teeny bit ho hum in a sense, but looking at sites that made me laugh a little, helped my mood. Remembering it’s Valentine’s day makes my mood go in a roller coaster. Over all it’s not a bad dip because of the meds, but annoying in a sense. I’m the serial hugger, today. Hugs, Ralph

Ahhhhh, thanks Ralph! MorphGrrl

Response:

Every so often I go into deep drepressive cycles. I don’t want to be depressed. I live on Wellbutrin, Xanax, and Seroquel for sleeping at night. However, I can’t shake it. It’s like drowning or being smothered by a wet blanket. I manage to work, but I engage in self destructive behavior. Certain external things must trigger the depresssion, but it’s also got to be chemical.  The last time this stuff happened was the end of August, beginning of September. I ended up overdosing on xanax and spent a couple of days in the hospital detoxing. It was a very stressful and not very helpful experience. People on this board were very helpful in suggesting strongly help. Some of the earlier stressful things are moot.  The psychiatrist said he thought I had something like a post traumatic stress syndrome, whatever that exactly means. I’ve had life-long depression; and I finally found, I think a therapist who can deal with all of the abuse issues, if I can make it until some problems are solved, if they are solveable.  I’m one of those rare middle aged males who feel better when they’ve cut themselves.  There are some days when I feel that I can’t turn myself off and I get little sleep for days and then the deep depression returns.  The doctor insists I’m not bi-polar.     Should I suggest upping the Wellbutrin dosage from 300 mg to 400?   This stuff can be dangerous. I’ve already taken tricyclics, trazodone, prozac, effexor (horrible to quit), and even large amounts of lithium (which I"ve overdosed on twice, so maybe taking it isn’t a great idea)   as a  mood stabilizer plus some klonopin and other meds over the years. The Wellbutrin helped at first. However, after a year or so of it the effects seem to be less effective.     I guess what I really want to know is can one put Humpty Dumpty back together again?  Maybe some of us are really too damaged goods. I’m really depressed with unexplained cyring fits yet. I’m so tired of  this routine. I undermine good things and compliments just make me more depressed.     I only write to this board when I’m in a crisis, which doesn’t make me a very helpful person. However, if someone could offer some hope, I’d appreciate it.  People were exceptionally helpful last September.  Maybe just writing to this address makes me feel better. I even took up excercising. I seem to be doing everything right, but I still feel so depressed; and cutting myself with razor blades, even if I’m just nicking myself and drawing blood, can’t be a good omen. I do feel better though.  If  I sound confused I am; and, I’m tired. Can a person live indefinitely on Wellbutrin, Xanax, and Seroquel?  It doesn’t sound like a constructive way of life.     Thanks for any suggestions,        Paul

Response:

Question:

:Sometimes my youngest didn’t and I was called (as I had :instructed) on the intercom and then brought him with me to class and :did my work with him on my lap, being completely happy (meaning both of :us )   They still have happy memories of this, young as they were… This is so sweet Philip! You are a gentle, kind Father!! Jackie ~*~Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf~*~    ~Rabindranath Tagore~

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I’m lucky to have a very, very patient husband who listens to me ramble.  My hair dresser :was sweet too, she tried so hard to relax me.  I got back to the daycare in under an hour.  He was :sitting with the other kids at the table eating a cookie, looking so content and happy.  He didn’t :freak and lift his arms for me to pick him or anything, he sat there and finally wanted down to play n the rocking horse!!!  She said he didn’t fuss or cry or anything after I left.  I’m so relieved. :I was only gone an hour and he is 17 months old but was it ever hard!  She was so impressed with :what a well behaved content little guy he is. Dear Annette, sounds like you are handling it well I remember my childrens "first" days in pre-school, it was so hard to leave them there. Seeing how much they enjoyed it made me know I did the right thing. It`s good for Nick to interact with other children and adults and it is also good for you to have a break now and them. Take advantage of the this little time you get for yourself. I hope life calms down for you soon {{{{{Annette}}}}} Jackie

When my children were that age (there is 1 1/2 year between them) I taught at art school two days a week. They had a lovely daycare there and I cycled first with my oldest and later with both to art school, brought them to daycare and went to my class. It was great. They loved it there. Sometimes my youngest didn’t and I was called (as I had instructed) on the intercom and then brought him with me to class and did my work with him on my lap, being completely happy (meaning both of us )   They still have happy memories of this, young as they were… Philip. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

: I’m lucky to have a very, very patient husband who listens to me ramble.  My hair dresser :was sweet too, she tried so hard to relax me.  I got back to the daycare in under an hour.  He was :sitting with the other kids at the table eating a cookie, looking so content and happy.  He didn’t :freak and lift his arms for me to pick him or anything, he sat there and finally wanted down to play n the rocking horse!!!  She said he didn’t fuss or cry or anything after I left.  I’m so relieved. :I was only gone an hour and he is 17 months old but was it ever hard!  She was so impressed with :what a well behaved content little guy he is. Dear Annette, sounds like you are handling it well I remember my childrens "first" days in pre-school, it was so hard to leave them there. Seeing how much they enjoyed it made me know I did the right thing. It`s good for Nick to interact with other children and adults and it is also good for you to have a break now and them. Take advantage of the this little time you get for yourself. I hope life calms down for you soon {{{{{Annette}}}}} Jackie ~*~Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf~*~    ~Rabindranath Tagore~

Response:

Glad the daycare went well for Nick, Annette! Chip

I’ve had an anxiety filled last little while.  My sister’s ex-boyfriend

has been threatening and physically assaulting her and my niece, I’m so worried for them.  Tony

left town to go fishing until Sunday and Nick had his first session at daycare today.  There have been

reports of a cougar in our area this week.  We have pot-bellied pigs and goats, dogs and cats and the

neighbours horses on our 10 acres, all cougar bate except for the horses, I’ve heard cougars will

avoid them.  And, just now, coyotes were howling in the field below. Well, daycare went just fine although I was a wreck, I didn’t bawl.  I got

my haircut with my cell phone clenched in my fist, no call, all was well.  We loaded Nick up in

his stroller for a walk to distract him and I said goodbye.  He waved and said bye-bye and I left.  I

talked the ear off my hair dresser, trying to not think about how awful I felt.  I tend to talk fast and a lot when anxious.  I’m lucky to have a very, very patient husband who listens to me

ramble.  My hair dresser was sweet too, she tried so hard to relax me.  I got back to the daycare

in under an hour.  He was sitting with the other kids at the table eating a cookie, looking so

content and happy.  He didn’t freak and lift his arms for me to pick him or anything, he sat there and

finally wanted down to play on the rocking horse!!!  She said he didn’t fuss or cry or anything after

I left.  I’m so relieved. I was only gone an hour and he is 17 months old but was it ever hard!  She

was so impressed with what a well behaved content little guy he is. Tony got away yesterday ok and is having a great time fishing (a past time

I’ve yet to understand). I drove just south of here yesterday afternoon to visit my niece.  It was

absolutely wonderful to see her!!  I think she thought I was my sister.  She wanted me when she tripped and hit her forehead, much to Grandma’s and Nicolas’ dismay.  Poor baby wants her

Momma but she’s still in Alberta, making plans to move south soon. I’m still taking Effexor XR 150 mgs a day and am feeling really well.

Also, I take Klonopin and Xanax as needed, which is less often now that the Effexor has kicked in. I’ve been MIA here for the last little while.  Nervous about being

attacked for whatever reason (mostly because I’m taking medication and nursing).  But, for my own

sanity and ASAP’s health, I – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – need to post and reply and ignore the crap. Hugs,  Annette — annette’s pics http://www3.telus.net/ta-palmer/ Baby Nicolas’ Section http://www3.telus.net/ta-palmer/nick.htm

Response:

Annette, Nick is such a trouper! It’s great that he was so comfortable at daycare. This is a big milestone for you both; congratulations. And you did fine, cell phone and all.  :-) It’s weird…. early this morning before I fully awoke, I had a dream about a cougar. Isn’t that funny? I have no idea why a cougar was in my dream repertoire today… and I get online and read that you are worried about cougars in your area. I hope all your animals stay safe from the predators. Great to hear an update from you; keep up your good progress, and enjoy that little boy of yours. xxoo Anne

Response:

Annette!  That’s an awful lot of stress you’ve been under lately.  I think you did extremely well under the circumstances.  I talk fast and a lot too when I’m really scared or anxious.  I’m so glad your sister is moving.  Nick sounds so cute!  I knew he would like the kids there.  I don’t know why, just a feeling.  I’m really glad that all worked out.  I hope they catch the cougar!  All we have to worry about here are the raccoons living under our shed.  <g  {{{{{Annette}}}}}  Please keep us updated on your sister and other things when you can. Love, Di

I’ve had an anxiety filled last little while.  My sister’s ex-boyfriend

has been threatening and physically assaulting her and my niece, I’m so worried for them.  Tony

left town to go fishing until Sunday and Nick had his first session at daycare today.  There have been

reports of a cougar in our area this week.  We have pot-bellied pigs and goats, dogs and cats and the

neighbours horses on our 10 acres, all cougar bate except for the horses, I’ve heard cougars will

avoid them.  And, just now, coyotes were howling in the field below. Well, daycare went just fine although I was a wreck, I didn’t bawl.  I got

my haircut with my cell phone clenched in my fist, no call, all was well.  We loaded Nick up in

his stroller for a walk to distract him and I said goodbye.  He waved and said bye-bye and I left.  I

talked the ear off my hair dresser, trying to not think about how awful I felt.  I tend to talk fast and a lot when anxious.  I’m lucky to have a very, very patient husband who listens to me

ramble.  My hair dresser was sweet too, she tried so hard to relax me.  I got back to the daycare

in under an hour.  He was sitting with the other kids at the table eating a cookie, looking so

content and happy.  He didn’t freak and lift his arms for me to pick him or anything, he sat there and

finally wanted down to play on the rocking horse!!!  She said he didn’t fuss or cry or anything after

I left.  I’m so relieved. I was only gone an hour and he is 17 months old but was it ever hard!  She

was so impressed with what a well behaved content little guy he is. Tony got away yesterday ok and is having a great time fishing (a past time

I’ve yet to understand). I drove just south of here yesterday afternoon to visit my niece.  It was

absolutely wonderful to see her!!  I think she thought I was my sister.  She wanted me when she tripped and hit her forehead, much to Grandma’s and Nicolas’ dismay.  Poor baby wants her

Momma but she’s still in Alberta, making plans to move south soon. I’m still taking Effexor XR 150 mgs a day and am feeling really well.

Also, I take Klonopin and Xanax as needed, which is less often now that the Effexor has kicked in. I’ve been MIA here for the last little while.  Nervous about being

attacked for whatever reason (mostly because I’m taking medication and nursing).  But, for my own

sanity and ASAP’s health, I – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – need to post and reply and ignore the crap. Hugs,  Annette — annette’s pics http://www3.telus.net/ta-palmer/ Baby Nicolas’ Section http://www3.telus.net/ta-palmer/nick.htm

Response:

hi annette – just a quick hello from me, that’s all!  that’s nice work you do with the photo gallery. wish you the best. oh..wait…before I rush to sleep…..I know you probably answered this before, but, where (roughly speaking) do you live that you have pot-bellied pigs, goats, dogs, cats, etc….and an unwanted cougar? …i always have a soft spot for animals….probably because they’re such simple creatures! -bye Z (aka Rob)

I’ve had an anxiety filled last little while.  My sister’s ex-boyfriend

has been threatening and physically assaulting her and my niece, I’m so worried for them.  Tony

left town to go fishing until Sunday and Nick had his first session at daycare today.  There have been

reports of a cougar in our area this week.  We have pot-bellied pigs and goats, dogs and cats and the

neighbours horses on our 10 acres, all cougar bate except for the horses, I’ve heard cougars will

avoid them.  And, just now, coyotes were howling in the field below. Well, daycare went just fine although I was a wreck, I didn’t bawl.  I got

my haircut with my cell phone clenched in my fist, no call, all was well.  We loaded Nick up in

his stroller for a walk to distract him and I said goodbye.  He waved and said bye-bye and I left.  I

talked the ear off my hair dresser, trying to not think about how awful I felt.  I tend to talk fast and a lot when anxious.  I’m lucky to have a very, very patient husband who listens to me

ramble.  My hair dresser was sweet too, she tried so hard to relax me.  I got back to the daycare

in under an hour.  He was sitting with the other kids at the table eating a cookie, looking so

content and happy.  He didn’t freak and lift his arms for me to pick him or anything, he sat there and

finally wanted down to play on the rocking horse!!!  She said he didn’t fuss or cry or anything after

I left.  I’m so relieved. I was only gone an hour and he is 17 months old but was it ever hard!  She

was so impressed with what a well behaved content little guy he is. Tony got away yesterday ok and is having a great time fishing (a past time

I’ve yet to understand). I drove just south of here yesterday afternoon to visit my niece.  It was

absolutely wonderful to see her!!  I think she thought I was my sister.  She wanted me when she tripped and hit her forehead, much to Grandma’s and Nicolas’ dismay.  Poor baby wants her

Momma but she’s still in Alberta, making plans to move south soon. I’m still taking Effexor XR 150 mgs a day and am feeling really well.

