What are your thoughts on very dry skin, crack on fingers and heels, very dry scalp. Bruising easily. ON Flovent 110, Atrovent, Serevent and Proventil as needed. Also Claritan D. Am feeling much better and will soon decrease to eventual ceasing of Atrovent. Thank you for your help. jane
What are your thoughts on very dry skin, crack on fingers and heels, very dry scalp. Bruising easily. ON Flovent 110, Atrovent, Serevent and Proventil as needed. Also Claritan D…..
my skin still seems okay but my finger nails are very dry and brittle. I don’t think it is the meds. The decongestant in claritin may be dehydrating you a bit though – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
If you are able to use the MDI with spacer well then the neb machines are just a hassle, expense, and source of infection.
Source of infection…??? Please elaborate.
If they are not well maintained some can harbor molds. If you are allergic to them it can be a problem. It was probably a little inaccurate of me to imply that you will get an actual lung infection as I don’t think this is common. Forgive me it was late. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you are able to use the MDI with spacer well then the neb machines are just a hassle, expense, and source of infection. Source of infection…??? Please elaborate.
If I read your post right I think you are asking what a nebulizer is and if you may benefit from it. If not …. Sorry. A nebulizer is a machine that takes the medicine and makes a mist out of it. It takes about 10 minutes to take a single treatment. The "nebs" do deliver more drug to the lower respiratory tree (lungs). The question is; does this make a difference, or ; do you need the extra amount of drug. The answer is probably not. Studies that looked at relative dose have found that 2.5 mg of albuterol nebulized is about equal to ten puffs of the MDI with spacer. Studies looking at effect and outcome find three or four puffs with spacer to be equally effective as nebs. I put this apparent discrepancy together by theorizing that the extra drug above four puffs doesn’t add much. If you are able to use the MDI with spacer well then the neb machines are just a hassle, expense, and source of infection. People in extreme distress cannot use the MDI well and need a neb. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I take Flovent 110, two puffs twice a day. That usually controls my symptons. I also take allergy shots. When my asathma acts up, I also take an inhaled albuterol. In the past the doctor has prescribed a couple of prednisone bursts when that did not work, and that brought everything under control. Not real frequent — my last burst was 14 months ago. Should I be using a nebulizer when the inhaled meds don’t seem to knock it out? What exactly is a nebulizer and what are the pros and cons. In the past my asthma seems to have been triggered by cold or flu viruses or cold temperatures, but I think this spring I am getting my first allergy one — everything is blooming here in Iowa, the spring flowers are glorious, the flowering trees are glorious and the air is full of pollen. Any thoughts or comments? I will see my allergist shortly — he left town for two weeks. Kathy from Iowa
To my doctor the cons of having an at home nebulizer outway the pros. Using a nebulizer gives you the same medication as an inhaled albuterol inhaler. This is the same medicne that they usually give me when I need to visit the ER. The thing about using albuterol in high doses is that it really speeds up your heart rate, something that you might want monitered by the ER staff. Seccondly at the ER they add extra oxygen to their nebulizers. This may not help your astma symptoms much, but it is really nice to get some oxygen after having an 80% blood oxygen level when you come in the door. The third advantage of going to the ER instead of having an at home nebulizer is that in the ER they can give you intravenus steroids. Although I hate to get them because of the side effects, this works a lot faster than calling your doctor and having him prescribe you a prednisone burst. To me going to the ER at 3:00 in the morning is a real pain. I live 11 miles from the hospital, which is about a 25 minute drive. Once you get there they treat you like an idoit, make you put on a gown, start drawing blood, and then after they hook you up to a blood oxygen monitor finaly realize that you are having a severe astma attack start giving you nebulizer treatments. All of this is annoying, but when my breathing is so bad that my albuterol inhaler isn’t working I am glad to have the doctors close at hand.
I take Flovent 110, two puffs twice a day. That usually controls my symptons. I also take allergy shots. When my asathma acts up, I also take an inhaled albuterol. In the past the doctor has prescribed a couple of prednisone bursts when that did not work, and that brought everything under control. Not real frequent — my last burst was 14 months ago. Should I be using a nebulizer when the inhaled meds don’t seem to knock it out? What exactly is a nebulizer and what are the pros and cons. In the past my asthma seems to have been triggered by cold or flu viruses or cold temperatures, but I think this spring I am getting my first allergy one — everything is blooming here in Iowa, the spring flowers are glorious, the flowering trees are glorious and the air is full of pollen. Any thoughts or comments? I will see my allergist shortly — he left town for two weeks. Kathy from Iowa
I take Flovent 110, two puffs twice a day. That usually controls my symptons. I also take allergy shots. When my asathma acts up, I also take an inhaled albuterol. In the past the doctor has prescribed a couple of prednisone bursts when that did not work, and that brought everything under control. Not real frequent — my last burst was 14 months ago. Should I be using a nebulizer when the inhaled meds don’t seem to knock it out? What exactly is a nebulizer and what are the pros and cons. In the past my asthma seems to have been triggered by cold or flu viruses or cold temperatures, but I think this spring I am getting my first allergy one — everything is blooming here in Iowa, the spring flowers are glorious, the flowering trees are glorious and the air is full of pollen. Any thoughts or comments? I will see my allergist shortly — he left town for two weeks.
What you and your doctor need to do is sit down and work out a detailed treatment plan on when and how to use your rescue medications, when to call the ER, etc. This is often tied to a PFM, with certain actions being taken when your flows drop below certain levels. Chris Owens
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I take Flovent 110, two puffs twice a day. That usually controls my symptons. I also take allergy shots. When my asathma acts up, I also take an inhaled albuterol. In the past the doctor has prescribed a couple of prednisone bursts when that did not work, and that brought everything under control. Not real frequent — my last burst was 14 months ago. Should I be using a nebulizer when the inhaled meds don’t seem to knock it out? What exactly is a nebulizer and what are the pros and cons. In the past my asthma seems to have been triggered by cold or flu viruses or cold temperatures, but I think this spring I am getting my first allergy one — everything is blooming here in Iowa, the spring flowers are glorious, the flowering trees are glorious and the air is full of pollen. Any thoughts or comments? I will see my allergist shortly — he left town for two weeks. Kathy from Iowa
Hi Kathy, My family , all of us have asthma. My husband has had it all his life, but when he was younger they called it everything but asthma. My son has had asthma since he was 2. I was diagnosed last fall with asthma. We have a nebulizer and all of us have benefitted from it too. We also have a portable nebulizer that runs off a battery. We tend to use the nebulizer when we don’t seem to be getting much relief from the regular inhaler. If you use the nebulizer it delivers the medication to your lungs alot better than an inhaler will. Also we double the flovent and that sometimes helps. There are times when prednisone is also to be used. I would not be with out a nebulizer at all. My son does complain that it takes longer, but the benefits are worth it. Good luck. Susanne Loud
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Has anyone here noticed that their asthma symptoms have changed since being on Flovent. I am talking about when you are actually having some asthma trouble. I notice that my attacks come on slower now and less frequent with Flovent – and I also notice that the symptoms tend to be different. Before Flovent my asthma symptoms always started with a tightness in my upperchest and a definite Wheezing. Now I find they seem to start lower down in the chest – feels likea tightness in the lower back actually – and I don’t get wheezing as much as I just feel short of breath. I wondered if I was along in this sensation.
If it’s helping, I don’t see it. I’ve had three bouts of bronchitis since Sept. Helen
CarolR hit it right on the head. After being on Flovent for about a year, my symptoms changed from having chest tightness to a feeling only my small airways were slowly closing on me. Atrovent, by the way, takes care of "that" feeling much better then Albuterol….
