Question:

White Knight — I am similar to you in a lot of ways  (top education, unable to work, worried about going bankrupt and losing my home, etc.) and would really like to hear your wisdom.  But it’s just impossible for me to read what you have to say through all the ranting and shouting. I hope you will get some relief and be able to have the career that seems important to you.  I am having trouble not giving up, but I am getting really bored with daytime t.v. and internet stuff. "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea.  If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."                                                            - Abraham Lincoln

Response:

I am sick and tired about all these posts trying to scare people away from trying xanax.  As someone who has suffered from bipolar disorder(type 2) for 15 years, tried all the antidepressants, now on a cocktail of meds, including xanax and paxil, my experience is that PAXIL has many more adverse effects versus the marginal benefit of some anxiety relief.  I took Paxil for 5 months and was not taking any xanax, and I got some anticapation anxiety relief at the cost of NO LIBIDO, sleeping 12 hours a day, having no motivation, just didn’t give a shit, already gained 10 pounds in 5 months with the carbo craving…..And people want to talk about xanax dependency and problems with withdrawl.  I am not trying to minimize people’s experience or their pain, but with anxiety or other mental health issues, the word is YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY(YMMY).  I am a college graduate in electrical engineering from a top 5 engineering college, and now have not worked for over two years mostly because of anxiety and some depression yearly.  After working for 11 years struggling with depression and anxiety, I now have a hard time stepping outside my home.  I have considered suicide 1000’s of times over the last 15 years, actually researched and made the plans and was about to end it, and then I started on the Paxil…….Yeah, my suicidal obsessions went away, but now I was content to veg out all day watching TY or on the Net, my desire to GET A JOB disappeared.  Go research web sites and you will see how many people have problems with SSRI’s, yeah they are alive and taking that $3 pill two times a day or many $3 pills for me, but now I am NUMB and just there.  Prior to Paxil I use to be a emotional person, felt the pain of others and would cry when touched by something, but now I am a Paxil-zombie, yeah some anxiety relief but a LOT OF ME is also gone.  So all those xanax phobics, please allow people to fail with their options without scaring them.  What are people’s choices when it comes to anxiety or panic, yes paxil, yes benzo’s, yes MAIO’s, yes CBT(Cognitive Behavior Therapy).  My experience is PAXIL SUCKS and THE WITHDRAWAL IS HORRIBLE BASED ON MUCH FEEDBACK I HAVE READ ON THE NET, MAIO’S like parnate have some studies that back them up but the food restrictions are VERY DIFFICULT(no cheese, wine, beer, chocolate, many OTC meds, etc.), CBT might work for some but the feedback I have heard is that CBT plus meds work the best and I HAVE DONE THE THERAPY ROUTE and it was a waste of money. As one doctor told me, people who suffer from PANIC and think they are dieing have never been told that "your not going to die, it is all in your head"…Well that was my last session with him.  Just to repeat, this is MY EXPERIENCE and YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY.  Now I could continue to HIBERNATE IN MY HOUSE, NOT WORK, RUN OUT OF MONEY AND THEN BE HOMELESS…..Or I can be proactive and continue to experiment and try to find some solution that will allow me to work and have a life.  I have taken xanax in the past, just started it one month ago, still taking a low dose of paxil, and I am MUCH MUCH BETTER at dealing with day to day life, interacting with people, giving my shit done, etc. Yeah, maybe I will be taking xanax for the rest of my life but the only side effect I have had is some sleepiness.  And to those who talk about TOLERANCE BUILDUP, that is a CROCK, yes you might have to increase your xanax from .25mg 3 times a day to .50mg 3 times a day, there are people who have taken xanax for 5 to 15 years and most leveled out after 1 year at a dose and have no desire to increase. People need to do some research and FIND OUT THE REAL TRUTH, not what BIG PHARMA and BIG BUSINESS OWNED MEDIA OUTLETS want us to believe. Not to be cynical, but $3 no generic available paxil is much better for DRUG COMPANIES, then CHEAP GENERIC XANAX which might be more effective with less side-effects.  Why are benzo’s so hard to get, cause drug lobbiest have access to CONGRESS and made sure that THE NO-PROFIT SOLUTIONS(IE LIKE BENZO’S) are not readily available. Let me make THE NEWCOMERS TO MENTAL ILLNESS aware that HYPE ABOUT THE LATEST ANTIDEPRESSANT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WILL BE MADE ON THE DRUG, and the only time you will hear about THE NEGATIVES about that drug will be when it comes off-patent. Now that we have generic prozac, we will hear more about side effects like NO LIBIDO, WEIGHT GAIN, SUICIDE, AND OTHER  EFEECTS.  Of course, as long as Paxil and Zoloft have no generics, MEDIA HYPE will be still muted, but give it time.  Just as all the SSRI’s go generic, we will hear about ALL THE NEGATIVES and out will come the new batch of 8 TO 12 WEEK STUDIED ANTIDEPRESSANTS to start the new profit cycle.  People with mental illness are just pawns, half ass useless meds are approved based on 8 week studies, NO REASON FOR A LONG TERM STUDY, we really don’t want to KNOW THE TRUTH, and as soon as the generics start rolling out, OUT COMES THE DIRTY LAUNDRY, not to HELP US, NO, ONLY SO THAT WE GO ON THE LATEST $5 PILL THAT HAS A 80% SUCCESS RATE AND EVEN LESS SIDE EFFECTS.  Hell as long as everyone is making money, who cares about THE CRAZIES that take the product, we just need them alive and taking their meds.  Now I forget, was I taking about the cigarette industry or drug companies, HELL WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE.  This of course is just the opinion of a mentally ill patient with 15 years of experience popping pills, all of which have a 70% effective rate, but I guess I am the exception, "ALIVE" AND NOT SUICIDAL, AND NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. White Knight

Response:

Question:

I don’t know much about what melatonin would do, or have any authority in the medical area at all. This is widely hyped as a ‘natural’ sleep aid. A good write up on it can be found at:

http://www.hcrc.org/cgi-bin/mfs.cgi/20/web/u7/www11417/www/contrib/ac… cles/melaton.html I use melatonin once in a while.  If I’m having trouble sleeping I much prefer a combination of valerian, skullcap and passion flower.  You can’t take valerian every night though, so I only add that if I really need it or at a maximum of 3 nights a week.  You can take everyday the first week you use it or if you do not use it often (IOW if a break of several weeks occurs between usages) but don’t take it every day for longer than a week. Valerian is also a natural muscle relaxant.  If it were me, I’d use it every night for 7 nights and then 3 times a week thereafter if I had chronic muscle cramps.  It works quite well and you should find that you don’t actually need it every night after the first go.   Skullcap and passionflower can be used more often.  Skullcap is a lovely soothing herb that helps the nervous system as well as helping with sleep. I prefer to use melatonin only when traveling internationally or across several time zones.   Melatonin is a hormone produced by the body but the amount the body produces decreases with age. I have not found it to react with my asthma medications which include Flovent, Serevent, Singulair and Albuterol.   Loki

Response:

He’s probably thinking of Levbid – used for colonic spasm and such.

Response:

Ellis; thank you for your reply, I looked up some of the reactions of drugs I took, CECLOR,ASMACORT, PREDNISONE,AEROBID,VANCANASE, MEDROL, DELTASONE. HISMANOL, AND INTAL(THIS ONE JUST LOST ANY HELP AFTER OVER A YEAR ON IT.  hives, 43#  rapid gain wt. headaches and abdominal cramps, and fluid accumclations in large amounts.  the preventil-albuterol and the intal, accolate,  was good, the singular switch seemed o.k.     I also have tried over and over to use the flo-meter and can never get it over 140 course I havent blown up a bloon since I was a kid.     Because this doctor  is good enough to see me after I challenged the other one I am afraid to make waves     again thanks for the concern i will read the other comments as they help my attitude, glad i was older before I got this problem, really can’t complain as I had a good life. MRS ehoward

Response:

I don’t know much about what melatonin would do, or have any authority in the medical area at all.

This is widely hyped as a ‘natural’ sleep aid. A good write up on it can be found at: http://www.hcrc.org/cgi-bin/mfs.cgi/20/web/u7/www11417/www/contrib/ac…

Response:

For two years I took melatonin every day , I have asthma and was taking abuterol,x2 puffs, 4times a day and at night taking singular before bed. about three months ago I had over twenty attacts of sever muscular cramps in my rt. upper quadrant, so severe I was in tears.  My dr. put me on LIVBID and it corrected  the pain quickly, the day I started livbid i quit the melatonin.(took it to help sleep and my hair grew longer than ever in my whole life)  Now if I go off the livbid my pain returns in my right Quadrant  This pain has been an off again on again problem with me four or more years before I was diagnosed with asthma, say about 14 years and I have been through the standard upper, lower, etc  type exaimes.

Re: Pain in upper right quadrant; could be liver problems. There is a warning on Accolate (similar to Singulair) to notify doctor if this happens; liver function tests may be needed. Re: Singulair; this is a new drug that helps about 2/3 astmatics who take it. If it doesn’t help it shouldn’t be continued. Sometimes a smaller dose is prescribed; the 5 mg (child’s dose) instead of 10 mg adult dose. Older adults metabolize the drug more slowly. Re: albuterol 2 pf x4. New asthma guidelines indicate if you need more than 1 pf/day, inhaled steroids should be added or increased. You didn’t mention taking any inhaled steroids (Vanceril, Azmacort, Pulmicort, Flovent, Aerobid). These are the main treatment drugs for asthma. Another drug to try in your case is Atrovent inhaler. It’s also available as Combivent, a combination of Atrovent and albuterol. Re: LIVBID  I think you must have the name wrong. It isn’t listed in drug books and a web search came up with nothing. Re: melatonin–Here’s a link: http://209.67.220.19/mayo/9708/htm/melaton.htm Melatonin http://209.67.220.19/mayo/9708/htm/mela_1sb.htm side effects Re: leg cramps–you could have a potassium deficiency from the albuterol or other drugs. Be sure to eat lots of bananas and drink orange juice; and eat other fruits and vegetables. I would recommend reading up on asthma. A couple of good books are The Asthma Sourcebook by Francis Adams, MD  A new edition just came out. Dr. Adams is a pulmonologist specializing in asthma. Another good book by the same author is The Breathing Disorders Sourcebook. Both can be ordered at your bookstore or available at amazon.com online. By understanding asthma better, you can tell whether your doctor is treating it effectively. If you aren’t on a steroid inhaler, I would want to know why not. (Pulmicort or Flovent best) You might benefit from a 2nd opinion from a major asthma clinic or teaching hospital. Ellis   My asthma is chemically induced  and the list of – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – chemicals is extremely long, plus other sources such as burning wood  in chimneys, dyes and so on.  I also have leg cramps and foot cramps after    seven years of asthma treatments and many reactions to drugs I thought the singular was my answer now I am mixed up after reading all your post.   I cannot sleep as well as i did when I took the melatonin, I cannot find out why the pain returns within 24 hrs of the stopping of livbid and I get no better socially as i have not been to a show in a decade, every time i try to go too church I am run over with cough drops and embarrased  I can not shop at a mall and am slowly becoming a house prisoner and it makes me dam mad that I have spent so much money and taken so dam many pills and now I  seem worst than before,  the last time I changed drs. I got a misss diagnosis as he read the X-ray report wrong and then when I called him on it he reused totreat me futher which I then went to a pulmonary spec, who i follow  as well as I can every afford, am 65 yrs old  what would you do next??//.

