Question:

Selling collection of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 vinyl 12" records. There is a mixture of Rap/Hip Hop, Dance, R&B, Soul, Techno, and Funk from the 80’s and 90’s.   Most are 12" singles, some full albums. Some have picture sleeves, some have generic or label covers. Conditions are mixed, most are in Near Mint condition.  There is no list, sorry.  $1500 bid + shipping.

Response:

Here’s the link: http://page.auctions.yahoo.com/auction/43211597 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Selling collection of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 vinyl 12" records. There is a mixture of Rap/Hip Hop, Dance, R&B, Soul, Techno, and Funk from the 80’s and 90’s.   Most are 12" singles, some full albums. Some have picture sleeves, some have generic or label covers. Conditions are mixed, most are in Near Mint condition.  There is no list, sorry.  $1500 bid + shipping.

Response:

Question:

This ‘lil tidbit from an e-mail newsletter that I get daily, thought it might be of interest to some: —— *** Asthma drugs found for exercise-induced attacks Two new asthma drugs can help prevent attacks after exercising, but one loses its effectiveness over time and the other fails to work for one-in-four sufferers, according to two studies and an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine. Most people with asthma can exercise vigorously, but they risk developing an attack if their workout ends abruptly or if they exercise in cold, dry air. The two drugs, approved earlier this year and sold under the brand names Singulair and Serevert, helped many asthma sufferers breathe easier after a workout. More importantly, the effectiveness of the medicine did not seem to wane over time. See http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2555087115-ffc —– — rls,   <–not really the one– adnohr at usa dot net barenaked in san diego http://www.concentric.net/~adnohr/

Response:

This ‘lil tidbit from an e-mail newsletter that I get daily, thought it might be of interest to some: —— *** Asthma drugs found for exercise-induced attacks

What I find intresting is how long ago this information was known to the members of this newsgroup.  Maybe the newspapers should start following this newsgroup?

Response:

Please do e-mail me one as I was unable to find it on the net when I looked under Chris King. A very popular name I found. Thanks, Eileen Jackson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This ‘lil tidbit from an e-mail newsletter that I get daily, thought it might be of interest to some: —— *** Asthma drugs found for exercise-induced attacks Two new asthma drugs can help prevent attacks after exercising, but one loses its effectiveness over time and the other fails to work for one-in-four sufferers, according to two studies and an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine. Most people with asthma can exercise vigorously, but they risk developing an attack if their workout ends abruptly or if they exercise in cold, dry air. The two drugs, approved earlier this year and sold under the brand names Singulair and Serevert, helped many asthma sufferers breathe easier after a workout. More importantly, the effectiveness of the medicine did not seem to wane over time. See http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2555087115-ffc —– — rls,   <–not really the one– adnohr at usa dot net barenaked in san diego http://www.concentric.net/~adnohr/

Response:

writes Please do e-mail me one as I was unable to find it on the net when I looked under Chris King. A very popular name I found.

We do tend to get buried under all the stuff for cycling accessories, amongst other things. Chris (No, I’m not the guy who used to be a BBC camera-man, honest !!!) — Chris King http://www.csking.demon.co.uk

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Question:

"Sesgardner" <sesgard…@aol.com

wrote in message

news:20040310123738.29604.00001207@mb-m21.aol.com…

I heard back from the psychiatrist who said the Torticollis could be

a rare

side effect from increasing his Effexor dose, which we did recently.

So now we

are decreasing it again, which of course brings on an entirely

different set of

problems.

I was actually wondering about that….let us know what happens.

As for the delirium with the toothache, I meant that I was not

coherent about

the passage of time, or what was going on. I was home alone, in bed,

just

basically sleeping and eating ibuprofen. I did try to speak up to

the dentist,

but I tend to be a hypochondriac, so when the dentist told me to

take ibuprofen

and see him on Monday, I figured I was over-reacting. He is a really

great guy,

and he felt terrible when he saw the condition I was in. I also have

difficulty

sometimes making myself clear on the phone when articulating my

needs, so I

don’t blame him.

