Question:

i wake up every morning and my whole mouth is covered with a sticky grayish-white stuff, i dont have it when i go to bed at night but its there when i wake up in the morning.  it covers the inside of my cheeks, my tongue and now my tonsils. also i woke up this week with a horrendous sore thoat (tonsil) and was wondering if yeast can cause this.  also my tongue  whole mouth is pretty sore all the time. i’m on proventil, serevent, flovent and singulair. how do you know if its yeast? and any good links out there with pictures? thanks for any advice, will

It sure sounds like yeast infection [candida]. You will need a prescription antifungal like Nystatin. Here are pictures: http://www.gastrolab.net/pa-047.htm Candia Oesophagitis due to Treatment with Inhalated Steroids Candidiasis (Cutaneous) To minimize future occurances, be sure to use an AeroChamber spacer with your Flovent MDI; rinse and gargle after inhaling and drink a glass of water to wash residue down. Ellis

Response:

Since you’re on inhaled steroids and have these symptoms, it’s a pretty good bet that you have thrush.  This is a fungal infection that can be fought with Nystatin mouthwash.  But why guess?  It’s worth a visit to your doctor.  Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i wake up every morning and my whole mouth is covered with a sticky grayish-white stuff, i dont have it when i go to bed at night but its there when i wake up in the morning.  it covers the inside of my cheeks, my tongue and now my tonsils. also i woke up this week with a horrendous sore thoat (tonsil) and was wondering if yeast can cause this.  also my tongue  whole mouth is pretty sore all the time. i’m on proventil, serevent, flovent and singulair. how do you know if its yeast? and any good links out there with pictures? thanks for any advice, will

Response:

i wake up every morning and my whole mouth is covered with a sticky grayish-white stuff, i dont have it when i go to bed at night but its there when i wake up in the morning.  it covers the inside of my cheeks, my tongue and now my tonsils. also i woke up this week with a horrendous sore thoat (tonsil) and was wondering if yeast can cause this.  also my tongue  whole mouth is pretty sore all the time. i’m on proventil, serevent, flovent and singulair. how do you know if its yeast? and any good links out there with pictures? thanks for any advice, will

Response:

Sounds like it to me… It is very painful I hear… I’ve seen it only on my son so I couldn’t attest to that.  I would check it out with your doctor…there are some very good medications to get rid of it… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i wake up every morning and my whole mouth is covered with a sticky grayish-white stuff, i dont have it when i go to bed at night but its there when i wake up in the morning.  it covers the inside of my cheeks, my tongue and now my tonsils. also i woke up this week with a horrendous sore thoat (tonsil) and was wondering if yeast can cause this.  also my tongue  whole mouth is pretty sore all the time. i’m on proventil, serevent, flovent and singulair. how do you know if its yeast? and any good links out there with pictures? thanks for any advice, will

Response:

Question:

My experience is that, despite the oft insurer referenced literature saying that post people can step down to H2 blockers, very few of my patients successfully make the transition.

I was put on Biaxin-Prisolic and Pepto Bismal for a thirty day treatment to cure my H-Pylori and reduce my acid reflux with success. I was and am still on 800mg daily of Tagamet daily which so far has kept me under control.

Response:

Can I ask a sort of follow up question? I have asthma and reflux problems treated by prilosec. The question I have is "What is the long term effects of taking prilosec for a long time ( at least a year with no end in sight)?"

When Prilosec first came out there was a concern that long term administration may lead to B12 deficiency and possibly gastric cancer. Fortunately, after 20 or so years of use this seems to not be the case. It appears to be safe for long term use. — CBI, MD

Response:

My experience is that, despite the oft insurer referenced literature saying that post people can step down to H2 blockers, very few of my patients successfully make the transition. I was put on Biaxin-Prisolic and Pepto Bismal for a thirty day treatment to cure my H-Pylori and reduce my acid reflux with success. I was and am still on 800mg daily of Tagamet daily which so far has kept me under control.

Treating H. pylori in duodenal and many peptic ulcers seems to be beneficial. It is questionable whether it is worthwhile in gastritis. The current thinking is that treating it makes reflux worse as often as better. The theory is that the chronic inflammation of the stomach may cause lower acid secretion, thus helping the reflux. Unfortunately, it also slightly increases the risk of gastric cancer. I’m glad you got better. I would guess that either the stomach inflammation was causing as much of your symptoms as the GERD, that the acid blockade alone helped the reflux, or that you are one of the lucky ones who’s reflux was actually helped and not worsened by eradicating the H. pylori. — CBI, MD

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Since we’ve recently moved, I had to get a new PCP.  Yesterday he told me  that since I’d been taking Prilosec for three months, my reflux should be cured  and there would be no need to continue taking it.  The doctor did, BTW, also  add Singular to try to improve the control of my asthma. I’m wondering if it’s typical for others to only have to take Prilosec for three months No. There is some literature that the pharmacy plans love to quote when telling the docs to try to lower the intensity of acid suppression by switching to the cheaper H2 blockers like Zantac, Tagamet, or Pepcid after 8 weeks on a proton pump inhibitor (Prilosec). I have not heard anyone advocate just stopping the meds altogether. Even the insurers who pay for the meds do not suggest this. My experience is that, despite the oft insurer referenced literature saying that post people can step down to H2 blockers, very few of my patients successfully make the transition. or if stopping it is likely to cause me more problems with asthma than I have now. Yes. Should I get another opinion? You could either try it and go back and say "I told you so" if and when the symptoms worsen or you can get a second opinion. A third option would be to ask if you can just step down to a med like Zantac instead and then stop it if you continue to do well. I would be a little concerned that your new doc seems to be getting his continuing medical education from the drug rep and insurer literature and then getting it wrong at that.

Can I ask a sort of follow up question? I have asthma and reflux problems treated by prilosec. The question I have is "What is the long term effects of taking prilosec for a long time ( at least a year with no end in sight)?" J. Freedman,Jr

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was diagnosed with asthma about a year ago, though I’ve likely had it for several years at least.  After a couple of pretty severe asthma attacks, I was put on Albuterol inhaler and Flovent.  I did pretty well for a few months, but started having increased problems in the past three months with constant wheezing, especially at night, requiring almost daily night-time use of my rescue inhaler. During that time, I was diagnosed via upper endoscopy as having reflux. Apparently I’ve actually had it for a long time because there was a lot of scarring at the junction between the esophagus and stomach.  I was put on Prilosec which did not only help the epigastric pain I’d been having, but seemed to help the shortness of breath I’d been having at night (though it hasn’t made it completely go away either). Since we’ve recently moved, I had to get a new PCP.  Yesterday he told me that since I’d been taking Prilosec for three months, my reflux should be cured and there would be no need to continue taking it.  The doctor did, BTW, also add Singular to try to improve the control of my asthma. I’m wondering if it’s typical for others to only have to take Prilosec for three months or if stopping it is likely to cause me more problems with asthma than I have now. Should I get another opinion? Sandra

I’ve been using prilosec for about three years now.  This year my insurance company (a colorful one) informed me that they would only allow me three months of prilosec and a non-sedating antihistamine.  The prilosec worked wonderfully, even a late-night pizza caused no discomfort.  However, my reflux hasn’t been cured.  This last winter, being out of work for four weeks after foot surgery, I discovered that my reflux had disappeared, I even ate a late-night pizza to test it and had no problems.  About four days before going back to work the reflux reappeared!  My conclusion was that it was stress related.  I’m also taking singulair and I believe it has been helpful also.  Although I’ve been getting allergy shots for three years now and feel they have helped as well.  It’s hard to put my finger on the exact cause for the reduction of my asthma.  I’ve weaned myself down to two puffs of serevent at night, the singulair, allergy shots and only rarely a puff or two of albuterol.  I have been trying to wean myself off of the prilosec, taking it only every second or third night.  I notice a bit of reflux but can control that fairly well with only an antacid.

Response:

I was diagnosed with asthma about a year ago, though I’ve likely had it for several years at least.  After a couple of pretty severe asthma attacks, I was put on Albuterol inhaler and Flovent.  I did pretty well for a few months, but started having increased problems in the past three months with constant wheezing, especially at night, requiring almost daily night-time use of my rescue inhaler.   During that time, I was diagnosed via upper endoscopy as having reflux. Apparently I’ve actually had it for a long time because there was a lot of scarring at the junction between the esophagus and stomach.  I was put on Prilosec which did not only help the epigastric pain I’d been having, but seemed to help the shortness of breath I’d been having at night (though it hasn’t made it completely go away either).   Since we’ve recently moved, I had to get a new PCP.  Yesterday he told me that since I’d been taking Prilosec for three months, my reflux should be cured and there would be no need to continue taking it.  The doctor did, BTW, also add Singular to try to improve the control of my asthma. I’m wondering if it’s typical for others to only have to take Prilosec for three months or if stopping it is likely to cause me more problems with asthma than I have now. Should I get another opinion? Sandra

Response:

Since we’ve recently moved, I had to get a new PCP.  Yesterday he told me that since I’d been taking Prilosec for three months, my reflux should be cured and there would be no need to continue taking it.  The doctor did, BTW, also add Singular to try to improve the control of my asthma. I’m wondering if it’s typical for others to only have to take Prilosec for three months

No. There is some literature that the pharmacy plans love to quote when telling the docs to try to lower the intensity of acid suppression by switching to the cheaper H2 blockers like Zantac, Tagamet, or Pepcid after 8 weeks on a proton pump inhibitor (Prilosec). I have not heard anyone advocate just stopping the meds altogether. Even the insurers who pay for the meds do not suggest this. My experience is that, despite the oft insurer referenced literature saying that post people can step down to H2 blockers, very few of my patients successfully make the transition. or if stopping it is likely to cause me more problems with asthma than I have now.

