Question:

Jeff, Sorry to respond so late.  Of course I remember.  I have also been following your ordel.  I’m sorry to hear it, my friend.  You do know, of course, that plaquenil is ototoxic.  I hope that it isn’t bothering your ears too much. Good to hear from you again. Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the X’s from my email address: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi mike.  u remember me from a few years ago?  sorry to hear you are not doing very well.  can i offer immunomodulators maybe?  that seems to work for me.  on mtx and plaquenil.  am holding own. jeffy It’s been a long time….  You folks probably don’t remember me, but I’m back. Been in denail the past few months, but it is definately back–my colitis/proctitis.whatever it is.  They’ve never really figured it out actually.  For awhile, I’d have days of no symptoms, then a day of blood, and nothing again for days.  Right now, it’s become constant.  So, I’m back. Tried all the alternative stuff like fish oil, flaxseed, borage, evening primrose, etc.  The only one that seemed to do anything was bromelain, and it made my heart race, so can’t keep taking it.  Trying to avoid any real meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! I’m allergic to 5ASA and I hate the cortisone suppositories–make me get all fungusy down there.  DAMN!!!  Wish there was some other alternative. I don’t have diarrhea, and go only once a day (sometimes twice), just blood and mucus (sometimes just blood)—otherwise the stools are generally normal. I need to find a doc.  My current doc says, "You’re bleeding, so what?" Obviously, I’m a mild case.  Go only once a day, big deal.  It still hurts, and sucks! Don’t know what more to say.  Hope you kept a space open for me in the club. Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the X’s from my email address:

Response:

What’s molo-cure?

Mike,     Here is the link for Molocure: http://www.molocure.com for more info.   Like I said, I don’t know if it works, but thats all my daughter is on right now along with other multivitamins.  Now, I’m not endorsing MoloCure nor am I suggesting its working.  All I’m saying is that MoloCure is a product we chose to add to my daughters diet as a natural suppliment under the supervision of her GI.  I’m a skeptic and I attribute her well being to the Prednisone regimine she was just on and the removal of Asacol from her list of meds. We are still considering 6mp, but for now MoloCure is all we are using and she’s symptom free.     We are going back to the GI next Friday. Joe

Response:

hi mike.  u remember me from a few years ago?  sorry to hear you are not doing very well.  can i offer immunomodulators maybe?  that seems to work for me.  on mtx and plaquenil.  am holding own. jeffy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s been a long time….  You folks probably don’t remember me, but I’m back. Been in denail the past few months, but it is definately back–my colitis/proctitis.whatever it is.  They’ve never really figured it out actually.  For awhile, I’d have days of no symptoms, then a day of blood, and nothing again for days.  Right now, it’s become constant.  So, I’m back. Tried all the alternative stuff like fish oil, flaxseed, borage, evening primrose, etc.  The only one that seemed to do anything was bromelain, and it made my heart race, so can’t keep taking it.  Trying to avoid any real meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! I’m allergic to 5ASA and I hate the cortisone suppositories–make me get all fungusy down there.  DAMN!!!  Wish there was some other alternative. I don’t have diarrhea, and go only once a day (sometimes twice), just blood and mucus (sometimes just blood)—otherwise the stools are generally normal. I need to find a doc.  My current doc says, "You’re bleeding, so what?" Obviously, I’m a mild case.  Go only once a day, big deal.  It still hurts, and sucks! Don’t know what more to say.  Hope you kept a space open for me in the club. Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the X’s from my email address:

Response:

Hi Jennifer, Regarding prednisone in asthma, I have quite a bit of experience with asthma medications, and it sounds like your asthma is not controlled at times?  I was wondering if you have tried Advair? It contains Flovent and Serevent. Barry

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know this doesn’t pertain to the thread however Joe mentioned Prednisone. Is this a common treatment?  I use prednisone when my asthma flares up and when I’m on that med I can eat all day, to be expected, and have no problems with stools. Jennifer   meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for   IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! Mike,     Since my daughter is asacol-intolerant, I’ve added Molo-Cure to her diet with permission of her GI.  She just came off her Prednisone regime due to what we thought was a flare up, but now think it was the Asacol.   So far she is fine.  I can’t attribute her well being to the Molo-cure since she got better just by stopping the Asacol. Right now she is not taking anything, but we are considering 6mp. Our decision is to wait and see for a while…. Joe

Response:

THANKS to all of you who report problems with the asacol, and the docs refusing to acknowledge it… I flat out refused to take it after problems I was having.  Doc thought I was nuts, but I stuck to my guns. I’m taking Colazal now, which is expensive as hell, but is supposed to be similar to asacol.  No problems, but if it’s keeping the CD in check I have no idea. Robin

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Asacol is evil.  I think so many people have been hurt by it, and yet no doc will ever believe it.  What’s molo-cure? Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the (SPAM_BLOCKER) from my email address:   meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for   IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! Mike,     Since my daughter is asacol-intolerant, I’ve added Molo-Cure to her diet with permission of her GI.  She just came off her Prednisone regime due to what we thought was a flare up, but now think it was the Asacol.   So far she is fine.  I can’t attribute her well being to the Molo-cure since she got better just by stopping the Asacol. Right now she is not taking anything, but we are considering 6mp. Our decision is to wait and see for a while…. Joe

Response:

Hi Mike, You mentioned that you have tried everything, so I was wondering if you tried the Specific Carbohydrate Diet recommended by Elaine G. Gottschall ? It worked for my wife, and my sister, who was quite severe. Here is a link to some information about her books. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/096927680X/qid%3D1057963139/sr… My sister went on the strict version of the diet, and within 2 weeks was back to normal. At the very least you should consider reading the book "Breaking the Viscious Cycle". It is based on solid scientific principles, and it has worked for many people. Barry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s been a long time….  You folks probably don’t remember me, but I’m back. Been in denail the past few months, but it is definately back–my colitis/proctitis.whatever it is.  They’ve never really figured it out actually.  For awhile, I’d have days of no symptoms, then a day of blood, and nothing again for days.  Right now, it’s become constant.  So, I’m back. Tried all the alternative stuff like fish oil, flaxseed, borage, evening primrose, etc.  The only one that seemed to do anything was bromelain, and it made my heart race, so can’t keep taking it.  Trying to avoid any real meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! I’m allergic to 5ASA and I hate the cortisone suppositories–make me get all fungusy down there.  DAMN!!!  Wish there was some other alternative. I don’t have diarrhea, and go only once a day (sometimes twice), just blood and mucus (sometimes just blood)—otherwise the stools are generally normal. I need to find a doc.  My current doc says, "You’re bleeding, so what?" Obviously, I’m a mild case.  Go only once a day, big deal.  It still hurts, and sucks! Don’t know what more to say.  Hope you kept a space open for me in the club. Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the X’s from my email address:

