Question:

I  am  frty  yrs. old and have asthma.  I take accolate twice daily and use the inhalers albuterol, flovent, and combivent.   My mother has same symptoms as  I  do, but her Doctor says hers is Emphysema she is sixty yrs old. They have told  her adults dont get asthma,  they get emphysema. My question is whats the difference in the two and why is it treated the same way.

Asthma is an inflammation-induced bronchoconstriction.  Treatment of the bronchospasm with short- and long-acting bronchodilators, and the underlying inflammation with inhaled steroids can quell the inflammation; and permit an asthmatic to lead a near-normal life. Emphysema [which can result from long-untreated asthma] is a permanent loss of elasticity in the aveoli. They are treated the same because many of the same drugs will assist both conditions. Chris Owens – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thank You [Image]

Response:

I  am  frty  yrs. old and have asthma.  I take accolate twice daily and use the inhalers albuterol, flovent, and combivent.   My mother has same symptoms as  I  do, but her Doctor says hers is Emphysema she is  sixty yrs old. They have told  her adults dont get asthma,  they get emphysema. My question is whats the difference in the two and why is it treated the same way.

Adults do get asthma, called adult onset asthma. Emphesema is generally contracted by smokers tho there is a hereditary version. Asthma is generally considered a reversible condition with drugs. Emphesema is only slightly reversible with drugs. Many older patients have a combination of the 2. Asthma and emphesema are not treated exactly the same way, although some drugs are used for both. Accolate would only be used for asthma–it helps about 1/2 to 2/3 who try it, if it doesn’t help it should be stopped. Combivent (albuterol + Atrovent) is primarily intended for emphesema but may benefit some asthmatics. Albuterol is used for both. Flovent is used to treat the inflammation of asthmatic bronchial tubes tho some with emphysema may benefit. Ellis

Response:

Question:

While I readily confess to employing btb, nesting and using half round-trips, I have never done hidden city. I can see how this really upsets the airlines. You* have checked in A-(B)-C and then you disappear at B.

Are we talking about multiple-leg trips here, or true hidden stopovers such as, for instance, these UA DEN-FRA which actually involve a change of gauge at ORD? Effects: 1. Passenger count is wrong.

Not really.  They give you two boarding passes. If you didn’t board, you don’t enter the count.   So, it’s just like anyone that’s checked in but ends up not showing up or not showing up in time. 2. Agents have to page you (just listen to how many of these there are next time you travel)

When was the last time you saw anyone get paged? 3. Baggage manifest has to be checked, when it’s apparent you’re not coming.

No luggage matching in North America.  So I am sure they don’t care. Bottom line: it’s just the fare issue.

Response:

While I readily confess to employing btb, nesting and using half round-trips, I have never done hidden city. I can see how this really upsets the airlines. You* have checked in A-(B)-C and then you disappear at B. Are we talking about multiple-leg trips here, or true hidden stopovers such as, for instance, these UA DEN-FRA which actually involve a change of gauge at ORD?

Either, or the third case where it’s a through flight with a hub stopover (no plane change). Effects: 1. Passenger count is wrong. Not really.  They give you two boarding passes. If you didn’t board, you don’t enter the count.   So, it’s just like anyone that’s checked in but ends up not showing up or not showing up in time.

True. I had the through flight scenario in mind, but omitted to say so. 2. Agents have to page you (just listen to how many of these there are next time you travel) When was the last time you saw anyone get paged?

August 1, 2000. Maybe you just tune out those announcements. I hear them all the time. 3. Baggage manifest has to be checked, when it’s apparent you’re not coming. No luggage matching in North America.  So I am sure they don’t care.

Maybe no matching in the US, although I’m not sure of that. Baggage is certainly matched Canada-US transborder. Bottom line: it’s just the fare issue.

We’ll agree to differ. B.

Response:

  I don’t see how hidden city tickets generally are very useful. Once you miss the second flight (assuming two each way), return reservations are cancelled; also you can’t have checked baggage as the airline would check luggage to the ticketed destination.   So to benefit, the round trip fare A – B – C – B – A must be less than a one way A – B, and the passenger must not have checked baggage. How often does this occur? —

Response:

All the time for business travelers!!  I’m sure others have reaped a whole lot more savings than this, but last year, a co-worker needed a one way ticket to Cincinnati.  It was over $500.  A roundtrip on DL IAH-IND with a connection at CVG was $220.  This saved over $300. This works particularly well on last minute trips where the ultimate ticketed destination is a low fare compete route from the point of origin.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   I don’t see how hidden city tickets generally are very useful. Once you miss the second flight (assuming two each way), return reservations are cancelled; also you can’t have checked baggage as the airline would check luggage to the ticketed destination.   So to benefit, the round trip fare A – B – C – B – A must be less than a one way A – B, and the passenger must not have checked baggage. How often does this occur? —

Response:

 I don’t see how hidden city tickets generally are very useful. Once you miss the second flight (assuming two each way), return reservations are cancelled; also you can’t have checked baggage as the airline would check luggage to the ticketed destination.  So to benefit, the round trip fare A – B – C – B – A must be less than a one way A – B, and the passenger must not have checked baggage. How often does this occur? —

Quite often I’d say. One way fares on the ‘majors’ (like Delta who spawned this thread), are very expensive since they are all full fare (no discounts). I agree this ‘trick’ is of no use to the leisure traveller who wants to go A to B and come back again. But then they would probably never think of it, or else post to this ng asking if it can be done. B.

Response:

  I don’t see how hidden city tickets generally are very useful. Once you miss the second flight (assuming two each way), return reservations are cancelled; also you can’t have checked baggage as the airline would check luggage to the ticketed destination.   So to benefit, the round trip fare A – B – C – B – A must be less than a one way A – B, and the passenger must not have checked baggage. How often does this occur?

It happens.  An example, look at J2RTN fares from Canada to Germany and compare them with equivalent fares from the US: it’s roughly twice.  So, get a cheap B-A-B round trip.   Of course, if you are a real FF miles junkie, you might actually fly the whole thing, which might actually be legal.  But not necessarily convenient.   Or you might have a fairly convoluted travel pattern.  Which might actually require you to go to A right before your trip to C. As to luggage, often you don’t check anything.  Or if B happens to be an entry point, you get it to go through customs anyway.

Response:

All the time for business travelers!!  I’m sure others have reaped a whole lot more savings than this, but last year, a co-worker needed a one way ticket to Cincinnati.  It was over $500.  A roundtrip on DL IAH-IND with a connection at CVG was $220.  This saved over $300. This works particularly well on last minute trips where the ultimate ticketed destination is a low fare compete route from the point of origin.

And even better if said business travellers can bill the client for the full OW whack and pocket the difference. But that wouldn’t happen, would it ? B.

Response:

It is not always a certainty that the airlines will cancel your ongoing reservation if you don’t show up for a flight.  The airlines are pretty damn disorganized as it is, I’m sure you could easily persuade them to reinstate your record. In any case, as long as you check in for your first flight and receive a boarding pass for your second flight, then I doubt highly that you will find your following flights cancelled. I’ve done this before on Delta flying from STL-ATL.  The fare from STL-ATL is usually about a hundred dollars more than STL-MGM which connects in ATL anyway.  Just check in for the first flight, get boarding pass for second flight, throw away.  Then pay $19.99 to rent Budget car to drive to MGM and play golf on the way.  Fun. I have considered this for flights from STL-JFK.  The last minute fare on TWA is insane, around $1000.  However, you can buy STL-BWI with no advance for $300 that allows connecting in JFK.  Pretty crazy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – All the time for business travelers!!  I’m sure others have reaped a whole lot more savings than this, but last year, a co-worker needed a one way ticket to Cincinnati.  It was over $500.  A roundtrip on DL IAH-IND with a connection at CVG was $220.  This saved over $300. This works particularly well on last minute trips where the ultimate ticketed destination is a low fare compete route from the point of origin. And even better if said business travellers can bill the client for the full OW whack and pocket the difference. But that wouldn’t happen, would it ? B.

Well, my said business travelers couldn’t do that because there’s no client to bill, not to mention the fact that they wouldn’t have a receipt for the higher fare

Response:

I have considered this for flights from STL-JFK.  The last minute fare on TWA is insane, around $1000.

No Herb. However, you can buy STL-BWI with no advance for $300 that allows connecting in JFK.  Pretty crazy.

The Herb effect. Bob C.

Response:

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the airlines are the ones that came up with this pricing structure in the first place, weren’t they?  As opposed as I am to the moral aspects of cheating, I don’t see this as cheating.  I maintain that I have the right to get off the plane anywhere it stops if I feel like it.  Getting back on is my option.

<snip funny rant Right you are Bill! I can’t think of any other transportation medium that uses this – I have taken the bus between Toronto and Detroit for months. If you want to get out at London Ontario, no problem. I’ve taken a cruise where my wife got too seasick to continue – she was able to get off at an intermediate stop, no problem. I can’t imagine a cab ride where you say to the cabbie "Stop I want to get out here", and he says "No we have to continue to the airport, and then I’ll bring you back here". I agree with all the posters who have said the airlines created this problem with their screwy load management pricing, and they should be forced to honour tickets that they’ve issued under these schemes. It may result in slightly higher fares, but at least I’d feel it was a ‘fair fare’. OtherKevin

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Correct me if I’m wrong, but the airlines are the ones that came up with this pricing structure in the first place, weren’t they?  As opposed as I am to the moral aspects of cheating, I don’t see this as cheating.  I maintain that I have the right to get off the plane anywhere it stops if I feel like it.  Getting back on is my option. <snip funny rant Right you are Bill! I can’t think of any other transportation medium that uses this – I have taken the bus between Toronto and Detroit for months. If you want to get out at London Ontario, no problem. I’ve taken a cruise where my wife got too seasick to continue – she was able to get off at an intermediate stop, no problem. I can’t imagine a cab ride where you say to the cabbie "Stop I want to get out here", and he says "No we have to continue to the airport, and then I’ll bring you back here".

How would your bus and cruise examples be cheating the provider out of a higher fare as is the case with hidden city ticketing? I agree with all the posters who have said the airlines created this problem with their screwy load management pricing, and they should be forced to honour tickets that they’ve issued under these schemes. It may result in slightly higher fares, but at least I’d feel it was a ‘fair fare’.

This has absolutely nothing to do with "load management pricing."  It’s all about low fare competition.  If there were no low fare carriers, there would be no need for hidden city ticketing.

Response:

FRA prices seem very high until well after Oktoberfest.

the problem though is Oktoberfest only happens in Munich.  Yea it happens to smaller degrees elsewhere but it is centered in Munich. (my liver is still hurting) Gerald Sylvester

Response:

Excellent essay as always, Bill. I think I see a flaw in your argument however. You assume the airlines set their fares in some kind of controlled, logical manner. I believe they actually use a ouija board and/or a dart-throwing chimpanzee. From time to time this procedure is circumvented by someone shouting ‘Ohmigawd, Herbie Air has lower fares form Stinksville to Megalopolis, we must match them at once’. (Of course, back in the Middle Ages there were no hidden cities because there were no hubs.) While I readily confess to employing btb, nesting and using half round-trips, I have never done hidden city. I can see how this really upsets the airlines. You* have checked in A-(B)-C and then you disappear at B. Effects: 1. Passenger count is wrong. 2. Agents have to page you (just listen to how many of these there are next time you travel) 3. Baggage manifest has to be checked, when it’s apparent you’re not coming. All of this requires totally unproductive effort on the part of the airline. And it’s not like there’s a surplus of gate agents looking for something to do. Upshot: Flight possibly delayed, inconveniencing (or worse) the other 100+ folks who unfortunately picked the same flight as you. The airlines may have created the scenario, but IMHO using hidden city is beyond the pale of ’savvy traveling’. Air travel may have evolved to resemble bus trips in many ways, but the rules *are* different. Since the judge says they can’t come after you for the money, FF miles seems to be the only lever they have. * generic ‘you’ Brian

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Correct me if I’m wrong, but the airlines are the ones that came up with this pricing structure in the first place, weren’t they?  As opposed as I am to the moral aspects of cheating, I don’t see this as cheating.  I maintain that I have the right to get off the plane anywhere it stops if I feel like it.  Getting back on is my option.

I was looking at the UA web site for mid-October WAS to PAR service. The half-round-trip price is about $285 during that period.  Some of the routings had a connection at FRA.  Out of curiosity, I looked up the WAS to FRA price.  On the very same flights used for WAS-FRA-PAR, the lowest half-round-trip price was $518 if used only for WAS-FRA So I could "miss" the connection at FRA and save 45% on WAS-FRA if they didn’t catch me (which they would). If all I’d wanted was a one-way WAS-FRA, I could pay $2002 for a "legal" one-way ticket or 2*($285)=$570 and throw away three flight segments. FRA prices seem very high until well after Oktoberfest. Sounds like AA on connections through DFW vs travel ending at DFW. Bob C.

Response:

This was featured today as well on NPR evening news – how some of the bigs are trying to go after pax using hidden city tickets now, after previoulsy directing their efforts against TA’s selling these flights.  Their take was that the pax gonna pay one way or the other, if they can’t fight effectively by cancelling FF miles, adding $$ to the CC’s etc, they’ll end up just raising those tickets to make it unattractive.  They said that if hidden cities were made "legal" it would reduce revs by $6B a year, and the carriers aren’t just going to eat it. FH

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I ran across this while goofing off on CNN.com.  The court decision in favour of the traveler who DL felt owed $9000US for hidden city savings was interesting.  If it holds up, the airlines will have to change some things. http://www.cnn.com/2000/TRAVEL/VIEWS/elliott/08/23/index.html

Response:

They said that if hidden cities were made "legal" it would reduce revs by $6B a year, and the carriers aren’t just going to eat it.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the airlines are the ones that came up with this pricing structure in the first place, weren’t they?  As opposed as I am to the moral aspects of cheating, I don’t see this as cheating.  I maintain that I have the right to get off the plane anywhere it stops if I feel like it.  Getting back on is my option.  I would agree that the airlines have the reciprical right to cancel the remainder of my trip (like my return).  What are they going to do, check my boarding pass as I get off in the "hidden" city and force me to go back to my seat? "And just where do you think you’re going?  Sorry, Mister Mattocks, but you ARE going to LAX today.  You can go hard or you can go easy, but you are going to LAX." "No, really, I just want to grab a quick bite to eat – I’ll come right back!" "We’ve heard that before.  Please sit down before we have to get ugly. We’ll bring you some cardboard to gnaw on." Yeah, that’s going to work.  I predict an increase in "passenger initiated evacuations" if they try.  What the heck, I’ve always wanted to try out one of those inflatable slides anyway. I have never actually done the "hidden city" thing, but then, I don’t pay for my plane tickets – my customers do.  If it came out of my pocket, I might do it myself. Next, they’ll be telling us that we mustn’t avail ourselves of discounted tickets by purchasing in advance, we must pay last minute full fare prices, or they may lose eleventy gazillion dollars per year.  Sorry, they make the rules, we dance.  If they left a loophole, them’s the breaks.  They can fix it, assuming that they still have employees who know how to write. These are the same guys who have no problem if I have to fly through three layovers when I could have had a non-stop, except the triple hop was cheaper.  They could have saved money by flying me straight through, and I would have been happier as well, but NOOOOO!  These are the same guys who have been euphemistically telling the nation with a straight face that putting stranded airline passengers on a bus or train to their destination (and not refunding a penny, natch) is just fine, they are honoring their commitment, because the airlines are now a "complete travel solution."  Bite me. Recently on a trip to California, the local Best Buy chain there offered a $400 discount on anything in the store if the purchaser would sign up for 4 years of MSN service at a certain rate.  They’ve been doing that promotion all over the US.  The thing is, in California there is some obscure little law that allows consumers to cancel such contracts without recourse within a certain period of time, or something like that – I read it in the paper, but didn’t get the whole story.  So, for a couple of days, people were lining up to get their "free" TV’s and air conditioners, signing up for MSN, and then going home and cancelling the contract.  Best Buy dumped that promotion pronto, of course, but they did honor their mistake while it lasted. If the IRS in all their wisdom sees fit to grant tax-free status to people named Bob who are left-handed, and a few hundred million people petition the courts to change their name and start signing their new name funny, are they dishonest?  No, just confused and hard to call to supper. I can’t comprehend the whining attitude of the airlines in this respect. "Aw, you figured out a loophole in our freaky and confusing pricing scheme. You must be punished." A boot to the head for the dunderheads who thought up the idea of blaming the customer for working within their system to his or her own advantage. I just want to be sure I have this straight: Plane late?  Passengers to blame, they don’t show up on time, they board too slowly. Irate employees?  Passengers to blame, they have bad attitudes and they yell at innocent airline employees. Not enough planes?  Passengers to blame, they fly too much. Prices too high?  Passengers to blame, they look for discounts and ways to legally save money. Good idea, airlines.  Poke the bear with a stick.  Now that the entire nation hates you and holds you responsible for the state of commercial airline travel in the US, you should tell us it is all our fault, and then take us to court or send us $9,000 bills for exploiting your own screwy pricing structures.  Why don’t you just hang signs out in the airports that say "Passengers suck, and everything is your own damned fault!"  We peasants like that.  Don’t worry, we’ll eat cake if we have no bread. Yes, "hidden city" ticketing will drive the airlines out of business…and it is about time. Best Regards, Bill Mattocks