Yes. Should I get another opinion?

You could either try it and go back and say "I told you so" if and when the symptoms worsen or you can get a second opinion. A third option would be to ask if you can just step down to a med like Zantac instead and then stop it if you continue to do well. I would be a little concerned that your new doc seems to be getting his continuing medical education from the drug rep and insurer literature and then getting it wrong at that. — CBI, MD

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -question wrote:

I am a 21 year old male suffering from Social Phobia.  I’ve tried drugs in the past, mostly SSRI’s, with no real success.  Some of the drugs I’ve tried I went off immediatly due to sexual side effects, mostly inability to feel pleasure while masturbating. The most recent drug, Zoloft, I went off due to the sexual side effect after 6-8 weeks.  The sexual side effect had occured almost immediatly but I stayed on it for a little while.  After the drug was out of my system I still felt like I wasn’t getting pleasure like I used to.  I also see that I am less interested in masturbating that I used to be. (No sexual partners involved, due to social phobia and all) Can these drugs have permanent effects on a person’s sexuality when you are off them?  The psychiatrist I used to see recommended that I go on the drugs even with the side effect to deal with my social problem.  A this point, I might have to consider it. Sidenote: The drugs I’ve had sexual side effects with are Effexor and Zoloft.

(Sadly), the sexual side effects with Effexor wear off pretty quickly (personally, I’m hoping for an anti depressant that causes me to lose all interested in sex, now that would be something). Without benzos in addition to it, sex drive will go back to normal in say 4 to 6 weeks whereas time to orgasm stays higher but it’s definitely possible after the first few weeks to get there.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -questionfor2…@yahoo.com (question) wrote in message <news:7fcdbfb4.0310192029.2f9937db@posting.google.com

… I am a 21 year old male suffering from Social Phobia.  I’ve tried drugs in the past, mostly SSRI’s, with no real success.  Some of the drugs I’ve tried I went off immediatly due to sexual side effects, mostly inability to feel pleasure while masturbating. The most recent drug, Zoloft, I went off due to the sexual side effect after 6-8 weeks.  The sexual side effect had occured almost immediatly but I stayed on it for a little while.  After the drug was out of my system I still felt like I wasn’t getting pleasure like I used to.  I also see that I am less interested in masturbating that I used to be. (No sexual partners involved, due to social phobia and all) Can these drugs have permanent effects on a person’s sexuality when you are off them?  The psychiatrist I used to see recommended that I go on the drugs even with the side effect to deal with my social problem.  A this point, I might have to consider it. Sidenote: The drugs I’ve had sexual side effects with are Effexor and Zoloft. Any info would be appreciated.

i think it’s unlikely your side effects are permanent, because i experienced them continuously while taking paxil–we’re talking about a period of years–but as soon as i switched to lexapro the side effects were vastly reduced. besides lexapro, the other ssri to consider, as crackwalker pointed out, is luvox. when i decided to switch from paxil at the insistence of my new girlfriend, i told my MD i want to switch to luvox, but he said, oh no, take lexapro, so i did and the results have been excellent, although your mileage may vary. btw, if you’re curious about lexapro vis-a-vis luvox, luvox has been around much longer than lexapro, so presumably it’s not as effective as ssri’s go. lexapro, according to what i read, which might be pharm. co. propaganda, is a modified form of celexa. celexa basically contained two active components, only one of which is the ssri, so they deleted the other component that presumably caused lots of side effects to produce lexapro. good luck.

Response:

I am a 21 year old male suffering from Social Phobia.  I’ve tried drugs in the past, mostly SSRI’s, with no real success.  Some of the drugs I’ve tried I went off immediatly due to sexual side effects, mostly inability to feel pleasure while masturbating. The most recent drug, Zoloft, I went off due to the sexual side effect after 6-8 weeks.  The sexual side effect had occured almost immediatly but I stayed on it for a little while.  After the drug was out of my system I still felt like I wasn’t getting pleasure like I used to.  I also see that I am less interested in masturbating that I used to be. (No sexual partners involved, due to social phobia and all) Can these drugs have permanent effects on a person’s sexuality when you are off them?  The psychiatrist I used to see recommended that I go on the drugs even with the side effect to deal with my social problem.  A this point, I might have to consider it. Sidenote: The drugs I’ve had sexual side effects with are Effexor and Zoloft. Any info would be appreciated.

Response:

Hi I would try a.. Luvox/Fluvoxamine Its the only med in the ssri category  I can’t find anything on sexual dysfunction Crackwalker’ "question" <questionfor2…@yahoo.com

wrote in message

news:7fcdbfb4.0310192029.2f9937db@posting.google.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Any info would be appreciated.

Response:

Question:

I’d recommend a pill box.  Kmart had one for 4/day for the whole week for $5. As the for malingering bit, you just need to be honest with yourself. If everyday you do your best, then you can’t ask any better and you can be at peace with your conscience.  You can let other people think what they want, because you 1) can’t change other people and 2) don’t need their approval.  (If you have a religious bent, you can subsitute god for conscience.) Erik – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As if I didn’t have enough medicines to forget to take every day <S, I was started on Inderal today.  The official purpose of this was to try to counteract the shakes I get from taking Lithium but I understand it is used as a maintenance med for headaches as well.  Has anyone had any luck with it?  I am on 10 mg twice a day.  Will update y’all as time passes. Also, after about two weeks of phone tag between my PCP’s offices and various other doctors’ offices I finally have an appt. with a neurologist on 7/10.  Hopefully at that time we can figure out for sure whether we’re dealing with migraines, tention headaches, or if I am a hypochondriac mallingering lazy SOB who does not want to work for a living which is what the state unemployment people think I am.  Of course they think everyone who gets unemployment is that way so who knows?

Response:

Hey Ginnie – Today I decided to sleep all day. I sure understand what you are saying here <sniffle Love, Marty

Response:

Heh! …  That conversation happens with me and my internist, too… Sometimes I need the reality check that I’m not conjuring up some of this crap. He laughs when I ask if I’m a hypochondriac.  Then he’ll say how I’m gonna live to be a *very* old lady (meaning my fundamental health – the core stuff). We’re the same age, so maybe I can hold him to that prediction for a long time.  ;-)   But this day-to-day sh… *stuff* is what’s making the journey slow, and a real PITA at times. But if I start stressing and hating my "list" of physical problems, I need to remember (and sometimes he reminds me) that MY list isn’t gonna kill me anytime soon.  Other people dealing with cancer or wasting diseases or horrible injuries, etc., would gladly trade places with me. Ginnie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just went to the Dr. yesterday.  Because I am dealing with a plethora of both problems that have a defined cause.  As well as symptoms for which they can’t see to find a cause for, I flat out asked him if he thought I was a hypochondriac.  This gave him a really good chuckle.  He said that if I was, I have a real good reason to believe.  He said he has never seen anyone be able to fake blood tests, CAT scans, MRIs and X-rays all at the same time. Don’t worry about what others think.  Only what you feel. Hypochondriac’s know they are hypochondriacs deep down in their hearts.

Response:

As if I didn’t have enough medicines to forget to take every day <S, I was started on Inderal today.  The official purpose of this was to try to counteract the shakes I get from taking Lithium but I understand it is used as a maintenance med for headaches as well.  Has anyone had any luck with it?

I was given inderal LA 3 months ago as a migriane preventative. I have only had 1 bad one since when I might have expected about 6 so I am pleased with it. We all react differently though.  I am on 10 mg twice a day.  Will update y’all as time passes. Also, after about two weeks of phone tag between my PCP’s offices and various other doctors’ offices I finally have an appt. with a neurologist on 7/10.  Hopefully at that time we can figure out for sure whether we’re dealing with migraines, tention headaches, or if I am a hypochondriac mallingering lazy SOB who does not want to work for a living which is what the state unemployment people think I am.  Of course they think everyone who gets unemployment is that way so who knows?

