Question:

<SNIP

your statement Serotonin is also essential for the development of an effective Immune Response. Researchers have shown that depletion of Serotonin in animals leads to ImmunoSuppression.

<SNIP

my statement I also dont trust it because they are claiming immunosupression from Prozac at the same time as it being an antidepresant.  Doesnt anybody know that these two things are practically mutually exclusive.  I say this because I have the following anectdotal experience: when my mothers white blood cell count was below a safe level,  something like <1800  she was extremely fatigued and many people who are diagnosed as depressed are simply fatigued. My conclusion (and leap)- it could be because they dont have enough circulating white blood cells.  Why would you want to immunosupress such a person?

<SNIP

your response I dont know what your talking about.  What does your mothers situation have to do with this?  Maybe you didnt finish your thought or something.

OK this response is really obnoxious in print.    You indicated you were interested in my point of view..  Im sure you didnt really mean it that way. Let me spell it out a little more clearly.  My mom was immune suppressed to the point where she practically had to live in a bubble.  I have personal experience with what happens in such a situation.  Anything below WBC of 2200 is considered hazardous.  The number one way she could tell the status of her WBC was by how much she was sleeping.  My personal observations lead me to conclude that there is a direct link bewteen WBC and fatigue.  Call it anemia of the immune cells instead of the RBCs.  Many MS;rs complain of fatigue as a problem.  Many MS’er are prescribed antidepressants because of fatigue.  I have made an association that I think is valid. I dont see anything wrong with my conclusion just like you dont see anything wrong with yours. Celeste

Response:

"Michael" <muirh…@haidagwaii.net

wrote in message

news:7ZednT3zEa76-MbfRVn-gw@qcislands.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> "Rob Duncan" <robdun…@gbronline.com

wrote in message

> news:VrqdnfVWSdUdxMbfRVn-ug@gbronline.com… >> "Celeste" <celeste…@adelphia.net

wrote in message

>> news:hMWdndeR5cWKt8bfRVn-2A@adelphia.com… >>>I guess that one of the reasons I do not trust it is that I dont buy the >>>Freunds adjuvant anymore.  Not since the Glasgow write up 2 years ago >>>which opened –  Just because it is common and popular does not make it >>>right. They proceded to show that EAE was more than likely a rabies >>>model..  That sort of explains the bad results everytime mice are cured >>>but the cure does not work in people. >>> I also dont trust it because Prozac seems to be drug in search of other >>> uses.  I think the makers are looking for a way to get the enitre >>> population of the world on their pill for one reason or another.  It >>> seems like about once a month there is another reason to take the drug. >>> I am very suspicious about the funding and wether ot not it is a >>> marketing ploy from the manufacturer. >> There is no manufacturer.  Its a generic.  Anyone can make it.  Even you. > New patents can be issued for new applications and formulations of old > products, Rob.  

Why bother once its already gone generic?  Or can the original company force its generic status to be removed? Rob

Response:

"Celeste" <celeste…@adelphia.net

wrote in message

news:N-GdnTeaT_9X4MHfRVn-vQ@adelphia.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

<SNIP your statement Serotonin is also essential for the development of an effective Immune Response. Researchers have shown that depletion of Serotonin in animals leads to ImmunoSuppression. <SNIP my statement I also dont trust it because they are claiming immunosupression from Prozac at the same time as it being an antidepresant.  Doesnt anybody know that these two things are practically mutually exclusive.  I say this because I have the following anectdotal experience: when my mothers white blood cell count was below a safe level,  something like <1800  she was extremely fatigued and many people who are diagnosed as depressed are simply fatigued. My conclusion (and leap)- it could be because they dont have enough circulating white blood cells.  Why would you want to immunosupress such a person? <SNIP your response I dont know what your talking about.  What does your mothers situation have to do with this?  Maybe you didnt finish your thought or something. OK this response is really obnoxious in print.    You indicated you were interested in my point of view..  Im sure you didnt really mean it that way. Let me spell it out a little more clearly.  My mom was immune suppressed to the point where she practically had to live in a bubble.  I have personal experience with what happens in such a situation.  Anything below WBC of 2200 is considered hazardous.  The number one way she could tell the status of here WBC was by how much she was sleeping.  My personal observations lead me to conclude that there is a direct link bewteen WBC and fatigue. Call it anemia of the immune cells instead of the RBCs.  I dont see anything wrong with my conclusion just like you dont see anything wrong with yours. Celeste

I dont see anything wrong with your conclusion either.  But I dont understand its relivence.  Im being dense I guess.  No irritation intended. Rob

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Rob Duncan wrote:

"Michael" <muirh…@haidagwaii.net wrote in message news:7ZednT3zEa76-MbfRVn-gw@qcislands.net… "Rob Duncan" <robdun…@gbronline.com wrote in message news:VrqdnfVWSdUdxMbfRVn-ug@gbronline.com… "Celeste" <celeste…@adelphia.net wrote in message news:hMWdndeR5cWKt8bfRVn-2A@adelphia.com… I guess that one of the reasons I do not trust it is that I dont buy the Freunds adjuvant anymore.  Not since the Glasgow write up 2 years ago which opened –  Just because it is common and popular does not make it right. They proceded to show that EAE was more than likely a rabies model..  That sort of explains the bad results everytime mice are cured but the cure does not work in people. I also dont trust it because Prozac seems to be drug in search of other uses.  I think the makers are looking for a way to get the enitre population of the world on their pill for one reason or another.  It seems like about once a month there is another reason to take the drug. I am very suspicious about the funding and wether ot not it is a marketing ploy from the manufacturer. There is no manufacturer.  Its a generic.  Anyone can make it. Even you. New patents can be issued for new applications and formulations of old products, Rob.   Why bother once its already gone generic?

The laws are very specific, Rob. If I’m first to patent a drug for – let’s say – treatment of depression, then when its patent runs out, I’ll have generic competition from others piggybacking on my (old) patent.   Thing is, my patent protection runs for (in Canada) 20 years, but 12 years of that was already taken up in R&D and clinical testing… and I’d really like 20 years’ profits, thank you very much. Solution? All I have to do is either re-patent the drug for treating some other disorder (this is how most MS drugs came to be, but it’s extremely expensive,) or re-*package* the drug in a new delivery vehicle – say, a sustained-release (SR) tablet – and patent the new formulation… a much easier and cheaper method, since all the safety testing and most of the clinical work have already been done.

Or can the original company force its generic status to be removed?

Not as far as I’m aware…

Response:

"Michael" <muirh…@haidagwaii.net

wrote in message

news:8pudnXgI7oeAUcHfRVn-uA@qcislands.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Rob Duncan wrote: >> "Michael" <muirh…@haidagwaii.net

wrote in message

>> news:BsqdnR-SD-jECsHfRVn-2A@qcislands.net… >>> Rob Duncan wrote: >>>> "Michael" <muirh…@haidagwaii.net

wrote in message

>>>> news:7ZednT3zEa76-MbfRVn-gw@qcislands.net… >>>>> "Rob Duncan" <robdun…@gbronline.com

wrote in message

>>>>> news:VrqdnfVWSdUdxMbfRVn-ug@gbronline.com… >>>>>> "Celeste" <celeste…@adelphia.net

wrote in message

>>>>>> news:hMWdndeR5cWKt8bfRVn-2A@adelphia.com… >>>>>>> I guess that one of the reasons I do not trust it is that I dont >>>>>>> buy the Freunds adjuvant anymore.  Not since the Glasgow write up >>>>>>> 2 years ago which opened –  Just because it is common and popular >>>>>>> does not make it right. They proceded to show that EAE was more >>>>>>> than likely a rabies model..  That sort of explains the bad >>>>>>> results everytime mice are cured but the cure does not work in >>>>>>> people. I also dont trust it because Prozac seems to be drug in >>>>>>> search of >>>>>>> other uses.  I think the makers are looking for a way to get the >>>>>>> enitre population of the world on their pill for one reason or >>>>>>> another.  It seems like about once a month there is another >>>>>>> reason to take the drug. I am very suspicious about the funding and >>>>>>> wether ot not it is a marketing ploy from the manufacturer. >>>>>> There is no manufacturer.  Its a generic.  Anyone can make it. >>>>>> Even you. >>>>> New patents can be issued for new applications and formulations of >>>>> old products, Rob.   >>>> Why bother once its already gone generic? >>> The laws are very specific, Rob. >>> If I’m first to patent a drug for – let’s say – treatment of >>> depression, then when its patent runs out, I’ll have generic >>> competition from others piggybacking on my (old) patent.   Thing is, >>> my patent protection runs for (in Canada) 20 years, but 12 years of >>> that was already taken up in R&D and clinical testing… and I’d >>> really like 20 years’ profits, thank you very much. >>> Solution? >>> All I have to do is either re-patent the drug for treating some other >>> disorder (this is how most MS drugs came to be, but it’s extremely >>> expensive,) or re-*package* the drug in a new delivery vehicle – >>> say, a sustained-release (SR) tablet – and patent the new >>> formulation… a much easier and cheaper method, since all the >>> safety testing and most of the clinical work have already been done. >>>> Or can the original >>>> company force its generic status to be removed? >>> Not as far as I’m aware… >> Then Im unsure of your point.  What is it exactly in regard to what >> we are talking about?  Anybody can make Prozac.  Me, you, Joe Blow. Whats >> the problem? > There isn’t one… unless you’re the people who first developed it, or the > as-yet unsuspecting public on which they intend to prey.  :-) > The problem – simply put – is this: > Prozac might (or might not) be of some very tiny bit of help in CNS > immunomodulation.   If it is… even if it isn’t, but stats can be > produced to show that it is often enough in enough people… it can be > patented, tested, approved and marketed for that purpose, and that grants > the patent-holders another patent lifetime for the same old drug.

No.  Its Generic.  It cant go on patent again.

And near the end of that lifetime, if the stats are at all favourable (or can be made to *appear* favourable,) yet another lifetime of patent protection can be garnered by creating an application-specific re-compounding (such as sustained release tablets).

Its already generic.  So no pharm can make money of it, so it will never be researched again.  A good med, lost.

What it all means in the long run is that patent protection can be maintained for exactly as long as new statistics can be generated.

I guess it does mean that.  But it has nothing to do with the generic drug fluoxetine. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Check out Betaseron, which is a patented interferon-beta, patentable only because of the process used to produce it.   It’s a recombinant-dna product almost identical to one manufactured by every single human body on the planet.   It was first approved for MS use in 1993… but when was the inspirational INFb first patented? It wasn’t and it never could be, under the laws of the day.     I’d have to check, but I think it was around 1963 that it was discovered (interferons were first identified and explored in 1957).   Certainly, it was already being explored as a possible anti-cancer agent long before 1980. Back then, it wasn’t legal to patent a natural compound produced by the human body… it was only possible to patent a process by which such a compound could be compounded after extracting it from people, or a process by which it could be partly or wholly synthesized. Now?   Well, it’s almost legal to patent a *person*.   Certainly, it’s possible (though the law has yet to be tested) to patent a single person’s entire genome. Patent law is becoming – literally – nothing but an extension of our stock and commodity markets.   It’s no longer about "intellectual property" and is now about outright "market-share ownership", instead.

I understand wanting to say all this, but not in regard to prozac.  Its a drug that research shows to be better than anything other than Novantrone, which will never be researched again, due to it being a generic.  Strong testament as to the usefullness of being able to patent a product for new uses.  Now, unless some wealthy benefactor feels like paying for it himself, it will never be studied again.  The MS societies are only in it for money. If they werent theyde be studying prozac.  Even a little study.  No, instead they choose to waste our valuable money on investigating the possible benefits of insects toxins. Rob

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Rob Duncan wrote:

"Michael" <muirh…@haidagwaii.net wrote in message news:BsqdnR-SD-jECsHfRVn-2A@qcislands.net… Rob Duncan wrote: "Michael" <muirh…@haidagwaii.net wrote in message news:7ZednT3zEa76-MbfRVn-gw@qcislands.net… "Rob Duncan" <robdun…@gbronline.com wrote in message news:VrqdnfVWSdUdxMbfRVn-ug@gbronline.com… "Celeste" <celeste…@adelphia.net wrote in message news:hMWdndeR5cWKt8bfRVn-2A@adelphia.com… I guess that one of the reasons I do not trust it is that I dont buy the Freunds adjuvant anymore.  Not since the Glasgow write up 2 years ago which opened –  Just because it is common and popular does not make it right. They proceded to show that EAE was more than likely a rabies model..  That sort of explains the bad results everytime mice are cured but the cure does not work in people. I also dont trust it because Prozac seems to be drug in search of other uses.  I think the makers are looking for a way to get the enitre population of the world on their pill for one reason or another.  It seems like about once a month there is another reason to take the drug. I am very suspicious about the funding and wether ot not it is a marketing ploy from the manufacturer. There is no manufacturer.  Its a generic.  Anyone can make it. Even you. New patents can be issued for new applications and formulations of old products, Rob.   Why bother once its already gone generic? The laws are very specific, Rob. If I’m first to patent a drug for – let’s say – treatment of depression, then when its patent runs out, I’ll have generic competition from others piggybacking on my (old) patent.   Thing is, my patent protection runs for (in Canada) 20 years, but 12 years of that was already taken up in R&D and clinical testing… and I’d really like 20 years’ profits, thank you very much. Solution? All I have to do is either re-patent the drug for treating some other disorder (this is how most MS drugs came to be, but it’s extremely expensive,) or re-*package* the drug in a new delivery vehicle – say, a sustained-release (SR) tablet – and patent the new formulation… a much easier and cheaper method, since all the safety testing and most of the clinical work have already been done. Or can the original company force its generic status to be removed? Not as far as I’m aware… Then Im unsure of your point.  What is it exactly in regard to what we are talking about?  Anybody can make Prozac.  Me, you, Joe Blow. Whats the problem?

There isn’t one… unless you’re the people who first developed it, or the as-yet unsuspecting public on which they intend to prey.  :-) The problem – simply put – is this: Prozac might (or might not) be of some very tiny bit of help in CNS immunomodulation.   If it is… even if it isn’t, but stats can be produced to show that it is often enough in enough people… it can be patented, tested, approved and marketed for that purpose, and that grants the patent-holders another patent lifetime for the same old drug. And near the end of that lifetime, if the stats are at all favourable (or can be made to *appear* favourable,) yet another lifetime of patent protection can be garnered by creating an application-specific re-compounding (such as sustained release tablets). What it all means in the long run is that patent protection can be maintained for exactly as long as new statistics can be generated. Check out Betaseron, which is a patented interferon-beta, patentable only because of the process used to produce it.   It’s a recombinant-dna product almost identical to one manufactured by every single human body on the planet.   It was first approved for MS use in 1993… but when was the inspirational INFb first patented? It wasn’t and it never could be, under the laws of the day.     I’d have to check, but I think it was around 1963 that it was discovered (interferons were first identified and explored in 1957).   Certainly, it was already being explored as a possible anti-cancer agent long before 1980. Back then, it wasn’t legal to patent a natural compound produced by the human body… it was only possible to patent a process by which such a compound could be compounded after extracting it from people, or a process by which it could be partly or wholly synthesized. Now?   Well, it’s almost legal to patent a *person*.   Certainly, it’s possible (though the law has yet to be tested) to patent a single person’s entire genome. Patent law is becoming – literally – nothing but an extension of our stock and commodity markets.   It’s no longer about "intellectual property" and is now about outright "market-share ownership", instead.

Response:

"Michael" <muirh…@haidagwaii.net

wrote in message

news:BsqdnR-SD-jECsHfRVn-2A@qcislands.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Rob Duncan wrote: >> "Michael" <muirh…@haidagwaii.net

wrote in message

>> news:7ZednT3zEa76-MbfRVn-gw@qcislands.net… >>> "Rob Duncan" <robdun…@gbronline.com

wrote in message

>>> news:VrqdnfVWSdUdxMbfRVn-ug@gbronline.com… >>>> "Celeste" <celeste…@adelphia.net

wrote in message

>>>> news:hMWdndeR5cWKt8bfRVn-2A@adelphia.com… >>>>> I guess that one of the reasons I do not trust it is that I dont >>>>> buy the Freunds adjuvant anymore.  Not since the Glasgow write up >>>>> 2 years ago which opened –  Just because it is common and popular >>>>> does not make it right. They proceded to show that EAE was more >>>>> than likely a rabies model..  That sort of explains the bad >>>>> results everytime mice are cured but the cure does not work in >>>>> people. I also dont trust it because Prozac seems to be drug in search >>>>> of >>>>> other uses.  I think the makers are looking for a way to get the >>>>> enitre population of the world on their pill for one reason or >>>>> another.  It seems like about once a month there is another reason >>>>> to take the drug. I am very suspicious about the funding and >>>>> wether ot not it is a marketing ploy from the manufacturer. >>>> There is no manufacturer.  Its a generic.  Anyone can make it. Even >>>> you. >>> New patents can be issued for new applications and formulations of >>> old products, Rob.   >> Why bother once its already gone generic? > The laws are very specific, Rob. > If I’m first to patent a drug for – let’s say – treatment of depression, > then when its patent runs out, I’ll have generic competition from others > piggybacking on my (old) patent.   Thing is, my patent protection runs for > (in Canada) 20 years, but 12 years of that was already taken up in R&D and > clinical testing… and I’d really like 20 years’ profits, thank you very > much. > Solution? > All I have to do is either re-patent the drug for treating some other > disorder (this is how most MS drugs came to be, but it’s extremely > expensive,) or re-*package* the drug in a new delivery vehicle – say, a > sustained-release (SR) tablet – and patent the new formulation… a much > easier and cheaper method, since all the safety testing and most of the > clinical work have already been done. >> Or can the original >> company force its generic status to be removed? > Not as far as I’m aware…

Then Im unsure of your point.  What is it exactly in regard to what we are talking about?  Anybody can make Prozac.  Me, you, Joe Blow.  Whats the problem? Rob

Response:

     To evaluate disease progression, mean values (averages) were determined for all neurologic scores of untreated and treated groups of mice before and after the day treatment was started. Then, the differences between the mean values before and during treatment for the experimental group were calculated.