Also, I take Klonopin and Xanax as needed, which is less often now that the Effexor has kicked in. I’ve been MIA here for the last little while.  Nervous about being

attacked for whatever reason (mostly because I’m taking medication and nursing).  But, for my own

sanity and ASAP’s health, I – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – need to post and reply and ignore the crap. Hugs,  Annette — annette’s pics http://www3.telus.net/ta-palmer/ Baby Nicolas’ Section http://www3.telus.net/ta-palmer/nick.htm

Response:

It is always difficult leaving our child with someone else for the first time.  So glad that things went well and that your Nick did so well on his first day.  (((((Annette))))) Take care, Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve had an anxiety filled last little while.  My sister’s ex-boyfriend has been threatening and physically assaulting her and my niece, I’m so worried for them.  Tony left town to go fishing until Sunday and Nick had his first session at daycare today.  There have been reports of a cougar in our area this week.  We have pot-bellied pigs and goats, dogs and cats and the neighbours horses on our 10 acres, all cougar bate except for the horses, I’ve heard cougars will avoid them.  And, just now, coyotes were howling in the field below. Well, daycare went just fine although I was a wreck, I didn’t bawl.  I got my haircut with my cell phone clenched in my fist, no call, all was well.  We loaded Nick up in his stroller for a walk to distract him and I said goodbye.  He waved and said bye-bye and I left.  I talked the ear off my hair dresser, trying to not think about how awful I felt.  I tend to talk fast and a lot when anxious.  I’m lucky to have a very, very patient husband who listens to me ramble.  My hair dresser was sweet too, she tried so hard to relax me.  I got back to the daycare in under an hour.  He was sitting with the other kids at the table eating a cookie, looking so content and happy.  He didn’t freak and lift his arms for me to pick him or anything, he sat there and finally wanted down to play on the rocking horse!!!  She said he didn’t fuss or cry or anything after I left.  I’m so relieved. I was only gone an hour and he is 17 months old but was it ever hard!  She was so impressed with what a well behaved content little guy he is. Tony got away yesterday ok and is having a great time fishing (a past time I’ve yet to understand). I drove just south of here yesterday afternoon to visit my niece.  It was absolutely wonderful to see her!!  I think she thought I was my sister.  She wanted me when she tripped and hit her forehead, much to Grandma’s and Nicolas’ dismay.  Poor baby wants her Momma but she’s still in Alberta, making plans to move south soon. I’m still taking Effexor XR 150 mgs a day and am feeling really well.  Also, I take Klonopin and Xanax as needed, which is less often now that the Effexor has kicked in. I’ve been MIA here for the last little while.  Nervous about being attacked for whatever reason (mostly because I’m taking medication and nursing).  But, for my own sanity and ASAP’s health, I need to post and reply and ignore the crap. Hugs,  Annette — annette’s pics http://www3.telus.net/ta-palmer/ Baby Nicolas’ Section http://www3.telus.net/ta-palmer/nick.htm

Response:

I’ve had an anxiety filled last little while.  My sister’s ex-boyfriend has been threatening and physically assaulting her and my niece, I’m so worried for them.  Tony left town to go fishing until Sunday and Nick had his first session at daycare today.  There have been reports of a cougar in our area this week.  We have pot-bellied pigs and goats, dogs and cats and the neighbours horses on our 10 acres, all cougar bate except for the horses, I’ve heard cougars will avoid them.  And, just now, coyotes were howling in the field below. Well, daycare went just fine although I was a wreck, I didn’t bawl.  I got my haircut with my cell phone clenched in my fist, no call, all was well.  We loaded Nick up in his stroller for a walk to distract him and I said goodbye.  He waved and said bye-bye and I left.  I talked the ear off my hair dresser, trying to not think about how awful I felt.  I tend to talk fast and a lot when anxious.  I’m lucky to have a very, very patient husband who listens to me ramble.  My hair dresser was sweet too, she tried so hard to relax me.  I got back to the daycare in under an hour.  He was sitting with the other kids at the table eating a cookie, looking so content and happy.  He didn’t freak and lift his arms for me to pick him or anything, he sat there and finally wanted down to play on the rocking horse!!!  She said he didn’t fuss or cry or anything after I left.  I’m so relieved. I was only gone an hour and he is 17 months old but was it ever hard!  She was so impressed with what a well behaved content little guy he is. Tony got away yesterday ok and is having a great time fishing (a past time I’ve yet to understand). I drove just south of here yesterday afternoon to visit my niece.  It was absolutely wonderful to see her!!  I think she thought I was my sister.  She wanted me when she tripped and hit her forehead, much to Grandma’s and Nicolas’ dismay.  Poor baby wants her Momma but she’s still in Alberta, making plans to move south soon. I’m still taking Effexor XR 150 mgs a day and am feeling really well.  Also, I take Klonopin and Xanax as needed, which is less often now that the Effexor has kicked in. I’ve been MIA here for the last little while.  Nervous about being attacked for whatever reason (mostly because I’m taking medication and nursing).  But, for my own sanity and ASAP’s health, I need to post and reply and ignore the crap. Hugs,  Annette — annette’s pics http://www3.telus.net/ta-palmer/ Baby Nicolas’ Section http://www3.telus.net/ta-palmer/nick.htm

Response:

Question:

So how did it go Elise ? Did you pdoc make any changes in your meds ? Curiously, Tony

Response:

Hi, Tony, Well I made it through my appt.  During the course of being in the waiting room an irate guy came in hollering about this, that and everything else. He did let us all know he was bi-polar, yada, yada, yada…but this kind of stuff really raises my anxiety.  I am always afraid someone will pull a gun out or some other kind of violence.  So my anxiety did raise a little. Talked with the pdoc and I am going to increase the Zoloft 12.5 for the next 2 weeks and then up another 12.5 (total 75 mgs).  Then I see him in 6 weeks or so.  Of course, we went through the "you need to get into therapy" for which I said "Remember, I don’t drive more than 3 miles…" – lol!!! I told him I was going to be going away Memorial Day and probably flying and that I had some anxiety about this.  And we talked about how Zoloft is good for anxiety and agoraphobia and that I was at a minimal dose and increasing it could help.  So, keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for asking, Tony!!! smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So how did it go Elise ? Did you pdoc make any changes in your meds ? Curiously, Tony

Response:

Hi, Tony, I don’t think I was ever intended to be able to relax.  Some things I do relax me but anxiety is always in the background – just waiting to escalate. It would be nice to just wake up and not have to think about how the day is going to be based upon anxiety…Ugh! Speaking of football, one time (NO not at band camp…hehe) we were watching the Browns vs Steelers and the game got so anxiety producing (a real nail biter) that I had to leave the room… smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : I think I was taking 1 mg 2 times a day.  It never got that feeling that the : med had "kicked in" like the quick relief you get with Xanax.  Zoloft has : improved my outlook on life.  I don’t sleep all of the time any more and : have a little more motivation.  Though there is still room for improvement. : My pdoc knows about my driving and just suggests therapy.  He knows how I : feel about the fact that it’s not in my driving radius and I got tired of : having someone go with me every week.  It really is an imposition and I just : despise being so needy on my family for this. : Do you know the feeling of relief you get when you deep breath and you feel : less tense, well I have a very difficult time getting to that state.  I have : never been able to "float" when I have done relaxation tapes.  Plain and : simple I just can’t relax – always tense. : smiles, : Elise : It sounds like the Clonazepam wasn’t "right" for you. I think some of us are just hard-wired to be anxious and anticipatory. There are advantages to this, especially in sports where your mind is always thinking and seeing the play develop in your mind before it happens.  Being on edge also tends to make one very quick.  That’s me :  )  I have slowed down quite and lost alot of my anxiousness with age but I still have enough where it isn’t healthy in RL. Can you relax in a quiet room ?  Just close your eyes and repeat the word one or love or something with one syllable with every outgoing breath. I haven’t done this in a while but it definitely works for me. I can relax when I lose "myself" in listening to music, playing music, playing sports, watching a movie, watching Seinfeld, etc. I think the times I can’t relax may be partly caused by distorted thinking and partly from the way I am wired. I’m getting very, very sleepy.  It’s late :  ) Hope your pdoc appointment goes well. Take it easy Elise, Tony

Response:

: I think I was taking 1 mg 2 times a day.  It never got that feeling that the : med had "kicked in" like the quick relief you get with Xanax.  Zoloft has : improved my outlook on life.  I don’t sleep all of the time any more and : have a little more motivation.  Though there is still room for improvement. : My pdoc knows about my driving and just suggests therapy.  He knows how I : feel about the fact that it’s not in my driving radius and I got tired of : having someone go with me every week.  It really is an imposition and I just : despise being so needy on my family for this. : Do you know the feeling of relief you get when you deep breath and you feel : less tense, well I have a very difficult time getting to that state.  I have : never been able to "float" when I have done relaxation tapes.  Plain and : simple I just can’t relax – always tense. : smiles, : Elise : It sounds like the Clonazepam wasn’t "right" for you. I think some of us are just hard-wired to be anxious and anticipatory. There are advantages to this, especially in sports where your mind is always thinking and seeing the play develop in your mind before it happens.  Being on edge also tends to make one very quick.  That’s me :  )  I have slowed down quite and lost alot of my anxiousness with age but I still have enough where it isn’t healthy in RL. Can you relax in a quiet room ?  Just close your eyes and repeat the word one or love or something with one syllable with every outgoing breath. I haven’t done this in a while but it definitely works for me. I can relax when I lose "myself" in listening to music, playing music, playing sports, watching a movie, watching Seinfeld, etc. I think the times I can’t relax may be partly caused by distorted thinking and partly from the way I am wired. I’m getting very, very sleepy.  It’s late :  ) Hope your pdoc appointment goes well. Take it easy Elise, Tony

Response:

I think I was taking 1 mg 2 times a day.  It never got that feeling that the med had "kicked in" like the quick relief you get with Xanax.  Zoloft has improved my outlook on life.  I don’t sleep all of the time any more and have a little more motivation.  Though there is still room for improvement. My pdoc knows about my driving and just suggests therapy.  He knows how I feel about the fact that it’s not in my driving radius and I got tired of having someone go with me every week.  It really is an imposition and I just despise being so needy on my family for this. Do you know the feeling of relief you get when you deep breath and you feel less tense, well I have a very difficult time getting to that state.  I have never been able to "float" when I have done relaxation tapes.  Plain and simple I just can’t relax – always tense. smiles, Elise – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How much Clonazepam were you taking ? I took Xanax for a week to help me relax before I could see a pdoc for the first time.  It definitely took away the generalized and anticipatory anxiety. Zoloft tends to improve one’s mood.  One way to describe it is the satisfying feeling you have after a good meal.  The improvement in mood helps keep you in a positive frame of mind and limits the negative and anticipatory thoughts.  This change will clear your mind and give you a clean slate to work on your vocabulary of positive thoughts which in turn will boost your confidence in situations that presently cause you to feel increased anxiety. Just tell your pdoc how you feel about driving and whatever else is bothering you and he will probably increase your Zoloft dosage. Take care, Tony