Now he’ll know, and you too, for next time (which i hope doesn’t come soon)

Ah, well. Wish me luck with the Torticollis/Depression etc. My ex

was NO help,

when I was discussing reducing the Effexor with him, he said, "well,

he should

be learning coping skills for his depression anyway, and should be

able to stop

taking anti-depressants completely soon."

I’m all for learning coping skills and cognitive-behavioral techniques for helping with depression, but for many people that just isn’t enough.

Ugh. The man has NO clue what he is talking about. My entire family

has genetic

chemical depression, although hanging around the likes of HIM

doesn’t really

help! Okay, I’ll stop venting. xoxoox Sara

No need, venting is good! jo

Response:

Torticollis has more than one cause.  You can be born with it.  I’ve had it several times, as had my wife.  It comes on as a "crick" in the neck, causing intense pain when you turn your head in one direction; as a result you end up holding your head in an abnormal position and other muscles get sore.  It often last a day or two and can be treated with heat and/or muscle relaxants.  There can be other underlying causes such as an extra rib in the cervical area, etc.  It can be spontaneous or come from unusual positions and strains like long flights, sleeping oddly, carrying heavy luggage, etc. Roger D. Freeman, M.D. "Sesgardner" <sesgard…@aol.com

wrote in message

news:20040309221844.02929.00001011@mb-m15.aol.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Does anyone know anything about torticollis? It’s also known as Wry Neck.

My

13-year-old son was just dx’d with it. Sara

Response:

It can be spontaneous or come from unusual positions and strains like long flights, sleeping oddly, carrying heavy luggage, etc.

Thank you Roger, I’m beginning to suspect that while the Effexor may have made conditions more hospitable for it, the real culprit is the 60-pound backpack. He’s been using a rolling backpack since Monday, and as of today is almost pain-free and is not twisted. Of course, I have not let up on the ibuprofen. I’ll wait until the weekend to see how he does without that. Sara

Response:

"Sesgardner" <sesgard…@aol.com

wrote in message

news:20040311103736.12145.00001317@mb-m02.aol.com…

It can be spontaneous or come from unusual positions and strains like long flights, sleeping oddly, carrying heavy

luggage, etc.

Thank you Roger, I’m beginning to suspect that while the Effexor may

have made

conditions more hospitable for it, the real culprit is the 60-pound

backpack.

He’s been using a rolling backpack since Monday, and as of today is

almost

pain-free and is not twisted.

Sixty pounds! That’s insane! Is he studying Geology? If he was carrying it over one shoulder, no wonder!! Jo – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Of course, I have not let up on the ibuprofen. I’ll wait until the

weekend to

see how he does without that. Sara

Response:

If he was carrying it over one shoulder, no wonder!! Jo

No, he uses both shoulders, all the kids do, but hoisting it up there is a feat. Not studying Geology, just History, Algebra, Science, Art, plus notebooks for all subjects, plus workbooks, plus a large binder, plus a P.E. binder and workbook, plus a binder reminder. It’s ridiculous. None of the kids use their lockers, because the lockers are just broken into and the contents stolen. And this is in the BEST part of town, in one of the top 100 safest cities in the United States. I shudder to think what is going on in other schools. Sara

Response:

‘Twas 10 Mar 2004 17:37:38 GMT when all alt.support.tourette stood in awe as sesgard…@aol.com (Sesgardner) uttered:

My ex was NO help, when I was discussing reducing the Effexor with him, he said, "well, he should be learning coping skills for his depression anyway, and should be able to stop taking anti-depressants completely soon."

He seems about as sympathetic as granite.  How did you ever…I shouldn’t ask.

Ugh. The man has NO clue what he is talking about. My entire family has genetic chemical depression,

Is the genetic problem depression per se or allergies?  Many people have been diagnosed with mental condition that were environmentally caused.  

Okay, I’ll stop venting.

A.s.t is a perfect place to vent. — RB |  

Question:

Hi… My doctor just increased me from 100mg Zoloft a day to 200mg, and I was just wondering how long it would take to feel a difference, if at all.  I’ve been on Zoloft for six weeks and I’ve just gotten worse.  I’m getting pretty desperate and irrational, so I wish things would get sorted out… -Alex

For me it took several weeks for each dose change to take effect. Be sure to talk to your doctor immediately if you start to feel any serious side effects of Zoloft! My body cannot tolerate more than 50 mg/day.

Response:

Hi… My doctor just increased me from 100mg Zoloft a day to 200mg, and I was just wondering how long it would take to feel a difference, if at all.  I’ve been on Zoloft for six weeks and I’ve just gotten worse.  I’m getting pretty desperate and irrational, so I wish things would get sorted out… -Alex  —–  Posted via NewsOne.Net: Free (anonymous) Usenet News via the Web  —–   http://newsone.net/ — Free reading and anonymous posting to 60,000+ groups    NewsOne.Net prohibits users from posting spam.  If this or other posts

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – what are side withdrawl symptoms from coming off paxil? I am been off it 3 days now and my doc switched me to effexor and I just feel really spacy all day. And my body feels like shocks are going through it

its hard to tell which drug is doing what when you make a slide type conversion like this-but chances are its the washout of paxil-give it some time another week to adjust. LM

Response:

what are side withdrawl symptoms from coming off paxil? I am been off it 3 days now and my doc switched me to effexor and I just feel really spacy all day. And my body feels like shocks are going through it

These could very well be Paxil withdrawal symptoms (which are often described as such) in combination with initial Effexor side effects. It will be a temporary inconvenience hopefully as Effexor will have taken over soon. Philip

Response:

what are side withdrawl symptoms from coming off paxil? I am been off it 3 days now and my doc switched me to effexor and I just feel really spacy all day. And my body feels like shocks are going through it

Quite a few people who are weaning off paxil or quit paxil cold turkey complain of those *shock* like feelings in their body. They are not dangerous and it will pass with time. The spacy feeling could be caused by paxil withdrawals and/or weaning on effexor. Again this should pass with time. Take care. Jackie ~~I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones~~

Response:

I wonder if it’s the effexor. I am getting electric shocks through my body after I’ve been upped to 150 mg. This shocks start a panic attack. I’ve taken more ativan than I can count lately, and I try to stay away from it. Wanda

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – what are side withdrawl symptoms from coming off paxil? I am been off it 3 days now and my doc switched me to effexor and I just feel really spacy all day. And my body feels like shocks are going through it

Response:

My therapist put me on paxil and it scared me and I stopped taking it because it made me feel like I was loosing control of my muscles, especially in the jaw area.  I was not taking it long enough to really notice any side affects after stopping.  But what has been a big help to me is when I get my anxiety attacks I take hydroxizine.  It makes you pretty drowsy but it takes the edge of the really long anxiety attacks and doesnt make you feel as jittery.  Hang in there and you will find something that works for you.

Response:

what are side withdrawl symptoms from coming off paxil? I am been off it 3 days now and my doc switched me to effexor and I just feel really spacy all day. And my body feels like shocks are going through it

Response:

Question:

i am so fucking angry, restless, anxious and pissed off. i think this mood has to do with the fact that i havent been able to refill my meds because i had to switch insurance bullshit. anyway, i’m fucking pissed and i feel like ripping my fucking head off. i hate people. i hate myself for fearing people. okay , i’m done ranting. i think i’m gonna go…like…whatever *LiZ* staring…@aol.com http://welcome.to/mysleep

Response:

What meds did you change?  You are taking no meds? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

i am so fucking angry, restless, anxious and pissed off. i think this mood has to do with the fact that i havent been able to refill my meds because i had to switch insurance bullshit. anyway, i’m fucking pissed and i feel like ripping my fucking head off. i hate people. i hate myself for fearing people. okay , i’m done ranting. i think i’m gonna go…like…whatever *LiZ* staring…@aol.com http://welcome.to/mysleep

*************************************************** Grachman, The

Response:

On 26 Aug 1999 02:47:17 GMT, glass…@aol.communist (LiZ) wrote:

i am so fucking angry, restless, anxious and pissed off.

try saying this "GRRRR!"

i think this mood has to do with the fact that i havent been able to refill my meds because i had to switch insurance bullshit.

Bummer, are you going to be able to get them refilled soon, or at least start new meds?

anyway, i’m fucking pissed and i feel like ripping my fucking head off. i hate people. i hate myself for fearing people.

(( you shouldnt feel like that, its not your fault. the best you can do is work at getting better ya know?

okay , i’m done ranting. i think i’m gonna go…like…whatever *LiZ* staring…@aol.com http://welcome.to/mysleep

Nick Wilde nwilde at punkass dot com ————————- Get paid to surf the web AND chat on IRC http://members.xoom.com/nickwilde_/html/getpaid.html

Response:

From: glass…@aol.communist  (LiZ) i think this mood has to do with the fact that i havent been able to refill my meds because i had to switch insurance bullshit.

Liz, you’re probably right about the med thing…call your p-doc and explain that you’ve been off your meds and ask if s/he might be able to supply you with some sample packets to hold you over, tell them *exactly* how you are feeling…I bet they will come up with something! meanwhile double up on the Xanax! Pam

Response:

Sounds like my worst nightmare. I can relate to that a little bit. I missed one Effexor dose and the next day I was like a frikken junky walking into the pharmacy, shaking and extremely pale looking, with my script. If I had to take another day of that I would have been close to voluntary lock-up. Hope ya get them soon babe. For the time being just sit somewhere quiet, close your eyes and think of the number 1 over and over again Or as Pam says numb your head with Bzo’s. Personally the latter seems like a much more attractive option — Russ "Better living through Chemistry" MzPami <mzp…@aol.com

wrote in message

news:19990826175744.28280.00000029@ng-fl1.aol.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

From: glass…@aol.communist  (LiZ) i think this mood has to do with the fact that i havent been able to

refill

my meds because i had to switch insurance bullshit. Liz, you’re probably right about the med thing…call your p-doc and

explain

that you’ve been off your meds and ask if s/he might be able to supply you

with

some sample packets to hold you over, tell them *exactly* how you are feeling…I bet they will come up with something! meanwhile double up on the Xanax! Pam

Response:

Hi Liz

i am so fucking angry, restless, anxious and pissed off.

Congratulations. Me too.

i think this mood has to do with the fact that i havent been able to

refill my

meds because i had to switch insurance bullshit. anyway, i’m fucking pissed and i feel like ripping my fucking head off.

Don’t do it. Maybe you have a nice head.

i hate people.

I don’t hate (all) people: they hate me.

i hate myself for fearing people.

Same here… — Ciao! |  /| | / |ark  ../   /os FIDO 2:284/5.7 E-mail mccm….@hccnet.nl URL http://home.hccnet.nl/mccm.vos ICQ 326628 (PGP key available)

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <major snippage I’ve been in constant pain for months and they’ve run more tests than I wanted them to, cat scans and ultrasounds in addition to blood tests. They tell me that pain can be from being BP. Are you saying not? brownee Brownee, I’ve had chronic back pain since a teenager, some…er…30 years ago. I even had an operation on a couple of disks back in ‘84, but was still in a lot of pain and used a cane to get around, had a handicapped plate, the whole bit.  When I started on my first antidepressant, I became pain free within three months.  That was 5+ years ago, and I don’t even remember where my cane is now.  So in my case, the pain was certainly related at least to the depressive side of bipolar;  but since I’ve been hypomanic nearly all my life, I’d vote that it’s the BP making me feel the pain.

That makes me think — an occasionally meritorious thing to do IMO — if not carried to excess of course. I wonder if BP-heightened sensitivities could somehow magnify small "normal" aches and pains into what becomes excruciating sensations for us??? It’s like the pain signals are being processed through a mental amplifier before impacting upon the portions of our brains that register pain. Hummm …. So it is all in my head after all. <G Brian

James

Response:

hey mc, same here. recently increased zoloft and all achey all over. also last summer while manic and on no meds i was in terrible pain that i couldn’t explain–neck, back, joints, bones, feet—even my hair hurt. must be that hypersensitivity or maybe the psychic pain manifesting as physical.     best, lny

Response:

Hi Brownee–I have major aches and pains, too. I’ve blamed it on fibromyalgia–or something– for quite some time…… Just read tonight that one of the more obscure side effects of Zoloft ( and the other SSRI’s, I assume ) is major joint aches…..Interesting, since I’ve been alot worse lately and have also recently upped my dose of Z. You might also do a search on Substance P. It’s a neurotransmitter that is related to pain transmission and they’ve also found it to have marvelous AD effects…..They’re making it sound like it’s gonna be the next generation of successful ADs…..and pain relievers.   mc

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <major snippage I’ve been in constant pain for months and they’ve run more tests than I wanted them to, cat scans and ultrasounds in addition to blood tests. They tell me that pain can be from being BP. Are you saying not? brownee Brownee, I’ve had chronic back pain since a teenager, some…er…30 years ago. I even had an operation on a couple of disks back in ‘84, but was still in a lot of pain and used a cane to get around, had a handicapped plate, the whole bit.  When I started on my first antidepressant, I became pain free within three months.  That was 5+ years ago, and I don’t even remember where my cane is now.  So in my case, the pain was certainly related at least to the depressive side of bipolar;  but since I’ve been hypomanic nearly all my life, I’d vote that it’s the BP making me feel the pain.

Hey, thanks for giving me some hope that there will be some relief to this pain. I have a lot of joint pain which they insist is not arthritis and sometimes move so stiffly and awkwardly that I scare the cats. I was not looking forward to that for the rest of my life. That makes me think — an occasionally meritorious thing to do IMO — if not carried to excess of course. I wonder if BP-heightened sensitivities could somehow magnify small "normal" aches and pains into what becomes excruciating sensations for us??? It’s like the pain signals are being processed through a mental amplifier before impacting upon the portions of our brains that register pain. Hummm …. So it is all in my head after all. <G Brian James

That’s kind of what I was thinking throughout the "intrusions" thread. Maybe it’s all the same thing. Maybe we’re just so hypersensitive to everything. On the other hand, when I had surgery to relieve pain, the doctors felt that, based on my behavior, I could wait until the next non-emergency surgery, 2 weeks away. When I woke up, the doctor was there apologizing for making me wait those 2 weeks — what he’d found inside would have made him schedule immediate surgery if he’d known. Maybe we learn to "maintain" in front of the "normals"? Well, speaking of intrusions, today was a nice rainy day in the NW and I didn’t have to leave the house today or even do too much around the house and got to enjoy the peaceful sound of rain on the skylight. No kids shrieking, no bass thrumming, no basketballs thwumping. no dogs barking. Just rain. It was wonderful. brownee

Response:

Question:

Thanks to everyone who responded.  It really does make me feel better to read such supportive comments.   No more AOL….. Thanks again! Peace, Dan

Response:

I’d like to introduce myself.  I’m a twenty six year old male, and I’ve read this newsgroup on and off for the last couple years.   Also, I’d like some feedback on my medication.  First, though, my history with panic disorder…  Ever since I was a little kid I’ve had trouble with panic attacks.  In Little League, I was a nervous wreck before games because I thought I might have an attack.  (Of course at the time I didn’t know what they were, and was afraid to tell anyone.)  I quit the basketball team because I thought I was prone to PAs at night, particularly in the lighting of a gymnasium.  These were textbook panic attacks I was having (and worrying about having!) – most of the symptoms, and they’d last about fifteen minutes or so. I had a pretty normal childhood otherwise.  By the time I reached high school, I considered the PAs a thing of the past, something I’d luckily outgrown.  I made it through college without really giving panic attacks any thought. Then — about three years ago (I’d been out of college almost a year), I was going through a somewhat stressful time in my life, trying to figure out my future, looking for a career I cared about, etc.  I had *the* worst panic attack I’d ever had, and the reason it was so bad was because it seemed to not go away.  Without exaggeration, I can honestly say that I felt like I was having a panic attack for two months.  I had no idea what was going on, and grew very depressed.  I was living with my girlfriend, who was supportive as she could be, but she was the only person I told.  This was a very dark, scary time in my life.  Things lightened up a bit when I finally told my mom.  She knew someone who’d had a problem that sounded similar.  Soon, I moved back home.  I met with my mom’s friend, who gave me several books to read (Kernodle, Sheehan, Reid, Weekes), which I read with a frenzy.  She also recommended a psychiatrist, who helped me through medication.  This was a summer of healing for me.  We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft.  I had tried Imipramine, but it made me feel even more anxious, as though I were about to have a PA at any time. Anyway, this dosage took awhile to reach, but it was the dosage that worked for me.  I also read and practiced many of the self-help techniques such as deep relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation, stopping negative thought patterns, et al.  It took awhile, but I got better.  I finally felt some joy in life again.  Since then, I’ve stayed at the same dosages of the medications, with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane. I’ve moved away from my parents house, and owe them a HUGE debt of gratitude for letting me free-load for a year as I got better.  It took me awhile to get a job, because I had an immense fear of being stuck somewhere for eight hours. I wasn’t afraid to go out – I was afraid, though, to *have* to be in one place.  When I finally started working, it was a huge step in my recovery.   So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.  My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication.  (First I moved away from home – far away, actually – and then I got married to the girlfriend who’d been so supportive when I first got sick, and now we have a three month old baby boy….I’d call all that "transitional".)   That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted. Peace, Dan "Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true  Or is it something worse?"              - Bruce Springsteen

Response:

It is hard enough to find medications that take care of the symptoms. If these meds work for you, then you have achieved your goal and I would not try to change them right now, just to get your life back in shape while you are still feeling well.  Make sure your doc. informs you about all possible side effects, but basically I wouldn’t touch a thing for as long as possible if you find a set of meds that really work for you. Dr.S. There are no false alarms http://www.algy.com/pdi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -(SYMKTB) writes: I’d like to introduce myself.  I’m a twenty six year old male, and I’ve read this newsgroup on and off for the last couple years.   Also, I’d like some feedback on my medication.  First, though, my history with panic disorder…  Ever since I was a little kid I’ve had trouble with panic attacks.  In Little League, I was a nervous wreck before games because I thought I might have an attack.  (Of course at the time I didn’t know what they were, and was afraid to tell anyone.)  I quit the basketball team because I thought I was prone to PAs at night, particularly in the lighting of a gymnasium.  These were textbook panic attacks I was having (and worrying about having!) – most of the symptoms, and they’d last about fifteen minutes or so. I had a pretty normal childhood otherwise.  By the time I reached high school, I considered the PAs a thing of the past, something I’d luckily outgrown.  I made it through college without really giving panic attacks any thought. Then — about three years ago (I’d been out of college almost a year), I was going through a somewhat stressful time in my life, trying to figure out my future, looking for a career I cared about, etc.  I had *the* worst panic attack I’d ever had, and the reason it was so bad was because it seemed to not go away.  Without exaggeration, I can honestly say that I felt like I was having a panic attack for two months.  I had no idea what was going on, and grew very depressed.  I was living with my girlfriend, who was supportive as she could be, but she was the only person I told.  This was a very dark, scary time in my life.  Things lightened up a bit when I finally told my mom.  She knew someone who’d had a problem that sounded similar.  Soon, I moved back home.  I met with my mom’s friend, who gave me several books to read (Kernodle, Sheehan, Reid, Weekes), which I read with a frenzy.  She also recommended a psychiatrist, who helped me through medication.  This was a summer of healing for me.  We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft.  I had tried Imipramine, but it made me feel even more anxious, as though I were about to have a PA at any time. Anyway, this dosage took awhile to reach, but it was the dosage that worked for me.  I also read and practiced many of the self-help techniques such as deep relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation, stopping negative thought patterns, et al.  It took awhile, but I got better.  I finally felt some joy in life again.  Since then, I’ve stayed at the same dosages of the medications, with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane. I’ve moved away from my parents house, and owe them a HUGE debt of gratitude for letting me free-load for a year as I got better.  It took me awhile to get a job, because I had an immense fear of being stuck somewhere for eight hours. I wasn’t afraid to go out – I was afraid, though, to *have* to be in one place. When I finally started working, it was a huge step in my recovery.   So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.  My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication.  (First I moved away from home – far away, actually – and then I got married to the girlfriend who’d been so supportive when I first got sick, and now we have a three month old baby boy….I’d call all that "transitional".)   That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted. Peace, Dan "Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true Or is it something worse?"             – Bruce Springsteen

Response:

SYMKTB schreef: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – < snipped life story for space  We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft. with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane. So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.  My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication.  (First I moved away from home – far away, actually – and then I got married to the girlfriend who’d been so supportive when I first got sick, and now we have a three month old baby boy….I’d call all that "transitional".) That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted. Peace, Dan

Hi Dan! Good to hear you’re doing so much better. It seems you have a nice family and your parents seem to have an OK son who will surely be a great father himself. It’s a kind of success story which is always inspirational and it seems there is much warmth around you. About the meds: it’s a lot of benzodiazepine but if it works, it works and if you don’t notice side effects like motor or cognitive impairment I wouldn’t worry about it. The combo of SSRI and benzo is a common one and the Zoloft dose is not unusually high. I’m happy that it works for you the way it does. If and when you feel like it you can always experiment with reducing the Xanax dosage but if it turns out that need 5 mgs that’s fine too IMO. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true  Or is it something worse?"              - Bruce Springsteen

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We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft…… I’ve stayed at the same dosages of the medications, with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane.

This is great you have had such support and found a combo that works for you and given you back your life. So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.

My first reaction is – if it ain’t broken, why fix it?  I think many of us get to a point we feel we can do this without meds and you are certainly free to try and lower your doses and see what happens.  I did that once and found I didn’t need as much K as I was taking.  Went a little lower and found I had pushed it too far.  Anyways,  I don’t know why you feel guilty, as IMO, there is no need to.  Better to be on meds and functioning than a suffering *warrior*.  Plus you have already been there and know what it is like. My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication

An excellent reason for NOT making changes at this time.  If you do want to try that….I hope you will do it at a time when life is relatively stable and nonchaotic – and having a new baby sure doesn’t seem the time.  Congrats by the way.  :) That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted.

Dan…I think you just answered your own question.  Dosages are irrelevent – all that matters is what works for the individual.  Alot to be said for that quality of life thing. Best wishes… Gwen

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(SYMKTB) writes: That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication.

Hi Dan, good story. It gives people hope when they read that someone is doing well. I can’t give you much input on the meds. Please don’t ever feel guilty about taking the medication you need to control the PD. I suffered for years without them. I tried going to therapy and CBT  but nothing ever worked for me.  I’m considering asking my Dr about taking Klonopin. I’ve taken Xanax .5 mg PRN for the past 2 years. I’ve had PD since I was a child as well, but it was only 2 years ago that I decided to go to a Dr and ask for medication. You’re fortunate to have a supporting family and spouse. It’s much easier to deal with your PD if you know someone actually "believes" what’s going on. My husband always thought I was "making it up" until he saw our (at the time 4 yr old) daughter going through a PA. First he started to yell at her, then he saw the fear on her little face and said,"my God, what’s wrong with her?" Of course, I knew what was happening to her and told him. Then he felt awful for all those years of actually yelling at me to "knock off the bullsh*t" during my PA’s. Now whenever he witnesses one, he comes close to tears and tries everything he can to help. I can really relate to your comment on not being afraid to go out, but  being afraid of *having* to be somewhere for 8 hours. I have to return to work as soon as my daughter starts school, and I know I can only handle a few hours a day. That’s why I’m thinking about the Klonopin. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of helpful information from your post. I really learn a lot from here as long as I skip over the useless "wars" that go on. I don’t post here that often myself, but , what prompted me to was to congratulate you on your new baby boy!  And that I see you are a fellow BOSS fan! good luck with the little 3 month old "transition"!! (that’s a biggie isn’t it? LOL!) adp

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Question:

I take a total of 375mg of Effexor (75mg tablets).  Does it matter when I take it?  I know that certain drugs it doesn’t matter when or how you break up the dosage, but in others it does make a difference.  Thanks for your help. T*A*R

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Apparently, Effexor needs to be taken twice a day as it doesn’t stay in the system as long as others. p – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I take a total of 375mg of Effexor (75mg tablets).  Does it matter when I take it?  I know that certain drugs it doesn’t matter when or how you break up the dosage, but in others it does make a difference.  Thanks for your help. T*A*R

Response:

<Posted and Mailed Apparently, Effexor needs to be taken twice a day as it doesn’t stay in the system as long as others.

With that (375 mg) high of a dose of Effexor, I would definitely suggest taking it 4 times per day in order to level out the amount of antidepressant in a person’s system. I found that taking Effexor only twice per day induced ultra-rapid hypomanic swings in me. There is now a new extended release form of Effexor that should reduce this probability. However I have not personally tried that formulation. p I take a total of 375mg of Effexor (75mg tablets). Does it matter when I take it?  I know that certain drugs it doesn’t matter when or how you break up the dosage, but in others it does make a difference.  Thanks for your help.

That is a lot of Effexor! My guess is that your mood stabilizer is not doing its job for you adequately — if you need that large of a dosage of AD to keep you out of depression. I suggest that you talk with your pdoc if you are not satisfied with the effectiveness of your current mood stabilizer. If you start to take either of the two newer mood stabilizers (Neurontin or Lamictal), I strongly recommend that you discuss with your pdoc about cutting way back on your Effexor dose — else you will run the risk of being rapidly sent into (hypo)mania. BTW I take all my meds (with the exception of certain antibiotics and insulin) with meals or milk. This seems to help with stomach irritation and nausea. YSMV (Your Stomach May Vary). T*A*R

HTH! Best regards from, James — * Since I do not get a complete Newsfeed, I would appreciate receiving * * a copy of any responding posts. Please also indicate if you are      * * posting as well as emailing me. Thanks for helping me out!           *

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Question:

The FDA has issued a new warning on the nonsedating antihistamine Hismanal. See FDA Talk Paper: "T98-5                       Ivy Fleischer Kupec:  301-827-6242 Feb. 9, 1998                Broadcast Media:      301-827-3434                             Consumer Inquiries:   800-532-4440  IMPORTANT NEW SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT HISMANAL FDA today is warning consumers and health care providers about new safety information regarding the prescription antihistamine Hismanal (astemizole). This warning is being issued in conjunction with the addition of more information in the product label about cardiovascular adverse events, new potentially serious drug interactions and rare reports of anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction. The following can be used to answer questions: Hismanal is associated with risks of death due to irregular heart rhythms when taken with certain other drugs and when used at higher than the recommended labeled dose. The new labeling provides information about a specific warning against simultaneously using Hismanal with other types of drugs such as the hypertension drug, Posicor (mibefradil dihydrochloride), and the antibiotics, Biaxin (clarithromycin) and TAO (troleandomycin). The new labeling also provides additional precautions against using Hismanal with a number of other drugs. These include: HIV protease inhibitors such as Crixivan (indinavir), Norvir (ritonavir), Invirase (saquinavir) and Viracept (elfinavir); serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), Zoloft (sertraline), Serzone (nefazodone) and Paxil (paroxetine); and the antiasthma medication Zyflo (zileuton). Additionally, the label now recommends that Hismanal should not be taken with grapefruit juice. These recommendations are based on the potential of these drugs and grapefruit juice to interfere with the body’s handling and metabolism of Hismanal. The new labeling also emphasizes that patients with liver disorders should not take Hismanal. The new labeling is designed to give health care providers and consumers who use Hismanal the latest available information about these risks. In the event of Hismanal-related adverse events, health care providers are urged to contact the manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals One-to-One Customer Action Center at 1-800-JANSSEN (526-7736) or FDA MedWatch at (phone) 1-800-FDA-1088, (fax) 1-800-FDA-1078 or (mail) FDA, HF-2, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. #### "

Response:

Thanks for the Warning, I already new about the Grapefruit juice. I just started Hismanal a few months ago.  Doesn’t do much for the itchy eyes, but it dries the heck out of my nose and mouth. Thank god my air-purifier is plugged in! _____ Environmental Consultant:  Management of Indoor Quality air.  MY Primary Management is on setting up Home-Businesses for people with little or no money                                              1-800-481-3181  

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