This sounds like a subjective measurement to me.  Also, there is no indication that this evaluation was done by blinded techs.  Although I would assume so.  The definitve statement would be

     The findings from this animal study show that Fluoxetine can slow down disease progression, reduce the number of inflammatory lesions in the Brain and Spinal Cord, and promote the production of Cytokines such as IL-4 and TGF-

Question:

Inhaled steroids can result in localized infections with Candida albicans in the mouth and pharynx.  Have it cultured and treated, then when you use your steriod inhaler rinse your mouth out after each use.  Be sure to clean the canister daily.   Nicole – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Help! Posted under Information Please! for the last two weeks, have gone back to my allergist after a number of years. Put me on Serevent and Flovent 110. Since that time I have developed a severe bacterial infection and am now on Cipro plus another week of 20mg of Predisone. Went to see him Friday of this last week for another lung function test and switched for the meantime to the next high dosage of Flovent until he tells me to go back to the first dosage subscribed.  Finally, am getting rid of the asthma sound and mucus build-up from the infection. Plus, he first told me not to take my Ventolin unless I felt I needed it. When I saw him Friday, when he changed the dosage of Flovent, he asked me how oftem I was using Ventolin and said once a day. The told me I should be taking it more often with this infection. I told him he did not tell me before use it more and now I do not know the symptoms to use it more often because I do not feel the chest closure. He told me now to take it 2 puffs every 4 hours.  Now that I am getting better, I have developed a very bad sore throat and my tongue feels like its on fire. If I swallow it is so sore and I have no white spots on the throat or inside of my mouth but have tiny little cheese-like particles in my mouth. Can all these medicines I am being bombarded with cause a candida yeast condition? I had a mild yeast infection before I went to the allergist, but did not associate any spreading of the condition when I was taking all this medicine. I could not reach my doctor today to talk to him. Am supposed to call him back Monday. My throat is so irritated from all this coughing from this infection. Michelle in TX

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Help! Posted under Information Please! for the last two weeks, have gone back to my allergist after a number of years. Put me on Serevent and Flovent 110. Since that time I have developed a severe bacterial infection and am now on Cipro plus another week of 20mg of Predisone. Went to see him Friday of this last week for another lung function test and switched for the meantime to the next high dosage of Flovent until he tells me to go back to the first dosage subscribed.  Finally, am getting rid of the asthma sound and mucus build-up from the infection. Plus, he first told me not to take my Ventolin unless I felt I needed it. When I saw him Friday, when he changed the dosage of Flovent, he asked me how oftem I was using Ventolin and said once a day. The told me I should be taking it more often with this infection. I told him he did not tell me before use it more and now I do not know the symptoms to use it more often because I do not feel the chest closure. He told me now to take it 2 puffs every 4 hours.  Now that I am getting better, I have developed a very bad sore throat and my tongue feels like its on fire. If I swallow it is so sore and I have no white spots on the throat or inside of my mouth but have tiny little cheese-like particles in my mouth. Can all these medicines I am being bombarded with cause a candida yeast condition? I had a mild yeast infection before I went to the allergist, but did not associate any spreading of the condition when I was taking all this medicine. I could not reach my doctor today to talk to him. Am supposed to call him back Monday. My throat is so irritated from all this coughing from this infection. Michelle in TX

Being the "Queen Of Thrush", it sounds like that is what you have,of course the usual disclaimer (I am not a doctor….) Nystatin swish and swallow is a good start. If you still have it after that ask for Diflucan. There is also a new swish and swallow of AmphotericinB but that is when you have exhausted all other things. I’m sure that I do not have to say, rinse your mouth,blah,blah blah. Some people are just prone to thrush and you learn to deal with it. It’s pretty nasty but, brathing is better, Peace, Tish

Response:

I don’t know what I have but I can’t taste anything at all.  I did have a very sore throat and the doctor lowered my dose of Azmacort and took away the atrovent and put ventolin on prn basis and I haven’t used that for about five days now.  I still can’t taste anything. The pharmacist suggeste zinc tablets and I have taken those for almost a week plus used the zinc lozenges.  Nothing is working. Help!!!!!!!

Response:

I don’t know what I have but I can’t taste anything at all.  I did have a very sore throat and the doctor lowered my dose of Azmacort and took away the atrovent and put ventolin on prn basis and I haven’t used that for about five days now.  I still can’t taste anything. The pharmacist suggeste zinc tablets and I have taken those for almost a week plus used the zinc lozenges.  Nothing is working. Help!!!!!!!

My wife who has asthma was told that she has to gargle right after using her inhalers to prevent yeast infection in her throat. Hope this helps. Hope you fell better soon.

Response:

I don’t know what I have but I can’t taste anything at all.  I did have a very sore throat and the doctor lowered my dose of Azmacort and took away the atrovent and put ventolin on prn basis and I haven’t used that for about five days now.  I still can’t taste anything. The pharmacist suggeste zinc tablets and I have taken those for almost a week plus used the zinc lozenges.  Nothing is working. Help!!!!!!!

Hi Judy: I’m new to the group but I think I have the answer.  Nystatin oral suspension.  I’ve used it for years. Let me know if it works for you. Puffing away Alan

Response:

Help!

  Now that I am getting better, I have developed a very bad sore throat and my tongue feels like its on fire. If I swallow it is so sore and I have no white spots on the throat or inside of my mouth but have tiny little cheese-like particles in my mouth. Can all these medicines I am being bombarded with cause a candida yeast condition? Michelle in TX

Yes yes yes!!! this is almost identical to what i had two weeks ago.  i was on flovent/serevent and antibiotics (doxycycline…destroyed my intestines. very sad. not doing those again)  i got a sharp, painful sore throat, almost as if someone had cut a part of my throat with a knife.  my tongue was painfully sore and had desnuded patches (the taste buds were gone) on about half, and white patches on the rest. i didn’t have any cheese particles but that seems to make it almost definite (as that’s the clear sign of a vaginal yeast infection!) i went in to the college health center and said "i’m on antibiotics and a steroid inhaler, i think i have a yeast infection in my mouth".  the doctor looked it over, told me i was right, said she probably would have treated me for strep with more antibiotics if i hadn’t figured it out on my own (another reason to be super-informed…).  she put me on nystatin liquid, 1 tsp 3 times a day for 5 days.  it went away although i’m a bit nervous that it’s not completely gone. (last night i felt the sore thoat again for a bit…and i’ve lost the upper register of my voice…)  the liquid was lovely, tasted like minty robitussin, but did the job.   good luck! jodi

Response:

Help! Posted under Information Please! for the last two weeks, have gone back to my allergist after a number of years. Put me on Serevent and Flovent 110. Since that time I have developed a severe bacterial infection and am now on Cipro plus another week of 20mg of Predisone. Went to see him Friday of this last week for another lung function test and switched for the meantime to the next high dosage of Flovent until he tells me to go back to the first dosage subscribed.  Finally, am getting rid of the asthma sound and mucus build-up from the infection. Plus, he first told me not to take my Ventolin unless I felt I needed it. When I saw him Friday, when he changed the dosage of Flovent, he asked me how oftem I was using Ventolin and said once a day. The told me I should be taking it more often with this infection. I told him he did not tell me before use it more and now I do not know the symptoms to use it more often because I do not feel the chest closure. He told me now to take it 2 puffs every 4 hours.  Now that I am getting better, I have developed a very bad sore throat and my tongue feels like its on fire. If I swallow it is so sore and I have no white spots on the throat or inside of my mouth but have tiny little cheese-like particles in my mouth. Can all these medicines I am being bombarded with cause a candida yeast condition? I had a mild yeast infection before I went to the allergist, but did not associate any spreading of the condition when I was taking all this medicine. I could not reach my doctor today to talk to him. Am supposed to call him back Monday. My throat is so irritated from all this coughing from this infection. Michelle in TX

Response:

My dog has a yeast infection in her ear. Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this. Thanks

Response:

My dog has a yeast infection in her ear. Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this. Thanks

A yeast infection, AFAIK, is either caused by an alergic reaction or the yeast just finds a nice warm ear a good place to set up home. <advert I am the UK and Ireland distributor for a product called Ear Balm which is very good at clearing this up. It’s also available in the US and other countries (see URL below) <advert end If you think it may be a reaction to something that’s changed, check it out. Check with a vet unless you are SURE it’s a yeast infection. Try Ear Balm — Nick Advice & Help with Computers. Housekeeping, Consultancy & Development Your pet can’t clean his ears! http://worldemail.com/wetc/brushtec "VET it first" Vet Virus Protection Software Dealer May you receive the blessings of the goddess every day

Response:

My dog has a yeast infection in her ear. Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this. Thanks

Are you positive it’s a yeast infection? Has the dog had them in the past and this was confirmed and treated by your vet?  If not, go to the vet to be sure this is what she has. I have an old (14) lhasa who has had chronic yeast infections his entire life.  About 6 or 7 years ago, on one of my many trips in to see our vet, he suggested using Monostat on him, when his ears got re-infected. Carol Editor Canine Connections Magazine http://www.cheta.net/connect/canine/

Response:

My dog has a yeast infection in her ear. Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this. Thanks

Response:

My dog has a yeast infection in her ear. Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this. Thanks

A yeast infection, AFAIK, is either caused by an alergic reaction or the yeast just finds a nice warm ear a good place to set up home. <advert I am the UK and Ireland distributor for a product called Ear Balm which is very good at clearing this up. It’s also available in the US and other countries (see URL below) <advert end If you think it may be a reaction to something that’s changed, check it out. Check with a vet unless you are SURE it’s a yeast infection. Try Ear Balm — Nick Advice & Help with Computers. Housekeeping, Consultancy & Development Your pet can’t clean his ears! http://worldemail.com/wetc/brushtec "VET it first" Vet Virus Protection Software Dealer May you receive the blessings of the goddess every day

Response:

My dog has a yeast infection in her ear. Does anyone have any ideas on how to deal with this. Thanks

Are you positive it’s a yeast infection? Has the dog had them in the past and this was confirmed and treated by your vet?  If not, go to the vet to be sure this is what she has. I have an old (14) lhasa who has had chronic yeast infections his entire life.  About 6 or 7 years ago, on one of my many trips in to see our vet, he suggested using Monostat on him, when his ears got re-infected. Carol Editor Canine Connections Magazine http://www.cheta.net/connect/canine/

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 I have had a yeast infection on my penis for a few months. I can’t seem to shake it with the usual treatments. Any suggestions? Thanks.

If you’re sexually active, your partner(s) should be treated as well — otherwise you could be getting re-infected with each act of sex.  Heck, I suppose it’s even possible that you could get a penile yeast infection from fellatio performed by someone with oral thrush. Best of luck. — Chris — Irony is not the same thing as "irony"; point of view is not the same thing as attitude;  I have no confidence at all that these distinctions mean anything anymore.  – Jon Carroll

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:  Have you tried using Tea Tree Oil?  Comes in both an oil and gel : form.  You can get it at any godd health food store/pharmacy.  I thing : the gel like variety would be bes for yor case.  I have used it for athelites : foot after every allopathic remidy failed.  In days it was gone!  Tea Tree : oil good for all types of topical yeast/fungus infections.     It’s worth a try. Thanks, Matthew.

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DG  I have had a yeast infection on my penis for a few months. I can’t DGseem to shake it with the usual treatments. Any suggestions? Thanks.  Have you tried using Tea Tree Oil?  Comes in both an oil and gel form.  You can get it at any godd health food store/pharmacy.  I thing the gel like variety would be bes for yor case.  I have used it for athelites foot after every allopathic remidy failed.  In days it was gone!  Tea Tree oil good for all types of topical yeast/fungus infections.  matthew —  

Question:

I

am getting realy concerned – having another huge panic attack and Ijust went to

the pdoc yessterday. On Zoloft and Ativan.  If I don’t get this worked out soon

I could be in trouble…. MAC Mac, didn’t you say you’re on 25 mg Zoloft?  I think this is way too much to start out on – no wonder you’re feeling panicky. Try cutting that pill in quarters and take one of those a day.  Then add one quarter per week.  Most doctors just don’t seem to realize how sensitive some of us are to meds.  That’s why so many people think they don’t work for them. Dot

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Hi, Mac, I would assume it is a short-lived side effect of the antidepressant.  Don’t fret, just let the feelings pass and try to tell yourself it is just a side effect and will go away in a couple of days…   ((((((Mac)))))) smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am getting realy concerned – having another huge panic attack and Ijust went to the pdoc yessterday. On Zoloft and Ativan.  If I don’t get this worked out soon I could be in trouble…. MAC

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Hey Mac, steady on.  It WILL pass!  Its just a sneaky SOB.  Can’t see it, can’t control it, damn it.  We all know the feeling! Just a question for you, when do you take which meds? I discovered that I cannot take the atenolol in the AM, I have to take it at night before bedtime. I go to sleep quicker and don’t notice any other side effect. If I take it in the AM I’m crashing –feel faint and dizzy, just like a PA– about 2 hours later.  When I take it in  the AM my pulse rate is about 60 at 11 AM, when I most need to be percolating at full steam and starting the restaurant workday. I know you said a few  weeks ago that the atenolol didn’t affect you anymore, but you might look at it again.  Sometimes just an increment of personal  control can shift our inner stabilizer  to a more neutral position. You can also take the zoloft at night, or now, as you wean on, take half in the AM and half at bedtime.  Zoloft is "splittable".  I did that for financial reasons in the past, 100 mg Zoloft costs the same as 50 mg, so my rx were written for 100 mg and take 1/2 daily, saved me a bundle of money when I paid out of pocket!!! YMMV yada yada but use what tools you have to accomodate this bump.  You’ll be on the other side of the hump soon! HUGS, Mac.  Hang ON! Sue

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am getting realy concerned – having another huge panic attack and Ijust went to the pdoc yessterday. On Zoloft and Ativan.  If I don’t get this worked out soon I could be in trouble…. MAC

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:I am getting realy concerned – having another huge panic attack and Ijust :went to the pdoc yessterday. On Zoloft and Ativan.  If I don’t get this :worked out soon I could be in trouble…. MAC Dear Mac, "Sometimes" antidepressants can "temporarily" increase anxiety while weaning on them. Now…….I`m not saying that zoloft caused your panic, only your doctor could make that determination but he needs to know about this. Call your doctor!  Take care. Jackie ~*~As soon as you trust yourself you will know how to live~*~      ~Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe~

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I am getting realy concerned – having another huge panic attack and Ijust went to the pdoc yessterday. On Zoloft and Ativan.  If I don’t get this worked out soon I could be in trouble…. MAC

MAC you are starting to get really boring. You are a smart guy. You have been told many times how the meds work, that they take time. I’m sorry you don’t have the time, but until the meds level off you are best to take a bedroll and park your butt on your docs doorstep. Or convince one of these ASAP types you are so fond of to come stay with you for a few days. I’m sure any number of them would like an expenses paid trip to Seattle.<g

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Please call your doctor Mac!  You’ve been having extremely high anxiety because of this job situation.  I’m not surprised that you had another PA. Please call and get some assurance from him.  Try to breathe slowly in Di

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am getting realy concerned – having another huge panic attack and Ijust went to the pdoc yessterday. On Zoloft and Ativan.  If I don’t get this worked out soon I could be in trouble…. MAC

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I am getting realy concerned – having another huge panic attack and Ijust went to the pdoc yessterday. On Zoloft and Ativan.  If I don’t get this worked out soon I could be in trouble…. MAC

Yes what Jackie said is true.  I tried Prozac a year back without a benzo and quit REAL QUICK.  IT made my anxiety terrible.  so now I have gone a year without it and am getting ready to start a benzo.  I am thinking after being on a benzo for a month or so I might try an AD. Mac just know that it is probably the SSRI causing the extra anxiety and that once you get used to it and have the benzo for a back up you will probably feel better than you have in YEARS!  I like the idea of an SSRI long term but not until I get on a benzo and get calmed down.  I also have a big move coming up soon. Why I finally decided to get a benzo  :) Good Luck! Dustin

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I am getting realy concerned – having another huge panic attack and Ijust went to the pdoc yessterday. On Zoloft and Ativan.  If I don’t get this worked out soon I could be in trouble…. MAC

Response:

I disagree with your response that a hallucinagen did NOT give a PA. Ever since a hullucinaginec triggered my first one, I have had them pretty bad for awhile. I never had one prior, and even though I have not used in over two years I still get them occasionally.