Response:

For two years I took melatonin every day , I have asthma and was taking abuterol,x2 puffs, 4times a day and at night taking singular before bed. about three months ago I had over twenty attacts of sever muscular cramps in my rt. upper quadrant, so severe I was in tears.  My dr. put me on LIVBID and it corrected  the pain quickly, the day I started livbid i quit the melatonin.(took it to help sleep and my hair grew longer than ever in my whole life)  Now if I go off the livbid my pain returns in my right Quadrant  This pain has been an off again on again problem with me four or more years before I was diagnosed with asthma, say about 14 years and I have been through the standard upper, lower, etc  type exaimes.   My asthma is chemically induced  and the list of chemicals is extremely long, plus other sources such as burning wood  in chimneys, dyes and so on.  I also have leg cramps and foot cramps after    seven years of asthma treatments and many reactions to drugs I thought the singular was my answer now I am mixed up after reading all your post.   I cannot sleep as well as i did when I took the melatonin, I cannot find out why the pain returns within 24 hrs of the stopping of livbid and I get no better socially as i have not been to a show in a decade, every time i try to go too church I am run over with cough drops and embarrased  I can not shop at a mall and am slowly becoming a house prisoner and it makes me dam mad that I have spent so much money and taken so dam many pills and now I  seem worst than before,  the last time I changed drs. I got a misss diagnosis as he read the X-ray report wrong and then when I called him on it he reused totreat me futher which I then went to a pulmonary spec, who i follow  as well as I can every afford, am 65 yrs old  what would you do next??//.

Response:

: wrong and then when I called him on it he reused totreat me futher which : I then went to a pulmonary spec, who i follow  as well as I can every : afford, am 65 yrs old  what would you do next??//. I have heard of a saline spray for blocked throat in glandular fever. Also the lungs are high in sodium compared to other body tissues. Cramp can be a result of too little salt. Have you changed your diet apart from melatonin? Perhaps salt helps to slow the heart, a little, too, maybe if it is with some potassiium chloride, too, and helps sleep. That would be if your kidneys are not hanging on to salt because of lack of the hormone aldosterone. Or perhaps if you take diuretic. Sometimes you are told you should not reduce salt intake when on certain diuretics. The sodium/potassium balance deserves care, also when experimenting. I don’t know much about what melatonin would do, or have any authority in the medical area at all. Dodo Dolphin

Response:

Question:

I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Response:

"Micky Stagemeyer" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

news:v72poo4cj5qv03@corp.supernews.com…

I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Hi Staggy, I too find it easier to dish out advise then to "help myself". Anyway, I am looking forward to your posts. Lain — Warning: Be careful of the right side.

Response:

Lain –   My ocd is mostly what they would refer to as a "pure obsessional". I don’t have much of the compulsions that are typical of ocd. "Fear" of future events is really hard for me. It keeps me isolated. I spent a month in a day hospital during october which did help but I have a lot of work left to do. The cure is worse than the disease itself. Staggy

Response:

"Micky Stagemeyer" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

news:v72poo4cj5qv03@corp.supernews.com…

I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Hello Staggy Welcome to the group! Sounds like you’ve come to the right place. Dr Zorg

Response:

"Staggy" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

news:v72r14fctffbc1@corp.supernews.com…

The cure is worse than the disease itself. Staggy

Yes, "seems" like the is no light at the end of this tunnel. Lain — Warning: Be careful of the right side.

Response:

Staggy wrote:

 

  My ocd is mostly what they would refer

 

to as a "pure obsessional". I don’t have

 

much of the compulsions that are typical

 

of ocd. "Fear" of future events is really

 

hard for me. It keeps me isolated.

Copied from a post I wrote a few weeks ago –

‘FWIW, most people who claim to be ‘pure obsessionals’ or to have ‘pure o’ OCD, in fact perform mental compulsions. Which is good news, in a way, cos it was previously believed that people with just obsessions (people with ‘pure o’ OCD) were more difficult to treat because there were no compulsions to deal with. Most experts now see the concept of ‘pure o’ OCD as outdated and not useful for proper treatment as more has been learned about mental compulsions. Now, people who were once labelled as ‘pure o’ and thus ‘difficult to treat’ are seen as just as treatable as people with ‘regular’ OCD.’ I would add that it could be that isolating yourself is a form of OCD avoidance, which is very typical OCD behaviour.  

The cure is worse than the disease itself.

In some cases, yes. In many cases it’s the belief that the treatment is worse than the OCD that is the culprit. There are many studies that show that people with OCD devalue their ability to cope with ‘bad’ experiences, much more than people without OCD. Couple that with tendencies for people with OCD to exaggerate risk, catastrophize and to dwell on the negative, it’s no wonder many people with OCD do not do CBT. — ARQ Add a dot on each side of the ‘r’ in my name and a ‘c’ in front of lara to email me.

Response:

I drove an ambulance for 15 years and I’ve worked in a hospital for most of my adult life but I don’t want to delude you into thinking I’m a DOCTOR or anything. I also find it easier to help others than to help myself. I’ve been on this group for over for over 5 years and have gotten a lot of useful information from this group. I also find the moral support encouraging. I’ve was diagnosed with OCD & depression 12 years ago (have had it longer). I’ve taken Pamalor, Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, & some others with varying results. SOme were pretty good (like Pamalor and Paxil) but I didn’t like the side effects. I’m currently on Zoloft and Tegretol and I am going to stop the Zoloft (gives me diarrhea & makes me anxious) and try Luvox starting tomorrow. Welcome. NK PS- I would be careful about using your real name on usenet. Too many psychos. "Micky Stagemeyer" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

news:v72poo4cj5qv03@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Response:

Hi NK,         It is a known fact that diarrhea is a side effect of Zoloft. However, my experience is that you have less risk of it if you take it with a full stomach.  Also, thank you for letting me pick your brain about my current situation. JP

Response:

Question:

Hello all, I am an OCD sufferer for two+ decades and have had mixed benefits with non SSRI meds and behavioral therapy.  My question to all of you is what SSRI meds have you tried as I am considering them. What has worked for the OCD and depression and what side effects have you experienced? I understand that SSRIs work differently for each person but I am trying for a general consensus. Please include any commentary on Luvox(Fluvoxamine), Prozac (Fluvoxatine), Paxil(paroxetine), Celexa(citalopram), Zoloft(sertraline) and/or any I have missed Thank you very much for your response!  If you wish to respond personally please e-mail loafofspam@(remove-this)aol.com Brett

Response:

Zoloft – ok I’ll do this in a sorta survey form style to make it easier for you. dosage – optimum dosage when ocd was at worst – 75mg, now it has subsided – 25mg is enough. effects – great, really relieved anxiety and I managed to beat my rituals and a lot of my thoughts permanently whilst on it. side effects – grinding teeth, sleepiness, bad dreams, sweating, weight loss and loss of appetite – but they all faded within a few months. additional problems – coming off it was hard – tremors and stuff but I got there eventually…took a quite a few weeks. Overall I think it’s been a great med for me! ~Am~ xxx Gentility <loafofs…@aol.com

wrote in message

news:u07jjodequ7cd7@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hello all, I am an OCD sufferer for two+ decades and have had mixed benefits with non SSRI meds and behavioral therapy.  My question to all of you is what SSRI meds have you tried as I am considering them. What has worked for the OCD and depression and what side effects have you experienced? I understand that SSRIs work differently for each person but I am trying

for

a general consensus. Please include any commentary on Luvox(Fluvoxamine), Prozac (Fluvoxatine), Paxil(paroxetine), Celexa(citalopram), Zoloft(sertraline) and/or any I

have

missed Thank you very much for your response!  If you wish to respond personally please e-mail loafofspam@(remove-this)aol.com Brett

Response:

On Tue, 27 Nov 2001 12:34:15 -0500, "Gentility" <loafofs…@aol.com

wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hello all, I am an OCD sufferer for two+ decades and have had mixed benefits with non SSRI meds and behavioral therapy.  My question to all of you is what SSRI meds have you tried as I am considering them. What has worked for the OCD and depression and what side effects have you experienced? I understand that SSRIs work differently for each person but I am trying for a general consensus. Please include any commentary on Luvox(Fluvoxamine), Prozac (Fluvoxatine), Paxil(paroxetine), Celexa(citalopram), Zoloft(sertraline) and/or any I have missed Thank you very much for your response!  If you wish to respond personally please e-mail loafofspam@(remove-this)aol.com Brett

I’ve been dealing with my OCD for 32 years with mixed results. It’s waxed and waned over the years. A year and a half ago my Dr. put me on Paxil and it has worked wonderfully, both on the OCD and on my anxiety and depression. I seem to be doing well on 20 mg, so no change in dosage is anticipated. The effects of Paxil on the OCD may be somewhat less than on the anxiety and depression, but it makes handling the OCD far easier without them. I had the usual side effects for a couple of weeks – fatigue, shakiness, feeling really spacy – which disappeared after a few weeks. Now I just have a bit of fatigue, but an acceptable level. When I went off it once I weaned off it with only some minor discomfort. I’m back on it now, and glad to be. Idj (back to lurking)

Response:

Hello… Paxil has worked wonders for me, although it has made me gain some weight steadily over a couple of years. But the only side effect I really notice is sexual disfunction (lack of interest, etc.). Luvox was horrible for me, I slept 18+ hours a day, felt horrible, etc. But everything is different for everyone. I’d also recommend anti-psychotics, such as Risperdal or Zyprexa. Both worked great for my obsessive thoughts. Shana shaynuh…@aol.com Visit the web site created for alt.support.ocd! http://members.aol.com/shaynuh512/page1.html I’m so sick of this roller coaster ride…I want my ticket back!!!