Response:

I have also been extremely anxious all of my life.  Not a fun way to live… I do take Xanax regularly (1 mg per day, if I take more I am too exhausted and sleep all of the time).  I did take Clonazepam for a few months but it just didn’t seem to work for me. smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Elise, You may want to look into taking a long term benzo like Clonazepam. I believe you take Xanax as needed right now. Clonazepam works for me.  I have always been overly anxious and the Clonazepam helps me to relax so I can function in RL without getting worn out every day. Tony

Response:

: Hi, Tony, : Wise decision.  No sense attempting a med change when you are under stress. : I hope things work out for you with the new position at work – sometimes you : just got keep on pushing… : smiles, : Elise I am definitely persistent. I’ll move a mountain stone by stone if it matters. Thanks, Tony

Response:

: I have also been extremely anxious all of my life.  Not a fun way to live… : I do take Xanax regularly (1 mg per day, if I take more I am too exhausted : and sleep all of the time).  I did take Clonazepam for a few months but it : just didn’t seem to work for me. : smiles, : Elise How much Clonazepam were you taking ? I took Xanax for a week to help me relax before I could see a pdoc for the first time.  It definitely took away the generalized and anticipatory anxiety. Zoloft tends to improve one’s mood.  One way to describe it is the satisfying feeling you have after a good meal.  The improvement in mood helps keep you in a positive frame of mind and limits the negative and anticipatory thoughts.  This change will clear your mind and give you a clean slate to work on your vocabulary of positive thoughts which in turn will boost your confidence in situations that presently cause you to feel increased anxiety. Just tell your pdoc how you feel about driving and whatever else is bothering you and he will probably increase your Zoloft dosage. Take care, Tony

Response:

Hi, Tony, Wise decision.  No sense attempting a med change when you are under stress. I hope things work out for you with the new position at work – sometimes you just got keep on pushing… smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Hi, Tony, : I am just still experiencing anxiety – sometimes slight and other times high : anxiety. I am hoping a med increase will help to get rid of some of this : anxiety (and tenseness) so I can try to do more exposure due to the agor. : What a darn vicious cycle this all is… : Are you still doing well with lowering the Clonazepam? : smiles, : Elise Hi Elise, I did that for a week and decided that now is not the right time for change. I’m still pushing hard for a change in position at work and it can be stressful dealing with management.  They always talk about people being their most important resource but when it comes time to "walk the talk" they tend to be non-existent. So I’m still pushing.  I push until I get what I want :  ) Thanks, Tony

Response:

Elise, You may want to look into taking a long term benzo like Clonazepam. I believe you take Xanax as needed right now. Clonazepam works for me.  I have always been overly anxious and the Clonazepam helps me to relax so I can function in RL without getting worn out every day. Tony

Response:

: Hi, Tony, : I am just still experiencing anxiety – sometimes slight and other times high : anxiety. I am hoping a med increase will help to get rid of some of this : anxiety (and tenseness) so I can try to do more exposure due to the agor. : What a darn vicious cycle this all is… : Are you still doing well with lowering the Clonazepam? : smiles, : Elise Hi Elise, I did that for a week and decided that now is not the right time for change. I’m still pushing hard for a change in position at work and it can be stressful dealing with management.  They always talk about people being their most important resource but when it comes time to "walk the talk" they tend to be non-existent. So I’m still pushing.  I push until I get what I want :  ) Thanks, Tony

Response:

Hi, Tony, I am just still experiencing anxiety – sometimes slight and other times high anxiety. I am hoping a med increase will help to get rid of some of this anxiety (and tenseness) so I can try to do more exposure due to the agor. What a darn vicious cycle this all is… Are you still doing well with lowering the Clonazepam? smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Hi, all, : Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 : mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an : increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… : smiles, : Elise : Hi Elise, I take 100 mg Zoloft every day.  I have tried going down to 50 mg but I was feeling depression lurking back into my life so I went back to 100 mg. I have never tried 75 mg which is something I may try in the future. My first pdoc was very aggressive and when I told him I was still having panic attacks at 100 mg, he boosted me up to 200 mg which I stayed on for about one year.  The panic attacks did get blocked at 200 mg.  I had lots of energy and negative thoughts rarely came up in my head.  I did feel "too normal" though.  I missed the range of emotions that I used to have and felt like too much like a "normie" :  )  Over time I dropped down to 150 mg for several months, then 100 mg, then 50 mg.  Each time I changed my dosage I would go through a period of about 2 weeks where I felt "different" during the transition.  You may feel a slight increase in anxiety during this transition period.  Just keep your seat belt on and know that you’re going to be alright and feel "level" again after a week or two of adjusting to the new dose.  It’s worth it when you feel the relief from anxiety and panic attacks at the higher dosage. None of my experiences may apply to you so I think you should let your pdoc know exactly how you are feeling and let the pdoc determine if and how much you should increase your Zoloft dosage. If I were your pdoc I would boost your dosage up to 75 mg for a month or two and see how that works. Dr. Tony

Response:

Hi, Liz, Thanks for the good wishes.  I will see what he says tomorrow about increasing the dose… smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, all, Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… smiles, Elise I do well on 50mg, Elise, but would not mind raising it at all if needed.  You can try a higher dose and if it does not seem to help, then try something different.  Sending you good wishes for a productive visit tomorrow. Take care, Liz

Response:

Hi, Philip, I agree that I need to do CBT and more exposure for my agor but I am struggling with constant anxiety (sometimes slight anxiety and other times higher anxiety).  I am hoping the increase in the med will help get rid of some of this anxiety. smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, all, Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… smiles, Elise Maybe your Zoloft dose needs upping. IMO agoraphobia (including going to or being in places alone) is best addressed by way of CBT. Philip

Response:

:

: Hi, all, : Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 : mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an : increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… : smiles, : Elise : : : One alternative is to increase to Zoloft 75 or 100 mg/day. Another is to add : a benzo taken on a regular basis. A two prong attack works alot better for : me. I’m on Zoloft 100 mg/day and Konopin 3 mg/day. : : Chip : I’ve had success at 100 mg Zoloft and 2 mg Clonazepam for many years. Tony

Response:

: Hi, all, : Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 : mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an : increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… : smiles, : Elise : Hi Elise, I take 100 mg Zoloft every day.  I have tried going down to 50 mg but I was feeling depression lurking back into my life so I went back to 100 mg. I have never tried 75 mg which is something I may try in the future. My first pdoc was very aggressive and when I told him I was still having panic attacks at 100 mg, he boosted me up to 200 mg which I stayed on for about one year.  The panic attacks did get blocked at 200 mg.  I had lots of energy and negative thoughts rarely came up in my head.  I did feel "too normal" though.  I missed the range of emotions that I used to have and felt like too much like a "normie" :  )  Over time I dropped down to 150 mg for several months, then 100 mg, then 50 mg.  Each time I changed my dosage I would go through a period of about 2 weeks where I felt "different" during the transition.  You may feel a slight increase in anxiety during this transition period.  Just keep your seat belt on and know that you’re going to be alright and feel "level" again after a week or two of adjusting to the new dose.  It’s worth it when you feel the relief from anxiety and panic attacks at the higher dosage. None of my experiences may apply to you so I think you should let your pdoc know exactly how you are feeling and let the pdoc determine if and how much you should increase your Zoloft dosage. If I were your pdoc I would boost your dosage up to 75 mg for a month or two and see how that works. Dr. Tony

Response:

Hi, all, Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… smiles, Elise

Maybe your Zoloft dose needs upping. IMO agoraphobia (including going to or being in places alone) is best addressed by way of CBT. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Hi, all, Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… smiles, Elise

I do well on 50mg, Elise, but would not mind raising it at all if needed.  You can try a higher dose and if it does not seem to help, then try something different.  Sending you good wishes for a productive visit tomorrow. Take care, Liz

Response:

Hi, Les, the Zoloft is doing okay for now.  I probably need an increase.  I am still having a lot of agor feelings and those just scare me to death. smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Good luck tomorrow! 50mg is a pretty low dose. I think maybe i started at 50, either that or 25. I am taking zoloft still and am at 250mg. it has worked pretty well for me. i am also on lots of other meds though. how is it working for ya? les. Hi, all, Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… smiles, Elise

Response:

Good luck tomorrow! 50mg is a pretty low dose. I think maybe i started at 50, either that or 25. I am taking zoloft still and am at 250mg. it has worked pretty well for me. i am also on lots of other meds though. how is it working for ya? les.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, all, Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… smiles, Elise

Response:

Hi, all, Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… smiles, Elise

One alternative is to increase to Zoloft 75 or 100 mg/day. Another is to add a benzo taken on a regular basis. A two prong attack works alot better for me. I’m on Zoloft 100 mg/day and Konopin 3 mg/day. Chip

Response:

Hi Elise, I was on the 50mg amount for 4 weeks after weening on at 25mg for 6 weeks, I felt better but just not right yet, so I talk to my doc about this and we increased to 100mg , thats where I am now  and doing very well. Sometimes that little kick more of zoloft will make a difference. I would ask the doctor to increase yours, I think you will benefit more from it.  Good luck   Sandy

Response:

i m presently taking 100 mgs/day of zoloft, but the doc said that if need b, i can increase that but, i want off of it, not 2 take more am also taking 40 mgs of buspar and .5 mg of ativan u really have 2 watch with the zoloft bcuz 1 of the side effects is sexual that is y i want off of it, or at least reduce it, the higher the dose, the worse the side effects hope this might have helped

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, all, Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… smiles, Elise

Response:

Hi, all, Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… smiles, Elise

Response:

Elise wrote…… Tomorrow I go to my pdoc.  It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started the 50 mg dose.  Am I right that this is a minimal dose?  Should I see about an increase?  Still having agor feelings and don’t like to be places alone… smiles, Elise

Dear Elise, 50mgs can be a therapeutic dose for "some" and not enough for others, it is a low dose in general. Being you have invested so much time into slowly weaning on Zoloft, and you don`t seem to be happy where you are at this point, it can`t hurt to increase your dose. Take care and good luck! Jackie ~*~Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of the character, though few can decypher even fragments of their meaning…..

Response:

Question:

How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

Neurontin and prozac As needed klonopin (for bruxism and occasional panic attacks), but I try not to take it Are they effective?

Somewhat, sometimes.  I’m still in the process of having the Neurontin dosage raised though, so we’ll see. How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

I started out with the diagnosis of major depression, dysthymia and PTSD several years ago.  It took over a year to find an AD that would help at all.  I tried Wellbutrin and Serzone and neither one helped my depression. When I got on Prozac I finally felt some relief from the depression but only part of the time.  I would feel better for awhile and then crash very hard. Finally last October my pdoc suggested I was bipolar II and put me on Neurontin.  I am still undecided about it.  There are days I think it helps a lot but not always.  My pdoc says that is because I am not at a high enough dosage so I am raising it slowly. So I guess I still don’t know if I have the right combo or not.  All I know is that it sure is a pain trying to find the right one. Bonnie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

Keep trying Are they effective?

Until they crash or a complication comes up – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Still in that race. Never happened for me. Ditto — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

That would be me, Remeron. Are they effective?

Oh yea! This is most likely the reason, thanks LyndaNP for the reference. http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/2030E2.htm How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

The Remeron was the third. Was given Buspar, didn’t work out. Took Triazolam for sleep, that worked well. I now rarely use the Triazolam and take 45 MG Remeron daily. I have been at this for about 18 months and what a difference! The best advice, if you find something good, stay with it! Never happened for me.