Response:

  meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for   IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy!   Mike,     Since my daughter is asacol-intolerant, I’ve added Molo-Cure to her diet with permission of her GI.  She just came off her Prednisone regime due to what we thought was a flare up, but now think it was the Asacol.   So far she is fine.  I can’t attribute her well being to the Molo-cure since she got better just by stopping the Asacol. Right now she is not taking anything, but we are considering 6mp. Our decision is to wait and see for a while…. Joe

Response:

Asacol is evil.  I think so many people have been hurt by it, and yet no doc will ever believe it.  What’s molo-cure? Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the (SPAM_BLOCKER) from my email address:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for   IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! Mike,     Since my daughter is asacol-intolerant, I’ve added Molo-Cure to her diet with permission of her GI.  She just came off her Prednisone regime due to what we thought was a flare up, but now think it was the Asacol.   So far she is fine.  I can’t attribute her well being to the Molo-cure since she got better just by stopping the Asacol. Right now she is not taking anything, but we are considering 6mp. Our decision is to wait and see for a while…. Joe

Response:

I know this doesn’t pertain to the thread however Joe mentioned Prednisone. Is this a common treatment?  I use prednisone when my asthma flares up and when I’m on that med I can eat all day, to be expected, and have no problems with stools. Jennifer

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for   IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! Mike,     Since my daughter is asacol-intolerant, I’ve added Molo-Cure to her diet with permission of her GI.  She just came off her Prednisone regime due to what we thought was a flare up, but now think it was the Asacol.   So far she is fine.  I can’t attribute her well being to the Molo-cure since she got better just by stopping the Asacol. Right now she is not taking anything, but we are considering 6mp. Our decision is to wait and see for a while…. Joe

Response:

Mike, Maybe you should try a new doctor if your doctor doesn’t seem to think there is a problem… Seems to me if you are having blood in your stools… That’s not good! Hope you feel better soon! Marlena – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s been a long time….  You folks probably don’t remember me, but I’m back. Been in denail the past few months, but it is definately back–my colitis/proctitis.whatever it is.  They’ve never really figured it out actually.  For awhile, I’d have days of no symptoms, then a day of blood, and nothing again for days.  Right now, it’s become constant.  So, I’m back. Tried all the alternative stuff like fish oil, flaxseed, borage, evening primrose, etc.  The only one that seemed to do anything was bromelain, and it made my heart race, so can’t keep taking it.  Trying to avoid any real meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! I’m allergic to 5ASA and I hate the cortisone suppositories–make me get all fungusy down there.  DAMN!!!  Wish there was some other alternative. I don’t have diarrhea, and go only once a day (sometimes twice), just blood and mucus (sometimes just blood)—otherwise the stools are generally normal. I need to find a doc.  My current doc says, "You’re bleeding, so what?" Obviously, I’m a mild case.  Go only once a day, big deal.  It still hurts, and sucks! Don’t know what more to say.  Hope you kept a space open for me in the club. Thanks, Mike

Response:

It’s been a long time….  You folks probably don’t remember me, but I’m back. Been in denail the past few months, but it is definately back–my colitis/proctitis.whatever it is.  They’ve never really figured it out actually.  For awhile, I’d have days of no symptoms, then a day of blood, and nothing again for days.  Right now, it’s become constant.  So, I’m back. Tried all the alternative stuff like fish oil, flaxseed, borage, evening primrose, etc.  The only one that seemed to do anything was bromelain, and it made my heart race, so can’t keep taking it.  Trying to avoid any real meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! I’m allergic to 5ASA and I hate the cortisone suppositories–make me get all fungusy down there.  DAMN!!!  Wish there was some other alternative. I don’t have diarrhea, and go only once a day (sometimes twice), just blood and mucus (sometimes just blood)—otherwise the stools are generally normal. I need to find a doc.  My current doc says, "You’re bleeding, so what?" Obviously, I’m a mild case.  Go only once a day, big deal.  It still hurts, and sucks! Don’t know what more to say.  Hope you kept a space open for me in the club. Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the X’s from my email address:

Response:

Question:

Alec, What would be considered a supraphysio dose? Would inhaling FLOVENT 110mcg twice in the am and twice in the pm over a three week period be sufficient to affect my testostorone level to the point of extremely low labido? Once the FLOVENT is stopped would my body rebuild to its normal testostorne levels over time or is this permamanent damage? I know something has changed in me. I know my body very well and I know and feel I am not right. I love and desire my lady but I am not reacting the way I use to. I thought it might be a a head thing but I can’t even masturbate in privacy watching a skin flick. That is very unusal foor me. * 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:

Alec, What would be considered a supraphysio dose? Would inhaling FLOVENT 110mcg twice in the am and twice in the pm over a three week period be sufficient to affect my testostorone level to the point of extremely low labido? Once the FLOVENT is stopped would my body rebuild to its normal testostorne levels over time or is this permamanent damage?

I honestly don’t know! What is the normal dose of FLOVENT? What is the right dose for you? Virtually everything that I take would be at a supraphisiologic dose to the rest of the folks in this group! now something has changed in me. I know my body very well and I know and feel I am not right. I love and desire my lady but I am not reacting the way I use to. I thought it might be a a head thing but I can’t even masturbate in privacy watching a skin flick. That is very unusal foor me.

Something serious has happened to you and that uro is an idiot. Somehow, something has shut down within you. From your description I’d say that you need an endocrinologist with a specialty in andrology. I only know of 3 in that category – Dr Bain in Toronto, Dr Shippen and Dr Kryger – and only have experience with the one in Toronto. Dr Bain does see non-Canadians and, if you want some relief from the oppresive heat of Florida, you could arrange to see him. To get an idea of how good that I think he is – if he was a car mechanic working on my car, I’d enter a go-kart in the Indy 500.

Response:

Chip.. I’m sorry about your lousy experience with your Uro. My advice is get the hell away immediately from anyone with that attitude. Don’t let it go on and pay more money to the jerk. Continue asking about others in your area. I think there are websites for finding such specialists. Perhaps someone knows the URL.

Response:

Chip.. I’m sorry about your lousy experience with your Uro. My advice is get the hell away immediately from anyone with that attitude. Don’t let it go on and pay more money to the jerk. Continue asking about others in your area. I think there are websites for finding such specialists. Perhaps someone knows the URL.

The Life Extension Foundation, which is run by people who take drugs to extend their lifespan (a practice which many in the medical community look at askance, I assure you), keeps a Directory of Innovative Doctors at http://www.lef.org. Many of these physicians are themselves life extensionists. Finding a physician who is a life extensionist will almost surely mean that you’ve found a doctor that is more than willing to attack problems aggressively and creatively. Caveat emptor. Nobody knows how all of this stuff will turn out in the end. I wish you well, C/

Response:

If it wasn’t for this discussion group I probably would have stayed well clear of a Uro. Well, I went to the Urologist.This was not a good expierence. Bewteen the rude office help and an equally rude doctor it was the visit from hell. The uro’s attitude was " well your not 18" and "getting old sucks!" He scheduled me for aPSA and Testosterone. Do not know if it icludes all the others you mentioned. Next TUE (11JAN00) I go for the blood work. I am not pleased with this guy!! Does anyone know of a more understanding Uro in the Fort Lauderdale or Miami area? * 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:

If it wasn’t for this discussion group I probably would have stayed well clear of a Uro. Well, I went to the Urologist.This was not a good expierence. Bewteen the rude office help and an equally rude doctor it was the visit from hell. The uro’s attitude was " well your not 18" and "getting old sucks!" He scheduled me for aPSA and Testosterone. Do not know if it icludes all the others you mentioned. Next TUE (11JAN00) I go for the blood work. I am not pleased with this guy!! Does anyone know of a more understanding Uro in the Fort Lauderdale or Miami area?