Response:

Question:

Self-injury with knives and razors. I would cut on myself when I was depressed, before I got on the right medications. I’m ashamed of it, I still have scars, but I have a great therapist that’s helping me understand why I did that. -Emily

Response:

hi Emily. this is interesting! did you see yourself at all becoming tolerant to the stimulants?  If so, did effexor help with this? also, I have anxiety which mostly manifests as stomach pain (nausea/butterflies).  did you get this too?  Did the drug combo you’re on help? thanks!! – Jason Web Page: http://www.JasonsWeb.com "Quantum Physics: The dreams that makes up stuff"

Response:

Our psychiatrist says that Jesse shouldn’t worry about taking Adderall or Ritalin in eves, as once the brain waves are working correctly sleep should come MORE easily.  This isn’t true for all patients, but works for many. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi,   I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.   Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao!   -Emily

– Colette

Response:

Effexor has helped many people with ADD+anxiety.  I found it helpful until an unusual side effect stopped me from using it. I think I know a little about the razor thing.  When I was in high school I had a problem with an ingrown tow nail.  The school doc did a painful hack job and the toe eventually got worse.  I figured that I could do better without anaesthetic than he did with it. I got out a new razor blade and started cutting carefully.  It was a little bloody, but I felt little pain and a sense of quiet calm.  It was strangely soothing. I cleaned up the problem. The toe got better and I haven’t had any problems with it since. There’s no need to be ashamed.  The cutting was a way of self-treating the anxiety.  Effexor is a much better way.  You are making progress. George Self-injury with knives and razors. I would cut on myself when I was depressed, before I got on the right medications. I’m ashamed of it, I still have scars, but I have a great therapist that’s helping me understand why I did that. -Emily

Before you buy.

Response:

Hi there! This is great feedback to be getting! I was diagnosed with ADD comorbid with depression five years ago, and got every book on the subject I could find. I joined a support group too. Everything was starting to work out. But because I didn’t have insurance at my job, it was also very expensive. The doctor, plus the counselor, plus the liver tests for the Cylert, plus the cost of the Cylert was forcing me to pay nearly $500 a month out of my pocket. I couldn’t afford it anymore so I quit. Well finally, being very depressed and still ADD, I went to see another psychiatrist that works on a sliding scale. She decided I didn’t have ADD at all because "adults don’t have ADD." She told me that when adults think they have ADD it’s really just Bipolar II. So she put me on lithium. I thought she was wrong but gave her the benefit of the doubt. I tried lithium for a couple of months. It did nothing for me at all. So I gave up on it and went to see a psychiatrist who was more expensive. But by this time I had insurance and could afford him. He told me that I was definitely depressed, that the Bipolar II diagnosis was ludicrous, and that he wasn’t sure about the ADD. He wanted to wait a while to see if ADD is really there and not just depression masquerading as ADD. He put me on Effexor. I got to tell you, the stuff is a miracle drug for me! When I’m on the Effexor, I feel like a totally different person. I feel happier, my thinking is less gloomy and dark. I’m less irritable, and more sociable. But without it, I’m deeply depressed. But the ADD symptoms never really went away. I still have the attention-holding and short-term memory problems. I still can’t read a book with out flying off with a million new ideas. I still get easily distracted, even by my own thoughts. And I still have trouble finishing things. The doctor decided that I am indeed ADD, and now he wants to try me out on Adderal. I pick up the prescription this afternoon. Your feedback is invaluable, and thanks. I hope it works as well for me as it has for you. Cliff Pearson Dallas, Texas USA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi,    I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.    Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao! -Emily

– Cliff Pearson Dallas Progressive Action League 1920 Abrams Parkway, #354 Dallas, Texas 75214-6218 Hotline: (214) 319-9819 Web: http://www.dallasprogressive.org

Response:

Oh darn!   I was hoping to be able to claim the silly curls on something…….  lol — Annie

| | I have very low blood pressure by nature (must be the curly hair   lol). I | guess with the meds , my BP is normal. | | Nah, it’s not the curly hair, mine’s straight and my normal BP is | 80/58. | | — | Ann

Response:

| Effexor can cause elevated high blood pressure and possible | sedation.  These were the reasons I quit taking it two weeks | ago, and went back to Prozac – for the additional pep, and also | because I stated taking stronger stims which also elevate BP. | | Could either of these be the unusual side effect? | I have very low blood pressure by nature (must be the curly hair   lol).  I guess with the meds , my BP is normal. I talked to my GP about Prozac and she told me that it was normally given to people who are very low energy wise and that I was too peppy for that drug….. oh well…. — Annie

| Effexor can cause elevated high blood pressure and possible | sedation.  These were the reasons I quit taking it two weeks | ago, and went back to Prozac – for the additional pep, and also | because I stated taking stronger stims which also elevate BP. | | Could either of these be the unusual side effect? | | John | | | | | Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. | Up to 100 minutes free! | http://www.keen.com |

Response:

I have very low blood pressure by nature (must be the curly hair   lol).  I guess with the meds , my BP is normal.

Nah, it’s not the curly hair, mine’s straight and my normal BP is 80/58. — Ann

Response:

Effexor has helped many people with ADD+anxiety.  I found it helpful until an unusual side effect stopped me from using it.

<snipped I’m curious as to what was the "unusual side effect" that caused you to stop taking Effexor? (I’m curious only because I too get an unusual [and annoying] side effect from my Effexor [which, btw,  has been added to my Dexedrine, with positive results for my attention deficit]; a side effect that has me wishing there was something equivalent out there that could provide me with the same benefits as Effexor, but without this one distractingly uncomfortable side effect.) Sodah

Response:

I take Effexor for different reasons then you but I’m curious about the side effects you are taking about. I started to take Effexor because of depression due to the M.S..  The one thing I liked about the drug was the lack of side effects.  So I’m real curious to find out about the side effects you have. They might be caused by the combo of the meds your currently on. Take care! — Annie

|

| Effexor has helped many people with ADD+anxiety.  I found it helpful | until an unusual side effect stopped me from using it. | | <snipped | | I’m curious as to what was the "unusual side effect" that caused you to stop | taking Effexor? | | (I’m curious only because I too get an unusual [and annoying] side effect | from my Effexor [which, btw,  has been added to my Dexedrine, with positive | results for my attention deficit]; a side effect that has me wishing there | was something equivalent out there that could provide me with the same | benefits as Effexor, but without this one distractingly uncomfortable side | effect.) | | Sodah | |

Response:

Effexor can cause elevated high blood pressure and possible sedation.  These were the reasons I quit taking it two weeks ago, and went back to Prozac – for the additional pep, and also because I stated taking stronger stims which also elevate BP. Could either of these be the unusual side effect? John Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Self injure??  Like what, if I may ask? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi,   I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.   Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao!   -Emily

– Colette

Response:

Hi,    I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.    Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao!   -Emily

Response:

Question:

Hi all. I was wondering if Wellbutrin is effective. I am taking it cause I have mild depression. What exactly does it do? Any answers can be appreciated. Thanks. Keith

I’ve been on it about 6 weeks, and I think the lack of crashes indicates that it is working.  I’m not happy-happy, but I’m not down too deep to see daylight, either. No intolerable negative side-effects so far…which is a rare thing for me with meds. And I better go pick up that refill (damn the expense) before that changes, I guess… The NyteBard (mail sent to the header address may or may not bounce)

Response:

i’ve been taking wellbutrin for 5 weeks. i still smoke.    i still drink.  i’m still depressed. no good effects.   no bad effects. maybe it’s sitill too soon. mary, sorry i couldn’t help more…. "by the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes…"

Response:

Watch for mild rashes with Wellbutrin…..and some measure of temper tantrums….try to work on keeping these in check <thru modifying behavior…..The fog will probably start lifting for you after a few weeks…..drinking and smoking will both lose their fun-value with Wellbutrin… You will probably have some insomnia…..benadryl will help to counteract this effect, tho’…. disclaimer: **I am not a doctor….just a Wellbutrin taker… Rice

Response:

Hi all. I was wondering if Wellbutrin is effective. I am taking it cause I have mild depression. What exactly does it do? Any answers can be appreciated. Thanks. Keith

Gave me a NASTY rash!!!  Watch for skin changes! — Our lives begin to end the day we are silent about things that matter.                                 Martin Luther King, Jr.

Response:

Hi all. I was wondering if Wellbutrin is effective. I am taking it cause I have mild depression. What exactly does it do? Any answers can be appreciated. Thanks. Keith

Response:

..has halved my depression….having some trouble with insomnia, tho’….but some of its ‘other’ <;- side-effects are "bearable"…. Rice

Response:

I have just been put on this antidepressant and was wondering if anyone else was taking it and if so did it help

I’ve been taking wellbutrin for a while. I actually have days now that I am NOT depressed.  This is new to me.  I actually have energy to take the walk I’ve been meaning to take for over a month.  Wellbutrin is definitly worth a try. Oh yeah,  I’m smoking less too, without trying.                            Shari Lee "That which does not kill us makes us stronger" – Nietzsche

Response:

Very much!  It took a little longer to "kick in" than what I expected and there were some minor side effects, but they went away in two or three weeks and the beneficial effects could be felt in about six weeks.  One other cool thing about it is that Wellbutrin is the same thing as the quit smoking pills that are available so I quit smoking rather painlessly as well!  Be patient and you’ll love it!  Good Luck! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have just been put on this antidepressant and was wondering if anyone else was taking it and if so did it help

Response:

I have just been put on this antidepressant and was wondering if anyone else was taking it and if so did it help I had some side effects at first and had a tough time waiting for it to kick in. Now that it has, I LOVE it. Nothing has ever worked so well for me before and I haven’t felt this good in years.