Has anyone here noticed that their asthma symptoms have changed since being on Flovent. I am talking about when you are actually having some asthma trouble. I notice that my attacks come on slower now and less frequent with Flovent – and I also notice that the symptoms tend to be different. Before Flovent my asthma symptoms always started with a tightness in my upperchest and a definite Wheezing. Now I find they seem to start lower down in the chest – feels likea tightness in the lower back actually – and I don’t get wheezing as much as I just feel short of breath. I wondered if I was along in this sensation.
I get the tightness and feel short of breath also. I rarely ever wheeze anymore. I don’t get the typical asthma attacks. I almost feel like only my small bronchioles are affected now rather than the large bronchus. Kinda weird 
. CarolR
Has anyone here noticed that their asthma symptoms have changed since being on Flovent. I am talking about when you are actually having some asthma trouble. I notice that my attacks come on slower now and less frequent with Flovent – and I also notice that the symptoms tend to be different. Before Flovent my asthma symptoms always started with a tightness in my upperchest and a definite Wheezing. Now I find they seem to start lower down in the chest – feels likea tightness in the lower back actually – and I don’t get wheezing as much as I just feel short of breath. I wondered if I was along in this sensation.
Here’s where I am — after 10-plus years of sinus problems (which escalated to about 6 infections in the last 8-9 months), my family physician finally sent me to an ENT. ENT sent me for CT scan and allergy testing. CT scans showed cysts (first thought they were polyps, but the report says cysts) filling 2/3 of left maxillary and 1/2 (back half) of the left (largest) sphenoid. There was also thickening in the sphenoid, bottom of left frontal and at the opening (well, where there’s *supposed* to be an opening) to the right maxillary. Ethmoids were mostly clear with just a little cloudiness in some small areas. Dx: chronic sinusitis. Fortunately, I am not in the midst of an acute attack just now. The allergy testing, about which I briefly posted last week, was negative (except for the histamine control). In addition, the IgG/A/M bloodwork that the allergist/immunologist sent me in for has, so far, come up negative — but that’s only the ‘M’ part. The jury is still out on the IgG/A portions — the lab screwed up and forgot to test for these. Had more blood drawn for this early this past week, and I should have the results this week before my visit to the ENT on this coming Thursday to talk about surgery. At the moment I am ‘managing’ the sinus problems with Claritan D (although the ENT says he may have me try a combo decongestant and mucus thinner instead, since the allergy testing was negative and I may not need the antihistamine part, and certainly don’t need the sleepiness it brings). I’m also using Singulair and Nasonex and several OTC things — saline spray, Xlear (sp?), nasal irrigation (still working on the head positioning, Dr. Grossan — thanks for your suggestion!), papaya enzymes, etc., etc. I drink lots of water and actively stay as far from any triggers (to the non-allergenic rhinitis that complicates things) as possible. I do know that when I had to go off the Claritan D before allergy testing that I started with the problems again. Awful headaches — on the right side, and also in back of my eyes and head. And even now, with all this care, I still have headaches at various times. Some days, I still have lots of drainage. I know that the small-to-almost-nonexistant opening into the right maxillary is definitely part of the problem. A couple of weeks ago, the whole side of my face was throbbing — finally I heard a long, drawn-out "sqeeeeeeeeak" (loud — like someone had stepped on a dog toy or something — even my husband heard it) and the headache disappeared. So I know at least a portion of this is the dreaded vacuum effect. Unfortunately, all my manipulations cannot quarantee that I can open it at any given time — even after all my various methods are tried. Once the headache starts, I’m out for the count unless I get lucky. Sometimes it lasts for days (even through the night). I am so tired (fatigue has been my middle name for years), and I am about 95-percent decided on surgery sometime in early October. I’ve done a lot of reading here and other places on the risks and rates of recovery, and I’ve read tons of post-surgery stories (both good and bad) and have spoken with people who have had FESS (and had good outcomes). I’m putting together a list of questions for the ENT appointment. I’ll be taking my husband along so that he can ask questions and listen to the answers as well. I believe that the ENT wants to avoid too much work in the sphenoid since the nerves or arteries or whatever are so close to some of the thickened portion, but at this point he believes that getting rid of the cyst is possible. He would also remove the cyst in the left maxillary and enlarge the opening to the right. Fortunately I have a beautifully straight septum which requires no work whatsoever. Thank heaven for small favors. Is there anything that, in the experience of those here, is important to ask at this meeting to discuss surgery or that you should have asked but didn’t? Also, any suggestions on building up your body/health before surgery? I start back to work in September after five years home with my son — but fortunately I’ll be working with my husband, and he’s pretty lenient (if he knows what’s good for him) about the time I need to take off to recover. I sure would appreciate any input on this.
On 4 Aug 2001 15:32:52 -0700, studio…@net-magic.net (LSM) wrote:
….. Is there anything that, in the experience of those here, is important to ask at this meeting to discuss surgery or that you should have asked but didn’t? Also, any suggestions on building up your body/health before surgery? I start back to work in September after five years home with my son — but fortunately I’ll be working with my husband, and he’s pretty lenient (if he knows what’s good for him) about the time I need to take off to recover. I sure would appreciate any input on this.
I think it is important to evaluate the experience and reputation of the otolaryngologist. I would look for someone whosr primary specialty has been sinus surgery for many years. A University may be one place to look.
I wrote a previous post but have not seen it here yet. I am going to post again. The autoimmune diseases are another class of diseases where the allopaths have no idea of what
Hi Cheryl, So sorry you are going through this. Sending you caring and support! Take care, Liz — There is always music amongst the trees in the garden but our minds must be very still to hear it. ASAP Gardening Site: http://www.chickadee.com/asapgardens
See below….(Phillip)
answered by email as I got it in my inbox as well. P. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Philip, It’s been the worst day…I have been so sick today…I still feel so odd, tomorrow I am only taking 25mg…( she has me on 50) I had no short term memory, I would start saying something and forget, go into a room and forgot what I went for.. I haven’t had hardly a bite to eat and have been trying to drink. I am caling Medusa tomorrow then I have to call my freakin primary to see her and then get a referral to go see someone able to help me with this medication..I can’t even think about it. I think the worst today was when I woke up after just crashing I could hear my dead step father talking to me in my ear…that freaked me out. I have been on the couch all day and thank God it’s Ted’s early day. ;o( This whole thing saddens me. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3 Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. I think you might ask your doctor to reduce the Zoloft dose to 12.5 mg and then raise it slowly. You are now experiencing initial SSRI side effects possibly augmented by Remeron withdrawal (although R is not associated witjh a withdrawal problem as a rule). Do you have one of those lovely benzos on the side to take *as needed*? Philip — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
Thanks Philip~ I emailed you…oh you bet your boots I have my ativan handy! xoxo Cheryl — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – See below….(Phillip) answered by email as I got it in my inbox as well. P. Philip, It’s been the worst day…I have been so sick today…I still feel so odd, tomorrow I am only taking 25mg…( she has me on 50) I had no short term memory, I would start saying something and forget, go into a room and forgot what I went for.. I haven’t had hardly a bite to eat and have been trying to drink. I am caling Medusa tomorrow then I have to call my freakin primary to see her and then get a referral to go see someone able to help me with this medication..I can’t even think about it. I think the worst today was when I woke up after just crashing I could hear my dead step father talking to me in my ear…that freaked me out. I have been on the couch all day and thank God it’s Ted’s early day. ;o( This whole thing saddens me. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3 Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. I think you might ask your doctor to reduce the Zoloft dose to 12.5 mg and then raise it slowly. You are now experiencing initial SSRI side effects possibly augmented by Remeron withdrawal (although R is not associated witjh a withdrawal problem as a rule). Do you have one of those lovely benzos on the side to take *as needed*? Philip — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
I am sorry you aren’t feeling well. Hopfully you will get used to the new meds very soon. Good luck and I hope you feel better. Amy
Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing.