Here’s a couple I pulled off the web: http://www.drwinkler.com/ (Fort Lauderdale) http://home.att.net/~lhakim/index.html (U. of Miami Center for Sexual Dysfunction & Male Infertility) http://www.intl-vascular.com/clinic.htm (International Vascular Clinic, Largo) http://theurologist.com/ (Coral Springs, Margate, Boca Raton) Good luck! * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

-Fred- Visit Fred’s Page of Impotence Information and ASI FAQ’s at: http://www.alt-support-impotence.org/

Response:

 Does anyone know of a more understanding Uro in the Fort Lauderdale or Miami area?

Mark Gittleman Uromedics,Inc. 601 N. Flamingo  Rd. Pembroke Pines 954-430-3999

Response:

I am a male 50 year old who noticed I was becoming semi-hard with the morning erection approx 1 year ago. I could engage in intercourse as long as my penis had stimulation and once into intercourse had no problem ejaculating. Masturbation was never a problem. About three (week of 13DEC99) weeks ago I came down with bronchitis and was given a perscription for to fight the infection and FLOVENT 110mcg Aerosol inh. 13gm (fluticasone propionate, a glucocorticoid) two times in the morning and two at night to be taken for two months. I started on 21DEC99. Sunday 2JAN00 I had trouble mantaining an erection during intercourse. I was concern the Flovent was affecting my desire so I stopped on 3JAN00. Today I have practically no labido and no erection. I plan to visit the urologist on Fri 7JAN00. Do you think the FLOVENT might have had an impact? * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I am a male 50 year old who noticed I was becoming semi-hard with the morning erection approx 1 year ago. I could engage in intercourse as long as my penis had stimulation and once into intercourse had no problem ejaculating. Masturbation was never a problem.

This can be due to several causes. Possibilitiess include hormonal, vascular or neural. About three (week of 13DEC99) weeks ago I came down with bronchitis and was given a perscription for to fight the infection and FLOVENT 110mcg Aerosol inh. 13gm (fluticasone propionate, a glucocorticoid) two times in the morning and two at night to be taken for two months. I started on 21DEC99.

Glucocorticoids can, if you get a supraphysiological dose, cause testosterone to drop to very low levels. Sunday 2JAN00 I had trouble mantaining an erection during intercourse. I was concern the Flovent was affecting my desire so I stopped on 3JAN00. Today I have practically no labido and no erection. I plan to visit the urologist on Fri 7JAN00. Do you think the FLOVENT might have had an impact?

It could have accelerated an existing problem. The low libido can be due to low dopamine or low testosterone or low libido or androgen insensitivity. Some of these can be tested for with ease. No erection can be plumbing. Low libido is usually chemical. Get your URO to test the following: Total testosterone Free testosterone LH FSH Prolactin Estradiol Zinc TSH T3 T4 Get the values and ranges and bring them back here. Do NOT accept "normal" as an answer. "Normal" includes impotent 85-year-olds (impotence is considered normal at 85). By bringing them back here, you’ll get umpteen people jumping in to help with advice as to what to do next. Don’t worry about the values being embarassing – you won’t beat what mine were (testosterone level that qualified me as a harem gaurd, estradiol higher than a woman pregnant with octuplets). Now my testosterone/libido are enough to make me want to rape a doorknob! What you want is to get your system into gear. The rapid onset is suspicious. Are you on any other meds?

Response:

Question:

My doc put me on a new inhaler called SereVent. Any experience out there (positive or negative) with this drug? I have done some research on it but I would also be interested in personal experiences. Thanks. Janet

Janet,    Most importantly, remember that serevent is not a resuce med…If you are having trouble right now use albuterol.  Serevent is a long term med use it twice a day….say 7a-7p.  Some meds givwe some people nightmares…funny, but I have nightmares if I take my multivitamin before bed!?   Never skip your serevent even if you are feeling good.  This also goes for any inhaled steroids you are taking…Steroids (inhaled) take a couple of weeks to build up in the body…so never skip your inhaled steroids! bill

Response:

I’ve been using Serevent for about 2 years and it’s enabled me to cut out Ventolin almost totally. Initially it gave me cramps in my feet- still does occasionally and I’ve noticed my eyesight has deteriorated (need to use glasses for reading larger print than before) but this may have happened anyway. I would give this drug 9.9 marks out of 10! As someone else mentioned you can use it early (borrow a puff ahead of next dose) if you feel your chest tightening and provided you are resting you will avoid need to use Ventolin as all will be well within 15 mins.

Response:

I’ve used Serevent for around 6 months or so.  I personally think it is wonderful.  I take 2 puffs twice a day.  I used to use 2 inhalers of proventil a month, and now I barely need to use one.   I also take atrovent and proventil 2 puffs, 4 times a day, and flovent 2 puffs twice a day.  It all seems to work pretty good. My doc put me on a new inhaler called SereVent. Any experience out there

(positive or negative) with this drug? I have done some – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – research on it but I would also be interested in personal experiences. Thanks. Janet

Response:

I tried SereVent a couple of weeks ago.  Results were somewhat beneficial but the doctor had to take me off of it because it made me too shaky.  I was practically unable to do anything manipulative with my hands while I was on it.  The shakiness would last until about 10 hours after using it. Angela

This is a side effect some people have when initially prescribed the maximum dose of 2 puffs twice a day (of the MDI). Some of these people can build up a tolerance for it by starting at a reduced dose, eg 1 puff once/day in the evening. A dry powder form, the Serevent Diskus, has recently been approved by the FDA, expected to be available next year. The DPI form is twice the strength of the MDI form so you use 1 puff twice a day. See http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/97/09/22/glx_y0022_1.html Ellis

Response:

My doc put me on a new inhaler called SereVent. Any experience out there (positive or negative) with this drug? I have done some research on it but I would also be interested in personal experiences. Thanks. Janet

I love this stuff!  I will probably only take it during the winter, but it has helped even out my peak flow readings (they used to stay in the green area, but were all over the place, now they are very consistently within a 40 point range), it makes it so I don’t cough when I’m out in cold weather (2 block walk to campus was terrible, and getting from the edge of campus to my classes was worse) and I haven’t had nearly the number of side effects from it as I did from my rescue inhaler (MaxAir).  It’s kind of a pain to do 2 puffs twice a day from 2 different inhalers (I’ve started carrying it all in an insulated lunch bag), but if it means I don’t cough until I choke, I think I’ll put up with it. janet (so there *are* some other people out there named Janet –  I never knew anybody else with my name until about a year ago!)  :)

Response:

My doc put me on a new inhaler called SereVent. Any experience out there (positive or negative) with this drug? I have done some research on it but I would also be interested in personal experiences. Thanks. Janet

I have used Serevent before. It made me shaky for quite a while. Interestingly, the shorter acting Ventolin, a similar drug, does not affect me as badly. For prevention, I an on Flovent, and it lessens my need for bronchodilators like Serevent and Ventolin. Many have good experiences with Serevent, though, so if it works well and has little or no side effects, stick with it. Donald Hellen (Note: Anti-Spam Measure… remove the "1" in front of our address to reply by email.)

Response:

I tried SereVent a couple of weeks ago.  Results were somewhat beneficial but the doctor had to take me off of it because it made me too shaky.  I was practically unable to do anything manipulative with my hands while I was on it. The shakiness would last until about 10 hours after using it. Angela

Try sticking with the Serevent for a few months.  Some people on this type of medication get over the shakiness after a while; I did (with Brethine, a tablet). — David Matthews, Boston University

Response:

I tried SereVent a couple of weeks ago.  Results were somewhat beneficial but the doctor had to take me off of it because it made me too shaky.  I was practically unable to do anything manipulative with my hands while I was on it.  The shakiness would last until about 10 hours after using it. Angela That which doesn’t break us makes us stronger.

Response:

My doc put me on a new inhaler called SereVent. Any experience out there (positive or negative) with this drug? I have done some research on it but I would also be interested in personal experiences. Thanks. Janet

It works very well for me. —                 Read about the new book from Brustas Consulting                     at  http://users.abac.com/pbrustas                 Computer Renaissance  8396 Parkway Drive                      La Mesa, CA  91942  (619) 464-3711

Response:

My doc put me on a new inhaler called SereVent. Any experience out there (positive or negative) with this drug? I have done some research on it but I would also be interested in personal experiences. Thanks. Janet

Janet, I love my Serevent inhaler!  I have been taking this medicine for a little over a year now, and my asthma has really improved with continued and concientious use (paired with Flovent 110).  I started noticing results in about one month.  I think I  like it so much because I don’t have to take the Proventil four times a day anymore. It was hard for me to meet that dosage and very inconvienient.  As always, pay attention to your own symptoms.  If you don’t notice a change, or if you feel like you are getting worse, call your doctor right away!  Good luck! We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we can only fly embracing each other.                    –Luciano De Creschenzo

Response:

I have used serevent now for nearly 2 years. It is brilliant, it works so well for me. It just enforces what your reliever does but it is active for about 12 hours. The only problem I have is that with the accuhaler you can taste it and it doesn’t taste too good but other than that it is great. I don’t know if you have been told, but it is worth using it before your preventer. Hope this helps. love Hannah – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My doc put me on a new inhaler called SereVent. Any experience out there (positive or negative) with this drug? I have done some research on it but I would also be interested in personal experiences. Thanks. Janet

Response:

My doc put me on a new inhaler called SereVent. Any experience out there (positive or negative) with this drug? I have done some research on it but I would also be interested in personal experiences. Thanks. Janet

It works great for me, 2 puffs twice a day. Initially I had to get my allergist to put in a special request to my HMO 3 years ago to get them to approve it–because of my nocturnal asthma. If I’m going folk dancing in the evening, I often take one of the 2 evening puffs early, it works for exercise too, takes about 15 min to start taking effect. However the max dose is 4 puffs/day, so if I need more bronchodilation, I use Ventolin. The only side effects I noticed, initially I seemed to have nightmares if I used it just before going to bed, but it was OK if I used it at least 2 hr before. After a couple months that phenomenon went away. I also use Vanceril DS 2 pf x2, Intal and TheoDur 200mg x2. I just recently added the TheoDur back in. It seems to give better overall control. Ellis

Response:

My doc put me on a new inhaler called SereVent. Any experience out there (positive or negative) with this drug? I have done some research on it but I would also be interested in personal experiences. Thanks. Janet

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Question:

 This is a re-post from a while ago. I think it answers your question. PEF = Peak expiratory flow; this is the fastest speed you can get air moving out of your lungs if you blow real hard. Back in the old days they used to have "the match test." The doctor would hold a lit match several inches in front of your face (I forget how many – we have PF’s now) and ask you to blow with your mouth open. If you couldn’t blow it out they knew you were in trouble. They could also quantitate things somewhat by describing how close they had to hold the match before you could blow it out. This test was more convenient back when everyone smoked. Somewhere along the line, someone decided to make a device that gave a number. There are several different brands out there. The numbers don’t compare exactly between different models and even between the same model in different conditions. It is the trend, and your own history that counts, so the differences don’t mean all that much. Basically, it is cheap and easy to use. It can give the doctor a number to follow, which is always helpful. You can say "250" rather than "pretty bad." It does have several limitations. The first is that everyone should establish their own "normal." In most ER’s they will have tables that tell them what "normal" for you should be. Trouble is that it varies greatly and these charts are worthless (IMO). Most of the people here probably never get anywhere near "normal." On a good day the chart would have you near death. Some, like myself, can do much more than "normal" and so if they believe the chart, and not me, they will miss a serious decrease in function. The second limitation is that it does not measure precisely the right thing. The PEF generally measures the airflow coming out of the large airways, such as the trachea and first few branches of the Bronchi. Asthma usually is more of a disease of small airways. That is why they make you blow into the PFT machine until you want to pass out. That last little bit of air is coming from the small airways. Usually the PEF correlates with disease severity in asthma, but you have to keep in mind that the PFM (Peak flow meter) is not measuring exactly the right thing and may read normal during a severe attack. The information it gives can be misleading. If you have one at home and use it regularly you will get to know what your best is, and at what levels you tend to get into trouble. This information, derived from your experience, and not a chart can be helpful. It allows you to have a precise way of communicating to your doctor how severe your attack is. The trend now is to develop an "action plan." The PF readings are usually divided up into three zones; green, yellow, and red. The green zone means continue as usual, or possibly taper meds down, depending on what you are doing. Yellow usually calls for some increase in therapy and possibly a call to the doctor. Red usually means call the doctor or 911. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory infection? Niasha

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Hello! I really understand how frustrated you must be!  My peak flow is generally fairly constant, even if I feel tight in my chest.  My doc said he has some patients showing a high peak flow reading yet are sick enough to go to the ER!!  The only time my peak flow dips is when I am really, really sick. I’ve just had to learn through experience and calls to my doctor how to gauge my symptoms and the need for any additional meds.  I was relying heavily on my Pf readings but learned to listen to my body, also. Best of luck, Patrice – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – _That_ explains a few things!  I’d been wondering myself how I could still be having symptoms when my peak flow readings were so high… hmmmm some of this is beginning to make sense to me……Every summer I have the same problems, chest tightness, shortness of breath, panic and chest pain…and every summer i start on the same regime of drugs….ventolin and pulmicort and every summer I never feel any better than the last.  I am beginning to get very frustrated and I am beginning to doubt myself and wonder if it is all in my head. This summer my doctor asked me to start recording peak flow information.  I have been doing it for just over two weeks now (which I hear is a good preliminary period) but i feel just as confused as every.  My symptoms seem consistent with asthma, but not the peak flows.  My levels are high in the morning, dip in the afternoon and evening.  After taking ventolin my personal best is 525.  most days i come in around 425.  but some days at 425 i feel ok and other days i feel like I am suffocating.  and the difference between 450 and 425 feels like the difference between 450 and 200. i thought that this was supposed to take the guess work out of this whole mess and give me some "ammunition" when I go to my doctor? but i am still confused, frustrated and on the verge of a nervous breakdown and I fear that my doctor thinks I am nuts. ter Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

A peak flow meter only measures the condition of the large airways. You could be having problems with the small airways causing such symptoms.

_That_ explains a few things!  I’d been wondering myself how I could still be having symptoms when my peak flow readings were so high…

Response:

_That_ explains a few things!  I’d been wondering myself how I could still be having symptoms when my peak flow readings were so high…

hmmmm some of this is beginning to make sense to me……Every summer I have the same problems, chest tightness, shortness of breath, panic and chest pain…and every summer i start on the same regime of drugs….ventolin and pulmicort and every summer I never feel any better than the last.  I am beginning to get very frustrated and I am beginning to doubt myself and wonder if it is all in my head. This summer my doctor asked me to start recording peak flow information.  I have been doing it for just over two weeks now (which I hear is a good preliminary period) but i feel just as confused as every.  My symptoms seem consistent with asthma, but not the peak flows.  My levels are high in the morning, dip in the afternoon and evening.  After taking ventolin my personal best is 525.  most days i come in around 425.  but some days at 425 i feel ok and other days i feel like I am suffocating.  and the difference between 450 and 425 feels like the difference between 450 and 200. i thought that this was supposed to take the guess work out of this whole mess and give me some "ammunition" when I go to my doctor? but i am still confused, frustrated and on the verge of a nervous breakdown and I fear that my doctor thinks I am nuts. ter Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Oh, oh!  Thanks.  Niasha – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you are having trouble breathing, but your PFs are stable, then it is probably an infection.  If the PFs are dropping, but improve with albuterol, that is asthma. Chris Owens Earlier this month I was hospitalized for a week with pneumonia. During all that time, my peak flows were at 100%. Emily M.

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Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory infection? Niasha

A peak flow meter only measures the condition of the large airways. You could be having problems with the small airways causing such symptoms. It could be a respiratory infection; often a virus where antibiotics would probably not be prescribed. Usually an Action Plan calls for increasing meds when either Peak Flow drops into Yellow zone, OR symptoms increase. [eg double inhaled steroid, use Ventolin as needed] Ellis

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Ellis you are tooo clever.  That’s what my doctor said on Friday.  She explained the difference and procedures for a viral vs a bacterial infection (which requires an anitbiotic).   I am on nebulizer treatments and increase steriods.  This is Sunday morning and I feel better already.  Thanks, Niasha Ellis  wrote…A peak flow meter only measures the condition of the large

airways. You could be having problems with the small airways causing such symptoms.  It could be a respiratory infection; often

a virus where  antibiotics would probably not be prescribed.  Usually an Action Plan calls for increasing meds when either Peak Flow drops into Yellow zone, OR symptoms increase.  [eg double inhaled steroid, use Ventolin as needed]

Response:

If you are having trouble breathing, but your PFs are stable, then it is probably an infection.  If the PFs are dropping, but improve with albuterol, that is asthma. Chris Owens

Earlier this month I was hospitalized for a week with pneumonia. During all that time, my peak flows were at 100%. Emily M.

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Fooey, hooey!  Txs Niasha Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory

infection? chris responded…Not only could there be, it’s very likely.  Doctor time.

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PFR are accurate.  I put my average high (700) to be on the safe side.   I can usually go up to 850 at least once and an average bet.  650 and 750 2 out of 3 times.  I guess my question is more about when do you know it’s an asthma attack Vs a respiratory infection.  For asthma I go to the specialist and for infections to my GP (who, by the way, is extremely knowledgeable).

If you are having trouble breathing, but your PFs are stable, then it is probably an infection.  If the PFs are dropping, but improve with albuterol, that is asthma. Chris Owens

Response:

PFR are accurate.  I put my average high (700) to be on the safe side.   I can usually go up to 850 at least once and an average bet.  650 and 750 2 out of 3 times.  I guess my question is more about when do you know it’s an asthma attack Vs a respiratory infection.  For asthma I go to the specialist and for infections to my GP (who, by the way, is extremely knowledgeable). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -nancy wrote… I would suggest going to your pulmonologist and making sure that your numbers are correct.  Are you sure that your "normal" zone isnt too high?  We had a bit of trouble pinpointing my correct range, but once we did, my numbers/breathing were right on the money.

Response:

Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory infection? Niasha

Response:

Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory infection?

Not only could there be, it’s very likely.  Doctor time. Chris Owens

Response:

Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory infection? Niasha

I would suggest going to your pulmonologist and making sure that your numbers are correct.  Are you sure that your "normal" zone isnt too high?  We had a bit of trouble pinpointing my correct range, but once we did, my numbers/breathing were right on the money. Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )

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Question:

does anyone here know what the sideaffects of zoloft are? i have been on the 100mg for a week now, well tomorrow it will be. and tonight i felt shaky inside, nervous, but yet i also felt like i was in a coma. i just didn’t want to move. thank you everyone for the great responses.

I also felt shaky..very shaky, and only at a 12.5 dose. It was like drinking 3 pots of coffee. I started at 12.5 mg, then titrated by 12.5 mg per week despite my depression being severe. All that went away. I now take 200mg with no problems and no nervousness. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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does anyone here know what the sideaffects of zoloft are? i have been on the 100mg for a week now, well tomorrow it will be. and tonight i felt shaky inside, nervous, but yet i also felt like i was in a coma. i just didn’t want to move. thank you everyone for the great responses. yes i know i can’t spell lol. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Many of the meds we take do have side effects which usually will go away in time.  Some could include anxiety, sleepiness… Could the coma-like state you refer to be depersonalization which is defined as a state in which one no longer perceives the reality of one’s self or one’s environment? smiles, Elise

does anyone here know what the sideaffects of zoloft are? i have been on the 100mg for a week now, well tomorrow it will be. and tonight i felt shaky inside, nervous, but yet i also felt like i was in a coma. i just didn’t want to move. thank you everyone for the great responses. yes i know i can’t spell lol. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

::does anyone here know what the sideaffects of zoloft are? i have been ::on the 100mg for a week now, well tomorrow it will be. and tonight i ::felt shaky inside, nervous, but yet i also felt like i was in a coma. i ::just didn’t want to move. thank you everyone for the great responses. ::yes i know i can’t spell lol. Dear Gina, I really hate listing side effects of a med for fear it will cause someone to anticipate them. I can tell you this, the symptoms you are experiencing are common side effects of Zoloft. They are not dangerous, just very uncomfortable. You do have some options, ask your doctor for a benzo (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan) to be used while you acclimate to Zoloft. It can really help to tame side-effects. If you find you are just too uncomfortable and your doctor won’t prescribe a benzo, ask him to ‘temporarily’ lower your dose a bit, then wean slowly back to 100 mgs. What was your dose before your doctor increased you to 100mgs? How long had you been on that dose? Feel better soon! Jackie ~*~The glass isn’t half full or half empty… the glass is EMPTY…BONE DRY…NOTHING! ~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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jackie, I am just going to counseling. i started the 50mg about a month ago and went straight to 100mg after that. i started getting tickling feelings and numbness in some places, so now i am back to 50mg. my counselar thinks now maybe bipolar, but i don’t think so. gina – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Gina, I really hate listing side effects of a med for fear it will cause someone to anticipate them. I can tell you this, the symptoms you are experiencing are common side effects of Zoloft. They are not dangerous, just very uncomfortable. You do have some options, ask your doctor for a benzo (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan) to be used while you acclimate to Zoloft. It can really help to tame side-effects. If you find you are just too uncomfortable and your doctor won’t prescribe a benzo, ask him to ‘temporarily’ lower your dose a bit, then wean slowly back to 100 mgs. What was your dose before your doctor increased you to 100mgs? How long had you been on that dose? Feel better soon! Jackie ~*~The glass isn’t half full or half empty… the glass is EMPTY…BONE DRY…NOTHING! ~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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

Response:

::I am just going to counseling. i started the 50mg about a month ago and ::went straight to 100mg after that. i started getting tickling feelings ::and numbness in some places, so now i am back to 50mg. my counselar ::thinks now maybe bipolar, but i don’t think so. Dear Gina, A 50mg increase at one time is too much for someone with an anxiety disorder. When it comes to Zoloft, increasing in 12.5 or 25mg increments is the best way to go. If you decide to go for 100mgs, do it slowly. It won’t be so painful. About the Bipolar diagnosis, get a 2nd from a psychiatrist. When we are very anxious and panicky it can mimic other mental disorders, like Bipolar. Didn’ t this therapist tell you last week that she thought you had PTSD? Who is prescribing your Zoloft? Take care, Gina Jackie ~*~Acting like a witch…..Eating 14 chocolate bars…..this isn`t a holiday for — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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Question:

I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious. (Xanax aslo perscribed) After taking the 50 mg for a month –I asked him today should I switch to Paxil? He told me don’t believe all the advertizing you read, paxil won’t work any better than zoloft. Just thought you might like mto hear this from what I consider a good  P doctor.

Response:

I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious. (Xanax aslo perscribed) After taking the 50 mg for a month –I asked him today should I switch to Paxil? He told me don’t believe all the advertizing you read, paxil won’t work any better than zoloft. Just thought you might like mto hear this from what I consider a good  P doctor.

  I think that your doctor just means that Paxil and Zoloft are just as effective percentage wise in treating PA…However, this does not mean that you don’t fit into the 30% that don’t find help with Zoloft…Nor does it mean that you won’t be sucessful with Paxil because you weren’t with Zoloft…All the SSRI’s may have different effects on you…All that being said I agree with what’s been said here…I felt a little better with 50 mg…A lot better at 100 mg…You have a long way to go before giving up on Zoloft…And some improvement at 25 mg likely means a lot more later…Therefore switching to Paxil may just cost you time (since it’ll take just as long to be effective most likely)… — Charles Phipps

Response:

Philip,     I just wanted to chime in an opinion.  I’ve been on both paxil and zoloft. Zoloft made me like a zombie.  Paxil did wonders in preventing attacks.  I’m on Effexor XR 75 mg right now and it has actually let me make some improvements in my life.  Plus it doesn’t make me feel drowsy like most of the others do. Craig Mangrum – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious. (Xanax aslo perscribed) After taking the 50 mg for a month –I asked him today should I switch to Paxil? He told me don’t believe all the advertizing you read, paxil won’t work any better than zoloft. Just thought you might like mto hear this from what I consider a good  P doctor. The truth is, though, that our reactions to different SSRI’s are very personal and that some may do well on Zoloft and worse on Paxil or vice versa etc. If all SSRI’s had the same results with everybody there wouldn’t have to be more than one. Regarding the Zoloft I believe that you haven’t given it a fair trial yet. Philip

Response:

I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious. (Xanax aslo perscribed) After taking the 50 mg for a month –I asked him today should I switch to Paxil? He told me don’t believe all the advertizing you read, paxil won’t work any better than zoloft. Just thought you might like mto hear this from what I consider a good  P doctor.

The truth is, though, that our reactions to different SSRI’s are very personal and that some may do well on Zoloft and worse on Paxil or vice versa etc. If all SSRI’s had the same results with everybody there wouldn’t have to be more than one. Regarding the Zoloft I believe that you haven’t given it a fair trial yet. Philip

Response:

I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious. (Xanax aslo perscribed) After taking the 50 mg for a month –I asked him today should I switch to Paxil? He told me don’t believe all the advertizing you read, paxil won’t work any better than zoloft. Just thought you might like mto hear this from what I consider a good  P doctor.

Hi Dan, Get a new doctor, or educate him His statement is false. We have many people here that did awful on Zoloft but did well on Paxil and vice  versa. Even though the two are SSRI anti-depressants, they are still quite different. All the meds in the SSRI family are different from each other. Some are more sedating than others, and some are more stimulating. If you feel that strongly about trying a new med, demand it or find a new doctor. You might want to think of upping the Zoloft dose, your dose might be a bit low, and that is why you are still experiencing anxiety. 50mgs of Zoloft is a low therapeutic dose. Use your Xanax to help you deal with the anxiety.  Take care!! Jackie ~~On earth, an angel’s wings are inside~~

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I agree to educate this MD or get a new one.  Very poor answer.  I have been on paxil about 5 years and it has been a life saver, Zoloft did nothing for me.

Response:

(Dan Littleton) writes: I told my doctor today that the zoloft was not doing anything for me after the initial dosage of 25mg. (I did feel a little better) and after a month he uped the dosage to 50mg– which I felt no different and if anything more anxious.

Hi Dan. I think you might want to give the Z more of a chance. 25mg *really* isn’t much and if it was helping a little bit, that’s a good sign. Some people need 200mg or even more, but your doctor is right to increase it gradually. The increased anxiety as you raise the dose is a common side effect – if you’re able to tolerate it for a little while, the extra anxiety will go away as your body gets used to the drug. I don’t remember if you are taking other meds as well, but if not, you might ask for a benzo such as Klonopin, Xanax, or Ativan, to smooth things out while you’re increasing the dose of Zoloft. Paxil doesn’t work better than Zoloft in general (statistically), but it does work better for some people. For others, Zoloft works better – it averages out the same. You have no way of knowing which will be better for you unless you try them both – which is a pain in the a**, admittedly! If I were in your place, though, I’d stay with the Zoloft, since you’ve already put so much time into it and had a bit of an improvement even at a very low dose. I hope things continue to get better! -elizabeth

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Question:

x-no archive : yes Hi Cheryl – I am the OTHER Cheryl – Hi ASED! I haven’t been on the Board much lately, but I am the Old doll, the redhead, the former Binge eater – just didn’t want to confuse anyone – maybe one of us could change our name on the Board – what do you think ? I just don’t want anyone to be confused with two of us here !! With love and support to you all – Cheryl.

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there is a new drug that was approved in this country (US) in July called Celexa.  my pdoc just told me about it because i was having bad side effects from effexor.  i’ve only been reading about it on the intenet…it’s still so new.  look it up under any search engine.  i can’t remember how it works but it is classified as an antidepressant. cheers, cheryl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone heard of this medication?  Not sure if it is Selexa, or Xelexa, my doc said it is common in Europe, and is thinking of having me try it, as I can’t seem to increase my dose of Paxil over 10mg, for the bingeing, and depression, and he said it isn’t a therapeutic dose.  Just wondering if anyone ever heard of it, and what the experiences were with it. Suzy

Response:

Maybe you are thinking of "Zyprexa," or "Olanzapine," which is fairly new in the USA.  It is an antipsychotic which is being used sometimes to alleviate "delusional thinking" (body dysmorphia) and other aspects of EDs. –Connie   clixpix

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Has anyone heard of this medication?  Not sure if it is Selexa, or Xelexa, my doc said it is common in Europe, and is thinking of having me try it, as I can’t seem to increase my dose of Paxil over 10mg, for the bingeing, and depression, and he said it isn’t a therapeutic dose.  Just wondering if anyone ever heard of it, and what the experiences were with it. Suzy

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Question:

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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I’ve been off the stuff for about 3 days now..can’t really say I feel that bad…I actually feel BETTER….my body feel so much less sluggish and I want to DO stuff and I don’t feel uneven or unstable by any stretch of the imagination. I just feel good because this is actually turhing out to be an "up" week for me.  Maybe I don’t need the meds…  I dunno….things are on an upward curve for me at eh moment.  I feel great….great great great…..not upity, but just plain old great. i think.

dear spacegurl, i’ve done what you’ve done so many times…hell, i’m not on any mood stabilizers right now (shhh!) actually, i’m going to my doctor to trade my (rash-inducing…but that was just me…) tegretol for what i’m guessing will be neurontin, since i’ve tried most others. my summary of life without meds: short term, i felt fine. long term, i never have really gotten better. i haven’t had any unusual catastrophes, but i’ve just never been able to really "heal." my mood/neuro-issues still interfere with my life. it’s cyclical, so somtimes i think i’ll be fine without… in fact, i stayed off meds for seven years. but i am coming back to try again. i haven’t been able to produce much artwork (except for my website) or hold a job for long, i feel alternately sad and without energy or frightened/agitated, and my boyfriend and i are increasingly socially isolated due to my having a panic attack half of the times we try to go out. note: i also haven’t been able to stick to an exercise schedule of any kind when depressed! this seems pathetic to me, as i used to take ballet, race bikes, etc. so i am urging you to try different meds instead- and on your terms. my first time on lithium, i gained a ton of weight and consequently felt so betrayed by my doctors, who didn’t even warn me…and i’ve also tried depakote. neither worked for me anyway… I do’nt see how any meds that make you gain weight can make you happy.  At least not for me.

i really do agree. as i’ve said before (on this newsgroup,) every med i try is a gamble- it may help, it may not. whereas i *k*n*o*w* that the more weight i gain, the more depressed i’ll get. it’s just common sense to be unwilling to take a drug that makes me depressed via weight gain when i’m taking it to alleviate depression in the first place! call it vanity if you wish, but that’s my philosophy. I know, I need to change my views on this, but hey…I am doing what I need to do.

i know- believe me. but before you leave the mystical world of psychopharmacology, i really wanted to show you this: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ask the Expert – Mood Disorder Meds Weigh In Q. What mood disorder medications are most likely/least likely to cause weight gain? Information on both bipolar and unipolar drug therapy would be appreciated. A. The following is a basic summary of the effects of various mood medications, and their usual effect on weight: Key +++ weight gain very likely, often exceeding 8 lbs ++ weight gain sometimes seen, usually modest (5-6 lbs) + weight gain uncommon (less than 5% of patients) and usually less than 5 lbs. Antidepressants Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Paroxetine (Paxil) + Bupropion (Wellbutrin) + Venlafaxine (Effexor) + Tricyclics Elavil, Tofranil, Doxepin and others +++ Mood stabilizers Lithium +++ (average weight gain=9 lbs) Valproate (Depakote) ++ Carbamazepine (Tegretol) + Note: Some elderly patients actually lose weight while taking Prozac. These figures are based on the literature, and my own experience. Patients vary greatly in their responses, however, and there are always patients who gain weight when they weren’t supposed to on a given agent.

i’m admittedly not sure where i got this.. it was a well-established website that i found easily by entering "weight" and "bipolar" into a search engine. spacegurl, i just want to let you know that not all drugs cause fattening. some even encourage loss (wellbutrin has been known to cause a loss of over 5 pounds in about 25% of the people who take it, for example. i wouldn’t really recommend  it as the most effective drug out there, but your results may differ.) i haven’t seen most of your posts leading up to this, but if you’re really quitting meds over the weight issue alone, you still have a range of options you could try (tegretol, neurontin…) love and luck, selene

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Well,  I just thought I’d check in with you guyus and first of all thanks you all sooooooo much for your e-mails and responses on here.  they really did help me.  I know you guys think that I am drilling a hole in my foot doing what i"M doin, but I can’t think of any other way.  I’ve been off the stuff for about 3 days now..can’t really say I feel that bad…I actually feel BETTER….my body feel so much less sluggish and I want to DO stuff and I don’t feel uneven or unstable by any stretch of the imagination. I just feel good because this is actually turhing out to be an "up" week for me.  Maybe I don’t need the meds…  I dunno….things are on an upward curve for me at eh moment.  I feel great….great great great…..not upity, but just plain old great. i think. But the weight thing was just a pisser for me.  I do’nt see how any meds that make you gain weight can make you happy.  At least not for me.  I know, I need to change my views on this, but hey…I am doing what I need to do. I think it is great that people out there are able to get help w/ the medication.  I won’t ever go backk on the stuff….i won’t. never ever ever…yuck. So, just thought I"d let you all know I am doing excellent w/ out the meds! — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

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Question:

What a heart wrenching story! My heart goes out to both of you.  o get back on my Meds.  Whats worse is my husband doesn;t even seem to notice how bad I feel.

 I stronly suspect your husband does not feel that great himself. I’m glad he is alive.  God only knows what they were exposed to during the Gulf War.  Perhaps you just need to sit down with him and tell him quite honestly how you feel.  You need to be there for each other right now. You both have been to hell and back.   Take care of each other. In time you will be working back on insurance….and able to ge on meds and get some therapy if you need it.  You should be proud of yourself for going from zero to being able to buy a house again. Good for you!  Thank God you have a roof over your heads and food on the table.  Hang in there. Hug each other. Take care. ((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))) Chip

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Shall I call you EM? Wow!  I think you are amazing for handling, almost singlehandedly it seems, the pile of stresses and problems you’ve been dealing with.  It sounds like you and your husband have gotten through the worst part of the storm, but still have a lot of pieces to pick up…like getting you back on meds and/or therapy, and re-opening intimate communication between the two of you. I wish I had a magic wand and simple answers. It may be awhile before your finances (or insurance through the new job) help with your immediate need of meds or therapy.  Can you summon up the patience to wait…and get whatever rest you can til then?  Are there any friends, neighbors or relatives nearby that could help with even the smallest things around the house…cleaning?  babysitting? If you are suicidal, please RUN to the phone and start calling hospitals for help in referring you to no cost/low cost community mental health agencies. Hug your hubby as often as you can…I imagine he may feel very useless and low himself right now.  Really good hugs take lots of practice and you may have to show your hubby how good they feel by being the instigator for awhile. After some practice, he’ll find it easier to notice when YOU need a hug. Keep posting o.k.  This is always a good place to vent.  Glad you found us! Leah (posted & e’d) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello everyone I have been lurking for a while now looking for some help I guess.  I was in therapy from 1994-1996.  I was on medication Prozac, Effexor, all the new ones any way at the end of my therapy I was on 5 Prozacs a day.  So my husband and I decided to move from Kentucky to Florida my doctor gave me enough Meds to ween me off my meds.  I got to Florida went back to work in a hospital (there is a scary thought I take care of patients) any way that was April 1996.  I was doing great then in August my husband 27 years old was put in the VA Hopspital ICU 125 miles away from home.  I was not able to work and take care of my 2 year pld and be with him so, my work put me on a leave of absence. I was told my husband had a heart condition that would need surgery and he would be transfered to Richmond VI.  Then all of a suden they cancelled saying they found abnormal cells in his spinal fluid (lymphomia) which they felt was falal. At that point he had been in the hospital a month with neither of us working and we lost our home also faced with his illness I felt he should be near his family I convinced his doctor to let me take him back to Kentucky and have him admited there.  They agreed in one weekend I loaded a u-haul and drove strait through to Kentucky towing our car with my husband and 2 year old.  We moved in with his mother while pending VA disability.  As soon as we got back I called my Doctor’s office and told the receptionest what had happened she said "They couldn’t see me with out insurance but it sounded like I should see someone"  Any way then they came and took my car away living with his mother was pure hell (The only person I have ever met who needs meds and therapy much more than me) We lived there for eight months with our only income being 300.00 a month in foodstamps The VA in Kentucky wouldn’t admit him they decided the other VA was wrong and it turned out that they were.  They don’t know what the cells are that make him so sick because it is due to Gulf War Syndrome.  I fought with VA for almost a year they finally rated him at 70% and gave him $20,000 back pay.  We imeadiately moved back to Floriday April 97.  Bought a house, payed off some bills, and bought a car.  So the back pay was gone quicker than I thought and 70 % only pays 1020 a month.  We are pending the other 30% and waiting for a Social Security hearing.  So it became important for me to go back to work.  I am schedualed to start a new job September 22.  Everything seems to be going great so why do I feel so terible.  I can’t sleep I cry all the time, I feel I am loosing control, but I have to hold it together and right now I don’t have the resources to get back on my Meds.  Whats worse is my husband doesn;t even seem to notice how bad I feel.

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Hello everyone I have been lurking for a while now looking for some help I guess.  I was in therapy from 1994-1996.  I was on medication Prozac, Effexor, all the new ones any way at the end of my therapy I was on 5 Prozacs a day.  So my husband and I decided to move from Kentucky to Florida my doctor gave me enough Meds to ween me off my meds.  I got to Florida went back to work in a hospital (there is a scary thought I take care of patients) any way that was April 1996.  I was doing great then in August my husband 27 years old was put in the VA Hopspital ICU 125 miles away from home.  I was not able to work and take care of my 2 year pld and be with him so, my work put me on a leave of absence. I was told my husband had a heart condition that would need surgery and he would be transfered to Richmond VI.  Then all of a suden they cancelled saying they found abnormal cells in his spinal fluid (lymphomia) which they felt was falal. At that point he had been in the hospital a month with neither of us working and we lost our home also faced with his illness I felt he should be near his family I convinced his doctor to let me take him back to Kentucky and have him admited there.  They agreed in one weekend I loaded a u-haul and drove strait through to Kentucky towing our car with my husband and 2 year old.  We moved in with his mother while pending VA disability.  As soon as we got back I called my Doctor’s office and told the receptionest what had happened she said "They couldn’t see me with out insurance but it sounded like I should see someone"  Any way then they came and took my car away living with his mother was pure hell (The only person I have ever met who needs meds and therapy much more than me) We lived there for eight months with our only income being 300.00 a month in foodstamps The VA in Kentucky wouldn’t admit him they decided the other VA was wrong and it turned out that they were.  They don’t know what the cells are that make him so sick because it is due to Gulf War Syndrome.  I fought with VA for almost a year they finally rated him at 70% and gave him $20,000 back pay.  We imeadiately moved back to Floriday April 97.  Bought a house, payed off some bills, and bought a car.  So the back pay was gone quicker than I thought and 70 % only pays 1020 a month.  We are pending the other 30% and waiting for a Social Security hearing.  So it became important for me to go back to work.  I am schedualed to start a new job September 22.  Everything seems to be going great so why do I feel so terible.  I can’t sleep I cry all the time, I feel I am loosing control, but I have to hold it together and right now I don’t have the resources to get back on my Meds.  Whats worse is my husband doesn;t even seem to notice how bad I feel.

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[posted and emailed] Everything seems to be going great so why do I feel so terible.  I can’t sleep I cry all the time, I feel I am loosing control, but I have to hold it together and right now I don’t have the resources to get back on my Meds.  Whats worse is my husband doesn;t even seem to notice how bad I feel.

welcome to the group. albeit not a welcome i like to give. hang in there, I/we will be there through it with you. Are there any public health services in your area that could give you meds? "Dark Prism" – My personality refracts darkly through the serotonigenic spectrum. Thomas A. Ott — ottthoma (at) pipeline.com – [3 t's in ottthoma!!!] http://www.geocities.com/~ottthoma — main site http://www.geocities.com/~ottthoma/depression/index.html—– depression site http://www.geocities.com/~ottthoma/depression/sjw.html —— st. john’s wort stuff FCC Regulations provide up to 500 dollars in damages PER INCIDENT for Unsolicited Commercial E-Mail.  Go ahead.  Make my day.

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