Must be nice.

Response:

It’s been miraculous for me. Dan — Deus Ex Machina

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have just been put on this antidepressant and was wondering if anyone else was taking it and if so did it help

Response:

I have just been put on this antidepressant and was wondering if anyone else was taking it and if so did it help

I had some side effects at first and had a tough time waiting for it to kick in. Now that it has, I LOVE it. Nothing has ever worked so well for me before and I haven’t felt this good in years.

Response:

I have just been put on this antidepressant and was wondering if anyone else was taking it and if so did it help

Yes and yes. No side effects either (except some mild ones in the first couple weeks)

Response:

I took that once; it gave me the biggest panic attack in my life; my anxiety was so high I couldn’t breathe. Jill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – it helped me more than anything else i’ve tried. one thing i like about it is that it gives me more energy than i have without it. -lisa I have just been put on this antidepressant and was wondering if anyone else was taking it and if so did it help

Response:

it helped me more than anything else i’ve tried. one thing i like about it is that it gives me more energy than i have without it. -lisa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have just been put on this antidepressant and was wondering if anyone else was taking it and if so did it help

Response:

I have just been put on this antidepressant and was wondering if anyone else was taking it and if so did it help

Response:

Has it ever occurred to you that this might be the cause you need professional help? Does your doctor know you are so stupid to ingest that brain corrosion? I don’t know, but if you change one entire life of health for some euphoric moments at your local antro, I do not thing you have even the right to complain or ask anyone to fix you afterwords. ummm…are you *sure* you’re not a troll, teilhard?

I have been under a bit of stress lately, Sarah. That is not an excuse, I know, but one of the things that makes me mad is the lack of care some people give to their brains, the most precious gift we have. Anyway, here I go again: I APOLOGISE Better? — Teilhard The Extraterrestrial

Response:

ok so my doctor put me on Wellbutrin and I have been on it a few days. at first when i took it i would a little lighted for afew minutes and then it would go away real quick and would only happen right after i took a pill. that side effect has stopped and now all i get is the numb tongue, again right after i take a pill and just for a few minutes. it has also seemed to help me sexually but I wont go into that (grin)… any way i have 2 questions and I know the answer is that I shouldnt, but we all know that in reality shouldnt doesnt always work, oh and then i have a 3rd question too… -whats the thoghts about doing ectasy (the dance drug) on wellbutrin

wellbutrin is probably one of the worst ADs to try it with because it lowers your seizure threshold. -is it ok to have one drink once in a while?

my doc said occasional drinking would be okay.  be sure and check your reaction to alcohol when you don’t have to drive.  the meds can increase the alcohol’s effect two-fold. -i am feelign side effects but when i do *I* feel BETTER?

i’ve taken wellbutrin for the past 2 years.  the side effects generally go away after 4-6 weeks.  it took about 12 weeks before i felt better. hope this helps. — Wohali "Those who are enjoying something, or suffering something together, are companions." –C.S. Lewis

Response:

Has it ever occurred to you that this might be the cause you need professional help? Does your doctor know you are so stupid to ingest that brain corrosion? I don’t know, but if you change one entire life of health for some euphoric moments at your local antro, I do not thing you have even the right to complain or ask anyone to fix you afterwords.

ummm…are you *sure* you’re not a troll, teilhard? sarah. — but my faith in love is still devout

Response:

  -whats the thoghts about doing ectasy (the dance drug) Has it ever occurred to you that this might be the cause you need professional help? Does your doctor know you are so stupid to ingest that brain corrosion? I don’t know, but if you change one entire life of health for some euphoric moments at your local antro, I do not thing you have even the right to complain or ask anyone to fix you afterwords. — Teilhard The Extraterrestrial

Response:

As far as alchohol, I was on Wellbutrin for a while and drank with no problems, That’s not saying "you" won’t, as far ecstacy I would’nt even think of mixing the two. ecstacy is a generic name and there a no two pills that are exactly the same. You might take it one day and everthing is fine and the next day you take one from another source and BINGO! an additive in the drug you just took is deadly when mixed with Wellbutrin. Just my point of view. Man in a Shed

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ok so my doctor put me on Wellbutrin and I have been on it a few days. at first when i took it i would a little lighted for afew minutes and then it would go away real quick and would only happen right after i took a pill. that side effect has stopped and now all i get is the numb tongue, again right after i take a pill and just for a few minutes. it has also seemed to help me sexually but I wont go into that (grin)… any way i have 2 questions and I know the answer is that I shouldnt, but we all know that in reality shouldnt doesnt always work, oh and then i have a 3rd question too… -whats the thoghts about doing ectasy (the dance drug) on wellbutrin -is it ok to have one drink once in a while? -i am feelign side effects but when i do *I* feel BETTER?

Response:

ok so my doctor put me on Wellbutrin and I have been on it a few days. at first when i took it i would a little lighted for afew minutes and then it would go away real quick and would only happen right after i took a pill. that side effect has stopped and now all i get is the numb tongue, again right after i take a pill and just for a few minutes. it has also seemed to help me sexually but I wont go into that (grin)… any way i have 2 questions and I know the answer is that I shouldnt, but we all know that in reality shouldnt doesnt always work, oh and then i have a 3rd question too… -whats the thoghts about doing ectasy (the dance drug) on wellbutrin -is it ok to have one drink once in a while? -i am feelign side effects but when i do *I* feel BETTER?

Response:

yes….I have been quicker to anger…on Wellbutrin…..& alot more snippy with everyone…but my deep, gallows depression is now lighter & more manageable…..look out for mild rashes, tho’……buy some Lanacane ™ or Benadryl cream(tm)….to soothe yourself…. Rice

Response:

Hi all. I am currently taking 150 mg of Wellbutrin for my depression. Question: Did anyone that took it experience drastic changes in mood? This happens to me all the time for some reason. One day I will be happy, the next day I am so down it’s pathetic. Does this type of medication do this to a person? I neverread any sort of side effects like that. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. Thank you. Keith

Hi Keith, I’m on wellbutrin but I’ve always had mood swings. It’s been a long time since I felt "happiness". But I have started experiencing anger, which is completely out of character for me.  I seem to be expressing emotions greater than before.   That may make no sense at all but it’s just my experience so far. — Eeyore Moo

Response:

Hi all. I am currently taking 150 mg of Wellbutrin for my depression. Question: Did anyone that took it experience drastic changes in mood? This happens to me all the time for some reason. One day I will be happy, the next day I am so down it’s pathetic. Does this type of medication do this to a person? I neverread any sort of side effects like that. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated. Thank you. Keith

Response:

SchuylerXX, Did you have blood tests that showed the need for the thyroid medication?  Maybe the thyroid problem is a seperate issue from the treatment with Wellbutrin.  Or maybe the wellbutrin effected your thyroid.  It should show up on the correct set of thyroid blood tests. Medication is a very individual affair for sure. CarolR – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My son’s wife would like to know if any of you have information from your personal experiences about the long-term affects of Wellbutrin. I have taken Wellbutrin for 6-7 years, since it first came out, and it has helped me a lot, but still left something to be desired. A year-and-a-half ago, a psychiatrist talked me into trying Cytomel, a thyroid drug, to augment the Wellbutrin, and it has been a big improvement! I now take 100 mg of Wellbutrin, twice a day, (more than that made me too sensitive to loud noises), and 25 mcg (micrograms) of Cytomel. My doc started me on 50 mcg of Cytomel, but it made me anxious and hyper. (I’m very sensitive to some drugs). I don’t believe that you’ll find Cytomel listed in the reference books as a drug to augment Wellbutrin, but many psychiatrists know about this combination, and your doctor should be able to get the necessary info if he or she calls a specialist or two in psychpharmacology (drugs for psychological problems). Feel free to e-mail me about this. Good luck! Schuyler "This is my letter to the World…"              — Emily Dickinson

Response:

My son’s wife would like to know if any of you have information from your personal experiences about the long-term affects of Wellbutrin.

I have taken Wellbutrin for 6-7 years, since it first came out, and it has helped me a lot, but still left something to be desired. A year-and-a-half ago, a psychiatrist talked me into trying Cytomel, a thyroid drug, to augment the Wellbutrin, and it has been a big improvement! I now take 100 mg of Wellbutrin, twice a day, (more than that made me too sensitive to loud noises), and 25 mcg (micrograms) of Cytomel. My doc started me on 50 mcg of Cytomel, but it made me anxious and hyper. (I’m very sensitive to some drugs). I don’t believe that you’ll find Cytomel listed in the reference books as a drug to augment Wellbutrin, but many psychiatrists know about this combination, and your doctor should be able to get the necessary info if he or she calls a specialist or two in psychpharmacology (drugs for psychological problems). Feel free to e-mail me about this. Good luck! Schuyler "This is my letter to the World…"              — Emily Dickinson

Response:

My son’s wife would like to know if any of you have information from your personal experiences about the long-term affects of Wellbutrin. She’s tried lots of meds and is hoping this one works.  Unfortunately she is not online so I’ve been checking out this newsgroup in the hopes of offering her some suggestions.  Thanks for your help!  Alyce

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – SchuylerXX, Did you have blood tests that showed the need for the thyroid medication?  Maybe the thyroid problem is a seperate issue from the treatment with Wellbutrin.  Or maybe the wellbutrin effected your thyroid.  It should show up on the correct set of thyroid blood tests. I have taken Wellbutrin for 6-7 years, since it first came out, and it has helped me a lot, but still left something to be desired. A year-and-a-half ago, a psychiatrist talked me into trying Cytomel, a thyroid drug, to augment the Wellbutrin, and it has been a big improvement! I now take 100 mg of Wellbutrin, twice a day, (more than that made me too sensitive to loud noises), and 25 mcg (micrograms) of Cytomel. My doc started me on 50 mcg of Cytomel, but it made me anxious and hyper. (I’m very sensitive to some drugs). I don’t believe that you’ll find Cytomel listed in the reference books as a drug to augment Wellbutrin, but many psychiatrists know about this combination, and your doctor should be able to get the necessary info if he or she calls a specialist or two in psychpharmacology (drugs for psychological problems).