I think you might ask your doctor to reduce the Zoloft dose to 12.5 mg and then raise it slowly. You are now experiencing initial SSRI side effects possibly augmented by Remeron withdrawal (although R is not associated witjh a withdrawal problem as a rule). Do you have one of those lovely benzos on the side to take *as needed*? Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
See below….(Phillip) Philip, It’s been the worst day…I have been so sick today…I still feel so odd, tomorrow I am only taking 25mg…( she has me on 50) I had no short term memory, I would start saying something and forget, go into a room and forgot what I went for.. I haven’t had hardly a bite to eat and have been trying to drink. I am caling Medusa tomorrow then I have to call my freakin primary to see her and then get a referral to go see someone able to help me with this medication..I can’t even think about it. I think the worst today was when I woke up after just crashing I could hear my dead step father talking to me in my ear…that freaked me out. I have been on the couch all day and thank God it’s Ted’s early day. ;o( This whole thing saddens me. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. I think you might ask your doctor to reduce the Zoloft dose to 12.5 mg and then raise it slowly. You are now experiencing initial SSRI side effects possibly augmented by Remeron withdrawal (although R is not associated witjh a withdrawal problem as a rule). Do you have one of those lovely benzos on the side to take *as needed*? Philip — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
Is 50mg a lot? Is it comparable to Remeron 30 or 15?
Yup, 50mgs is too high to start with. Some people start at 12.5mgs, others at 25mgs. Hope you are feeling better Jackie ~*~There came a time when the risk to remain tight in a bud was
Hi Cheryl, ((((Cheryl)))), I hope you feel better soon, I don’t have any words of wisdom for you, sorry. I’ve been gone a while, what’s going on here that I’m missing? Love Cathy — P.H.O.B.I.A. Off-line NJ Panic/Anxiety Support Group http://community.nj.com/cc/phobia
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
Cheryl, Hope you are feeling better soon. Those med changes can really get the best of us. Hangin there… smiles, elise
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
I’m so sorry you feel so crummy! Pamper yourself today. Love, Di
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
Is 50mg a lot? Is it comparable to Remeron 30 or 15?
different drug different mechanism of action-if your gonna do the medusa dance get her to dosie doe a bit and get her permission to up your ativan or up hers and call Jeff Apter-Zoloft compared to remeron is like qualuudes vrs speed so your now on dexamil and doin a bounce-50mg may be too high for a conversion for you it is a transition so make yourself comfortable as possible instead of white knuckling it-that lack of appetite will change to some carb craving soon this is a signal the zoloft is working but imo may be just change for change sake as the more you crave and consume the less you will burn and lose-she is using an older viewpoint that zoloft reduces appetite-ask some others here if their appetite is reduced-it is no less difficult to wean off then remeron in fact it may be a tad bit more difficult due to its energizing effects on some-get a professional opinion by a psychopharm doc not a transplant renal nephrologist whatever—- she wants to maximize the transplants life and that’s ok but there are other issues-including if you are psychologicaly ready to embark on being med free-trade offs is the name of the game-ch ch ch changes—-love bowie within a few days you will feel better be a patient patient but an assertive one-its your kidney now and your medical program- LM
TC3 wrote : Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing.
Hi Cheryl. I’m sorry to hear you don’t feel so well right now. You’ll feel better later on I’m sure; not that that’s any great consolation… Hope you are better quickly. Take care please. -Z-
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Path: news.wxs.nl!transit.news.xs4all.nl!news-spur1.maxwell.syr.edu!news.maxwell. syr.edu!europa.netcrusader.net!207.172.3.44!feed2.news.rcn.net!feed1.news.r cn.net!rcn!not-for-mail X-Trace: UmFuZG9tSVaCEadlqERcrH2iB2DgoRe3oWrW7CknZkw+m+WUDUIrVGnuqIZuMKvN 12:55:51 GMT X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4522.1200 X-Priority: 3 X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Xref: news.wxs.nl alt.support.anxiety-panic:263175 Thank you Anna! My doc thinks if I get off the Rem I can lose some weight…I just feel like I was so manic yesterday then crashed by midnight now I am really anxious and just feeling like a noodle. 
( I have to get her ready for school and feel like I won’t be able to get her out of the door.. I don’t want to make her stay home because of this..that isn’t fair to her. *sigh* I need your hug thanks xoxoxo love Cheryl
Dear one, yes you sounded a bit manic yestreday I think you have worn yourself down totally 
If you manage to get the sprogg to school try take some rest Cheryl We both know that tiredness is a great motor for PA. Hope you get some rest and hang in there Lotsa kisses over the ocean flying your way Anna – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3 Path: news.wxs.nl!news2.kpn.net!news.kpn.net!newsfeeds.belnet.be!news.belnet.be!f e ed2.onemain.com!feed1.onemain.com!news-out.cwix.com!newsfeed.cwix.com!feed2 . news.rcn.net!feed1.news.rcn.net!rcn!not-for-mail Feb 2001 07:29:59 -0500 Lines: UmFuZG9tSVZ9/f13lPYO1NQUJPzRlFuUUs+boUPTy+xZ+DqhBnD8RP1a78V4bucI 12:19:46 GMT X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4522.1200 X-Priority: 3 X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Xref: news.wxs.nl alt.support.anxiety-panic:263162 Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3 Dear cheryl, I did not know you where changing meds Why is that was the other med not doing its work ??? I am really sorry you feel like this. Maybe it gets better soon. I really hope so for you. And otherwise call the doc. No need to feel awfull all the time !!! You had your share huh VERY ferm hug from Anna
Hi Cheryl, I know how you feel. Supposedly, switching from Paxil to Zoloft was not supposed to be any big deal, but I feel different and it is not all my doing. I am more nervous, and have the trembles. I am just trying to be patient and see if it passes with time. I still function, but do not feel comfortable. Chores are getting done as usual, but not with the same peace. Hope you feel better soon, Cheryl. Let us know how you are doing! Take care, Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
– There is always music amongst the trees in the garden but our minds must be very still to hear it. ASAP Gardening Site: http://www.chickadee.com/asapgardens
I feel like dog doo. I am manic then exhausted, and I can’t remember anything…I was a mess getting her ready for school. Ack. I know it’s a transition.. Julie, that Snickers is still there so you know I am not feeling well~ LOL Is 50mg a lot? Is it comparable to Remeron 30 or 15? <Mercury, AD change and anxiety…perfect together LOL love Cheryl — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. Dear Cheryl, I`m sorry that you feel so lousy ( If you continue to feel this way, you might want to ask your doctor about decreasing your Zoloft dose to 25mgs for a week, them go to 50mgs, you could even wean slower than this by increasing in 12.5mg increments. I hope you feel better soon {{{{{Cheryl}}}}} Jackie
I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing.
Dear Cheryl, I`m sorry that you feel so lousy ( If you continue to feel this way, you might want to ask your doctor about decreasing your Zoloft dose to 25mgs for a week, them go to 50mgs, you could even wean slower than this by increasing in 12.5mg increments. I hope you feel better soon {{{{{Cheryl}}}}} Jackie
Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing.