I am over in UK so don’t know your unemployment system or health system. I gather you have to pay for health care though(can someone enlighten me on how this works?) and would imagine you would not hand money over for health care you do not need?

Response:

Hopefully at that time we can figure out for sure whether we’re dealing with migraines, tention headaches, or if I am a hypochondriac mallingering lazy SOB who does not want to work for a living which is what the state unemployment people think I am.  Of course they think everyone who gets unemployment is that way so who knows?

I just went to the Dr. yesterday.  Because I am dealing with a plethora of both problems that have a defined cause.  As well as symptoms for which they can’t see to find a cause for, I flat out asked him if he thought I was a hypochondriac.  This gave him a really good chuckle.  He said that if I was, I have a real good reason to believe.  He said he has never seen anyone be able to fake blood tests, CAT scans, MRIs and X-rays all at the same time. Don’t worry about what others think.  Only what you feel. Hypochondriac’s know they are hypochondriacs deep down in their hearts.

Response:

As if I didn’t have enough medicines to forget to take every day <S, I was started on Inderal today.  The official purpose of this was to try to counteract the shakes I get from taking Lithium but I understand it is used as a maintenance med for headaches as well.  Has anyone had any luck with it?  I am on 10 mg twice a day.  Will update y’all as time passes.

There’s a long-acting formulation called Inderal LA, which is only taken once a day.  That’s a bit more convenient, but some people’s insurance co-pays are higher for the LA version.  Sometimes you want the immediate-release form of a drug to get a more pronounced short-term effect. This may be the case in your case, I don’t know. Inderal LA is a highly highly effective anti-migraine drug for the vast majority of migraine sufferers.  It’s the first preventive medicine I prescribe to migraine patients, and works most of the time.  As the people on this newsgroup are for the most part folks who haven’t gotten easy fixes, it’s probably not got a good track record among the members of this group. Inderal is not just a migraine treatment.  It’s used for lots of other things, among which is "benign essential tremor".  This is not the same as the tremor from Lithium, but I can imagine it working for both.  Yes, please do let us know how it works for you. The usual effective dose for migraine prevention is much higher than the one you’re on.  I don’t know what the usual effective dose is for tremor.  So if you don’t get relief from the tremor at this dose, I’d suggest you not get discouraged.  Your doctor is probably planning to gradually increase the dose, as tolerated. Also, after about two weeks of phone tag between my PCP’s offices and various other doctors’ offices I finally have an appt. with a neurologist on 7/10.

I just saw a neurologist the other day about my headaches.  She was so supportive, and had some excellent suggestions.  I must say, a good bedside manner is everything.  It makes me want to have a better bedside manner myself, in my own practice (I’m a family practitioner).  It’s a truism that being a patient makes one a better doctor. Hopefully at that time we can figure out for sure whether we’re dealing with migraines, tention headaches, or if I am a hypochondriac mallingering lazy SOB who does not want to work for a living which is what the state unemployment people think I am.

Most people in chronic pain don’t want to go to work.  Go figure.  :-)

Response:

As if I didn’t have enough medicines to forget to take every day <S, I was started on Inderal today.  The official purpose of this was to try to counteract the shakes I get from taking Lithium but I understand it is used as a maintenance med for headaches as well.  Has anyone had any luck with it?  I am on 10 mg twice a day.  Will update y’all as time passes. Also, after about two weeks of phone tag between my PCP’s offices and various other doctors’ offices I finally have an appt. with a neurologist on 7/10.  Hopefully at that time we can figure out for sure whether we’re dealing with migraines, tention headaches, or if I am a hypochondriac mallingering lazy SOB who does not want to work for a living which is what the state unemployment people think I am.  Of course they think everyone who gets unemployment is that way so who knows? — "The only thing Republicans have to fear is the lack of fear itself." E. J. Dionne

Response:

Yup. I get real sick and tired of being sick and tired, too.  And the limitations imposed by both the medical problems AND prescription med *effects* are something my pain shrink I talk about a lot.  There’s only so much a person is willing to give up of the person they *were*, before some big acceptance and coping problems crop up. Losing some of your independence and your freedom is tough to take.  There’s a fair amount of grieving that takes place, whether the person realizes it or not. Part of the person dies, in a sense, and that means going through the stages of grief – denial or disbelief, guilt, anger, depression, and acceptance…  I know Kubler-Ross said there were only four stages, but I really think there’s a few more, and that some new incident or setback will send us pin-balling around the other stages, even after we *think* we’ve accepted the loss. And scheduling your life around tests and treatments not only puts constraints on how you live, it actually can force WHERE you live.  I’ve heard of lots of people who’ve had to MOVE to where the best treatment is. And just giving up on some of this stuff?  Yup, I’ve given up – for now – on finding solutions for some things.  Some conditions will just sit there and just BE, without stressing about them.  Another one is just waiting for the technology to improve.  Then I’ll get back to trying to fix that one. And some days?  Some days I just refuse to deal with any of it, and will sleep all day.  Or I’ll cry and cuss out my "list" of crap, and try to get the resentment out of my system, or come here for a rare all-out whiiiiiiiine. Some days, ya just gotta whine. Ginnie

Response:

Question:

Hello everyone, I have severe generalized social phobia and I’m 20 years old. Currently, I’m on Zoloft to help with depression. However, it does not do much for my anxiety. I recently started to consider adding a Benzodiazepine like Klonopin (clonazepam) to help with my anxiety. I mentioned this to my physician and he freaked out. He said it is prescribed on a short-term basis to individuals who do not have generalized anxiety. My physician referred me to a psychiatrist… and I’m probably going to make an appointment tomorrow. My problem is this: My physician kind of made me feel like a drug addict or something. I don’t want the same thing to happen with the psychiatrist. Do most doctors feel this way about Benzodiazepines? Is it a good idea to pursue this? I know therapy is an important factor, and I have been through CBT. Obliviously it didn’t work very well. Right now, I can’t afford therapy on a regular basis. -William

Response:

William wrote:

Hello everyone, I have severe generalized social phobia and I’m 20 years old. Currently, I’m on Zoloft to help with depression. However, it does not do much for my anxiety. I recently started to consider adding a Benzodiazepine like Klonopin (clonazepam) to help with my anxiety. I mentioned this to my physician and he freaked out. He said it is prescribed on a short-term basis to individuals who do not have generalized anxiety.

Yeah it’s used for Epilepsy mainly. But of course it also has a use in treating anxiety. As does xanax which you should also look at. And a whole lot of other drugs as well.

My physician referred me to a psychiatrist… and I’m probably going to make an appointment tomorrow. My problem is this: My physician kind of made me feel like a drug addict or something. I don’t want the same thing to happen with the psychiatrist.

Your not a drug addict for requesting a drug that you believe will relieve your anxiety. Are cancer patients drug addicts when they get chemotherapy on the odd chance it might save their life? Are diabetics drug addicts because they stick a needle in their bodies all the time? Do you know how many billions of dollars could be saved if social anxiety was eliminated from the population? Not to mention how many people would be better off. Do most doctors feel this way

about Benzodiazepines? Is it a good idea to pursue this?

It depends on their training and knowledge of your past history. If you had a history of drug dependence or alchohol abuse almost no doctor would provide you with benzo’s. If you don’t then again it depends on their training and most Pychiatrists are better trained in the use of these drugs than Doctors. IMHO it is a good idea for you to pursue any therapy that is safe for you, as long as it helps you. That includes drug therapies as well as others.

I know therapy is an important factor, and I have been through CBT. Obliviously it didn’t work very well. Right now, I can’t afford therapy on a regular basis.

Yeah it can be so expensive. Richard — Registered Lunatic #100347

Response:

On 5 Feb 2002 23:53:33 -0800, willhk…@earthlink.net (William) wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hello everyone, I have severe generalized social phobia and I’m 20 years old. Currently, I’m on Zoloft to help with depression. However, it does not do much for my anxiety. I recently started to consider adding a Benzodiazepine like Klonopin (clonazepam) to help with my anxiety. I mentioned this to my physician and he freaked out. He said it is prescribed on a short-term basis to individuals who do not have generalized anxiety. My physician referred me to a psychiatrist… and I’m probably going to make an appointment tomorrow. My problem is this: My physician kind of made me feel like a drug addict or something. I don’t want the same thing to happen with the psychiatrist. Do most doctors feel this way about Benzodiazepines? Is it a good idea to pursue this? I know therapy is an important factor, and I have been through CBT. Obliviously it didn’t work very well. Right now, I can’t afford therapy on a regular basis. -William

Hi William, Is Zoloft the only anti depressant you’ve tried?  I know this doesn’t seem logical, but different brands of ssri anti depressants don’t always have the same effect on people.  If Zoloft isn’t working for your anxiety, you could try Paxil or Celexa.  Just a thought.  BTW, what is your current Zoloft dose? Whether you have or haven’t tried other ssri meds, and at a workable dosage level, adding a benzodiazepine is still a common practice.  I base this comment on my own experience, my previous doctor’s revelations, postings to this group and research.  (My new family doctor, a result of moving to a different state in the U.S., reacted similarly to your MD when I told him what meds I took.  A shrink I subsequently saw did not have a problem and I was given a green light to continue my med regimen.) The big deal with benzos is that they are considered addictive and fall into the controlled substances category, although at the bottom of the list.  Apparently they can be difficult to come off of, if you ever decide to take one, then quit  There is also a concern that users will require increasingly larger doses to attain the same calming effect.  I can’t comment re. any difficulties in quitting a benzo because I’ve never done that.  I can say, though, that once I reached an effective dose level of Xanax several years ago, I have NEVER felt the need to take more to achieve the same anxiety relief.  There is also, at least in my case, no euphoric or high feeling associated with taking a benzo (Valium could be an exception because some people do get a buzz from it.)  If you were to compare the potential addictiveness of benzos with, say, alcohol abuse, it’s like day and night.  Benzos help me and others to function and sometimes lead at least a semblance of a normal life.  In spite of their supposed addictiveness, I can drive, I can work, I can talk to people, and look and feel pretty much ok (well as ok as an sp’ic can be anyway).  OTOH, alcohol abuse ALWAYS involves drinking greater quantities over time to reach the desired effect.  And the side effects can be horrific. Drunks can’t effectively handle even simple tasks and their thinking and judgment are clouded to say the least.  You hear about drunk drivers killing people on the highways all the time, yet this drug is an over the counter purchase.  So far I haven’t read or heard anything about someone killing others or himself as a result of taking benzos. Of the benzos, Klonopin is probably the most subtle in its action.  It has a calming effect, but not the "right now" relief you get within an hour or so of taking something like Xanax.  Klonopin also has a relatively long half life, meaning it stays with you for several hours versus a med like Xanax which begins to poop out after anywhere from 3 hours and up.  Here’s an interesting aside too.  Klonopin was developed to control seizures in people.  A normal daily intake, when taken for seizures,  is somewhere around 10 mg give or take.  However, some people need as much as 20 mg to control their seizures.  When used for anxiety, Klonopin doses range from 1 to 4 mg daily.  Some people undoubtedly take a couple of more mg, but you won’t find anyone even near the dose level needed to control seizures. Here’s the bottom line.  It’s your life.  Anxiety is messing it up. Zoloft, and maybe other ssri anti depressants, plus CBT have not helped.  That pretty much leaves maoi’s and benzos as the remaining choices in the prescription med category.  Maoi’s are considered the last choice because they have a lot of restrictions, particularly as relates to what you can safely eat, and significant side effects. Asking for a benzo such as Klonopin is a reasonable request to try to gain some degree of normalcy with your life.  Ask your family doctor which is preferable:  living in anxiety hell forever or taking a benzo to get some relief.   If you don’t get the answer you want, there are other doctors.  And yes, I know how hard it is to see a new doctor and discuss your anxiety disorder, but it could come to that. If you see the psychiatrist, there’s a good probability you’ll get an ok to try Klonopin.  S/he’ll probably want to see you periodically to see if you’re getting relief and to evaluate if dosage should be changed.  Your starting dose might be 1, maybe 2 mg per day, taken in equal amounts spread out over your waking hours.  If that doesn’t cut it, you can always request a higher dose, also to be split up evenly over each day.  One last comment about Klonopin. I didn’t realize this until I started taking it, but unlike Xanax, you don’t gain its full benefit until after you’ve been on it for a week or so.  In spite of this lag, you’ll still probably notice a calming effect the first day of use. You might want to do some research on the web or elsewhere for Klonopin and anxiety so you’ll be somewhat knowledgeable about it when you see the shrink.  Good luck. Doug

Response:

Thanks Doug and Richard for your advice… I feel much better about the whole thing now.

Is Zoloft the only anti depressant you’ve tried?

Actually, I’ve been on Paxil as well. At one point I was on 100mg of Zoloft, but I started to get side-effects with that dosage. I could try other SSRI’s. I’m aware that this could take anywhere up to a couple of months to notice a difference. In my situation, I don’t really have the luxury of time to experiment with all the SSRI’s out there.

If you see the psychiatrist, there’s a good probability you’ll get an ok to try Klonopin.

I made an appointment with a psychiatrist this morning. It’s on Friday. This is the psychiatrist that my physician referred me to. Do you think that my physician can interfere in my choice of medication? Or do you think it’s a better idea to get a psychiatrist who is not connected to my doctor? Thanks, -William

Response:

William, On 6 Feb 2002 12:11:53 -0800, willhk…@earthlink.net (William) wrote:

Thanks Doug and Richard for your advice… I feel much better about the whole thing now. Is Zoloft the only anti depressant you’ve tried? Actually, I’ve been on Paxil as well. At one point I was on 100mg of Zoloft, but I started to get side-effects with that dosage. I could try other SSRI’s. I’m aware that this could take anywhere up to a couple of months to notice a difference. In my situation, I don’t really have the luxury of time to experiment with all the SSRI’s out there.

OK.

If you see the psychiatrist, there’s a good probability you’ll get an ok to try Klonopin. I made an appointment with a psychiatrist this morning. It’s on Friday. This is the psychiatrist that my physician referred me to. Do you think that my physician can interfere in my choice of medication? Or do you think it’s a better idea to get a psychiatrist who is not connected to my doctor?

I saw the psychiatrist that my new family doctor recommended and he okayed my drugs.  Had the shrink said no, I would have sought out another psychiatrist and another till I got what I wanted.  In my case I’ve been taking Xanax for over 15 years so it’s not like I have no experience with it or don’t know about its negatives. If you believe your family MD has your best interests at heart, there’s no harm in seeing whoever he recommends.  I’m inclined to think he’s passing the buck due more to a lack of knowledge than because he’s dead set against your taking Klonopin.  I mean he could have just said no and let that be the end of it, not even recommending that you see a shrink.  One other thing to consider is that the psychiatrist is going to have a lot more familiarity with your illness and meds that can help you than your MD does. Doug – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Thanks, -William

Response:

Question:

funny you should ask i’m seriously considering asking my doctor if he’d let me experiment with it. as a supplement to paxil that is.  my concern is if there are any possible adverse reactions from cocktailing the two. i’ve been diagnosed with two types of ptsd. ptsd with generalized anxiety disorder and ptsd with clinical depression. so far paxil is all i’m taking. i’ve tried prozac but it didn’t work for the anxiety, only the depression. now i’m very much curious about trying Zoloft. feedback, anyone?

Response:

mbl…@aol.com (mbl581) wrote in message <news:20020511173739.20477.00009196@mb-ma.aol.com

… funny you should ask i’m seriously considering asking my doctor if he’d let me experiment with it. as a supplement to paxil that is.  my concern is if there are any possible adverse reactions from cocktailing the two. i’ve been diagnosed with two types of ptsd. ptsd with generalized anxiety disorder and ptsd with clinical depression.

That’s a new one.  PTSD *is* an anxiety disorder.  The symptoms of GAD are encompassed in PTSD so that someone with PTSD shouldn’t be co-morbidly diagnosised with GAD.  However, depression is a common, seperate, co-morbid diagnosis (90%).

so far paxil is all i’m taking. i’ve tried prozac but it didn’t work for the anxiety, only the depression. now i’m very much curious about trying Zoloft.

Prozac shouldn’t be taken for any anxiety related problems. Few people who take it find that it decreases anxiety. For the rest it worsens anxiety considerably. Mixing the SSRIs may not be the solution. You might want to consider adding a benzo to your SSRI to be taken only when you need it for high anxiety activities. Paxil is also well known to have a limited tolerance lifespan. Many people say it loses effectiveness after 1 – 2 years.  Zoloft doesn’t. All the SSRIs are basicly similiar meds – similar side effects and benefits. Some will help more than others. It’s just a matter of finding which SSRI works with your brain. As always YMMV  .. View the ASTP-FAQ @ http://www.astpfaq.bravepages.com/index.html

Response:

Anyone had any experience w/this drug?  Have any advice about taking it?  side effects?  Pros?  Cons?  Thanks.

Response:

Hi Angry!

Anyone had any experience w/this drug?  Have any advice about taking it?  side effects?  Pros?  Cons?  Thanks.

How about doing a search of Deja News on zoloft.  We have posted innumerable times about Zoloft because it is one of the drugs of choice for PTSD. My advice is to take it only under a psychiatrist’s supervision. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy (in a bad mood and trying to not share too much)

Response:

Thanks very much for your help.  Thanks also for saying hi to me before.  My names Kristiana and I posted with that name at first ’cause I forgot to change it.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -kipco wrote:

Hi Angry! Anyone had any experience w/this drug?  Have any advice about taking it? side effects?  Pros?  Cons?  Thanks. How about doing a search of Deja News on zoloft.  We have posted innumerable times about Zoloft because it is one of the drugs of choice for PTSD. My advice is to take it only under a psychiatrist’s supervision. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy (in a bad mood and trying to not share too much)

Response:

Hi everyone, I finally went to another Dr and I have been put on Zoloft.  Any one use this drug.  Does it really help or just take the edge off the ptsd?  My therpist is glad I’m back on the meds.  The past month has been hell for me. With the 9/11 events.  Then a week later my grandfather passed away.  Then on the weekend my daughter broke out with what looked like chicken pox (It wasnt though).  Had to cancel her birthday party cause she was sick.  Then there was the funeral.  i didn’t go cause of all the problems with flying. Needless to say it was like Hell on earth.  i ended up cutting again.  And after going for 8 months I was so ashamed of what i had done.  i thought i had gotten beyond that, but i guess not.  Oh well thats been my past month. Joanne

Response:

Hi Joanne!

I finally went to another Dr and I have been put on Zoloft.  Any one use this drug.

Yes … remember that your dentist will probably want you to be on Buspar also.  The two together make a huge difference, and you don’t want to end up with a mouth full of problems due to side effects of Zoloft.

Does it really help or just take the edge off the ptsd?  My therpist is glad I’m back on the meds.

I don’t understand the question.  It changed my brain chemistry so that I could ‘get’ the therapeutic help I was being given.

The past month has been hell for me.

Sorry for your pain, but … there was a point to it IME.  I wouldn’t go ‘on drugs’ until one of my symptoms became so overwhelming that was losing my ability to control myself … for about 6 months I was seriously considering stalking a person I know and fighting the urge every day. I guess that each one of us has some kind of mental wake-up call that we need psychiatric-supervised chemical help, rather than trying to white-knuckle it over and over.  Sounds to me like this last month may have been yours. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy

Response:

Hi Joanne! I’ve been on Zoloft fora year or two, and I’m  impressed with it. It actually makes me want to sleep before midnight (!), wake up when others have their breakfast, keeps me generally sleeping with only a *normal*amount of nightmares, and has me feeling… well, like a *normal* person, whatever that is.I’m deeply grateful to life and the pdoc who gave me this: My life isn’t a bowl of roses, but it sure isn’t hell on earth either. I’ve been on a series of other meds before, though I don’t know if the names tell you anything: Nefadar, Tymelyt etc.But this is better,less side-effects, and enourmously more expensive than anything else I’ve ever tried. Good Luck! Lotte "Nancy" <ki…@cris.com

skrev i meddelandet

news:9pv377$la0@dispatch.concentric.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hi Joanne! I finally went to another Dr and I have been put on Zoloft.  Any one use this drug. Yes … remember that your dentist will probably want you to be on Buspar also.  The two together make a huge difference, and you don’t want to end

up

with a mouth full of problems due to side effects of Zoloft. Does it really help or just take the edge off the ptsd?  My therpist is glad I’m back on the meds. I don’t understand the question.  It changed my brain chemistry so that I could ‘get’ the therapeutic help I was being given. The past month has been hell for me. Sorry for your pain, but … there was a point to it IME.  I wouldn’t go

‘on

drugs’ until one of my symptoms became so overwhelming that was losing my ability to control myself … for about 6 months I was seriously

considering

stalking a person I know and fighting the urge every day. I guess that each one of us has some kind of mental wake-up call that we need psychiatric-supervised chemical help, rather than trying to white-knuckle it over and over.  Sounds to me like this last month may

have

been yours. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy

Response:

why would the dentist want buspar also? thanks "Nancy" <ki…@cris.com

wrote in message

news:9pv377$la0@dispatch.concentric.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hi Joanne! I finally went to another Dr and I have been put on Zoloft.  Any one use this drug. Yes … remember that your dentist will probably want you to be on Buspar also.  The two together make a huge difference, and you don’t want to end

up

with a mouth full of problems due to side effects of Zoloft. Does it really help or just take the edge off the ptsd?  My therpist is glad I’m back on the meds. I don’t understand the question.  It changed my brain chemistry so that I could ‘get’ the therapeutic help I was being given. The past month has been hell for me. Sorry for your pain, but … there was a point to it IME.  I wouldn’t go

‘on

drugs’ until one of my symptoms became so overwhelming that was losing my ability to control myself … for about 6 months I was seriously

considering

stalking a person I know and fighting the urge every day. I guess that each one of us has some kind of mental wake-up call that we need psychiatric-supervised chemical help, rather than trying to white-knuckle it over and over.  Sounds to me like this last month may

have

been yours. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy

Response:

Hi!

why would the dentist want buspar also?

Because there have been tests showing that bruxism (teeth grinding, jaw pain etc) increases with Zoloft and PTSD.  The Dentistry Guide at About.com can direct you to the research. The buspar somehow controls these involuntary reactions, mostly when we are sleeping. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy p.s.  Well, group, I ran out of percosets but have a stash of  something less strong than the Vicodin.  Only needed 2 pain pills today and did get another variety (and its name) harvested, but not replanted … yet.

Response:

"Nancy" <ki…@cris.com

wrote in message

news:9q0h86$d8@dispatch.concentric.net…

Because there have been tests showing that bruxism (teeth grinding, jaw

pain

etc) increases with Zoloft and PTSD.  The Dentistry Guide at About.com can direct you to the research.

Thank you so much for posting this Nancy. I stumbled on the message and finally it has verified what I experienced. My doctor wouldn’t believe me and kept me on Zoloft and a further two SSRI’s, and while I control the problem with the herb kava kava ( a muscle relaxant ) I have to say that it is a pain to have something else on top of the PTSD. Anyway, thanks for the info! BFN, Cary Charles )

Response:

Hi Cary!

Because there have been tests showing that bruxism (teeth grinding, jaw pain etc) increases with Zoloft and PTSD.  The Dentistry Guide at About.com

can

direct you to the research. Thank you so much for posting this Nancy. I stumbled on the message and finally it has verified what I experienced. My doctor wouldn’t believe me and kept me on Zoloft and a further two SSRI’s, and while I control the problem with the herb kava kava ( a muscle relaxant ) I have to say that

it

is a pain to have something else on top of the PTSD.

Well, I was looking at an herbalist recommendation page earlier this week and there was a discussion of kavakava.  If one is taking kava kava, apparently one is not to take buspar also. ???? Anyway, you might want to send some info to your psych … it seems he/she needs an update or two.  Or, perish the thought, you might want to ask your dentist to talk to your psych. I had another woman (the receptionist at my CPA’s office) who was having the same symptoms on zoloft and everyone was working on a TMJ diagnosis.  She talked to her psych (who then looked it up) and got immediate relief with buspar. And, no, I don’t mind taking the Buspar also.  Not only does it give me a ‘hit’  and let me know when I am really in anxiety, but also its dosage can be changed (and has been changed) irrespective of the zoloft dosage to give me relief from different symptoms.  YMMV Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy

Response:

Hi Shannon!

hmmm, I do have TMJ flareups and the doc’s are wondering if the fluid in

my

ears is part of it. Zoloft has never been recomended for me. Have had enough of my current pdoc. Told my therapist I needed to move on, medications and treatments are

essential

and I’m getting no where with this guy.

Well, I don’t know the story with other SRIs, only with Zoloft.  If they all have the same mechanism of working in the brain, I wouldn’t be surprised if an anti-anxiety medication wouldn’t help with mouth-clenching. I think that you’d better talk to a professional about this, or go visit the dentist at About.com.  He has a lot of experience (from my mouth among others) with the stuff that goes wrong in a mouth due to PTSD. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy

Response:

"Nancy" <ki…@cris.com

wrote in message

news:9u5dol$clt@dispatch.concentric.net…

Well, I was looking at an herbalist recommendation page earlier this week and there was a discussion of kavakava.  If one is taking kava kava, apparently one is not to take buspar also. ????

Yes. They are only just getting up to date on kava, so they are naturally hesitant. It seems sensible to be cautious as it does have an antidepressant & antianxiety effect, perhaps indicating that it works on the same pathways. Certainly kava intensifies the effects of booze and makes you much sleepier. Also, while kava has been used safely for a long time, it has no track record of being used alongside antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs to speak of. To the best of my knowledge, there is little research in this area, yet it could be of huge importance.

Anyway, you might want to send some info to your psych … it seems he/she needs an update or two.  Or, perish the thought, you might want to ask

your

dentist to talk to your psych.

At the moment I am a bit in shock really as I am still absorbing the fact that I was shamed into staying on drugs that were so bad for me, and which seem to have done permanent damage. Now though, it seems I will be getting help soon from someone a bit more informed, purely to process the trauma and work cognitively, alongside some art therapy to process it all on a psychodynamic level also. And yes, I think I will be presenting that study to my doctor on my next visit.

I had another woman (the receptionist at my CPA’s office) who was having

the

same symptoms on zoloft and everyone was working on a TMJ diagnosis.  She talked to her psych (who then looked it up) and got immediate relief with buspar.

Yes. I will pursue Buspar if things do not even out and kava gets too expensive when the chemical guys jump on board. In the last year, the price has doubled for one brand, in line with increasing popularity! I hear some big names have started plantations of kava with their eyes on big profits. A slightly ominous prospect indeed.

And, no, I don’t mind taking the Buspar also.  Not only does it give me a ‘hit’  and let me know when I am really in anxiety, but also its dosage

can

be changed (and has been changed) irrespective of the zoloft dosage to

give

me relief from different symptoms.  YMMV

Sounds really good. Glad you are getting the help! BFN, Cary )

Response:

"Nancy" <ki…@cris.com

wrote in message

news:9u692p$9co@dispatch.concentric.net…

Well, I don’t know the story with other SRIs, only with Zoloft.  If they

all

have the same mechanism of working in the brain, I wouldn’t be surprised

if

an anti-anxiety medication wouldn’t help with mouth-clenching.

I checked out the study linked from the about.com site and yes, it cites prozac, seroxat and zoloft (lustral) as having caused this problem. I wouldn’t be surprised if others in the SSRI family do too. BFN, Cary

Response:

Question:

Risa, Diet isn’t my problem right now.  I fell on my knee in November and tore the cartilage so I have not been able to do any exercise at all.  But I have maintained my weight (210 lbs). I’m hoping to have something done soon so that I can get back to at least going for walks.  I’ve been practically housebound with this.  I can’t even swim with this, so once it’s fixed I’m hoping with the wellbutrin and better diet that i’ve had to go to since being housebound that the exercise will start to help the pounds to drop. Keep the fingers crossed Lesleyanne Visit my homepage at http://home.thezone.net/~chech * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

In article <0258552c.332fc…@usw-ex0102-015.remarq.com

, La

Chech <la_chechNOlaS…@my-deja.com.invalid

wrote: Risa, Diet isn’t my problem right now.  I fell on my knee in November and tore the cartilage so I have not been able to do any

exercise

at all.

Did I forget to mention that I lost the weight without exercising? I had an infected toe at the time and could hardly walk myself. Sorry about your knee. I’ve had 6 knee surgeries so far and I can relate. (I played ice hockey in college. It’s murder on the knees.) Risa Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you, you must acquire it. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Risa, Ah ha!  What is this diet? Is there a website? Lesleyanne Visit my homepage at http://home.thezone.net/~chech * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

In article <1e25befc.d62d6…@usw-ex0102-015.remarq.com

, La

Chech <la_chechNOlaS…@my-deja.com.invalid

wrote: Risa, Ah ha!  What is this diet? Is there a website?

Sort of. It’s just the publisher hawking the book. http://www.avonbooks.com/avon_user/book.html?book_id=36414 Risa Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you, you must acquire it. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Effexor withdrawal got me into a whole lot of trouble – throwing up all the time, sick as a dog.  Switching to Zoloft was a relief while it lasted, but now I’m on good old Prozac.  It’s that same old bugaboo about everyone’s body chemistry being different…

Response:

"M. Allison" wrote:

Hello all,   My doctor has given me two weeks’ worth of Effexor XR 37.5 mg.  Does anyone have any experience with this SSRI/SNRI?  I’ve been doing some searching online, and I’m looking for personal experiences as well as any contraindications for Effexor and antibiotics. TIA, Mellissa — **Insert Witty Sig File Here** —

I take 225 mg of effexor every day it is the only medicine that has accually worked. I have taken alot of others.   I have had no problem taking effexor with antibiotics. any more question email back

Response:

I’m now on the max daily dose of effexor it’s the second time I’ve been on it. I have not experienced any side effects but remember when I came off it the last time I was ill for 3 days. I’m not looking forward to a repeat of that though. Pete

Response:

Hello,   I just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my question – you’ve set aside some of my concerns.  I’ve been taking it for 6 days now, and while I don’t notice a significant change, I am feeling more motivated.  I hope this continues. Mellissa — **Insert Witty Sig File Here** Get the lead out to reply. Visit my webpage! http://users.uniserve.com/~muddles

Response:

I’m now on the max daily dose of effexor it’s the second time I’ve been on it. I have not experienced any side effects but remember when I came off it

What exactly is the ‘max dose?’  I am on 300 mg’s a day – 150 two times daily. Best, Luanne

Response:

LuanneP wrote in message

I’m now on the max daily dose of effexor it’s the second time I’ve been on it. I have not experienced any side effects but remember when I came off

it

What exactly is the ‘max dose?’  I am on 300 mg’s a day – 150 two times

daily.

Back when I was on it I was getting 375 a day (half in the am, half in the pm, and it was combined with Knolopin (sp?)) They told me then that it was the max therapeutic dose at the time.  Weather or not that has changed in the past few years is beyond me. I cannot comment further because I was taught if you cant say something nice, dont say anything at all. *LOL*  My experiences with psych drugs were not positive. Kate Minola How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”                          -Dr. Seuss

Response:

you are correct.  the max dose of effexor is still 375 mg a day.

Response:

Hello all,   My doctor has given me two weeks’ worth of Effexor XR 37.5 mg.  Does anyone have any experience with this SSRI/SNRI?  I’ve been doing some searching online, and I’m looking for personal experiences as well as any contraindications for Effexor and antibiotics. TIA, Mellissa — **Insert Witty Sig File Here** —

Response:

Mellissa, I started taking effexor after weaning abit off Prozac.  I had absolutely no side effects that I can think of.  Now, it’s possible that having been on prozac so long, my body was use to the drug, as effexor is similar to prozac.  But when I switched from Effexor to Wellbutrin I was out for the count for almost a week with fever, nausea, headaches etc.  They did wear off. Everyone is different.  Effexor is one of the drugs touted as being helpful for PTSD and while I gained weight on prozac, my weight stabilized on effexor.  I’m on wellbutrin trying to lose the 60 lbs I put on while on prozac. http://www.mentalhealth.com/ This site can give you a great deal of information of the medications include adverse effects etc.   As for anti-biotics, I have taken them several times while taking SSRIs and been told that there’s no problems with combining the two. Take Care Lesleyanne Visit my homepage at http://home.thezone.net/~chech * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

In article <ilKy4.18260$Dv1.206…@news1.rdc1.bc.home.com

, "M.

Allison" <mudd…@holycow.com

wrote: Hello all,  My doctor has given me two weeks’ worth of Effexor XR 37.5

mg.  Does

anyone have any experience with this SSRI/SNRI?  I’ve been

doing some

searching online, and I’m looking for personal experiences as

well as any

contraindications for Effexor and antibiotics.

I’ve been taking Effexor XR for about 8 months now. It’s the best med I’ve had to date other than the Ritalin. One of the biggest side effects I’ve had to date is increased blood pressure from the Effexor. At the dose you’re taking it shouldn’t be a problem, but if your doctor raises the dose, keep an eye on it. I had to lower my dose to keep the blood pressure at a safe level. http://www.onlinepsych.com/public/search/medsrcfr.htm http://www.healthtouch.com/level1/p_dri.htm These are the two sites I have for information about psych medications. Good Luck. Risa Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you, you must acquire it. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

My doctor has given me two weeks’ worth of Effexor XR 37.5 mg.  Does anyone have any experience with this SSRI/SNRI?

That’s the dosage I started on although now I take Effexor XR 150 mg twice daily.  It works for me.  I have heard that going off of it HAS to be a gradual thing because the side effects are not too nice. Best, Luanne

Response:

But when I switched from Effexor to Wellbutrin I was out for the count for almost a week with fever, nausea, headaches etc.  They did wear off

Lesley, Didn’t your doctor make you cut down your dosage gradually?  That’s what my sister did when she "graduated" to another drug. I have heard a lot of bad things about the side effects regarding "Effexor Withdrawal." Best, Luanne

Response:

In article <0a85f304.6097a…@usw-ex0102-015.remarq.com

, La

Chech <la_chechNOlaS…@my-deja.com.invalid

wrote:

(snip)

I’m on wellbutrin trying to lose the 60 lbs I put on while on prozac.

I’m using the Atkins’ diet. I lost 20 lbs. the first month. It’s not something that I would do forever (even though that’s what he recommends) but it’s been more successful than anything else I’ve tried. Email if you want to talk about this more. Risa Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you, you must acquire it. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Question:

"Twenty-two Medications Used for Bipolar Mood Stabilization in the US" By James D. Milton Last Updated: 8/22/99

Thanks James —

Response:

Vigabatrin  – Sabrilex (severe vision problems? cocaine and nicotine addiction?)

Extreme caution should be used when taking vigabatrin! The trade name in the US is Sabril and in Europe it is Sabrilex. It is an anticonvulsant manufactured by Hoechst Marion Roussel that is unfortunately causing significant vision problems in a significant percentage of those taking it. It even appears that permanent vision damage may result. So with the next update of this article, I will omit vigabatrin. James

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did i miss any info on zoloft? i do not see it mentioned. nor is there any info listed by you on tranquilizres. i just feel very suspiciose of valproic acid and some of the other meds you mention, for my own use. anyone who is allready on the meds and is benefitting good results should continue.  but iam only on zoloft/xanax and would like to know you opinion on that. should i ask my doc. about some of the mood elevators??? would they help me more???,,,harpyrec

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<Posted and Mailed to Bruce did i miss any info on zoloft? i do not see it mentioned. nor is there any info listed by you on tranquilizers. i just feel very suspicious of valproic acid and some of the other meds you mention for my own use. anyone who is already on the meds and is benefiting good results should continue.  but i am only on zoloft/xanax and would like to know you opinion on that. should i ask my doc about some of the mood elevators??? would they help me more???,,,harpyrec

If I were to include all the antidepressants, the antianxiety meds, the antipsychotics, and all the other meds in a pdoc’s tool box, the number of meds would be several hundred long. I confined myself to those only having mood stabilizing properties. These I believe are the first line of defense for a person with BP disorder — though the others may prove to be very useful adjuncts. I personally don’t like any of the older mood stabilizers. But they work fine for some people. I am not telling you what to use. I am merely telling you what is available so you can discuss the pros and cons of each with your pdoc. My opinion is that a person with BP first needs to find a mood stabilizer (or combination of mood stabilizers) that is effective for them. Then the adjunct meds can be added later if needed. The more modern mood stabilizers (Neurontin, Lamictal, and Topamax) demonstrate strong antidepressant properties for some people. If you were taking Zoloft already and were very sensitive to these AD properties, you could wind up in a manic state if you started taking one of these mood stabilizers. I hope this answers your questions about my post. I suggest that you consult with your pdoc about your specific concerns. James D. Milton Standard Medical Disclaimer Any opinions stated should NOT be considered as medical advice! You should confirm any suggestions made with your physician who is solely responsible for prescribing ALL medications and monitoring the patient’s progress. Make NO changes in your prescribed dosages without the approval of your doctor!

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"Twenty-two Medications Used for Bipolar Mood Stabilization in the US" By James D. Milton Last Updated: 8/22/99 <For best results specify that display and printing be done 80 characters/line  with a fixed pitch font to avoid line wrapping. Please see below for various psychotropic meds that are presently being used as mood stabilizing meds in the United States. I have not attempted to list either all of the adverse side effects or all the potential benefits from these psychoaffective medications because they vary considerably from person to person. In addition an entire book could easily be written about the pros and cons of these meds. A person with a Bipolar (BP) disorder will just have to keep on experimenting until they find the meds that are effective for each individual with side effects that can be personally tolerated. In general most people usually find that the newer mood stabilizers will have a more benign adverse side effect profile than the older meds. Also these meds may well prove to be more effective — particularly when the traditional older mood stabilizers have failed for some reason or another. For additional most important information about the efficacy of the newer mood stabilizers please see the following article: Current Treatments in Bipolar Disorder: http://www.cme-reviews.com/supplements.html Since these newer meds have not been available as long, the long term benefits and disadvantages are not as well known as the mood stabilizers that preceded them. Each person should thoroughly discuss ALL the various medication options together with their associated pros and cons with their pdoc (psychiatrist or psychopharmacologist). I strongly advocate a collaborative team approach between the patient and their physician and therapist. You can find out a lot about the treatment of bipolar disorder by visiting the following most informative Web page compiled by Dr. Ivan Goldberg and then following the many valuable links to other educational sites about bipolar disorder: Bipolar (Manic-Depressive) Disorder: http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.bipolar.html Knowledge, Patience, Persistence, and Med Compliance IMO are vital keys to victory over our common illness. I wish you all the very best in your search for mental stability and well being!                   "Information Regarding BP Mood Stabilizers" Note: Only some of the potentially important effects are listed in the       following tables. Since there are NO universal responses to any       particular psychotropic medication, a person MAY or MAY NOT       experience the positive benefits or the negative adverse side       effects. YBMV (Your Brain May Vary) — and likely will!                             Older Primary Mood Stabilizers Lithium       — Lithobid, Eskalith CR (thyroid damage? tremors? weight gain?) Divalproex Na — Depakote, Epival (liver damage? nausea? hair loss? weight gain?) Valproic acid — Depakene (similar to Depakote — including platelet decrease?) Carbamazepine — Tegretol XR, Carbatrol (rare life-threatening anemia and rash?)                   Newer Primary Mood Stabilizers (Anticonvulsants) Gabapentin  – Neurontin (antidepressant? antianxiety med? IMPROVES COGNITION?) Lamotrigine — Lamictal (antidepressant? rashes? rare life-threatening rash?) Topiramate  – Topamax (antidepressant? kidney stones? heart probs? WEIGHT LOSS?) Tiagabine   — Gabatril (blocks reuptake of GABA? cognitive impairment?) Felbamate   — Felbatol (possibility of developing fatal aplastic anemia?) Pregabalin  – (Currently in Phase III; analgesic? antianxiety? social phobia?) Vigabatrin  – Sobrilex (severe vision problems? cocaine and nicotine addiction?)     Calcium Channel Blockers (to be used ONLY as Secondary Mood Stabilizers) Verapamil   — Calan SR, Isoptin SR (anti-dysrhythmic/anginal/hypertensive agent) Nimodipine  – Nimotop (improves cognition? aids multiple sclerosis depression?) Amlodipine  – Norvasc, Lotrel (anti-hypertensive agent) Diltiazem   — Cardizem CD (anti-hypertensive/anginal agent) Felodipine  – Plendil (anti-hypertensive agent) Isradipine  – DynaCirc (anti-hypertensive agent) Nicardipine — Cardene (anti-hypertensive agent) Nifedipine  – Procardia XL (anti-hypertensive/anginal/pulmonary-edema agent)             Adjunctive Medications Having Mood Stabilizing Properties Clozapine — Clozaril (older antipsychotic to be used only with anticonvulsants) Levothyroxine — Synthroid (adjust T4 level to 25% the upper limit of normal) Liothyronine sodium — Cytomel (adjust T3 level to treat refractory depression) Combining two (or more) mood stabilizers MAY be more effective than when each is taken alone. This is called "polytherapy" as opposed to the more traditional "monotherapy". One med may "potentiate" the effectiveness of another — so that the total effect becomes greater than the sum of its individual contributors. I believe that the efficacy of this approach is becoming increasingly apparent — particularly in refractory cases. It is my personal belief that polytherapy should also be utilized in nonrefractory BP cases as well. This concept is a "defense-in-depth" approach. Where one mood stabilizer is weak, hopefully another will be able to compensate for this weakness. For additional important technical information on "combination" or polytherapy please see: The Role of Complex Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Refractory Bipolar Illness: http://www.cme-reviews.com/CNS598_post.html Lithium carbonate (or another mood stabilizer) may prove helpful as a secondary adjunct to one of the newer mood stabilizers which have demonstrated powerful antidepressive properties for some people. Consequently for example I suggest that Neurontin-lithium and Lamictal-lithium combinations be considered. It is also possible that subtherapeutic dosages of lithium carbonate may be taken so as to minimize its adverse side effects. My current recommendation for optimal results is Neurontin-Lamictal. However due to the potential strong antidepressive properties of each of these meds, suggested conservative dosage titration protocols are given below. Of course only one mood stabilizer dosage should be adjusted at a time. A calcium channel blocker should at this point only be used as a secondary mood stabilizer — solely in conjunction with an effective primary mood stabilizer. There is some evidence to suggest that calcium channel blockers may be effectively used as antimanic agents — possibly as a replacement for lithium. They appear to have a much more benign side effect profile because they do not cause weight gain, do not cause tremors, and are well tolerated for gastrointestinal upsets and other adverse side effects. Of the 8 calcium channel blockers listed above, verapamil and nimodipine are the ones most commonly being used. Nimodipine is unfortunately quite expensive but shows promise under certain circumstances. Nimodipine is one of the few drugs found to increase the cerebrospinal fluid levels of somatostatin, a neuropeptide known to be permanently reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s and transiently reduced during active episodes of both depression and multiple sclerosis. Somatostatin depletion is also associated with problems of learning and memory. Subjectively, a number of patients felt more cognitively clear on nimodipine. Clozaril (clozapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that has some potentially rather severe adverse side effects. Nevertheless Clozaril is being successfully used in polytherapy. However the US FDA requires weekly blood tests for the first six months and biweekly thereafter. So this IMO limits the utility of Clozaril in an outpatient basis. There are many antidepressant, antianxiety, antimania, antipsychotic, and thyroid supplement (T3 and T4) meds that may prove to be very useful adjuncts to mood stabilizers in the treatment of a BP condition. My first psychiatrist, Dr. Dean Ackley, found that many of his patients needed to have their T4 levels adjusted to be in the high end of the normal T4 range. Dr. Peter Whybrow (Executive Chair of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA) advocates raising the T4 level even further to 25% beyond the upper limit of the normal range. Combinations of synthetic T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) are being used to successfully treat refractory depression. Headaches commonly result if too much supplementary T4 and/or T3 is taken. A Neurontin-Topamax* or Lamictal-Topamax* combination may well prove effective for those wishing to lose weight. Topamax* exhibits very powerful appetite suppression effects for some people. * It has recently come to my attention that several people with BP disorder have   experienced potentially serious cognitive and physical difficulties when   taking Topamax. It is possible that these were a result of too rapid dosage   loading. The suggested bipolar protocol for Topamax given below is one half   the rate and amount used to treat seizure disorder. Consequently very careful   monitoring is advised when Topamax is prescribed. I suggest a maximum of   100 mg BID until there is more information known about adverse side effects.   One known adverse side

… read more »

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Question:

What’s going on? What do you think is causing it? Wish I could help. (((liah))) Trev

I don’t know… it happens every now and then… if it were consistent with my moods i’d blame it on being upset but it happens in all different kinds of moods… but it almost hurts when i shake… Thanks  {{{Trev}}} liah i’m unlike anyone you’ve ever not wanted to meet

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my whole body… it really sucks and it’s making me paranoid… just please make it stop liah

Hey, you just described my entire physical life since I was 13. I have Essential Tremor, and myoclonus. I shake and twitch constantly. Klonopin and Neurontin help, but if your’s is only a temporary condition, I doubt if you’ll have to resort to meds. What’s going on? What do you think is causing it? Wish I could help. (((liah))) Trev – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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my whole body… it really sucks and it’s making me paranoid… just please make it stop liah i’m unlike anyone you’ve ever not wanted to meet

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Question:

Ari, I wonder if he meant that hair loss is not an issue with SSRIs in general, or specifically not a problem with Zoloft?  If it’s the latter, maybe I’ll switch from Prozac, which seems to be causing some mild & subtle hair loss for me. But I do think that all SSRIs warn that it is a rare side effect. — Ari

I was pretty amazed to see all sorts of discussion lists on the web with lots of people saying that all sorts of different SSRIs were causing hair loss.  The two worst offenders seemed to be Paxil and Zoloft.  But Prozac was in there, too.  Now, maybe it was just that the people with the hair loss were posting, and actually very few people had hair loss.  But, from what I read (spent many hours reading all this stuff one night, all the while checking my hair to make sure it indeed still was up there), it seems to be more than rare. Matt

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Well, I logged in to post a question about hairloss with serzone.  I may be imagining it (but I don’t think so), but it seems my scalp has been itching more than usual since starting serzone, and after washing my hair I lose lots of hair (more than usual by about half).  Anyone else?

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I didn’t have much before I started Serzone! (8 ^O —— Ahhhhh! OH NO I’M BALD *Grin* But anything’s possible…. Cheers, Mike from OZ

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Well, I logged in to post a question about hairloss with serzone.  I may be imagining it (but I don’t think so), but it seems my scalp has been itching more than usual since starting serzone, and after washing my hair I lose lots of hair (more than usual by about half).  Anyone else?

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ari, I wonder if he meant that hair loss is not an issue with SSRIs in general, or specifically not a problem with Zoloft?  If it’s the latter, maybe I’ll switch from Prozac, which seems to be causing some mild & subtle hair loss for me. But I do think that all SSRIs warn that it is a rare side effect. — Ari I was pretty amazed to see all sorts of discussion lists on the web with lots of people saying that all sorts of different SSRIs were causing hair loss.  The two worst offenders seemed to be Paxil and Zoloft.  But Prozac was in there, too.  Now, maybe it was just that the people with the hair loss were posting, and actually very few people had hair loss.  But, from what I read (spent many hours reading all this stuff one night, all the while checking my hair to make sure it indeed still was up there), it seems to be more than rare. Matt

It’s too early to tell if it’s working, but I got myself on the same kind of vitamin regimen adopted by some depakote users.  The consensus on a few online forums seems that selenium and zinc (and to a lesser degree choline, inositol, vitamin B and folic acid) is sometimes useful for people on mood stabilizers (is that the right term?).  I have been taking them for two months, and perhaps there has been less hair loss recently (25 hairs/day versus 45), but it’s still early.  Mind you, my wife thinks I’m imagining things, but I have definitely noticed some subtle fallout since I began Prozac in November 97.  But at this point, since the hair loss is so mild, I prefer to stick with Prozac a bit longer; it works too well otherwise for me not to. Ari

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    Interesting, I know it can be a problem with depakote, but I haven’t heard of antidepressant doing it. Tim, Try an altavista with +hair +zoloft (or prozac or paxil or effexor, for that matter). Matt

I never had that problem when I was on zoloft but it is listed as a side effect. John

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : : I’m currently on Zoloft, and it’s working great for me. Some mild side : effects, but nothing I can’t live with. I haven’t noticed any hair loss : after five weeks, but then, I haven’t got much hair left to lose . : : I’m seeing my psychiatrist this afternoon. I’ll ask him how common this : problem is and get back to you. : : –Ed : Thanks Ed–I look forward to the report. : Best, : Matt Matt, According to my doc (who’s a good guy, very smart), hair loss is *not* a side effect of Zoloft. It is with other meds (which, he didn’t say), but not with this one. I can see it now: TV ads for Zoloft which proclaim, "With Zoloft, your hair is safe!" –Ed

I wonder if he meant that hair loss is not an issue with SSRIs in general, or specifically not a problem with Zoloft?  If it’s the latter, maybe I’ll switch from Prozac, which seems to be causing some mild & subtle hair loss for me. But I do think that all SSRIs warn that it is a rare side effect. — Ari

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Have any of you had any hair loss/thinning with zoloft? Thanks Matt

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Have any of you had any hair loss/thinning with zoloft? I wouldn’t rule it out, Matt – I’ve certainly heard of it with Serzone. — Gary Cooper

So it looks like just about all of the new antidepressants can do this–I know that Effexor and the SSRIs can have this effect.  Now Serzone too, eh? One thing that I don’t know is exactly how common this is with each; since I’m on Zoloft I was interested in hearing other’s experiences with this drug. Thanks Matt

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Have any of you had any hair loss/thinning with zoloft?

I wouldn’t rule it out, Matt – I’ve certainly heard of it with Serzone. — Gary Cooper

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: So it looks like just about all of the new antidepressants can do this–I : know that Effexor and the SSRIs can have this effect.  Now Serzone too, : eh? : One thing that I don’t know is exactly how common this is with each; since : I’m on Zoloft I was interested in hearing other’s experiences with this : drug. : Thanks : Matt Hi Matt, I’m currently on Zoloft, and it’s working great for me. Some mild side effects, but nothing I can’t live with. I haven’t noticed any hair loss after five weeks, but then, I haven’t got much hair left to lose . I’m seeing my psychiatrist this afternoon. I’ll ask him how common this problem is and get back to you. –Ed

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I’m currently on Zoloft, and it’s working great for me. Some mild side effects, but nothing I can’t live with. I haven’t noticed any hair loss after five weeks, but then, I haven’t got much hair left to lose . I’m seeing my psychiatrist this afternoon. I’ll ask him how common this problem is and get back to you. –Ed

Thanks Ed–I look forward to the report. Best, Matt

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m currently on Zoloft, and it’s working great for me. Some mild side effects, but nothing I can’t live with. I haven’t noticed any hair loss after five weeks, but then, I haven’t got much hair left to lose . I’m seeing my psychiatrist this afternoon. I’ll ask him how common this problem is and get back to you. –Ed Thanks Ed–I look forward to the report. Best, Matt

    Interesting, I know it can be a problem with depakote, but I haven’t heard of antidepressant doing it.

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: : I’m currently on Zoloft, and it’s working great for me. Some mild side : effects, but nothing I can’t live with. I haven’t noticed any hair loss : after five weeks, but then, I haven’t got much hair left to lose . : : I’m seeing my psychiatrist this afternoon. I’ll ask him how common this : problem is and get back to you. : : –Ed : Thanks Ed–I look forward to the report. : Best, : Matt Matt, According to my doc (who’s a good guy, very smart), hair loss is *not* a side effect of Zoloft. It is with other meds (which, he didn’t say), but not with this one. I can see it now: TV ads for Zoloft which proclaim, "With Zoloft, your hair is safe!" –Ed

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    Interesting, I know it can be a problem with depakote, but I haven’t heard of antidepressant doing it.

Tim, Try an altavista with +hair +zoloft (or prozac or paxil or effexor, for that matter). Matt

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