Dear Carol, My thyroid was normal before and after I started taking Wellbutrin. I take Cytomel only to augment the Wellbutrin. Thanks for asking. P.S. I know, I know: I’m supposed to have left! But I’ll look in *occasionally*.                            ;-) Sincerely, Schuyler "This is my letter to the World…"              — Emily Dickinson

Response:

 My P-doc started me on 25mcg. with my 300mg. of Wellbutrin. I haven’t been suicidal since.  When it kicked in I felt like I did years ago. Connie SchuylerXX wrote in article – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – SchuylerXX, Did you have blood tests that showed the need for the thyroid medication?  Maybe the thyroid problem is a seperate issue from the treatment with Wellbutrin.  Or maybe the wellbutrin effected your thyroid.  It should show up on the correct set of thyroid blood tests. I have taken Wellbutrin for 6-7 years, since it first came out, and it has helped me a lot, but still left something to be desired. A year-and-a-half ago, a psychiatrist talked me into trying Cytomel, a thyroid drug, to augment the Wellbutrin, and it has been a big improvement! I now take 100 mg of Wellbutrin, twice a day, (more than that made me too sensitive to loud noises), and 25 mcg (micrograms) of Cytomel. My doc started me on 50 mcg of Cytomel, but it made me anxious and hyper. (I’m very sensitive to some drugs). I don’t believe that you’ll find Cytomel listed in the reference books as a drug to augment Wellbutrin, but many psychiatrists know about this combination, and your doctor should be able to get the necessary info if he or she calls a specialist or two in psychpharmacology (drugs for psychological problems). Dear Carol, My thyroid was normal before and after I started taking Wellbutrin. I take Cytomel only to augment the Wellbutrin. Thanks for asking. P.S. I know, I know: I’m supposed to have left! But I’ll look in *occasionally*.                           Sincerely, Schuyler "This is my letter to the World…"             — Emily Dickinson

Response:

[posted and emailed] i’m lookig for AS MUCH information/ stories / anecdotes / yada yada on the Wellbutrin pill. i started it and within days i had an incredible increase in appetite and violent tendencies, abrupt yelling, etc.

with those symptoms, call the pdoc immediately and discontinue it  - you’re like me when i was taking it…… "Dark Prism" – My personality refracts darkly through the serotonigenic spectrum. "There is no dark side of the moon.  As a matter of fact, it’s all dark." 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

Response:

Need more info? -300 mg/day of the slow release stuff gives me severe stomache aches once or twice a week. -sometimes it makes me anxious -and other times does nothing for me i.e. (spent all of last night slashing my wrist) — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

Response:

i’m lookig for AS MUCH information/ stories / anecdotes / yada yada on the Wellbutrin pill. i started it and within days i had an incredible increase in appetite = and violent tendencies, abrupt yelling, etc.

Everything I’ve heard says few people have side effects and most of them are very minor. I, on the other hand, hallucinated, could not sleep, had the shakes so bad I could barely hold a glass, etc….. YMMV — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i’m lookig for AS MUCH information/ stories / anecdotes / yada yada on the Wellbutrin pill. i started it and within days i had an incredible increase in appetite and violent tendencies, abrupt yelling, etc. You can chew them up and swish around in your mouth.  Swallow. Now your whole mouth and throat will be numb.  Pretty neat huh?  Other than the recreational distraction this phenomenon offered, I got nothing out of Wellbutrin.  I had to take a few milligrams of Xanax with them just to keep from going CRRAAZZYYYY.  Whoops…too late.  Shit. I’ve been on Wellbutrin for a month now and have found myself with a few

side effects.  I have found myslef more aggressive, I’m usually a quiet, shy person. Have extreme trouble sleeping, only getting two or three hours a night and no naps during the day.  It has given me energy, to much at times.  Made me feel real great the first week or two but now the good effects aren’t as strong. My Doc says if I can’t start getting some sleep he will give me some sleeping pills, just what I need another pill. Madmax, "Life’s a bitch then you Die"

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I’ve tried Zoloft, Prozac, Effexor, and am now upping my Wellbutin dosage while easing off with the Effexor.  I’m also on lithobid to boost the antidepressant effect and Buspar to cut anxiety.  When I first increased the Wellbutrin dosage it gave me some good effects, but I had bad mood swings pretty soon after. I’ve been fooling around with meds for four years with one break of a few months and still haven’t found a combination that truly works. Wellbutrin hasn’t given me many bad side effects…..  Upping the Effexor made me gain weight so fast I got stretch marks.  I also had dry mouth, constipation, spacy or tired feelings, occasional dizziness, and an increased heart rate.  I don’t have any of that with Wellbutrin.  At first I had some nausea especially when my blood sugar got low, but that’s worn off.  Never tried the crunching and swishing technique:  I think I can skip a numb mouth, and anyway my pills are big ones.                                          Another pill popper,    KaraG

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i’m lookig for AS MUCH information/ stories / anecdotes / yada yada on the Wellbutrin pill. i started it and within days i had an incredible increase in appetite and violent tendencies, abrupt yelling, etc. You can chew them up and swish around in your mouth.  Swallow. Now your whole mouth and throat will be numb.  Pretty neat huh?  Other than the recreational distraction this phenomenon offered, I got nothing out of Wellbutrin.  I had to take a few milligrams of Xanax with them just to keep from going CRRAAZZYYYY.  Whoops…too late.  Shit.

Taken in prescribed dosage did absolutely nothing for me.  Taking 80 in a period of 2 hours made me sick and I was quite pissed when I woke up alive. Hexe

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Funny you should mention . . . . Wellbutrin .  Not good for me – all I did was cry and cry ALL day.  Alot of pain in my ears – was greatly relieved to go off – switched back to Zoloft, which has a few side effects I don’t like, but I can stay alive with.

Coming off Zoloft made me cry all day WITHOUT taking wellbutrin.  Are you sure it was WB and not Zoloft comedown.  When I come off SSRIs I get all teary and sappy.  I know it’s different than returning depression, because when depressed I couldn’t cry to save my life. "Time never started at all.  Chaos never died.    The Empire was never founded.  We are not  now & never have been slaves to the past or  hostages to the future,"                           Hakim Bey

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i’m lookig for AS MUCH information/ stories / anecdotes / yada yada on the Wellbutrin pill. i started it and within days i had an incredible increase in appetite and violent tendencies, abrupt yelling, etc.

You can chew them up and swish around in your mouth.  Swallow. Now your whole mouth and throat will be numb.  Pretty neat huh?  Other than the recreational distraction this phenomenon offered, I got nothing out of Wellbutrin.  I had to take a few milligrams of Xanax with them just to keep from going CRRAAZZYYYY.  Whoops…too late.  Shit. "Time never started at all.  Chaos never died.    The Empire was never founded.  We are not  now & never have been slaves to the past or  hostages to the future,"                           Hakim Bey

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Hi:  I’m interested in getting some information from others on their experiences with different medications.  I was diagnosed in August and prescribed Zoloft – 50 mg daily.  Three weeks ago I saw my doctor and told her that I wanted to change medication, as the Zoloft was just not doing anything.  She switched me to Prozak 20mg daily.  I feel worse now than on the Zoloft.  No real side effects – just blank.  I’d love to have a positive feeling about something, anything; just a positive feeling of any kind.  I’ve found that on the Prozak I tend to have occasional feelings of deep sadness, for no reason – like after I go to the grocery store.  I don’t remember having those on Zoloft.  Anybody have any experiences to share?  How many of you have been switched around on medications, before anything worked for you? Thanks for your input. Susan

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i’m lookig for AS MUCH information/ stories / anecdotes / yada yada on the Wellbutrin pill. i started it and within days i had an incredible increase in appetite and violent tendencies, abrupt yelling, etc.

Funny you should mention . . . . Wellbutrin .  Not good for me – all I did was cry and cry ALL day.  Alot of pain in my ears – was greatly relieved to go off – switched back to Zoloft, which has a few side effects I don’t like, but I can stay alive with.

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i started it and within days i had an incredible increase in appetite and violent tendencies, abrupt yelling, etc.

same here….and within a few days i always woke up nauseated but eating usually (but not always) helped…. interesting tho…i ate a lot….but i never gained any weight…. caer <who is off wellbutrin now and really depressed and god help you if you are a phoenix and you dare rise up from the ash a thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy while you are just flying back                                    -ani difranco

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i’m lookig for AS MUCH information/ stories / anecdotes / yada yada on the Wellbutrin pill. i started it and within days i had an incredible increase in appetite and violent tendencies, abrupt yelling, etc.

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Do you think you are still experiencing depression and/or anxiety. I’m not a doctor and agree you should report these symptoms to your MD. I’m aware that emotions like stress and anxiety often manifest themselves as physical symptoms such as the ones you describe. I’ve been taking wellbutrin for some time now. Currently I’m 6 weeks or so into stopping tranquilizers which I’d been prescribed for 14 years. Because of this it’s difficult to know what exactly, and in what proportion, to attribute my moods, however, despite the wellbutrin I still feel depressed and anxious. I’m quite sure the wellbutrin is keeping me from the devastating levels of depression which we’re all to familiar with. I know I’m running on but just wanted to share my experiences with you. Keep up the fight! CG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – it for quite a while now but I experience bad mood swings and my chest is always hurting me, like burning or something. Is this supposed to be a side effect or it could be anxiety? I have no idea. I need some insight. Any help at all will be appreciated, thank you. You’re supposed to report chest pains to the prescribing physician. Right away, no delay.

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it for quite a while now but I experience bad mood swings and my chest is always hurting me, like burning or something. Is this supposed to be a side effect or it could be anxiety? I have no idea. I need some insight. Any help at all will be appreciated, thank you.

You’re supposed to report chest pains to the prescribing physician. Right away, no delay.