Sorry:( The pioneers usually are the ones with the arrows in their backs.

Response:

I was lucky – I stabilized pretty well fairly quickly on Lithium and Effexor.  With my son, on the other hand, it’s been a two and a half year ride I wouldn’t want to repeat (but unfortunately isn’t over).  He started on Depakote and Risperdal in his first hospital stay.  The next hospitalization added Lithium, which I saw a dramatic change for the better on.  Then he gained 70+ pounds on the Risperdal, so we moved him to Geodon last summer.  In October/November he began having acute anxiety symptoms, so a minimal dose of Risperdal was added to the Geodon.  The anxiety isn’t really falling, and he’s had yet another hospital stay, so his pdoc and i are considering an anti-anxiety med, but we want to wait and see how much of the anxiety was fueled by the holidays before adding another med to his cocktail. Sigh.  All this and weekly therapy outside of school, weekly therapy inside of school, and putting him into a special program at school to remove him from the mainstream (he has a tremendous amount of school phobia). Is it any wonder I’m a bit wacko these days? — CJ ((((((((((((still handing out hugs))))))))))))))))

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

I take Paxil and Seroquel, and rarely a little Ambien to help me sleep. I’m also in therapy. Are they effective?

Not yet 100%, but I am getting better. How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

I’ve lost count, it’s been nearly three years so far. Fiona — If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste the adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.      – Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral, 1664

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

I do.  Lots. Are they effective?

For the most part.  My doctor is always tweaking, trying to make things better. How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

Countless and I’m not done yet.

Response:

i used to take prozac but now i dont take any meds xxx angel xxx

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

currently, none, but lithium is in my cabinet Are they effective?

yes, when i take it How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

in past have tried prozac, trazadone, klonopin, ativan & lithium. the only thing that helps is the lithium. highly effective from the first few doses.

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

I am currently on Effexor and Gabapentin (Neurontin). Are they effective?

We’re still working on tweaking the dosages, but I am feeling a little improvement from the depression. How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med

combo? Prior drugs I’ve taken were lithium (I was a zombie) , sinequan (great sleeps, but not much else), anafranil (excellent for my OCD, but was really shaky). I took anafranil for about 5 years, and then switched to Prozac, which was great for about 10 years, with virtually no side effects. Then it just died on me (went up to 60 mg. a day with no success). I am hoping this current duo will do the trick. Compucat

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? yes they are effective. i take triafon(perphenazine) and wellbutrin

i suffer from both a mood and thought disorder N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? it has evolved. i have been mentally ill for 26 years.in 1981 iwas

stabilized on trilifon. then in 1996 i was hospitalized and went through a few drugs like a pair of shoes. i tried prozac but that gave me akathasia(the feeling of jumping out of your skin) then i tried risperdal for a month or two and then went to wellbutrin which at first made me sleepless but then i cut the pill in half and weened myself on it. so  now i take wellbutrin and trilifon

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. RingerDon’t take meds any more. Pdoc retired, no new one. Business is poor, and I am limited in methods to pick up other cash as my arm is still buggered up. Starting to think of ways to make it look like an accident, as I have insurance for that. Any suggestions?

Don’t take meds any more. Pdoc retired, no new one. Business is poor, and I am limited in methods to pick up other cash as my arm is still buggered up. Starting to think of ways to make it look like an accident, as I have insurance for that. Any suggestions? jodelli The Twenty First Century, you can have it.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. RingerDon’t take meds any more. Pdoc retired, no new one.

Business is poor, and I am limited in methods to pick up other cash as my arm is still buggered up. Starting to think of ways to make it look like an accident, as I have insurance for that. Any suggestions? Don’t take meds any more. Pdoc retired, no new one. Business is poor, and I am limited in methods to pick up other cash as my arm is still buggered up. Starting to think of ways to make it look like an accident, as I have insurance for that. Any suggestions? jodelli The Twenty First Century, you can have it.

Its got to look like an accident!  My podc either will or will not be on Tuesday.  I just don’t know.  But in this province it’s 6 months wait list. And my left hand is a piece of crap too!  I can’t keep the brace on.  The more depressed I get, the less I want to wear it.  I think a little surgery may be required. No meds huh?  I could be singing the same song, too soon. Take Care Carrie

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – x-no-archive:yes How many take meds for their disorder? Three, Trileptal, Depakote and Xanax Are they effective?  My husband says I am a bit better than I was at the beginning of my treatment.  I don’t see or feel it.  The Xanax does help the anxiety sometimes.  But I still swing rapidly. How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? I haven’t been under treatment long (6-8 months), but SSRI’s and anti-psychotics did not work.  Trileptal alone doesn’t stabilize, but then so far neither does Depakote and it made me pass out in higher doeses. Shib

You look great! Carrie

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

Five  Are they effective? Partially How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

Five months in the hospital pax Dei, Night Hawk

Response:

It took me three but still the pdocs can not get it right.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? Five  Are they effective? Partially How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Five months in the hospital pax Dei, Night Hawk

Response:

It took me three but still the pdocs can not get it right.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? Five  Are they effective? Partially How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Five months in the hospital pax Dei, Night Hawk

Response:

Really, I take Topamax!  Lowered your IQ?  How do you know?  I’ve never figured out the VCR anyway, but what are we talking about? eirraC

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ‘Just read someone asking about Topomax.  YIKES!  We are all different in the way we react to meds BUT Topomax lowered my IQ to the point I had trouble working the VCR (really, my wife had to help me)  It’s slow though so anyone who tries it , imo, should titrate VERY slowly to examine all the way their cognition. Celexa had no effect on my mania whatsoever.  ’Different Strokes. Peas, Steve T (remove "puppy" to email) I’ve taken Depakote and Anafranil for ten years (I also have ocd). Depakote helped a lot until 2 years ago and then my manic would burst through every one in a while. Prozac made me more manic. (I’ve heard others say that)  I tend toward Currently, I’ve been taking Zyprexa for a  month and I have never, ever, felt this stable in my life.  I am, however, afraid of the weight gain.  I’ve gained five pounds in a month.  I hear horror stories of 20 to 60 pound gains. As far as I can tell the weight is more psychological than metabolic (like lithium).  It has increase my appetite and I have to talk myself out of not succumbing to eating urges. I’m fat to begin with, so we’ll see.  I’m not scheduled to see my pdoc for 3 months.  I may call before then if things get out of hand weight-wise.   But God, I love this wooonderful respite from mania. Peas, Steve T (remove "puppy" to email) x-no-archive:yes To add to my previous list of meds, they have also previously tried Prozac, Zoloft, Serzone, Paxil and Effexor before it was discovered that I had BP and not simple depression.  Then Risperdone and Seroquel was also added to Effexor prior to the mood stabilizer trials began. For anxiety, I have also been on BuSpar and Xanax.  Several pain killers for migraines which the mood stabilizers aggravate. And don’t even get me started on my heart and digestive problems meds. Shib How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

‘Just read someone asking about Topomax.  YIKES!  We are all different in the way we react to meds BUT Topomax lowered my IQ to the point I had trouble working the VCR (really, my wife had to help me)  It’s slow though so anyone who tries it , imo, should titrate VERY slowly to examine all the way their cognition. Celexa had no effect on my mania whatsoever.  ’Different Strokes. Peas, Steve T (remove "puppy" to email) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’ve taken Depakote and Anafranil for ten years (I also have ocd). Depakote helped a lot until 2 years ago and then my manic would burst through every one in a while. Prozac made me more manic. (I’ve heard others say that)  I tend toward Currently, I’ve been taking Zyprexa for a  month and I have never, ever, felt this stable in my life.  I am, however, afraid of the weight gain.  I’ve gained five pounds in a month.  I hear horror stories of 20 to 60 pound gains. As far as I can tell the weight is more psychological than metabolic (like lithium).  It has increase my appetite and I have to talk myself out of not succumbing to eating urges. I’m fat to begin with, so we’ll see.  I’m not scheduled to see my pdoc for 3 months.  I may call before then if things get out of hand weight-wise.   But God, I love this wooonderful respite from mania. Peas, Steve T (remove "puppy" to email) x-no-archive:yes To add to my previous list of meds, they have also previously tried Prozac, Zoloft, Serzone, Paxil and Effexor before it was discovered that I had BP and not simple depression.  Then Risperdone and Seroquel was also added to Effexor prior to the mood stabilizer trials began. For anxiety, I have also been on BuSpar and Xanax.  Several pain killers for migraines which the mood stabilizers aggravate. And don’t even get me started on my heart and digestive problems meds. Shib How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

I’ve taken Depakote and Anafranil for ten years (I also have ocd). Depakote helped a lot until 2 years ago and then my manic would burst through every one in a while. Prozac made me more manic. (I’ve heard others say that)  I tend toward Currently, I’ve been taking Zyprexa for a  month and I have never, ever, felt this stable in my life.  I am, however, afraid of the weight gain.  I’ve gained five pounds in a month.  I hear horror stories of 20 to 60 pound gains. As far as I can tell the weight is more psychological than metabolic (like lithium).  It has increase my appetite and I have to talk myself out of not succumbing to eating urges. I’m fat to begin with, so we’ll see.  I’m not scheduled to see my pdoc for 3 months.  I may call before then if things get out of hand weight-wise.   But God, I love this wooonderful respite from mania. Peas, Steve T (remove "puppy" to email) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -x-no-archive:yes To add to my previous list of meds, they have also previously tried Prozac, Zoloft, Serzone, Paxil and Effexor before it was discovered that I had BP and not simple depression.  Then Risperdone and Seroquel was also added to Effexor prior to the mood stabilizer trials began. For anxiety, I have also been on BuSpar and Xanax.  Several pain killers for migraines which the mood stabilizers aggravate. And don’t even get me started on my heart and digestive problems meds. Shib How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

Five  Are they effective? Partially How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

Five months in the hospital pax Dei, Night Hawk

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – x-no-archive:yes How many take meds for their disorder? Three, Trileptal, Depakote and Xanax Are they effective?  My husband says I am a bit better than I was at the beginning of my treatment.  I don’t see or feel it.  The Xanax does help the anxiety sometimes.  But I still swing rapidly. How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? I haven’t been under treatment long (6-8 months), but SSRI’s and anti-psychotics did not work.  Trileptal alone doesn’t stabilize, but then so far neither does Depakote and it made me pass out in higher doeses. Shib

You look great! Carrie

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. RingerDon’t take meds any more. Pdoc retired, no new one.

Business is poor, and I am limited in methods to pick up other cash as my arm is still buggered up. Starting to think of ways to make it look like an accident, as I have insurance for that. Any suggestions? Don’t take meds any more. Pdoc retired, no new one. Business is poor, and I am limited in methods to pick up other cash as my arm is still buggered up. Starting to think of ways to make it look like an accident, as I have insurance for that. Any suggestions? jodelli The Twenty First Century, you can have it.

Its got to look like an accident!  My podc either will or will not be on Tuesday.  I just don’t know.  But in this province it’s 6 months wait list. And my left hand is a piece of crap too!  I can’t keep the brace on.  The more depressed I get, the less I want to wear it.  I think a little surgery may be required. No meds huh?  I could be singing the same song, too soon. Take Care Carrie

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. RingerDon’t take meds any more. Pdoc retired, no new one. Business is poor, and I am limited in methods to pick up other cash as my arm is still buggered up. Starting to think of ways to make it look like an accident, as I have insurance for that. Any suggestions?

Don’t take meds any more. Pdoc retired, no new one. Business is poor, and I am limited in methods to pick up other cash as my arm is still buggered up. Starting to think of ways to make it look like an accident, as I have insurance for that. Any suggestions? jodelli The Twenty First Century, you can have it.

