Question:

Kathleen, I wonder if you’ve cleaned (or had someone clean) your house thoroughly? After spending 5 days in the hospital earlier this month, I had my couch and carpets steam cleaned and paid a cleaning service to come in a clean REALLY good.  Also, I purchased a HEPA air filtering machine and pillow and mattress covers that are made specifically with asthmatics and allergy sufferers in mind.  Look around your house – do you have a lot of stuffed animals or things that collect and retain dust?  If so, move ‘em out.  That should help a lot. I’m trying to get in the habit of putting my bedding in the dryer for at least 20 minutes once a week.  Supposedly, that gets rid of any dust mites that might be lurking. My point is have a good look at your environment.  It can make a huge difference. Good luck – Laura

Response:

Dear Kathleen, Would you believe that many women find that their asthma actually becomes WORSE during pregnancy (or that they develop it for the first time)? I have not tried the non-drowsy antihistimines, but I know people who swear by them, and also people who have had trouble with irregular heart beat because of them. Vitamin C is purported to have antihistimine properties, I have tried this and it works well for me — 500 to 1000 mg during my mild season, 5000 to 8000 mg during my worst times. I am stunningly sensitive to medications, and I can take this amount without difficulty. Take the powder and mix it with water so that you are sipping it all day I take the buffered kind. To determine the amount that is right for you, just keep taking it until your bowels loosen, and back off from there. I have also read that pregnancy is a factor in candida overgrowth, which may aggravate your asthma / allergy symptoms. I tried an anti-candida diet for the first time this spring, and am having my most trouble free allergy season in a long time! You might want to investigate to see if the symptoms of candida overgrowth match yours. Candida Directory: The Comprehensive Guide to Yeast Free Living, by Helen Gustafson ASthma: Breathe Again Naturally and Reclaim Your Life, by Mimi Weisbord The Yeast Connection, by William G. Crook MD Good luck! Patti – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I was diagnosed with asthma a few years ago.  Last spring & summer season went quite smoothly for me and I assumed credit should be given to the allergy shots and inhaler treatments.  I am now beginning to wonder if that assumption was right.  I was pregnant last spring & summer and my doctor had told me that you tend to have more resistance to things during pregnancy. It is now spring and I can’t breathe!  I am taking Serevent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Flovent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Ventolin inhaler as needed (which is daily at least 3x), Nasacort nasal inhaler 2puffs each side daily, Uniphyl 400mg 2x daily, Intex Pse 2x daily and have been on Medral dose packs several times. It seems as though I walk outside and I’m immediately seized up.  I do not want to spend my life indoors. I now believe the season was better for me due the increased resistancy while I was pregnant.  I don’t plan on having anymore children and really want to breathe someday soon.   Please help!! Any suggestions you may have would be helpful.  Thank you

Response:

You might ask your doctor for allergy testing.  If you are allergic to some of the springtime pollens then they may be causing your current problems. _If_ the problem is caused by allergy you may be able to reduce your medications by trying one of the new non-sedating antihistimines. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was diagnosed with asthma a few years ago.  Last spring & summer season went quite smoothly for me and I assumed credit should be given to the allergy shots and inhaler treatments.  I am now beginning to wonder if that assumption was right.  I was pregnant last spring & summer and my doctor had told me that you tend to have more resistance to things during pregnancy. It is now spring and I can’t breathe!  I am taking Serevent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Flovent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Ventolin inhaler as needed (which is daily at least 3x), Nasacort nasal inhaler 2puffs each side daily, Uniphyl 400mg 2x daily, Intex Pse 2x daily and have been on Medral dose packs several times. It seems as though I walk outside and I’m immediately seized up.  I do not want to spend my life indoors. I now believe the season was better for me due the increased resistancy while I was pregnant.  I don’t plan on having anymore children and really want to breathe someday soon.   Please help!! Any suggestions you may have would be helpful.  Thank you

Response:

I was diagnosed with asthma a few years ago.  Last spring & summer season went quite smoothly for me and I assumed credit should be given to the allergy shots and inhaler treatments.  I am now beginning to wonder if that assumption was right.  I was pregnant last spring & summer and my doctor had told me that you tend to have more resistance to things during pregnancy. It is now spring and I can’t breathe!  I am taking Serevent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Flovent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Ventolin inhaler as needed (which is daily at least 3x), Nasacort nasal inhaler 2puffs each side daily, Uniphyl 400mg 2x daily, Intex Pse 2x daily and have been on Medral dose packs several times. It seems as though I walk outside and I’m immediately seized up.  I do not want to spend my life indoors. I now believe the season was better for me due the increased resistancy while I was pregnant.  I don’t plan on having anymore children and really want to breathe someday soon.   Please help!! Any suggestions you may have would be helpful.  Thank you

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was diagnosed with asthma a few years ago.  Last spring & summer season went quite smoothly for me and I assumed credit should be given to the allergy shots and inhaler treatments.  I am now beginning to wonder if that assumption was right.  I was pregnant last spring & summer and my doctor had told me that you tend to have more resistance to things during pregnancy. It is now spring and I can’t breathe!  I am taking Serevent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Flovent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Ventolin inhaler as needed (which is daily at least 3x), Nasacort nasal inhaler 2puffs each side daily, Uniphyl 400mg 2x daily, Intex Pse 2x daily and have been on Medral dose packs several times. It seems as though I walk outside and I’m immediately seized up.  I do not want to spend my life indoors. I now believe the season was better for me due the increased resistancy while I was pregnant.  I don’t plan on having anymore children and really want to breathe someday soon.   Please help!! Any suggestions you may have would be helpful.  Thank you

Which Flovent inhaler are you using? Flovent 44, Flovent 110, or Flovent 220 These are for Low, Medium, and High dose applications. Sounds like you need more inhaled steroids, so may need to increase the dose. Have you had your allergies tested. Sounds like you might be allergic to grass pollen, or other plants in your vicinity. I recognize all your drugs except the Intex Pse? You are taking quite a few. One drug that might be worth trying is the new anti-leukotriene Singulair, a pill you take once/day. Somtimes immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be useful for those who are very allergic. Be sure to breathe thru your nose at all times, to filter the air going to the lungs. If you have any problems with sinusitis or GERD, they should be treated. Ellis

Response:

Question:

Hi Everyone,     Has anyone contacted Influenza while taking Singulair?  I had influenza for around 6 days and looking for others to correspond with. Sincerely, Sandy

Response:

Hi Everyone,     Has anyone contacted Influenza while taking Singulair?  I had influenza for around 6 days and looking for others to correspond with.

Yep, pretty sure I’ve got the flu now.  It’s wreaking havoc with my asthma and I almost ended up in the ER yesterday.  Once I took all my meds and doubled my inhaled steroid, I got my peak flows *UP* to 80% of normal. This is still not as bad as the last time I got the flu when I wasn’t taking Singulair.    I’m only on my third day though. Loki

Response:

I started taking Singulaire in Aug./98, also had the flu shot, did not catch the flu this year. I don’t think Singulaire should have any bearing on catching the flu at all.  Singulaire is to stop the process which causes inflamation and the flu is of course a virus that enters the system.

Response:

Hi Everyone,     Has anyone contacted Influenza while taking Singulair?  I had influenza for around 6 days and looking for others to correspond with. Sincerely, Sandy

Hi,I have been on singular for about 10months and had the flu 2 times on it.I was real sick with the flu but,my asthma thank God was not affected by it.In fact, I did peak flow readings and had the best readings I have ever had.Go figure huh?This last flu I had a cough and it is still there the cough but,I understand it hangs for about 2weeks.I thought Oh,no,I wondered if it was congestion but,each time I coughed it was clear breathing.Then the peak flows were very good. I feel like stronger in my breathing since I have been on singular.I know it is doing something good for me.I guess some people dont feel it did anything for them.I hope you have had success on the singular and stay well.Leona

Response:

Question:

(I asked this question a few days ago but it was buried in a longer post and I received no responses here.) I’d like to know what those of you who take both Singulair and Allegra/Claritin/Zyrtec do in terms of timing your medications – do you take them together or have you found it more effective to stagger them? I just added Singulair to my regime. Since they treat different things related to allergies, I expect it wouldn’t make much, if any, difference, but I’m curious to know if it has made a difference for anyone here.  I have HEPA filters in my home therefore fewer problems with allergies overnight than during the day, so I’m currently taking both Singulair and Allegra/180 when I get up in the morning in order to have maximum effect when I’m out of the house during the day. Thanks in advance. -S-

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (I asked this question a few days ago but it was buried in a longer post and I received no responses here.) I’d like to know what those of you who take both Singulair and Allegra/Claritin/Zyrtec do in terms of timing your medications – do you take them together or have you found it more effective to stagger them? I just added Singulair to my regime. Since they treat different things related to allergies, I expect it wouldn’t make much, if any, difference, but I’m curious to know if it has made a difference for anyone here.  I have HEPA filters in my home therefore fewer problems with allergies overnight than during the day, so I’m currently taking both Singulair and Allegra/180 when I get up in the morning in order to have maximum effect when I’m out of the house during the day. Thanks in advance. -S-

A side-effect of Singulair can be weird, vivid dreams.  Because of this some people have posted saying they have started taking the Singulair in the morning.

Response:

A study presented at the latest AAAI meeting indicated that if you were on Singulair, you no longer need Claritin. My own personal experience though was when I tried to go without Zyrtec, the sneezing fits I had under control returned. My internet buddy in Texas has also returned to using both.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (I asked this question a few days ago but it was buried in a longer post and I received no responses here.) I’d like to know what those of you who take both Singulair and Allegra/Claritin/Zyrtec do in terms of timing your medications – do you take them together or have you found it more effective to stagger them? I just added Singulair to my regime. Since they treat different things related to allergies, I expect it wouldn’t make much, if any, difference, but I’m curious to know if it has made a difference for anyone here.  I have HEPA filters in my home therefore fewer problems with allergies overnight than during the day, so I’m currently taking both Singulair and Allegra/180 when I get up in the morning in order to have maximum effect when I’m out of the house during the day. Thanks in advance. -S-

Response:

Mabye it’s just psychosomatic (sp?), but when I take Claritin my allergy problems clear up, and I take Singulair every night.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A study presented at the latest AAAI meeting indicated that if you were on Singulair, you no longer need Claritin. My own personal experience though was when I tried to go without Zyrtec, the sneezing fits I had under control returned. My internet buddy in Texas has also returned to using both. (I asked this question a few days ago but it was buried in a longer post and I received no responses here.) I’d like to know what those of you who take both Singulair and Allegra/Claritin/Zyrtec do in terms of timing your medications – do you take them together or have you found it more effective to stagger them? I just added Singulair to my regime. Since they treat different things related to allergies, I expect it wouldn’t make much, if any, difference, but I’m curious to know if it has made a difference for anyone here.  I have HEPA filters in my home therefore fewer problems with allergies overnight than during the day, so I’m currently taking both Singulair and Allegra/180 when I get up in the morning in order to have maximum effect when I’m out of the house during the day. Thanks in advance. -S-

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My anxiety/panic attacks are actually a lot better than they use to be.  My depression isn’t as intense as it was say a couple of months ago either.  Right now, my biggest problem seems to be obsessive thoughts that I cannot get out of my mind.  For example, I called a lady friend of mine night before last and she still hasn’t called me back.  She normally calls be back shortly after I call her.  This evening I have gotten myself all worked up about her not calling, thinking that she doesn’t like me anymore or is mad at me about something.  Does anyone else experience this obsessive type of thinking?  Is it part of anxiety or is it possibly a deeper problem?  Take care and happy Easter. Yes. A thought goes through my mind and it circulates and intensifies and it becomes very hard to get rid of. At times the thoughts are very positive obsessions (now that the Zoloft is lifting the depression); other times they are negative obsessions. It could be part of anxiety or depression IMO. The Zoloft has merely transferred them more often to the "positive zone." Of course, you constantly have to work to break those negative cycles. Don’t simmer on anything but positive obsessions.

Hello Marie, Thanks for your reply.  Obsessing about things is a big problem with me.  It seems everyday I am obsessing about some new thought or worry. I have been really bad for this for about six years now.  Sometimes I’ll get so worked up I’ll be just beside myself and don’t know what to do.  When I get like this Seroquel PRN seems to be really helpful. Anyways, thanks again for your reply.  Take care. Chris Hecker

Response:

Hello group, I have been struggling with anxiety pretty much my entire adult life. In addition to anxiety I also suffer from depression, possibly bi-polar.  The meds that I am curently on are Effexor XR- 150 mg Seroquel – 50 mg HS Inderal (to counteract shaking caused by my meds) 40 mg Lithium carbonate – 600 mg HS My anxiety/panic attacks are actually a lot better than they use to be.  My depression isn’t as intense as it was say a couple of months ago either.  Right now, my biggest problem seems to be obsessive thoughts that I cannot get out of my mind.  For example, I called a lady friend of mine night before last and she still hasn’t called me back.  She normally calls be back shortly after I call her.  This evening I have gotten myself all worked up about her not calling, thinking that she doesn’t like me anymore or is mad at me about something.  Does anyone else experience this obsessive type of thinking?  Is it part of anxiety or is it possibly a deeper problem?  Take care and happy Easter. Chris H. Internet Security 101 – http://www.internetsecurity101.net

Response:

My anxiety/panic attacks are actually a lot better than they use to be.  My depression isn’t as intense as it was say a couple of months ago either.  Right now, my biggest problem seems to be obsessive thoughts that I cannot get out of my mind.  For example, I called a lady friend of mine night before last and she still hasn’t called me back.  She normally calls be back shortly after I call her.  This evening I have gotten myself all worked up about her not calling, thinking that she doesn’t like me anymore or is mad at me about something.  Does anyone else experience this obsessive type of thinking?  Is it part of anxiety or is it possibly a deeper problem?  Take care and happy Easter.

Yes. A thought goes through my mind and it circulates and intensifies and it becomes very hard to get rid of. At times the thoughts are very positive obsessions (now that the Zoloft is lifting the depression); other times they are negative obsessions. It could be part of anxiety or depression IMO. The Zoloft has merely transferred them more often to the "positive zone." Of course, you constantly have to work to break those negative cycles. Don’t simmer on anything but positive obsessions.

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is only the first day of not taking Effexor and I feel like I’m going to die.  My head is pounding, I feel like I’m going to vomit, my eyes hurt, etc…. What can I do to feel better?? Take some Effexor. Are you tapering, or stopping cold turkey? I have been tapering for the last four months.  I went from taking 150 mg a day to 37.5 a day.  My doctor told me stop when I got down to 37.5.

A.  Reports have found people  who tapered down to that level and still have horrific withdrawal symptoms can avert the withdrawal symptoms by switching to an SSRI with a longer half life, then withdrawing from that. B. Reports indicate people may  avert experiencing withdrawals symptoms upon titration from Effexor  by use of Ondansetron, a drug commonly prescribed for the relief of the side effects (nausea etc.) associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. See http://www.effexorfx.freeuk.com/webdoc8.htm

Response:

When I went off effexor (I had the nasty withdrawl stuff too)…I opened the capsules and dumped some of the granules out and then closed it back up and swallowed it.  It was hardly scientific, but it worked pretty well.  So Just start trying to dump out around half the granules…then down to maybe 1/4…then maybe try to just stop. Hope that helps. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is only the first day of not taking Effexor and I feel like I’m going to die.  My head is pounding, I feel like I’m going to vomit, my eyes hurt, etc…. What can I do to feel better??  

Response:

That was exactly my experience. Actually, I got down from 300mg to 37.5mg fast (in two weeks), but it was very hard to quit from there. My doctor added 30mg remeron, and I think that was the trick that helped me get down to 37.5 fast. Adding Remeron now, and then tapering it off too when you got rid of effexor completely might be good idea for you too. I used to get terrible vertigo, and a feeling of  not being here when I tried to quit from 37.5 (even though I was still taking remeron) From there, adding some small dose (2 – 4 mg/day) reboxetine helped me. I felt some vertigo from time to time for the next two months, but they all went away in the end. Don’t worry, you will get rid of it in the end, but ask your doctor to augment it with remeron or some other AD. That would help. cem

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is only the first day of not taking Effexor and I feel like I’m going to die.  My head is pounding, I feel like I’m going to vomit, my eyes hurt, etc…. What can I do to feel better?? Take some Effexor. Are you tapering, or stopping cold turkey? I have been tapering for the last four months.  I went from taking 150 mg a day to 37.5 a day.  My doctor told me stop when I got down to 37.5.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is only the first day of not taking Effexor and I feel like I’m going to die.  My head is pounding, I feel like I’m going to vomit, my eyes hurt, etc…. What can I do to feel better?? Take some Effexor. Are you tapering, or stopping cold turkey? I have been tapering for the last four months.  I went from taking 150 mg a day to 37.5 a day.  My doctor told me stop when I got down to 37.5.

Reducing Withdrawal Symptoms —- The following information has been drawn from the medical reports which have been published to date on the withdrawal symptoms associated with dose reduction or discontinuation of venlafaxine and from the feedback which I have received from venlafaxine patients. It is by no means intended to be a recommendation of a particular course of action but is simply given to provide a starting point for discussion between patients and their medical advisors with regard to the options available to reduce the severity of the withdrawal symptoms that are common even on a gradual tapered discontinuance of the drug. It appears plausible that both methods could be used simultaneously. —- 1. The rapid onset and the severity of the withdrawal symptoms on dose reduction or discontinuation of venlafaxine appear to stem from the relatively short half-life of the drug (5 hours). Medical data on the subject (Parker, for example) suggests that the withdrawal symptoms can therefore be reduced by gradually replacing venlafaxine with a longer half-life SSRI antidepressant and to then proceed to discontinue the SSRI. It should be noted that although this method has been reported to have been undertaken successfully, it contradicts the advice given by Wyerth-Ayerst, the manufacturer of venlafaxine, that a "wash-out" period be allowed before starting an SSRI.. However, it should also be noted that Wyerth-Ayerst has only recently acknowledged the potent severity of the withdrawal syndrome on venlafaxine discontinuation or dose reduction (see Medwatch – venlafaxine drug labelling changes) 2. The medical report published by Raby (full text available) reports on the relief of venlafaxine withdrawal symptoms by the use of ondansetron, a drug commonly prescribed for the relief of the side effects (nausea etc.) associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. The report also discusses the cause of these withdrawal symptoms and provides an explanation of why their severity appears to be unique to venlafaxine. In the case reported a patient who had been receiving 150 mg daily venlafaxine experienced disabilitating nausea, headaches, diarrhea and anxiety once the dose was reduced below 75 mg daily. Only after ondansetron was given, was the patient able to proceed with the tapering schedule of venlafaxine over several weeks. The only adverse side effect of ondansetron was constipation which was treated with laxatives. There was no reoccurrence of venlafaxine withdrawal symptoms after ondansetron was itself discontinued.

Response:

It is only the first day of not taking Effexor and I feel like I’m going to die.  My head is pounding, I feel like I’m going to vomit, my eyes hurt, etc…. What can I do to feel better??  

Response:

It is only the first day of not taking Effexor and I feel like I’m going to die.  My head is pounding, I feel like I’m going to vomit, my eyes hurt, etc…. What can I do to feel better??

Take some Effexor. Are you tapering, or stopping cold turkey?

Response:

It is only the first day of not taking Effexor and I feel like I’m going to die.  My head is pounding, I feel like I’m going to vomit, my eyes hurt, etc…. What can I do to feel better?? Take some Effexor. Are you tapering, or stopping cold turkey?

I have been tapering for the last four months.  I went from taking 150 mg a day to 37.5 a day.  My doctor told me stop when I got down to 37.5.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is only the first day of not taking Effexor and I feel like I’m going to die.  My head is pounding, I feel like I’m going to vomit, my eyes hurt, etc…. What can I do to feel better?? Take some Effexor. Are you tapering, or stopping cold turkey? I have been tapering for the last four months.  I went from taking 150 mg a day to 37.5 a day.  My doctor told me stop when I got down to 37.5.

I’m sorry. I hope my first comment wasn’t taken wrong…..it is nevertheless the obvious thing to do. Can you take half again of this lesser dose? Sometimes, taking a small dose of a different antidepressant can help.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It is only the first day of not taking Effexor and I feel like I’m going to die.  My head is pounding, I feel like I’m going to vomit, my eyes hurt, etc…. What can I do to feel better?? Take some Effexor. Are you tapering, or stopping cold turkey? I have been tapering for the last four months.  I went from taking 150 mg a day to 37.5 a day.  My doctor told me stop when I got down to 37.5.

W.J. Giakas, J.M. Davis, Intractable withdrawal from venlafaxine treated with fluoxetine, Psychiatric Annals, February 1997, 27 (2), 85-86 and 92. Authors report three consecutive cases (26-35 year old women) where patients experienced severe withdrawal after discontinuing venlaxfaxine, following treatment ranging from a week or two to seven months: "Repeated attempts at gradually tapering the dosage were unsuccessful and led to intolerable withdrawal sensations."  In these and other cases, authors noted appearance of withdrawal symptoms within a few hours of patient missing a dose. Although, symptoms they saw "are not identical to a fully-fledged psychedelic experience or a true migraine headache, similarity is evident…"  In all cases, venlafaxine was eventually discontinued under cover of fluoxetine, which itself was later withdrawn uneventfully in one of the three cases.

Response:

Question:

My son has been prescribed Effexor for over 2yrs and it has proved more effective than Prozac. However, when taking his normal dosage of 187.5mg a day, a heavy rash breaks out on his arms and upper body. When he reduces the dosage, the rash subsides but he quickly becomes depressed again. Has anyone else had similar problems and how did they overcome them? Or is there an alternative medication which is at least as effective without these distressing side effects. Thanks.

Response:

hello – Upon my initial introduction to Effexor, I too had a rash, but it was on my face. My skin became very red, and then got flaky. It was not itchy, per se, but felt very aching and tight. I used an aloe vera-based moisturizer on my face for about a week, and so far, the rash has not returned. Have your son’s doctors been diligent with helping him with this side effect? If the Effexor is successful for him, it would be a shame not to try to control the rash. Perhaps a skin specialist might be able to offer some help. — regards, Compucat  ^+^<

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My son has been prescribed Effexor for over 2yrs and it has proved more effective than Prozac. However, when taking his normal dosage of 187.5mg a day, a heavy rash breaks out on his arms and upper body. When he reduces the dosage, the rash subsides but he quickly becomes depressed again. Has anyone else had similar problems and how did they overcome them? Or is there an alternative medication which is at least as effective without these distressing side effects. Thanks.

Response:

Thanks for your prompt reply. My son’s rash comprises of dark red spots which itch and then turn to sores. Maybe he should see a skin specialist. Unfortunately, with the NHS, this could take some time to arrange —

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hello – Upon my initial introduction to Effexor, I too had a rash, but it was on my face. My skin became very red, and then got flaky. It was not itchy, per se, but felt very aching and tight. I used an aloe vera-based moisturizer on my face for about a week, and so far, the rash has not returned. Have your son’s doctors been diligent with helping him with this side effect? If the Effexor is successful for him, it would be a shame not to try to control the rash. Perhaps a skin specialist might be able to offer some help. — regards, Compucat  ^+^< My son has been prescribed Effexor for over 2yrs and it has proved more effective than Prozac. However, when taking his normal dosage of 187.5mg a day, a heavy rash breaks out on his arms and upper body. When he reduces the dosage, the rash subsides but he quickly becomes depressed again. Has anyone else had similar problems and how did they overcome them? Or is there an alternative medication which is at least as effective without these distressing side effects. Thanks.

Response:

Hi and Welcome to the ng, My son has been prescribed Effexor for over 2yrs and it has proved more effective than Prozac. However, when taking his normal dosage of 187.5mg a day, a heavy rash breaks out on his arms and upper body. When he reduces the dosage, the rash subsides but he quickly becomes depressed again. Has anyone else had similar problems and how did they overcome them? Or is there an alternative medication which is at least as effective without these distressing side effects. Thanks.

‘Rash is a relatively uncmmon occurrence but I strongly suggest you discuss this with his doctor. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

Response:

Question:

Hi Charla, Thanks for the response.  Gradual is ok with me, so just getting past some of the things that would otherwise stress me out even while on xanax is an indication the Zoloft may be doing some good? I’m glad you didn’t mind my ‘oh so detailed’ rambling.  I was a great student in creative writing in highschool. little bear–who is feeling better just from writing that post last night; theraputic, it was  to get all my ducks in a row….especially after all of the crap about Zoloft hitting this board recently. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Little Bear, I can not translate sorry. But I find your spirit and strength unbeatable in the face of adversary. IME with Zoloft being the first and only AD Ive taken..I could evaluate it helping me in times of trouble..because I did not react as intensly to the stressors. eg. My husband gets layed off,we were living at my moms,a five month old at the time..Snow piling up outside as high as the fence it dawns on me something is working. I was  relaxed and accepting of the circumstance.. I think when you have found the right mg range with the right AD you gradually see results. For me it did not just happen it was a gradual.I did not know when it started working..I just started feeling better. BTW I like your detailed post..:-) Hope all gets better soon Charla — Being safe is about being seen and heard and allowed to be who you are and to speak your truth.                                    —Rachel Naomi Remen,M.D. Hi Everyone! I have been ready to post this for a couple of days now but with all the b*llshit that’s been going on here (of which I admit to being a part of) along with some personal stuff, I just haven’t gotten around to it. I want to let you know how my meds are doing compared to before and just give you my updated condition, and hope to hear from many of you telling me I’m healed  LOL. No, really, just let me know how you think I’m doing as I am a first timer on the AD thing and a long time xanax friend, as well as pain meds which tend also to produce a false sense of well-being. If it were one or the other, I know it would be much simpler to evaluate my progress so please bear with me. (PUN CERTAINLY INTENDED.  ALL RIGHTY THEN, LET’S GET STARTED <g) As you may remember my problems started about 3yrs ago with horrible back pain. I was temporarily living in a town of about 10,000 after being transferred from a mega-city on the west coast.  I saw any and all available docs but I believe I was clearly out of thier league and a bit of a mystery to boot. I had two kids and was a stay at home mom for the first time in my life. (And I’m old <VBG, more than 20 but less than 42). Eventually, after MRI’s and xrays, and limited bloodwork including thyroid, I was told I had no strength in my back and was sent to PT.  This was a joke indeed.  I might as well have been in a 4th grade P.E. class–no hands on, no direction etc.I had no improvement with my back pain but within about 3mos, I had the first of three consecutive PA’s.  Of course, I had no Idea what was happening to me but the ER diagnosed them and a visit to a GP the next day confirmed it. So, that was that; I was given .25mgs xanax twice daily.  I was given very little info about benzos but I assure you, I was miserable enough with the accompaning symptoms (GAD in a nutshell )-) that I would have gladly taken them anyway.  I would have done anything to escape that awful panic/nervousness I was racked with.  And they did the trick. After a year we moved back to the big city.  I became close to a neighbor whos husband had eerily similar symptoms as mine (back and anxiety) and she recommended a doc that was supposedly the finest in his field so I called.  I was desperate by then with my back pain and the panic escalated accordingly.  I was told he was not taking new patients and I quite literally would not hang up, and I cried on the phone basically begging for an appt. until they set me up for 3mos later.  So, I had something to look forward to finally!  This was the time that I thought I could wean off of the xanax (I had learned more about the dependance issue by this time) and I weaned very slowly-or so I thought but I was hit with a series of PA’s almost exactly like the ones a year earlier. A quick call to the doc in the little town on the prairie got me scolded for going off of them with no direction or support and I was back on them but this time at .5mgs 3/day to get the GAD back under control.  I have since (stupidly) tried to stop them again, but I always had other things going on and the GAD was always present so I don’t know what I was thinking except that I wanted to know that I was in control of my own body (I don’t even want to go there). IOW, it was always a huge mistake. In the year since I started seeing this back specialist (he found 3 buldging dics in my back–two in my neck and one in my upper back. He showed me the MRI I had taken in the little town and even I could see them. So, I have endured about 10 cortisone/lidocaine injections either epidural or facet joint injections and have regained full range of motion in my neck and back but the "knife in the back" pain was still there, as painful as ever. When it was clear the injections had done all they could, I was sent on to PT. BTW, this doc is very particular and insists on specific specialists when he refers me, and I go because he obviously knows what he is doing.  I have been seeing a PT doc for about 2mos now and she is marvelous! (So was the shot guy TTTT) My back has been getting better…so much so that I no longer fear some terminal illness the way I constantly used to.  Between the three of these specialists I was finally finding answers to the pain in the back and even relief!   Now, keep in mind, and you might remember I went on Wellbutrin to quit smoking (when hubby had pneumonia in July) and though I did quit smoking (HOORAY FOR ME!!!) the Wellbutrin just about did me in. I was a screaming, sweaty, panicky mess–24hrs a day for about 9wks I think. To be fair, for those of you who are new to this group, I was warned by some of our veterans about Wellbutrin and that it would not be a good choice for someone already suffering anxiety. But for a few reasons, I took it anyway, quit smoking and proved our experts to be experts.  I reacted word for word the way I was warned I would. It was awful but YMMV when it comes to meds. It just wasn’t right for me.  I was then put on Zoloft 50mgs daily and was still getting better in the back pain department.  I had no bad side effects from the Zoloft (some sweating and a little irritablity at first but was immediately better when I put down the Wellbutrin so it’s difficult to say whether it was getting off the W and on the Z or both.  Anyway, out of the blue during PT, it was discovered I have an internal impingement on my right shoulder.  Off to another specialist who says no more PT until he fixes my shoulder either with cortisone injections or simple surgery. H gave me a shot in the bursa? and my elbow was stuck to my waistline for a week. Right arm too….bummer.  The problem is that while I am away from ‘hands on’ PT, my back muscles go back into spasms and my neck tightens up and all of the progress I’ve made is fading quickly.  I am having a bit more difficulty getting in touch with the shoulder doc so no MRI has been scheduled yet and I’m hanging in limbo.  My PT is frustrated for obvious reasons–things were going so well. Let me be clear on something here: when I say my back got so much better, it is to say that the pain went from unbearable to bearable and I was able to move again and because of that progress, I was mentally more at ease (and I always believed the pain caused the anxiety since I could think of nothing else).  Anyway, during the Wellbutrin phase, I was up to the max xanax dose for me 2.5-3mgs daily. It was awful. With the Zoloft, so far 5-6wks? I am down to .25mgs 3/day. But I can feel the urge to take more while I go through the return of the back pain and watching all that progress go down the drain. I may need to go up another .25 each day–either that or chew my lips off, grit my teeth (Oh yeah, I had 3 crowns done last month-I consider dental work a setback just for existing!) or get angry all the time, etc.  See, I was so looking forward to the AD taking over for the xanax–I just knew that Zoloft was the answer.  I feel sorta good on it; I am cautiously optimistic. Now I don’t know what to expect or how I should proceed. I know I have bored you silly—-I don’t know why my posts are always so long.  I guess I don’t want to miss anything and then I read your posts that are so clear and concise and to the point……But I had so many points <BG I look forward to your observations regarding the Zoloft, how much better do you think I should expect to get. How do I know if it’s the right one for me, and isn’t it a bitch that just when I might be able to pull everything together, half of it falls apart. I’m not going to know if the Zoloft helps my anxiety until I have a normal, calm, regular period of time in my life to evaluate it. What I mean is, the thought of the back pain returning in it’s original form is enough to scare the crap out of me. And then there’s the holidays….OMG, don’t know if I am going to make it. Thanks everyone who took the time to read this in it’s entirety.  I look forward to any responses at all. little bear–who

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Response:

Hi Cheryl, I  have responded in length to other’s posts to this thread and I guess I’ve said all that can be said (hopefully, ASAP is secretely thinking). But thanks for sharing your coffee with me this morning and for your kind words. The "Jim Carrey on Acid:" cracked me up.  See, I can be cracked up. That hasn’t been true for months and months.  Thank you for your prayers, I believe they help–I really do. little bear-who needs a nap now (see you in 6mo) NOT :0} – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Little Bear,   I wish I could help you with the Zoloft issue…but I am on Remeron and I have been on Wellbutrin and it made me nuts!  Jim Carrey on Acid so to speak!  Anyway, your story brought tears to my eyes.  I can identify, being chronically ill myself.  I know the vicious vicious cycles it produces, the one illness festering into another into another.  I am on pain meds myself and the "false sense of well being" really hit me.  When I take them it’s the ONLY time I feel "normal."  Little Bear, you have been through so much and I think you have maintained your sense of self, humor and faith. Just know you are not alone…and I am here and we are all here for you. And I love long posts, I kick back with the old cup of coffee and feel like you are right in my living room.  God bless you, friend.  I will keep you in my prayers and mostly in my thoughts. Hi Everyone! I have been ready to post this for a couple of days now but with all the b*llshit that’s been going on here (of which I admit to being a part of) along with some personal stuff, I just haven’t gotten around to it. I want to let you know how my meds are doing compared to before and just give you my updated condition, and hope to hear from many of you telling me I’m healed  LOL. No, really, just let me know how you think I’m doing as I am a first timer on the AD thing and a long time xanax friend, as well as pain meds which tend also to produce a false sense of well-being. If it were one or the other, I know it would be much simpler to evaluate my progress so please bear with me. (PUN CERTAINLY INTENDED.  ALL RIGHTY THEN, LET’S GET STARTED <g) As you may remember my problems started about 3yrs ago with horrible back pain. I was temporarily living in a town of about 10,000 after being transferred from a mega-city on the west coast.  I saw any and all available docs but I believe I was clearly out of thier league and a bit of a mystery to boot. I had two kids and was a stay at home mom for the first time in my life. (And I’m old <VBG, more than 20 but less than 42). Eventually, after MRI’s and xrays, and limited bloodwork including thyroid, I was told I had no strength in my back and was sent to PT.  This was a joke indeed.  I might as well have been in a 4th grade P.E. class–no hands on, no direction etc.I had no improvement with my back pain but within about 3mos, I had the first of three consecutive PA’s.  Of course, I had no Idea what was happening to me but the ER diagnosed them and a visit to a GP the next day confirmed it. So, that was that; I was given .25mgs xanax twice daily.  I was given very little info about benzos but I assure you, I was miserable enough with the accompaning symptoms (GAD in a nutshell )-) that I would have gladly taken them anyway.  I would have done anything to escape that awful panic/nervousness I was racked with.  And they did the trick. After a year we moved back to the big city.  I became close to a neighbor whos husband had eerily similar symptoms as mine (back and anxiety) and she recommended a doc that was supposedly the finest in his field so I called.  I was desperate by then with my back pain and the panic escalated accordingly.  I was told he was not taking new patients and I quite literally would not hang up, and I cried on the phone basically begging for an appt. until they set me up for 3mos later.  So, I had something to look forward to finally!  This was the time that I thought I could wean off of the xanax (I had learned more about the dependance issue by this time) and I weaned very slowly-or so I thought but I was hit with a series of PA’s almost exactly like the ones a year earlier. A quick call to the doc in the little town on the prairie got me scolded for going off of them with no direction or support and I was back on them but this time at .5mgs 3/day to get the GAD back under control.  I have since (stupidly) tried to stop them again, but I always had other things going on and the GAD was always present so I don’t know what I was thinking except that I wanted to know that I was in control of my own body (I don’t even want to go there). IOW, it was always a huge mistake. In the year since I started seeing this back specialist (he found 3 buldging dics in my back–two in my neck and one in my upper back. He showed me the MRI I had taken in the little town and even I could see them. So, I have endured about 10 cortisone/lidocaine injections either epidural or facet joint injections and have regained full range of motion in my neck and back but the "knife in the back" pain was still there, as painful as ever. When it was clear the injections had done all they could, I was sent on to PT. BTW, this doc is very particular and insists on specific specialists when he refers me, and I go because he obviously knows what he is doing.  I have been seeing a PT doc for about 2mos now and she is marvelous! (So was the shot guy TTTT) My back has been getting better…so much so that I no longer fear some terminal illness the way I constantly used to.  Between the three of these specialists I was finally finding answers to the pain in the back and even relief!   Now, keep in mind, and you might remember I went on Wellbutrin to quit smoking (when hubby had pneumonia in July) and though I did quit smoking (HOORAY FOR ME!!!) the Wellbutrin just about did me in. I was a screaming, sweaty, panicky mess–24hrs a day for about 9wks I think. To be fair, for those of you who are new to this group, I was warned by some of our veterans about Wellbutrin and that it would not be a good choice for someone already suffering anxiety. But for a few reasons, I took it anyway, quit smoking and proved our experts to be experts.  I reacted word for word the way I was warned I would. It was awful but YMMV when it comes to meds. It just wasn’t right for me.  I was then put on Zoloft 50mgs daily and was still getting better in the back pain department.  I had no bad side effects from the Zoloft (some sweating and a little irritablity at first but was immediately better when I put down the Wellbutrin so it’s difficult to say whether it was getting off the W and on the Z or both.  Anyway, out of the blue during PT, it was discovered I have an internal impingement on my right shoulder.  Off to another specialist who says no more PT until he fixes my shoulder either with cortisone injections or simple surgery. H gave me a shot in the bursa? and my elbow was stuck to my waistline for a week. Right arm too….bummer.  The problem is that while I am away from ‘hands on’ PT, my back muscles go back into spasms and my neck tightens up and all of the progress I’ve made is fading quickly.  I am having a bit more difficulty getting in touch with the shoulder doc so no MRI has been scheduled yet and I’m hanging in limbo.  My PT is frustrated for obvious reasons–things were going so well. Let me be clear on something here: when I say my back got so much better, it is to say that the pain went from unbearable to bearable and I was able to move again and because of that progress, I was mentally more at ease (and I always believed the pain caused the anxiety since I could think of nothing else).  Anyway, during the Wellbutrin phase, I was up to the max xanax dose for me 2.5-3mgs daily.  It was awful. With the Zoloft, so far 5-6wks? I am down to .25mgs 3/day. But I can feel the urge to take more while I go through the return of the back pain and watching all that progress go down the drain. I may need to go up another .25 each day–either that or chew my lips off, grit my teeth (Oh yeah, I had 3 crowns done last month-I consider dental work a setback just for existing!) or get angry all the time, etc.  See, I was so looking forward to the AD taking over for the xanax–I just knew that Zoloft was the answer.  I feel sorta good on it; I am cautiously optimistic. Now I don’t know what to expect or how I should proceed. I know I have bored you silly—-I don’t know why my posts are always so long.  I guess I don’t want to miss anything and then I read your posts that are so clear and concise and to the point……But I had so many points <BG I look forward to your observations regarding the Zoloft, how much better do you think I should expect to get. How do I know if it’s the right one for me, and isn’t it a bitch that just when I might be able to pull everything together, half of it falls apart. I’m not going to know if the Zoloft helps my anxiety until I have a normal, calm, regular period of time in my life to evaluate it. What I mean is, the thought of the back pain returning in it’s original form is enough to scare the crap out of me. And then there’s the holidays….OMG, don’t know if I am going to make it. Thanks everyone who took the time to read this in it’s entirety.  I look forward to any

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Response:

Hi Chip, Good to hear from you!  First of all, don’t I know how complicated my situation is.  That is why it is so difficult to get a handle on any progress made and being terrified to let any of it go (the back thing). Let me itemize a bit. Smoking-easy as could be to stop, never had an urge since. Can take it or leave it for friends and family–would never preach. I always take my meds as prescribed. Never one for the other or vice versa. I do not drink alcohol at all anymore. I used to love it. Problem is, I take pain meds and xanax from the time I get up in the AM every four hours. I am on a pain mgt program so I don’t wait for the pain.  And I just happen to take the xanax at the same time. So if I were to lack one or the other, it would feel the same I’ve been living with the back and shoulder thing for 3yrs, it is better than it has ever been–and I’m mentally better for it, but I also fear a huge setback if this shoulder thing isn’t taken care of soon. I’m comfortable with all of my docs–no added anxiety there, though the shoulder guy could use a better bedside manner and might have warned me about the shoulder pain that resulted from the injection. Also, I would be less stressed if he would call back so we can get going on this. Ironically, my old insurance runs out end of Nov. and is currently paying 100% due I have met max out of pocket for year (boy, that says something doesn’t it?) Holiday season? Can’t avoid it, can I.  So I’ll just blow them away with gourmet stuffings and mouth watering desserts.  Nothing traditional–I need to occupy my mind and feed my ego <VBG.  I got through my husbands near fatal illness this summer without a scratch. You were all a tremendous help (for the 40th time). My husband is the kind of man who takes me as I am. The other morning (the shoulder morning) I walked into the bathroom when he was showering and said, "you know, I think you may want to trade me in on a newer model with a good warranty program, as it seems I’m falling apart a little more each day".  He said, "yeah, but if I recall, I got a lifetime guarantee when I married you". I bitch about him sometimes but he is head and shoulders above any other man I (personally know). And I love him dearly with never a doubt he feels the same way.  How do I rate my recovery?  Well, I feel real happiness for the first time in a long time. I get through situations normally considered difficult, with much more ease. I can go a bit longer between xanax doses. Yesterday I went 7 1/2 hrs (and though you may think they would, pain meds do not control anxiety at all!) And I no longer feel euphoria when taking my pain meds–that pleasant effect lasted a very short time……so I take them on the theory that if I don’t and my back flares up, we can undo much of what we have accomplished.  Much like the situation I face with the shoulder.  My PT is so upset–she could probably use about .25mgs Well Chip, you said all comments were welcome and I handed you a few to get started with but if I had to grade myself it would probably look something like this:  1996-F   1997-F  1998-F 1999 C+ / B- depending on the day–now that is just for my mental state and anxiety. Unfortunately, since my mental outlook depends so much on my physical health, it’s like a yo-yo.  Oh, yeah, nearly forgot–before the Zoloft, I had constant fears of having cancer or any one of 20 different horrible diseases. I tortured myself with thoughts of ‘who will take care of my family when I go’. That seems silly to me now, but it was very real believe me.  I also think the Zoloft has given me the gift of GAB as it works to control the gift of GAD. little bear Little Bear, I know for my recurrant depression and panic anxiety (with agoraphobia) I need a "cocktail" of meds including Klonopin 2 mg/day, Zoloft 150 mg/day, desipramine 50 mg/day, and p.r.n.  Xanax ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/day. It can take time to find the right mixture of meds to make you feel better. And that mixture can change from time to time as your body adjusts to the chronic administration of your meds. You have the additional problems of back and shoulder pain which makes your situation even more complex than mine. I would advise taking pain meds for pain, and anti-anxiety meds for anxiety. I.E. don’t take more Xanax because you have increased back or shoulder pain! (take pain meds) It’s difficult for me to judge how you are doing because you have introduded so many variables into your equation (panic anxiety, cig smoking, back and shoulder pain, fear of "terminal" illness, stress over husband’s illness this past summer,  multiple care providers, upcoming holiday season, etc). Plus, you are married to a man and I know how difficult we can be to live with sometimes! How would you translate your progress? How are you feeling these days? How do you think you are doing? All comments and observations are welcome!! You seem to be in good spirits. Chip my progress? Hi Everyone! I have been ready to post this for a couple of days now but with all the b*llshit that’s been going on here (of which I admit to being a part of) along with some personal stuff, I just haven’t gotten around to it. I want to let you know how my meds are doing compared to before and just give you my updated condition, and hope to hear from many of you telling me I’m healed LOL. No, really, just let me know how you think I’m doing as I am a first timer on the AD thing and a long time xanax friend, as well as pain meds which tend also to produce a false sense of well-being. If it were one or the other, I know it would be much simpler to evaluate my progress so please bear with me. (PUN CERTAINLY INTENDED. ALL RIGHTY THEN, LET’S GET STARTED <g) As you may remember my problems started about 3yrs ago with horrible back pain. I was temporarily living in a town of about 10,000 after being transferred from a mega-city on the west coast. I saw any and all available docs but I believe I was clearly out of thier league and a bit of a mystery to boot. I had two kids and was a stay at home mom for the first time in my life. (And I’m old <VBG, more than 20 but less than 42). Eventually, after MRI’s and xrays, and limited bloodwork including thyroid, I was told I had no strength in my back and was sent to PT. This was a joke indeed. I might as well have been in a 4th grade P.E. class–no hands on, no direction etc.I had no improvement with my back pain but within about 3mos, I had the first of three consecutive PA’s. Of course, I had no Idea what was happening to me but the ER diagnosed them and a visit to a GP the next day confirmed it. So, that was that; I was given .25mgs xanax twice daily. I was given very little info about benzos but I assure you, I was miserable enough with the accompaning symptoms (GAD in a nutshell )-) that I would have gladly taken them anyway. I would have done anything to escape that awful panic/nervousness I was racked with. And they did the trick. After a year we moved back to the big city. I became close to a neighbor whos husband had eerily similar symptoms as mine (back and anxiety) and she recommended a doc that was supposedly the finest in his field so I called. I was desperate by then with my back pain and the panic escalated accordingly. I was told he was not taking new patients and I quite literally would not hang up, and I cried on the phone basically begging for an appt. until they set me up for 3mos later. So, I had something to look forward to finally! This was the time that I thought I could wean off of the xanax (I had learned more about the dependance issue by this time) and I weaned very slowly-or so I thought but I was hit with a series of PA’s almost exactly like the ones a year earlier. A quick call to the doc in the little town on the prairie got me scolded for going off of them with no direction or support and I was back on them but this time at .5mgs 3/day to get the GAD back under control. I have since (stupidly) tried to stop them again, but I always had other things going on and the GAD was always present so I don’t know what I was thinking except that I wanted to know that I was in control of my own body (I don’t even want to go there). IOW, it was always a huge mistake. In the year since I started seeing this back specialist (he found 3 buldging dics in my back–two in my neck and one in my upper back. He showed me the MRI I had taken in the little town and even I could see them. So, I have endured about 10 cortisone/lidocaine injections either epidural or facet joint injections and have regained full range of motion in my neck and back but the "knife in the back" pain was still there, as painful as ever. When it was clear the injections had done all they could, I was sent on to PT. BTW, this doc is very particular and insists on specific specialists when he refers me, and I go because he obviously knows what he is doing. I have been seeing a PT doc for about 2mos now and she is marvelous! (So was the shot guy TTTT) My back has been getting better…so much so that I no longer fear some terminal illness the way I constantly used to. Between the three of these specialists I was finally finding answers to the pain in the back and even relief!

Question:

Things have been a bit better lately.  I’ve had less to think about, and therefore less stray thoughts, which is nice. Its funny, when I started taking Zoloft, I looked up on the CVS website drug interaction checker whether or not caffiene interacts with it, and it said it didn’t.  However, it was nice enough to inform me that caffeine interacts with food!  DUH!!!  :) Jason

Glad to hear that you’re doing better.  I’m not doing better–my anxiety and agitation levels are still pretty extreme, so I’m going to try decreasing my dose to 100 mg for a few days (though I need to remember to call my psychiatrist tomorrow to tell her what I’ve decided to do ) to see if it makes a difference. persephone — "It’s a common error among mortals active in organized religion to place devotion to historical propositions and to organizations above devotion to life-shaping principles." –Allen R. Barlow Before you buy.

Response:

I haven’t told her yet because it only just recently started increasing to the point where I noticed it, but I meet with her in about a week, and I’ll mention it to her then.  It probably won’t make much of a difference because the Zoloft doesn’t seem to be working too well, and so she’ll probably put me on another AD soon unless it does start working.  Thanks! persephone << question about Zoloft What you describe is an occasional side effect of many AD meds. Have you told your doctor? Be well. Bob

– "It’s a common error among mortals active in organized religion to place devotion to historical propositions and to organizations above devotion to life-shaping principles." –Allen R. Barlow Before you buy.

Response:

Things have been a bit better lately.  I’ve had less to think about, and therefore less stray thoughts, which is nice. Its funny, when I started taking Zoloft, I looked up on the CVS website drug interaction checker whether or not caffiene interacts with it, and it said it didn’t.  However, it was nice enough to inform me that caffeine interacts with food!  DUH!!!  :) Jason – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m sorry.  :(  Maybe you should talk to your pdoc about the agitation. She might be willing to try another med that’s not an SSRI.  If the Zoloft is really working for you, you might want to try to give up the caffiene, though I realize this is much easier said than done.  If I had to give up ice cream, I’m not sure what I would do… persephone Ack! No! I didn’t see the post about caffiene and Zoloft.  If I have to give up my Mt. Dew to have to take this stuff, I’ll be more depressed than I was before I started it! Jason — "It’s a common error among mortals active in organized religion to place devotion to historical propositions and to organizations above devotion to life-shaping principles." –Allen R. Barlow Before you buy.

Response:

<< question about Zoloft What you describe is an occasional side effect of many AD meds. Have you told your doctor? Be well. Bob

Response:

I’m sorry.  :(  Maybe you should talk to your pdoc about the agitation. She might be willing to try another med that’s not an SSRI.  If the Zoloft is really working for you, you might want to try to give up the caffiene, though I realize this is much easier said than done.  If I had to give up ice cream, I’m not sure what I would do… persephone Ack! No! I didn’t see the post about caffiene and Zoloft.  If I have to give up my Mt. Dew to have to take this stuff, I’ll be more depressed than I was before I started it! Jason

– "It’s a common error among mortals active in organized religion to place devotion to historical propositions and to organizations above devotion to life-shaping principles." –Allen R. Barlow Before you buy.

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Ack! No! I didn’t see the post about caffiene and Zoloft.  If I have to give up my Mt. Dew to have to take this stuff, I’ll be more depressed than I was before I started it! Jason – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for the response, Jason.  Glad to know I’m not alone.  By the way, did you see the thread where ali mentioned that caffiene interacts with SSRIs and increases agitation?  It might be something to keep in mind.  Take care. persephone Hiya, I’m actually on Zoloft right now too, and I have the same problem unfortunately.  It usually happens at night, which makes sleep nigh impossible.  Its been really bothersome.  I’ve started taking it earlier in the day (I used to take it at 5:30pm every day), but it hasn’t seemed to help yet. Jason Okay, I’m going to take the plunge and post again… I have a question about Zoloft.  I’m currently on Zoloft, and since I started taking it, there are periods during the day where I have a lot of agitated, restless energy and my mind does nothing but race.  And, these periods get more frequent every time my medication is upped. Have people experienced this particular side effect on Zoloft, or do you think it’s just part of the depression? (I have a friend with depression who’s not on any medication who gets this way sometimes). Before you buy. — "It

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says… It hardly seems fair that those who guard our health do so at this kind of price. Without blaming all such woes on lifestyle, I do wish doctoring were a less heroic and more comfortable thing. Good luck — Julianne

In Australia, we don’t tend to glorify doctors — at least general practitioners.In many ways it’s just another job. This has its advantages and disadvantages. People don’t believe we are superhuman; they feel free to ask us questions if they don’t understand something. I’m sure if you scratch any American doctor, you’d find a patient of some type; and also a person — unless you’ve begun cloning your MDs (which, from reading some of the stories here, I would believe!) Ciao, Raymot ======= Brisbane, Australia [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

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It hardly seems fair that those who guard our health do so at this kind of price. Without blaming all such woes on lifestyle, I do wish doctoring were a less heroic and more comfortable thing. Good luck — Julianne

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Hi All, Ok, here’s the post about my headaches. I have always had tension headaches. I used to be rarely without them — just sometimes they were worse than others. I’ve tried all sorts of medications over the years — and being a physician myself, I can prescribe for myself what I think I need (except for narcotics, and controlled drugs). This year my headaches have dramatically reduced, I think due to several reasons. Firstly, I decided not to feel guilty about self-prescribing the drugs I needed. Secondly, I got a second opinion about not feeling guilty about self- prescribing the drugs I needed. The drugs I’m taking are Zoloft (sertraline) 100mg/day, Xanax (alprazolam) 1mg/day (a small dose, but it works), and Digesic (dextropropoxyphene + paracetamol) as necessary (usually ~ 3-4/day) Adequate and regular sleep is essential for me. I am using a mouth splint at night (to stop snoring and to stop teeth-grinding). This really helps lessen the headaches, and is as important as the drugs. After having a $300 splint fall apart, I made one myself out of a $7.95 sports mouthguard. The essential features are that it stops the bruxism, and acts as a mandibular advancement splint (insofar as I have an overbite, and with the splint I can’t close my teeth together fully, so my airway stays more open.) I also believe the texture of the splint takes some pressure off the clenching muscles — temporalis and masseters etc. It’s springy and pushes back. I’m really amazed at the difference a hunk of rubber between my teeth at nighttime can make to the severity of those waking headaches. In order of importance, I would say the following factors have contributed to the significant improvement in my tension headaches: 1) Zoloft;  2) Mouth splint at night;  3) Xanax;   4) Adequate Sleep; 5) Digesic – Analgesics. Note, this is only a personal story. It won’t work for everyone, and I’m not suggesting it in the capacity of a physician. But it’s worked for me and I can honestly say that I can go for most of the day without a headache sometimes! Ciao, Raymot ======= Brisbane, Australia [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

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Hi all, Unless and/or until a medical breakthrough occurs regarding finding and fixing the part of my brain/body that results in panic disorder, I expect to be on medications the rest of my life. I have discussed this with my health care providers, my yack therapist and my behavioral modification therapist. All are in agreement that this is a very reasonable assumption. Am I worried about addiction? No, not after some initial concern and a good sit-down with my docs to discuss my fears and gain valuable current information  regarding the disorder(s) I have. I have taken the same medications 6 x daily for 15 years. My dosage has never needed to be increased. I know if I were to discontinue my medications, my brain/body would likely react very violently, however I have no plans at this time to discontinue my regime. My medications are not 100% effective, however it is the best for me at this point in time. If a new medication comes along that my docs feel might give me more relief, I will do everything in my power to go through the changing process in a safe, informed manner with medical support. I do get upset at times when I see books, articles, etc. stating that a particular medication is highly addictive, highly dangerous, and should be used sparingly and discontinued quickly, if used at all. I become downright enraged when a new book hits the bookstores describing in gory detail one person’s experience while on a certain medication; reminds me of the book "I’m Dancing As Fast As I Can" back in the ’70s, about one woman’s experience with Valium. The word got out via the media and soon doctors were rapidly back-peddling the dispension of this medication, much to the detriment of the many, many people this medication helped. I worry somewhat that this will happen with the medications I am taking; one bestseller or a few articles can wreak havoc for me and others who are genuinely finding some relief.   In no way do I believe that medication is the *right or only answer* for everyone suffering from panic disorder, nor do I believe the medications I happen to take are the only medications to offer relief. I do question why addiction has become the hallmark of whether a medication or combo of medications will be offered and for what duration. I feel deeply that the anti-drug campaigns; the "war on drugs," and "just say no to drugs" have spilled over into the area of authentic medical relief to ease suffering from neurobiological disorders, as well as many other afflictions (cancer readily comes to mind). The reason for this post is the many e-mails I have received stating I *must* discontinue the meds I now take because they are addictive, dangerous, wrong, etc., that meds are not the answer, etc. I can agree that the meds I currently take are not *for everyone* and that meds may not be the answer *in all cases of panic disorder*. Another reason I have posted today is the confusion I read daily here in asap regarding medications, the fear (very legitimate) surrounding medications, and the added suffering this confusion brings to already stressed lives. I feel wanting to know everything possible from fellow sufferers (who better to ask?) about medications and sharing = a wise consumer. I also feel saying that medications have little or no place in treating panic disorder = playing doctor without a license and adding unnecessary anxiety. Ultimately, the decision to take/not take medication and, if medication is an option, dosage/duration, is the responsibility of the sufferer and his/her health care provider(s). This requires trust, up-to-date information from reliable sources, and a desire among all parties for the sufferer to be provided whatever relief is available. Blanket statements can be very detrimental, especially in areas where there is already much confusion, such as panic disorder and medication. This is *my* opinion. Your comments, opinions are welcome. gisela angelina

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[snip] Someone recently said that Xanax tasted very bitter and "it would have to be one hell of a panic attack to put up with that".

That was me. I don’t want to say any absolutes, but -that person doesn’t know what a panic attack is-.

You are contradicting yourself. Saying that I don’t know what a panic attack is *is* most definitely an absolute. On what other basis, other than what I said about Xanax being bitter, and my sarcastic statement, do you make this judgement? I’ve been taking pills for 31 years.

And I have been taking pills for three. Although my experience with panic and anxiety is markedly shorter than yours, by about 28 years, it is still the most hellacious experience I have ever had to go through. Please don’t tell me I don’t know what a panic attack is. — ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` Luis Echeverria       `  Interviewer: "So Frank, you have long hair.  ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `                Does that make you a woman?"   ` ` Orange County, CA     `                that make you a table?"        ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

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~~~~a post that says it all and says it well, snipped~~~~~~ Ultimately, the decision to take/not take medication and, if medication is an option, dosage/duration, is the responsibility of the sufferer and his/her health care provider(s). This requires trust, up-to-date information from reliable sources, and a desire among all parties for the sufferer to be provided whatever relief is available. Blanket statements can be very detrimental, especially in areas where there is already much confusion, such as panic disorder and medication. This is *my* opinion. Your comments, opinions are welcome. gisela angelina

Terrific post Gisela. I find it very interesting that on asap and other support groups that discuss so called "mental" disorders, there is always ongoing discussion, diatribes, name calling, etc., about the use of meds. On the other support groups that deal with disorders that are recognized as definitely physical, the use of the same meds doesn’t even raise an eyebrow! No-one posts messages saying to the man who uses benzos so he can get out of his wheelchair for an hour or two a day that he should quit using them, as he’s just masking his problem with drugs.  That if he just stood up and TOLD himself he could walk, his disorder would go away!  No-one posts dire warnings about how he’s going to get addicted to the meds because they let him walk a little bit and hurt a little less.  Never a word about using cognitive therapy either! Xanax has, with some help from Prozac, cured my PD – hopefully permanently.  If I believed half of what is said about meds and PD by the nay-sayers, I’d be worried sick about becoming a junkie by now.  I use Xanax to help control dystonia and essential tremor, with the enthusiastic encouragement of my doctor and specialist.  Not a word about addiction mentioned.  Yet the same doctor was concerned about addiction when I asked for Xanax for PD!!!! Interesting isn’t it? Mally  :)

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