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No chest pains for me, but I definitely have the mood swings. More correctly, I have occasional, *intense* emotions at each end of the spectrum. I can be REALLY motivated, or I can be a presure-cooker ready to explode. Stil, W’s been the best AD for me so far. I tried Zoloft (did nothing for me) and Paxil (worked for me for only two weeks before ‘pooping out’ on me. I’m also on Buspar for anxiety. Hope that helps. Owl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. I am currently taking 350 mg of Wellbutrin. One pill in the morning, one pill at night. What does everyone think about this drug? I have been taking it for quite a while now but I experience bad mood swings and my chest is always hurting me, like burning or something. Is this supposed to be a side effect or it could be anxiety? I have no idea. I need some insight. Any help at all will be appreciated, thank you. Keith

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Hi all. I am currently taking 350 mg of Wellbutrin. One pill in the morning, one pill at night. What does everyone think about this drug? I have been taking it for quite a while now but I experience bad mood swings and my chest is always hurting me, like burning or something. Is this supposed to be a side effect or it could be anxiety? I have no idea. I need some insight. Any help at all will be appreciated, thank you. Keith

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Hi, there, I’ve taken Wellbutrin and it worked for a while but (like w/every other med) I had to keep increasing dose. Going higher than 450mg/day is NOT allowed. Also, be careful re: the 6-8 space between doses.  Any shorter time lapse can be harmful (possibly seizures could occur). Talk to your Dr. about this not working at this dose and I wish you good health. Cece CelestialSurvivor "There are no problems,  they are only  solutions that haven’t been found yet"  :me "Somedays you get the elevator,  somedays you get the shaft." :someone else

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For years I had taken Prozac and approximately 6-8 months ago I fell into deep depression.  At the recomendation of my doctor he suggested that I go to a psychiatrist.  I fought this for awhile and then decided it was do something or die.  The doctor changed my medicing to zoloft which I could not take then to Wellbutrin.  He started me on 150mg a day changed it to 150mg twice a day atleast eight hours apart.  It has helped greatly but I still have a prssimistic outlook and cry at the bat of a hat.  He is going to up my dosage again to 400mg a day.  If this does no improve my condition he will try adding (possible) a small amount of prozac along with the Wellbutrin.  All this to say that there are a lot of different ways to work with these medication.  Find you a good doctor who is schooled in the use of these drugs.  There is help.

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that it is working well. Does somebody have experience with this drug and what is a suitable alternative and dosage. Commments appreciatied… -=Patrick=-

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Question:

Well, I just had a Dr appt. today and she gave me zoloft. I have also been on xanax for 3 weeks. What will zoloft do for me? side effects? I have panic attacks and depression but they want to work on the panic first. If both drugs are for panic, why do i need both? How will zoloft make me feel? Will i tell a difference?

Zoloft is a SSRI-type antidepressant often prescribed for panic/anxiety (PAD). As PAD and depression are chemical cousins most antidepressants are effectively used for PAD as well. So if you take Zoloft it’s for depression as well as for PAD. Xanax is a benzodazepine (*benzo*, minor tranquillizer) which as a rule works very well for PAD. In the beginning you may experience some drowsiness but that usually subsides. Zoloft, like all AD’s can worsen your symptoms at the beginning when your body is adjusting to it. This is why it’s important to start on a low dose, slowly raise it and have a benzo like Xanax on the side to avoid too much trouble with initial side effects. You don’t say on what dose of Zoloft and Xanax you are now. You should give Zoloft some weeks to kick in. For a trial about eight weeks are necessary. The idea is that you will feel *normal* after some time which may be an enormous relief. A common side effect with Zoloft and other AD’s from the SSRI-group is sexual dysfunction. If you experience that there are some reasonable band-aid solutions for that apart from changing meds of course. Zoloft and Xanax make a good combo, give it enough time, I’d say and have some patience (I *hate* having patience…) Also, I do not work b/c of my panic attacks. I have not worked in 6yrs b/c i had a child and stayed home with him and since Aug 97 my attacks are so bad i CANNOT work. I have no insurance & do not qualify for state & fed. help because I live with my fiance. He makes little so we cannot afford ins. Someone told me to try ssi. Would they help? I have only been on meds for 3 weeks.

Not being from the US I can’t comment on that but others will. Philip

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<snipped The worst side effect a the high dose limits was first a difficulty in achieving orgasm and then over time the inability to have any orgasms at all. I did not have the nausea and headaches that some people experience, even starting at the 50mg and quickly going to 100mg. I’m just giving my experiences. You can expect any of what I and the other posters may experience. We all differ; the side effects differ. JaneG

Hi Jane, I was also on Zoloft for a time, and had the very same S/E. Needless to say, I tossed them out the door. When I asked my Doc about the loss of sexual interest, she kinda laughed and asked me didin’t I know? I told her hell no! So we went on to a new med.Zoloft was the only AD that made me feel this way. Thanks for posting! Stephanie  :-)

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Well, I just had a Dr appt. today and she gave me zoloft. I have also been onxanax for 3 weeks. What will zoloft do for me? side effects? I have panic attacks and depression but they want to work on the panic first. If both drugs are for panic, why do i need both? How will zoloft make me feel? Will i tell a difference? Also, I do not work b/c of my panic attacks. I have not worked in 6yrs b/c i had a child and stayed home with him and since Aug 97 my attacks are so bad i CANNOT work. I have no insurance & do not qualify for state & fed. help because I live with my fiance. He makes little so we cannot afford ins. Someone told me to try ssi. Would they help? I have only been on meds for 3 weeks.

Welcome to ASD I see that others have responded to the differences between the benzos and AD’s, so I’ll share what I can on my personal use of Zoloft. My pdoc started me on 50mg Zoloft gradually increasing to 100 mg in two weeks. That may seem fast to some people here, but I have been on many SSRI’s over the past years, and it seemed about right for me. I had no side effects initially, as some people have mentioned, starting out and then increasing the dose. That is just me though. During the 7 months on Zoloft, I lost 60 pounds, ( I gained 90 on the others, so this was a god send for me). Again, some will expereince weight loss, some no changes, and some of us gain weight on Zoloft. This was the second best SSRI that I have been on in terms of treating the depression, with few side effects, and going beyond by actually making me feel better than "not depressed"; I actually felt "good". Other side effects, were at higher doses, ie. at 200mg and 250mg. They included the inability to cry. No way, just couldn’t do it, even with a death in the family; I appeared stoic. The worst side effect a the high dose limits was first a difficulty in achieving orgasm and then over time the inability to have any orgasms at all. I did not have the nausea and headaches that some people experience, even starting at the 50mg and quickly going to 100mg. I’m just giving my experiences. You can expect any of what I and the other posters may experience. We all differ; the side effects differ. JaneG

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MandMandM3 wrote . What will zoloft do for me? side effects? I’ve Been on 200 mg. of Zoloft of 6 years. My doc started me off slowly, 50mg. increase every 2 weeks.  I didn’t notice any side effects, except a slight losted interest in sex.  It did do wonders for the depression.  The main thing I noticed is that I feed like the same person without the intense depression. Hope it helps you Fred

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<snipped for space Someone told me to try ssi. Would they help? I have only been on meds for 3 weeks.

SSI is a supplemental security program for low income households, you may qualify for this.  SSD is disability and Panic and anxiety both qualify as a disability for this benefit. Call 800-772-1213 and ask about both benefits, you can apply over the phone and when it comes time for the doctors exam one can be sent to your home. Cathy

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Well, I just had a Dr appt. today and she gave me zoloft. I have also been onxanax for 3 weeks. What will zoloft do for me? side effects? I have panic attacks and depression but they want to work on the panic first. If both drugs are for panic, why do i need both? How will zoloft make me feel? Will i tell a difference? Also, I do not work b/c of my panic attacks. I have not worked in 6yrs b/c i had a child and stayed home with him and since Aug 97 my attacks are so bad i CANNOT work. I have no insurance & do not qualify for state & fed. help because I live with my fiance. He makes little so we cannot afford ins. Someone told me to try ssi. Would they help? I have only been on meds for 3 weeks.

Hi and welcome to ASAP, Zoloft is a SSRI antidepressant, whereas Xanax is a benzodiazepine, the same medication family as Valium. So Zoloft should treat both your anxiety and depression. There are several reasons why your doc is suggesting Zoloft instead of Xanax, but the main one is undoubtedly that many doctors (wrongly) treat benzodiazepines with great suspicion. Antidepressants (ADs) do have the advantage that they actually create often long-lasting changes within the brain. It is thought that the reason some of us develop anxiety/panic and/or depression is that our brains fail to correctly adapt to stress. ADs force the required adaption. A couple of things that you should know. First, most doctors suggest a starting dose that is too high for those of us with anx/pan. As a guide, a starting dose of about 1/4 of the smallest tab size is about right for most. In the case of Zoloft thats 1/4 of 50mg. The tabs are already scored to make it easier to divide in half, a pill cutter [from the pharmacy] will make it easier to cut them again.) NOTE: discuss this with your doctor **FIRST** please, **NEVER** make changes without his/her knowledge. ADs, unlike benzos, do not have an immediate effect, the physical changes take time to occur. It can take up to 8 weeks for ADs to ‘kick-in,’ but the average would be 2 to 4 weeks. Many ADs will make the anxiety worse initially, which is one reason that a low initial dose and slow increases are advisable. Having the support of Xanax during this period will make things a lot easier. My last point is that none of these meds are magic bullets. They will help you to stabilise your life and ease your recovery, but you will need to put a lot of effort into this too. Once you are feeling less anxious, talk to your doctor about doing a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) course. An explanation of what CBT is all about can be found at:       www.cognitivetherapy.com/fuller.htm Your doctor will be able to recommend a therapist in your area. Good luck Ian

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Well, I just had a Dr appt. today and she gave me zoloft. I have also been on xanax for 3 weeks. What will zoloft do for me? side effects? I have panic attacks and depression but they want to work on the panic first. If both drugs are for panic, why do i need both? How will zoloft make me feel? Will i tell a difference? Also, I do not work b/c of my panic attacks. I have not worked in 6yrs b/c i had a child and stayed home with him and since Aug 97 my attacks are so bad i CANNOT work. I have no insurance & do not qualify for state & fed. help because I live with my fiance. He makes little so we cannot afford ins. Someone told me to try ssi. Would they help? I have only been on meds for 3 weeks.

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I am on xanax & zoloft already. Today my Dr also gave me risperdal. She almost went with lithium. Does anyone know anything about risperdal?

Risperdal is a rather new *antipsychotic*. I feel that anipsychotics have no place in the treatment of anxiety disorders unless at a low dose as an adjunct med for mood swings. Is this why it was prescribed to you? Philip

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Risperdal is a rather new *antipsychotic*. I feel that anipsychotics have no place in the treatment of anxiety disorders unless at a low dose as an adjunct med for mood swings. Is this why it was prescribed to you?

Actually, they can be good for very severe insomnia or agitation…. -elizabeth

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Risperdal is a rather new *antipsychotic*. I feel that anipsychotics have no place in the treatment of anxiety disorders unless at a low dose as an adjunct med for mood swings. Is this why it was prescribed to you? Actually, they can be good for very severe insomnia or agitation…. -elizabeth

As adjunct meds. It is preferable not to address each symptom with a different med. The art of treating PD with meds consists of finding the *right* med and if that’s not possible with *one* med, to proceed from there. Some people seem to be resistant to anti-anxiety meds – a question mark here considering the question whether the diagnosis was right – and that’s where other meds – like antipsychotics – may have to come in but it’s not a first choice by any stretch of the imagination (I recently learned this expression and now I want to use it too;)) Philip

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As adjunct meds. It is preferable not to address each symptom with a different med. The art of treating PD with meds consists of finding the *right* med and if that’s not possible with *one* med, to proceed from there. Some people seem to be resistant to anti-anxiety meds – a question mark here considering the question whether the diagnosis was right – and that’s where other meds – like antipsychotics – may have to come in but it’s not a first choice by any stretch of the imagination (I recently learned this expression and now I want to use

it too;)) Well used You’re right, they’re not first-choice for anxiety, and I don’t know whether there’s any evidence that they will help with "pure" panic. On the other hand, some people who have insomnia that doesn’t go away when the anxiety or mood disorder is treated find that antipsychotics help them sleep and don’t lose effectiveness with time. (I should note that this was not my experience with them, though.) Similarly, some people find that antipsychotics are uniquely efficacious for their particular anxiety. ("Anxiety" being a pretty broad term.) Also bear in mind that PD isn’t the only type of anxiety disorder, and that other anxiety disorders often are responsive to meds that don’t work for PD. (One word: BuSpar.) Since anxiety disorders and other things – depression, bipolar II, personality disorders, etc. – occur together so often, a lot of people do need to use unusual med combinations. -elizabeth

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I am on xanax & zoloft already. Today my Dr also gave me risperdal. She almost went with lithium. Does anyone know anything about risperdal?

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Question:

As I previously posted, I was advised by my PDoc to increase my dosage of Zoloft from 100 mg to 200 mg per day slowly in an attempt to treat my high level of anxiety. I’m up to 125 mg now, and I’m noticing the effect; I wouldn’t exactly describe it as anxiety–more like "antsiness", or agitation.  I feel like I need to be constantly moving, even if it’s drumming my fingers on a table when I’m sitting. Anyone else have a similar experience? Carol

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I’ve been taking Zoloft for almost a month, 50mg and klonopin for anxiety as needed (haven’t yet) and have been very fidgety.  I’m always wiggling but it isn’t bothering me.  We’ll see how things go, I’m feeling tons better than I felt before I got the meds and was depressed/anxious 24/7.  I’ve noticed that I’m very antsy though.   shanti As I previously posted, I was advised by my PDoc to increase my dosage of Zoloft from 100 mg to 200 mg per day slowly in an attempt to treat my high level of anxiety. I’m up to 125 mg now, and I’m noticing the effect; I wouldn’t exactly describe it as anxiety–more like "antsiness", or agitation.  I feel like I need to be constantly moving, even if it’s drumming my fingers on a table when I’m sitting. Anyone else have a similar experience? Carol

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Question:

Gee, maybe a good slice of Ray Bari’s pizza with extra garlic before sex is all we need!  

Wasn’t that a Barry Manilow song? Thanks for publishing the dirt on nonoxynol-9.  Sounds like its worse than even I thought.  And now the gay organizations are giving out condoms lubricated with "extra strength" nonoxynol 9. Ed

I knew you would get a kick out of that. Yes, I will grudgingly verify that you were the first person that I ever heard speak out against N9. Hey, even a stopped clock can be right twice a day.          James M. Scutero, original proponent of misc.health.aids          misc.health.aids homepage: http://www.panix.com/~jscutero    MISC.HEALTH.AIDS * HIV/AIDS TALK ONLY * NO COMMERCIALS * NO MODERATORS

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Whey has a very high lysine to arginine ratio (2.75). I wonder if that is the reason why it works as an antiviral. Lysine has been shown to inhibit herpes viruses and may work against HIV. NEW YORK DAILY NEWS   WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1996     PAGE 8 FINDING A WHEY Could limit HIV spread by Joe Nicholson Daily News Staff Writer         Researchers yesterday said a substance made from whey, the liquid taken out of milk in making cheese, may have the power to stop the spread of the AIDS virus during intercourse.         Robert Neurath, a virologist at the New York Blood Center, held out the hope that the substance, dubbed B69, could be used as a foam or cream, like spermicides.         Neurath said he hit upon B69 after testing 68 other compounds with disappointing results: "It was a combination of persistence and luck, as is usual in life."         Neurath’s experiments, reported in February’s Nature Medicine journal, showed that B69 blocks HIV from entering CD4 cells, the immune cells the virus destroys.         Researchers cautioned, however, that B69 applications may not be a 100% preventive because it is uncertain whether B69 also would block other cell-entry sites.         "The compound could serve as the basis for preventive measures against HIV transmission…to supplement other barrier methods, like condoms," said the researchers.         Neurath said another big advantage of B69 was that a dose likely would cost only a few cents.         Neurath, whose laboratory work was funded with a $200,000 federal grant, said he was trying to raise at least $50,000 for animal testing.         Dr. John Adamson, president of the New York Blood Center, said B69 has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives. The treatment must first be tried on animals, and then, possibly a year from now, on humans.         The last big hope for stopping sexual spread of AIDS, Nonoxynol-9, was a disastrous failure, said Dr. Jeffrey Laurence of the American Foundation for AIDS Research.         Laurence, an AIDS researcher at Cornell Medical School as well as the foundation’s senior scientist for programs, said Nonoxynol-9 was tested in Africa several years ago.         "There were actually more infections in people who got the product," said Laurence. "It seemed to cause irritation in the vagina, and the hypothesis was that it eased the way for the AIDS virus."         Neurath said that unlike, Nonoxynol-9, B69 isn’t toxic to cells, so researchers "don’t expect…similar problems with this compound."         Neurath displayed a test tube of B69 liquid and said he was optimistic it would not cause negative reactions because it is a natural substance.          James M. Scutero, original proponent of misc.health.aids          misc.health.aids homepage: http://www.panix.com/~jscutero    MISC.HEALTH.AIDS * HIV/AIDS TALK ONLY * NO COMMERCIALS * NO MODERATORS

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Gee, maybe a good slice of Ray Bari’s pizza with extra garlic before sex is all we need!   Thanks for publishing the dirt on nonoxynol-9.  Sounds like its worse than even I thought.  And now the gay organizations are giving out condoms lubricated with "extra strength" nonoxynol 9. Ed

: Whey has a very high lysine to arginine ratio (2.75). I wonder if that is : the reason why it works as an antiviral. Lysine has been shown to inhibit : herpes viruses and may work against HIV. : NEW YORK DAILY NEWS   WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 1996     PAGE 8 : FINDING A WHEY : Could limit HIV spread : by Joe Nicholson : Daily News Staff Writer :       Researchers yesterday said a substance made from whey, the liquid : taken out of milk in making cheese, may have the power to stop the spread : of the AIDS virus during intercourse. :       Robert Neurath, a virologist at the New York Blood Center, held : out the hope that the substance, dubbed B69, could be used as a foam or : cream, like spermicides. :       Neurath said he hit upon B69 after testing 68 other compounds : with disappointing results: "It was a combination of persistence and : luck, as is usual in life." :       Neurath’s experiments, reported in February’s Nature Medicine : journal, showed that B69 blocks HIV from entering CD4 cells, the immune : cells the virus destroys. :       Researchers cautioned, however, that B69 applications may not be : a 100% preventive because it is uncertain whether B69 also would block : other cell-entry sites. :       "The compound could serve as the basis for preventive measures : against HIV transmission…to supplement other barrier methods, like : condoms," said the researchers. :       Neurath said another big advantage of B69 was that a dose likely : would cost only a few cents. :       Neurath, whose laboratory work was funded with a $200,000 federal : grant, said he was trying to raise at least $50,000 for animal testing. :       Dr. John Adamson, president of the New York Blood Center, said : B69 has the potential to save tens of thousands of lives. The treatment : must first be tried on animals, and then, possibly a year from now, on : humans. :       The last big hope for stopping sexual spread of AIDS, : Nonoxynol-9, was a disastrous failure, said Dr. Jeffrey Laurence of the : American Foundation for AIDS Research. :       Laurence, an AIDS researcher at Cornell Medical School as well as : the foundation’s senior scientist for programs, said Nonoxynol-9 was : tested in Africa several years ago. :       "There were actually more infections in people who got the : product," said Laurence. "It seemed to cause irritation in the vagina, : and the hypothesis was that it eased the way for the AIDS virus." :       Neurath said that unlike, Nonoxynol-9, B69 isn’t toxic to cells, : so researchers "don’t expect…similar problems with this compound." :       Neurath displayed a test tube of B69 liquid and said he was : optimistic it would not cause negative reactions because it is a natural : substance. :          James M. Scutero, original proponent of misc.health.aids :          misc.health.aids homepage: http://www.panix.com/~jscutero :    MISC.HEALTH.AIDS * HIV/AIDS TALK ONLY * NO COMMERCIALS * NO MODERATORS

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Question:

Hi.  I’ve been on Prozac fort Attention Deficit Disorder for about two months now.  I recently started having problems with insomnia. My Psychiatrist started me on trazodone (Desyrel) in the evenings to help me sleep, but I seem to be getting some bad side effects from it (indigestion, trouble concentrating, and sexual problems). Here’s my question.  It seems like Psychiatrists have a reluctance (justified I’m sure) to prescribe hypnotics or other strong sleep medications to overcome the insomnia that is fairly common with Prozac.  Does anyone out there know what is used apart from the other anti-depressants (e.g., trazodone and amitriptyline)? Has anyone actually had their Psychiatrist prescribe them Halcion or something similar? Would over-the-counter sleep medications do any good? Since I am being treated for ADD, any drugs that take a long time to wash out, or leave my mind feeling "dull" are out of the question. As always, thanks for any and all help. — | Richard S. Smith  | PROGRESS(tm) 4GL Developer | Monrovia, California  |

Response:

: Hi.  I’ve been on Prozac fort Attention Deficit Disorder for about : two months now.  I recently started having problems with insomnia. : My Psychiatrist started me on trazodone (Desyrel) in the evenings to : help me sleep, but I seem to be getting some bad side effects from : it (indigestion, trouble concentrating, and sexual problems). : Here’s my question.  It seems like Psychiatrists have a reluctance : (justified I’m sure) to prescribe hypnotics or other strong sleep : medications to overcome the insomnia that is fairly common with : Prozac.  Does anyone out there know what is used apart from the : other anti-depressants (e.g., trazodone and amitriptyline)? : Has anyone actually had their Psychiatrist prescribe them Halcion : or something similar? : Would over-the-counter sleep medications do any good? : Since I am being treated for ADD, any drugs that take a long time to : wash out, or leave my mind feeling "dull" are out of the question. : As always, thanks for any and all help. : — : | Richard S. Smith  | PROGRESS(tm) 4GL Developer | Monrovia, California  | i’ve found a good drink helps the most. i can’t stand the feeling of sleeping pills after one night of them. drink in moderation

Response:

: Hi.  I’ve been on Prozac fort Attention Deficit Disorder for about : two months now.  I recently started having problems with insomnia. By the time insomnia kicks in with any of these drugs, chances are the good effects are diminishing too. I question the long term use period. Halcion would give you a double whammy. It might work one or two nights a week and set you up for some unexpected side effects. If you have no physical problems, consider exercise and walks and interventionist type psychologists. Avoid Freudians. —                                              And this is where                                              they spin gold into                                              straw.

Response:

: By the time insomnia kicks in with any of these drugs, chances are the : good effects are diminishing too. I question the long term use period. What is long term use?  I was on Prozac for 2+ years before my body started getting used to it and I had to try another SRI.  The good effects started 1 1/2 days after starting it, and I never had what I would characterize as insomnia. : If you have no physical problems, consider exercise and walks and : interventionist type psychologists. Avoid Freudians. Too bad psychologists have never been proven to work.  The changes I had in 1 1/2 days could not have been wrought by psychologists in 20 years.

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Too bad psychologists have never been proven to work.  The changes I had in 1 1/2 days could not have been wrought by psychologists in 20 years.

Hehehee.  Thank you Jeanne, I enjoyed that.  No offense intended to any professional people out there (and it certainly took me more than 1 1/2 days to see effects from my first antidepressant), but I know exactly what you mean.  :) lilo

Response:

               ….. The best drug yet for add. Hits all 3 brain                interactions. seriton, … Helps me concentrate without                the stimatues like dexadrine, ritalitin,….                 Effexor FAQ  Version 1.0  3 March 1994                                   Index. 1. What is Effexor 2. How does Effexor differ from other antidepressants? 3. What kinds of depression can be treated with Effexor? 4. What are the side-effects of Effexor? 5. Which side effects force people to stop taking Effexor? 6. Are there any special hazards for people with bipolar disorder? 7. Does Effexor interact with other medications? 8. Does Effexor interact with alcohol? 9  Is Effexor safe for a woman who is pregnant, about to become pregnant,    or nursing an infant? 10. How is treatment with Effexor initiated? 11. What is the usual final dose of Effexor? 12. Are there withdrawal effects if Effexor is suddenly discontinued? 13. Is Effexor toxic if an overdose is taken? 14. What will Effexor cost? 15. When will Effexor be available? 16. Additions and corrections. 1. What is Effexor         Effexor is a new antidepressant with a novel chemical structure.  The chemical structure of Effexor does not resemble those of any currently used antidepressants.  Effexor is not an MAO inhibitor 2. How does Effexor differ from other antidepressants?         Effexor seems to have the relative freedom from side-effects associated with the SSRIs [fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox)] and the impact on both the serotonin and norepinephrine associated with the tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline (Elavil), inipramine (Tofranil) etc.).  It is hypothesized that the action of the Effexor molecule upon both serotonin and norepinephrine will cause Effexor to be a successful antidepressant for some people who have not responded to treatment with SSRIs. 3. What kinds of depression can be treated with Effexor?         While the pre-marketing studies were restricted to patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (with or without melancholia), it is to be expected that Effexor will be prescribed for patients with Dysthymia, Major Depression, and Bipolar Disorder.         Although here have been no published studies on the use of Effexor for the treatment of children and adolescents with depression, it can be expected that the drug will be prescribed for depressed children and adolescents.         No special problems were encountered when Effexor was prescribed for elderly people with depression.         While Effexor was only studied for periods of administration of up to 6-weeks, it is to expected that patients with long-standing depressions will take the drug for longer periods of time. 4. What are the side-effects of Effexor?         The most common side-effects and the percentage of people reporting them during clinical trials are:                                 Nausea                  37%                                 Headache                25%                                 Sleepiness              23%                                 Dry mouth               22%                                 Dizziness               19%                                 Insomnia                18%                                 Constipation            15%                                 Nervousness             13%                                 Fatigue                 12%                                 Sweating                12%                                 Decreased appetite      11%                                 Male sexual dysfunction 12%                                 Female sexual                                           Dysfunction    2% 5. Which side effects force people to stop taking Effexor?         In the premarketing studies  19% (537 / 2897) of depressed patients taking Effexor discontinued the medication because of side-effects. The side effects and the percentages of total patients who dropped out for each are:                                 Nausea                  6%                                 Sleepiness              3%                                 Insomnia                3%                                 Dizziness               3%                                 Male sexual dysfunction 3% *                                 Headache                2%                                 Nervousness             2%                                 Anxiety                 2%                                 Dry mouth               2%                                 Fatigue                 2%                                 Sweating                2%                                            * % of men 6. Are there any special hazards for people with bipolar disorder?         As with other antidepressants, people with bipolar disorder who are not being treated with a mood regulator such as lithium, valproate (Depakote), or carbamazepine (Tegretol), may be pushed into a manic episode when treated with Effexor. 7. Does Effexor interact with other medications?         Lithium – No interaction         Diazepam (Valium) – No interaction         Cimetidine (Tagamet) – Slight increase in blood level of         Effexor’s active metabolite.  Not of clinical significance.         Fluoxetine (Prozac) – Significant increase in the concentration         of Effexor and its active metabolite.  Potential for increased side-         effects. 8. Does Effexor interact with alcohol?         Although Effexor has not been found to increase the impairment of cognitive or motor skills caused by alcohol, the manufacturer warns against drinking while taking Effexor. 9 Is Effexor safe for a woman who is pregnant, about to become pregnant,   or nursing an infant?         There is no data to establish the safety of Effexor for the fetus   or nursing infant. 9. How is treatment with Effexor initiated?         The usual starting dose of Effexor is 75 mg a day taken in two or three divided doses with food (to minimize nausea).  If higher doses are needed, the dose should not be increased more rapidly than 75 mg every 4 days. 10. What is the usual final dose of Effexor?         While doses up to 375 mg per day are approved by the FDA, some severely depressed patients have been treated with higher doses.  Most depressed people have been found to respond to doses under 300 mg per day. 11. Are there withdrawal effects if Effexor is suddenly discontinued?         Effexor should be discontinued gradually over at least 2-weeks.  If Effexor  suddenly discontinued, a withdrawal syndrome involving fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headache, insomnia, and nervousness, may develop. 12.  Is Effexor toxic if an overdose is taken?         Fourteen overdoses of Effexor have been reported.  In some cases Effexor was taken along with alcohol and/or other medications.  All individuals who took an overdose recovered without sequelae. 13. What will Effexor cost?         Effexor will be supplied in tablets ranging from 25 to 100 mg in strength.  The 25 mg tablets cost pharmacies nearly as much as the 100 mg tablets.  It is expected that all strengths of Effexor will be sold for between $1.00 and $1.50 per tablet. 14. When will Effexor be available?         A few psychiatrists have been given small supplies of Effexor. It is expected that Effexor will be widely available by the first week of April of 1994. 15. Additions and corrections.         This FAQ was prepared by Ivan K. Goldberg, MD.  Please address —                                                                 \\         ||                             Ivan Goldberg, MD                 ~        || ||    Voice Mail = 212-744-1846      ||      Fax = 212-737-0473           || || Snail Mail = NY Psychopharmacologic Inst. 1346 Lexington Ave NYC 10128 || : Hi.  I’ve been on Prozac fort Attention Deficit Disorder for about : two months now.  I recently started having problems with insomnia. : My Psychiatrist started me on trazodone (Desyrel) in the evenings to : help me sleep, but I seem to be getting some bad side effects from : it (indigestion, trouble concentrating, and sexual problems). : Here’s my question.  It seems like Psychiatrists have a reluctance : (justified I’m sure) to prescribe hypnotics or other strong sleep : medications to overcome the insomnia that is fairly common with : Prozac.  Does anyone out there know what is used apart from the : other anti-depressants (e.g., trazodone and amitriptyline)? : Has anyone actually had their Psychiatrist prescribe them Halcion : or something similar? : Would over-the-counter sleep medications do any good? : Since I am being treated for ADD, any drugs that take a long time to : wash out, or leave my mind feeling "dull" are out of the question. : As always, thanks for any and all help. : — : | Richard S. Smith  | PROGRESS(tm) 4GL Developer | Monrovia, California  | — Scott Onofrio                            LaserJet IHV Developer Group

… read more »

Response:

(Jeanne Guidry) writes:

I just started Prozac in conjuction with Cylert and have noticed no effects after a week; moreover, my psyc said that the clinical effects probably won’t be evident for at least a month, although I might see some changes, most notably side effects, earlier.  So far, so good–no headaches, insomnia, etc. But then again, my biochem is probably different as Ritalin had little clinical effect on me.

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