How long are you going to look at that Snickers Bar???? Sweetie, ignore the crap here. No biggie. Now, you know that it will take awhile for the Zoloft to get to a theraputic level in your system. You need to hang on through these few physical adjustments UNLESS they are bothering you too much. Then call the doctor and tell him. If you have a chance, call the pharmacist and ask him to give you the details on the zoloft. He should be able to pop that info on his screen while you are on the phone with him. Let him know the side effects you are having…then he can look it up. When my Effexor was increased, each time I had a strange symptom or side effect, which eventually went away. I hope that your sweats and unsteadiness will not be for long. Is that Snickers still sitting on your hutch? love,Julie
Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Path: news.wxs.nl!news2.kpn.net!news.kpn.net!newsfeeds.belnet.be!news.belnet.be!f eed2.onemain.com!feed1.onemain.com!news-out.cwix.com!newsfeed.cwix.com!feed 2.news.rcn.net!feed1.news.rcn.net!rcn!not-for-mail UmFuZG9tSVZ9/f13lPYO1NQUJPzRlFuUUs+boUPTy+xZ+DqhBnD8RP1a78V4bucI 12:19:46 GMT X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4522.1200 X-Priority: 3 X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Xref: news.wxs.nl alt.support.anxiety-panic:263162 Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
Dear cheryl, I did not know you where changing meds Why is that was the other med not doing its work ??? I am really sorry you feel like this. Maybe it gets better soon. I really hope so for you. And otherwise call the doc. No need to feel awfull all the time !!! You had your share huh VERY ferm hug from Anna
Thank you Anna! My doc thinks if I get off the Rem I can lose some weight…I just feel like I was so manic yesterday then crashed by midnight now I am really anxious and just feeling like a noodle. ( I have to get her ready for school and feel like I won’t be able to get her out of the door.. I don’t want to make her stay home because of this..that isn’t fair to her. *sigh* I need your hug thanks xoxoxo love Cheryl — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3
Path:
news.wxs.nl!news2.kpn.net!news.kpn.net!newsfeeds.belnet.be!news.belnet.be!f e ed2.onemain.com!feed1.onemain.com!news-out.cwix.com!newsfeed.cwix.com!feed2 . news.rcn.net!feed1.news.rcn.net!rcn!not-for-mail – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – UmFuZG9tSVZ9/f13lPYO1NQUJPzRlFuUUs+boUPTy+xZ+DqhBnD8RP1a78V4bucI 12:19:46 GMT X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4522.1200 X-Priority: 3 X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Xref: news.wxs.nl alt.support.anxiety-panic:263162 Ugh. I started 50mg of Z yesterday…from only a week of decreasing my Remeron from 30 to 15. I feel like I am on a ship, everything is rocking and I am sweaty and feeling like a wet noodle. Of all freaking times to have to post about my meds with all the crap going on here… That makes me more upset. One good thing, I have zippo appetite…that Snickers bar sitting on the hutch doesn’t even look appealing. — Clowns to the left of me Jokers to the right Here I am Stuck in the middle with you. TC3 Dear cheryl, I did not know you where changing meds Why is that was the other med not doing its work ??? I am really sorry you feel like this. Maybe it gets better soon. I really hope so for you. And otherwise call the doc. No need to feel awfull all the time !!! You had your share huh VERY ferm hug from Anna
Hi Betsy, Excellent thread! For those of you who are on antidepressants, what different sorts of experiences have you had that show they’re working? We’re all taught to recognize such symptoms of depression as deep sadness, lack of energy, apathy, etc.
What shows they are working. I think it’s good to approach this from both the lack of negative symptoms *and* the return of positives: – Less deep sadness, replaced by feelings of calm or "normalcy". The "normalcy" is noticed by realizations that "hey! this is how I used to feel when I wasn’t depressed!". – Lack of energy, replaced by just the ability to get out of bed and in the shower in order to make it to work on time. Feeling rested after a normal nights sleep, instead of wanting to sleep all day. – Apathy replaced by hope that things can get better, and caring about that, which also can ironically cause some fear in me. In the 3 weeks I’ve been taking meds for dysthymia (low grade chronic depression), these things, to the less profound degree I’ve felt them, have cleared up.
Good! I’m glad for you! But a more noticeable difference for me is a greater ability/willingness to be open and honest with my feelings *before* a fuse gets lit — I don’t keep from speaking up and let things fester so much. Then a problem can be resolved when it’s still small, and my feelings stay more neutral during and after the resolution. It’s weird. : )
I’ve noticed that I tend to be able to resolve things in a more tactful appropriate manner sooner when I’m doing well on antidepressants. One concern that I have is that one of the meds I take is Klonopin, and it gives me what I would consider an artificial self confidence and changes my personality in ways that I’m more laid back and I’ve noticed that people respond very positively to that. My sense of humor increases too, or at least my ability to convey it. The concern is that Klonopin is addictive, and I must moderate its use. I never take more than the prescribed dosage, but sometimes recently I have been taking up to 2mg (like today), so I want to go a week or so without it, or maybe taking only .5mg. Two of the lesser-talked-about symptoms of depression are persistent feelings of low self-worth and guilt. I’m not saying that antidepressants are the cure-all for these feelings, but I wonder if the meds are helping to relieve some of these feelings in me so that speaking up is a more tolerable option now?
I think this goes back to speaking up — that can help relieve guilt. If you’re feeling less depressed and good about yourself in general, it’s easier to brush off someone else’s inappropriate guilt feelings. This past weekend I told my Mom I was going to try to contact the Make a Wish Foundation to see if she could get tickets to see Tiger Woods in Rockford. My Mom’s been through a lot, she loves Tiger Woods, and it would make her sooooooo happy. It would make me equally or more happy to be able to make her happy. Well, when I asked my Mom if I have her permission to do that, my sister said, in an irritated condescending tone of voice that Make a Wish is only for terminally ill children. Well, my first feeling was hurt. I had taken a risk and gone out of my way to try to do something positive, and immediately it was shot down by my sister (but my Mom liked the idea — anything to see Tiger Woods My sister started to say more, and I realized I didn’t want to get into a debate with her. So, I said I didn’t want to talk about it. She called me rude for not wanting to talk about it, that when someone wants to talk I "should" talk. I said no, I’m setting a boundary and I choose not to talk about it. Mainly, because I saw it as a lose-lose conversation or a win-lose conversation. In converstations like that, I don’t want to be the winner or loser. I want it to be win-win, or an intelligent discussion of the ways to find out what the Make a Wish covers, and also an acknowledgement of the intent. If I were in depression, I may not have been as internally comfortable about how I handled it. I was at peace after I set the boundary, event though my sister was frustrated and tried to get me to participate more in the conversation. She also has a young daughter. During the weekend she said "Kevin!!! Shannon has hair spray in her hand, you "should" have closed the bathroom door". I said "Sure, no problem, I will be happy to do that in the future. I just need to be informed of these things and you hadn’t let me know to do that". She said yes, I know I did because I told Randy (my brother). (as if someone else is evidence that she told me). I left it as a final "I don’t believe you told me otherwise I would have gladly complied, but I’ll be sure to do it in the future". It’s almost like the meds have taken the power out of the "excuses" depression makes me vulnerable to (I’m too tired; it’ll never work; I’m not good enough) and the healthier thoughts I’ve been planting all along in therapy, etc. have a chance to actually be heard — by me.
YES. *This* is what meds (IMO) are good for. The depression support group I go to says this too, and this is my experience. For me, the meds put me in a state where I’m more willing to remember and apply the healthy thoughts from therapy and other sources, and it also makes therapy more effective — instead of always dealing with depression in therapy and "dysthymia-struggles" (to coin a term), it can get to dealing more in the soluiton. Of course, it could all be placebo effect, too. At this point I really don’t care. : ) Just wondered what you guys have experienced?
I don’t think it’s the placebo effect. After years of taking meds, not taking them when I was supposed to, forgetting to take them, not taking them as prescribed, taking them while drinking, I eventually had a lot of empirical data that leads me to believe, for me anyway, that the meds do help a lot. I have been taking them as prescribed, except for Klonopin which I choose to take as needed because I know how addictive it can be. Betsy
Another point about meds. Sometimes it takes a loooong time to find a good match, or the right meds (not to mention a good psychiatrist). Right now, crossing fingers, the combination of 150mg of Effexor XR, with 50mg Zoloft recently re-added (because I was proactive and contacted the psychiatrist), occasional use of Klonopin as needed, and 50-100mg of Trazodone for sleeping (I almost always take 50mg) works very well. Today, I can honestly say I feel "normal" (just for today). Maybe a little depressed and sad, but at least functional. About the placebo effect. I wonder whether the full spectrum lights and the SAD lights have a placebo effect for me. I don’t care. All I know is that after a long day at work under my full spectrum light, when I go out into the dark winter here, I almost feel like I had a day of sunshine and the dark night seems more natural. So, the lighting helps also. Kevin P.S. — thanks for your recent e-mail Betsy, I’ll try to get back to you (and a few others who’ve e-mailed in the last few weeks, some of whom I haven’t heard from in a while)
For those of you who are on antidepressants, what different sorts of experiences have you had that show they’re working? We’re all taught to recognize such symptoms of depression as deep sadness, lack of energy, apathy, etc. In the 3 weeks I’ve been taking meds for dysthymia (low grade chronic depression), these things, to the less profound degree I’ve felt them, have cleared up. But a more noticeable difference for me is a greater ability/willingness to be open and honest with my feelings *before* a fuse gets lit — I don’t keep from speaking up and let things fester so much. Then a problem can be resolved when it’s still small, and my feelings stay more neutral during and after the resolution. It’s weird. : ) Two of the lesser-talked-about symptoms of depression are persistent feelings of low self-worth and guilt. I’m not saying that antidepressants are the cure-all for these feelings, but I wonder if the meds are helping to relieve some of these feelings in me so that speaking up is a more tolerable option now? It’s almost like the meds have taken the power out of the "excuses" depression makes me vulnerable to (I’m too tired; it’ll never work; I’m not good enough) and the healthier thoughts I’ve been planting all along in therapy, etc. have a chance to actually be heard — by me. Of course, it could all be placebo effect, too. At this point I really don’t care. : ) Just wondered what you guys have experienced? Betsy
– Lack of energy, replaced by just the ability to get out of bed and in the shower in order to make it to work on time. Feeling rested after a normal nights sleep, instead of wanting to sleep all day.
I’ve stopped taking 3-4 hour naps on the weekends. : ) There’s all sorts of stuff to do when you look for it. I’ve noticed that I tend to be able to resolve things in a more tactful appropriate manner sooner when I’m doing well on antidepressants. One concern that I have is that one of the meds I take is Klonopin, and it gives me what I would consider an artificial self confidence and changes my personality in ways that I’m more laid back and I’ve noticed that people respond very positively to that.
Is it an antianxiety med? It’s interesting that you say it feels like an artificial self-confidence. Does that mean that anxiety feels natural for you?? I don’t quite know how to respond, except that you seem to be staying self-aware about your use of it and that’s a good thing. I think this goes back to speaking up — that can help relieve guilt. If you’re feeling less depressed and good about yourself in general, it’s easier to brush off someone else’s inappropriate guilt feelings.
Exactly. And the low self-esteem, that also leads to not speaking up or even counting my needs and feelings as important enough to bother dealing with. It’s a sort of self-sustaining loop in depression, apathy/low self-worth/lethargy. Regarding the incident with your sister, she sounds more than a little stressed-out herself. : ) But you handled her very well! It’s almost like the meds have taken the power out of the "excuses" depression makes me vulnerable to (I’m too tired; it’ll never work; I’m not good enough) and the healthier thoughts I’ve been planting all along in therapy, etc. have a chance to actually be heard — by me. YES. *This* is what meds (IMO) are good for. The depression support group I go to says this too, and this is my experience.
You don’t know how encouraging it is to hear this, Kevin. One of the worst things about chronic depression is that little by little, year by year, you’re just resigning yourself to the fact that this is what life feels like. You don’t even think it CAN be different. It’s such a relief to know there’s something that can actually help. And yet, I don’t feel as if the meds are "doing" it to me, I feel like I’m the one making the choices and changing my behavior. I don’t think it’s the placebo effect. After years of taking meds, not taking them when I was supposed to, forgetting to take them, not taking them as prescribed, taking them while drinking, I eventually had a lot of empirical data that leads me to believe, for me anyway, that the meds do help a lot. I have been taking them as prescribed, except for Klonopin which I choose to take as needed because I know how addictive it can be.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, it really is valuable to me. You’ve been around the block with this and I know you speak from experience. Happy New Year! Betsy
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Shanon, How is it different that I am using a drug to alter the way I feel in somewhat the same way that they are using drugs to alter the way that they feel. -) You are being monitored by a professional throughout the complete period of taking your "drugs" — your friends are not. -) You are being prescribed the correct dosage of your "drug" — your friends not. -) Your friends may become addicted to their drugs — you are *very* unlikely to become addicted to yours.
I agree with you completely. I’m not a chemist, so when I was using pot all those years I really had no idea exactly what dosage I needed to obtain the feeling I wanted. And I didn’t want to alleviate a painful condition, I wanted to obtain a high. The partnership with one and maybe two professionals, if you have a therapist, makes treatment with meds for depression a vastly different experience than chasing a high with street drugs. Betsy
Shanon, How is it different that I am using a drug to alter the way I feel in somewhat the same way that they are using drugs to alter the way that they feel.
-) You are being monitored by a professional throughout the complete period of taking your "drugs" — your friends are not. -) You are being prescribed the correct dosage of your "drug" — your friends not. -) Your friends may become addicted to their drugs — you are *very* unlikely to become addicted to yours. Yes, medicine can also be a "drug" and basically humans can become addicted to almost anything, I think. Drugs have been widely used since the beginning of mankind. Weren’t it the Maya who used leaves of the coke plant to enhance their bodily capabilities?? The main difference between the drug known as medicine and what people think of as "real" drugs is that there is a safety/precaution variable included — your doc. If you’re self-medicating yourself its drug abuse and may lead to dependency. At least I think of it that way. Hope that helped. Pete ;O) — ~ But if you’re in the eye of storm. Think of the lonely dove. The experience of survival is the key. To the gravitiy of love. ~ -Enigma
Since I have started Paxil, I have noticed so many positive effects.. First of all, my anxiety level has plummetted - thank God!! Secondly, my need to complete everything in order has subsided a little bit, I no longer panic if I don’t follow a schedule or stick to an exact plan. My depression has gotten so much better as well, I still feel bad sometimes, but nothing how I used to feel. But, then I wonder if this is a good thing. I mean, I have friends who do drugs like pot and ecstacy – they say that the drugs make them happy – ecstacy makes them feel empathetic and like they have a connection with people. Pot makes them calm, helps them concentrate, takes the edge off of their angry dispositions. So I’m wondering, how am I different from them in my own use of Paxil? How is it different that I am using a drug to alter the way I feel in somewhat the same way that they are using drugs to alter the way that they feel. The only difference is that my drugs are legal. I guess I’m rambling.. Shanon
For those of you who are on antidepressants, what different sorts of experiences have you had that show they’re working?
I am able to sleep. I am able to not obsess about things, to let things go, to go to work. I am able to eat better without so much worry that I will wake up the next morning weighting a ton. When I have gone off my antidepressants the first thing I notice returning is my anxiety, which results in insomnia and obsessive compulsive behaviors. I have gone off and back on many times against medical advise, and I know that they help me tremendously. When I am off, I crash so bad. Love Kal
i am not as reactive emotionally. but in a good way. i can still cry and i do feel anger, but its not rage anymore.
What a relief this must be. I have had flashes of rage throughout the years, for me I think they’re related to unrelenting depression. it has slowed my mind down. my mind used to race so fast , i talked fast, etc. now i am more even keeled. it has helped me to sleep better and longer. which is wonderful considering my history of insomnia. and i am more positive thinking now, i dont get so down on myself and i dont feel hopeless. i look for solutions to problems now and it helps to keep my chin up
but you’re an important part of ase-d for me. You are not your struggles, you are the person inside and I just wanted to let you know I see you. : ) Happy New Year! Betsy
I can hardly keep my thoughts together today…..I’m not going in to work again today. ….and, when I called in, she tried to make me feel guilty. It’s almost like my hormones override these medications. I become overly sensitive, irritable, paranoid, fearful, anxious, restless…..just to name a few symptoms. I know that stupid depo shot is still in my system. I can feel it. I don’t have anything to grip on to, and this is a horrible feeling. Maybe that’s why that show Greed kept my heart pounding last night. I know this will go away in a few days, but what do I do in the meantime? I haven’t done a "pity party" post for awhile, so I guess it was overdue. My doc is out of town AGAIN for the weekend….. I feel like Sharyn today…..I just want to cry. ( Maria
Thanks Chip, I really like these articles…. For anyone interested, or that has PMS problems… I took the other half of my celexa pill the other day, (because of feeling horrible, and PMS) and noticed quite immediate effects….as I was laying down for a nap, I realized she had given me 40 mg. tabs, which I break in half so they last me 2 months, or so that I can increase to 40 if I want to. So, it turns out I’ve been taking double my usual dosage these past couple days. (It never occurred to me, because I always broke my paxil in half). Well, the funny part is when I did this once before, not during PMS…..I was so tired, I could barely walk. This time, I feel great…..no PMS symptoms!! Today I feel very calm….and, even spent the day at the mall with some friends, (which usually makes me cranky being around crowds for long periods of time). I wasn’t a bit irritated…and, before the extra celexa I was a wreck. Now, I’m curious to see the effect it will have on me after my period….if it will be too high of a dose. I really like this 40 mg. right now. Just an interesting self observation of my situation…. Bye, Maria
: : Valerie Davis Raskin, MD, wrote a very good book titled, : "When Words Are Not Enough; The Women’s Prescription for : Depression and Anxiety." The book is not too expensive : and written for the general public, so you may want to : buy a copy via Amazon or some other book shop. It covers : a lot of issues that are important to women who suffer : from anxiety and depression. : : Thankyou for that information Arthur. I remember it being one of the trivia : questions, but I didn’t know what it was about. : Maria I had originally bought the book for my mother. However, she didn’t read it at first (being very psychoanalysis oriented) so I borrowed it for a while. The book is very practical; with chapters on sex, pregnancy, menstral cycles, etc. It addresses medication questions that I often see posted here in ASAP and has some nice tables on medications. I’m tempted to buy a copy for my own little anxiety-panic library. Which reminds me, mom still has my copy of Sheehan. I ought to start distributing library cards (grin). Best Wishes, Arthur
Biological Therapies in Psychiatry Alan J. Gelenberg, M.D. Treating PMS While most women experience some physical and emotional changes premenstrually, a minority are clinically impaired by the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). For ages, unproven and largely ineffectual remedies were promulgated. In recent years, however, greater methodologic rigor has enhanced clinical research on this condition. Better still, the advent of the serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants has shown that medication can alleviate PMS symptoms and reverse dysfunction. Several recent reviews present evidence and knowledgeable opinions on treating PMS. Dr Walter Brown notes that SSRIs have a much more rapid onset of action when used to treat PMS than when the same drugs are used to treat depression. (1) PMS symptoms improve almost immediately, while depressive symptoms typically take several weeks to lift. This author also observes that while serotonergic, noradrenergic, and other agents appear equal in efficacy when treating depression, only highly serotonergic antidepressants are effective for PMS. Further evidence for the role of serotonin in PMS is that tryptophan, the essential amino acid that serves as a dietary precursor for serotonin, and fenfluramine (Pondimin and Redux), which stimulates serotonin neurotransmission, also appear effective against PMS. Moreover, women with PMS show abnormalities in blood serotonin. What about other antidepressants? Yonkers and Brown write about an ongoing, multicenter trial of venlafaxine (Effexor) for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). (2) Venlafaxine can be started at 25 mg bid to manage side effects and then increased by 25 to 37.5 mg/day each cycle until remission is achieved. Investigators hope venlafaxine’s rapid onset of action will be beneficial in this type of intermittent disorder. An open trial suggested that nefazodone (Serzone) may be effective against PMDD or premenstrual exacerbation (PME) of a preexisting mood disorder when administered in daily doses of 200 to 500 mg throughout the menstrual cycle. Anxiolytic agents too might have a role to play. Limited data suggest possible efficacy for buspirone (Buspar). Yonkers and Brown also use alprazolam (Xanax) for women with mild PMS symptoms of limited duration. They recommend a starting dose of 0.25 mg bid or tid, increased as needed. In many studies of drugs to treat PMS, agents are administered daily throughout the month. But some women appear to benefit from taking a drug only during the premenstrual week or starting with the first symptom and ending with the beginning of menses. For example, clomipramine (Anafranil) is efficacious when administered only in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Although there are no systematic data on the long-term use of drugs for premenstrual disorders, Yonkers and Brown state that symptom relief appears to be maintained. What else can be done to combat PMS symptoms? Pearlstein cites recommendations to increase complex carbohydrate consumption. (3) When combined with more frequent meals, this strategy might enhance cerebral uptake of tryptophan, thereby making more serotonin available. Some women find exercise alleviates symptoms. Other nonpharmacologic strategies include cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation training. When symptoms of PMS, PMDD, or PME rise to the level of clinical significance, serotonergic antidepressants often can bring relief, with dosage and timing individualized for each patient. Recommendations for diet, exercise, and other nonpharmacologic strategies — as alternatives or additions to drug treatment — also can be considered based on preferences and circumstances. (1) Brown WA: PMS: A quiet breakthrough. Psychiatr Ann 1996; 26: 569-570. (2) Yonkers KA, Brown WA: Pharmacologic treatments for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Psychiatr Ann 1996; 26: 586-589. (3) Pearlstein T: Nonpharmacologic treatment of premenstrual syndrome. Psychiatr Ann 1996; 26: 590-594.
Thanks Chip, I’m actually saving this in my files. BTW, I do feel much better today, and will from now on increase my celexa dose during PMS. I’ve actually learned a lot over the last couple of days. I apologize if I snapped anyone’s head off in the meantime. Bye, Maria – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1999 May;14 Suppl 2:S27-33 Serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoria. Eriksson E Department of Pharmacology, Goteborg University, Sweden. Premenstrual dysphoria (PMD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome, afflicting approximately 5% of all women of fertile age. The cardinal symptoms are irritability and anger. In addition, sadness, tension and carbohydrate craving are common complaints. The symptoms surface regularly between ovulation and menstruation, and disappear completely within a few days after the onset of the bleeding; in patients with remaining symptoms during the follicular phase, alternative diagnoses should be considered. In a large number of recent trials, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (clomipramine, citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline) have been shown to reduce the symptoms of PMD much more effectively than placebo; in contrast, non-serotonergic antidepressants (maprotiline, bupropion) appear to be ineffective. Interestingly, the onset of action of clomipramine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is much shorter when used for PMD than when used for depression, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Consequently, patients with PMD can restrict the medication to the luteal phase of the cycle. In a recent placebo-controlled trial, intermittent administration of the SSRI citalopram was shown to reduce the symptoms of PMD significantly better than placebo, but also better than continuous administration of the drug. A reasonable interpretation of the latter, unexpected finding is that continuous medication may be associated with a certain development of tolerance than can be avoided by intermittent drug administration. The observation that the symptoms of PMD may be effectively reduced by SSRIs is of considerable clinical importance since previously no effective treatment for this common condition – apart from those disrupting ovarian cyclicity – has been available. It is also of theoretical importance because it constitutes one of the first pharmacological observations supporting the concept that serotonin may dampen irritability and anger in humans. PMID: 10471170, UI: 99397771
Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1999 May;14 Suppl 2:S27-33 Serotonin reuptake inhibitors for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoria. Eriksson E Department of Pharmacology, Goteborg University, Sweden. Premenstrual dysphoria (PMD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome, afflicting approximately 5% of all women of fertile age. The cardinal symptoms are irritability and anger. In addition, sadness, tension and carbohydrate craving are common complaints. The symptoms surface regularly between ovulation and menstruation, and disappear completely within a few days after the onset of the bleeding; in patients with remaining symptoms during the follicular phase, alternative diagnoses should be considered. In a large number of recent trials, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (clomipramine, citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline) have been shown to reduce the symptoms of PMD much more effectively than placebo; in contrast, non-serotonergic antidepressants (maprotiline, bupropion) appear to be ineffective. Interestingly, the onset of action of clomipramine and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is much shorter when used for PMD than when used for depression, panic disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Consequently, patients with PMD can restrict the medication to the luteal phase of the cycle. In a recent placebo-controlled trial, intermittent administration of the SSRI citalopram was shown to reduce the symptoms of PMD significantly better than placebo, but also better than continuous administration of the drug. A reasonable interpretation of the latter, unexpected finding is that continuous medication may be associated with a certain development of tolerance than can be avoided by intermittent drug administration. The observation that the symptoms of PMD may be effectively reduced by SSRIs is of considerable clinical importance since previously no effective treatment for this common condition – apart from those disrupting ovarian cyclicity – has been available. It is also of theoretical importance because it constitutes one of the first pharmacological observations supporting the concept that serotonin may dampen irritability and anger in humans. PMID: 10471170, UI: 99397771
its been documented that ssri’s and benzo’s blood plasma levels change when women ovulate and vice versa when they don’t-since you are changing your bodies ability to ovulate the plasma levels may drop somewhat-you may want to ask your doc to augment some benzo or ad meds with your next shot-medroxyprogesterone acetate is a known sensitizer of depression-you can just try and pamper yourself until the effects slough off LM
Margrove, you hit the nail on the head again. I took extra celexa today, thinking at least it will do "something." (I don’t think she’s gonna go for increasing my benzos, and I don’t want to ask her to), but I had a really nice nap, and feel better. That is a very very very good idea. I think I will increase my celexa during this time of the month. It was a one time shot (depression is putting it mildly, I was thinking of ways to end my life). It is still in my system, and I can feel the effects during this time of the month. Thanks, Maria
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Maria, Being male, I can’t personally relate to PMS, but the hormonal character of panic disorder has given me some appreciation of the subject. Valerie Davis Raskin, MD, wrote a very good book titled, "When Words Are Not Enough; The Women’s Prescription for Depression and Anxiety." The book is not too expensive and written for the general public, so you may want to buy a copy via Amazon or some other book shop. It covers a lot of issues that are important to women who suffer from anxiety and depression. Best Wishes, Arthur
Thankyou for that information Arthur. I remember it being one of the trivia questions, but I didn’t know what it was about. Maria
its been documented that ssri’s and benzo’s blood plasma levels change when women ovulate and vice versa when they don’t-since you are changing your bodies ability to ovulate the plasma levels may drop somewhat-you may want to ask your doc to augment some benzo or ad meds with your next shot-medroxyprogesterone acetate is a known sensitizer of depression-you can just try and pamper yourself until the effects slough off LM
Maria – YIKES…..deprovera. I’ve heard enough nightmare stories from my two daughters and my soon-to-be daughter-in-law. All three have had unpleasant reactions to it and some very unpleasant effects getting off.
Hi Cindy, For the first time since I got this shot, I feel that "someone understands." My face actually lit up while reading this. (not that they had to go through the horrid mess, but that I’m not alone). It was a one time shot…..that was enough…it just about killed me. (literally). Thankyou for the information!! Maria – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I can hardly keep my thoughts together today…..I’m not going in to work again today. ….and, when I called in, she tried to make me feel guilty. It’s almost like my hormones override these medications. I become overly sensitive, irritable, paranoid, fearful, anxious, restless…..just to name a few symptoms. I know that stupid depo shot is still in my system. I can feel it. I don’t have anything to grip on to, and this is a horrible feeling. Maybe that’s why that show Greed kept my heart pounding last night. I know this will go away in a few days, but what do I do in the meantime? I haven’t done a "pity party" post for awhile, so I guess it was overdue. My doc is out of town AGAIN for the weekend….. I feel like Sharyn today…..I just want to cry. ( Maria Maria – YIKES…..deprovera. I’ve heard enough nightmare stories from my two daughters and my soon-to-be daughter-in-law. All three have had unpleasant reactions to it and some very unpleasant effects getting off. It might be of some comfort to know that your emotional reaction to the provera in depovera is typical. Also know that symptoms of normalizing can go on for 18mo to two years. The progesterone in depovera is a chemically synthesized progestin, not natural hormone and SOME people are terribly sensitive to it. The good news is that although it’s EXTREMELY uncomfortable, kind of like your skin wants to walk off your body and your brain wants to escape, it DOES eventually go away. Some months you may find your own production of hormones will fluctuate and some months may be worse than others. Other chemically synthesized birth control hormones can have the same effect and even when stopped it can take up to and longer than a year to normalize your natural horomes. So you aren’t going crazy, it’s just the hormones talking and it WILL go away. for more information about what you, in your particular situation, can do to help yourself get right sooner…a book I highly recommend (easy read too)…. "Hormonal Health" Michael Colgan, MD. Hope this helps KC Cindy
: I can hardly keep my thoughts together today…..I’m not going in to work again : today. ….and, when I called in, she tried to make me feel guilty. It’s : almost like my hormones override these medications. I become overly sensitive, : irritable, paranoid, fearful, anxious, restless…..just to name a few : symptoms. I know that stupid depo shot is still in my system. I can feel it. : : I don’t have anything to grip on to, and this is a horrible feeling. Maybe : that’s why that show Greed kept my heart pounding last night. : I know this will go away in a few days, but what do I do in the meantime? : I haven’t done a "pity party" post for awhile, so I guess it was overdue. : My doc is out of town AGAIN for the weekend….. : I feel like Sharyn today…..I just want to cry. : ( : Maria Hi Maria, Being male, I can’t personally relate to PMS, but the hormonal character of panic disorder has given me some appreciation of the subject. Valerie Davis Raskin, MD, wrote a very good book titled, "When Words Are Not Enough; The Women’s Prescription for Depression and Anxiety." The book is not too expensive and written for the general public, so you may want to buy a copy via Amazon or some other book shop. It covers a lot of issues that are important to women who suffer from anxiety and depression. Best Wishes, Arthur
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I can hardly keep my thoughts together today…..I’m not going in to work again today. ….and, when I called in, she tried to make me feel guilty. It’s almost like my hormones override these medications. I become overly sensitive, irritable, paranoid, fearful, anxious, restless…..just to name a few symptoms. I know that stupid depo shot is still in my system. I can feel it. I don’t have anything to grip on to, and this is a horrible feeling. Maybe that’s why that show Greed kept my heart pounding last night. I know this will go away in a few days, but what do I do in the meantime? I haven’t done a "pity party" post for awhile, so I guess it was overdue. My doc is out of town AGAIN for the weekend….. I feel like Sharyn today…..I just want to cry. ( Maria
Maria – YIKES…..deprovera. I’ve heard enough nightmare stories from my two daughters and my soon-to-be daughter-in-law. All three have had unpleasant reactions to it and some very unpleasant effects getting off. It might be of some comfort to know that your emotional reaction to the provera in depovera is typical. Also know that symptoms of normalizing can go on for 18mo to two years. The progesterone in depovera is a chemically synthesized progestin, not natural hormone and SOME people are terribly sensitive to it. The good news is that although it’s EXTREMELY uncomfortable, kind of like your skin wants to walk off your body and your brain wants to escape, it DOES eventually go away. Some months you may find your own production of hormones will fluctuate and some months may be worse than others. Other chemically synthesized birth control hormones can have the same effect and even when stopped it can take up to and longer than a year to normalize your natural horomes. So you aren’t going crazy, it’s just the hormones talking and it WILL go away. for more information about what you, in your particular situation, can do to help yourself get right sooner…a book I highly recommend (easy read too)…. "Hormonal Health" Michael Colgan, MD. Hope this helps KC Cindy
Hi everyone, I’ve been taking paxil for several weeks now, (10mg.) with xanax in the morning. For some reason, the paxil has NO sedative effects on me. My doctor switched me from the xanax to clonazepam. She thought something longer acting would be better for my anxiety. In my drug book, however, it states that the duration of clonazepam is 7-8 hours, which seems to me the same as xanax. I’m going to take .5 in the morning and at bedtime. I am hopeful for this, because once the xanax wears off, I am anxious again. Does anyone know the half life on klonipin? I know there are many people here on Klonipin. How long until it takes effect? I thought I read here a couple of weeks for the full effect. How does it work with the SSRI’s? If I don’t feel better in a couple of weeks, she’s gonna switch me to another SSRI. Also, if you are on an SSRI, why are you taking klonipin? and if you didn’t take klonipin/xanax would you feel a little anxiety from the SSRI? My doctor thinks that I am having a paradoxical reaction to the paxil. She said paxil is usually the most sedating of the SSRI’s. But, I’ve noticed some people are on SSRI’s alone, and some take them with a benzo. Thankyou, Maria
The half-life of Klonopin is estimated to be between 18-30 hours. Cmat
I also take klonopin/zoloft for anxiety and fibromyalgia. It works very well. I also was on xanax,then unto klonopin the combo is doing me great. Hope the same will go for you takecare kurt
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. Overall Im doing better and better. My hyper self seems to be kicking back in and that is some of my problem. Here the main one. Tue will start my 8th week I think or is it my 7th. dont remember. I was weaning on soooooo slow that Im not even up to 50mg yet but heres the ?. Im up to 37mg and cutting the 50mg off at the end. Less and less so I am probably close to 43 now. The day before yesterday I did soooo much stuff. Yesterday I started feeling the tremors like I had 10 cups of coffee. Breathing is ok. Just really jittery and shaky. The emotional stuff is not as bad either. I also have had a headache in my temples…tension..Tue I am going to take the full 50mg Zoloft. I need to get back to work and at a theraputic dose. If this shakyness is from even my increase Tue I can handle it. I still have my Xanax. What do you all think…Like I said I have been doing alot better. The fear to stay around the house has vanished except for yesterday and today. I probably do need to rest. This normal stuff for even 7-8weeks. I guess I thought I would be pretty much back to normal…..but getting there. Thanks Brenda
Brenda, It sounds like great progress. As you say you’re doing a lot better. I think you can take 50 mgs now and go to work and be fine. Slowly things will become more *routine-like* and you won’t notice every small change in your body or at least not in an unpleasant way which keeps you *catastrophizing* over it. There will be good days and not so good days, we all have them, but you have Xanax for when you need it. Moreover, the Zoloft dose is still low. If this works that’s fantastic, if you have to decide somewhere along the road to take more it would be no problem at all. Enjoy your *new life*! Philip
Hi all. Overall Im doing better and better. My hyper self seems to be kicking back in and that is some of my problem. Here the main one. Tue will start my 8th week I think or is it my 7th. dont remember. I was weaning on soooooo slow that Im not even up to 50mg yet but heres the ?. Im up to 37mg and cutting the 50mg off at the end. Less and less so I am probably close to 43 now. The day before yesterday I did soooo much stuff. Yesterday I started feeling the tremors like I had 10 cups of coffee. Breathing is ok. Just really jittery and shaky. The emotional stuff is not as bad either. I also have had a headache in my temples…tension..Tue I am going to take the full 50mg Zoloft. I need to get back to work and at a theraputic dose. If this shakyness is from even my increase Tue I can handle it. I still have my Xanax. What do you all think…Like I said I have been doing alot better. The fear to stay around the house has vanished except for yesterday and today. I probably do need to rest. This normal stuff for even 7-8weeks. I guess I thought I would be pretty much back to normal…..but getting there. Thanks Brenda
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. Overall Im doing better and better. My hyper self seems to be kicking back in and that is some of my problem. Here the main one. Tue will start my 8th week I think or is it my 7th. dont remember. I was weaning on soooooo slow that Im not even up to 50mg yet but heres the ?. Im up to 37mg and cutting the 50mg off at the end. Less and less so I am probably close to 43 now. The day before yesterday I did soooo much stuff. Yesterday I started feeling the tremors like I had 10 cups of coffee. Breathing is ok. Just really jittery and shaky. The emotional stuff is not as bad either. I also have had a headache in my temples…tension..Tue I am going to take the full 50mg Zoloft. I need to get back to work and at a theraputic dose. If this shakyness is from even my increase Tue I can handle it. I still have my Xanax. What do you all think…Like I said I have been doing alot better. The fear to stay around the house has vanished except for yesterday and today. I probably do need to rest. This normal stuff for even 7-8weeks. I guess I thought I would be pretty much back to normal…..but getting there. Thanks Brenda
Brenda – It’s a slow process…I am starting week 8 myself (which means you are too I believe )…I noticed the shakes with each increase of Zoloft for a few days…this is probably what you are experiencing…The good part is that the shakes go away, but the feeling better doesn’t…Anyway, hang in there! We’ll both get there – I know it!!! I am still at the stage where the fear of having future attacks is a problem…Still need more time…At least my physiological symptoms are much better…Except for the last 2 days (see blood work 2 post) Best, — Charles Phipps
Please help! I’m trying to find anyone who has any anecdotal evidence of the following symptoms after stopping Zoloft while on continuous HRT: -Almost symultaneous return of menses and all the lovely side effects, like cramps, bloating, sore breasts. -Nightmares and wakefulness, poor sleep -joint aches -PMS No other changes in medicine. Don’t want to go back on Zoloft because of other well-known unpleasant "side effect." Any evidence that Prozak or another similar could help symptoms without "side effect". While on HRT and Zoloft I experienced no periods and none of the above. My GYN has never heard of this and doesn’t believe there could be a connection. No other symptoms of withdrawal from Zoloft. He wanted to reduce Premarin dosage from .9 to .625. Did that–no improvement, but I may be too impatient. Any help or info, please let me know at ZKTN…@PRODIGY.COM. Thanks so much.
From: ZKTN…@prodigy.com (D Race)
Date: 26 Aug 1997 01:37:01 GMT Message-id: <5ttbvt$13dg$1@newssvr01-int.news.prodigy.com
Please help! I’m trying to find anyone who has any anecdotal evidence of the following symptoms after stopping Zoloft while on continuous HRT: -Almost symultaneous return of menses and all the lovely side effects, like cramps, bloating, sore breasts. -Nightmares and wakefulness, poor sleep -joint aches -PMS No other changes in medicine.<<< I don’t know if this will help, but, interestingly enough, I noticed that there’s a web site called something like "Ask A Woman Doctor". Anyway, I stumbled across it one time and there was info on various drugs, one was prozac, which, like zoloft, is an SRRI. The M.D. who has the web site ( of course, I don’t know if this is accurate info.. but you might try looking up the site) said that one rare side effect of prozac was ….. MENOPAUSE. So maybe there is some evidence somewhere that the SRRI’s can stop ovulation/ and/or menses. I don’t know, but I thought I’d share that with you.
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