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? yes they are effective. i take triafon(perphenazine) and wellbutrin

i suffer from both a mood and thought disorder N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? it has evolved. i have been mentally ill for 26 years.in 1981 iwas

stabilized on trilifon. then in 1996 i was hospitalized and went through a few drugs like a pair of shoes. i tried prozac but that gave me akathasia(the feeling of jumping out of your skin) then i tried risperdal for a month or two and then went to wellbutrin which at first made me sleepless but then i cut the pill in half and weened myself on it. so  now i take wellbutrin and trilifon

Response:

i used to take prozac but now i dont take any meds xxx angel xxx

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

currently, none, but lithium is in my cabinet Are they effective?

yes, when i take it How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

in past have tried prozac, trazadone, klonopin, ativan & lithium. the only thing that helps is the lithium. highly effective from the first few doses.

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

I am currently on Effexor and Gabapentin (Neurontin). Are they effective?

We’re still working on tweaking the dosages, but I am feeling a little improvement from the depression. How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med

combo? Prior drugs I’ve taken were lithium (I was a zombie) , sinequan (great sleeps, but not much else), anafranil (excellent for my OCD, but was really shaky). I took anafranil for about 5 years, and then switched to Prozac, which was great for about 10 years, with virtually no side effects. Then it just died on me (went up to 60 mg. a day with no success). I am hoping this current duo will do the trick. Compucat

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

    Currently, I take three – Zoloft, Depakote, and Risperdal Are they effective?

     I just started Depakote on Wednesday, so I’m not sure, yet. Zoloft has worked great for my depression, though. How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

     Neurontin, Tegretol, Topamax, Klonopin, Ativan, BuSpar, Trazodone – in various combinations. I had severe allergic reactions to both Neurontin and Tegretol; Trazodone did nothing; BuSpar helped my anxiety, but what I had really needed was a mood stabilizer; Ativan and Klonopin helped my anxiety, also, but I prefer to use benzos as little as possible; Topamax didn’t really help my mood, and the change in taste and tingling sensations in my hands and feet annoyed me.       I’m considering adding Topamax to my current med combo, because of it’s unique side effects profile(i.e. promoting weight loss). I’m going to talk to my pdoc in a couple weeks, about adding either that, or Meridia. So far, Risperdal and Depakote have not caused weight gain, but I’m seriously overweight as it is, and the thought of more weight gain frightens me.       Any suggestions(Oh, just for the record, I’m 16 years old)? -Jonathan

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

I do.  Lots. Are they effective?

For the most part.  My doctor is always tweaking, trying to make things better. How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

Countless and I’m not done yet.

Response:

I started out with Lithium and Tegretol. Within six months I had developed psoraisis from head to toe. My skin turned very gray. I had severe tremors. The doctor took me off the above two drugs and tried many others over the next four years. I can’t remember how many different ones but the list came out to three computer pages long. We finally found the right drugs: Prozac and Xanax. And a year and a half ago I started Depakote. This year we added Vicadan (sp?) for migraine headaches. I avoid the Xanax and Vicadan as much as possible because they are so addictive. I’m usually pretty sick before I take either one. I still see and hear things that are not there. But most of the time I can handle the voices and visions. I still fight the suicide urges every moment of my life. If I was crooked I could con people and start a new religion. But I’m not made that way. And I would have to account for my behavior in the next life. No thanks. Enough of my senseless ramblings. Richard

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

I take Paxil and Seroquel, and rarely a little Ambien to help me sleep. I’m also in therapy. Are they effective?

Not yet 100%, but I am getting better. How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

I’ve lost count, it’s been nearly three years so far. Fiona — If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste the adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.      – Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral, 1664

Response:

I was lucky – I stabilized pretty well fairly quickly on Lithium and Effexor.  With my son, on the other hand, it’s been a two and a half year ride I wouldn’t want to repeat (but unfortunately isn’t over).  He started on Depakote and Risperdal in his first hospital stay.  The next hospitalization added Lithium, which I saw a dramatic change for the better on.  Then he gained 70+ pounds on the Risperdal, so we moved him to Geodon last summer.  In October/November he began having acute anxiety symptoms, so a minimal dose of Risperdal was added to the Geodon.  The anxiety isn’t really falling, and he’s had yet another hospital stay, so his pdoc and i are considering an anti-anxiety med, but we want to wait and see how much of the anxiety was fueled by the holidays before adding another med to his cocktail. Sigh.  All this and weekly therapy outside of school, weekly therapy inside of school, and putting him into a special program at school to remove him from the mainstream (he has a tremendous amount of school phobia). Is it any wonder I’m a bit wacko these days? — CJ ((((((((((((still handing out hugs))))))))))))))))

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

Keep trying Are they effective?

Until they crash or a complication comes up – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Still in that race. Never happened for me. Ditto — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

How many take meds for their disorder?

Neurontin and prozac As needed klonopin (for bruxism and occasional panic attacks), but I try not to take it Are they effective?

Somewhat, sometimes.  I’m still in the process of having the Neurontin dosage raised though, so we’ll see. How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo?

I started out with the diagnosis of major depression, dysthymia and PTSD several years ago.  It took over a year to find an AD that would help at all.  I tried Wellbutrin and Serzone and neither one helped my depression. When I got on Prozac I finally felt some relief from the depression but only part of the time.  I would feel better for awhile and then crash very hard. Finally last October my pdoc suggested I was bipolar II and put me on Neurontin.  I am still undecided about it.  There are days I think it helps a lot but not always.  My pdoc says that is because I am not at a high enough dosage so I am raising it slowly. So I guess I still don’t know if I have the right combo or not.  All I know is that it sure is a pain trying to find the right one. Bonnie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many take meds for their disorder? None Are they effective? N/A How many attempts did it take before you found the most effective med combo? Never happened for me. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

Question:

I’ve taken Valerian and Kava Kava (not together of course) but I am currently on Zoloft for anxiety and panic attacks. I was wondering if there is another herbal treatment. I go to acupuncture but it is not covered by insurance and is very costly. thank you for your time. Faith

Response:

Faith, I am not a doctor, so please consider that carefully when you read my response. I did, however, attend several presentations on how stressors affect the overall body and, specifically, the immune system. I also got quite an education when I was having vasovagal episodes with increasing frequency. There are many things contributing to a stress load that manifests in anxiety and panic attacks. There are three basic types of stressors – physical (injury, illness, fatigue, etc.), chemical (food, drugs, alcohol, blood sugar levels, etc.), and emotional. Each body can handle a maximum combined stress load before it starts showing ‘overstressed’ symptoms. Each type of stress contributes to the total stress load. If two are fine and one is off the charts, symptoms flare. For this reason, it is necessary to keep each of the types of stress as much to a minimum as reasonably possible to lessen the effect of the situation that drives that stress load over the top. When I was having severe anxiety attacks (vasovagal near syncope), I wasn’t ‘cured’ by just taking anti-anxiety medicine. I had to modify my eating, exercise, and sleeping habits AND I had to be removed from the environment that was the major contributor to  the stress. I also had to learn (try to learn) different healthy methods to deal with my stress. Meditation helped a lot. The first anti-anxiety medicine I was given was not helpful, so a second was added to it. The combination was too much, so I eventually wound up using the second medicine with an additional RX for Xanax on as as-needed basis. If I felt an attack coming on, I took a Xanax. In the beginning I was taking the Xanax 3xdaily, but over time it lessened to where I rarely take it at all. But I still carry it in my purse as a backup. I have learned what kinds of situations trigger my anxiety and, as much as reasonably possible, I avoid those situations entirely or at least when I know I am vulnerable to a stress overload (i.e., overtired, hungry, annoyed already). I know your are looking for herbal treatments. Others may have good suggestions for that. If they do, please check with your Dr. or pharmacist for medication interactions and precautions. What I am hoping to supply here is natural as well. Lifestyle changes made the biggest difference for me. If I hadn’t made the changes, no amount of drugs could have gotten me through the experience. Best of luck to you, ccc – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve taken Valerian and Kava Kava (not together of course) but I am currently on Zoloft for anxiety and panic attacks. I was wondering if there is another herbal treatment. I go to acupuncture but it is not covered by insurance and is very costly. thank you for your time. Faith

Response:

| 2.  St. John’s Wort – Mild Depression (NOT anxiety) I took it on a regular basis for months, in various available forms. No effect whatsoever. What works against bouts of nervous depression is kava-kava. It is the only herbal psychotropic stuff I have ever tried whose effects can be undeniably FELT. Whether it has healing, rather than only symtomatic properties, and whether is really does induce no tolerance is open to doubt. I take it on and off, not as a treatment. Against sustained depression DHEA definitely worked with me. It may not qualify as a "natural" remedy, however, and its harmlessness is disputed. James

Response:

2.  St. John’s Wort – Mild Depression (NOT anxiety)

Uh… =ahem!=   It most certainly IS listed for treatment for anxiety, as well as depression.  I ain’t gonna spoon-feed you the URL’s. Got to a good search engine or web crawler ( I like Altavista, Hotbot, Google and AskJeeves) and look it up.   Besides,  anxiety is often a symptom of depression!   As Gomer Pyle would say: "Well,  surprise, surpriiiiise!" That man-made crap,  like Zoloft and Paxil,  is for the birds! —   -john "Always listen to experts. They’ll tell you what can’t be done and why. Then do it."    - Robert Heinlein

Response:

I’ve taken Valerian and Kava Kava (not together of course) but I am currently on Zoloft for anxiety and panic attacks.

I would be careful with Zoloft

Question:

From the Epilepsy Foundation of America as printed in their pamphlet, Epilepsy Questions and answers about seizure disorders. Question:  Does biofeedback treatment work for epilepsy? This is still being studied. Some researchers have reported decreased seizure frequency by having their patients learn how to produce certain brain waves that seem to prevent seizures; others have said that the ability of people to control their seizures in this way fades once the training on a biofeedback machine stops. * * * More d

Question:

what your experiencing are panic attacks, i get them quite often.  i take st. johns wart to help me relax.  jamie

Response:

Hi! My name is Tracy and I had my first anxiety attack a few months ago.  I woke up and felt I was having a heart attack: fast heart beat, sweating, numbness in my right arm, so bad I had to keep it elevated (thinking is would help the circulation.  I even went as far as dialing 911 just in case I dropped dead – I figured it would be the last thing I would hit….thinking it was the end.  Well when I woke up the next morning, happy to be alive, I played with fate, was a lucky person. and really believed I fought a heart was on my way home when those "heart attack symptons" reoccured, only in my mind I played with fate once before  and new something was seriously  wrong even thought as far as of going to the hospital, but figured it would pass by to go….where she asked.  and me a person who hates going to the dr. insisted we go to the hospital immediately.  Of coarse getting everyone panicked, we were off to  the hospital which was fifteen minutes away.  I didn’t think i was going to make it.  We arrived at the Hospital and they admitted me immediately and ran an ekg, and took blood, even a cardiologist came and took blood.  While waiting for my results the doctor thought that I was just having an axiety attack (yeah right I thought)  he later confirmed that it was indeed a axiety attack and that I was hyperventilating.  (i disagreed – I did not think I was breathing out of control – I know what hyperventilating is) My carbon dioxide level and oxygen levels were high and low wich gives you that dizzy feeling. The worse that could of happened was that I passed out. He gave me a prescription and that was it – that was about 5 months ago.  3.  I just had my third axiety attack while out was friends on Saturday….once again happy to be alive and still wonder if my doctor is correct – am I really having axiety attacks or am I having heart problems and because I’m only 31 he won’t pursue more detailed testing.  I don’t want to die –  And I know I’m not crazy.  I am glad to know i’m not the only one who gets these attacks. I felt better only when I read other people’s experiences.  So many friends don’t understand what it feels like, so to read someone else’s experience makes me feel not reality this is really really short.