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Question:

http://www.effexorfx.freeuk.com/

It linked to http://rxlist.com and I noted the connection between Effexor and blood pressure.  Though the data played down the impact of Effexor, it did indicate that Effexor did raise blood pressure in proportion to dose. I just had my blood pressure taken after 9 months of Effexor XR 150mg.  The first systolic reading was 170 and the second was 160.  The nurse was worried that I was about to have a stroke!  I stopped taking it for several days, today my reading was 145/90 (still too high but not stroke-level). I am going to go for a week without it and see what my blood pressure drops to.  Although I am somewhat overweight and my diet is not too good, I am convinced that the Effexor is the chief cause of my high blood pressure.  Just 2 years ago it was only 125 in a doctor’s office.

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http://www.effexorfx.freeuk.com/

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Question:

Candy, It could be the Celexa.  I am banking on the fact that it may be your routine being goofed up.  Most SSRI’s have the possibility of anxiety as a side affect.  You know I have had no problems, but thats just me. What dosage are you on? Chad Love is true when you can’t see eye to eye, but can still walk hand in hand.

Response:

:Hi I havent posted for a while but i have some questions. I have been on :the xanax for about 1 yr now for the second time around. I used to take anax and zoloft but the zoloft didnt do anything for me really. now i :am on the xanax again and i am taking celexa. I feel like i am ready to :go back on zoloft. With the celexa i feel a little jittery and i have :been having alot of anxiety which i think is strange because i am taking :my xanax regularly. does celexa cause or make anxiety heighten?

All the antidepressants may increase anxiety initially. However, this usually stops when they "kick-in," but that may take 3-8 weeks. You can reduce this side effect by starting on a low dose, usually 1/4 the smallest dose tablet (in this case 5mg) and upping the dose by 1/4 tablet every 7-10 days. Those that are particularly sensitive may need to start on and ramp up by only 1/8th of a tablet. :i have :been on the celexa for 4 weeks now and im trying to give it time but i :am so tired of feeling certin ways because of a med or no med. i jsut :dont know why im feeling this way  is it the celexa or is it just the :anxiety?

It may be a combination of both a chemical effect, and also a psychological one. A lot of us have pill phobia too. :why would i do this after taking my xanax though. i have never :had this problem before.

There are limits to how much anxiety any med, including the benzos, can control at any given dose. It seems that the Xanax dose you’re on isn’t sufficient to handle the increased anxiety Celexa is producing. Talk to your doctor about increasing Xanax for a few weeks. :i know m xanax use to last for about 8 hours :then it was about down to six and that is about all the time now but :since taking celexa about 4 hours after taking my xanax i feell lie im :going to have a panic attack.

Although it varies from person to person, Xanax is usually only effective for 4-5 hours. :i just dont understand. i have gone on 3rd :shift working now which has everything all screwed up anyway. my sleep :is screwed up and i am irritable.

All of which is probably contributing to the increased anxiety. :i hope none of this has to do with the :new med(celexa) my psychiatrist told me to give it some time.Any :suggestions or help, i really could use it right now.Thanks :

Only to hang in for a few more weeks. Antidepressants are generally very effective anxiety medications, but they do make matters worse initially. But when they begin working they make the pain and misery worthwhile. Its a bit like giving birth, but "labour" lasts much longer. :Candy Harvey

Best wishes Ian

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Candy, Stick with it a couple more weeks.  The other posts are very informative.  I have worked 3rd shift, and the effects that gave me were almost as bad as the panic.  Your sleep pattern is all out of whack, plus the other things that are going on ith you.  Slow down, relax, and try to be nice to yourself, I am praying the Celexa will work for you! Chad Love is true when you can’t see eye to eye, but can still walk hand in hand.

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Thanks for the info everyone. i will hang in there for a while and see what hapens. it is realy great to have you guys ther all of the time. hanks a million and i love yaall. Candy

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Chad Im only on 20mg a day. but i tell you it is rough. one med always has to alter the other or symptoms  everythign is so messed up sometimes. Thanks for the advice. Candy

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Hi Candy- I just switched from paxil to celexa.  For the first month I had increased anxiety and the jitters.  My pdoc said that if it didn’t subside I might need a higher dose, but she wanted to wait till I had been taking it eight weeks before any adjustments were made.  Even with low dose xanax I was still anxious.   The good news, is that at about five weeks the anxiety subsided and I am now doing better at six weeks into celexa than I did in ten months on paxil. If I were you I’d call the doc and try to hang in just a little bit longer.   YMMV Take care, Jess – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi I havent posted for a while but i have some questions. I have been on the xanax for about 1 yr now for the second time around. I used to take xanax and zoloft but the zoloft didnt do anything for me really. now i am on the xanax again and i am taking celexa. I feel like i am ready to go back on zoloft. With the celexa i feel a little jittery and i have been having alot of anxiety which i think is strange because i am taking my xanax regularly. does celexa cause or make anxiety heighten? i have been on the celexa for 4 weeks now and im trying to give it time but i am so tired of feeling certin ways because of a med or no med. i jsut dont know why im feeling this way  is it the celexa or is it just the anxiety? why would i do this after taking my xanax though. i have never had this problem before. i know m xanax use to last for about 8 hours then it was about down to six and that is about all the time now but since taking celexa about 4 hours after taking my xanax i feell lie im going to have a panic attack. i just dont understand. i have gone on 3rd shift working now which has everything all screwed up anyway. my sleep is screwed up and i am irritable. i hope none of this has to do with the new med(celexa) my psychiatrist told me to give it some time.Any suggestions or help, i really could use it right now.Thanks Candy Harvey

Response:

Hi I havent posted for a while but i have some questions. I have been on the xanax for about 1 yr now for the second time around. I used to take xanax and zoloft but the zoloft didnt do anything for me really. now i am on the xanax again and i am taking celexa. I feel like i am ready to go back on zoloft. With the celexa i feel a little jittery and i have been having alot of anxiety which i think is strange because i am taking my xanax regularly. does celexa cause or make anxiety heighten? i have been on the celexa for 4 weeks now and im trying to give it time but i am so tired of feeling certin ways because of a med or no med. i jsut dont know why im feeling this way  is it the celexa or is it just the anxiety? why would i do this after taking my xanax though. i have never had this problem before. i know m xanax use to last for about 8 hours then it was about down to six and that is about all the time now but since taking celexa about 4 hours after taking my xanax i feell lie im going to have a panic attack. i just dont understand. i have gone on 3rd shift working now which has everything all screwed up anyway. my sleep is screwed up and i am irritable. i hope none of this has to do with the new med(celexa) my psychiatrist told me to give it some time.Any suggestions or help, i really could use it right now.Thanks Candy Harvey

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Question:

Hi Cheryl, So sorry you are going through this.  Sending you caring and support!   Take care, Liz — There is always music amongst the trees in the garden but our minds must be very still to hear it. ASAP Gardening Site: http://www.chickadee.com/asapgardens

Response:

See below….(Phillip)

answered by email as I got it in my inbox as well. P. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Philip, It’s been the worst day…I have been so sick today…I still feel so odd, tomorrow I am only taking 25mg…( she has me on 50)  I had no short term memory, I would start saying something and forget, go into a room and forgot what I went for.. I haven’t had hardly a bite to eat and have been trying to drink.  I am caling Medusa tomorrow then I have to call my freakin primary to see her and then get a referral to go see someone able to help me with this medication..I can’t even think about it.   I think the worst today was when I woke up after just crashing I could hear my dead step father talking to me in my ear…that freaked me out.  I have been on the couch all day and thank God it’s Ted’s early day.  ;o( This whole thing saddens me. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3 Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. I think you might ask your doctor to reduce the Zoloft dose to 12.5 mg and then raise it slowly. You are now experiencing initial SSRI side effects possibly augmented by Remeron withdrawal (although R is not associated witjh a withdrawal problem as a rule). Do you have one of those lovely benzos on the side to take *as needed*? Philip — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

Response:

Thanks Philip~ I emailed you…oh you bet your boots I have my ativan handy! xoxo Cheryl — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – See below….(Phillip) answered by email as I got it in my inbox as well. P. Philip, It’s been the worst day…I have been so sick today…I still feel so odd, tomorrow I am only taking 25mg…( she has me on 50)  I had no short term memory, I would start saying something and forget, go into a room and forgot what I went for.. I haven’t had hardly a bite to eat and have been trying to drink.  I am caling Medusa tomorrow then I have to call my freakin primary to see her and then get a referral to go see someone able to help me with this medication..I can’t even think about it.   I think the worst today was when I woke up after just crashing I could hear my dead step father talking to me in my ear…that freaked me out.  I have been on the couch all day and thank God it’s Ted’s early day.  ;o( This whole thing saddens me. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3 Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. I think you might ask your doctor to reduce the Zoloft dose to 12.5 mg and then raise it slowly. You are now experiencing initial SSRI side effects possibly augmented by Remeron withdrawal (although R is not associated witjh a withdrawal problem as a rule). Do you have one of those lovely benzos on the side to take *as needed*? Philip — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

Response:

I am sorry you aren’t feeling well. Hopfully you will get used to the new meds very soon. Good luck and I hope you feel better. Amy

Response:

Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing.

I think you might ask your doctor to reduce the Zoloft dose to 12.5 mg and then raise it slowly. You are now experiencing initial SSRI side effects possibly augmented by Remeron withdrawal (although R is not associated witjh a withdrawal problem as a rule). Do you have one of those lovely benzos on the side to take *as needed*? Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

Response:

See below….(Phillip) Philip, It’s been the worst day…I have been so sick today…I still feel so odd, tomorrow I am only taking 25mg…( she has me on 50)  I had no short term memory, I would start saying something and forget, go into a room and forgot what I went for.. I haven’t had hardly a bite to eat and have been trying to drink.  I am caling Medusa tomorrow then I have to call my freakin primary to see her and then get a referral to go see someone able to help me with this medication..I can’t even think about it.   I think the worst today was when I woke up after just crashing I could hear my dead step father talking to me in my ear…that freaked me out.  I have been on the couch all day and thank God it’s Ted’s early day.  ;o( This whole thing saddens me. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. I think you might ask your doctor to reduce the Zoloft dose to 12.5 mg and then raise it slowly. You are now experiencing initial SSRI side effects possibly augmented by Remeron withdrawal (although R is not associated witjh a withdrawal problem as a rule). Do you have one of those lovely benzos on the side to take *as needed*? Philip — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

Response:

Is 50mg a lot? Is it comparable to Remeron 30 or 15?

Yup, 50mgs is too high to start with. Some people start at 12.5mgs, others at 25mgs. Hope you are feeling better Jackie ~*~There came a time when the risk to remain tight in a bud was

Response:

Hi Cheryl, ((((Cheryl)))), I hope you feel better soon, I don’t have any words of wisdom for you, sorry. I’ve been gone a while, what’s going on here that I’m missing? Love Cathy — P.H.O.B.I.A. Off-line NJ Panic/Anxiety Support Group http://community.nj.com/cc/phobia

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

Response:

Cheryl, Hope you are feeling better soon.  Those med changes can really get the best of us.  Hangin there… smiles, elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

Response:

I’m so sorry you feel so crummy!  Pamper yourself today. Love, Di

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

Response:

Is 50mg a lot? Is it comparable to Remeron 30 or 15?

different drug different mechanism of action-if your gonna do the medusa dance get her to dosie doe a bit and get her permission to up your ativan or up hers and call Jeff Apter-Zoloft compared to remeron is like qualuudes vrs speed so your now on dexamil and doin a bounce-50mg may be too high for a conversion for you it is a transition so make yourself comfortable as possible instead of white knuckling it-that lack of appetite will change to some carb craving soon this is a signal the zoloft is working but imo may be just change for change sake as the more you crave and consume the less you will burn and lose-she is using an older viewpoint that zoloft reduces appetite-ask some others here if their appetite is reduced-it is no less difficult to wean off then remeron in fact it may be a tad bit more difficult due to its energizing effects on some-get a professional opinion by a psychopharm doc not a transplant renal nephrologist whatever—- she wants to maximize the transplants life and that’s ok but there are other issues-including if you are psychologicaly ready to embark on being med free-trade offs is the name of the game-ch ch ch changes—-love bowie within a few days you will feel better be a patient patient but an assertive one-its your kidney now and your medical program- LM

Response:

TC3 wrote : Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing.

Hi Cheryl. I’m sorry to hear you don’t feel so well right now. You’ll feel better later on I’m sure; not that that’s any great consolation… Hope you are better quickly. Take care please. -Z-

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Path: news.wxs.nl!transit.news.xs4all.nl!news-spur1.maxwell.syr.edu!news.maxwell. syr.edu!europa.netcrusader.net!207.172.3.44!feed2.news.rcn.net!feed1.news.r cn.net!rcn!not-for-mail X-Trace: UmFuZG9tSVaCEadlqERcrH2iB2DgoRe3oWrW7CknZkw+m+WUDUIrVGnuqIZuMKvN 12:55:51 GMT X-MimeOLE:  Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4522.1200 X-Priority:  3 X-Newsreader:  Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200 X-MSMail-Priority:  Normal Xref: news.wxs.nl alt.support.anxiety-panic:263175 Thank you Anna! My doc thinks if I get off the Rem I can lose some weight…I just feel like I was so manic yesterday then crashed by midnight now I am really anxious and just feeling like a noodle. (  I have to get her ready for school and feel like I won’t be able to get her out of the door.. I don’t want to make her stay home because of this..that isn’t fair to her.  *sigh* I need your hug thanks xoxoxo love Cheryl

Dear one, yes you sounded a bit manic yestreday I think you have worn yourself down totally If you manage to get the sprogg to school try take some rest Cheryl We both know that tiredness is a great motor for PA. Hope you get some rest and hang in there Lotsa kisses over the ocean flying your way Anna – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3 Path: news.wxs.nl!news2.kpn.net!news.kpn.net!newsfeeds.belnet.be!news.belnet.be!f e ed2.onemain.com!feed1.onemain.com!news-out.cwix.com!newsfeed.cwix.com!feed2 . news.rcn.net!feed1.news.rcn.net!rcn!not-for-mail Feb 2001 07:29:59 -0500 Lines: UmFuZG9tSVZ9/f13lPYO1NQUJPzRlFuUUs+boUPTy+xZ+DqhBnD8RP1a78V4bucI 12:19:46 GMT X-MimeOLE:  Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4522.1200 X-Priority:  3 X-Newsreader:  Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200 X-MSMail-Priority:  Normal Xref: news.wxs.nl alt.support.anxiety-panic:263162 Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3 Dear cheryl, I did not know you where changing meds Why is that was the other med not doing its work ??? I am really sorry you feel like this. Maybe it gets better soon. I really hope so for you. And otherwise call the doc.  No need to feel awfull all the time !!! You had your share huh VERY ferm hug from Anna

Response:

Hi Cheryl, I know how you feel.  Supposedly, switching from Paxil to Zoloft was not supposed to be any big deal, but I feel different and it is not all my doing.  I am more nervous, and have the trembles.  I am just trying to be patient and see if it passes with time.  I still function, but do not feel comfortable.  Chores are getting done as usual, but not with the same peace. Hope you feel better soon, Cheryl.  Let us know how you are doing! Take care, Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

– There is always music amongst the trees in the garden but our minds must be very still to hear it. ASAP Gardening Site: http://www.chickadee.com/asapgardens

Response:

I feel like dog doo. I am manic then exhausted, and I can’t remember anything…I was a mess getting her ready for school. Ack. I know it’s a transition.. Julie, that Snickers is still there so you know I am not feeling well~ LOL Is 50mg a lot? Is it comparable to Remeron 30 or 15? <Mercury, AD change and anxiety…perfect together LOL love Cheryl — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. Dear Cheryl, I`m sorry that you feel so lousy ( If you continue to feel this way, you might want to ask your doctor about decreasing your Zoloft dose to 25mgs for a week, them go to 50mgs, you could even wean slower than this by increasing in 12.5mg increments. I hope you feel better soon {{{{{Cheryl}}}}} Jackie

Response:

I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing.

Dear Cheryl, I`m sorry that you feel so lousy ( If you continue to feel this way, you might want to ask your doctor about decreasing your Zoloft dose to 25mgs for a week, them go to 50mgs, you could even wean slower than this by increasing in 12.5mg increments. I hope you feel better soon {{{{{Cheryl}}}}} Jackie

Response:

Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing.

How long are you going to look at that Snickers Bar???? Sweetie, ignore the crap here. No biggie. Now, you know that it will take awhile for the Zoloft to get to a theraputic level in your system. You need to hang on through these few physical adjustments UNLESS they are bothering you too much. Then call the doctor and tell him. If you have a chance, call the pharmacist and ask him to give you the details on the zoloft. He should be able to pop that info on his screen while you are on the phone with him. Let him know the side effects you are having…then he can look it up. When my Effexor was increased, each time I had a strange symptom or side effect, which eventually went away. I hope that your sweats and unsteadiness will not be for long. Is that Snickers still sitting on your hutch? love,Julie

Response:

Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Path: news.wxs.nl!news2.kpn.net!news.kpn.net!newsfeeds.belnet.be!news.belnet.be!f eed2.onemain.com!feed1.onemain.com!news-out.cwix.com!newsfeed.cwix.com!feed 2.news.rcn.net!feed1.news.rcn.net!rcn!not-for-mail UmFuZG9tSVZ9/f13lPYO1NQUJPzRlFuUUs+boUPTy+xZ+DqhBnD8RP1a78V4bucI 12:19:46 GMT X-MimeOLE:  Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4522.1200 X-Priority:  3 X-Newsreader:  Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200 X-MSMail-Priority:  Normal Xref: news.wxs.nl alt.support.anxiety-panic:263162 Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

Dear cheryl, I did not know you where changing meds Why is that was the other med not doing its work ??? I am really sorry you feel like this. Maybe it gets better soon. I really hope so for you. And otherwise call the doc.  No need to feel awfull all the time !!! You had your share huh VERY ferm hug from Anna

Response:

Thank you Anna! My doc thinks if I get off the Rem I can lose some weight…I just feel like I was so manic yesterday then crashed by midnight now I am really anxious and just feeling like a noodle. (  I have to get her ready for school and feel like I won’t be able to get her out of the door.. I don’t want to make her stay home because of this..that isn’t fair to her.  *sigh* I need your hug thanks xoxoxo love Cheryl — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3

Path:

news.wxs.nl!news2.kpn.net!news.kpn.net!newsfeeds.belnet.be!news.belnet.be!f e ed2.onemain.com!feed1.onemain.com!news-out.cwix.com!newsfeed.cwix.com!feed2 . news.rcn.net!feed1.news.rcn.net!rcn!not-for-mail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – UmFuZG9tSVZ9/f13lPYO1NQUJPzRlFuUUs+boUPTy+xZ+DqhBnD8RP1a78V4bucI 12:19:46 GMT X-MimeOLE:  Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4522.1200 X-Priority:  3 X-Newsreader:  Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200 X-MSMail-Priority:  Normal Xref: news.wxs.nl alt.support.anxiety-panic:263162 Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15.  I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here…  That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3 Dear cheryl, I did not know you where changing meds Why is that was the other med not doing its work ??? I am really sorry you feel like this. Maybe it gets better soon. I really hope so for you. And otherwise call the doc.  No need to feel awfull all the time !!! You had your share huh VERY ferm hug from Anna

Response:

Question:

Thanks for your reply Doug.  :-)  I’m going to send it to my friend who asked the Effexor question.  So sorry it pooped out on you.  So many meds do that after a while.  {{{{{Doug}}}}} Di

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone taking Effexor?  How do you like it for panic/anxiety?  Any side effects?  You can post positives and negatives.  I don’t mind.  :-)  TIA Hugs, Di Diane, I took Effexor for about a year and found it to be approximately equal to Paxil.  That is, it significantly reduced my overall anxiety level, but couldn’t stop situational panic attacks.  A benzo was necessary to stop or prevent a panic attack.  (I have sp, not pd so I don’t know if a comparison can be made re. the pa’s.) I don’t recall the Effexor dose (either 75 or 150 mg per day), but it had roughly the same effect as my previous 40 mg of Paxil/day.  Since I had an abnormally high no. of side effects both on Paxil and Effexor, my comments in this area probably aren’t worth much to you so I’ll just skip them.  One major negative and it was a dandy:  After 1 year, the Effexor just quit working and I had to go back on Paxil. However, as you already know, if one drug stops working, another in the same category may very well get the job done. Doug

Response:

Anyone taking Effexor?  How do you like it for panic/anxiety?  Any side effects?  You can post positives and negatives.  I don’t mind.  :-)  TIA Hugs, Di

Response:

Anyone taking Effexor?  How do you like it for panic/anxiety?  Any side effects?  You can post positives and negatives.  I don’t mind.  :-)  TIA Hugs, Di

Hi Di! Pros: blocks PAs Cons: can raise your blood pressure so you have to monitor it on a regular basis; discontinuation syndrome when withdrawaling from the med tends to be more difficult than with most of the SSRIs (Paxil also tends to have a difficult withdrawal syndrome) Chip

Response:

I took effexor for panic/anxiety.  It didn’t do much for me besides the one side effect that I developed on the first day of taking it.  It was a dry cough that wouldn’t stop.  Especially at night.  I stopped taking it after 2 weeks, and still haven’t tried anything else.  Doing much better on my own, but of course there’s those off days.  LIKE TODAY!! S

Response:

do a search on google groups for many more answers than you could possibly read – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone taking Effexor?  How do you like it for panic/anxiety?  Any side effects?  You can post positives and negatives.  I don’t mind.  :-)  TIA Hugs, Di

Response:

Hi, Di, Don’t know anything about Effexor.  Probably one of the only meds I haven’t tried…  Are you thinking of going on it??? smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anyone taking Effexor?  How do you like it for panic/anxiety?  Any side effects?  You can post positives and negatives.  I don’t mind.  :-)  TIA Hugs, Di

Response:

Effexor (the non-XR variant) did nothing but make me more nervous. As a matter of fact the first few hours after taking effexor were so bad I had to plan when to take it. It also had some other bad side effects too (at least for me). -Doug

Response:

Anyone taking Effexor?  How do you like it for panic/anxiety?  Any side effects?  You can post positives and negatives.  I don’t mind.  :-)  TIA

Hi Diane, I take 225 mgs of Effexor SR. I also take klonazepam, .5 during the day and 1mg at night. I was on Paxil before that and it pooped out. I credit the Effexor with giving me my creativity back. I didn’t have any bad side effects, just slight nausea for a couple of days each time I increased the dose. But it’s worked well for depression and anxiety. The klonazepam helps for the anxiety, but eventually I will probably need less of it. The Effexor would be forever or until it poops out. Regards, kg.

Response:

Anyone taking Effexor?  How do you like it for panic/anxiety?  Any side effects?  You can post positives and negatives.  I don’t mind.  :-)  TIA Hugs, Di

Hi Diane! I take 150mg of Effexor XR daily. It helped me with anxiety/PAs, as well as depression. I had insomnia first few days that I went on it, and a little stomach discomfort, but other than that nothing. It *is* hard, however, to discontinue taking it – you have to wean off *very* slowly and be prepared for some flu-like symptoms and what have been referred to as "brain zaps", but I hear if you take your time weaning off these side effects are much milder or non-existent. I didn’t wean off as slowly as I should have. I went by the drug company’s recommendations, which were *not* helpful! HTH! Karen

Response:

Effexor XR has worked like a charm for me.  I started in the third week in June at 37.5mg.  The inital side effects were pretty tough, nausea, dizziness, lack of energy, sweating, and just a general foggy feeling which is hard to describe.  The side effects only lasted about a week and a half and the only real benefit from the starting dose was a mild mood improvement.  I started 75mg in the second week of july, no side effects but within 4 or 5 days I started to notice an improvement and began to get out more regularily with the aid of benzo.  The improvements increased over the next month and with the aid of the odd ativan, I pretty much had my life back and did what I pleased.  I still had some anxiety but it was more uncomfortable than controlling.   By mid september I cut the ativan out completely and realized that I just didn’t need it anymore and haven’t taken one since.  I suggested to my pdoc to up my effexor to 112.5mg to see if it would elimate even the mild and rare anxiety and within a week it did.  Anxiety is sometimes in the back of my mind but its almost like it was before when I didn’t even know what it was.  For the most part, I simply don’t even think about it. I suggest trying it and if the side effects come on strong, stick through it.  Its worth the chance of seeing if it can defeat the anxiety

Response:

Thanks Eros!  My friend will really appreciate this post.  I’m so happy for you that it’s working that well.  :-)  Please take care. Hugs, Di

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Effexor XR has worked like a charm for me.  I started in the third week in June at 37.5mg.  The inital side effects were pretty tough, nausea, dizziness, lack of energy, sweating, and just a general foggy feeling which is hard to describe.  The side effects only lasted about a week and a half and the only real benefit from the starting dose was a mild mood improvement.  I started 75mg in the second week of july, no side effects but within 4 or 5 days I started to notice an improvement and began to get out more regularily with the aid of benzo.  The improvements increased over the next month and with the aid of the odd ativan, I pretty much had my life back and did what I pleased.  I still had some anxiety but it was more uncomfortable than controlling.   By mid september I cut the ativan out completely and realized that I just didn’t need it anymore and haven’t taken one since.  I suggested to my pdoc to up my effexor to 112.5mg to see if it would elimate even the mild and rare anxiety and within a week it did.  Anxiety is sometimes in the back of my mind but its almost like it was before when I didn’t even know what it was.  For the most part, I simply don’t even think about it. I suggest trying it and if the side effects come on strong, stick through it.  Its worth the chance of seeing if it can defeat the anxiety

Response:

I am taking 75mg Effexor with Neurontin and Klonopin. I started out at 37.5 mg of Effexor for a week, then went to 75mg/day. I see my psydoc on May 21, and I am wondering if she will increase the dosage at that time, as I have read that effexor, being a tricyclic, is usually increased to higher dosages than the 75mg that I am presently taking. It seems to work OK,although I still need the klonopin as a back-up (three 1g tablets/day) to keep the anxiety at bay. I would like to hear from any effexor users about dosage increases and what dosage you are taking and if your doc increased the dosages gradually.  Thanks! —

Response:

I am taking 75mg Effexor with Neurontin and Klonopin. I started out at 37.5 mg of Effexor for a week, then went to 75mg/day. I see my psydoc on May 21, and I am wondering if she will increase the dosage at that time, as I have read that effexor, being a tricyclic, is usually increased to higher dosages than the 75mg that I am presently taking. It seems to work OK,although I still need the klonopin as a back-up (three 1g tablets/day) to keep the anxiety at bay. I would like to hear from any effexor users about dosage increases and what dosage you are taking and if your doc increased the dosages gradually.  Thanks!

     I titrated from 75 mg/day to 150 mg/day in a month or so.  You could increase the dose faster than a month (every four days or so), however I had to switch doctors in my case.  By the way, venlafaxine (Effexor) isn’t a tricyclic. Chris

Response:

I started out on 37.5 mg in Feb along with other meds, am now presently up to 300mg a day/ and still need klonapin . I think it will depend on how you adjust with each dose increase.  GOOD LUCK TO U

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi…. insomnia and other side effects….I expected this and have been going SLOWLY…but the lower I go, the worse it seems to be getting….. My doc prescribed 150mg of Effexor to help smooth the transition….I have taken MANY antidepressants in the past few years…..the problem is I gained From what I read, Effexor could either cause gain or loss….anyone have any input on this?  And how effective is it for the anxiety I feel now…which is not much….but will probably grow as I continue to decrease on my meds….. Please email me if possible as I don’t always check this newsgroup….. JOHN NEW JERSEY

Hi John: Well..I have gotten over the "transition" period with Effexor XR. I take 75mg’s a day, and 9mgs a day of Lectopam (a benzodiazepine..like klonipin..but not available in the U.S.) I don’t really see why you need to be taken off the klonipin, especially if you are going on the Effexor. The two have REALLY changed my life around. It took a few weeks alone..after coming off other meds, but a benzodiazepine calms me well while the Effexor XR (which seems to have THE best clincal track record) keeps me level and energized. Plus, I have actually started to lose weight. Unlike the SRI’s, Effexor is an SNRI, and the serotonin seems to balance out the effects of the norepinephrine increase. Plus, I find no real difficulties with fatigue, irritability, insomnia (was only tough at first..but built up from 37,5mgs), and even no reduced libido. If you aren’t on the XR..I would suggest looking into it…plus..if 150mgs is too tough at first..tell your doctor you’d like to start at between 50, and 75mgs. The Canadian monograph for Effexor XR suggests 75mgs once daily appears to be the "optimal"..150mg’s IF needed…higher doses reserved for hospitalized patients. (Which, I can’t understand why docs are precribing 300mg’s of this stuff to some people, not in psychiatric care???) With benzodiazepines you can develop "dependence", but NOT addiction, as plenty of medical research shows. I will send you medical articles if you like to show you the difference. With dependence, all’s that mean’s is you have to withdraw from it "slowly"….but you do not "crave" higher doses..and it too, is a very safe medication. Talk to your doc..and get back to us. Best wishes.. James — God(s), grant me the Senility To forget the people I never liked anyway, The good fortune To run over the ones I do, And the eyesight To tell the difference. Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.     —Mayor Marion Barry, Washington, D.C. Neurosis is simply THE human condition; some just haven’t realized it yet. Anon

Response:

Hi…. insomnia and other side effects….I expected this and have been going SLOWLY…but the lower I go, the worse it seems to be getting….. My doc prescribed 150mg of Effexor to help smooth the transition….I have taken MANY antidepressants in the past few years…..the problem is I gained From what I read, Effexor could either cause gain or loss….anyone have any input on this?  And how effective is it for the anxiety I feel now…which is not much….but will probably grow as I continue to decrease on my meds….. Please email me if possible as I don’t always check this newsgroup….. JOHN NEW JERSEY

Response:

Miss Bruinhilde, a 6ft square block of womanhood with the biggest set of hooters I’ve ever seen. She got a good grip of both ears with her huge plate sized hands, pulled my head back between the triple Z cups and told the dentist to give it his best shot. I guarantee my head didn’t even

Any chance I could pay this Miss Bruinhilde to pay a visit to a certain male Aussie? <VBEG Jackie

Response:

WARNING: This contains stuff a graphic, but humourous, recounting of                   a dental procedure that may disturb anyone about                   to visit a dentist – or who should be – you                   listening  Philip??   )

Me? No, of course not! ) < snipped something to get to the *root* of the story <g – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been very fortunate to have a reasonably good set of fangs and no fear of dentistry, but having my one and only wisdom tooth removed was both hilarious and heart stopping. The tooth was really well rooted into the gum and no matter how much the dentist yanked on it, it wouldn’t budge. He thought part of the problem was the movement of my head when he was applying maximum pressure, so initially he got this very petite nurse to hold my head still. Naturally that didn’t work. She ended up being tossed from side to side like a seasick sailor. So Miss Petite was promptly replaced by Miss Bruinhilde, a 6ft square block of womanhood with the biggest set of hooters I’ve ever seen. She got a good grip of both ears with her huge plate sized hands, pulled my head back between the triple Z cups and told the dentist to give it his best shot. I guarantee my head didn’t even move a nanometre as the fang doctor yanked and twisted away for what seemed like hours. Finally, there was the almighty crack and the dentist went flying right over me and the chair, smashing his shoulder into the instrument tray/spittoon thingy on the way. So it ended up hurting him a lot more than me. I never felt a thing, except for the ears. They hurt like hell for some days!!  :-( Ian

ROTFL! Could have been a Buster Keaton movie….. Brrrr…. thanks for scaring me ) Philip (LOL) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know what you mean about sitting in a chair through a long dental procedure. this is my concern. I had an awful choking symptom last time. The dentist was reassuring but I still felt awful. I’ll make sure I have plenty of medication and I’ll be taking the tram, not driving. Good luck with the endoscopy, Meryl Funny you should mention this but I need to go to the dentist too  as soon as I can but have been putting it off. I need a root canal and the tooth goes through "quiet" times and the flares up some. My fear is that I will get in the chair and half way through the root canal I will panic and want to jump out of the chair which obviously I couldn’t if the root is exposed. If it were for just a cleaning I could handle it because I know in my head that I could stop if I panich. He said he could refer me to an endodontist who could "knock" me out, but I’m not sure how much that would cost. Anyhow, tomorrow I will face a similar situation. I have to go for an endoscopy at 2:30 PM and am afraid of the same thing and wan’t sure how much xanax I could take prior to going. I guess I should call my psychiatrist Thanks, Carmen I can see why you are confused! I take 1 mg of Xanax in the morning, .5 or 1 mg at lunchtime (depends on stress levels) and 1 mg at night. However tomorrow I will double the morning and lunchtime doses as I am going to the dentist. This is all with my psychiatrist’s permission/advice. I have been taking Xanax for 5 or 6 years and have not needed to increase my dosage. I started Efexor XR in September ‘99 (75 mg). This was increased to 150 mg this September. The Efexor is for depression. the Efexor/Xanax combo seems to work for me. Thanks Meryl Carmen Good luck, Meryl Hi Carmen, I also take Efexor XR (150) and Xanax (3 x 1mg). I suggest that it might be better to stay on your prescribed Xanax dose while you are adjusting to the increase in Efexor.  I find the combination works well for me. Remember the Xanax only works for a limited time and you are still having some panic symptoms. Take care, Meryl Thanks Jacke, that’s what I’m gonna do. He just upped it this past week and I think it just might be helping. I’m still having the attacks on and off every day but there seems to be a suttle lessening of the "intensity" of the attacks. Been getting shaky and anxious but the hot flash/rush is not there very much like it was a week ago. I hope I’m right. Anyhow, today was a pretty good day all in all, so I’ll just try to take it a day at a time. BTW, from the beginning of November, I had  been taking 1mg of xanax 3 times a day. That was after I got out of the hospital. When the severe attacks started (about 10 days ago) there were times I took it 4 times just to survive. Today I have only taken 2 doses of 1 mg , the last dose was at 2:45 this afternoon and I feel like I might not need another dose but I’m afraid it will effect me later. Not sure what to do and I can’t get the doc tonight, there is a fill in doc for the weekend I believe. Any advice??? Thanks again, Carmen My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen Dear Carmen, Whenever in doubt, don`t take the pill. Just get back on track tomorrow. I have done this with my Paxil and thyroid med  Take care. Jackie

Response:

Well Gee Thanks Ian, I’ll keep that horror story in mind when I return to the dentist on Thursday! Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – WARNING: This contains stuff a graphic, but humourous, recounting of                   a dental procedure that may disturb anyone about                   to visit a dentist – or who should be – you                   listening  Philip??   ) Hi Carmen,  Calling your psychiatrist sounds a good idea. 12 months ago I needed a colonoscopy. My GP told me to double my Xanax the night before and double them the morning of the procedure. His comment was that they will want you sedated anyway. Of course I told the anaesthetist (I had IV sedation). He understood about PD and mercifully I knew nothing of the procedure until it was over. Meryl, my mother had half her intestines removed a couple of years ago and now has colonoscopies regularly. I haven’t checked, but I’m fairly sure that they use one of the benzos IV to sedate her, and dad tells me that he’s getting worried about how much she is starting to enjoy the experience!!!!! (stand by for the "We told you benzos were addictive" comments from the usual loosers!!) <VBEG As for root canal work, my daughter had IV sedation when she had her wisdom teeth removed. The alternative was a general. I know the prices here but I’m not sure how they would compare. I’ve been very fortunate to have a reasonably good set of fangs and no fear of dentistry, but having my one and only wisdom tooth removed was both hilarious and heart stopping. The tooth was really well rooted into the gum and no matter how much the dentist yanked on it, it wouldn’t budge. He thought part of the problem was the movement of my head when he was applying maximum pressure, so initially he got this very petite nurse to hold my head still. Naturally that didn’t work. She ended up being tossed from side to side like a seasick sailor. So Miss Petite was promptly replaced by Miss Bruinhilde, a 6ft square block of womanhood with the biggest set of hooters I’ve ever seen. She got a good grip of both ears with her huge plate sized hands, pulled my head back between the triple Z cups and told the dentist to give it his best shot. I guarantee my head didn’t even move a nanometre as the fang doctor yanked and twisted away for what seemed like hours. Finally, there was the almighty crack and the dentist went flying right over me and the chair, smashing his shoulder into the instrument tray/spittoon thingy on the way. So it ended up hurting him a lot more than me. I never felt a thing, except for the ears. They hurt like hell for some days!!  :-( Ian I know what you mean about sitting in a chair through a long dental procedure. this is my concern. I had an awful choking symptom last time. The dentist was reassuring but I still felt awful. I’ll make sure I have plenty of medication and I’ll be taking the tram, not driving. Good luck with the endoscopy, Meryl Funny you should mention this but I need to go to the dentist too  as soon as I can but have been putting it off. I need a root canal and the tooth goes through "quiet" times and the flares up some. My fear is that I will get in the chair and half way through the root canal I will panic and want to jump out of the chair which obviously I couldn’t if the root is exposed. If it were for just a cleaning I could handle it because I know in my head that I could stop if I panich. He said he could refer me to an endodontist who could "knock" me out, but I’m not sure how much that would cost. Anyhow, tomorrow I will face a similar situation. I have to go for an endoscopy at 2:30 PM and am afraid of the same thing and wan’t sure how much xanax I could take prior to going. I guess I should call my psychiatrist Thanks, Carmen I can see why you are confused! I take 1 mg of Xanax in the morning, .5 or 1 mg at lunchtime (depends on stress levels) and 1 mg at night. However tomorrow I will double the morning and lunchtime doses as I am going to the dentist. This is all with my psychiatrist’s permission/advice. I have been taking Xanax for 5 or 6 years and have not needed to increase my dosage. I started Efexor XR in September ‘99 (75 mg). This was increased to 150 mg this September. The Efexor is for depression. the Efexor/Xanax combo seems to work for me. Thanks Meryl Carmen Good luck, Meryl Hi Carmen, I also take Efexor XR (150) and Xanax (3 x 1mg). I suggest that it might be better to stay on your prescribed Xanax dose while you are adjusting to the increase in Efexor.  I find the combination works well for me. Remember the Xanax only works for a limited time and you are still having some panic symptoms. Take care, Meryl Thanks Jacke, that’s what I’m gonna do. He just upped it this past week and I think it just might be helping. I’m still having the attacks on and off every day but there seems to be a suttle lessening of the "intensity" of the attacks. Been getting shaky and anxious but the hot flash/rush is not there very much like it was a week ago. I hope I’m right. Anyhow, today was a pretty good day all in all, so I’ll just try to take it a day at a time. BTW, from the beginning of November, I had  been taking 1mg of xanax 3 times a day. That was after I got out of the hospital. When the severe attacks started (about 10 days ago) there were times I took it 4 times just to survive. Today I have only taken 2 doses of 1 mg , the last dose was at 2:45 this afternoon and I feel like I might not need another dose but I’m afraid it will effect me later. Not sure what to do and I can’t get the doc tonight, there is a fill in doc for the weekend I believe. Any advice??? Thanks again, Carmen My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen Dear Carmen, Whenever in doubt, don`t take the pill. Just get back on track tomorrow. I have done this with my Paxil and thyroid med  Take care. Jackie

Response:

I guess I can ask, but I would think he had a reason for the times for the doses? Thanks, Carmen

I’m sure he has. They do tend to get set in their ways. The tricyclic AD I take has a half-life only slightly shorter than the known age of the universe, so it shouldn’t matter when I take it. But I find I do better when I split the dose into three and take 1/3 at about the times I mentioned. Now it may be that its all just my imagination, but it may not all be. Ian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I take 2 – 75mg tablets when I get up . Total  of 150mgs.  Then I take 1-75mg tablet at 1:00 in the afternoon. Total of 225mg. They are XR. they are a capsule, sort of pinkish. Thanks, Carmen Just a thought, and one you should run past your doc before acting on, but why not take in when you get up, one at 1PM and one when you go to bed. Ian

Response:

WARNING: This contains stuff a graphic, but humourous, recounting of                   a dental procedure that may disturb anyone about                   to visit a dentist – or who should be – you                   listening  Philip??   ) Hi Carmen,  Calling your psychiatrist sounds a good idea. 12 months ago I needed a colonoscopy. My GP told me to double my Xanax the night before and double them the morning of the procedure. His comment was that they will want you sedated anyway. Of course I told the anaesthetist (I had IV sedation). He understood about PD and mercifully I knew nothing of the procedure until it was over.

Meryl, my mother had half her intestines removed a couple of years ago and now has colonoscopies regularly. I haven’t checked, but I’m fairly sure that they use one of the benzos IV to sedate her, and dad tells me that he’s getting worried about how much she is starting to enjoy the experience!!!!! (stand by for the "We told you benzos were addictive" comments from the usual loosers!!) <VBEG As for root canal work, my daughter had IV sedation when she had her wisdom teeth removed. The alternative was a general. I know the prices here but I’m not sure how they would compare.

I’ve been very fortunate to have a reasonably good set of fangs and no fear of dentistry, but having my one and only wisdom tooth removed was both hilarious and heart stopping. The tooth was really well rooted into the gum and no matter how much the dentist yanked on it, it wouldn’t budge. He thought part of the problem was the movement of my head when he was applying maximum pressure, so initially he got this very petite nurse to hold my head still. Naturally that didn’t work. She ended up being tossed from side to side like a seasick sailor. So Miss Petite was promptly replaced by Miss Bruinhilde, a 6ft square block of womanhood with the biggest set of hooters I’ve ever seen. She got a good grip of both ears with her huge plate sized hands, pulled my head back between the triple Z cups and told the dentist to give it his best shot. I guarantee my head didn’t even move a nanometre as the fang doctor yanked and twisted away for what seemed like hours. Finally, there was the almighty crack and the dentist went flying right over me and the chair, smashing his shoulder into the instrument tray/spittoon thingy on the way. So it ended up hurting him a lot more than me. I never felt a thing, except for the ears. They hurt like hell for some days!!  :-( Ian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I know what you mean about sitting in a chair through a long dental procedure. this is my concern. I had an awful choking symptom last time. The dentist was reassuring but I still felt awful. I’ll make sure I have plenty of medication and I’ll be taking the tram, not driving. Good luck with the endoscopy, Meryl Funny you should mention this but I need to go to the dentist too  as soon as I can but have been putting it off. I need a root canal and the tooth goes through "quiet" times and the flares up some. My fear is that I will get in the chair and half way through the root canal I will panic and want to jump out of the chair which obviously I couldn’t if the root is exposed. If it were for just a cleaning I could handle it because I know in my head that I could stop if I panich. He said he could refer me to an endodontist who could "knock" me out, but I’m not sure how much that would cost. Anyhow, tomorrow I will face a similar situation. I have to go for an endoscopy at 2:30 PM and am afraid of the same thing and wan’t sure how much xanax I could take prior to going. I guess I should call my psychiatrist Thanks, Carmen I can see why you are confused! I take 1 mg of Xanax in the morning, .5 or 1 mg at lunchtime (depends on stress levels) and 1 mg at night. However tomorrow I will double the morning and lunchtime doses as I am going to the dentist. This is all with my psychiatrist’s permission/advice. I have been taking Xanax for 5 or 6 years and have not needed to increase my dosage. I started Efexor XR in September ‘99 (75 mg). This was increased to 150 mg this September. The Efexor is for depression. the Efexor/Xanax combo seems to work for me. Thanks Meryl Carmen Good luck, Meryl Hi Carmen, I also take Efexor XR (150) and Xanax (3 x 1mg). I suggest that it might be better to stay on your prescribed Xanax dose while you are adjusting to the increase in Efexor.  I find the combination works well for me. Remember the Xanax only works for a limited time and you are still having some panic symptoms. Take care, Meryl Thanks Jacke, that’s what I’m gonna do. He just upped it this past week and I think it just might be helping. I’m still having the attacks on and off every day but there seems to be a suttle lessening of the "intensity" of the attacks. Been getting shaky and anxious but the hot flash/rush is not there very much like it was a week ago. I hope I’m right. Anyhow, today was a pretty good day all in all, so I’ll just try to take it a day at a time. BTW, from the beginning of November, I had  been taking 1mg of xanax 3 times a day. That was after I got out of the hospital. When the severe attacks started (about 10 days ago) there were times I took it 4 times just to survive. Today I have only taken 2 doses of 1 mg , the last dose was at 2:45 this afternoon and I feel like I might not need another dose but I’m afraid it will effect me later. Not sure what to do and I can’t get the doc tonight, there is a fill in doc for the weekend I believe. Any advice??? Thanks again, Carmen My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen Dear Carmen, Whenever in doubt, don`t take the pill. Just get back on track tomorrow. I have done this with my Paxil and thyroid med  Take care. Jackie

Response:

Hi Carmen, I don’t think the timing really matters as they are XR. When I switched from 75 mg to 150 mg I was not sure how to use up my 75 mg tablets. Of course my psych was os. I had originally been advised to take 75 mg at night in case I became nauseated. I discussed the extra 75 mg with a friend who is a psych and he suggested 75 mg at night and 75 mg in the morning. Needless to say being the contrary person I am I took the whole 150 mg at night and it works out fine. (I now how 150 mg capsules). I find if I can simplify when I take my medication I am less likely to miss a dose or become confused. Take care, Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I take 2 – 75mg tablets when I get up . Total  of 150mgs.  Then I take 1-75mg tablet at 1:00 in the afternoon. Total of 225mg. They are XR. they are a capsule, sort of pinkish. Thanks, Carmen My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen CARMEN-PLease explain to me what doses are the pills you are taking??? If you are taking 225, you should only be taken 2-one at 150 and one at 75. I take both of mine together in the morning.They are time release form and last 24 hours. Please write back here. Thanks-Julie

Response:

Hi Carmen,  Calling your psychiatrist sounds a good idea. 12 months ago I needed a colonoscopy. My GP told me to double my Xanax the night before and double them the morning of the procedure. His comment was that they will want you sedated anyway. Of course I told the anaesthetist (I had IV sedation). He understood about PD and mercifully I knew nothing of the procedure until it was over. As for root canal work, my daughter had IV sedation when she had her wisdom teeth removed. The alternative was a general. I know the prices here but I’m not sure how they would compare. I know what you mean about sitting in a chair through a long dental procedure. this is my concern. I had an awful choking symptom last time. The dentist was reassuring but I still felt awful. I’ll make sure I have plenty of medication and I’ll be taking the tram, not driving. Good luck with the endoscopy, Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Funny you should mention this but I need to go to the dentist too  as soon as I can but have been putting it off. I need a root canal and the tooth goes through "quiet" times and the flares up some. My fear is that I will get in the chair and half way through the root canal I will panic and want to jump out of the chair which obviously I couldn’t if the root is exposed. If it were for just a cleaning I could handle it because I know in my head that I could stop if I panich. He said he could refer me to an endodontist who could "knock" me out, but I’m not sure how much that would cost. Anyhow, tomorrow I will face a similar situation. I have to go for an endoscopy at 2:30 PM and am afraid of the same thing and wan’t sure how much xanax I could take prior to going. I guess I should call my psychiatrist Thanks, Carmen I can see why you are confused! I take 1 mg of Xanax in the morning, .5 or 1 mg at lunchtime (depends on stress levels) and 1 mg at night. However tomorrow I will double the morning and lunchtime doses as I am going to the dentist. This is all with my psychiatrist’s permission/advice. I have been taking Xanax for 5 or 6 years and have not needed to increase my dosage. I started Efexor XR in September ‘99 (75 mg). This was increased to 150 mg this September. The Efexor is for depression. the Efexor/Xanax combo seems to work for me. Thanks Meryl Carmen Good luck, Meryl Hi Carmen, I also take Efexor XR (150) and Xanax (3 x 1mg). I suggest that it might be better to stay on your prescribed Xanax dose while you are adjusting to the increase in Efexor.  I find the combination works well for me. Remember the Xanax only works for a limited time and you are still having some panic symptoms. Take care, Meryl Thanks Jacke, that’s what I’m gonna do. He just upped it this past week and I think it just might be helping. I’m still having the attacks on and off every day but there seems to be a suttle lessening of the "intensity" of the attacks. Been getting shaky and anxious but the hot flash/rush is not there very much like it was a week ago. I hope I’m right. Anyhow, today was a pretty good day all in all, so I’ll just try to take it a day at a time. BTW, from the beginning of November, I had  been taking 1mg of xanax 3 times a day. That was after I got out of the hospital. When the severe attacks started (about 10 days ago) there were times I took it 4 times just to survive. Today I have only taken 2 doses of 1 mg , the last dose was at 2:45 this afternoon and I feel like I might not need another dose but I’m afraid it will effect me later. Not sure what to do and I can’t get the doc tonight, there is a fill in doc for the weekend I believe. Any advice??? Thanks again, Carmen My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen Dear Carmen, Whenever in doubt, don`t take the pill. Just get back on track tomorrow. I have done this with my Paxil and thyroid med  Take care. Jackie

Response:

That’s right. I have a new prescription that I have not filled yet since I still have some of the 75mg tablets. I don’t know but maybe the new prescription has 150mg tablets but I don’t think so. I would think that when he gets me to 300mg maybe they would be 2 – 150mg tablets.

I see no reason NOT to take the 3-75’s all together. I take the 2 150’s together in the morning. I am so forgetful that I wouldn’t remember to take it later in the day. Besides they are the time release capsules. That would work out just fine. But talk with your doctor first. I just refilled all my pill containers last night. I have one for vitamins too. It looks as if I have a drug shop right in my kitchen!!!! I even bought a plastic container to hold all my bottles for me! lol take care Carmen!,Julie

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Jacke, that’s what I’m gonna do. He just upped it this past week and I think it just might be helping. I’m still having the attacks on and off every day but there seems to be a suttle lessening of the "intensity" of the attacks. Been getting shaky and anxious but the hot flash/rush is not there very much like it was a week ago. I hope I’m right. Anyhow, today was a pretty good day all in all, so I’ll just try to take it a day at a time. BTW, from the beginning of November, I had  been taking 1mg of xanax 3 times a day. That was after I got out of the hospital. When the severe attacks started (about 10 days ago) there were times I took it 4 times just to survive. Today I have only taken 2 doses of 1 mg , the last dose was at 2:45 this afternoon and I feel like I might not need another dose but I’m afraid it will effect me later. Not sure what to do and I can’t get the doc tonight, there is a fill in doc for the weekend I believe. Any advice??? Thanks again, Carmen

Play it by ear, I’d say. If you can manage that would be great. But if you get *interdose anxiety*you can always take one more dose. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen Dear Carmen, Whenever in doubt, don`t take the pill. Just get back on track tomorrow. I have done this with my Paxil and thyroid med  Take care. Jackie

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I guess I can ask, but I would think he had a reason for the times for the doses? Thanks, Carmen I take 2 – 75mg tablets when I get up . Total  of 150mgs.  Then I take 1-75mg tablet at 1:00 in the afternoon. Total of 225mg. They are XR. they are a capsule, sort of pinkish. Thanks, Carmen Just a thought, and one you should run past your doc before acting on, but why not take in when you get up, one at 1PM and one when you go to bed. Ian

if your doc is older then 55 many moons ago it was believed that the timing of medications to approximate some ancient speculated diurnal clock was more effective thus docs rxed the med dosing at various intervals during the day like take 10mg valium at 3pm and an ad 1 hour after-or take the ad before you even put your feet on the floor upon arising etc.. most of this has been debunked over the past 20 years and a few hold out simply to get people to habituate to taking meds at certain times feeling well it can’t hurt to schedule it stringently. LM

Response:

Thanks Meryl, My prescription was really screwed when I got out of the hospital. The filled prescriptions said 1 tablet 4 times a day but the discharge papers said "2" tablets 4 times a day. It was a Friday and the pdoc was out of town so the nurse just said take one and if you need 2 , just take them and she would check on it Monday. Monday came and she called me and said it was suppose to be 2 tablets. BTW, they are .5mg tablets. Anyhow, when I called one day when I had bad panic in the morning and wasn’t sure if I took the 2 tablets I called. She called me back and said " the doctor says that only one of the doses should be for 2 tablets and the rest should be 1 tablet. I told her "the bottle says 2 tablets 4 times a day. She called back again and said she spoke with the doc and he said not to change anything and that I should make an appointment which I did. When I saw him, he increased the Effexor and said he didn’t want to change anything just yet and to take what I have been. I assume he would rather I took less but I already was taking 2 tabs 3 x’s a day. The whole episode threw me into a panic state since I thought I was doing good only taking them 3 times instead of 4. I don’t know how long it takes for my body to go to a withdrawal since I have been taking them now for about 7 weeks. I have an appt with him in 2 weeks and I "assume" he will address the xanax. He had just said to be careful with them as they are "highly addictive". Imagine how I felt when I realized that the dose I was taking was on the high side and I had thought I was doing good with 3 doses. So in essence, he didn’t really "prescribe" any specific amount or times and sort of just said to be careful. I really don’t know what to do.   How often do you take your xanax and when did you start the Effexor? Thanks Meryl Carmen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi Carmen, I also take Efexor XR (150) and Xanax (3 x 1mg). I suggest that it might be better to stay on your prescribed Xanax dose while you are adjusting to the increase in Efexor.  I find the combination works well for me. Remember the Xanax only works for a limited time and you are still having some panic symptoms. Take care, Meryl Thanks Jacke, that’s what I’m gonna do. He just upped it this past week and I think it just might be helping. I’m still having the attacks on and off every day but there seems to be a suttle lessening of the "intensity" of the attacks. Been getting shaky and anxious but the hot flash/rush is not there very much like it was a week ago. I hope I’m right. Anyhow, today was a pretty good day all in all, so I’ll just try to take it a day at a time. BTW, from the beginning of November, I had  been taking 1mg of xanax 3 times a day. That was after I got out of the hospital. When the severe attacks started (about 10 days ago) there were times I took it 4 times just to survive. Today I have only taken 2 doses of 1 mg , the last dose was at 2:45 this afternoon and I feel like I might not need another dose but I’m afraid it will effect me later. Not sure what to do and I can’t get the doc tonight, there is a fill in doc for the weekend I believe. Any advice??? Thanks again, Carmen My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen Dear Carmen, Whenever in doubt, don`t take the pill. Just get back on track tomorrow. I have done this with my Paxil and thyroid med  Take care. Jackie

Response:

I can ask when I talk to him. I do have a dated pill box but it is so full and it’s "separated with AM – Noon- Dinner- and bedtime. I don’t always take lunch pills at 1:00. My husband does help me remeber tho , sometimes Thanks, Carmen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – CARMEN-PLease explain to me what doses are the pills you are taking??? If you are taking 225, you should only be taken 2-one at 150 and one at 75. I am sure she is taking 75mg tablets, two in the AM, and one at 1pm. She can`t remember if she took the 3rd pill at 1Pm today. She was asking if she should take the 3rd tablet not knowing whether she had taken it at 1PM or not. I have done the same thing with Paxil and Synthroid, if I can`t remember, I don`t take Jackie Carmen -ask your doctor this, ok? Why do you have to split the 225 in 2 doses… Since the Effexor is the time release version, could you take the 225 all at once. This will eliminate the confusion. Now if you cannot find dated pill boxes, you can use a clean egg carton. Label the first egg holder with Mon-am, then the one behind it Mon afternoon. This way you will have a better track of taking your medication. I know it only covers 6 days, but you can tape an extra egg carton holder on the end to make it seven days. I use a dated pill holder for my pills. If I forget then I do not take it but I am a wreck all day long. Let us know how you are doing.love,Julie

Response:

I guess I can ask, but I would think he had a reason for the times for the doses? Thanks, Carmen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I take 2 – 75mg tablets when I get up . Total  of 150mgs.  Then I take 1-75mg tablet at 1:00 in the afternoon. Total of 225mg. They are XR. they are a capsule, sort of pinkish. Thanks, Carmen Just a thought, and one you should run past your doc before acting on, but why not take in when you get up, one at 1PM and one when you go to bed. Ian

Response:

I take 2 – 75mg tablets when I get up . Total  of 150mgs.  Then I take 1-75mg tablet at 1:00 in the afternoon. Total of 225mg. They are XR. they are a capsule, sort of pinkish. Thanks, Carmen

Just a thought, and one you should run past your doc before acting on, but why not take in when you get up, one at 1PM and one when you go to bed. Ian

Response:

Funny you should mention this but I need to go to the dentist too  as soon as I can but have been putting it off. I need a root canal and the tooth goes through "quiet" times and the flares up some. My fear is that I will get in the chair and half way through the root canal I will panic and want to jump out of the chair which obviously I couldn’t if the root is exposed. If it were for just a cleaning I could handle it because I know in my head that I could stop if I panich. He said he could refer me to an endodontist who could "knock" me out, but I’m not sure how much that would cost. Anyhow, tomorrow I will face a similar situation. I have to go for an endoscopy at 2:30 PM and am afraid of the same thing and wan’t sure how much xanax I could take prior to going. I guess I should call my psychiatrist Thanks, Carmen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I can see why you are confused! I take 1 mg of Xanax in the morning, .5 or 1 mg at lunchtime (depends on stress levels) and 1 mg at night. However tomorrow I will double the morning and lunchtime doses as I am going to the dentist. This is all with my psychiatrist’s permission/advice. I have been taking Xanax for 5 or 6 years and have not needed to increase my dosage. I started Efexor XR in September ‘99 (75 mg). This was increased to 150 mg this September. The Efexor is for depression. the Efexor/Xanax combo seems to work for me. Thanks Meryl Carmen Good luck, Meryl Hi Carmen, I also take Efexor XR (150) and Xanax (3 x 1mg). I suggest that it might be better to stay on your prescribed Xanax dose while you are adjusting to the increase in Efexor.  I find the combination works well for me. Remember the Xanax only works for a limited time and you are still having some panic symptoms. Take care, Meryl Thanks Jacke, that’s what I’m gonna do. He just upped it this past week and I think it just might be helping. I’m still having the attacks on and off every day but there seems to be a suttle lessening of the "intensity" of the attacks. Been getting shaky and anxious but the hot flash/rush is not there very much like it was a week ago. I hope I’m right. Anyhow, today was a pretty good day all in all, so I’ll just try to take it a day at a time. BTW, from the beginning of November, I had  been taking 1mg of xanax 3 times a day. That was after I got out of the hospital. When the severe attacks started (about 10 days ago) there were times I took it 4 times just to survive. Today I have only taken 2 doses of 1 mg , the last dose was at 2:45 this afternoon and I feel like I might not need another dose but I’m afraid it will effect me later. Not sure what to do and I can’t get the doc tonight, there is a fill in doc for the weekend I believe. Any advice??? Thanks again, Carmen My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen Dear Carmen, Whenever in doubt, don`t take the pill. Just get back on track tomorrow. I have done this with my Paxil and thyroid med  Take care. Jackie

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – CARMEN-PLease explain to me what doses are the pills you are taking??? If you are taking 225, you should only be taken 2-one at 150 and one at 75. I am sure she is taking 75mg tablets, two in the AM, and one at 1pm. She can`t remember if she took the 3rd pill at 1Pm today. She was asking if she should take the 3rd tablet not knowing whether she had taken it at 1PM or not. I have done the same thing with Paxil and Synthroid, if I can`t remember, I don`t take Jackie

Carmen -ask your doctor this, ok? Why do you have to split the 225 in 2 doses… Since the Effexor is the time release version, could you take the 225 all at once. This will eliminate the confusion. Now if you cannot find dated pill boxes, you can use a clean egg carton. Label the first egg holder with Mon-am, then the one behind it Mon afternoon. This way you will have a better track of taking your medication. I know it only covers 6 days, but you can tape an extra egg carton holder on the end to make it seven days. I use a dated pill holder for my pills. If I forget then I do not take it but I am a wreck all day long. Let us know how you are doing.love,Julie

Response:

Hi Carmen,

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Meryl, My prescription was really screwed when I got out of the hospital. The filled prescriptions said 1 tablet 4 times a day but the discharge papers said "2" tablets 4 times a day. It was a Friday and the pdoc was out of town so the nurse just said take one and if you need 2 , just take them and she would check on it Monday. Monday came and she called me and said it was suppose to be 2 tablets. BTW, they are .5mg tablets. Anyhow, when I called one day when I had bad panic in the morning and wasn’t sure if I took the 2 tablets I called. She called me back and said " the doctor says that only one of the doses should be for 2 tablets and the rest should be 1 tablet. I told her "the bottle says 2 tablets 4 times a day. She called back again and said she spoke with the doc and he said not to change anything and that I should make an appointment which I did. When I saw him, he increased the Effexor and said he didn’t want to change anything just yet and to take what I have been. I assume he would rather I took less but I already was taking 2 tabs 3 x’s a day. The whole episode threw me into a panic state since I thought I was doing good only taking them 3 times instead of 4. I don’t know how long it takes for my body to go to a withdrawal since I have been taking them now for about 7 weeks. I have an appt with him in 2 weeks and I "assume" he will address the xanax. He had just said to be careful with them as they are "highly addictive". Imagine how I felt when I realized that the dose I was taking was on the high side and I had thought I was doing good with 3 doses. So in essence, he didn’t really "prescribe" any specific amount or times and sort of just said to be careful. I really don’t know what to do. How often do you take your xanax and when did you start the Effexor?

I can see why you are confused! I take 1 mg of Xanax in the morning, .5 or 1 mg at lunchtime (depends on stress levels) and 1 mg at night. However tomorrow I will double the morning and lunchtime doses as I am going to the dentist. This is all with my psychiatrist’s permission/advice. I have been taking Xanax for 5 or 6 years and have not needed to increase my dosage. I started Efexor XR in September ‘99 (75 mg). This was increased to 150 mg this September. The Efexor is for depression. the Efexor/Xanax combo seems to work for me. Thanks Meryl Carmen

Good luck, Meryl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Carmen, I also take Efexor XR (150) and Xanax (3 x 1mg). I suggest that it might be better to stay on your prescribed Xanax dose while you are adjusting to the increase in Efexor.  I find the combination works well for me. Remember the Xanax only works for a limited time and you are still having some panic symptoms. Take care, Meryl Thanks Jacke, that’s what I’m gonna do. He just upped it this past week and I think it just might be helping. I’m still having the attacks on and off every day but there seems to be a suttle lessening of the "intensity" of the attacks. Been getting shaky and anxious but the hot flash/rush is not there very much like it was a week ago. I hope I’m right. Anyhow, today was a pretty good day all in all, so I’ll just try to take it a day at a time. BTW, from the beginning of November, I had  been taking 1mg of xanax 3 times a day. That was after I got out of the hospital. When the severe attacks started (about 10 days ago) there were times I took it 4 times just to survive. Today I have only taken 2 doses of 1 mg , the last dose was at 2:45 this afternoon and I feel like I might not need another dose but I’m afraid it will effect me later. Not sure what to do and I can’t get the doc tonight, there is a fill in doc for the weekend I believe. Any advice??? Thanks again, Carmen My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen Dear Carmen, Whenever in doubt, don`t take the pill. Just get back on track tomorrow. I have done this with my Paxil and thyroid med  Take care. Jackie

Response:

That’s right. I have a new prescription that I have not filled yet since I still have some of the 75mg tablets. I don’t know but maybe the new prescription has 150mg tablets but I don’t think so. I would think that when he gets me to 300mg maybe they would be 2 – 150mg tablets. I’m just gonna wait till tomorrow to get on track. I took the 2 xanax at 9:45 PM which was good because I hadn’t been able to go beyond 6 hours between doses, sometimes 4 hours. I’m hoping it’s the increased Effexor beginning to help. Anyhow, I guess time will tell. For now I am just grateful to not be shaking and sweating. I’ll speak with the doc tomorrow and find out what to do if I don’t feel like I need one of the doses of xanax. Thanks to all, Carmen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – CARMEN-PLease explain to me what doses are the pills you are taking??? If you are taking 225, you should only be taken 2-one at 150 and one at 75. I am sure she is taking 75mg tablets, two in the AM, and one at 1pm. She can`t remember if she took the 3rd pill at 1Pm today. She was asking if she should take the 3rd tablet not knowing whether she had taken it at 1PM or not. I have done the same thing with Paxil and Synthroid, if I can`t remember, I don`t take Jackie

Response:

CARMEN-PLease explain to me what doses are the pills you are taking??? If you are taking 225, you should only be taken 2-one at 150 and one at 75.

I am sure she is taking 75mg tablets, two in the AM, and one at 1pm. She can`t remember if she took the 3rd pill at 1Pm today. She was asking if she should take the 3rd tablet not knowing whether she had taken it at 1PM or not. I have done the same thing with Paxil and Synthroid, if I can`t remember, I don`t take Jackie

Response:

I take 2 – 75mg tablets when I get up . Total  of 150mgs.  Then I take 1-75mg tablet at 1:00 in the afternoon. Total of 225mg. They are XR. they are a capsule, sort of pinkish. Thanks, Carmen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen CARMEN-PLease explain to me what doses are the pills you are taking??? If you are taking 225, you should only be taken 2-one at 150 and one at 75. I take both of mine together in the morning.They are time release form and last 24 hours. Please write back here. Thanks-Julie

Response:

My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen

CARMEN-PLease explain to me what doses are the pills you are taking??? If you are taking 225, you should only be taken 2-one at 150 and one at 75. I take both of mine together in the morning.They are time release form and last 24 hours. Please write back here. Thanks-Julie

Response:

Hi Carmen, I also take Efexor XR (150) and Xanax (3 x 1mg). I suggest that it might be better to stay on your prescribed Xanax dose while you are adjusting to the increase in Efexor.  I find the combination works well for me. Remember the Xanax only works for a limited time and you are still having some panic symptoms. Take care, Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Jacke, that’s what I’m gonna do. He just upped it this past week and I think it just might be helping. I’m still having the attacks on and off every day but there seems to be a suttle lessening of the "intensity" of the attacks. Been getting shaky and anxious but the hot flash/rush is not there very much like it was a week ago. I hope I’m right. Anyhow, today was a pretty good day all in all, so I’ll just try to take it a day at a time. BTW, from the beginning of November, I had  been taking 1mg of xanax 3 times a day. That was after I got out of the hospital. When the severe attacks started (about 10 days ago) there were times I took it 4 times just to survive. Today I have only taken 2 doses of 1 mg , the last dose was at 2:45 this afternoon and I feel like I might not need another dose but I’m afraid it will effect me later. Not sure what to do and I can’t get the doc tonight, there is a fill in doc for the weekend I believe. Any advice??? Thanks again, Carmen My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen Dear Carmen, Whenever in doubt, don`t take the pill. Just get back on track tomorrow. I have done this with my Paxil and thyroid med  Take care. Jackie

Response:

My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen

Dear Carmen, Whenever in doubt, don`t take the pill. Just get back on track tomorrow. I have done this with my Paxil and thyroid med  Take care. Jackie

Response:

Thanks Jacke, that’s what I’m gonna do. He just upped it this past week and I think it just might be helping. I’m still having the attacks on and off every day but there seems to be a suttle lessening of the "intensity" of the attacks. Been getting shaky and anxious but the hot flash/rush is not there very much like it was a week ago. I hope I’m right. Anyhow, today was a pretty good day all in all, so I’ll just try to take it a day at a time. BTW, from the beginning of November, I had  been taking 1mg of xanax 3 times a day. That was after I got out of the hospital. When the severe attacks started (about 10 days ago) there were times I took it 4 times just to survive. Today I have only taken 2 doses of 1 mg , the last dose was at 2:45 this afternoon and I feel like I might not need another dose but I’m afraid it will effect me later. Not sure what to do and I can’t get the doc tonight, there is a fill in doc for the weekend I believe. Any advice??? Thanks again, Carmen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen Dear Carmen, Whenever in doubt, don`t take the pill. Just get back on track tomorrow. I have done this with my Paxil and thyroid med  Take care. Jackie

Response:

My p doc just upped my Effexor XR from 150 mg to 225 ( 3 pills , 2 in the morning and 1 of them at 1:00 PM. I’m not sure but I may have not taken the 1 in the afternoon tablet. I just fixed my pill box and got them messed up a bit. Anyhow, my question is, should I take one and possibly be getting an extra 75mg or just wait till tomorrow. I’m also on Neurontin and in  the box they look so must alike. I have to take so many pills, I can’t hardly keep up with them even with the pillbox. Thanks anyone, Carmen

Response:

Question:

Hello. I just found this newsgroup, so please forgive me if this question has been asked before: Does anyone know of any empirical studies on feverfew?  I have used it for about five years (about two were used for determining the correct supplier, concentration, dosage, etc) and it has done wonders for me in decreasing the frequency and severity of my migraines. The problem is that when I do get the really bad migraines they are uncontrollable. On the advice of a (somewhat) trusted physician, I have recently stopped the feverfew in order to get some diagnostic tests done and to try IM Immetrex(sp?).  I am a bit nervous that the preventative benefits of the feverfew will be lost if I stay off it for too long. I would like to find some good hard studies to give to my physicians, all of which doubt the effectiveness and safety of feverfew. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help. Carl (remove NOSPAM from address)

Response:

Hi Carl, Why not continue the feverfew if it works, and use Imitrex or Maxalt or Zomig for the ‘horrible’ ones?. Also, there are several Neurologists who suggest a baby aspirin a day or a ‘light’ aspirin every 2nd day to cut down on intensity and severity of migraines.  This works for me, and Maxalt works great for the bad migraines.  I tried feverfew for 8 months and it did not help at all.  Most people who try it [Mygrafew in my case] don’t get any relief. I wish you luck. Email me any questions. Joyce

Response:

Joyce, Thanks for the message. I appreciate the advice. About feverfew: I needed advice from an herbologist (who specialized in pain relief) and from some of my relatives (who have been using it for their migraines) before I found the correct dosage, supplier, type, etc. to do me any good. One I did; however, I felt the effects in a few weeks. Here is what works best for me (and one of my friends): Retailer: GNC Brand: GNC Herbal Plus, Full Spectrum, (Feverfew, of course) Type: 125mg capsules, standardized to 0.5% parthenolides Dose: One capsule per day The problem with taking both Imitrex and feverfew is that the actions of both are similar, so there is no relief when the bad migraines appear (there is a synergistic effect that can initiate another headache). I do need to go off all supplements in order to be re-evaluated for migraines, so I have done so (reluctantly) until the tests are over. My physician gave me the IM Imitrex in case I had a migraine during that time, and also to determine the effects of the Imitrex if I had to use it while off the feverfew. I am allergic to aspirin, so can’t try your advice with that. Sounds interesting, though. I wonder if it is effective because of the counteraction of platelette aggregation or because of its action as a pain releiver? Haven’t tried Maxalt. What is it? Prescription or over-the-counter? Thanks again, and my wishes for many migraine-free days. Carl — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Carl, Why not continue the feverfew if it works, and use Imitrex or Maxalt or Zomig for the ‘horrible’ ones?. Also, there are several Neurologists who suggest a baby aspirin a day or a ‘light’ aspirin every 2nd day to cut down on intensity and severity of migraines.  This works for me, and Maxalt works great for the bad migraines.  I tried feverfew for 8 months and it did not help at all. Most people who try it [Mygrafew in my case] don’t get any relief. I wish you luck. Email me any questions. Joyce

Response:

writes: I could see why someone whose migraines had gotten better might just leave the group.

;-( Now I know why everyone has been so helpful, trying to cure my clusters!!! Bob Never Blame the Rainbows for the Rain [J.H.& R.T.]

Response:

(snipped) I could see why someone whose migraines had gotten better might just leave the group. Priscilla

You’re right Priscilla.  I’ve been weaning myself away slowly, now, since the Imitrex has begun to work such wonders for me.  I’ll still "lurk" (and enjoy all the sinister connotations that go with that desgination ; ) and maybe even make a smart aleck comment now and again, although I’m trying to wean myself away from those too!   I have six days a month more time to read now!!!!  And speaking of reading, I must get back ‘The Sparrow’.  Thanks so much for recommending it although I sincerely hope you don’t expect me to write essays on the study questions in the back of the book! ; )   The only real difficulty I’ve had so far was in trying to tell Denny about the main character, ‘Sandoz’, and mistakenly calling him "Fiorinal"!!!! Anne : ) "We know the truth not only by the reason but also by the heart."  Blaise Pascal

Response:

greetings… i just know that since taking feverfew my migraines have finally taken a break and left me alone… 3 months without a debilitating (2 days in bed) to a few minor ones ( 1 shot of imitrex) and now 3 weeks without any… i know this so hang in all and keep doing research and find out what works for you… but you have to research and try oh so many remedies/drugs etc.. take care

Response:

: Hi Wind Dancer, : Most of us here have suffered with migraines many years, including myself. : Have you noticed that most of us also, including me, are saying that they have : gotten worse in the last few years???  Makes me wonder why????? This may be because those whose migraines have gotten worse are more vocal, or maybe if your migraines have gotten worse you notice more the people whose migraines have done the same.

Or perhaps we have access (electronically) to more people than we did years ago. I personally know about a dozen people who get migraines. Add the considerable number of people I’ve "met" through this group and you skew the statistics considerably. — Dana ‘96 FXD-Conv "Roxie" Web:  http://www.chaeron.com/danamania/ NOTE:  Remove Spamicide ™ before replying!!!

Response:

Hi Wind Dancer, Most of us here have suffered with migraines many years, including myself. Have you noticed that most of us also, including me, are saying that they have gotten worse in the last few years???  Makes me wonder why????? ~~Heather~~

Response:

: Hi Wind Dancer, : Most of us here have suffered with migraines many years, including myself. : Have you noticed that most of us also, including me, are saying that they have : gotten worse in the last few years???  Makes me wonder why????? This may be because those whose migraines have gotten worse are more vocal, or maybe if your migraines have gotten worse you notice more the people whose migraines have done the same. Mine have gotten better, and I know there are others, too.  I could see why someone whose migraines had gotten better might just leave the group. Priscilla

Response:

good morning all… i have to share this – i have been taking feverfew for 3 months now and have not had a debilitating migraine for 8 weeks (the 2 day in bed type) and have not had a sever (1 shot of imitrex) for 2 weeks.  I have also started chiropractic care for the last 4 weeks… this is a first for me – i have had migraines since i was 10 years old – but never as bad as the last 1 1/2 years……there is hope for us all… we just have to research and find out what works for us.. take care

I’ve started going to a Chiropractice and it has helped. I used to get the ‘aura’ feel that something was going to happen. My neck would then really stiffen up and be sore, and a migraine would start. I still get the migraine headache, which I try to avoid with Imigran, but the neck pain is a lot better. It turned out that when I slept, I slept mostly in same position, on my front with my neck bent to the left. This made sense, when he said that after a week of this, it got too much for my neck and it hurt. On the migraine front now, I used to get it on Saturday when I relaxed and lay in. Now that I do skydiving at the weekends, I tend to feel rough mid week. At least my weekends are not so affected and I can enjoy the jumps and the parties! I’ll try taking Feverfew and see if that helps too. Belle.

Response:

I would try feverfew, but I am afraid of taking it with my daily inderal.  I am worried about combining the herbs with the drugs.

Response:

Feverfew Nasal Mist, uses only when it is needed/

Response:

Feverfew Nasal Mist, uses only when it is needed/

Tell us more about this, please! — "It is useless to resent anything in this world." -E. Roosevelt oh, and please remove the "z" when replying by e-mail

Response:

good morning all… i have to share this – i have been taking feverfew for 3 months now and have not had a debilitating migraine for 8 weeks (the 2 day in bed type) and have not had a sever (1 shot of imitrex) for 2 weeks.  I have also started chiropractic care for the last 4 weeks… this is a first for me – i have had migraines since i was 10 years old – but never as bad as the last 1 1/2 years……there is hope for us all… we just have to research and find out what works for us.. take care

Response:

I thought Feverfew was a miracle herb. And it was for 11 months. But then the migraines returned. I hope you do better.

Response:

Greetings from a longtime migraine sufferer, but new to this group.  I have suffered from migraines since I was a child.  I have found that daily feverfew is great at minimizing the nausea and vomiting part of migraines.  Yes I still get them, but to at least not have the vomiting I can function until my Imitrex kicks in.  Fortunately Imitrex works beautifully for me, since I have had no success with abortives like Inderal and Elavil.  I have found that if I catch my migraine early and on an empty stomach then oral Imitrex works, but if it has gone beyond that early point then my only hope is injectable Imitrex. I am intrigued by the 5-HTP mentioned in someones note, so am going to get some today. I’d love to find an alternative to Imitrex, as I’m still leary about the potential longterm side efects which are yet unknown. I  will try to keep in this ng loop, but due to my hectic schedule I may be spotty in my correspondence…….thanks

Response:

Of course, the alternative may be worse than the original med…all part of migraine roulette. Like many of you, I’m a triptan test case, hoping we don’t discover a few years down the road that we’ve permanently damaged something important. But I have to weigh that against the fact that I’m convinced I wouldn’t be here at all without SOMETHING for the pain. I, too, am trying the 5THP…have to keep trying. Welcome to the group! –Julianne

Response:

welcome mike!!! we’ll be happy to have you whenever your schedule permits. some of us (like myself) have so little a life, that we spend every day here, but it’s perfectly understandable that a hectic scedule permits little more than spotty correspondence. again,welcome!!!! Mike Barton wrote … Greetings from a longtime migraine sufferer, but new to this group.

….snip …. . – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I  will try to keep in this ng loop, but due to my hectic schedule I may be spotty in my correspondence…….thanks

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings from a longtime migraine sufferer, but new to this group.  I have suffered from migraines since I was a child.  I have found that daily feverfew is great at minimizing the nausea and vomiting part of migraines.  Yes I still get them, but to at least not have the vomiting I can function until my Imitrex kicks in.  Fortunately Imitrex works beautifully for me, since I have had no success with abortives like Inderal and Elavil.  I have found that if I catch my migraine early and on an empty stomach then oral Imitrex works, but if it has gone beyond that early point then my only hope is injectable Imitrex. I am intrigued by the 5-HTP mentioned in someones note, so am going to get some today. I’d love to find an alternative to Imitrex, as I’m still leary about the potential longterm side efects which are yet unknown. I  will try to keep in this ng loop, but due to my hectic schedule I may be spotty in my correspondence…….thanks Hello Mike,

I’ve tried feverfew without noticing any difference and wonder if the dosage I’m using is incorrect. If you’re having success, I’ll gladly try whatever dosage you’re taking. Also what brand do you use?     Carol     –the sheer joy of being

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the note.   I take Migracare by Enzymatic Therapy which has 600mcg of parthenolide.  I have tried less and it didn’t work and I’ve tried more with no greater effect.  I know some products are available with up to 1200mcg.  Perhaps – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings from a longtime migraine sufferer, but new to this group.  I have suffered from migraines since I was a child.  I have found that daily feverfew is great at minimizing the nausea and vomiting part of migraines.  Yes I still get them, but to at least not have the vomiting I can function until my Imitrex kicks in.  Fortunately Imitrex works beautifully for me, since I have had no success with abortives like Inderal and Elavil.  I have found that if I catch my migraine early and on an empty stomach then oral Imitrex works, but if it has gone beyond that early point then my only hope is injectable Imitrex. I am intrigued by the 5-HTP mentioned in someones note, so am going to get some today. I’d love to find an alternative to Imitrex, as I’m still leary about the potential longterm side efects which are yet unknown. I  will try to keep in this ng loop, but due to my hectic schedule I may be spotty in my correspondence…….thanks Hello Mike, I’ve tried feverfew without noticing any difference and wonder if the dosage I’m using is incorrect. If you’re having success, I’ll gladly try whatever dosage you’re taking. Also what brand do you use?     Carol     –the sheer joy of being

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has anyone tried this natural herb.. i have been using it for 5 weeks and have not had a "severe" type (usually sends one to bed for 2 days) – they have been milder and i can function.. would like to hear feedback thanks

Response:

has anyone tried this natural herb.. i have been using it for 5 weeks and have not had a "severe" type (usually sends one to bed for 2 days) – they have been milder and i can function.. would like to hear feedback thanks

I’ve been taking Feverfew for a couple of months now, and have had 2 severe (go to bed) migraines during that time. Which, for me, is an improvement. I don’t think it’s a miracle or anything, but I do think it’s helping some. — Dana Taramina Web:  http://www.chaeron.com/danamania/ NOTE:  Remove Spamicide ™ before replying!!!

Response:

has anyone tried this natural herb.. i have been using it for 5 weeks and have not had a "severe" type (usually sends one to bed for 2 days) – they have been milder and i can function.. would like to hear feedback thanks

Yes!!! I started taking Feverfew (1 380 mg. capsule per day) about three months ago, and have reduced both the frequency and severity of my migraines considerably.  In case I wasn’t sure , I somehow forgot to take them for a few weeks recently and the old #9-10 headaches were back with a vengance.  I am a believer, for sure.  Good luck.  By the way, I have noticed no side effects at all and can even take it on an empty stomach! Molly

Response:

Feverfew is an herb, and it is effective for some, but usually only after taking it for quite a while – months sometimes.  My grandmother grew it when I was little and made us eat the leaves or drink tea from its leaves everyday, to "ward off evil in the body" as she said.  If it was going to work for you, it probably would have needed more than 3 weeks, and from what I understand, the new capsules and store brands have the same natural "weaknesses" of all other organic cures

Question:

    A friend of mine had it, though only at night, and his physician prescribed him Benadryl and it worked. This has been quite a few years ago though. Rick

Response:

Is it possible to develop RLS as a side effect of Zoloft? Ever since my gp upped my dose to 150mg I can’t seem to keep my feet still. I’m constantly moving my feet around, even when I sleep. And I don’t like doing it but I can’t seem to help it. Mary — "I want to walk and not run.  I want to skip and not fall.  I want to look at the horizon  and not see a building standing tall." – Dixie Chicks

Hi Edward, I have RLS occassionally, an irresistable urge to keep moving my legs, usually dorsiflexion of the feet. While clonazepam seems to be the treatment of choice, I don’t see why it would be better than any other benzo. There are many, many treatments for RLS, as is often the case when no one treatment is that successful. Chip p.s. cutting back on the caffeine (coffee) may help Hi group: has anyone ever heard of "restless leg syndrome" i have always thought this condition / experience was related to anxiety, however, now i have read that it is a separate "syndrome" RLS is defined as the need to constantly move a leg, it is usually apparent in the evening/night. It is also worse when forced to sit still as in riding in a car, airplane, or sitting in a cinema. Has anyone experienced this and/or been successfully treated for it (there is no cure). Thanks again group for your responses, but please do not email me, I use my email for work as well as private. Post your answers here on the newsgroup. Again, thank you for all your helpful information.

Response:

I have just looked up information about restless leg syndrome this morning. I checked the sleepmed site and National Sleep Foundation. Apparently, there is a correlation with B-12 deficiancy and rls. I had restless legs last year and before.I started to improve my eating,exercising and I started taking vitamins and minerals related to stress and anxiety. I started taking the B complex with a B12 and I have not had any problems with restless legs for about a year now! It is a vitamin, that I buy at WalMart. I would give it a try as it will not hurt you nor interfer with prescriptions. Facts About Restless Legs What is Restless Legs Syndrome? If you have restless legs syndrome (RLS), or are a physician seeing a patient with RLS, you’ll probably recognize these symptoms: An urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations in the legs, usually described as a creeping or crawling feeling, but sometimes as a tingling, cramping, burning or just plain pain. Some patients have no definite sensation, except for the need to move. (The arms may also be affected, but that’s much less common.) The need to move the legs to relieve the discomfort, by stretching or bending, rubbing the legs, tossing or turning in bed, or getting up and pacing the floor. Moving usually offers some temporary relief of symptoms. A definite worsening of the discomfort when lying down, especially when you’re trying to fall asleep at night, or during other forms of inactivity, including just sitting. A tendency to experience the most discomfort late in the day and at night. Sleep disturbances are common with RLS, primarily because of the difficulty it causes in getting to sleep. If leg twitching or jerking is also present, a related disorder called periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) may be the cause. With PLMS, the leg movements may be severe enough to awaken you (see the PLMS fact sheet). In RLS, PLMS-like sypmtoms can sometimes occur during wakefulness, as well as in sleep. How common is RLS? Restless leg syndrome may affect as much as 2-5 percent of the population, with varying degrees of intensity. What causes RLS? The cause of RLS is still unknown. Some cases are inherited and more than one family member may be affected. Some cases have been associated with nerve damage in the legs due to diabetes, kidney problems or alcoholism. RLS can also be a side effect of a pinched nerve root from arthritis in the lower back (sciatica). Is RLS serious? RLS is not considered medically serious. However, the symptoms can range anywhere from bothersome to incapacitating. Fluctuations in severity are common, and occasionally the symptoms may disappear for periods of time. RLS can begin at any age, but the symptoms tend to worsen over the years and become more severe in middle-to-old age. Pregnancy or hormonal changes may temporarily worsen RLS symptoms. Stress, diet or other environmental factors may play a role for some people. Can RLS be treated? Most cases of RLS respond well to medical treatment. There are three main classes of medication that have been shown to be effective in treating both RLS and PLMS. Benzodiazepines – This class includes such drugs as diazepam (Valium),clonazepam (Klonopin), temazepam (Restoril) and triazolam (Halcion). L-Dopa – This class enhances a brain chemical known as dopamine. It includes such drugs as L-Dopa with carbidopa (Sinement), pergolide (Permax) and bromocriptine (Parlodel). Opiates – This class generally is reserved for the more severe symptoms. It includes codeine (active ingredient in Tylenol #3), oxycodone (active ingredient in Percocet), propoxyphene (Darvon) and methadone (in very severe cases only). All of these medicatons are available by prescription only and should only be taken while under the care of a licensed physician. Where do I go for help? Seek professional medical advice. You may wish to begin by consulting your family physician or by making an appointment for an evaluation at an accredited sleep disorders center in your area. For a listing of accredited centers, contact: The National Sleep Foundation, 1522 K St., NW, Suite 510, Washington, DC 20005. Phone (202) 347-3471 or fax (202) 347- 3472. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Margrove writes (in re: RLS): a true case of restless leg is not anxiety based at all. It is usually caused from being overtired or overworked in a physical sense. The nuerons of the muscles are still firing to one level or another in a hyperactive way-you can notice it most when you are overtired. Some are helped by adding a dose of niacin or niacinamide a b vitimin around 100mg to their diet-others a nice physical workout 3x per week does the trick. There are vascular problems that can mimic this benign condition so if you have pain or numness coldness or severe cramping of the calf muscles have your doc check it out. Some folks are also helped by increased calcium and magnesium but ask a doc first. LM

Hi Margrove! Just wanted to say thanks for this info…we had a pt. at the clinic where I med. assisted in the early 80’s with RLS, and I felt so bad for him, since there wasn’t much known about the cause, tx, etc. Now I’ll have something to refer to if I encounter someone w/ the problem again… Very interesting & helpful, as always! Love, Char*) P.S. FWIW, I am forever wiggling a foot or moving a leg while sitting down…I always figured it was a "nervous habit", which certainly wouldn’t be far-fetched for a PD Type A personality like me:P

Response:

Is it possible to develop RLS as a side effect of Zoloft? Ever since my gp upped my dose to 150mg I can’t seem to keep my feet still. I’m constantly moving my feet around, even when I sleep. And I don’t like doing it but I can’t seem to help it. Mary Yes. Zoloft (and all SSRIs) can induce or exacerbate movement disorders, one of which is RLS. An increase in my Zoloft dose once resulted in a worsening of my RLS, and this got better after a reduction in Zoloft dose. A later increase in Zoloft dose did not cause a worsening of my RLS. A temporary reduction in Zoloft dose may resolve this problem for you. Good luck. Chip

Response:

Hi Edward, I have RLS occassionally, an irresistable urge to keep moving my legs, usually dorsiflexion of the feet. While clonazepam seems to be the treatment of choice, I don’t see why it would be better than any other benzo. There are many, many treatments for RLS, as is often the case when no one treatment is that successful. Chip p.s. cutting back on the caffeine (coffee) may help Hi group: has anyone ever heard of "restless leg syndrome" i have always thought this condition / experience was related to anxiety, however, now i have read that it is a separate "syndrome" RLS is defined as the need to constantly move a leg, it is usually apparent in the evening/night. It is also worse when forced to sit still as in riding in a car, airplane, or sitting in a cinema. Has anyone experienced this and/or been successfully treated for it (there is no cure). Thanks again group for your responses, but please do not email me, I use my email for work as well as private. Post your answers here on the newsgroup. Again, thank you for all your helpful information.

Response:

Hi group:  has anyone ever heard of "restless leg syndrome"  i have always thought this condition / experience was related to anxiety, however, now i have read that it is a separate "syndrome"  RLS is defined as the need to constantly move a leg, it is usually apparent in the evening/night.  It is also worse when forced to sit still as in riding in a car, airplane, or sitting in a cinema. Has anyone experienced this and/or been successfully treated for it (there is no cure). Thanks again group for your responses, but please do not email me, I use my email for work as well as private.  Post your answers here on the newsgroup. Again, thank you for all your helpful information.

Response:

I think everyone I know has that!  (And they’re normies?) bw – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi group:  has anyone ever heard of "restless leg syndrome"  i have always thought this condition / experience was related to anxiety, however, now i have read that it is a separate "syndrome"  RLS is defined as the need to constantly move a leg, it is usually apparent in the evening/night. It is also worse when forced to sit still as in riding in a car, airplane, or sitting in a cinema. Has anyone experienced this and/or been successfully treated for it (there is no cure). Thanks again group for your responses, but please do not email me, I use my email for work as well as private.  Post your answers here on the newsgroup. Again, thank you for all your helpful information.

– bw Before you buy.

Response:

It’s common knowledge that Edward Fadden said: Hi group:  has anyone ever heard of "restless leg syndrome"  i have always thought this condition / experience was related to anxiety, however, now i have read that it is a separate "syndrome"  RLS is defined as the need to constantly move a leg, it is usually apparent in the evening/night.  It is also worse when forced to sit still as in riding in a car, airplane, or sitting in a cinema. Has anyone experienced this and/or been successfully treated for it (there is no cure). Thanks again group for your responses, but please do not email me, I use my email for work as well as private.  Post your answers here on the newsgroup. Again, thank you for all your helpful information.

Yes, I have experienced it.  Didn’t know it was a "syndrome" though! But it can really be irritating.  If it happens in bed, it can keep me awake for hours.  I hate it! Huggs, Cathy

Response:

I have "periodic limb movement syndrome" which is different in the effect that my limbs will twitch or jolt out uncontrollably; not too much of a pain, I’m pretty used to it; and it isn’t that noticable unless it’s noghttime.  Right before I fall asleep my legs jolt big time!  I’ve pretty much learned to pay no mind to it.  It’s as subconscience as breathing to me, now. Kerrie

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi group:  has anyone ever heard of "restless leg syndrome"  i have always thought this condition / experience was related to anxiety, however, now i have read that it is a separate "syndrome"  RLS is defined as the need to constantly move a leg, it is usually apparent in the evening/night.  It is also worse when forced to sit still as in riding in a car, airplane, or sitting in a cinema. Has anyone experienced this and/or been successfully treated for it (there is no cure). Thanks again group for your responses, but please do not email me, I use my email for work as well as private.  Post your answers here on the newsgroup. Again, thank you for all your helpful information.

a true case of restless leg is not anxiety based at all. It is usually caused from being overtired or overworked in a physical sense. The nuerons of the muscles are still firing to one level or another in a hyperactive way-you can notice it most when you are overtired. Some are helped by adding a dose of niacin or niacinamide a b vitimin around 100mg to their diet-others a nice physical workout 3x per week does the trick. There are vascular problems that can mimic this benign condition so if you have pain or numness coldness or severe cramping of the calf muscles have your doc check it out. Some folks are also helped by increased calcium and magnesium but ask a doc first. LM

Response:

My pdoc who has been diagnosed with this syndrome treats it by taking a very low dosage of Klonopin before bed, since that is when it is most bothersome. However I have heard that some people can gain relief through vitamins, but I really do not know much about that, since this is not something I have done much research into. Good Luck! d

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi group:  has anyone ever heard of "restless leg syndrome"  i have always thought this condition / experience was related to anxiety, however, now i have read that it is a separate "syndrome"  RLS is defined as the need to constantly move a leg, it is usually apparent in the evening/night.  It is also worse when forced to sit still as in riding in a car, airplane, or sitting in a cinema. Has anyone experienced this and/or been successfully treated for it (there is no cure). Thanks again group for your responses, but please do not email me, I use my email for work as well as private.  Post your answers here on the newsgroup. Again, thank you for all your helpful information.

Response:

I have Fibromyalgia and I also get the restless leg syndrome.  Mine happens whenever it takes a notion. Hope that helps.. Buffie —

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think everyone I know has that!  (And they’re normies?) bw Hi group:  has anyone ever heard of "restless leg syndrome"  i have always thought this condition / experience was related to anxiety, however, now i have read that it is a separate "syndrome"  RLS is defined as the need to constantly move a leg, it is usually apparent in the evening/night. It is also worse when forced to sit still as in riding in a car, airplane, or sitting in a cinema. Has anyone experienced this and/or been successfully treated for it (there is no cure). Thanks again group for your responses, but please do not email me, I use my email for work as well as private.  Post your answers here on the newsgroup. Again, thank you for all your helpful information. — bw Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

I’ve been off of Zoloft for about 6-months….it helped a little bit….I guess?; I’m starting to feel that depression-thing( I never realized I had, until I’d been on Anti-Depressants! ( Zoloft) I had to stop, cause I just couldn’t stand the Anxiety…..while it seemed to give me a more up-beat Just looking for feed-back?  I haven’t started, as my mail-order has not come in yet!!!   "but I have good expections!!!!"  Everybody around here seems to think; if one drug doesn’t work…then try a different one. thanks for listening!!!      Wild & Crazy

Response:

I’ve been off of Zoloft for about 6-months….it helped a little bit….I guess?; I’m starting to feel that depression-thing( I never realized I had, until I’d been on Anti-Depressants! ( Zoloft) I had to stop, cause I just couldn’t stand the Anxiety…..while it seemed to give me a more up-beat Just looking for feed-back?  I haven’t started, as my mail-order has not come in yet!!!   "but I have good expections!!!!"  Everybody around here seems to think; if one drug doesn’t work…then try a different one. thanks for listening!!!      Wild & Crazy

Hi Wild & Crazy, It is true, if one med doesn`t work, move on to another one. Paxil has been a good med for me and *hopefully* you will have good results too. It is important to start Paxil at a low dose, 5 mgs is a good starting dose. You would stay at this dose for one week. Do all your increases in 5mg increments and stay at each increase for one week. Weaning like this will hopefully keep any side-effects that you have to a minimum. Having a benzo such a Xanax or Klonopin would help you deal with any increased anxiety you might experience. Give Paxil 6 to 8 weeks to kick in. Good luck!!! Jackie Hope is a strange invention– A Patent of the Heart– In unremitting action Yet never wearing out.

Response:

Wild and Crazy I guess what you have to decide is what is worse, the side-effects, or the illness

Response:

To Wild&Crazy,I have been on Prozac,Adivan,Buspar,Celexa,Zoloft,Xanax,and now Paxil.As you can see I’ve been through some meds.But I’m replying to you to let you know that Paxil(I take 10 mg. a day)is what has stopped my panic attacks.Zoloft seemed to make me have more attacks.Paxil is for PD more so than it is for depression.I don’t notice any side effects either. I have been on it for about 4 months. Good Luck. I know what you are going through. For 10 years I’ve been a sufferer. * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

I need some input on Paxil. I’ve done the Zoloft thing…and it really made me nervous; and I gave it more than enough time, 6 or 7 months. What about Paxil? I’m considering trying Paxil…… Just looking for helpful input!                  Thanks,  Wild & Crazy

Response:

I need some input on Paxil. I’ve done the Zoloft thing…and it really made me nervous; and I gave it more than enough time, 6 or 7 months. What about Paxil? I’m considering trying Paxil…… Just looking for helpful input!                  Thanks,  Wild & Crazy

There is nothing sensible to say about this as our reactions to meds are totally individual. As a rule though if a med from a certain group (in this case the SSRI’s) doesn’t work for you it’s often a good idea to try another med from the same group first. I would try Paxil if I were you but if it doesn’t work well after eight weeks or so I would advise trying another group of meds (TCA’s, benzos) Philip

Response:

mr. zoloft worked on some of my obsessional thinking, then it killed my penis! no erection or orgasm for a month. i thought my doc poisoned me. got a new doc, put me on paxil. i have nothing but praise for mr. paxil at this point, but have only been on it for about a month. almost panic attack free. mr. zoloft is fucking poison for me. see another doctor if yours is giving you the nad killer. if mr. paxil doesn’t work for you, then try mr. effexor. if that doesn’t work then go back to steady, heavy drinking. lot’s of side effects in the morning, but no panic attacks and you don’t need a script. all kidding aside, paxil is the one! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I need some input on Paxil. I’ve done the Zoloft thing…and it really made me nervous; and I gave it more than enough time, 6 or 7 months. What about Paxil? I’m considering trying Paxil…… Just looking for helpful input!                  Thanks,  Wild & Crazy

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Question:

<Posted and Mailed One thing that my therp threw at me that was hard to accept (okay…still is), but I know is true, is that we cannot control the way we feel, only how we act because of our feelings. Yeah, it’s kind of warped sounding in a way, but it is true. For instance, I can’t stop myself from feeling I’m a completely useless turd, BUT, hopefully I can stop acting like a completely useless turd until I finally (maybe) feel differently.

This is similar to what I call "acting you way into a feeling". It is far easier said than done — particularly when you’re very depressed. But for example lets say that you are mildly depressed and don’t want to go to a party that otherwise you would want to go to. But you are going to make the effort to go anyway in spite of how you feel. You decide that you are going to act like you are having a great time. So you put on your best party grin and start mingling and talking. Pretty soon you find that you are no longer acting a role — but you are really enjoying yourself. This technique works better with situational depression than with bipolar depression. It’s much harder to fool neurotransmitters!

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permanently in the ether: I wasn’t aware that Buspar was so short acting. I take 30 mg at bedtime, it used to be 15mg am and pm, but the am dose was definitely making me sluggish. Of course, it could have been the paxil that was knocking me out. I have no idea how effective the Buspar is; because I take so damned many drugs, I never know what is what.

The drowsiness you describe does sound like what happened to my MIL her first few weeks on buspar–then she adjusted–but she does take a nap after lunch and sometimes tries to take on after breakfast. Buspar has made a world of difference for her.  Before buspar, she refused to go to any activities–and kept asking ppl to take her home. After a couple weeks on buspar–she turned around. These drugs have so many different effects on different ppl.  When I was in college I took a pharmacology class that was a survey of all drugs, from caffeine to heroin to thorazine.  One of the first things covered was the LD 50 and the ED 50. LD 50 is the lethal dose for 50 ppl out of 100.  That means the lethal dose stated on your insert will kill 50 out of 100 ppl, of the  50 ppl left, some will die at a lower dose and some will not die at the LD 50 level.  I dont like those odds. ED 50 is the effective dose for 50 out of 100 ppl.  So if a dr prescribes a med based on the medical information provided, you only have a 50/50 chance of the drug even being an effective dose for what you are trying to change.  You also have a chance (if you are one of the 50 ppl that the LD 50 doesnt work for) of the drug being either too strong or too weak for the benefit you are after. I find this whole medical crapola to really be one big game of Russian Roulette.  JMAO.    Yes, I have been having a bad time, but it is getting better. Of course, I have taken a fatalist attitude toward my problems. There is nothing I can do about it, so if they shut off my cable, internet, and telephone; oh well. I don’t think they can shut off my electric because it is my heat and a/c, and with my asthma I must have a/c. Of course, many times in the past, I have discovered the hard way that they can do things to me that I thought they couldn’t.

Please contact the power company if you are not already on lifeline service.  If you are not on lifeline service–they can cut you off. Even my kid got lifeline and he is fairly normal.   Also, I thought cable companies were  required to provide a basic economy package for ppl with low incomes?  Maybe it is a california thing–but here it is the law. Nancy in CA All thoughts posted here, unless otherwise cited, are my opinion based on my research and my experience.  Everyone should do their own research and make their own choices based on their situation. Please visit the new fms-guaifenisin support group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.guaifenisin Please visit the new moderated recovery group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info Please visit the new grandparents ng, alt.talk.grandparents. To respond via email, delete "Z" from my addy.

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hi…me again! for what it is worth, i find it interesting that you get sluggish from buspar…when they had me on that stuff i felt like i had water flowing through my ears constantly, and i was always wired…i never slept. i went on xanax and zoloft after that and even though the zoloft made me that way for around a week, i got over it. but buspar never agreed with my system.(made me want to call the phone company to thank them for billing me…ugh.)…bruce

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Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) sounds like you made some progress today. I’m curious about the buspar.  I’ve been watching sci.med.pharmacy for a while because someone asked about whether or not buspar could be prepared in a long acting form.  My MIL in a nursing home from a stroke takes buspar for stroke related anxiety.

That is a good g, eh? Hospitals and nursing homes do not like buspar because it has a short half life and therefore requires more frequent dosing.

Yes…3 times a day. I also understand that is is much less addicting, or tolerance building, I should say, than ativan or valium.

Yes it is. So, I am wondering why you would take a short acting anti-anxiety medication at bedtime?  For sleep alone?  I am still new here and am just getting ppl straight–did I recall you are having a bad time right now? And now I’m wondering–if you take buspar at bedtime–it wears off in the middle of the night–sending you into the depression during the day that you have?  I may be totally off base–but this is a thought that occured to me. And I have been given Lorazepam (ativan) for anxiety and maybe buspar might be a more controllable choice for me.  I have never used up a script–they go out of date on me when the bottle has been half used.

Peace,

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Hey Ralph you think the Buspar actually works? I was kin a thinking of blowing off refilling mine this month. The freaking prescription is $80 to refill…….anyway. Maybe the therapist will help? Hey its possible. Your not useless you provide a lot of help to us, and personally I like reading your posts. Hopefully your depression will lift soon. ((((((((((((Ralph)))))))))))

Dear Robert,         I don’t know about the buspar, myself. It seems to help me sleep when I have a lot of anxiety. I also seem to forget to take it, a lot. I never forget to take my Prozac. Boy, am I grateful that my Medicare HMO has a RX plan. Without it, my meds would be over $700.00 per month. I think what I am trying to say is that Buspar helps when I am really agitated/anxious and can’t sleep; but I question the usefulness of it day in and day out.         Thank you for your kind words. Yes, you are right, I am not totally useless. But lets just say that my usefulness is severely impaired by this damned condition. When I realize that I haven’t had the ability to so much as keep my apartment clean for over 3 years now; to do the simple things that most people take for granted…. but hey, I am sure that I am not alone in this.         Hope you are having a great day.  Hugs back to you Robert, Ralph

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Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt)

Hi Ralph– sounds like you made some progress today. I’m curious about the buspar.  I’ve been watching sci.med.pharmacy for a while because someone asked about whether or not buspar could be prepared in a long acting form.  My MIL in a nursing home from a stroke takes buspar for stroke related anxiety. Hospitals and nursing homes do not like buspar because it has a short half life and therefore requires more frequent dosing. I also understand that is is much less addicting, or tolerance building, I should say, than ativan or valium. So, I am wondering why you would take a short acting anti-anxiety medication at bedtime?  For sleep alone?  I am still new here and am just getting ppl straight–did I recall you are having a bad time right now?  And now I’m wondering–if you take buspar at bedtime–it wears off in the middle of the night–sending you into the depression during the day that you have?  I may be totally off base–but this is a thought that occured to me. And I have been given Lorazepam (ativan) for anxiety and maybe buspar might be a more controllable choice for me.  I have never used up a script–they go out of date on me when the bottle has been half used. May your good days be many and your bad days fade away, Nancy To respond via email, delete "nospam" from my addy. Please visit the new moderated recovery group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info Also, check out the guafenisin group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.guaifenesin Please visit the new grandparents group, alt.talk.grandparents.

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I wasn’t aware that Buspar was so short acting. I take 30 mg at bedtime, it used to be 15mg am and pm, but the am dose was definitely making me sluggish. Of course, it could have been the paxil that was knocking me out. I have no idea how effective the Buspar is; because I take so damned many drugs, I never know what is what.         Yes, I have been having a bad time, but it is getting better. Of course, I have taken a fatalist attitude toward my problems. There is nothing I can do about it, so if they shut off my cable, internet, and telephone; oh well. I don’t think they can shut off my electric because it is my heat and a/c, and with my asthma I must have a/c. Of course, many times in the past, I have discovered the hard way that they can do things to me that I thought they couldn’t.         I have "faith" that somehow I will get bailed out of this mess; but if not, there is nothing I can do. Oh well, no sense me working myself up. Hope you are having a good day,  Ralph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) Hi Ralph– sounds like you made some progress today. I’m curious about the buspar.  I’ve been watching sci.med.pharmacy for a while because someone asked about whether or not buspar could be prepared in a long acting form.  My MIL in a nursing home from a stroke takes buspar for stroke related anxiety. Hospitals and nursing homes do not like buspar because it has a short half life and therefore requires more frequent dosing. I also understand that is is much less addicting, or tolerance building, I should say, than ativan or valium. So, I am wondering why you would take a short acting anti-anxiety medication at bedtime?  For sleep alone?  I am still new here and am just getting ppl straight–did I recall you are having a bad time right now?  And now I’m wondering–if you take buspar at bedtime–it wears off in the middle of the night–sending you into the depression during the day that you have?  I may be totally off base–but this is a thought that occured to me. And I have been given Lorazepam (ativan) for anxiety and maybe buspar might be a more controllable choice for me.  I have never used up a script–they go out of date on me when the bottle has been half used. May your good days be many and your bad days fade away, Nancy To respond via email, delete "nospam" from my addy. Please visit the new moderated recovery group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info Also, check out the guafenisin group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.guaifenesin Please visit the new grandparents group, alt.talk.grandparents.

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Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

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So how do you FEEL about this? hahahaha love, Amy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

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How do I feel? With my hands! How do you feel? <tease Hugs from the serial hugger,  ralph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So how do you FEEL about this? hahahaha love, Amy Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

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You got a deal. Now, just how do we get you here? Tie me down? Hmmmm, whatever do you have in mind? <tease Hugs from the serial hugger, ralph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wish I lived close by, Ralph.  I’d drop by, do your laundry, clean your house, organize your meds.  Then I’d tie you down and relay 3 or so decades of my life, viola!!–you have thus served a function–eliminate useless.  Dirt poor?  Sorry, sport, miracles belong to the manic and she ain’t here today. Houston Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

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