I thought the same thing for years – that a bad trip gave me years of anxiety and panic. At some point, though, I realized I had always been a "weird" kid, had nightmares all the time and a lot of fears. I think an intense drug experience can reconnect you to your primal fears, but it doesn’t change who you are. In fact, I’m more relaxed now than I was _before_ the drug experience, because I’ve faced some of the fears that I had tucked away in the back of my mind. Therapists have always told me that the bad trip didn’t really matter; maybe I’ve finally been brainwashed. But I remember obsessing endlessly for the first 2 years: "Why did I ever take that trip? I’m never going to be the same again!". That obsession fed my panic much more than any actual memory of the experience. I agree that there’s a certain trauma that we can go through as a result of a bad experience, but the mind can heal itself over time. This is why I think that PTSD may be different from panic disorder. I sure would like a real psychiatrist to clear this up for me!                                                               I am soooooo relieved that I am not the only person to feel likeme. It seems that no one else has residual effects. Also, I refuse to take Xanax, due to the fact that its addictive. Drugs have made me so paranoid to take anything including tylenol. I wish I could share my experiance with everyone so no one else has to go though it. Whoops, didnt mean to climb up a soap box, just happy to hear ( dismally ) that i am not the only one…

Me too. I didn’t know anything about PD for years; I just assumed that I had damaged my brain and was going to pay for the rest of my life. Thank God for the healing power of the mind. I’m still not sure that it matters whether we have our first PA while on a drug, in an exam, or on a plane – a PA is miserable no matter what triggers it! One more thing – like you, I was once very reluctant to go near ANY drug. I guess you only need to get burned once to stay away from the stove. BUT, looking back, I wish I had looked into meds, as they would have helped a lot (and did in later years). As long as you’re under doctor’s supervision, there’s no reason to fear Xanax or any other _prescription_ drug. YMMV, but I think most here will tell you that meds helped, rather than hurt them. Good luck! John S.

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I disagree with your response that a hallucinagen did NOT give a PA. Ever since a hullucinaginec triggered my first one, I have had them pretty bad for awhile. I never had one prior, and even though I have not used in over two years I still get them occasionally. I am soooooo relieved that I am not the only person to feel likeme. It seems that no one else has residual effects. Also, I refuse to take Xanax, due to the fact that its addictive. Drugs have made me so paranoid to take anything including tylenol. I wish I could share my experiance with everyone so no one else has to go though it. Whoops, didnt mean to climb up a soap box, just happy to hear ( dismally ) that i am not – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Matthew, It’s not uncommon for a hallucinogenic drug to trigger a first PA. However, this doesn’t mean that the experience GAVE you panic disorder (which you may not even have). It’s important to keep the one-time drug experience in perspective, and not obsess about it. All I can say is, focus on how you’re feeling NOW, and forget about the initial trigger, which is by now inconsequential. Follow some of the great advice on ASAP. I would advise you not to tell the MD about the drug use, because he may not prescribe what you need. Doctors vary widely on this; I had one doctor who wouldn’t prescribe Xanax because I have been sober for 5 years (I quit drinking, so he assumed that I have a tendency toward addiction). BTW, your post describes my foray into panic disorder (in 1982) very well. Don’t let it get you down; you’ll survive this! Cheers, John S.

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Matthew, It’s not uncommon for a hallucinogenic drug to trigger a first PA. However, this doesn’t mean that the experience GAVE you panic disorder (which you may not even have). It’s important to keep the one-time drug experience in perspective, and not obsess about it. All I can say is, focus on how you’re feeling NOW, and forget about the initial trigger, which is by now inconsequential. Follow some of the great advice on ASAP. I would advise you not to tell the MD about the drug use, because he may not prescribe what you need. Doctors vary widely on this; I had one doctor who wouldn’t prescribe Xanax because I have been sober for 5 years (I quit drinking, so he assumed that I have a tendency toward addiction). BTW, your post describes my foray into panic disorder (in 1982) very well. Don’t let it get you down; you’ll survive this! Cheers, John S.

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        Hi, this is my first time posting here so please bare with me. I’ll start off by saying that I have no idea what is going on with me, and I’m looking for info, help, whatever you can give me.         I’m 21, male and untill now, pretty outgoing. about three months ago, I smoked some marijuana with a new workmate (something I never do) I had a very bad experience with it (I’m not sure what you’re supposed to feel like when high, but I’m sure this was not what it was supposed to feel like) well, I eventualy came down, about two weeks later, late at night, I’m readying myself for a shower, and BAM, I feel like I did when I was high that day, now I am going to have a hard time explaining what it feels like, but I’ll give it my best shot.         I feel like I can’t think, even know I can, concentration is all but gone, I feel real tence, like I can’t calm down, can’t even realy watch TV. I get mild heart palpitations, and sometimes I get this feeling of not being real, my vision is funny, but I can’t explain that, KIND of like double vision, but not realy. and sometimes I get this feeling that washes over me and is gone within say 5 – 10 seconds, like I am realy zoned out.         this has been going on ever since. a few weeks ago, it started to get better, and I was starting to enjoy life again, and do the things I once had, then this last monday, I got a migraine, it went away, the folowing night I got another one, and I took some migraine pain reliefe wich got rid of it, well, as the migrain went away, that feeling came back, and it’s been with me again ever since.         I went to the doctor shortly after I started feeling like this and he gave me recomendation for blood work, wich I couldn’t afford seeing as I have not been able to work since this started happening.         PLEASE don’t judge me for the drug use as it is something I do not do. any onfo or similar experiences would VERY much be apreciated. thank you so much for your time, Matthew.

Response:

I was just fine an hour or so ago.  But my life is way stressful right now.  I’m having chest pains and shortness of breath, thinking irrationally.  Well, at least I know I am thinking irrationally! Somebody please TELL ME I’M NOT DYING.

Response:

I was just fine an hour or so ago.  But my life is way stressful right now.  I’m having chest pains and shortness of breath, thinking irrationally.  Well, at least I know I am thinking irrationally! Somebody please TELL ME I’M NOT DYING.

Wendy – you are *NOT* dying! Really! What’s happening is that you are having a panic attack. I’d say "that’s all" but no one who has ever suffered one would underplay the vicious terror of these things. Please just hang on in there and, if you’re not, *get some treatment*…. Keep posting, keep reading – please let us try to help you. <hug — Gary Cooper

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Somebody please TELL ME I’M NOT DYING.

My dear Wendy, As long as you are able to read this message, you are definitely NOT DYING! Get an ice cream, and go and watch the telly… try not to think about the fact that you are probably in the middle of a major (easier said than done, I know). If you are reading this message 24 hours after posting yours, then you know you got through it! Yours, PaNick!

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I don’t think so

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I am in another crisis, After 2 1/2 months on Serzone  I am realizing its just not working that well. I still get nausea, have a strange feeling in my head with some remaining dizziness and lightheadedness and these constant tension headaches! I have been communicating online with the "Panic Disorder Institute" and getting new information on things like how the PD links with the somatic symptoms and it certainly looks like I have an acid reflux condition from the panic and anxiety that causes my inner ear, sinus and throat problems and my digestive problems. This doc recommends Xanax and Carfate for this. But I’m scared again because I’m not sure about trying another benzo and getting to a high enough dose to do any good. But there are other AD’s. He puts Trofranil way up there as a good panic / anxiety medication. What do you think? Desperate, Melodee

Response:

Melodee writes:

<< I am in another crisis, After 2 1/2 months on Serzone  I am realizing its just not working that well. I still get nausea, have a strange feeling in my head with some remaining dizziness and lightheadedness and these constant tension headaches! Hi Melodee! I had a very bad reaction to Serzone, including constant headaches…my pdoc told me there is a small percentage of people who will react badly to this particular drug because of a liver enzyme that reacts to it. I don’t know if this is what is happening to you, but my pdoc felt that was the problem with me…at any rate, you shouldn’t be having constant headaches! I think it’s time to get off the Serzone… << I have been communicating online with the "Panic Disorder Institute" and getting new information on things like how the PD links with the somatic symptoms and it certainly looks like I have an acid reflux condition from the panic and anxiety that causes my inner ear, sinus and throat problems and my digestive problems. This doc recommends Xanax and Carfate for this. But I’m scared again because I’m not sure about trying another benzo and getting to a high enough dose to do any good. But there are other AD’s. He puts Trofranil way up there as a good panic / anxiety medication. What do you think? Desperate, Melodee I have read Dr. Shipko’s reserach with great interest, and, although I have not directly communicated with him, I feel that his approach and findings make a LOT of sense…JMO. I DO know that Tofranil is a good med for PD. I also, however, am a huge believer in Xanax…without it, no matter WHAT ad I was on, I had no panic relief. I take 4-5 mgs. of Xanax per day…many people feel that is a "high" dose, but it has worked consistantly for me for about 10 years straight. As you know, everyone’s mileage varies when it comes to dosing, but I believe Xanax is sure worth a try!!! I know trying new meds is scary, but suffering with bad side effects and/or panic is NOT necessary! If I were you, I’d try another med, and give yourself a chance to start feeling better!!!:) Hang in…you are not alone! Best, ~~Char*) "You’re just jealous because the little voices talk to ME!"

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am in another crisis, After 2 1/2 months on Serzone  I am realizing its just not working that well. I still get nausea, have a strange feeling in my head with some remaining dizziness and lightheadedness and these constant tension headaches! I have been communicating online with the "Panic Disorder Institute" and getting new information on things like how the PD links with the somatic symptoms and it certainly looks like I have an acid reflux condition from the panic and anxiety that causes my inner ear, sinus and throat problems and my digestive problems. This doc recommends Xanax and Carfate for this. But I’m scared again because I’m not sure about trying another benzo and getting to a high enough dose to do any good. But there are other AD’s. He puts Trofranil way up there as a good panic / anxiety medication. What do you think? Desperate, Melodee

 I had terrible results with Serzone too. Tofranil is known to be a good panic/anxiety med. Personally after years of different medication trials I take Nortriptyline, which is in the same class as Tofranil, with xanax (and a very small amount of Prozac) and it is the best combination I have ever been on and I will happily stay on it for the rest of my life is needs be. I have to say though..the xanax has saved my life and made me a free and healthy person finally..I know there are a lot of scary stories about addiction and blah blah out there but for a lot of us with this type of disorder it is a very very good medication. I also follow the PDI BBS and read what Dr. Shipko writes and I have a great deal of respect for his opinions and advice. I would give the Tofranil a try, with xanax in lower doses if you are afraid to go the higher dosage route with Xanax alone. Best of luck to you and please post how it goes!  May — "Every time I feel the urge to exercise, I lie down until it goes away."                 – Mark Twain

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am in another crisis, After 2 1/2 months on Serzone  I am realizing its just not working that well. I still get nausea, have a strange feeling in my head with some remaining dizziness and lightheadedness and these constant tension headaches! I have been communicating online with the "Panic Disorder Institute" and getting new information on things like how the PD links with the somatic symptoms and it certainly looks like I have an acid reflux condition from the panic and anxiety that causes my inner ear, sinus and throat problems and my digestive problems. This doc recommends Xanax and Carfate for this. But I’m scared again because I’m not sure about trying another benzo and getting to a high enough dose to do any good. But there are other AD’s. He puts Trofranil way up there as a good panic / anxiety medication. What do you think? Desperate, Melodee

Dear Melodee, I think you should certainly get off the serzone and try another medication. Medications don’t work the same for everyone, but Tofranil is an older and *well* tested medication that does work very well with PD for many people – myself included.  My life turned around when I combined Tofranil and Xanax together.  Until then I had tried numerous meds and lived a life of hell.  I slowly increased both dosages (with the help of my understanding physician) and now I have been at 150 mg Tofranil at bedtime with 4 mg Xanax per day for about 2 years straight.  This combo has worked well for others also. You may want to give it a try.  Hope you find relief soon and start feeling better.  You’re definitely not in this alone John L.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am in another crisis, After 2 1/2 months on Serzone  I am realizing its just not working that well. I still get nausea, have a strange feeling in my head with some remaining dizziness and lightheadedness and these constant tension headaches! I have been communicating online with the "Panic Disorder Institute" and getting new information on things like how the PD links with the somatic symptoms and it certainly looks like I have an acid reflux condition from the panic and anxiety that causes my inner ear, sinus and throat problems and my digestive problems. This doc recommends Xanax and Carfate for this. But I’m scared again because I’m not sure about trying another benzo and getting to a high enough dose to do any good. But there are other AD’s. He puts Trofranil way up there as a good panic / anxiety medication. What do you think? Desperate, Melodee

Although a certain amount of scepticism may be a good thing, I think you can safely regard Dr. S. at the PDI as a very trustworthy source of information. Often GERD and IBS are part of or at least comorbid with PD. I understand Shipko advised you to take Xanax and Carafate which seems to be a very good combo for this. As a matter of fact they are the meds he himself is on, being a sufferer too. Why are you scared about trying another benzo? It sounds like you had a bad experience with one? It’s an easy med to try. AD’s, on the other hand, have to weaned on slowly to avoid initial side effects and worsening of symptoms. As a matter of fact benzos are often used to help wean on an AD. Tofranil (imipramine) is a TCA (tricyclic antidepressant) which is an oldie but goodie. It’s stil often used for PD. It should be started at 10 mgs and then slowly raised up to therapeutic dose (which can be anywhere between 75-200 mgs and this can be verified by blood work). There is a third way and that’s combining Tofranil & Xanax (and Carafate can be added, this is more for IBS than for the actual Panic Attacks). Actually this is the combo I am on (Tofranil 150 mgs & Xanax 2.5 mgs). It works for me but YMMV. Philip

Response:

I have to agree with the rest of the group.  Tofrinil (imiprimine) and Xanax are an effective combo… I used both with 10mg. of Paxil.  It’s my understading that the SSRI (Paxil)  increases the serum level of imiprimine so you don’t have to take as much.  Warning:  the side effects from imiprimine can be wretched at first….NO saliva, constipation, daytime somnelence, etc… However, as with John L… the combo changed my life too.  I was on it for 4 years then DC’d and remained PA-free for 2 years. I’m currently on Zoloft…not as effective as the imiprimine, but I couldn’t handle the side effects anymore.   -VJ (another newbie to the group)

Response:

Excuse me… Please stop sending html to a newsgroup, please stop yelling and please stop pushing pot use in this group.  You may as well push coffee and other caffine drinks.

Response:

I am on antdepressants and on Xanax, and still I am in a panic. my dad…who was half owner in my home, and only signed it over to me in July, is now after a stroke and all sorts of complications in need of nursing home care. I have been told, that the fact that he renounced claim in our home is immaterial and that before medecaid will pay for any help, they will take his half of the house…..and I the mortgage is already at my max of capacity. I am divorced and my two sons, 23 and 17 live with me….Mom and dad lived in the apartment downstairs….mom died two years ago.  neither has any money, dad makes 1300 a month between his pension and social seucurity. I don’t want to lose my home of these past 10 years, but don’t know what to do…I am in NY and NY is not much in the way of caring I am told….. HELP!!!!!!! Please…..I have been through 5 years of hell with the divorce, mom dying, my sons accident and now this…I can’t take any more please respond in email if you help I am in Orange County NY

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I am on antdepressants and on Xanax, and still I am in a panic. my dad…who was half owner in my home, and only signed it over to me in July, is now after a stroke and all sorts of complications in need of nursing home care. I have been told, that the fact that he renounced claim in our home is immaterial and that before medecaid will pay for any help, they will take his half of the house…..and I the mortgage is already at my max of capacity. I am divorced and my two sons, 23 and 17 live with me….Mom and dad lived in the apartment downstairs….mom died two years ago.  neither has any money, dad makes 1300 a month between his pension and social seucurity. I don’t want to lose my home of these past 10 years, but don’t know what to do…I am in NY and NY is not much in the way of caring I am told….. HELP!!!!!!! Please…..I have been through 5 years of hell with the divorce, mom dying, my sons accident and now this…I can’t take any more

Response:

Hi, Ok.Try to relax a second.It is a really rough time.One of thoses definig lifes moment. I would confer with a GOOD lawyer.This can be worked out,Gov Pataki did the exact same thing with his mother having her sign property over to him.Somebody in social sevices might also be able to help.You must put up a good fight or they’ll beat you for sure.They’re are caring folks out there.My wifes bes friend is a person who has some pull with social services.What part of NY are you in?We also live in NY.EMail me back your info.In times like these your medication is working hard to keep you stablized.Do not panic.You have to convince yourself that there is a way to work this out.Nobody wants to put anybody on the street.See a lawyer ASAP                              Peace    JMiles

Response:

yes, i too have to focus on something else..TV doesn’t work because you still focus on what you are feeling, and reading a magazine is too hard when my head is jumbly….actually that is why i love the computer now…before i didn’t use it much , but whenever i have an attack i get online….but not to look up panic stuff, because you want to get it out of your time….catch up on your email or surf some new sites…something not too hard but it helps me….i tried to do the positive thinking thing, but you are still focused on yourself, you have to find some distraction…..try the computer, works wonders for me (along with popping a xanex of course!) jana

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Janet, I have also found that when I am very focused on myself my anxiety attacks get worse.  I usually do some breathing exercises if I think of it.  But when you are in the moment it’s hard to focus on anything productive, I’ll be the first to admit this.  Stay strong and I hope your doctor appointment goes well. Raquel I just found this newsgroup and I hope someone out there has experienced what I am now going through and can help me. I’ve been living with panic disorder (on and off symptoms) for almost 20 years.  My greatest breakthrough was 2 years ago when I finally found the Midwest Center and went through their 15 week program.  It helped tremendously.  However, I’m experiencing a set back and am having trouble coping. To make it short, I had learned to calm myself down with positive self-talk (i.e., it’s only my anxiety, I’m not going to die, I’m not going to go crazy, it will pass, etc.).  3 weeks ago, I experienced some very unusual, fluttery feelings in my chest, racing heartbeat, etc. and went to the emergency room.  By the time I got there, the feelings had stopped and they didn’t find anything wrong but suggested that I follow-up with a cardiologist.  I did and had an exercise stress test.  The test revealed that I’m having arrythmias.  My doctor wants me to wait 2 weeks before trying medication and if I’m lucky they’ll just stop.  Welll, 2 weeks are up and I’m still having them everyday.  My anxiety and panic disorder is now full blown.  I’m listening to my tapes, taking xanax, and trying not to freak out.  But, it’s hard to believe my positive self-talk when, in fact, there really could be something wrong with my heart.  Before, I would assure myself that there wasn’t anything physically wrong with me.  How can I do that now?  Has anyone experienced a similar circumstance?  What did you do to help yourself. My next doctors appointment isn’t until next week and I feel like that’s an enternity.  I also have a job interview today which I might have to cancel. Can you imagine me sitting there,  checking my pulse, holding my breath, spaced out and disoriented at a job interview?????  Some impression I’ll make, huh? Please, please anybody….any enouraging words or helpful ideas? Hi Janet, when i used to get bad general anxiety attacks at home i tried to keep as busy as i could. Even if i really did’nt feel like it i’d find some painting or gardening to do. Anything so long as i was’nt just sitting there focusing on myself all the time.                     There were times when i thought i was dying so i know how frightened you feel at the moment but if they found nothing wrong when you had the tests three weeks ago then try to trust that and focus on something outside of yourself. Easy for me to say i know but i felt the same as you this time two years ago.                     Sorry you feel so bad at the moment, best wishes.                                             Ken.

Response:

It sounds like the doctor doesn’t think the arythmias are dangerous.  Maybe he just wants to control them because they interfere with your panic control? Anyhow, something I find useful in my self-talk is to ask  myself, "will thinking about this right now help?"  the answer is usually no.  someone posted here that all prroblems can be divided into two groups, those that can be solved by worrying about them, and those that can’t.  Right now the arrythmia is in the second category.  You have made plans for the next thing to do about them, which is to see the doctor next week.  Until then, when you can get more information about what is going on, there is nothing else to do.  so try to keep shoving those worries into the second category, and keep them from giving you more trouble. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just found this newsgroup and I hope someone out there has experienced what I am now going through and can help me. I’ve been living with panic disorder (on and off symptoms) for almost 20 years.  My greatest breakthrough was 2 years ago when I finally found the Midwest Center and went through their 15 week program.  It helped tremendously.  However, I’m experiencing a set back and am having trouble coping. To make it short, I had learned to calm myself down with positive self-talk (i.e., it’s only my anxiety, I’m not going to die, I’m not going to go crazy, it will pass, etc.).  3 weeks ago, I experienced some very unusual, fluttery feelings in my chest, racing heartbeat, etc. and went to the emergency room.  By the time I got there, the feelings had stopped and they didn’t find anything wrong but suggested that I follow-up with a cardiologist.  I did and had an exercise stress test.  The test revealed that I’m having arrythmias.  My doctor wants me to wait 2 weeks before trying medication and if I’m lucky they’ll just stop.  Welll, 2 weeks are up and I’m still having them everyday.  My anxiety and panic disorder is now full blown.  I’m listening to my tapes, taking xanax, and trying not to freak out.  But, it’s hard to believe my positive self-talk when, in fact, there really could be something wrong with my heart.  Before, I would assure myself that there wasn’t anything physically wrong with me.  How can I do that now?  Has anyone experienced a similar circumstance?  What did you do to help yourself. My next doctors appointment isn’t until next week and I feel like that’s an enternity.  I also have a job interview today which I might have to cancel. Can you imagine me sitting there,  checking my pulse, holding my breath, spaced out and disoriented at a job interview?????  Some impression I’ll make, huh? Please, please anybody….any enouraging words or helpful ideas?

Response:

Janet, I have also found that when I am very focused on myself my anxiety attacks get worse.  I usually do some breathing exercises if I think of it.  But when you are in the moment it’s hard to focus on anything productive, I’ll be the first to admit this.  Stay strong and I hope your doctor appointment goes well. Raquel

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just found this newsgroup and I hope someone out there has experienced what I am now going through and can help me. I’ve been living with panic disorder (on and off symptoms) for almost 20 years.  My greatest breakthrough was 2 years ago when I finally found the Midwest Center and went through their 15 week program.  It helped tremendously.  However, I’m experiencing a set back and am having trouble coping. To make it short, I had learned to calm myself down with positive self-talk (i.e., it’s only my anxiety, I’m not going to die, I’m not going to go crazy, it will pass, etc.).  3 weeks ago, I experienced some very unusual, fluttery feelings in my chest, racing heartbeat, etc. and went to the emergency room.  By the time I got there, the feelings had stopped and they didn’t find anything wrong but suggested that I follow-up with a cardiologist.  I did and had an exercise stress test.  The test revealed that I’m having arrythmias.  My doctor wants me to wait 2 weeks before trying medication and if I’m lucky they’ll just stop.  Welll, 2 weeks are up and I’m still having them everyday.  My anxiety and panic disorder is now full blown.  I’m listening to my tapes, taking xanax, and trying not to freak out.  But, it’s hard to believe my positive self-talk when, in fact, there really could be something wrong with my heart.  Before, I would assure myself that there wasn’t anything physically wrong with me.  How can I do that now?  Has anyone experienced a similar circumstance?  What did you do to help yourself. My next doctors appointment isn’t until next week and I feel like that’s an enternity.  I also have a job interview today which I might have to cancel. Can you imagine me sitting there,  checking my pulse, holding my breath, spaced out and disoriented at a job interview?????  Some impression I’ll make, huh? Please, please anybody….any enouraging words or helpful ideas? Hi Janet, when i used to get bad general anxiety attacks at home i tried to keep as busy as i could. Even if i really did’nt feel like it i’d find some painting or gardening to do. Anything so long as i was’nt just sitting there focusing on myself all the time.                     There were times when i thought i was dying so i know how frightened you feel at the moment but if they found nothing wrong when you had the tests three weeks ago then try to trust that and focus on something outside of yourself. Easy for me to say i know but i felt the same as you this time two years ago.                     Sorry you feel so bad at the moment, best wishes.                                             Ken.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just found this newsgroup and I hope someone out there has experienced what I am now going through and can help me. I’ve been living with panic disorder (on and off symptoms) for almost 20 years.  My greatest breakthrough was 2 years ago when I finally found the Midwest Center and went through their 15 week program.  It helped tremendously.  However, I’m experiencing a set back and am having trouble coping. To make it short, I had learned to calm myself down with positive self-talk (i.e., it’s only my anxiety, I’m not going to die, I’m not going to go crazy, it will pass, etc.).  3 weeks ago, I experienced some very unusual, fluttery feelings in my chest, racing heartbeat, etc. and went to the emergency room.  By the time I got there, the feelings had stopped and they didn’t find anything wrong but suggested that I follow-up with a cardiologist.  I did and had an exercise stress test.  The test revealed that I’m having arrythmias.  My doctor wants me to wait 2 weeks before trying medication and if I’m lucky they’ll just stop.  Welll, 2 weeks are up and I’m still having them everyday.  My anxiety and panic disorder is now full blown.  I’m listening to my tapes, taking xanax, and trying not to freak out.  But, it’s hard to believe my positive self-talk when, in fact, there really could be something wrong with my heart.  Before, I would assure myself that there wasn’t anything physically wrong with me.  How can I do that now?  Has anyone experienced a similar circumstance?  What did you do to help yourself. My next doctors appointment isn’t until next week and I feel like that’s an enternity.  I also have a job interview today which I might have to cancel. Can you imagine me sitting there,  checking my pulse, holding my breath, spaced out and disoriented at a job interview?????  Some impression I’ll make, huh? Please, please anybody….any enouraging words or helpful ideas?

Hi Janet, when i used to get bad general anxiety attacks at home i tried to keep as busy as i could. Even if i really did’nt feel like it i’d find some painting or gardening to do. Anything so long as i was’nt just sitting there focusing on myself all the time.                     There were times when i thought i was dying so i know how frightened you feel at the moment but if they found nothing wrong when you had the tests three weeks ago then try to trust that and focus on something outside of yourself. Easy for me to say i know but i felt the same as you this time two years ago.                     Sorry you feel so bad at the moment, best wishes.                                             Ken.

Response:

Janet: A few years back when we had an extremely tragic and stressful situation with one of our kids, I was having the same symptoms as you. My doctor put me on a portable EKG thing for 24 hours and it showed irregular heartbeats. It felt to me as if a large bird was fluttering madly in my chest, trying to break free! — or a fish flopping for its life.  This sensation took my breath away and was pretty frightening, especially all night as I tried to sleep. Unlike your doc, however, my family doctor diagnosed stress and anxiety, and immediately put me on Xanax to calm me down. It worked like a charm. The second day after beginning the med, I simply stopped having the palpitations. (I’d had them for about 3-4 months, getting worse all the time.) Do talk to your doctor about the possibility of some anti-anxiety medication to break this anxiety cycle. Good luck, and let us know what happens. Best, Anne —

Response:

Whoops! janet, I just re-read your posting and see that you *do* take Xanax. Perhaps you need an increased dosage; talk to your doctor, and if he’s not helpful, seek out a psychiatrist. Sorry I was asleep when I replied! – Anne —

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just found this newsgroup and I hope someone out there has experienced what I am now going through and can help me. I’ve been living with panic disorder (on and off symptoms) for almost 20 years.  My greatest breakthrough was 2 years ago when I finally found the Midwest Center and went through their 15 week program.  It helped tremendously.  However, I’m experiencing a set back and am having trouble coping. To make it short, I had learned to calm myself down with positive self-talk (i.e., it’s only my anxiety, I’m not going to die, I’m not going to go crazy, it will pass, etc.).  3 weeks ago, I experienced some very unusual, fluttery feelings in my chest, racing heartbeat, etc. and went to the emergency room.  By the time I got there, the feelings had stopped and they didn’t find anything wrong but suggested that I follow-up with a cardiologist.  I did and had an exercise stress test.  The test revealed that I’m having arrythmias.  My doctor wants me to wait 2 weeks before trying medication and if I’m lucky they’ll just stop.  Welll, 2 weeks are up and I’m still having them everyday.  My anxiety and panic disorder is now full blown.  I’m listening to my tapes, taking xanax, and trying not to freak out.  But, it’s hard to believe my positive self-talk when, in fact, there really could be something wrong with my heart.  Before, I would assure myself that there wasn’t anything physically wrong with me.  How can I do that now?  Has anyone experienced a similar circumstance?  What did you do to help yourself. My next doctors appointment isn’t until next week and I feel like that’s an enternity.  I also have a job interview today which I might have to cancel. Can you imagine me sitting there,  checking my pulse, holding my breath, spaced out and disoriented at a job interview?????  Some impression I’ll make, huh? Please, please anybody….any enouraging words or helpful ideas?

I’ve been through the positive thinking route and found it’s effectiveness to be very limited. (when one is feeling well it really works!) I’d see a psychiatrist and get on the proper meds to control your anxiety. You sound like you need a higher dose of Xanax and/or another med. If the cardiologist told you to come back in one week, he couldn’t have been too concerned about a serious arrythmia. If he was, you would now be in the hospital being treated for it. Hope this helps, Chip Before you buy.

Response:

arrythmias.

big word little consequence unless you have underlying pathology like elctrical conduction problems or clogged arteries-from a medical standpoint what you are experiencing is tantemount to a hiccup or burp- they are uncomfortable only if you define them as awful or life threatening-the stimulating hormones your body is secreting at such high levels all the time are expressed evrywhere like in faster peristalsis of your gut or flutters of your heart these are benign symptoms of anxiety even if your anxiety attacks are controlled you understand you have a proclivity to experience stress and worry so you still are and are expressing it physiologicaly instead of emotively-meds can ease the cardiac contractions or mellow out the conduction time if needed so don’t freak out you aren’t going to die or go crazy. The very worse that will happen if these burps are bad enough is you will pass out and this is the very worse is rare if you are youngish and is still controlable with meds. re read and listen to her stopping scary thoughts tapes and don’t do the what ifs or imagine yourself having a cardiac arrest-once under the care of a cardiac doc you will be fine. LM

Response:

I just found this newsgroup and I hope someone out there has experienced what I am now going through and can help me. I’ve been living with panic disorder (on and off symptoms) for almost 20 years.  My greatest breakthrough was 2 years ago when I finally found the Midwest Center and went through their 15 week program.  It helped tremendously.  However, I’m experiencing a set back and am having trouble coping. To make it short, I had learned to calm myself down with positive self-talk (i.e., it’s only my anxiety, I’m not going to die, I’m not going to go crazy, it will pass, etc.).  3 weeks ago, I experienced some very unusual, fluttery feelings in my chest, racing heartbeat, etc. and went to the emergency room.  By the time I got there, the feelings had stopped and they didn’t find anything wrong but suggested that I follow-up with a cardiologist.  I did and had an exercise stress test.  The test revealed that I’m having arrythmias.  My doctor wants me to wait 2 weeks before trying medication and if I’m lucky they’ll just stop.  Welll, 2 weeks are up and I’m still having them everyday.  My anxiety and panic disorder is now full blown.  I’m listening to my tapes, taking xanax, and trying not to freak out.  But, it’s hard to believe my positive self-talk when, in fact, there really could be something wrong with my heart.  Before, I would assure myself that there wasn’t anything physically wrong with me.  How can I do that now?  Has anyone experienced a similar circumstance?  What did you do to help yourself. My next doctors appointment isn’t until next week and I feel like that’s an enternity.  I also have a job interview today which I might have to cancel. Can you imagine me sitting there,  checking my pulse, holding my breath, spaced out and disoriented at a job interview?????  Some impression I’ll make, huh? Please, please anybody….any enouraging words or helpful ideas?

Response:

Margrove, Thanks for your reply to my post. You may recall that I talked about Seroquel and Zyprexa and you mentioned that Seroquel was more dose dependent. Could you explain what is meant by that. I was on 5mg Zyprexa and now 100mg Seroquel. Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m desperate! In order for my career to go ahead I need to take a whole program of study in the next year and that amounts to a very heavy load each quarter. I haven’t been well, so I don’t know how I can do this. I just turned 50 last year and about three years ago came down with panic/anxiety disorder. I take medications, but none of them work that well. I did OK for awhile on Zyprexa. But now I’m on Seoquel because of the weight problem with Zyprexa. But I’m not sure if the Seroquel is going to work as good. My pdoc also just put me on Depakote about two months ago. It never felt quite right so I’m coming off of it. I don’t feel so good. Could there be some withdrawl symptoms from the Depakote? I was on 1000mg and then went down to 750 for about a week and now I’ve just reduced it to 500mg yesterday. Please help! Dee

Hi Dee! Wish I could help you with the meds, but I don’t know anything about them. Just wanted to give you a hug.  You sound like you need one.  {{{{{{{Dee}}}}}}} Di

Response:

Hi, I’m desperate! In order for my career to go ahead I need to take a whole program of study in the next year and that amounts to a very heavy load each quarter. I haven’t been well, so I don’t know how I can do this. I just turned 50 last year and about three years ago came down with panic/anxiety disorder. I take medications, but none of them work that well. I did OK for awhile on Zyprexa. But now I’m on Seoquel because of the weight problem with Zyprexa. But I’m not sure if the Seroquel is going to work as good. My pdoc also just put me on Depakote about two months ago. It never felt quite right so I’m coming off of it. I don’t feel so good. Could there be some withdrawl symptoms from the Depakote? I was on 1000mg and then went down to 750 for about a week and now I’ve just reduced it to 500mg yesterday. Please help! Dee Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m desperate! In order for my career to go ahead I need to take a whole program of study in the next year and that amounts to a very heavy load each quarter. I haven’t been well, so I don’t know how I can do this. I just turned 50 last year and about three years ago came down with panic/anxiety disorder. I take medications, but none of them work that well. I did OK for awhile on Zyprexa. But now I’m on Seoquel because of the weight problem with Zyprexa. But I’m not sure if the Seroquel is going to work as good. My pdoc also just put me on Depakote about two months ago. It never felt quite right so I’m coming off of it. I don’t feel so good. Could there be some withdrawl symptoms from the Depakote? I was on 1000mg and then went down to 750 for about a week and now I’ve just reduced it to 500mg yesterday. Please help! Dee Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

there is a slight rebound activity that occurs with tapers off depakote-like all psychoactive meds it requires a slow taper-your brain will readjust withina short time to its lack of presence-seroquel works differently then zyprexa and is much more dose dependant both being very respectable meds you may find your responses different as with all medicaments and individual chemistries-as for your course load-push the envelope and as the great zen of nike said-just do it. the worse that will happen is you may succeed. If not so what. LM

Response:

Thanks for all your support. Raquel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’m not doing to good right about now.  Between having to move because of problems with my apartment, anxiety, depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and Hellish problems with MSN, who is charging me Double and doesn’t support any news servers for me, I am about to go insane. Not much left to live for. Raquel Before you buy.

Response:

I’m not doing to good right about now.  Between having to move because of problems with my apartment, anxiety, depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and Hellish problems with MSN, who is charging me Double and doesn’t support any news servers for me, I am about to go insane. Not much left to live for. Raquel

Dear Raquel, As much as you don`t feel like it right now, there is much left to live for. You have a wonderful husband, and you also have Somer, I know how precious he is to you. I know moving is a stress right now, but think of how it may help improve your health in the long run? Has your depression worsened lately? I can`t recall the meds you are on for your asthma, if you are on prednisone, it could be exacerbating your depression. You might want to call your doctor about that. Please hang in there, it will get better. Love Jackie ~*~The great art of life is sensation, to feel that we exist, even in

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Dear Raquel, I’m so sorry you are feeling down right now.  You have a lot going on at once and it does feel overwhelming.  Try to tackle one thing at a time.  And then find ways to be kind to yourself and to tell yourself that you are going to get through it.  Find ways to have little successes, then you can build on them.  I hope you feel better soon.  Don’t give up. I’m not doing to good right about now.  Between having to move because of problems with my apartment, anxiety, depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and Hellish problems with MSN, who is charging me Double and doesn’t support any news servers for me, I am about to go insane. Not much left to live for. Raquel Before you buy.

– Jeannie "On the other hand….you have different fingers." Before you buy.

Response:

I’m not doing to good right about now.  Between having to move because of problems with my apartment, anxiety, depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and Hellish problems with MSN, who is charging me Double and doesn’t support any news servers for me, I am about to go insane. Not much left to live for. Raquel

Maybe it would be a good idea to break down this accumulation of problems into more manageable parts. – How is your asthma coming along? Do the new meds work?  -Maybe you would like to tell us some more about your anxiety problems etc. and how they are treated… I think you should look for a good CBT-therapist.  -And what’s with the appartment? How is Brian? He is always so supportive….are you two OK? Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Before you buy.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m not doing to good right about now.  Between having to move because of problems with my apartment, anxiety, depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and Hellish problems with MSN, who is charging me Double and doesn’t support any news servers for me, I am about to go insane. Not much left to live for. Raquel Before you buy.

Look for Something just anything that grounds you in the present. (((((((Raquel)))))) Sue

Response:

Hi Raquel Just hang in there and go with its flow and try to keep your chin high  up. Be extra good for yourself  . This bumpy road will stop and things will pick up, its all a matter of time! Keep posting and let us be with you in your hart! Love Jeannette

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m not doing to good right about now.  Between having to move because of problems with my apartment, anxiety, depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and Hellish problems with MSN, who is charging me Double and doesn’t support any news servers for me, I am about to go insane. Not much left to live for. Raquel Before you buy.

Response:

I’m not doing to good right about now.  Between having to move because of problems with my apartment, anxiety, depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and Hellish problems with MSN, who is charging me Double and doesn’t support any news servers for me, I am about to go insane. Not much left to live for. Raquel Before you buy.

Response:

Sweetie…. You have plenty to live for… Maybe this move will be one that energizes you.  The other issues are hard to rid yourself of, but you know what?  There is NO REASON you can’t enjoy life anyhow.  MSN is a joke…I tell you what…we signed up for a free month, when we called to cancel (all 6 times) they gave us another free month.  Tell them you have a beef and they usually suck up.  Find another internet company.  We are using prodigy and it was simple as could be.  Also I know Juno offers free web service or their ‘premium’ service for only like 10 bucks a month.  Not to worry about the news servers….go to deja (as much as I HATE deja) or newsone.com…that is where I posted when my email server wouldn’t work right.  Just breathe sweetie…it will all get better. As for your asthma, what meds are you on?  I had a lot of trouble with mine until I tried Singulair and it has made a world of difference. They put me on Azmacort (a steroid inhaler) and I never even use it now.  I did right after my accident, but then when I stopped I noticed the singulair was going so good I didn’t really need to go back. During the move, take care of yourself.  Take long baths after packing, light some candles that smell like your favorite flower and don’t forget to pamper yourself.  It does wonders I promise I’m not doing to good right about now.  Between having to move because of problems with my apartment, anxiety, depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and Hellish problems with MSN, who is charging me Double and doesn’t support any news servers for me, I am about to go insane. Not much left to live for. Raquel Before you buy.

Robin

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I’m not doing to good right about now.  Between having to move because of problems with my apartment, anxiety, depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and Hellish problems with MSN, who is charging me Double and doesn’t support any news servers for me, I am about to go insane. Not much left to live for. Raquel you have alot to live for.  Are you ok?  You have god and your husband.

 Be positive. donny Confess your sins.  Turn from your sins.  Believe in your heart.  Ask Jesus to save you.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m not doing to good right about now.  Between having to move because of problems with my apartment, anxiety, depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and Hellish problems with MSN, who is charging me Double and doesn’t support any news servers for me, I am about to go insane. Not much left to live for. Raquel you have alot to live for.  Are you ok?  You have god and your husband. Be positive. donny Confess your sins.  Turn from your sins.  Believe in your heart.  Ask Jesus to save you. hI RAQUEL, you can download juno at juno.com and acess the newsgroups with

deja.com.  You have alot to live for.  Think of the people that would be affected if you werent around.  will PRAY FOR YOU. donny Confess your sins.  Turn from your sins.  Believe in your heart.  Ask Jesus to save you.

Response:

Raquel, Life is worth living…  You are just experiencing a lot of problems at one time.  Try to deal witheach one individually ad it does take some of the stress off your shoulders. smiles, elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m not doing to good right about now.  Between having to move because of problems with my apartment, anxiety, depression, asthma, fibromyalgia and Hellish problems with MSN, who is charging me Double and doesn’t support any news servers for me, I am about to go insane. Not much left to live for. Raquel Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

Increasing one’s albuterol is not one of the recommended answers to falling peak flows. Inhaled steroids… yes. The overall goal is to use as little of the albuterol as possible. This should have been something that your doctor discussed. I would certainly call your doctor if your peak flows fall below 80%… and I would expect some immediate treatment.

Response:

I have a question. I recently started on Pulmicort and Accolate. For the past week, I have had very few symptoms and haven’t used any albuterol. My peak flow is running from 80% to 85% of peak. This means my peak flow is about 400 most of the time with my max at 500. The question is this, should I use albuterol when I reach the 80% mark? Or should I pass it up since I feel OK? I haven’t been using it on the theory that the least medicine is the best. I’d like to see your opinions on this. I haven’t had a chance to get back to my doctor for a while. Probably won’t see him until April. Thanks, Jim

Response:

Question:

OK, first of all, how are you functioning during the daytime, after your 5 hours?

80 % of the time I can function during the day, while feeling tired; 20 % of the time I lay in bed all day. Also, I have chronic Fatigue and I am on long term disability. Anything good happening from this medication after 7 weeks?

Yes, anxiety has become less pronounced, but still need to up the Effexor to better control my anxiety. My fear is if I up the Effexor then I will get no sleep at all. What is it being prescribed for?

Anxiety. Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – G Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Response:

OK, first of all, how are you functioning during the daytime, after your 5 hours?  Anything good happening from this medication after 7 weeks? What is it being prescribed for? G

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Response:

Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Response:

talk to the doc who prescribed the Effexor?? that would be my first step. Lobo

Response:

Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Do you take Effexor for anxiety/panic, depression? Does it work at this low dose? Good sedating antidepressants that work also for anxiety/panic are amitriptyline (TCA) and Paxil (SSRI). Also Remeron which as a rule is somewhat less effective for anxiety disorders but does help people. Low dose ami and ditto Remeron are succesfully prescribed as  sleeping aids. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Question:

Hello all, I have been on Effexor XR 37.5mg once a day for a week. The side-effects have gone away except one, the feel of being light headed. My questions is, how long will the lightheadness last? Will this go away? Thank you to all who respond, Mike

Response:

not anwerable 100%, but often, yes it does go away.  Give it 4 to 6 weeks, then re-assess.  Make sure you’re well hydrated and don’t have fever etc.. G

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I have been on Effexor XR 37.5mg once a day for a week. The side-effects have gone away except one, the feel of being light headed. My questions is, how long will the lightheadness last? Will this go away? Thank you to all who respond, Mike

Response:

Hi Mike, I took extra  Xanax when I felt that way but light-headedness  was one of my anxiety symptoms anyway. Just exacerbated, initially, by Effexor. One week may seem a long time but adjustment to Effexor can take much longer. Hang in there, Meryl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I have been on Effexor XR 37.5mg once a day for a week. The side-effects have gone away except one, the feel of being light headed. My questions is, how long will the lightheadness last? Will this go away? Thank you to all who respond, Mike

Response:

Has anyone noticed a lot of weight gain with Effexor XR? I took my first 37.5 mg pill today and I’m already significantly overweight as is, so I need to know if this is about to get worse. I have heard things from both end of the spectrum. What did you all experience?

Response:

My situation is the same as your: I’m overweight and I started taking Effexor 37.5 XR. I started taking Effexor 2 1/2 weeks ago. Effexor for me was an appetite suppressant and I lost 3 pounds the first week. I was not eating or drinking fluids, which made the side-effects worse than they should have been. So, if you find that you are not hungry, remember to drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated and eat a little something. Mike

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone noticed a lot of weight gain with Effexor XR? I took my first 37.5 mg pill today and I’m already significantly overweight as is, so I need to know if this is about to get worse. I have heard things from both end of the spectrum. What did you all experience?

Response:

Thanks Mike! I know drugs tend to affect everyone differently, but it is nice to hear someone who DIDN’T gain weight on it. I am hoping it’ll help with that too. Keep me posted on how it goes for you. Suzanne

Response:

Thanks Mike! I know drugs tend to affect everyone differently, but it is nice to hear someone who DIDN’T gain weight on it. I am hoping it’ll help with that too. Keep me posted on how it goes for you. Suzanne

Hi Suzanne, I have been on Efexor for a few years now and recently upped my dose.  I have not gained any weight on it and with cutting out some fast foods, I have actually lost some weight.  I did put on heaps with Prozac and still need to loose more of it. Jude.

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Question:

Hi Stan and Teilhard I stopped taking one type of medication because my husband said it didn’t make me better. he said I was better on the previous type. So i stopped for 3 days to switchover. but i didn’t cut down first. that’s where i made the mistake. i’m already in therapy and have been for a year. i don’t know if it helps. i’ve been  up and down throughout the year and this time i’m back to where i was when i started the therapy. no perhaps this time i’m worse. this time i want to die. i haven’t felt this bad before. i’ve told my son that i’m very sick and may not get better, so he’s prepared. i can only see this as the way to free the pain. otherwise it will always be with   me here. sue

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sounds like the medication has tranquilized you quite a bit. Maybe you need time to get stabilized. What has been happening with you? Why have you stopped the medication? Oh, by the way, welcome to ASD. Stan hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away. Remove "JUNK" for my valid address.

Response:

hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away.

Welcome to ASD, Sue. The only think I can recommend is looking for professional help. Seems you have seen a pdoc by your reference to medications. Why did you stop taking them? I hope you didn’t do it without supervision, that might be the cause you are feeling bad now. The other thing is therapy, but only you know whether you need it. Good luck to you, and feel free to post anything you like. — Teilhard The Extraterrestrial Eat the sandwich to email.

Response:

Sounds like the medication has tranquilized you quite a bit. Maybe you need time to get stabilized. What has been happening with you? Why have you stopped the medication? Oh, by the way, welcome to ASD. Stan hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away.

Remove "JUNK" for my valid address.

Response:

hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away.

Response:

Hi Stan and Teilhard I stopped taking one type of medication because my husband said it didn’t make me better. he said I was better on the previous type. So i stopped for 3 days to switchover. but i didn’t cut down first. that’s where i made the mistake. i’m already in therapy and have been for a year. i don’t know if it helps. i’ve been  up and down throughout the year and this time i’m back to where i was when i started the therapy. no perhaps this time i’m worse. this time i want to die. i haven’t felt this bad before. i’ve told my son that i’m very sick and may not get better, so he’s prepared. i can only see this as the way to free the pain. otherwise it will always be with   me here. sue

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sounds like the medication has tranquilized you quite a bit. Maybe you need time to get stabilized. What has been happening with you? Why have you stopped the medication? Oh, by the way, welcome to ASD. Stan hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away. Remove "JUNK" for my valid address.

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Response:

Sounds like the medication has tranquilized you quite a bit. Maybe you need time to get stabilized. What has been happening with you? Why have you stopped the medication? Oh, by the way, welcome to ASD. Stan hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away.

Remove "JUNK" for my valid address. X-No-Archive: yes Newsgroups: microsoft.test,alt.flame.niggers,alt.support.depression NNTP-Posting-Host: w088.z064003087.lax-ca.dsl.cnc.net 64.3.87.88 Lines: 1         Path: news.uni-stuttgart.de!uni-erlangen.de!newsfeed1.telenordia.se!news.algonet. se!algonet!news.maxwell.syr.edu!news.stealth.net!msrtrans1!msrnewsc1!cppssb bsa01.microsoft.com!tkmsftngp01!tkmsftngp04!u&n&a&c&anceller Xref: news.uni-stuttgart.de control:40722255 This message was cancelled from within The Unacanceller’s glorious new software, Lotus 1-2-3 For Rogue Cancellers.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – inscribed: hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. hi Sue, and welcome to asd. did your doctor tell you to go off the medication? doctors are really the only ones who should be deciding what medication works best for you. sometimes coming off a med too quickly can have pretty rotten side effects. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. what are you taking? i’m on Zoloft (sertraline), but have been on several different meds. it typically takes about six weeks or so before one notices an effect from the medications and if they’re working or not. sk

Hi SunKitten, are you finding the Zoloft works for you? my son was on zoloft but we have weaned him off it. It’s been 6 weeks now. he goes back to school this week, so this will be the big test to see if he’s going to cope without medication. He’s only 7, so we don’t want him on medication if he can do without it. Sue

Response:

hi i’m Sue.

snip Hello Sue; welcome to ASD.  Make yourself at home ) — —  Whiskers

Response:

hi i’m Sue. snip Hello Sue; welcome to ASD.  Make yourself at home ) — —  Whiskers

Thanks Whiskers

Response:

discoursed thusly: I stopped taking one type of medication because my husband said it didn’t make me better. he said I was better on the previous type. So i stopped for 3 days to switchover. but i didn’t cut down first. that’s where i made the mistake. No, Sue, that’s not where you made your mistake. You made your mistake when you let your husband make your medication decisions for you. Is your husband also your medical doctor?

no, but he is right. i can see that now. i have thought back over the last few months while taking a new medication, and i really have been worse than previously. Because if he isn’t, then the only person who should be telling you what medication is helping you, is YOU. I get the feeling that your husband is also the one who taught you to refer to your depression as "madness", as you called it when in your first post you asked when does the madness stop. Depression is not madness, it’s a disease that mingles physiological problems with psychological problems. Most people respond best to a mix of the *right* medication and the *right* therapy. But it has the be the meds and therapist that are right for YOU.

I don’t know if I’ve found the right therapist. I’ve been to so many before, and this is the first one i’ve stuck with. Usually i stop going after a couple of sessions. Have you talked with your medical doctor at all about changing your medication? Have you discussed the different types of medication that are available in Australia, and decided with the advice of your doctor what you should be taking?

yes, my psychiatrist has been in contact with me over the weekend.  I’ve tried many different tablets. sometimes they work for awhile but then dont seem as effective. Which meds are you taking, which meds were you taking, and never mind what your husband says makes you better, how did you feel while you were taking them?

I’ve just gone back onto Aropax (Paroxetine). I was on Efexor-xr. Folks in asd will gladly give you all the support and understanding (and information about our own depression experiences) that we can. But if your husband needs depression support, he’ll have to write his own posts, about his own depression issues. We are here to help you with *your* problems. Welcome to asd.

Thank you – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tara J. Ballance Montreal, Canada

Response:

hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away.

Welcome to ASD, Sue. The only think I can recommend is looking for professional help. Seems you have seen a pdoc by your reference to medications. Why did you stop taking them? I hope you didn’t do it without supervision, that might be the cause you are feeling bad now. The other thing is therapy, but only you know whether you need it. Good luck to you, and feel free to post anything you like. — Teilhard The Extraterrestrial Eat the sandwich to email. X-No-Archive: yes Newsgroups: microsoft.test,alt.flame.niggers,alt.support.depression NNTP-Posting-Host: w088.z064003087.lax-ca.dsl.cnc.net 64.3.87.88 Lines: 1         Path: news.uni-stuttgart.de!rz.uni-karlsruhe.de!news.uni-ulm.de!news.belwue.de!ne ws-stu1.dfn.de!news-koe1.dfn.de!news-was.dfn.de!news-spur1.maxwell.syr.edu! news.maxwell.syr.edu!out.nntp.be!propagator-SanJose!in.nntp.be!news-in-sanj ose!sjc-feed.news.verio.net!sea-feed.news.verio.net!news.verio.net!msrnewsc 1!cppssbbsa01.microsoft.com!tkmsftngp01!tkmsftngp04!u&n&a&c&anceller Xref: news.uni-stuttgart.de control:40727072 This message was cancelled from within The Unacanceller’s glorious new software, Lotus 1-2-3 For Rogue Cancellers.

Response:

hi i’m Sue. snip Hello Sue; welcome to ASD.  Make yourself at home ) — —  Whiskers

Thanks Whiskers X-No-Archive: yes Newsgroups: microsoft.test,alt.flame.niggers,alt.support.depression NNTP-Posting-Host: w088.z064003087.lax-ca.dsl.cnc.net 64.3.87.88 Lines: 1         Path: news.uni-stuttgart.de!rz.uni-karlsruhe.de!news.uni-ulm.de!news.belwue.de!ne wsfeed.arcor-online.net!fr.clara.net!heighliner.fr.clara.net!news.stealth.n et!msrtrans1!msrnewsc1!cppssbbsa01.microsoft.com!tkmsftngp01!tkmsftngp03!u& n&a&c&anceller Xref: news.uni-stuttgart.de control:40726147 This message was cancelled from within The Unacanceller’s glorious new software, Lotus 1-2-3 For Rogue Cancellers.

Response:

hi i’m Sue.

snip Hello Sue; welcome to ASD.  Make yourself at home ) — —  Whiskers X-No-Archive: yes Newsgroups: microsoft.test,alt.flame.niggers,alt.support.depression NNTP-Posting-Host: w088.z064003087.lax-ca.dsl.cnc.net 64.3.87.88 Lines: 1         Path: news.uni-stuttgart.de!news.fh-hannover.de!fu-berlin.de!news.maxwell.syr.edu !out.nntp.be!propagator-SanJose!in.nntp.be!news-in-sanjose!sjc-feed.news.ve rio.net!sea-feed.news.verio.net!news.verio.net!msrnewsc1!cppssbbsa01.micros oft.com!tkmsftngp01!tkmsftngp03!u&n&a&c&anceller Xref: news.uni-stuttgart.de control:40719458 This message was cancelled from within The Unacanceller’s glorious new software, Lotus 1-2-3 For Rogue Cancellers.

Response:

I’ve just gone back onto Aropax (Paroxetine). I was on Efexor-xr.

Gosh. How long had you been taking Effexor? It is one of the anti-depressants which must be quit with outmost care, AND supervision. It takes about three weeks (or longer) to make you feel better, and I do not know how you should quit, because I am still on it. But one thing you must never forget: *do not do change anything in the way you medicate unless your pdoc says so*, not your husband. — Teilhard The Extraterrestrial Eat the sandwich to email.

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Question:

Thank you for the ideas. I’ll be working on them tomorrow and will post the newer version. I appreciate all the suggestions. When this is finished I’ll have said what I want to say and be able to walk away knowing he understands. I couldn’t have made these improvements without all of your help. Thank you! Theresa

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jan 2001 Dec 2000 etc tends to learn on "topics" rather than as a general melee of info — k t1 13 yr What about this? Still too long? Diabetes dx 1996 Panic disorder/depression/PTSD dx 1985. (I see Dr. Strgar for this). A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: 1984 dx gestational diabetes controlled with diet and exercise. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. 1996-1997 semi-controlled with diet 1997-1998 uncontrolled. 1998-1999 tried Gluophage then switched to gluotrol semi-controlled August 1999 70/30 insulin therapy began About 6 weeks ago Leslie, the diabetic counselor, left the doctors office due to health issues. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. January 2000 switched to Humalog and NPH The way that I take my insulin is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1u to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to help me make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor.

Response:

Thank you for the ideas. I’ll be working on them tomorrow and will post the newer version. I appreciate all the suggestions. When this is finished I’ll have said what I want to say and be able to walk away knowing he understands. I couldn’t have made these improvements without all of your help. Thank you!

I don’t think the Dr. will read it. I would suggest taking a list of your concerns and questions with you and use them as a reference during the consultation. — pianoguy return email disabled

Response:

I don’t think the Dr. will read it. I would suggest taking a list of your concerns and questions with you and use them as a reference during the consultation.

there is a very high risk that the Dr won’t read……. that’s why i over….. the expectations may be, but who knows……. the medical history will be important and read……. Theresa can quickly read the expectations part to her Dr during their visit to ensure it will be heard your suggestion of a list of concerns/questions to reference is critical to any well-spent Dr’s visit (at least it is for myself ’cause i forget what i wanted to ask, and i forget my symptoms in the Dr’s office) — k t1 13 yr

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It’s a good thing I’ve done this. I called past doctors and got the dates right. I am just going to memorize the expactations and say them. The thank you will be said and I don’t need to memorize it. So this, and the 3 lab reports I have, will be what I take in. Diabetes dx March 1998 Panic disorder/depression/PTSD dx 1985. (I see Dr. Strgar for this). A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: January 2001 switched to Humalog and NPH .            Humalog: ratio of 1u to 8 breakfast/1u to 10 lunch and dinner .            1u to 50 mg/dl when above 140 NPH 10u bedtime August 2000 70/30 insulin therapy began January 2000 tried Gluophage then switched to Gluotrol 1999 semi-controlled with diet March 1998 untreated/uncontrolled 1984 dx gestational diabetes controlled with diet and exercise Medications Daily: Effexor XR 150 mg bedtime Risperdal 1 mg bedtime Alesse 28 bedtime/Estradiol 1mg (when not taking the Alesse) Humalog 1u to 8 carbs Breakfast 1u to 10 carbs Lunch/Dinner NPH 10u bedtime As Needed: Propo-N/APAP 100-650 Xanax Diphenox/Atropine Albuterol, USP Zomig 5 mg (new: have never used this one) — Theresa dx ‘98 t2 humalog & N, diet & exercise Being happy doesn’t mean everything’s perfect, it just means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.

Response:

a Dr usually wants only the salient details……. try a bullet format on a time line (if necessary)……. avoid any details that aren’t applicable in todays terms (or shorten them to….. history of glucophage, glycet, yada meds as just a point) i do hope you repost your next version so that further critique can be done an aside……. put the Thank you letter separate from the "salient details" letter……. two different messages you want to send, so make it easier for the Dr to sort out the messages — k t1 13 yr – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Theresa, too long.  Most people lose interest after a few paragraphs. If you can condense all the important stuff into less paragraphs then you have more chance of the whole letter being read. This is very true. If this was me writing it or reading it I would cut the first paragraph to the first sentence. paragraph 2 is fine, I would scrap para 3. I can cut the first paragraph. The third paragraph is very important to me and so I want to at least say working is very important because if I don’t feel well, than I can’t work. Maybe there is a more consise way to say this. The diabetes stuff is way too long and flowery. At this point I would do a sort of time line. Diagnosed GD 19XX – diet and exercise controlled. Diabetes dx 19XX – Glucotrol fair results. 19XX insulin regimen begun. This is very good! I can do this easily and it will cut tons of fluff! Thanks! The aim is for the doctor to read the lot plus get an overview of your history. Hope I haven’t offended. Not at all, I wanted brutal for a purpose. This is going to be the most important visit. He’ll need to get to know me and I’ll need to get to know him. I don’t want him spending the whole time reading. : ) I want to have him talk so I can judge him as well.  Thank you for the suggestions. Theresa

Response:

Lot better hope the visit works out for you Theresa.

Thanks for the imput, Ozgirl. : ) Much appreciated. Theresa

Response:

Jan 2001 Dec 2000 etc tends to learn on "topics" rather than as a general melee of info — k t1 13 yr – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What about this? Still too long? Diabetes dx 1996 Panic disorder/depression/PTSD dx 1985. (I see Dr. Strgar for this). A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: 1984 dx gestational diabetes controlled with diet and exercise. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. 1996-1997 semi-controlled with diet 1997-1998 uncontrolled. 1998-1999 tried Gluophage then switched to gluotrol semi-controlled August 1999 70/30 insulin therapy began About 6 weeks ago Leslie, the diabetic counselor, left the doctors office due to health issues. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. January 2000 switched to Humalog and NPH The way that I take my insulin is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1u to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to help me make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor.

Response:

Theresa, Heres some more feedback that I hope to be useful. My wife has multiple medical issues that has required that we seek out various new doctors. We had a list of her medical history and prescriptions and began handing these to the doctors, and found they simply didn’t use it. In fact one doctor told us they were taught in medical school to ignore this type of thing. Their are two reasons they do this, one is to ask the patient the questions you need answers to in order to better analyze the patients current condition. The other reason is they suspect the patient to be a hypochondriac. The thing that works for us is to bring the list as a reminder, give the doctor the information as they ask for it, and fill them in on the rest when they are done asking questions. Just some ideas….. — John M.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Theresa, too long.  Most people lose interest after a few paragraphs. If you can condense all the important stuff into less paragraphs then you have more chance of the whole letter being read. This is very true. If this was me writing it or reading it I would cut the first paragraph to the first sentence. paragraph 2 is fine, I would scrap para 3. I can cut the first paragraph. The third paragraph is very important to me and so I want to at least say working is very important because if I don’t feel well, than I can’t work. Maybe there is a more consise way to say this. The diabetes stuff is way too long and flowery. At this point I would do a sort of time line. Diagnosed GD 19XX – diet and exercise controlled. Diabetes dx 19XX – Glucotrol fair results. 19XX insulin regimen begun. This is very good! I can do this easily and it will cut tons of fluff! Thanks! The aim is for the doctor to read the lot plus get an overview of your history. Hope I haven’t offended. Not at all, I wanted brutal for a purpose. This is going to be the most important visit. He’ll need to get to know me and I’ll need to get to know him. I don’t want him spending the whole time reading. : ) I want to have him talk so I can judge him as well.  Thank you for the suggestions. Theresa

Response:

Lot better hope the visit works out for you Theresa.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What about this? Still too long? Diabetes dx 1996 Panic disorder/depression/PTSD dx 1985. (I see Dr. Strgar for this). A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: 1984 dx gestational diabetes controlled with diet and exercise. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. 1996-1997 semi-controlled with diet 1997-1998 uncontrolled. 1998-1999 tried Gluophage then switched to gluotrol semi-controlled August 1999 70/30 insulin therapy began About 6 weeks ago Leslie, the diabetic counselor, left the doctors office due to health issues. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. January 2000 switched to Humalog and NPH The way that I take my insulin is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1u to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to help me make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor.

Response:

Theresa, too long.  Most people lose interest after a few paragraphs. If you can condense all the important stuff into less paragraphs then you have more chance of the whole letter being read.

This is very true. If this was me writing it or reading it I would cut the first paragraph to the first sentence. paragraph 2 is fine, I would scrap para 3.

I can cut the first paragraph. The third paragraph is very important to me and so I want to at least say working is very important because if I don’t feel well, than I can’t work. Maybe there is a more consise way to say this. The diabetes stuff is way too long and flowery. At this point I would do a sort of time line. Diagnosed GD 19XX – diet and exercise controlled. Diabetes dx 19XX – Glucotrol fair results. 19XX insulin regimen begun.

This is very good! I can do this easily and it will cut tons of fluff! Thanks! The aim is for the doctor to read the lot plus get an overview of your history. Hope I haven’t offended.

Not at all, I wanted brutal for a purpose. This is going to be the most important visit. He’ll need to get to know me and I’ll need to get to know him. I don’t want him spending the whole time reading. : ) I want to have him talk so I can judge him as well.  Thank you for the suggestions. Theresa

Response:

What about this? Still too long? Diabetes dx 1996 Panic disorder/depression/PTSD dx 1985. (I see Dr. Strgar for this). A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: 1984 dx gestational diabetes controlled with diet and exercise. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. 1996-1997 semi-controlled with diet 1997-1998 uncontrolled. 1998-1999 tried Gluophage then switched to gluotrol semi-controlled August 1999 70/30 insulin therapy began About 6 weeks ago Leslie, the diabetic counselor, left the doctors office due to health issues. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. January 2000 switched to Humalog and NPH The way that I take my insulin is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1u to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to help me make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor.

Response:

Theresa, too long.  Most people lose interest after a few paragraphs. If you can condense all the important stuff into less paragraphs then you have more chance of the whole letter being read. If this was me writing it or reading it I would cut the first paragraph to the first sentence. paragraph 2 is fine, I would scrap para 3. The diabetes stuff is way too long and flowery. At this point I would do a sort of time line. Diagnosed GD 19XX – diet and exercise controlled. Diabetes dx 19XX – Glucotrol fair results. 19XX insulin regimen begun. The aim is for the doctor to read the lot plus get an overview of your history. Hope I haven’t offended.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Because this appointment will be our first I need advice in getting my letter fine-tuned. Any help would be appreciated. Help me get rid of the fluff and be as concise as possible as well as state my needs with clarity. tia Dr. **** Thank you for accepting me as a patient. I sought referrals and followed up on them trying to find an Internist, but was unable to locate any that would accept my insurance. This was very frustrating. When I finally got to your number I was overjoyed to find someone who cares about people more than their insurance. So this is a heartfelt thank you! Though I don’t know you I do want to introduce myself. The appointment will go fast so I am going to put things in writing so you’ll get a good picture of who I am and the sort of care I’ll need. I have diabetes, which is the primary care I’ll need from you. I also have panic disorder/depression/PTSD. I see Dr. Strgar for the latter. All of these conditions are under control with the use of medications, exercise, education, and determination. I own a small desktop publishing business. I work few hours but would like to work more. I struggle with my business. I sometimes have difficulty concentrating and tire quickly. Working is very important to me and as such has "pushed" me to get my medical conditions under control. I want to work. I’d like it if I could work full-time. For now I do what I can and strive to improve my condition. I have a teenaged daughter who is a delight. She is very helpful and a good student. I love being her mother and we get along very well. She also suffers from depression; it is also under control with medications. A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: In 1984 I had gestational diabetes. I controlled it with diet and exercise. My daughter was born and weighed 7′10. She was healthy and bright. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. Although I had had gestational diabetes and knew the diet/exercise regimen I was unable to get my bgs under control. With the help of Leslie Rohr-diabetic counselor-I was able to regain my control. This lasted for about a year. (diet and exercise only). My doctor had me fax her my logbook readings once a week, because my bgs were out of control. It didn’t seem to matter what I did. I was frustrated. I faxed the logbook but with nothing changing it seemed pointless. I finally gave up on testing. My numbers were not good. This went on for approximately another year. I felt terrible. I didn’t think about going back to Leslie. I don’t know why. Finally, after complaining and being in the office sick all the time the doctor started me on gluophage. I took this medication for 3 weeks, at a very low dose. It made me very ill, did not improve my numbers, nor did it seem as if the queasy feeling were going to dissipate with time. I finally called the nurse and asked to be switched to something else. The doctor prescribed gluotrol. I took glucotrol for approximately 9 months with fair results (readings under 160, but still feeling crummy). At one point I got the flu and the medication stopped working altogether, so the doctor increased it. This caused me to have what I experienced as panic attacks. I was having them 2-3 times a week. (Whereas before the increase in dosage I was having 2-3 panics a month). I say "experienced" these as panics because my symptoms were: shaking, sweating, inability to concentrate, feeling like I was going to die, feeling faint, etc. After much heated discussion, none of which contained hypos as the cause, my doctor suggested insulin. In August I started Insulin. With the change to insulin I saw Leslie Rohr again. Leslie got me started on the 70/30 insulin from Lilly. During a time when I was feeling panicy it was also time to test my bgs. Low and behold, I was near 50. This is when I realized the panics and hypos were similar. Since then before I assume I am having a panic I check my bgs. Because of the hypos I had while taking the 70/30 I checked my bgs before I would drive. I was having hypos partly because I was skipping snacks. I was eating 6 small meals a day, and at the end of the month I was having difficulty keeping enough snacks in the house. Sometimes my budget did not stretch far enough. About 6 weeks ago Leslie left the doctors office due to health issues of her own. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. This reduced the stress I felt when working with the doctor. I found that the doctor did not listen to me, but she would listen to Leslie. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. I read up on using insulin that was not pre-mixed and talked to my doctor several times about changing to the regular insulin. She wanted to wait until the Lantus came out on the market and then change me to the regular insulin. She wanted me to "play" with the "R" I used for highs. This was difficult with the pre-mix. I finally convinced her to let me use Humalog and Humilin N. I have been taking this for a month. In that time I have not had a single hypo. My numbers have been excellent and I feel great. This change has me very excited. The way that I take my insulin now is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1 U to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I would like to stay with the exchange diet, however I can’t always afford to eat as nutritiously as it recommends. I would also like to eat more of the lower glycemic foods, but the cost is prohibitive. I control portion size and hope for the best. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). I know this is not much, but I am working on increasing it. It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor. Again, thank you for accepting me as your patient.

Response:

Because this appointment will be our first I need advice in getting my letter fine-tuned. Any help would be appreciated. Help me get rid of the fluff and be as concise as possible as well as state my needs with clarity. tia Dr. **** Thank you for accepting me as a patient. I sought referrals and followed up on them trying to find an Internist, but was unable to locate any that would accept my insurance. This was very frustrating. When I finally got to your number I was overjoyed to find someone who cares about people more than their insurance. So this is a heartfelt thank you! Though I don’t know you I do want to introduce myself. The appointment will go fast so I am going to put things in writing so you’ll get a good picture of who I am and the sort of care I’ll need. I have diabetes, which is the primary care I’ll need from you. I also have panic disorder/depression/PTSD. I see Dr. Strgar for the latter. All of these conditions are under control with the use of medications, exercise, education, and determination. I own a small desktop publishing business. I work few hours but would like to work more. I struggle with my business. I sometimes have difficulty concentrating and tire quickly. Working is very important to me and as such has "pushed" me to get my medical conditions under control. I want to work. I’d like it if I could work full-time. For now I do what I can and strive to improve my condition. I have a teenaged daughter who is a delight. She is very helpful and a good student. I love being her mother and we get along very well. She also suffers from depression; it is also under control with medications. A history of the treatment for my diabetes is as follows: In 1984 I had gestational diabetes. I controlled it with diet and exercise. My daughter was born and weighed 7′10. She was healthy and bright. Every year after that I was checked for diabetes during the yearly lab work. I’m not exactly sure of the year, but in approximately 1996, my medications for depression were not working well and my psychiatrist (Irwin Noparstak at the time) told me to have a check up with my GP and to have lab work done. The lab work came back with the news I was diabetic. Although I had had gestational diabetes and knew the diet/exercise regimen I was unable to get my bgs under control. With the help of Leslie Rohr-diabetic counselor-I was able to regain my control. This lasted for about a year. (diet and exercise only). My doctor had me fax her my logbook readings once a week, because my bgs were out of control. It didn’t seem to matter what I did. I was frustrated. I faxed the logbook but with nothing changing it seemed pointless. I finally gave up on testing. My numbers were not good. This went on for approximately another year. I felt terrible. I didn’t think about going back to Leslie. I don’t know why. Finally, after complaining and being in the office sick all the time the doctor started me on gluophage. I took this medication for 3 weeks, at a very low dose. It made me very ill, did not improve my numbers, nor did it seem as if the queasy feeling were going to dissipate with time. I finally called the nurse and asked to be switched to something else. The doctor prescribed gluotrol. I took glucotrol for approximately 9 months with fair results (readings under 160, but still feeling crummy). At one point I got the flu and the medication stopped working altogether, so the doctor increased it. This caused me to have what I experienced as panic attacks. I was having them 2-3 times a week. (Whereas before the increase in dosage I was having 2-3 panics a month). I say "experienced" these as panics because my symptoms were: shaking, sweating, inability to concentrate, feeling like I was going to die, feeling faint, etc. After much heated discussion, none of which contained hypos as the cause, my doctor suggested insulin. In August I started Insulin. With the change to insulin I saw Leslie Rohr again. Leslie got me started on the 70/30 insulin from Lilly. During a time when I was feeling panicy it was also time to test my bgs. Low and behold, I was near 50. This is when I realized the panics and hypos were similar. Since then before I assume I am having a panic I check my bgs. Because of the hypos I had while taking the 70/30 I checked my bgs before I would drive. I was having hypos partly because I was skipping snacks. I was eating 6 small meals a day, and at the end of the month I was having difficulty keeping enough snacks in the house. Sometimes my budget did not stretch far enough. About 6 weeks ago Leslie left the doctors office due to health issues of her own. I had been going through Leslie in regards to my diabetes. She would explain things to me and if I had a concern she would listen and if warranted would talk to the doctor. This reduced the stress I felt when working with the doctor. I found that the doctor did not listen to me, but she would listen to Leslie. If I had a concern Leslie would explain things to me so that I knew how to manage. The relationship I had with Leslie was very important to my getting healthy. I consider this the point at which I made a turn-a-round in my therapy with the diabetes. It has been about 6 months that I have been getting the treatment I need. With Leslie’s leaving I tried to deal with the doctor, but was unable to and have made a change to your office. I read up on using insulin that was not pre-mixed and talked to my doctor several times about changing to the regular insulin. She wanted to wait until the Lantus came out on the market and then change me to the regular insulin. She wanted me to "play" with the "R" I used for highs. This was difficult with the pre-mix. I finally convinced her to let me use Humalog and Humilin N. I have been taking this for a month. In that time I have not had a single hypo. My numbers have been excellent and I feel great. This change has me very excited. The way that I take my insulin now is I use carb-counting. I base my Humalog on how many carbs I eat at a meal. I use the ratio of 1u to 8 Carbs for breakfast and 1u to 10 for lunch and dinner. If I my numbers are high, I have used the ratio of 1 U to 50 mg/dl to lower the high. I have not done this much since I can lower my bgs 15 mg/dl by walking 15 minutes, which is much faster than I can lower it with the insulin. My diet is a "low-income" carb-counting diet. I would like to stay with the exchange diet, however I can’t always afford to eat as nutritiously as it recommends. I would also like to eat more of the lower glycemic foods, but the cost is prohibitive. I control portion size and hope for the best. I exercise by walking on a treadmill 15-30 minutes daily. (.5 miles to 1 mile). I know this is not much, but I am working on increasing it. It is important to me that we work together in my treatment. I have to live with the decisions that we make. If you want me to do something that it isn’ t working then we need to discuss what is happening. I will question decisions. This is not to be taken as a question of your expertise but as a discussion so that I understand how to follow the treatment plan or make adjustments that help me to be healthy. You have the education and training to make the right decisions; I will provide you with my logbook and anything else you may need. In the end, I want to be able to function as well as is possible. I need you to assist me in that endeavor. I need to be monitored. I need to have someone who will answer questions; I need to have someone watch over my treatment so that I don’t get into trouble. I’m hoping you will be this kind of doctor. Again, thank you for accepting me as your patient.

Response:

Question:

Halley DeVestern schreef: Hi, Folks Well, a lot of you seem to believe strongly in Xanax.  Before I go seeking out a non-benzophobe doctor, please tell me a few things:

Halley, I’ve been taking xanax as needed for about 4 years and it’s been my life saver.  I’m currently taking prozac with the xanax so I can’t help you with the zoloft.  I do get sleepy when I take it but I go to sleep when I take an aspirin.  : )  Hope this helps. Teri

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Folks Well, a lot of you seem to believe strongly in Xanax.  Before I go seeking out a non-benzophobe doctor, please tell me a few things: 1.  Will it make "bad thoughts" go away? 2.  How often is it taken?  As needed or on a daily basis? 3.  Any stories about withdrawal? 4.  Will it make the joy of living return? 5.  Anybody on Xanax and Zoloft concurrently? 6.  Do you feel sleepy on it? Thanks for your help! Halley

It didn’t make the bad thoughts go away, but it dampened the impact that they had upon me. The bad thoughts have become manageable through behavioral therapy and Luvox. I took a maximum of 1 mg a day.  I used to split a 0.5 tablet in half or take the whole pill, depending on the severity of the panic attack. Eventually, I replaced the xanax with an herbal tranquilizer called Calms Forte.  This was pretty powerful too, although it didn’t stay in my system as long, and I had to take it more frequently. Now the luvox and the behavior therapy are working fine, so I’m not taking any tranquilizers maybe just the occasional skullcap or valerian tea. I had withdrawal for one day after taking it for a few weeks.  I had symptoms like rebound anxiety, nervousness, and shakiness. It didn’t make the joy of living return.  That’s something that’s been happening gradually through therapy and Luvox.  It did get me pretty high at times. It tended to make me very sleepy during the day.  That is why I preferred to take it in the evening prior to bedtime. The Panicky Guy  

Response:

Well, a lot of you seem to believe strongly in Xanax.

I wouldn’t say I’m pro-Xanax, but I’m not anti-Xanax either. Before I go seeking out a non-benzophobe doctor, please tell me a few things: 1.  Will it make "bad thoughts" go away?

That depends.  I think it does this for a lot of people, but you might want to take into account the content of your "bad thoughts" in choosing a treatment. 2.  How often is it taken?  As needed or on a daily basis?

Either.  Some people, like myself, take it as needed.  Others take it 3 or 4 times a day, every day, at pretty much evenly spaced intervals. 3.  Any stories about withdrawal?

None from me.  However, there are some people who get seizures if they are taking Xanax regularly and then stop suddenly.  You should taper off slowly if you plan to stop.  This will make withdrawal safe, although for some people it is still unpleasant (increased anxiety (i.e., more than you had before you took it), insomnia, etc.). 4.  Will it make the joy of living return?

I don’t think Xanax alone can do this, but if you are optimistic about Xanax it will probably spill over into other areas of your life.  This is a secondary way that psych drugs have helped me, since I have a lot of optimism about them. 5.  Anybody on Xanax and Zoloft concurrently?

I’m sure someone out there is.  It’s a perfectly safe and reasonable combination. 6.  Do you feel sleepy on it?

No, and I never did, but _none_ of the benzos makes me sleepy.  Some people say that Xanax is the least sedating one they’ve tried.  (The most common benzos for anxiety seem to be Xanax, Ativan, and Klonopin; many people have taken Valium as well, and some other ones that I hear about periodically are Tranxene, Librium, and Serax.) -elizabeth

Response:

I have been on the Zoloft/Xanax combo for a couple of years now.  And like Gary, I only rely on the Xanax when certain situations arise.  I don’t take the 3-4 that I am prescribed, but 1-2 daily and sometimes less (.25 mg.) I only have a mild drowsiness when I take the Xanax early in the morning.  For some reason it makes me a little sleepy at work – maybe my job’s not exciting enough. Xanax worked miracles with my panic attacks.  I don’t know where I’d be today if I still had 8-10 attacks a day that I used to. Hope you find the right meds.   Sherry Hogan Love One Another!

Response:

1)not really, it just relaxes you to not care 2)usually 1 at bedtime on a daily basis or if you feel aniety or sleeplessness 3)I had no problem.I am more of a fighter.I changed my life rather than keep on drugs. 4)My joy of living is very low.But I beleive in perserverence and constantly giving myself a challenge.I fight this damn disorder.but my body takes a toll from it : (     5) dont know 6)Xtremly tired, as a matter of fact,I would go to LaLa land shortly after consuming. Halley, make changes in your life, strive to make it what u think it should be.We all have to deal with the world, but I dont have to bring them home with me, I dont let people effect me if they cause me pain or I dont understand their ways. I have learned to take a breath and walk away, or to speak my mind and then walk away.I wish you the best of luck. be strong.

Response:

Hi, Folks Well, a lot of you seem to believe strongly in Xanax.  Before I go seeking out a non-benzophobe doctor, please tell me a few things: 1.  Will it make "bad thoughts" go away? 2.  How often is it taken?  As needed or on a daily basis? 3.  Any stories about withdrawal? 4.  Will it make the joy of living return? 5.  Anybody on Xanax and Zoloft concurrently? 6.  Do you feel sleepy on it? Thanks for your help! Halley

Response:

Hi, Folks Well, a lot of you seem to believe strongly in Xanax.  Before I go seeking out a non-benzophobe doctor, please tell me a few things:

Ok Halley – I’ll have a go – bearing in mind you remember it’s all YMMV and IMO 1.  Will it make "bad thoughts" go away?

That depends on what sort of "bad thoughts" you mean. If you mean ratty anxiety, gnawing away at you, then it does do that for me, yes. 2.  How often is it taken?  As needed or on a daily basis?

That depends on your doctor and you. I take it as needed, others take it two or three times a day. If your anxiety is situational (as mine is these days) then you could possibly use it as I do, to counter the specific things that cause problems. If your trouble is steady-state anxiety (GAD), then you might be better taking it on a regular basis. Your doctor will advise. 3.  Any stories about withdrawal?

Not personally. 4.  Will it make the joy of living return?

No one on Earth can tell you for sure. In my case (which is all I can speak about) it has completely and utterly changed my entire life. I’ve gone from being an agoraphobic, trapped in a 1/4 mile patch, to someone who now travels freely by private or public transport, handles crowds, elevators and many other former nightmares with ease. Your phrase ‘the joy of living’ however, makes it sound like you are battling depression. To really get to the nub of how much it might help you, some more information about you would be a great help. 5.  Anybody on Xanax and Zoloft concurrently?

Not personally. 6.  Do you feel sleepy on it?

Sometimes, but it’s nothing I can’t fight back against. I gather that people who take it regularly tend to get used this effect and overcome it. Hope that’s some help – as I say, some details about your particular problems would probably help us here answer you more usefully — Gary Cooper

Response:

Halley DeVestern schreef: Hi, Folks Well, a lot of you seem to believe strongly in Xanax.  Before I go seeking out a non-benzophobe doctor, please tell me a few things: 1.  Will it make "bad thoughts" go away? 2.  How often is it taken?  As needed or on a daily basis? 3.  Any stories about withdrawal? 4.  Will it make the joy of living return? 5.  Anybody on Xanax and Zoloft concurrently? 6.  Do you feel sleepy on it? Thanks for your help! Halley

1. Possibly. If it doesn’t CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy) is the way to go. 2. Both is possible. And therapeutic dosage varies from person to person. (because another *modern* benzo, Klonopin, works longer, this is often taken as maintencance med with Xanax *as needed*. Xanax works for a shorter while (you should therefore take it 4 – 5 times a day if used as maintenance med) but also much faster. With many people it will kill a PA in less than 15 minutes. 3. Contrary to contemporary folklore weaning off Xanax is very well possible if you do it very slowly. If you still experience things feeling like *withdrawal* symptoms you should taper even slower. If you still have *side effects* it may well be the original anxiety rearing it’s ugly head again. In that case it’s advisable to go on taking Xanax. As they say: "Rather addicted to Xanax than to my house or to PA’s." 4. It has for many. It also has an antidepressant effect. 5. The combo of a SSRI and a benzo is common and often works well. 6. In the beginning you can experience some drowsiness (not disagreeable, I may add) but this almost always is of a temporary nature. Best wishes! Philip

Response:

Question:

I’m wondering if anyone else has had my experience or has any advice. I’ve tried many different AD’s and none of them seems to work.  I’ve tried Prozac, twice, the second time at 40 mg/day; Elavil; Buspar (anti-anxiety drug); a couple of tri-cyclics which gave me too many side effects (Imiprimane and Desipramine [sp?]); Trazodone; and St. John’s  Wort.  I’ve tried each of these for a good amount of time, 2 or more months, except the side-effect ones, which I stopped after a few days because of the side effects. The only thing that ever really helps me is therapy and talking to friends.  I talked to an experienced psychiatrist about this once and he said that some people just don’t respond to AD’s.  I have been extremely annoyed at this whole process during the 2-3 years I’ve been involved in trying all these things.  I haven’t had any insurance and the costs, to say the least, have been excessive.  At the dosage I was on, Prozac and Buspar were $120 per month each!  Plus doctor visit charges.  The thing that annoys me is that I wish I had known that none of them would work BEFORE I spent all that money and time and effort. This also disturbs me when I think about all the other people out there who are desperately trying AD’s to help themselves.  Most of them are helped by AD’s, but some aren’t (I couldn’t be the only one, could I?).  Because the whole process of finding an AD for a patient is so hit-and-miss ("Well, we don’t know if this will help you, but try it and see" is something I’ve heard TOO MANY TIMES), one can easily end up spending lots of money before the doctors realize that nothing is going to work. One thing about my history that may be different from many people’s is that I’ve been depressed most of my life, since the age of 9, because of severe early childhood abuse.  This may mean that my depression is more post-traumatic stress than biochemical.  I don’t know much about the theory of biochemistry causing depression, so I may be getting this wrong, I don’t know. One side note about the St. John’s Wort:  at least it was cheap!  And it did feel good to know I was taking something more natural and less likely to cause negative side effects. Any comments, anyone? –Carol

Response:

Carol, What dosage of SJW did you take? I have found that 5 or 6 300 mg standard capsules morning and evening is what I need. That is 3600 mg per day. I have no side effects from that dosage. I also found that some brands just don’t work. (the Pharmasave house brand, in particular) I use Webber (it’s the cheapest and comes bundled with gincko or a stress herb) If you wish to try larger doses you should build up over two or three days at least. I think it would be safe to go as far as 6000 mg per day if necessary, from what I have read, although I have never needed to go that high. I tried Zoloft and didn’t like the side effects. Peter B. Legere – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m wondering if anyone else has had my experience or has any advice. One side note about the St. John’s Wort:  at least it was cheap!  And it did feel good to know I was taking something more natural and less likely to cause negative side effects. Any comments, anyone? –Carol

Response:

Dear Carol: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve tried many different AD’s and none of them seems to work.  I’ve tried Prozac, twice, the second time at 40 mg/day; Elavil; Buspar (anti-anxiety drug); a couple of tri-cyclics which gave me too many side effects (Imiprimane and Desipramine [sp?]); Trazodone; and St. John’s  Wort.  I’ve tried each of these for a good amount of time, 2 or more months, except the side-effect ones, which I stopped after a few days because of the side effects. The only thing that ever really helps me is therapy and talking to friends.  I talked to an experienced psychiatrist about this once and he said that some people just don’t respond to AD’s.  I have been extremely annoyed at this whole process during the 2-3 years I’ve been involved in trying all these things.  I haven’t had any insurance and the costs, to say the least, have been excessive.  At the dosage I was on, Prozac and Buspar were $120 per month each!  Plus doctor visit charges.  The thing that annoys me is that I wish I had known that none of them would work BEFORE I spent all that money and time and effort.

It’s unfortunate, but, at the current state of the art, there’s no way to predict the likely success or failure of meds on any one individual nor, for sure, which one, if any, will work.  There’s a lot more success with ‘which one’ than ‘whether any’.  There’s considerable research ongoing in both, and other areas, of dealing with clinical depression. While there are meds you’ve not tried and combinations thereof, it’s understandable that you’d be reluctant to spend more money in this way. Somewhere between 20% and 25% of depressives don’t respond to the current antidepressants at all.  Often those who want to give up on a particular antidepressant because of some side effects, if persuaded to stick it out, find the side effects diminish and the drug take effect properly.  Of those depressives refractory to medication, about half respond positively to ECT. This also disturbs me when I think about all the other people out there who are desperately trying AD’s to help themselves.  Most of them are helped by AD’s, but some aren’t (I couldn’t be the only one, could I?).  Because the whole process of finding an AD for a patient is so hit-and-miss ("Well, we don’t know if this will help you, but try it and see" is something I’ve heard TOO MANY TIMES), one can easily end up spending lots of money before the doctors realize that nothing is going to work.

That is, unfortunately, the case.  I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault, just that our knowledge isn’t yet sufficiently great to avoid this. The downside of not trying, of course, is depression and its side effects. If one tries, more than 80% of the time appropriate treatment works. One thing about my history that may be different from many people’s is that I’ve been depressed most of my life, since the age of 9, because of severe early childhood abuse.  This may mean that my depression is more post-traumatic stress than biochemical.  I don’t know much about the theory of biochemistry causing depression, so I may be getting this wrong, I don’t know.

While you may have it right, that shouldn’t seriously affect the choice of meds although it would raise the importance of talk therapy as well. One side note about the St. John’s Wort:  at least it was cheap!  And it did feel good to know I was taking something more natural and less likely to cause negative side effects.

This business of ‘natural’ is, IMHO, highly over rated. There have been no good clinical trials of St. John’s Wort in this country.  The only ones of which I’m aware were in Germany and have been challenged on many counts.  It’s method of action is unclear and there have been far more reports of failure than of success with it here.  When one purchases it one cannot be sure, from purchase to purchase, of the amount of active ingredient one is getting.  Not only that, optimal dosages have yet to be determined. Any comments, anyone?

If you were to ask what I’d do now, if I were you, I suspect that, since I don’t know where you are located and thus can’t be more specific, I’d call the nearest _teaching_ hospital and ask for a referral to a really good psychopharmacologist (biopsychiatrist).  I’d lay out the story in as much detail as possible for hir and see what (s)he says. Best of luck, Peter

[ Nafdi 1K ]

The National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc. maintains "800" lines which, presently through a recorded message, provide callers with the symptoms of depression and manic depression and inform them of how to receive a packet of additional information from NAFDI.  This additional information includes a referral list, by state, of doctors and support groups as well as a bibliography, our brochure and additional relevant articles.  The number to call, toll-free, is 1-800-245-4306. If you are familiar with the symptoms of depression and manic depression and prefer not to listen to the recording, you may write to us, The National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc. (or NAFDI) at Post Office Box 2257, New York, NY 10116-2257 and request the information.  Please enclose a self-addressed envelope of business size or larger with $1.01 of U.S. postage affixed (for U.S. addresses).  As we are a not-for-profit organization, if you can afford it, please enclose a contribution of $5 or more.  If you can’t afford that, please let us know and we’ll be happy to send you exactly the same material at no charge. You may also visit us at our web page <http://www.depression.org. In any case, we wish you good luck!

Response:

Hi Are you located in a large city?  I go to a non-for-profit organization of doctors and therapists and the costs are much less.  Maybe there’s one listed in your phone book. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Carol, What dosage of SJW did you take? I have found that 5 or 6 300 mg standard capsules morning and evening is what I need. That is 3600 mg per day. I have no side effects from that dosage. I also found that some brands just don’t work. (the Pharmasave house brand, in particular) I use Webber (it’s the cheapest and comes bundled with gincko or a stress herb) If you wish to try larger doses you should build up over two or three days at least. I think it would be safe to go as far as 6000 mg per day if necessary, from what I have read, although I have never needed to go that high. I tried Zoloft and didn’t like the side effects. Peter B. Legere I’m wondering if anyone else has had my experience or has any advice. One side note about the St. John’s Wort:  at least it was cheap!  And it did feel good to know I was taking something more natural and less likely to cause negative side effects. Any comments, anyone? –Carol

Response:

Hi, I am new to this group. I started taking AD’s about 4 months ago. I take 1000mg  of luvox and have been lucky with the side effects, only one I have that bothers me a little is the reduced libido <s Anyway I went back to my dr and told him I didn’t think they were helping so he said well try going off them and see what happens, well apparently they were working : )  So I went back on. Then I read about St. JW and tried that with the Luvox then read you shouldn’t take both, so went off luvox and am presently just taking sjw 1000mg a day and so far its been better than taking nothing, but was wondering about dosage and such, and whether anyone out there takes both the sjw and the  ad drugs together. I had a minor breakdown the other day and ended up on the floor bawling my eyes out and finally saying out loud that I need help. This was after my 3 kids were gone all weekend and home again for around 2 hours and I couldn’t take it, I totally lost it. So I finally called a family services place that will send someone to talk to you and you kids etc., and just making the call I actually felt better than I had in ages. Oops went a little off the track…. <s What I am wondering is, if any one has any information about sjw and combining it with regular ad drugs and if they have had any luck with just the sjw etc…..or maybe I should just try a different ad drug, im not sure. This is all very new to me although in retrospect its been there quite some time. If the info on SJW is redundant feel free to email me directly. Thank you for any info : ) Lorraine – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Carol, What dosage of SJW did you take? I have found that 5 or 6 300 mg standard capsules morning and evening is what I need. That is 3600 mg per day. I have no side effects from that dosage.

Response:

I’m wondering if anyone else has had my experience or has any advice. I’ve tried many different AD’s and none of them seems to work.  I’ve <snip Any comments, anyone? –Carol

Well…..I’ve tried eight AD’s …..First was zoloft..did that for 8 months, and for a time added trazodone along with it.  It worked so-so…. Next was paxil…did that for about 3 months.  I didn’t have energy to do much of anything.  The withdrawl was 2 weeks of misery.   Next I went without anything for about 2 months.  Signed up for a 10 week self esteem class which used a workbook on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  I felt worse about myself at the end than I did when I started.   Then I tried prozac for 4 months….helped some (any improvement was better than I was).  Started having significant side effects after the dose went beyond 50mg.  Started feeling more depressed as the dose increased. Started effexor…almost stopped it cuz I felt so yucky, but I think it was due to coming off the prozac.  Effexor worked real well for me for about 15 months. **SOAP BOX TIME** I really don’t think that doctors who work in the field of prescribing antidepressant medications fully appreciate how powerful these drugs are, and how strongly they affect the body.  My doctor, for instance, tends to believe that you can just taper a person (me) off one drug for a week or so and add a new drug at the same time or immediately thereafter, and everything will be hunky dory.  WRONG!!!!  As far as I am concerned, there is always some sort of withdrawl the body goes through when stopping one antidepressant, even if you start another at the same time.  I have gone through this a number of times, and I hope I have been instrumental in helping my doctor learn more about this.  Still, there is that transition period where my life sucks even more when I have changed meds. **END OF SOAP BOX** anyway, coming off the prozac made it seem like the effexor was giving me a bad reaction at first, but I hung in and after about a week things were ok.   After about 15 months, I was feeling sort of down, more depressed than I had been in a while.  I was also feeling "chemicalized" and kind of wanted to stop.  My pdoc was gonna have me start serzone, but I tapered off the effexor (again with a two week withdrawl). So, I then went 3 months taking St. John’s Wort.  It helped some, but I gradually sank down badly again, and when work took a stressful turn, I went down fast. Then I took serzone for 4 months.  It is supposed to make most people a little drowsy, but it had the opposite effect on me.  I felt wired.  It leveled out a bit over time, but during this period I did not sleep very soundly.  It was just moderately effective for the depression. At the beginning of february I started remeron.  Again, in changing meds, I had the usual nausea and stuff associated with withdrawl, but man o man that remeron!! It was like Night of the Living Dead!!  I slept HARD for the 3 weeks I took that stuff.  Supposedly the higher the dose, the more that symptom goes away, but I was still a space cadet even after increasing the dose. So I practically begged my pdoc to let me go back on effexor, which I started again this week.  Right now I’m going through the remeron withdrawls, nausea, diarhea and such, but I feel human again. **THEORY** I believe in my case, having taken antidepressants off and on now for over 3 years, that whatever my depression is, drugs only help it to a moderate degree.  It has been my experience that continually increasing the dosage yields diminishing returns.  It does appear, at least at this time in my life, that I need the help of the antidepressants to handle life.  I am working in other ways on "handling life," and perhaps someday I will obtain some results that will make it unnecessary to take antidepressants. I really don’t know.   But, I think I do best if I take the lowest dose that gives any decent effect. And, I am beginning to believe that my system needs a periodic chemical free period.  So my plan at this point is to take the lowest dose of effexor that will stabilize my mood, which from past experience I think is either 150mg or 225mg.  I think that I will also try to go about a month a year chemical free. I guess to summarize, at least maybe to summarize to myself, it takes a long period of trial and error to find out what works and what doesnt.  The hard part is to somehow hang in there while going through all the ups and downs. Best wishes, Patrick *** To reply by email, remove the zzz from my email address ***

Response:

Patrick, Sounds to me that you are playing Russin Rolette. If you had Diabetis, would you go off your insulin for a month every year? Biocemical depression, is a medical condition. The medication change the chemicals in you brain. You only fall deeper each time you start to treat yourself instead of following your pdoc’s advice.                    Please talk to your doc, about your conserns.                                     Penny – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m wondering if anyone else has had my experience or has any advice. I’ve tried many different AD’s and none of them seems to work.  I’ve <snip Any comments, anyone? –Carol Well…..I’ve tried eight AD’s …..First was zoloft..did that for 8 months, and for a time added trazodone along with it.  It worked so-so…. Next was paxil…did that for about 3 months.  I didn’t have energy to do much of anything.  The withdrawl was 2 weeks of misery.   Next I went without anything for about 2 months.  Signed up for a 10 week self esteem class which used a workbook on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  I felt worse about myself at the end than I did when I started.   Then I tried prozac for 4 months….helped some (any improvement was better than I was).  Started having significant side effects after the dose went beyond 50mg.  Started feeling more depressed as the dose increased. Started effexor…almost stopped it cuz I felt so yucky, but I think it was due to coming off the prozac.  Effexor worked real well for me for about 15 months. **SOAP BOX TIME** I really don’t think that doctors who work in the field of prescribing antidepressant medications fully appreciate how powerful these drugs are, and how strongly they affect the body.  My doctor, for instance, tends to believe that you can just taper a person (me) off one drug for a week or so and add a new drug at the same time or immediately thereafter, and everything will be hunky dory.  WRONG!!!!  As far as I am concerned, there is always some sort of withdrawl the body goes through when stopping one antidepressant, even if you start another at the same time.  I have gone through this a number of times, and I hope I have been instrumental in helping my doctor learn more about this.  Still, there is that transition period where my life sucks even more when I have changed meds. **END OF SOAP BOX** anyway, coming off the prozac made it seem like the effexor was giving me a bad reaction at first, but I hung in and after about a week things were ok.   After about 15 months, I was feeling sort of down, more depressed than I had been in a while.  I was also feeling "chemicalized" and kind of wanted to stop.  My pdoc was gonna have me start serzone, but I tapered off the effexor (again with a two week withdrawl). So, I then went 3 months taking St. John’s Wort.  It helped some, but I gradually sank down badly again, and when work took a stressful turn, I went down fast. Then I took serzone for 4 months.  It is supposed to make most people a little drowsy, but it had the opposite effect on me.  I felt wired.  It leveled out a bit over time, but during this period I did not sleep very soundly.  It was just moderately effective for the depression. At the beginning of february I started remeron.  Again, in changing meds, I had the usual nausea and stuff associated with withdrawl, but man o man that remeron!! It was like Night of the Living Dead!!  I slept HARD for the 3 weeks I took that stuff.  Supposedly the higher the dose, the more that symptom goes away, but I was still a space cadet even after increasing the dose. So I practically begged my pdoc to let me go back on effexor, which I started again this week.  Right now I’m going through the remeron withdrawls, nausea, diarhea and such, but I feel human again. **THEORY** I believe in my case, having taken antidepressants off and on now for over 3 years, that whatever my depression is, drugs only help it to a moderate degree.  It has been my experience that continually increasing the dosage yields diminishing returns.  It does appear, at least at this time in my life, that I need the help of the antidepressants to handle life.  I am working in other ways on "handling life," and perhaps someday I will obtain some results that will make it unnecessary to take antidepressants. I really don’t know.   But, I think I do best if I take the lowest dose that gives any decent effect. And, I am beginning to believe that my system needs a periodic chemical free period.  So my plan at this point is to take the lowest dose of effexor that will stabilize my mood, which from past experience I think is either 150mg or 225mg.  I think that I will also try to go about a month a year chemical free. I guess to summarize, at least maybe to summarize to myself, it takes a long period of trial and error to find out what works and what doesnt.  The hard part is to somehow hang in there while going through all the ups and downs. Best wishes, Patrick *** To reply by email, remove the zzz from my email address ***

Response:

What happened with the prozac? SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) "Extract" Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are newer antidepressants which often treat the symptoms of depression more effectively than TCAs and for many people, produce less troublesome side effects. Besides treating depression, SSRIs are sometimes used to treat the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Luvox