Response:

Hi Tracy, welcome to our NG!! You are definitely not alone, everyone here is battling against an anxiety disorder of some sort. I myself experienced symptoms which mirror those you have described. I thought I had some sort of heart dysfunction or defect that was going to kill me at any instant. I woke up in the night with it, delt with it in social situations and when I was alone…it really was terrifying. After a complete physical and cardiac examination (by the head of the cardiology dept. in the largest hospital in my province) nothing could be found…I was only 21 yrs old. Well, three years later here I am, alive!!! The only thing is that I am trying to live with Panic Disorder!!! My medication allows me to live a fairly normal life, despite the occasional unexplained anxiety, which I guess is normal. Good luck to you and try to participate in the group I have found it very beneficial!!! all the best jason – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi! My name is Tracy and I had my first anxiety attack a few months ago.  I woke up and felt I was having a heart attack: fast heart beat, sweating, numbness in my right arm, so bad I had to keep it elevated (thinking is would help the circulation.  I even went as far as dialing 911 just in case I dropped dead – I figured it would be the last thing I would hit….thinking it was the end.  Well when I woke up the next morning, happy to be alive, I played with fate, was a lucky person. and really believed I fought a heart was on my way home when those "heart attack symptons" reoccured, only in my mind I played with fate once before  and new something was seriously  wrong even thought as far as of going to the hospital, but figured it would pass by to go….where she asked.  and me a person who hates going to the dr. insisted we go to the hospital immediately.  Of coarse getting everyone panicked, we were off to  the hospital which was fifteen minutes away.  I didn’t think i was going to make it.  We arrived at the Hospital and they admitted me immediately and ran an ekg, and took blood, even a cardiologist came and took blood.  While waiting for my results the doctor thought that I was just having an axiety attack (yeah right I thought)  he later confirmed that it was indeed a axiety attack and that I was hyperventilating.  (i disagreed – I did not think I was breathing out of control – I know what hyperventilating is) My carbon dioxide level and oxygen levels were high and low wich gives you that dizzy feeling. The worse that could of happened was that I passed out. He gave me a prescription and that was it – that was about 5 months ago.  3.  I just had my third axiety attack while out was friends on Saturday….once again happy to be alive and still wonder if my doctor is correct – am I really having axiety attacks or am I having heart problems and because I’m only 31 he won’t pursue more detailed testing.  I don’t want to die –  And I know I’m not crazy.  I am glad to know i’m not the only one who gets these attacks. I felt better only when I read other people’s experiences.  So many friends don’t understand what it feels like, so to read someone else’s experience makes me feel not reality this is really really short.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi! My name is Tracy and I had my first anxiety attack a few months ago.  I woke up and felt I was having a heart attack: fast heart beat, sweating, numbness in my right arm, so bad I had to keep it elevated (thinking is would help the circulation.  I even went as far as dialing 911 just in case I dropped dead – I figured it would be the last thing I would hit….thinking it was the end.  Well when I woke up the next morning, happy to be alive, I played with fate, was a lucky person. and really believed I fought a heart was on my way home when those "heart attack symptons" reoccured, only in my mind I played with fate once before  and new something was seriously  wrong even thought as far as of going to the hospital, but figured it would pass by to go….where she asked.  and me a person who hates going to the dr. insisted we go to the hospital immediately.  Of coarse getting everyone panicked, we were off to  the hospital which was fifteen minutes away.  I didn’t think i was going to make it.  We arrived at the Hospital and they admitted me immediately and ran an ekg, and took blood, even a cardiologist came and took blood.  While waiting for my results the doctor thought that I was just having an axiety attack (yeah right I thought)  he later confirmed that it was indeed a axiety attack and that I was hyperventilating.  (i disagreed – I did not think I was breathing out of control – I know what hyperventilating is) My carbon dioxide level and oxygen levels were high and low wich gives you that dizzy feeling. The worse that could of happened was that I passed out. He gave me a prescription and that was it – that was about 5 months ago.  3.  I just had my third axiety attack while out was friends on Saturday….once again happy to be alive and still wonder if my doctor is correct – am I really having axiety attacks or am I having heart problems and because I’m only 31 he won’t pursue more detailed testing.  I don’t want to die –  And I know I’m not crazy.  I am glad to know i’m not the only one who gets these attacks. I felt better only when I read other people’s experiences.  So many friends don’t understand what it feels like, so to read someone else’s experience makes me feel not reality this is really really short.

What you desecribe is the classic beginning of Panic Disorder. Yes, you have panic attacks. The thing to do is see a psychiatrist who is specialized in anxiety disorders (is there a university clinic in your area? often a good bet), get properly diagnosed and prescribed some meds. I’m sorry to welcome you to ASAP, the club nobody wants to belong to but everybody is glad exists ) Philip

Response:

Hi.  I am also a new comer to this group.  Let me tell you a little about what I have gone through.  After my daughter (I was 25 ) was born 23 years ago I started to feel the same way you did, losing my breath, feeling very weird like I was losing my mind and completely out of contro.  So I also went to the doctor and he told me I was having a panic attack and maybe I needed to take some time off work.  I did but the panic attacks were still happening.  I got to a point where I didn’t want to go anywhere (and that is  not me I love to go out and have fun).  So after going to the doctor a million times and to the emergency room because I thought I was having a heart attack or I had some other life threatening disease, I finally read some books and told myself I tired of this and I want it to stop.  So with the help of medication called Tranxene and a lot of hard work on my part I finally felt better.  It took me a long time.  Now 20 years later my attacks have come back. (I’m trying to keep this short) I think the reason is this.  A year and half ago my husband at 46 suffered a massive heart attack.  He is doing fine, but it was the worst thing I have ever gone through.  I held up pretty well until 6 months later.  I started driving to work, my hands and feet got clammy I started to get that weird feeling of losing control and burst into tears.  I was so scared to drive.  I finally called my boss and had him drive me to the doctor.  It was the same thing panic attack!!  He put me on Tranxene (I am not a very good pill taker).  I have been on it since last May.  I stopped taking it about 2 weeks ago and just 3 days ago I started those feelings.  So I am going to take it regularly and get myself back on track.  I have been to a shrink and I got nothing out of it.  I have found that having someone to talk to and keeping myself busy helps.  The problem with me is I worry about everyone and think I can fix the world.  I have been where you are  and I know you will be ok.  It’s just so frightening.  I hope I have helped you in some way and if you every want to talk more e-mail me.  Nothing like this was every available when I first started my panic attacks and being able to talk to someone and knowing they have felt the same way you have does help.  I wish you the best and do know you are ok.  I have to remember to think positive.. Take care…

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I’m a new comer to this group & was wondering if I could get some explanation as to what a panic attack is. I guess I can start off by saying what I have experienced & go from there. I’ll try to keep it short. About a year ago while driving to work (at night, I work midnights) I started losing my breath, feeling very wierd, my arms were going numb, thoughts of wanting to kill myself (which is definately not me!!) i thought i was having a heart attack (I’m 39 now) I made it to work but was to shakey i couldnt cope, went home but was just dazed & confused. I went to my doctor & she said i had a panic attack. I had one similar several days afterwards but wasnt as bad and i tried hard to control myself, after all both times I was driving!! So that was it, back to the doctor & have been on 50mg of Zoloft since. Now I was supposed to start weening off the zoloft this month & what happens, I have one of these attacks at work. So now i’m still on it. I am going to go see a shrink I guess, i dont want it to get worse, I’m getting to the point where I am almost scared of driving & going to work. I feel very strongly that it is my midnight shift that is doing this to me, because I cant think of anything else that it could be. Is there anyone else out there that works nights that is going through this?? The zoloft is good though & i have been very reassured that it is a safe drug to stay on for many years if needed, but i would like to get off it. If anyone has taken the time to read my long storey get back to me with your storey or thoughts I would appreciate it. Thanks & think positive!!!

Hi Frank, Welcome to ASAP! A panic attack can be a very  individual thing. Your attack does sound like a Panic attack. Mine are different, I get very hot, flushed, dizzy, off-balance, shaky, can`t concentrate and tingling sensations in my fingers. I think I either am going to die or go crazy. I think you should see a Pdoc, one that is knowledgeable in anxiety disorders. CBT therapy is a very good compliment with medication. You might want to give serious thought to increasing your Zoloft dose. You are on a very low therapeutic dose, and you are experiencing alot of discomfort still. You might want to get a script for a benzo to be used on a "as needed" basis. Doing CBT, increasing your Zoloft and getting a benzo, could really get you back on your feet again. Yes, you can stay on Zoloft for a long time. About getting off meds, first you need to get better and be better for awhile, before you think of getting off meds. Some of us need meds for the rest of our lives, others need it on and off, depending on setbacks and remissions, and then there are some that are on meds for awhile, get off the meds, and never need them again. Unfortunately, you won`t know, until you go off I am not sure that the night shift "caused" your anxiety, although it could be a contributing factor. I use to work the graveyard shift in a nursing home, and I didn`t like the way it made me feel. It wasn`t anxiety, I just felt off. After a few months I begged to get off that shift, and I felt much better. If you can, change your hours, maybe a note from your doctor could help with that. Take Care and good luck!! Jackie

Response:

Hi I’m a new comer to this group & was wondering if I could get some explanation as to what a panic attack is. I guess I can start off by saying what I have experienced & go from there. I’ll try to keep it short. About a year ago while driving to work (at night, I work midnights) I started losing my breath, feeling very wierd, my arms were going numb, thoughts of wanting to kill myself (which is definately not me!!) i thought i was having a heart attack (I’m 39 now) I made it to work but was to shakey i couldnt cope, went home but was just dazed & confused. I went to my doctor & she said i had a panic attack. I had one similar several days afterwards but wasnt as bad and i tried hard to control myself, after all both times I was driving!! So that was it, back to the doctor & have been on 50mg of Zoloft since. Now I was supposed to start weening off the zoloft this month & what happens, I have one of these attacks at work. So now i’m still on it. I am going to go see a shrink I guess, i dont want it to get worse, I’m getting to the point where I am almost scared of driving & going to work. I feel very strongly that it is my midnight shift that is doing this to me, because I cant think of anything else that it could be. Is there anyone else out there that works nights that is going through this?? The zoloft is good though & i have been very reassured that it is a safe drug to stay on for many years if needed, but i would like to get off it. If anyone has taken the time to read my long storey get back to me with your storey or thoughts I would appreciate it. Thanks & think positive!!!

Response:

Frank, My first anxiety attack was about 5 1/2 years ago while I was driving. Like you I thought I was having a heart attack.  I didn’t want to kill myself but was sure I must be dying.  I had a lot of stresses in my life at that time so once I realized that it was anxiety attacks I was having  I did go to a therapist. I also take Zoloft.  I started at 50 mg but have decreased it to 25 mg.  I have tried to wean off it several times and each time I have a panic attack.  I don’t like taking meds all the time but I believe it is better than going through the feelings of panic and constant anxiety. So who knows how long I will take this stuff.  I feel pretty good when I am on it. I do have times when I don’t feel as well but everyone has good and bad days whether or not they have PA’s. Do you have any particular stressful things going on in your life?  Or did you when the panic attacks started?  It might be a good idea to find a pdoc who specializes in anxiety who can help you to recognize possible triggers. The one thing about panic attacks is that they seem to strike "out of the blue" and that is the most frustrating part about them.  Because you don’t know when you’ll have one you sometimes start to avoid situations where you had one before. (Like driving, grocery shopping, eating in a restaurant)  It is a vicious (sp?) circle but you know what? You are NOT ALONE.  And you will get through them. Good luck and keep us posted. Nori — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

Response:

The zoloft is good though & i have been very reassured that it is a safe drug to stay on for many years if needed, but i would like to get off it.

Frank, Is medication the only way you are managing? Not that I am knocking it! I am using three different meds, myself. But I am also doing something that I did not do the last time I was in remission from panic. I am now making the effort to learn Cognitive Behavioral techniques. A few years ago, the med of my dreams rid me of Panic, General Anxiety and Agoraphobia for just over a year. But it did not last, I started having breakthrough attacks and didn’t have the skills that I have since gained in controlling the symptoms. Changing my thoughts, correcting my breathing, muscular relaxation and slowing my heart beat are things I have become pretty good at, but not perfect. And there are many more symptoms that I must work with. I would just like to suggest that you get yourself some long lasting coping skills before going off of your med. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has worked for so many. Some without any meds. But I believe combining the two is very powerful. My two cents and wishing you well, Kathryn

Response:

Hi Frank, The following a criteria for panic attacks recently distributed in a brochure to Australian GPs A discrete period of intense fear or discomfort, in which four (or more) of the following symptoms developed abruptly and reached a peak within 10 minutes:     palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate     sweating     trembling or shaking     sensations of shortness of breath or smothering     feeling of choking     chest pain or discomfort     nausea or abdominal distress     feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint     feelings of unreality or being detached from oneself     feelings of losing control or going crazy     fear of dying     paraesthesia (numbness or tingling sensation)     chills or hot flushes I reckon I have experienced each and every one of these! Given that your symptoms are recurring I suggest that you discuss your medication, dosage, with your doctor. It doesn’t sound like a good time to wean off. I am also experiencing a recurrence of some symptoms, in particular situations, so my medication is being reviewed. I guess where lucky that our conditions are treatable. Take care, Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi I’m a new comer to this group & was wondering if I could get some explanation as to what a panic attack is. I guess I can start off by saying what I have experienced & go from there. I’ll try to keep it short. About a year ago while driving to work (at night, I work midnights) I started losing my breath, feeling very wierd, my arms were going numb, thoughts of wanting to kill myself (which is definately not me!!) i thought i was having a heart attack (I’m 39 now) I made it to work but was to shakey i couldnt cope, went home but was just dazed & confused. I went to my doctor & she said i had a panic attack. I had one similar several days afterwards but wasnt as bad and i tried hard to control myself, after all both times I was driving!! So that was it, back to the doctor & have been on 50mg of Zoloft since. Now I was supposed to start weening off the zoloft this month & what happens, I have one of these attacks at work. So now i’m still on it. I am going to go see a shrink I guess, i dont want it to get worse, I’m getting to the point where I am almost scared of driving & going to work. I feel very strongly that it is my midnight shift that is doing this to me, because I cant think of anything else that it could be. Is there anyone else out there that works nights that is going through this?? The zoloft is good though & i have been very reassured that it is a safe drug to stay on for many years if needed, but i would like to get off it. If anyone has taken the time to read my long storey get back to me with your storey or thoughts I would appreciate it. Thanks & think positive!!!

Response:

Question:

Hi Richard: I have the same thing as your wife!! I have had it for 5 years and it was originally caused from taking too much decongestant which caused insomnia. The worse my insomnia gets, the worse the jerks get and I can get days of 1 hr sleep a night. WHen it originally started I collapsed at work from fatigue and was diagnosed with panic disorder. I have successfully treated it with medications over the last 5 years. WHen I have to change meds for various reasons (wt gain, fatigue, etc) and/or during periods of no medication it comes back after a couple of nights of bad sleep. I had a sleep study done in the summer and it showed sleep terrors and I was told that the jerking was called hypnic (sp?) jerks. I also have hypnogogic hallucinations where I am partially awake and see trolls,and such, running around my room until I’m fully awake. Everyone is different with meds but I have found that Doxepin worked great within two days. Also Paxil, xanax, nortriptyline and now I am on zopiclone (Imovane here in Canada).For me I HAVE to be on medication, self-help things do absolutely nothing once I get the jerks. Drugs that did NOT work for me are clonazepam (though it is indicated for RLS and sleep terrors), Prozac, Effexor, Manerix. I am also on Luvox(fluvoxamine) now which does not help my sleep yet. I have been on the Imovane (3.75-7.5 mg) for about 6 weeks and just recently I have found it to be less effective. How long has your wife been on it and has it maintained its effectivesness? What dose is she on and how often? I was supposed to take it every second day but the day in between I was sleepless so now I am on it nightly. Has she had a sleep study done? In article <36930565.1…@bt.com

,

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -  richard.ingles…@bt.com wrote:

Help for my Wife We live in a small village in the UK. I’m hoping that somewhere out there is someone who has experience or knowledge of the problem that has affected my wife’s sleep for the last four years.  Elaine is 42 years old. The problem is as follows: – She will start to fall asleep, but just as she is dropping off her whole body jerks her awake.  These hypnagogic jerks  often happen in individuals, but normally only once or twice before the person falls asleep.  The problem for my wife is that this process is continuous, with jerks every few seconds preventing her from sleeping at all. Usually when people have these jerks they get a sensation of falling that precedes the jerk but my wife gets repeated jerks without the falling sensation.  She likens it to the needle on a record getting stuck and playing the same tune over and over again. The only way that my wife is able to get any relief from her insomnia is to take the sleeping medication Zopiclone (Zimovane) every night. Unfortunately Elaine needs at least 8 to 9 hours sleep to feel refreshed and not end up walking round like a zombie.  She used to be such a good sleeper and longs to be able to sleep well again of her own accord without having to take the medication. She has never been afraid of falling asleep as she has always found sleep to be a great way of relieving stress. If there is anyone who has suffered the same or knows of the causes/cures for this and can enlighten us I would be over the moon for any information given that would result in Elaine’s insomnia being cured.

———–== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==———- http://www.dejanews.com/       Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own    

Response:

richard inglesant wrote:

We live in a small village in the UK.

You’ll be happy to know that there appear to be some excellent support groups in the UK for people suffering from sleep disorders.  Hopefully, one of the other members has that pointer readily available… (Sorry I don’t have it at the moment).

I’m hoping that somewhere out there is someone who has experience or knowledge of the problem that has affected my wife’s sleep for the last four years.  Elaine is 42 years old. The problem is as follows: – She will start to fall asleep, but just as she is dropping off her whole body jerks her awake.  These hypnagogic jerks often happen in individuals, but normally only once or twice before the person falls asleep.  The problem for my wife is that this process is continuous, with jerks every few seconds preventing her from sleeping at all.

Richard, please understand, suggestions we can offer are purely based on our experience, not medical knowledge.  However, with that disclaimer, you might want to look into two different possible problems: RLS – Restless Leg Syndrome … describes the problem some people have while awake.  (Generally their legs tend to ‘bounce’ as if restless – without the individual being fully aware of the movement). PLMD – Periodic Leg Movement Disorder … describes periodic leg movements during sleep, which cause the individual to jerk awake.  Often the jerk does not fully awaken the individual, but does cause the individual to not have restful sleep. For many people these jerks only exhibit themselves as jerks in the leg. However, these jerks can be severe enough to impact the entire body. Sometimes I hear sound associated with the jerks. Pointers on where to find out more are below.

Usually when people have these jerks they get a sensation of falling that precedes the jerk but my wife gets repeated jerks without the falling sensation.  She likens it to the needle on a record getting stuck and playing the same tune over and over again.

Yup.  Not comfortable and can cause a great deal of anxiety.

The only way that my wife is able to get any relief from her insomnia is to take the sleeping medication Zopiclone (Zimovane) every night.  Unfortunately Elaine needs at least 8 to 9 hours sleep to feel refreshed and not end up walking round like a zombie.  She used to be such a good sleeper and longs to be able to sleep well again of her own accord without having to take the medication. She has never been afraid of falling asleep as she has always found sleep to be a great way of relieving stress.

Unfortunately, (as I understand it) medication is about the only way to gain some release from these symptoms.  I do not know if the medication she is taking is targeted to relieve the symptoms or merely induce sleep.

If there is anyone who has suffered the same or knows of the causes/cures for this and can enlighten us I would be over the moon for any information given that would result in Elaine’s insomnia being cured.

You might want to discuss the possibility of Restless Leg Syndrome, or Periodic Leg Movement Disorder with her doctor.  Again, though the names imply only leg movements, it can impact the entire body.  I sometimes feel as if someone has delivered a strong electric shock to my system…  Not fun. You might want to look at the following web sites:   1.  Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, Inc.    http://www.rls.org   2.  Southern California RLS Support Group       http://surf.to/rls Hope this helps some.  Other members in the newsgroup should be able to provide information about the medication they use, and possibly even about the medication your wife is taking.  But our experience is no substitute for discussing this with a healthcare professional who can help her with her sleep disorder (not just drugging her to sleep). Regards, =jbf= John B. Fisher

Response:

Help for my Wife We live in a small village in the UK.   I’m hoping that somewhere out there is someone who has experience or knowledge of the problem that has affected my wife’s sleep for the last four years.  Elaine is 42 years old. The problem is as follows: – She will start to fall asleep, but just as she is dropping off her whole body jerks her awake.  These hypnagogic jerks  often happen in individuals, but normally only once or twice before the person falls asleep.  The problem for my wife is that this process is continuous, with jerks every few seconds preventing her from sleeping at all. Usually when people have these jerks they get a sensation of falling that precedes the jerk but my wife gets repeated jerks without the falling sensation.  She likens it to the needle on a record getting stuck and playing the same tune over and over again. The only way that my wife is able to get any relief from her insomnia is to take the sleeping medication Zopiclone (Zimovane) every night. Unfortunately Elaine needs at least 8 to 9 hours sleep to feel refreshed and not end up walking round like a zombie.  She used to be such a good sleeper and longs to be able to sleep well again of her own accord without having to take the medication. She has never been afraid of falling asleep as she has always found sleep to be a great way of relieving stress. If there is anyone who has suffered the same or knows of the causes/cures for this and can enlighten us I would be over the moon for any information given that would result in Elaine’s insomnia being cured.

Response:

I have sleep apnea so can’t offer eprsonal experience but here is a link to a great site that deals with a myriad of sleep disorders and restless legs syndrome is one I believe. http://www.sleepedu.net/forums/apnea/apneainf.html = = = = = For information regarding Tracheostomy and the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea please visit http://members.aol.com/citylinc/osa/index.htm = = = = = A great sleep forum http://www.sleepedu.net/forums/apnea/apneainf.html

Response:

Question:

Excellent response. I really wish someone had given me this advice before I got into it. SNIP Many to totally stupid and embarassing  things in public.

That would be me. This may get you taked about but not in a light you would like.

And how. The danger is that you don’t know what will happen.  For damn sure don’t have to plan on driving.  I went into a corn field one night on two Vodka martinis, sound asleep at the wheel.  They check for the level and it was only .15.  But the combination of that and my BP pills knocked my but out.

Okay, are you sure you mean .15? Legally drunk is .10, you know… Just checking. G. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -SNIP

Response:

While on ADs, the effects of alcohol on my system are unpredictable. I

The effects of alcohol on bipolar people, on AD or not, is unpredictable. |Home page:http://reality.sgi.com/employees/chokshi_clubfed/ |Silicon Graphics, Inc., voice: (301) 572-1678, fax: (301) 572-8778 |—Mortal, why doth thou live like thou art immortal?

Response:

Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?

Well, Zoloft is an antidepressant. Alcohol is a CNS depressant. Your call. Danny

Response:

Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?

Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant; alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, so the expectation would likely be that drinking while depressed would not be helpful to recovery. This is not to say that an occasional sip of alcohol would hurt, but it is always wise to speak with your own physician about these drinking while on psychiatric medications. I no longer drink while taking medications. I used to. Didn’t help at all to drink, in fact made it worse, so I quit. -jim

Response:

Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers? Well, Zoloft is an antidepressant. Alcohol is a CNS depressant. Your call. Danny

It is possible to have seizures and also strokes when combining alcohol and zoloft. TheDelser

Response:

: Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.       The term "depressant", when used in reference to alcohol, means that it slows you down, NOT that it causes the condition known as "depression". Alcohol *CAN* be dangerous with zoloft; it can make you MUCH drowsier/drunker than you expect, and long term alcohol use *CAN* cause depression (not because it’s a "depressant", but because of other changes that heavy use of alcohol causes in your body)      But light drinking is fairly safe.  The reason you’re told to avoid alcohol on zoloft is because you don’t have carte blanche freedom to drink as much as you want.

Response:

: It is possible to have seizures and also strokes when combining alcohol : and zoloft.      Strangely, this is NOT mentioned in any of the literature on zoloft. Care to substantiate this claim, oh ignoble bullshitter?

Response:

John, Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. Amazing tho that may seem. Carma – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.       The term "depressant", when used in reference to alcohol, means that it slows you down, NOT that it causes the condition known as "depression". Alcohol *CAN* be dangerous with zoloft; it can make you MUCH drowsier/drunker than you expect, and long term alcohol use *CAN* cause depression (not because it’s a "depressant", but because of other changes that heavy use of alcohol causes in your body)      But light drinking is fairly safe.  The reason you’re told to avoid alcohol on zoloft is because you don’t have carte blanche freedom to drink as much as you want.

Response:

Zoloft affects Serotonin, while alcohol affects GABA transmission and recption.  Unless there’s effects we’re not aware of.

Response:

John, Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. Amazing tho that may seem.

From the evidence of my eyes and memory, a lot of depressed people don’t. The information is probably news to someone reading it, old hat though it was to you. —          The opinions given above may be mine. They might also            just be what I feel like saying right now, okay?

Response:

: John, : Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart : enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. : Amazing tho that may seem.      Why, then, didn’t you use the term "depressant" correctly in the following post that you made? : : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : : it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.

Response:

OUCH! nothing more to say…;)

Response:

: OUCH! nothing more to say…;) : I’ve taken Zoloft for 3 years and drank for 3+ years.  Zoloft has helped, and has been therapeutic.  I no longer take Zoloft, but I still have my beers. will

Response:

Well let’s see perhaps it is just I’ve been studying the wrong books but the last time I checked all forms of ETOH were listed as major central nervous system depressants and the formula 1 CNSD + 1 CNSD still looks like too drugged to cogitate properly let alone breath. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : John, : Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart : enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. : Amazing tho that may seem.      Why, then, didn’t you use the term "depressant" correctly in the following post that you made? : : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : : it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.

Response:

Hi all,  I’d like to mention an additional danger besides the one listed. Zoloft (as do ALL antidepressants) tends to lower the seizure threshold (i.e. make it easier to have a seizure) as does alcohol.  For most people this might not be a problem, but if you’re borderline seizure oriented, or especially overtired, be VERY careful of this combination.  I’d remind people as well, that this being cough/cold season, LIQUID nyquil is 50 proof or 25% alcohol.  Email welcome.  John Abeel — John Abeel, R.P.H. http://www.servtech.com/public/rxman " He who hath no scruples isn’t worth a dram " – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : John, : Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart : enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. : Amazing tho that may seem.      Why, then, didn’t you use the term "depressant" correctly in the following post that you made? : : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : : it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.

Response:

Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?

Response:

Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good it  makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft. Carma – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?

Response:

Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together?  Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?

You may get drunk a LOT faster. Then again, you may not. Charlie’s Sneaker Pages: http://sneakers.pair.com/ Best Value in Airplanes: http://www.boeing.com/

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -bm…@haven.ios.com wrote:

In <01bb6ec9.66374280$5de5d3c6@#glang, "Lori Lang" <70471.1…@compuserve.com writes: I need some help from anyone who can give it.  I’m 36 years old and I’ve been an insomniac my whole life.  I have trouble getting to sleep and if I get to sleep I can’t stay asleep.  I get 2-3 hours of sleep a night.  When I was young, I started taking antihistamines at night (I had allergies) and although I didn’t feel great the next day, I slept.  Any time I didn’t take them, no sleep.  I’ve gone more than a week with no sleep at different times in my life.  I could take antihistamines until last year, when they started irritating my stomach.  I had to get some help. I follow all of the rules:  no eating after dinner, turn down the lights at night, meditate, stress reduction, blah blah blah.  I’m convinced that whoever came up with the list has never had a sleepless night, because those things don’t seem to matter.  I’ve tried melatonin, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, herbs.  I finally went to the doctor and had a sleep study done.  It came back that my sleep is severely abnormal, I’m not getting to stage 3 or 4, and that I should take antidepressants. I’ve tried 4 different antidepressants.  I had allergic reactions to 2 of them (Prozac, Effexor), and two made me sick (Pamelor, Serzone).  The only thing that has helped is Ambien, but that’s nothing that anyone will prescribe for me on an ongoing basis.  But it’s heaven.  It’s the only thing that works. Unfortunately, I’m not someone who feels okay without sleep.  I’ve been told by three doctors now just to live with it because that’s the way I am.  I’d almost rather be dead than live like this.  It’s a nightmare (so to speak). Nobody feels okay without sleep.  Almost everyone on this newsgroup knows how devistating sleep deprivation can be.  It’s a shame you found three separate doctors who merely told you to "live with it".  Are these general practitioners? Have you seen a sleep specialist?  It seems to me that you need the help of someone who specializes in sleep problems and can understand the severity of your problems when you don’t sleep.  I don’t know too much about Ambien but I have seen postings here from people who have taken it regularly – one person for a couple years, I believe. Please, see a doctor who is both willing and capable of understanding your sleep problems.  Too many doctors know very little about sleep disorders and don’t understand their seriousness. –BillM

http://www.micronet.fr/~mondor

Response:

"Lori Lang" <70471.1…@compuserve.com

wrote: I finally went to the doctor and had a sleep study done.  It came back that my sleep is severely abnormal, I’m not getting to stage 3 or 4, and that I should take antidepressants.   I’ve tried 4 different antidepressants.  I had allergic reactions to 2 of them (Prozac, Effexor), and two made me sick (Pamelor, Serzone).  The only thing that has helped is Ambien, but that’s nothing that anyone will prescribe for me on an ongoing basis.  But it’s heaven.  It’s the only thing that works.

First, let me say I sympathize with you.  Don’t give up hope!  Myself I have had a very bizarre sleep schedule my whole life, but I feel better since I recently figured out I have Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (with a non-regular pattern and bouts of sleep-deprivation…but anyway…) I might not have any advice for you, but I have a question because I am very curious about sleep disorders.  This question is for anyone who happens to know:     Why/when are anti-depressants prescribed for sleeplessness?  Are they only used in cases like hers where the sleep is very abnormal? When I complained to my physician of frequent insomnia, I was first told to take benadryl, and another time prescribed Xanax (only 10 of them.)  So, those would be more in the sedative category I guess (with benadryl actually an antihistamine and drowsiness being a side-effect?) I always hated the way those made me feel the next day–I don’t WANT to sleep for 9-10 hours and wake up feeling as though I have a brick on my forehead!  I love to be awake and doing stuff.  I tried melatonin too–it made me groggy but did not make me want to sleep, and when I finally went to sleep it was for 9-10 hours and I’d wake up a little groggy.   So, now I know that my natural sleep schedule is somewhere around sleeping from 9AM to 5PM, and I’d be comfortable doing that.  BUT in the mean time, I have in the past lost jobs for being late, been late for class, and I can’t guarantee I’ll ever make it to the bank, the post office, a dentist appointment, etc.  I’m almost impossible to wake up before that time–I sleep through all kinds of alarm clocks.   Now I have to get a job (I’m beyond broke from my summertime binge of sleeping when I want–but I ended up feeling like I was home with a disability), which means I have to get up at a decent hour to apply for a job, even to apply to work the night shift.  I have just recently tried taking 5mg of Valium, and am amazed that it has worked great for me!  I thought I would end up feeling groggy, but I have felt sleepy in a natural way in about 15 minutes after taking it, and wake up in the morning (ok well, it’s still the afternoon, but at least it’s early afternoon) feeling ALERT, moreso than I normally do. My alarm clock wakes me up!  (Still takes a few to get me out of bed, but at least I hear the alarms now.)  And I can do that after sleeping only 6-7 hours. So, can anyone tell me about problems taking Valium in order to sleep? Is my reaction similar to other people’s, and could I possibly use it to reset my circadian clock?  I have only tried it three times so far. I’d much rather sleep naturally, but it looks like that’s not going to happen. Thanks for listening, ~Moo * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Speak out against hatred and discrimination! Write your Senators TODAY and tell them to vote NO to the ridiculous "Defense of marriage act." * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * http://www.mindspring.com/~moomoo/index.html

Response:

In <01bb6ec9.66374280$5de5d3c6@#glang

, "Lori Lang" <70471.1…@compuserve.com writes:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I need some help from anyone who can give it.  I’m 36 years old and I’ve been an insomniac my whole life.  I have trouble getting to sleep and if I get to sleep I can’t stay asleep.  I get 2-3 hours of sleep a night.  When I was young, I started taking antihistamines at night (I had allergies) and although I didn’t feel great the next day, I slept.  Any time I didn’t take them, no sleep.  I’ve gone more than a week with no sleep at different times in my life.  I could take antihistamines until last year, when they started irritating my stomach.  I had to get some help. I follow all of the rules:  no eating after dinner, turn down the lights at night, meditate, stress reduction, blah blah blah.  I’m convinced that whoever came up with the list has never had a sleepless night, because those things don’t seem to matter.  I’ve tried melatonin, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, herbs.  I finally went to the doctor and had a sleep study done.  It came back that my sleep is severely abnormal, I’m not getting to stage 3 or 4, and that I should take antidepressants.   I’ve tried 4 different antidepressants.  I had allergic reactions to 2 of them (Prozac, Effexor), and two made me sick (Pamelor, Serzone).  The only thing that has helped is Ambien, but that’s nothing that anyone will prescribe for me on an ongoing basis.  But it’s heaven.  It’s the only thing that works. Unfortunately, I’m not someone who feels okay without sleep.  I’ve been told by three doctors now just to live with it because that’s the way I am.  I’d almost rather be dead than live like this.  It’s a nightmare (so to speak).

Nobody feels okay without sleep.  Almost everyone on this newsgroup knows how devistating sleep deprivation can be.  It’s a shame you found three separate doctors who merely told you to "live with it".  Are these general practitioners? Have you seen a sleep specialist?  It seems to me that you need the help of someone who specializes in sleep problems and can understand the severity of your problems when you don’t sleep.  I don’t know too much about Ambien but I have seen postings here from people who have taken it regularly – one person for a couple years, I believe. Please, see a doctor who is both willing and capable of understanding your sleep problems.  Too many doctors know very little about sleep disorders and don’t understand their seriousness. –BillM

Response:

I need some help from anyone who can give it.  I’m 36 years old and I’ve been an insomniac my whole life.  I have trouble getting to sleep and if I get to sleep I can’t stay asleep.  I get 2-3 hours of sleep a night.  When I was young, I started taking antihistamines at night (I had allergies) and although I didn’t feel great the next day, I slept.  Any time I didn’t take them, no sleep.  I’ve gone more than a week with no sleep at different times in my life.  I could take antihistamines until last year, when they started irritating my stomach.  I had to get some help. I follow all of the rules:  no eating after dinner, turn down the lights at night, meditate, stress reduction, blah blah blah.  I’m convinced that whoever came up with the list has never had a sleepless night, because those things don’t seem to matter.  I’ve tried melatonin, homeopathic remedies, acupuncture, herbs.  I finally went to the doctor and had a sleep study done.  It came back that my sleep is severely abnormal, I’m not getting to stage 3 or 4, and that I should take antidepressants.   I’ve tried 4 different antidepressants.  I had allergic reactions to 2 of them (Prozac, Effexor), and two made me sick (Pamelor, Serzone).  The only thing that has helped is Ambien, but that’s nothing that anyone will prescribe for me on an ongoing basis.  But it’s heaven.  It’s the only thing that works. Unfortunately, I’m not someone who feels okay without sleep.  I’ve been told by three doctors now just to live with it because that’s the way I am.  I’d almost rather be dead than live like this.  It’s a nightmare (so to speak). Does anyone have anything to offer that I haven’t tried? Thank you.  Sorry if I sound whiney, I’m just sort of desperate. Lori

Response: