Question:

Aldi’s.   SaltyJ

Response:

Our local Safeway carries nearly all of its own brand ("Safeway Select") sodas as both regular and diet. The only one they don’t seem to copy is Fresca – which of course is my favourite. Generally speaking the generic brands are as good as brand names. In fact one Canadian company (Cott) has built a large market share by producing generic sodas that taste better than the "real thing". In some places these are sold under the "President’s Choice" lable. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have found myself clinging to diet sodas on my diet.  its the way I treat myself and I can drink tons of the stuff.  what I have found though is its expensive like 1.49 per 2 liter at the local store for diet sodas so I want to buy some in bulk but don’t know where to look. I don’t care about brand names and noticed many companies have generic alternatives to the popular sodas like cola, root beer, creme soda, dr. pepper, mt. dew, etc.  BUT what I haven’t seen is much diet alternatives to these except cola and lemon lime. So I was just wondering for those that care about cost and drink diet soda where do you shop to get the best deals for 2 liter bottles of the stuff?  I know safeway, sunny select, walmart and a few other big stores carry generic brands but am I wrong in thinking that besides the name brand diet sodas, generic vendors don’t cater to our market so Im really stuck buying the name brand stuff?

Stephen Rees Richmond BC Canada to reply by email take off yer boots 204.8/164/164 http://communities.msn.ca/TheReesWeightLosssite or, http://members.home.net/srees8094/weightloss/ReesWeightLoss.html http://members.home.net/srees8094/zeropointsoup/index.html

Response:

I have found myself clinging to diet sodas on my diet.  its the way I treat myself and I can drink tons of the stuff.  what I have found though is its expensive like 1.49 per 2 liter at the local store for diet sodas so I want to buy some in bulk but don’t know where to look. I don’t care about brand names and noticed many companies have generic alternatives to the popular sodas like cola, root beer, creme soda, dr. pepper, mt. dew, etc.  BUT what I haven’t seen is much diet alternatives to these except cola and lemon lime. So I was just wondering for those that care about cost and drink diet soda where do you shop to get the best deals for 2 liter bottles of the stuff?  I know safeway, sunny select, walmart and a few other big stores carry generic brands but am I wrong in thinking that besides the name brand diet sodas, generic vendors don’t cater to our market so Im really stuck buying the name brand stuff?

Response:

I’ve seen almost every variety of cheap generic pop in most of the stores where I shop… in diet, even in caffeine free diet at times.  Ask at the store if you don’t see it on the shelf. I personally spend the extra $$ and buy only Diet Coke… all generic that I have found are basically Pepsi products and I don’t really like the taste of Diet Pepsi (only in a pinch).  But that’s me… Good luck! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have found myself clinging to diet sodas on my diet.  its the way I treat myself and I can drink tons of the stuff.  what I have found though is its expensive like 1.49 per 2 liter at the local store for diet sodas so I want to buy some in bulk but don’t know where to look. I don’t care about brand names and noticed many companies have generic alternatives to the popular sodas like cola, root beer, creme soda, dr. pepper, mt. dew, etc.  BUT what I haven’t seen is much diet alternatives to these except cola and lemon lime. So I was just wondering for those that care about cost and drink diet soda where do you shop to get the best deals for 2 liter bottles of the stuff?  I know safeway, sunny select, walmart and a few other big stores carry generic brands but am I wrong in thinking that besides the name brand diet sodas, generic vendors don’t cater to our market so Im really stuck buying the name brand stuff?

– *:-.,_,.-:*’“’*:-.,_,.-:*’“’*:-.,_,.-:*’“’ Nancy Elrick http://members.home.net/nelrick/ 189.6/136.6/129.6 *:-.,_,.-:*’“’*:-.,_,.-:*’“’*:-.,_,.-:*’“’

Response:

Question:

I am 26 and have had asthma since I was a child.  Today I consider my asthma to be well controlled.  I use my bronchodilator two puffs twice a day (sometimes 3 if I exercise or otherwise trigger an attack), take singulair once a day, and am getting allergy shots which seem to be reducing my asthmatic reactions to allergens. However, I still have occasional mild attacks when I go out in the wind and cold or when I exercise.  I use my inhaler (third time for the day) and it goes away.  To me, this is much better than my asthma has ever been and I’m satisfied, but my doctor says having any asthma symptoms at all can cause airways remodeling.  He wants me to take inhaled steroids (flovent) as well. I am worried about the flovent because I am at an extremely high risk for osteoporisis (my grandmother got it despite consuming 200% RDA calcium every day of her life and taking hormonal supplements after menopause–everything you’re supposed to do). Can an occasional mild, easily treatable attack really cause airways remodeling?  (Also, consider that when I was young my asthma was not controlled well at all–I had frequent moderate attacks, a couple of severe ones, and had to use my bronchodilator 6 times a day, so I’m sure some remodeling has already occurred–I don’t know if that’s relevant). Also, how long does Serevent take to start working?  I tried that once briefly and it didn’t seem to help, so I stopped, but am considering trying that again instead of the steroids. Thanks, Karen

Response:

Is trying a weaker inhaled steroid (such as Vanceril or even Azmacort) an option?  The side effects of steroids are more severe the stronger the steroid is, as I understand it, and Flovent is one of the stronger ones.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am 26 and have had asthma since I was a child.  Today I consider my asthma to be well controlled.  I use my bronchodilator two puffs twice a day (sometimes 3 if I exercise or otherwise trigger an attack), take singulair once a day, and am getting allergy shots which seem to be reducing my asthmatic reactions to allergens. However, I still have occasional mild attacks when I go out in the wind and cold or when I exercise.  I use my inhaler (third time for the day) and it goes away.  To me, this is much better than my asthma has ever been and I’m satisfied, but my doctor says having any asthma symptoms at all can cause airways remodeling.  He wants me to take inhaled steroids (flovent) as well. I am worried about the flovent because I am at an extremely high risk for osteoporisis (my grandmother got it despite consuming 200% RDA calcium every day of her life and taking hormonal supplements after menopause–everything you’re supposed to do). Can an occasional mild, easily treatable attack really cause airways remodeling?  (Also, consider that when I was young my asthma was not controlled well at all–I had frequent moderate attacks, a couple of severe ones, and had to use my bronchodilator 6 times a day, so I’m sure some remodeling has already occurred–I don’t know if that’s relevant). Also, how long does Serevent take to start working?  I tried that once briefly and it didn’t seem to help, so I stopped, but am considering trying that again instead of the steroids. Thanks,  Karen

I would recommend consider going on low dose beclomethasone; say 2 pf Vancenase or Beclovent twice a day. Beclomethasone is the steroid inhaler with the longest history of safety and is the one recommended in pregnancy. The dose is 42 ug beclomethasone per puff, so 4 puffs is only 168 ug/day. This should help prevent remodeling. There are some concerns that some other steroid inhalers like Azmacort, maybe even Flovent, have more severe side effects; certainly their record is much shorter. Serevent is a long-acting bronchodilator. It should start working within 15 minutes and peaks out at about 4 hours later. Regarding calcium, note that vitamin D is also needed to enable absorption; this can come from milk, vitamin pills or sunshine. Ellis

Response:

Question:

Effexor Withdrawal Causing Crackling Sounds in the Brain Antidepressants  "Thank God for this website." I had a nervous breakdown six years ago and after being on other

anti-depressants without a problem, my psychiatrist felt that Effexor had less of an effect on the heart, and so switched me to Effexor. I have tried unsuccessfully to quit on many

occasions, even though I only take 37.5 mgs per day. The extreme lethargy I feel when I have tried to quit, the tingling in various parts of my body, the weird dreams and most

troublesome of all, the crackling, electric sounds in my head have caused me too much distress to ever be successful.

Hi, I think that you have to think about all these  side effect problems. Maybe they are not side-effect, maybe they are only telling you that you are stressed, and you need to fix your problems, otherwise the side-problems will be forever with you B

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Effexor Withdrawal Causing Crackling Sounds in the Brain Antidepressants  "Thank God for this website." I had a nervous breakdown six years ago and after being on other  anti-depressants without a problem, my psychiatrist felt that Effexor had less of an effect on the  heart, and so switched me to Effexor. I have tried unsuccessfully to quit on many  occasions, even though I only take 37.5 mgs per day. The extreme lethargy I feel when I have  tried to quit, the tingling in various parts of my body, the weird dreams and most  troublesome of all, the crackling, electric sounds in my head have caused me too much distress to  ever be successful. Hi, I think that you have to think about all these  side effect problems. Maybe they are not side-effect, maybe they are only telling you that you are stressed, and you need to fix your problems, otherwise the side-problems will be forever with you B

I thought cross-posting to and from different kind of newsgroups was not the reason why they started alt.support.schizofrenia. Btw, is it not forbidden in the FAQ ? Berty

Response:

Question:

Charla: I think it is unwise to drive while impaired on benzos. A person doesn’t think they are impaired but anything over 10 mgs Valium ( which is equal to .1 alcohol ) or it’s equivalent makes a person impaired ( not legally obviously ) . But it is illegal to be engaged in hardcore action while driving so be careful you don’t get caught with your panties down !!!! You wrote" Hi Guys, I believe you can drive on freeways with out a benzo. It will just take a change in perseptions and beliefs and some relatively hard core action. Charla What exactly did you have in mind ? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Elise, I can’t drive panic free unless I take clonazepam at least 1 hour before getting in the car. Recently I was getting anxious on highways because I my pharmacy closed and my new pharmacy carried a different generic manufacturer of clonazepam. Teva makes a stronger version of clonazepam than Purepac in my opinion and others have confirmed my belief through emails. I was feeling anxious while taking the Purepac version of clonazepam and as so I switched to a pharmacy that carried the Teva clonazepam I have been feeling good although I need to build my confidence up again to stop any anticipatory attacks. I should probably ask my pdoc to give me a prescription for Xanax so I could take that before driving and not have to wait for the clonazepam to reach my brain. Elise – are you taking any benzos ?  In my case, I cannot drive on highways without a benzo. Hang in there, Tony Hi Guys, I believe you can drive on freeways with out a benzo. It will just take a change in perseptions and beliefs and some relatively hard core action. Charla — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans"

Response:

Elise, I can’t drive panic free unless I take clonazepam at least 1 hour before getting in the car. Recently I was getting anxious on highways because I my pharmacy closed and my new pharmacy carried a different generic manufacturer of clonazepam. Teva makes a stronger version of clonazepam than Purepac in my opinion and others have confirmed my belief through emails.

I’ve taken the Purepac brand of clonazepam and alprazolam and noticed no difference between it and Klonopin (Roche) which I started in 1987, and Xanax started in 1985. Chip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was feeling anxious while taking the Purepac version of clonazepam and as so I switched to a pharmacy that carried the Teva clonazepam I have been feeling good although I need to build my confidence up again to stop any anticipatory attacks. I should probably ask my pdoc to give me a prescription for Xanax so I could take that before driving and not have to wait for the clonazepam to reach my brain. Elise – are you taking any benzos ?  In my case, I cannot drive on highways without a benzo. Hang in there, Tony — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans" Tony, I am glad that you are on a med that makes it easier to do your daily drive to and back from work.  I am starting to doubt that going off the xanax is good for me.  At least when I was on xanax I could drive in town with very little problem. I am going to have to reevaluate this whole med thing within the next 2 weeks.  The pdoc says if I give the paxil time I will feel better than I have felt in years – but after a month I can’t say I am really impressed.  I don’t like not being able to drive – it makes everything tooooo needy and does nothing for my self confidence. But, am glad you have found a way to combat the driving. Smiles, Elise Zoe, I take 1 mg of Klonopin (aka Clonazepam) in the morning before I drive to work and 1 mg in the afternoon about 1 hour before I drive home from work. You can let it dissolve under your tongue if you want to get it into your bloodstream faster.  My main problem is panic while driving on highways. I have a 50 mile roundtrip drive to work on I-95 for 5 days a week. I also take 100 mg of Zoloft a day. I don’t have any hangups about taking meds. The alternative is to have adrenaline pumping through my body whenever I have a panic experience.  I’m certain that flooding your bloodstream and organs with adrenaline every day will shorten your life.  It’s the plain truth.  Sorry if I am coming off as not having feelings but you need to overcome your med phobia. Take care, Tony — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans" What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Before you buy.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Elise, I can’t drive panic free unless I take clonazepam at least 1 hour before getting in the car. Recently I was getting anxious on highways because I my pharmacy closed and my new pharmacy carried a different generic manufacturer of clonazepam. Teva makes a stronger version of clonazepam than Purepac in my opinion and others have confirmed my belief through emails. I was feeling anxious while taking the Purepac version of clonazepam and as so I switched to a pharmacy that carried the Teva clonazepam I have been feeling good although I need to build my confidence up again to stop any anticipatory attacks. I should probably ask my pdoc to give me a prescription for Xanax so I could take that before driving and not have to wait for the clonazepam to reach my brain. Elise – are you taking any benzos ?  In my case, I cannot drive on highways without a benzo. Hang in there, Tony

Hi Guys, I believe you can drive on freeways with out a benzo. It will just take a change in perseptions and beliefs and some relatively hard core action. Charla – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans"

Response:

Charla: I think it is unwise to drive while impaired on benzos. A person doesn’t think they are impaired but anything over 10 mgs Valium ( which is equal to .1

alcohol What!!?  The sort of impairment that .1 BAC causes is what 10mg Valium causes?  This is total b.s..  I’ve been on 5mg Klonopin and driven with no impairment whatsoever.  One can feel the impairment at .1% BAC.  This is nothing at all like what one feels at even very high doses of benzodiazepines.  Perhaps if one just starts on a high dose of a benzo there will be that sort of impairment, but not if one titrates from a lower dose.  This is yet another scare tactic with no basis in reality. You really ought to examine how much you’ve been brainwashed by your anti-benzo groups. Matt

Response:

Well Rich, you must be a real old timer. Please share how you are. Charla

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Philip Peters wrote : Hey, RICH!! Glad to see you here. I missed you (as do a few other people you know and like!). This sure is a nice surprise… Philip Hi Philip It’s nice to see you too my friend! Rich.

Response:

I take one of those .5mg pills 4x a day.  .5 mg is not an unusual dosage.  I hope this helps!  God Bless and be at peace!

Why are you taking Klonopin 4x day, I thought that this was a 12 hour pill? Dennis. Dennis Hawkins (Remove "dont.spam.me." from address before replying) Do you want to know who has been calling you and hanging up when you answer the phone? Visit http://www.antitelemarketer.com to find out.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Almost every AD, including Zoloft and even when started at a low dose like you’re doing, may worsen anxiety at first. Your doctor should have told you this! You should give Zoloft up to 6-8 weeks to be able to fully assess its effect but you may feel better much earlier (I myself am slow, I tried 5 or 6 AD’s and always needed the full 8 weeks but that seems to be rare). Having a benzo like Klonopin on the side should lessen those initial Zoloft side effects. A normal average amount of Klonopin as a PD maintenance med is around 3 mgs. Epileptics take up to 10-20 mg so not to worry! You might want to try .5 mg *as needed* and see where it gets you. Philip As usual, Philip is totally right… I’ve been on Klonopin for several years and *my* dose is 3.5mg/day… 1mg in the morning, 1mg noon and 1.5mg at bedtime… Of course, we are all different… I also take 200mg of Imipramine at bedtime… Rich.

Hey, RICH!! Glad to see you here. I missed you (as do a few other people you know and like!). This sure is a nice surprise… Philip

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Dear Zoe, You should call your doctor and ask him what dose you should take or follow the instructions on the bottle. I know you are a med phobic, so taking 1/2 of a .5mgs pill will be fine. However, it may not be enough to lower you anxiety. It is very common to have a *temporary* increase in anxiety while weaning on AD`s. It should pass with time and most people use a benzo while weaning on a AD. Take care, Jackie

desensitize taking the pills by swallowing m&m’s and convince yourself you took a pill and then mix a half pill of k in with the m&m’s and when you feel that little surge of I can do this don’t hesitate swallow the pill-if your that freaked out go to the prescribing docs office and take one there-the neat thing about benzos is they are designed to lower anxiety not increase it so if you start to upset yourself the med will slowly calm you down LM

Response:

Tony, Xanax is what the pdoc took me off of cold turkey about a month ago – I wasn’t doing very well on the highway but could drive in town at that time. Now, I am starting to get fed up and wondering if I did the right thing?  I won’t let this go on much longer – my job is in town and I really need to be able to drive the work.  This week my son will follow me down and be there to follow me home.  Trying to stay behind the wheel but I can’t do it alone – tooooo much anxiety.  I am really getting frustrated because it is just too much to expect my family to always be available.  I am not sure about this pdoc but I had to change when I did because my old pdoc moved to Pittsburgh.  I will just hang in there a little longer but won’t let it screw up my job – I love my job and if I give it up probably will never get one like this again.  I guess what I am saying is that shortly I will consider benzos again… smiles, elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Elise, I can’t drive panic free unless I take clonazepam at least 1 hour before getting in the car. Recently I was getting anxious on highways because I my pharmacy closed and my new pharmacy carried a different generic manufacturer of clonazepam. Teva makes a stronger version of clonazepam than Purepac in my opinion and others have confirmed my belief through emails. I was feeling anxious while taking the Purepac version of clonazepam and as so I switched to a pharmacy that carried the Teva clonazepam I have been feeling good although I need to build my confidence up again to stop any anticipatory attacks. I should probably ask my pdoc to give me a prescription for Xanax so I could take that before driving and not have to wait for the clonazepam to reach my brain. Elise – are you taking any benzos ?  In my case, I cannot drive on highways without a benzo. Hang in there, Tony — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans" Tony, I am glad that you are on a med that makes it easier to do your daily drive to and back from work.  I am starting to doubt that going off the xanax is good for me.  At least when I was on xanax I could drive in town with very little problem. I am going to have to reevaluate this whole med thing within the next 2 weeks.  The pdoc says if I give the paxil time I will feel better than I have felt in years – but after a month I can’t say I am really impressed. I don’t like not being able to drive – it makes everything tooooo needy and does nothing for my self confidence. But, am glad you have found a way to combat the driving. Smiles, Elise Zoe, I take 1 mg of Klonopin (aka Clonazepam) in the morning before I drive to work and 1 mg in the afternoon about 1 hour before I drive home from work. You can let it dissolve under your tongue if you want to get it into your bloodstream faster.  My main problem is panic while driving on highways. I have a 50 mile roundtrip drive to work on I-95 for 5 days a week. I also take 100 mg of Zoloft a day. I don’t have any hangups about taking meds. The alternative is to have adrenaline pumping through my body whenever I have a panic experience.  I’m certain that flooding your bloodstream and organs with adrenaline every day will shorten your life.  It’s the plain truth.  Sorry if I am coming off as not having feelings but you need to overcome your med phobia. Take care, Tony — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans" What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Tony, I am glad that you are on a med that makes it easier to do your daily drive to and back from work.  I am starting to doubt that going off the xanax is good for me.  At least when I was on xanax I could drive in town with very little problem. I am going to have to reevaluate this whole med thing within the next 2 weeks.  The pdoc says if I give the paxil time I will feel better than I have felt in years – but after a month I can’t say I am really impressed.  I don’t like not being able to drive – it makes everything tooooo needy and does nothing for my self confidence. But, am glad you have found a way to combat the driving. Smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Zoe, I take 1 mg of Klonopin (aka Clonazepam) in the morning before I drive to work and 1 mg in the afternoon about 1 hour before I drive home from work. You can let it dissolve under your tongue if you want to get it into your bloodstream faster.  My main problem is panic while driving on highways. I have a 50 mile roundtrip drive to work on I-95 for 5 days a week. I also take 100 mg of Zoloft a day. I don’t have any hangups about taking meds. The alternative is to have adrenaline pumping through my body whenever I have a panic experience.  I’m certain that flooding your bloodstream and organs with adrenaline every day will shorten your life.  It’s the plain truth.  Sorry if I am coming off as not having feelings but you need to overcome your med phobia. Take care, Tony — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans" What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Dennis, Klonapin reaches it’s peak effect after 6 hours and then it starts to wear off. I feel this everyday. Tony — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans"

I take one of those .5mg pills 4x a day.  .5 mg is not an unusual dosage. I hope this helps!  God Bless and be at peace!

Why are you taking Klonopin 4x day, I thought that this was a 12 hour pill? Dennis. Dennis Hawkins (Remove "dont.spam.me." from address before replying) Do you want to know who has been calling you and hanging up when you answer the phone? Visit http://www.antitelemarketer.com to find out.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Zoe, I take 1 mg of Klonopin (aka Clonazepam) in the morning before I drive to work and 1 mg in the afternoon about 1 hour before I drive home from work. You can let it dissolve under your tongue if you want to get it into your bloodstream faster.  My main problem is panic while driving on highways.  I have a 50 mile roundtrip drive to work on I-95 for 5 days a week. I also take 100 mg of Zoloft a day. I don’t have any hangups about taking meds. The alternative is to have adrenaline pumping through my body whenever I have a panic experience.  I’m certain that flooding your bloodstream and organs with adrenaline every day will shorten your life.  It’s the plain truth.  Sorry if I am coming off as not having feelings but you need to overcome your med phobia. Take care, Tony

Tony, I take Zoloft 100 mg/day, and Klonopin 2 mg/day, and prn Xanax 0.5 mg. My psych said Klonopin can be taken twice daily with the larger dose (if there is one) in the evening. Thus I take my 2 mg/day as 1 mg in the AM upon awakening and 1 mg at bedtime. The 1/2 life is long enough to allow twice daily dosing. Xanax is much more lipid soluable than Klonopin and reaches the brain much sooner after taking it than Klonopin. Thus if I’m on the highway and get anxious, I’ll take Xanax 0.5 mg for rapid relief. It works in 5 to 10 minutes for me. Chip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans" What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Before you buy.

Response:

Zoe, I take 1 mg of Klonopin (aka Clonazepam) in the morning before I drive to work and 1 mg in the afternoon about 1 hour before I drive home from work. You can let it dissolve under your tongue if you want to get it into your bloodstream faster.  My main problem is panic while driving on highways.  I have a 50 mile roundtrip drive to work on I-95 for 5 days a week. I also take 100 mg of Zoloft a day. I don’t have any hangups about taking meds. The alternative is to have adrenaline pumping through my body whenever I have a panic experience.  I’m certain that flooding your bloodstream and organs with adrenaline every day will shorten your life.  It’s the plain truth.  Sorry if I am coming off as not having feelings but you need to overcome your med phobia. Take care, Tony — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans"

What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Hi ZoeT, I know how you feel about taking meds.  After we’ve had a few bad experiences with them or heard all the horror stories, no wonder we’re phobic about taking them.  But please don’t be. You’re going to have to trust your doctor on this one.  If it helps you for the first few days, take just 1/2 of the Klonopin so you will see it won’t hurt you.  After that, up it to the prescribed dose so that you’ll get the full benefits of it. Believe me, after a while you be asking yourself what you were so afraid of?  But you’re no different than a lot of us, me included.  The only difference this time is I have a psych doctor who I really trusted from the first minute I met him, plus I had learned a lot along the way.  It will be OK. Regards, Rita Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Dennis, It was my dr.s script!  LOL

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I take one of those .5mg pills 4x a day.  .5 mg is not an unusual dosage. I hope this helps!  God Bless and be at peace! Why are you taking Klonopin 4x day, I thought that this was a 12 hour pill? Dennis. Dennis Hawkins (Remove "dont.spam.me." from address before replying) Do you want to know who has been calling you and hanging up when you answer the phone? Visit http://www.antitelemarketer.com to find out.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

I was on 4mgs a day for a long time for non PAD anxiety. Good luck. Matt

Response:

Philip Peters wrote : Hey, RICH!! Glad to see you here. I missed you (as do a few other people you know and like!). This sure is a nice surprise… Philip

Hi Philip It’s nice to see you too my friend! Rich.

Response:

desensitize taking the pills by swallowing m&m’s and convince yourself you took a pill and then mix a half pill of k in with the m&m’s and when you feel that little surge of I can do this

Margrove.  You may have helped the original poster here, but mentioning mixing M&M’s with medication is liable to have disastrous effects if Jackie happens to read it. Gordon Held

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Almost every AD, including Zoloft and even when started at a low dose like you’re doing, may worsen anxiety at first. Your doctor should have told you this! You should give Zoloft up to 6-8 weeks to be able to fully assess its effect but you may feel better much earlier (I myself am slow, I tried 5 or 6 AD’s and always needed the full 8 weeks but that seems to be rare). Having a benzo like Klonopin on the side should lessen those initial Zoloft side effects. A normal average amount of Klonopin as a PD maintenance med is around 3 mgs. Epileptics take up to 10-20 mg so not to worry! You might want to try .5 mg *as needed* and see where it gets you. Philip

As usual, Philip is totally right… I’ve been on Klonopin for several years and *my* dose is 3.5mg/day… 1mg in the morning, 1mg noon and 1.5mg at bedtime… Of course, we are all different… I also take 200mg of Imipramine at bedtime… Rich.

Response:

What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take?

Dear Zoe, You should call your doctor and ask him what dose you should take or follow the instructions on the bottle. I know you are a med phobic, so taking 1/2 of a .5mgs pill will be fine. However, it may not be enough to lower you anxiety. It is very common to have a *temporary* increase in anxiety while weaning on AD`s. It should pass with time and most people use a benzo while weaning on a AD. Take care, Jackie

Response:

What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take?

Almost every AD, including Zoloft and even when started at a low dose like you’re doing, may worsen anxiety at first. Your doctor should have told you this! You should give Zoloft up to 6-8 weeks to be able to fully assess its effect but you may feel better much earlier (I myself am slow, I tried 5 or 6 AD’s and always needed the full 8 weeks but that seems to be rare). Having a benzo like Klonopin on the side should lessen those initial Zoloft side effects. A normal average amount of Klonopin as a PD maintenance med is around 3 mgs. Epileptics take up to 10-20 mg so not to worry! You might want to try .5 mg *as needed* and see where it gets you. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

HI zoe! (((((((((HUGS))))))))) I take one of those .5mg pills 4x a day.  .5 mg is not an unusual dosage.  I hope this helps!  God Bless and be at peace! Kindest Regards, Katie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

The best person to tell you this is the dr that prescribed them. People do well on breaking the .5 mg tablet. But you really should ask your dr if your unsure. I know that didn’t help, but it is the best thing to do. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What’s a standard dose to take of Klonopin?  I’m sitting here having PA’s in my office, and I have a vial of Klonopin that I’m too afraid to take (med phobia.)  I have had it about 6 months and not taken one, and looking at the vial it’s .5 mg per pill —  is half of that too much (.25 mg?)?  Should I cut it into 1/4?   I also took my first dose of Zoloft last night (12.5 mg) and I think thinking about that (the Zoloft) is making me anxious. What sort of doses do other people take? Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have used valerian, esp. before I finally broke down, admitted I had a mood disorder, and was put on depakote, then lamictal (another mood stabilizer with fewer side effects — for me — than the depakote).  The valerian made me sleepy consistently, and I felt physically tired and mentally vague, which perhaps mitigated my mood disorder by making me too sleepy to notice how depressed I was.  It didn’t do anything when I was manic, however.  The mania was far stronger than the relatively mild effects of the valerian (I never took a high dose of it).  On the other hand, I’ve never tried it with effexor or wellbutrin, both of which I now take and both of which are fairly activating so I suppose they would offset the dullness factor.  I see no reason why you shouldn’t try it if your pdoc won’t give you a mood stabilizer and you feel you need one.  Why won’t your pdoc give you one?  or an anti-psychotic?  Does he/she not trust your reporting of symptoms that would indicate a need for them?  Maybe you just need a new, and hopefully better-informed, pdoc.  I’ve had five pdocs since beginning medication and not one of them has ever had any problems with prescribing anti-convulsants as mood stabilizers.  What about lithium?  No question that it’s a mood stabilizer, and nothing else.  Don’t overdose on the valerian, though. Start low and see how it goes.  But if I were in your place I’d find another pdoc. Let us know how it goes for you.  Luck. –Allegra

Thanks for the info Allegra… I was thinking of trying Valerian… since my pdoc thinks that i don’t need any kind of medicataion im kinda on my own… wanted to see if ti would help. Tried a veyr low dose for sleep, but it din’t have any effect – wonder if a much larger one would help… Don’t know about Jame’s pdoc, but mine says that there’s nothing biochemically wrong with me… so theres nothing for a pill to fix… how’s that? a pdoc who DOESN’T want to shove medication down your throat!!! last year I wouild have been thinking WOW, but now i’m not so sure… i mean, this guy saw me on Tuesday when i was about readuy to cut my wrists, and told me that my issues would deal with themselves gfiven time! — Kaji/Karenji – dragon/human Shifter depending on mood… *New Dragon Code COMING (one blue moon or another) *ICQ 55339701 – feel free to message me to chat *http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~gsj/Index.html *Wingsister to Viriatha, Tanith, Hespa and Caitlin/Amberynth *Lover of Chocolate, and Occasional Giver of Chocolate Points *Self-Appointed Guardian of the Southern Spring *Keeper of the Sunnydale Lost and Found

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Hey folks: Well, since my pdoc won’t give me some good mood stabalizers or low dose antopsychotic, I am gonna try my 150mg Effexor XR, with a benzo, and Vallerian Root which I HOPE acts in SOME kind of mood stabalizing way. Ya, I know…far from being anything "medically" correct, but it’s much better than the previous cocktail of benzos and codiene I was taking. One thing I noticed with Effexor though is that it can really mess up your memory and alertness all day long. What I may try and do is beg, beg, beg my family doc to take on my psch meds for now, and ask to give a shot at another mood stabalizer or antipsychotic with Effexor or Welbutrin. My family doc was much more enthusiastic about using a mood stabalizer, he started me on depakote, than using benzos. The pdocs don’t seem to want to use ANYTHING not stricly "labled", as I see there is that whole controversy over using different meds for bp. (I guess even if the anticonvulsants are officially "labled" for use in bp, many pdocs still won’t use them.) Yes, there must be a bit of caution in mix and match pharmacy, but we are only here for a limited time, and I want to live as healthy, happy life like everybody does. I think even pdocs (some..not all) don’t realize how painful a mental disorder is. Yes, it’s "different" than physical pain, put the intensity is just as bad. James

Response:

I have used valerian, esp. before I finally broke down, admitted I had a mood disorder, and was put on depakote, then lamictal (another mood stabilizer with fewer side effects — for me — than the depakote).  The valerian made me sleepy consistently, and I felt physically tired and mentally vague, which perhaps mitigated my mood disorder by making me too sleepy to notice how depressed I was.  It didn’t do anything when I was manic, however.  The mania was far stronger than the relatively mild effects of the valerian (I never took a high dose of it).  On the other hand, I’ve never tried it with effexor or wellbutrin, both of which I now take and both of which are fairly activating so I suppose they would offset the dullness factor.  I see no reason why you shouldn’t try it if your pdoc won’t give you a mood stabilizer and you feel you need one.  Why won’t your pdoc give you one?  or an anti-psychotic?  Does he/she not trust your reporting of symptoms that would indicate a need for them?  Maybe you just need a new, and hopefully better-informed, pdoc.  I’ve had five pdocs since beginning medication and not one of them has ever had any problems with prescribing anti-convulsants as mood stabilizers.  What about lithium?  No question that it’s a mood stabilizer, and nothing else.  Don’t overdose on the valerian, though. Start low and see how it goes.  But if I were in your place I’d find another pdoc. Let us know how it goes for you.  Luck. –Allegra

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey folks: Well, since my pdoc won’t give me some good mood stabalizers or low dose antopsychotic, I am gonna try my 150mg Effexor XR, with a benzo, and Vallerian Root which I HOPE acts in SOME kind of mood stabalizing way. Ya, I know…far from being anything "medically" correct, but it’s much better than the previous cocktail of benzos and codiene I was taking. One thing I noticed with Effexor though is that it can really mess up your memory and alertness all day long. What I may try and do is beg, beg, beg my family doc to take on my psch meds for now, and ask to give a shot at another mood stabalizer or antipsychotic with Effexor or Welbutrin. My family doc was much more enthusiastic about using a mood stabalizer, he started me on depakote, than using benzos. The pdocs don’t seem to want to use ANYTHING not stricly "labled", as I see there is that whole controversy over using different meds for bp. (I guess even if the anticonvulsants are officially "labled" for use in bp, many pdocs still won’t use them.) Yes, there must be a bit of caution in mix and match pharmacy, but we are only here for a limited time, and I want to live as healthy, happy life like everybody does. I think even pdocs (some..not all) don’t realize how painful a mental disorder is. Yes, it’s "different" than physical pain, put the intensity is just as bad. James

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snipped Welcome to anx/pan Robb! Opps Rony made a boo boo : Welcome to ASAP snipped Rony. Thats what happens when you get addicted to #anx/pan Rony, it takes over your life to the extent that everywhere seems like its #anx/pan. Some fiendish plot of Jon’s to take over the world I suspect!!!! <VBG Ian Gosh! i really should get out more )

Ian, I think we should ALL get out more. Karen

Response:

Welcome to ASAP Robb. You will find a lot of supportive  and experienced people here to help you through this. Hello All,    My name is Robb and I am new to this group. I am a 26 year old male who has just recently been diagnosed with panic disorder. About a month ago I was sitting at work listening to some music and writing code (I am a Webmaster for a marketing firm) when all of a sudden I went numb. My heart started pounding so hard it hurt, I got nauseated, dizzy, and started shaking. The worst part was my mind lost its sense of reality. At that exact point in time, all I could remember is wanting "out". I do believe that was a strong suicidal flash.

This may have been a panic attack, as they can cause all of the symptoms listed above. The feelings can certainly be overwhelming.    From reading the rest of the posts in here, I can see I’m not alone. This syndrome has bothered me because in life, I’m the one people go to when everything falls apart. I’ve always been the solid one, the one who is in control all the time. The PA’s have changed all that. Now I fear doing many of the things that I used to enjoy because I might have an attack.    I hate to complain about my medical insurance since my company pays for it 100%, but it is an HMO, so I still haven’t been to see a psychologist. I have been to counseling and have seen my physician who has me on Xanax and Zoloft. The only thing the Xanax does for me is make me groggy, but many times that’s enough. I have no idea if the Zoloft is doing anything. I hope when I see the psychologist next month he will be able to determine the correct medication to help this along.

You may want to see a psychiatrist specializing in anxiety disorders, being you are already on medication. How long have you been taking Xanax and Zoloft, and what doses? The grogginess may soon wear off, your body needs to adjust to the med. It does sound like Xanax is already helping, give both meds some time to work fully.  I HATE drugs, especially anything that makes me feel disconnected, but in contrast to the panic attacks, I’ll deal with them for the time being.    Ok, this will be enough for my first posting. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you out there who’s stories I’ve read. Although the severity of these attacks have lessened over the past month, they still bother me. However, I find it comforting to know that I am not "going crazy" and that this is truly problem with physical roots as well. Robb

Most of us feel the way you do, we don’t like taking meds. But given the choice between PA’s and taking the meds, it’s an easy choice. You certainly aren’t going crazy, although panic can make it seem that way. Let us know how you progress. Ray Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it – even if I have said it – unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.

Response:

writes – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snipped Welcome to anx/pan Robb! Opps Rony made a boo boo : Welcome to ASAP snipped Rony. Thats what happens when you get addicted to #anx/pan Rony, it takes over your life to the extent that everywhere seems like its #anx/pan. Some fiendish plot of Jon’s to take over the world I suspect!!!! <VBG Ian

Curses – I am undone — Jon Guite When replying by email, please remove the trailing x from my return address

Response:

I am also a new member. For years ,,I felt very stressed and anxious but no name/diagnosis was really given. Then I married….a wonderful man and we had 2 childred. While in my 30’s he died suddenly (he was same age) of a heart attack. A month to the day later my Mother died suddenly. Two weeks after that,,,my son almost lost his eye,,and had permanent damage as well as severe bleeding from incident. i  had started a new job (was not working prior) A year later I had a major car accident. A few years later I wound up in the hospital for a month with severe asthma and major meds. The doctor (pulmonary specialist) felt that the asthma was worsened from "stuffed symptons" so to speak. He put me on an antidepressant. Then I went off that. A few years later my heart started to race and I felt nervous. The MD prescribed Verapamil which helped a bit. Now,,,,I have a stressful job,,(one I am not fond of anymore. I seem to start worrying over things and can’t stop. Kind of obsessing. I went to Dr and he upped dosage of Verapamil to 240 mg a day,,and gave me a prescription for Lorazepam….1//2 to 1 mg daily  "as needed" I feel good but sometimes drowsy. I need to concentrate on my job. I have an HMO and right now a psychiatrist is not an option. My son is 23,,,and believe he has OCD. BUt he refuses to take medication. SO SORRY for this long post. I don’t have panic per se,,,thank GOd I can go places without panicking,,but have this anxiety a lot but not all the time. i had gone to a pychologist before (with other insurance) In the past several doctors advised me that I had to learn to cope with my stress and of course having gone thru what I did it was normal. I don’t know why I was not diagosed before. I am now 50 and feel that I felt anxious for years when I need not have been. I can’t change the past,,,but am wondering if Lorazepam helps,,should I keep taking it? Worried about long lasting problems. Thanks again,,I guess I must have gen anxiety disorder though dr did not give it a name. Can this be worsened by the events I went thru and why 13 years later,,,are things getting worse? Thanks for listening,,,and again sorry for this long post which I hope you can make sense out of. Best to all  Linda

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snipped Welcome to anx/pan Robb! Opps Rony made a boo boo : Welcome to ASAP snipped Rony. Thats what happens when you get addicted to #anx/pan Rony, it takes over your life to the extent that everywhere seems like its #anx/pan. Some fiendish plot of Jon’s to take over the world I suspect!!!! <VBG Ian

ROFL!! Hi Ian! Hope you are doing well! Steph

Response:

snipped Thats what happens when you get addicted to #anx/pan Rony, it takes over your life to the extent that everywhere seems like its #anx/pan. Some fiendish plot of Jon’s to take over the world I suspect!!!! <VBG Ian ROFL!! Hi Ian! Hope you are doing well! Steph

Yep, I’m doing okay,  thanks for asking.  :-) Ian

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am also a new member. For years ,,I felt very stressed and anxious but no name/diagnosis was really given. Then I married….a wonderful man and we had 2 childred. While in my 30’s he died suddenly (he was same age) of a heart attack. A month to the day later my Mother died suddenly. Two weeks after that,,,my son almost lost his eye,,and had permanent damage as well as severe bleeding from incident. i  had started a new job (was not working prior) A year later I had a major car accident. A few years later I wound up in the hospital for a month with severe asthma and major meds. The doctor (pulmonary specialist) felt that the asthma was worsened from "stuffed symptons" so to speak. He put me on an antidepressant. Then I went off that. A few years later my heart started to race and I felt nervous. The MD prescribed Verapamil which helped a bit. Now,,,,I have a stressful job,,(one I am not fond of anymore. I seem to start worrying over things and can’t stop. Kind of obsessing. I went to Dr and he upped dosage of Verapamil to 240 mg a day,,and gave me a prescription for Lorazepam….1//2 to 1 mg daily  "as needed" I feel good but sometimes drowsy. I need to concentrate on my job. I have an HMO and right now a psychiatrist is not an option. My son is 23,,,and believe he has OCD. BUt he refuses to take medication. SO SORRY for this long post. I don’t have panic per se,,,thank GOd I can go places without panicking,,but have this anxiety a lot but not all the time. i had gone to a pychologist before (with other insurance) In the past several doctors advised me that I had to learn to cope with my stress and of course having gone thru what I did it was normal. I don’t know why I was not diagosed before. I am now 50 and feel that I felt anxious for years when I need not have been. I can’t change the past,,,but am wondering if Lorazepam helps,,should I keep taking it? Worried about long lasting problems. Thanks again,,I guess I must have gen anxiety disorder though dr did not give it a name. Can this be worsened by the events I went thru and why 13 years later,,,are things getting worse? Thanks for listening,,,and again sorry for this long post which I hope you can make sense out of. Best to all  Linda

Hi Linda and welcome to ASAP! You’ve been through a lot – too much really and I’m sorry about that. An anxiety disorder can manifest itself any time although the risk gets smaller with age after a certain age. But then it seems you’ve been doping with anxiety for years now and yes, there may come a time when taking meds is sensible and that time may well be now. I think you may suffer from GAD with OCD-overtones but nobody – let alone non-professionals like us here – can diagnose someone else over the net. Wouldn’t it be possible to see a psychiatrist specialized in anxiety disorders in a program with gliding scales or something like that? I feel it’s important to be properly diagnosed and then get prescribed the relevant med(s). In the meatime I wonder why you’re taking *Verapramil* fopr anxiety for which it is, as a calcium blocker used for hypertension and certain cardiac problems, not a first choice med at all. A benzo like lorazepam may work. If it doesn’t you might want to try Xanax (alprazolam). You will bezome dependent on benzos when taking them for a longer period but this just means that if and when you decide to stop taking them you’ll have to do a slow taper in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Benzos have been life-savers for many GAD and PD-sufferer. I think the proof is in the pudding. *If it works, it works*. NBut you should see to it that you’re not undermedicated. 1/2 to 1 mgs of lorazepam may be fine to take *as needed* but if you’re experience anxiety all the time you might be better off on a regular dose and as lorazepam (the same goes for Xanax) is a short acting benzo you would need to take it three times a day or so. I hope it will help you, you are entitled to some peace of mind…. Philip

Response:

Hello All,     My name is Robb and I am new to this group. I am a 26 year old male who has just recently been diagnosed with panic disorder. About a month ago I was sitting at work listening to some music and writing code (I am a Webmaster for a marketing firm) when all of a sudden I went numb. My heart started pounding so hard it hurt, I got nauseated, dizzy, and started shaking. The worst part was my mind lost its sense of reality. At that exact point in time, all I could remember is wanting "out". I do believe that was a strong suicidal flash.     From reading the rest of the posts in here, I can see I’m not alone. This syndrome has bothered me because in life, I’m the one people go to when everything falls apart. I’ve always been the solid one, the one who is in control all the time. The PA’s have changed all that. Now I fear doing many of the things that I used to enjoy because I might have an attack.     I hate to complain about my medical insurance since my company pays for it 100%, but it is an HMO, so I still haven’t been to see a psychologist. I have been to counseling and have seen my physician who has me on Xanax and Zoloft. The only thing the Xanax does for me is make me groggy, but many times that’s enough. I have no idea if the Zoloft is doing anything. I hope when I see the psychologist next month he will be able to determine the correct medication to help this along. I HATE drugs, especially anything that makes me feel disconnected, but in contrast to the panic attacks, I’ll deal with them for the time being.     Ok, this will be enough for my first posting. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you out there who’s stories I’ve read. Although the severity of these attacks have lessened over the past month, they still bother me. However, I find it comforting to know that I am not "going crazy" and that this is truly problem with physical roots as well. Robb

Response:

Hi Robb,

Welcome to ASAP.  You have come to a place where you will meet, so to speak, people who are dealing with the same issues as you.  Please feel free to post as often as you feel the need.  There are quite a few well informed people in this NG that are a great help and inspiration to all of us.  Once again, welcome..smile. Mary Kay – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello All,    My name is Robb and I am new to this group. I am a 26 year old male who has just recently been diagnosed with panic disorder. About a month ago I was sitting at work listening to some music and writing code (I am a Webmaster for a marketing firm) when all of a sudden I went numb. My heart started pounding so hard it hurt, I got nauseated, dizzy, and started shaking. The worst part was my mind lost its sense of reality. At that exact point in time, all I could remember is wanting "out". I do believe that was a strong suicidal flash.    From reading the rest of the posts in here, I can see I’m not alone. This syndrome has bothered me because in life, I’m the one people go to when everything falls apart. I’ve always been the solid one, the one who is in control all the time. The PA’s have changed all that. Now I fear doing many of the things that I used to enjoy because I might have an attack.    I hate to complain about my medical insurance since my company pays for it 100%, but it is an HMO, so I still haven’t been to see a psychologist. I have been to counseling and have seen my physician who has me on Xanax and Zoloft. The only thing the Xanax does for me is make me groggy, but many times that’s enough. I have no idea if the Zoloft is doing anything. I hope when I see the psychologist next month he will be able to determine the correct medication to help this along. I HATE drugs, especially anything that makes me feel disconnected, but in contrast to the panic attacks, I’ll deal with them for the time being.    Ok, this will be enough for my first posting. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you out there who’s stories I’ve read. Although the severity of these attacks have lessened over the past month, they still bother me. However, I find it comforting to know that I am not "going crazy" and that this is truly problem with physical roots as well. Robb

Response:

The only thing the Xanax does for me is make me groggy, but many times that’s enough. I have no idea if the Zoloft is doing anything. I hope when I see the psychologist next month he will be able to determine the correct medication to help this along.

Robb, You didn’t mention if your doctor said anything, so I’ll just add that the Zoloft will take several weeks to have any effect.   If it’s a psychologist you’re seeing, but not a psychiatrist, the psychologist will not be able to prescribe drugs but if s/he has experience in panic/anxiety s/he will be aware of what drugs are out there and how they are used and to what effect.  In the meantime, don’t give up on the drugs simply because you are anti-drug.  (Like another poster said, you wouldn’t refuse insulin if you were diabetic would you?)  Give the Zoloft time to have an effect.  Best of luck.

Response:

I get the psychiatrist / psychologist thing messed up all the time. I meant psychiatrist. And I’ve done tons of research through the web about the Zoloft and realize it can take up to 6 weeks to have any effect. Sorry about being dense – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You didn’t mention if your doctor said anything, so I’ll just add that the Zoloft will take several weeks to have any effect. If it’s a psychologist you’re seeing, but not a psychiatrist, the psychologist will not be able to prescribe drugs but if s/he has experience in panic/anxiety s/he will be aware of what drugs are out there and how they are used and to what effect.  In the meantime, don’t give up on the drugs simply because you are anti-drug.  (Like another poster said, you wouldn’t refuse insulin if you were diabetic would you?)  Give the Zoloft time to have an effect.  Best of luck.

Response:

Hello All,    My name is Robb and I am new to this group. I am a 26 year old male who has just recently been diagnosed with panic disorder.

<snip . My heart started pounding so hard it hurt, I got nauseated, dizzy, and started shaking. The worst part was my mind lost its sense of reality.

<snip Sounds like you had a derealization episoide too …. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    From reading the rest of the posts in here, I can see I’m not alone. This syndrome has bothered me because in life, I’m the one people go to when everything falls apart. I’ve always been the solid one, the one who is in control all the time. The PA’s have changed all that. Now I fear doing many of the things that I used to enjoy because I might have an attack.    I hate to complain about my medical insurance since my company pays for it 100%, but it is an HMO, so I still haven’t been to see a psychologist. I have been to counseling and have seen my physician who has me on Xanax and Zoloft. The only thing the Xanax does for me is make me groggy, but many times that’s enough. I have no idea if the Zoloft is doing anything. I hope when I see the psychologist next month he will be able to determine the correct medication to help this along. I HATE drugs, especially anything that makes me feel disconnected, but in contrast to the panic attacks, I’ll deal with them for the time being.    Ok, this will be enough for my first posting. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you out there who’s stories I’ve read. Although the severity of these attacks have lessened over the past month, they still bother me. However, I find it comforting to know that I am not "going crazy" and that this is truly problem with physical roots as well. Robb

Welcome to anx/pan Robb! give the Zolfot a chance , it can take a while to take effect, so hang in there. And yes your right you are not going crazy!. Please let us know how you get on with the meds, i’m sure you wi ll be feeling some relief before long ) Rony. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello All,    My name is Robb and I am new to this group. I am a 26 year old male who has just recently been diagnosed with panic disorder. <snip . My heart started pounding so hard it hurt, I got nauseated, dizzy, and started shaking. The worst part was my mind lost its sense of reality. <snip Sounds like you had a derealization episoide too ….    From reading the rest of the posts in here, I can see I’m not alone. This syndrome has bothered me because in life, I’m the one people go to when everything falls apart. I’ve always been the solid one, the one who is in control all the time. The PA’s have changed all that. Now I fear doing many of the things that I used to enjoy because I might have an attack.    I hate to complain about my medical insurance since my company pays for it 100%, but it is an HMO, so I still haven’t been to see a psychologist. I have been to counseling and have seen my physician who has me on Xanax and Zoloft. The only thing the Xanax does for me is make me groggy, but many times that’s enough. I have no idea if the Zoloft is doing anything. I hope when I see the psychologist next month he will be able to determine the correct medication to help this along. I HATE drugs, especially anything that makes me feel disconnected, but in contrast to the panic attacks, I’ll deal with them for the time being.    Ok, this will be enough for my first posting. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you out there who’s stories I’ve read. Although the severity of these attacks have lessened over the past month, they still bother me. However, I find it comforting to know that I am not "going crazy" and that this is truly problem with physical roots as well. Robb Welcome to anx/pan Robb!

Opps Rony made a boo boo : Welcome to ASAP give the Zolfot a chance , i

t can take a while to take effect, so hang in there. And yes your right you are not going crazy!. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Please let us know how you get on with the meds, i’m sure you wi ll be feeling some relief before long ) Rony.

Response:

Hi Rob, welcome to ASAP, Your story isn’t all that uncommon, nor is the fact that you are a computer geek  We seem to have a disproportionately high number of comp wizards here (probably some so far undocumented Microsoft bug IMO). And most of us were the bedrock that others clung to in times of crisis. It can be a really weird disorder that way, hitting you where you thought you were strongest!!!!  Go figure!!!   Good luck Ian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –    My name is Robb and I am new to this group. I am a 26 year old male who has just recently been diagnosed with panic disorder. About a month ago I was sitting at work listening to some music and writing code (I am a Webmaster for a marketing firm) when all of a sudden I went numb. My heart started pounding so hard it hurt, I got nauseated, dizzy, and started shaking. The worst part was my mind lost its sense of reality. At that exact point in time, all I could remember is wanting "out". I do believe that was a strong suicidal flash.    From reading the rest of the posts in here, I can see I’m not alone. This syndrome has bothered me because in life, I’m the one people go to when everything falls apart. I’ve always been the solid one, the one who is in control all the time. The PA’s have changed all that. Now I fear doing many of the things that I used to enjoy because I might have an attack.    I hate to complain about my medical insurance since my company pays for it 100%, but it is an HMO, so I still haven’t been to see a psychologist. I have been to counseling and have seen my physician who has me on Xanax and Zoloft. The only thing the Xanax does for me is make me groggy, but many times that’s enough. I have no idea if the Zoloft is doing anything. I hope when I see the psychologist next month he will be able to determine the correct medication to help this along. I HATE drugs, especially anything that makes me feel disconnected, but in contrast to the panic attacks, I’ll deal with them for the time being.    Ok, this will be enough for my first posting. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you out there who’s stories I’ve read. Although the severity of these attacks have lessened over the past month, they still bother me. However, I find it comforting to know that I am not "going crazy" and that this is truly problem with physical roots as well. Robb

Response:

snipped Welcome to anx/pan Robb! Opps Rony made a boo boo : Welcome to ASAP snipped Rony.

Thats what happens when you get addicted to #anx/pan Rony, it takes over your life to the extent that everywhere seems like its #anx/pan. Some fiendish plot of Jon’s to take over the world I suspect!!!! <VBG Ian

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – snipped Welcome to anx/pan Robb! Opps Rony made a boo boo : Welcome to ASAP snipped Rony. Thats what happens when you get addicted to #anx/pan Rony, it takes over your life to the extent that everywhere seems like its #anx/pan. Some fiendish plot of Jon’s to take over the world I suspect!!!! <VBG Ian

Gosh! i really should get out more )

Response:

Question:

Has anybody been on Effexor? I have been on it since November and I have recently figured out it is the cause of the strange symptoms I’ve been having. I have been bothered by mouth ulcers that make eating and drinking almost anything painful. I also get very hot with the least little bit of exertion. And it also was part of the cause of the strange dreams I was having, as well as the dizziness. I think the Effexor along with the Ginko Balboa I was trying did not do well together. Since I stopped taking the Ginko Balboa, neither one has bothered me as bad. Anyway, my question is: has anyone taken Effexor? I need to know how to taper off, because I hear the withdrawl can be bad. I was taking 225mg and have gone down to 150mg, as of two days ago, but am afraid to cut back anymore. I have a job and a family, and I don’t need to hallucinate or be sick right now! If anyone has any advice I’d appreciate it. Michele

Response:

Hi Michelle I was just prescribed this wonder drug ang I was so dizzy and sick to my stomach so I cut my per down to 1/2 a pill twice a day.It was prescribed for neurogenic pain and muscle spasms.I wanted Neurontin but the doc said this had less side effects!As far as I can see,all it is,is an antidepressant.What did you get it prescribed for?225 mg is the maximum dosage.Your doctor really started you off with a bang. What do you think is a better alternative? Carol — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

Response:

the smart thing to do is to call your doctor. you shouldnt be looking to non-medical people for such important info! @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Be Well, Lisa anti-spam in effect. remove 123 from my address. "Please explain to me the scientific nature of ‘The Whammy’" – Scully "The dope’s that there’s still hope." – Bruce Springsteen @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Response:

I have called my doctor, but I thought I would see how other people got off it while I was waiting for him to call me back. Michele

Response:

I have called my doctor, but I thought I would see how other people got off it

while I was waiting for him to call me back.

I just quit.  Didn’t suffer for it.  Were there more specific questions you have? Dabrinah

Response:

Question:

: : Meridia is a seratonin re-uptake inhibitor, not an amphetamine.  The drugs are : not related directly, and there is not a "subjective" effect anywhere like : "bennies". Is "bennies" an accepted nick name for benzodiazepines?                                         Best Wishes,                                         Arthur

*Bennies* is a street name for amphetamines in general and more specifically for *benzedrine*. Philip

Response:

: : Meridia is a seratonin re-uptake inhibitor, not an amphetamine.  The drugs are : not related directly, and there is not a "subjective" effect anywhere like : "bennies". Is "bennies" an accepted nick name for benzodiazepines?                                         Best Wishes,                                         Arthur

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Meridia is a seratonin re-uptake inhibitor, not an amphetamine.  The drugs are not related directly, and there is not a "subjective" effect anywhere like "bennies". All drugs are scheduled for prescription purposes, it doesn’t mean that if it’s scheduled, it’s going to be addictive. The contraindications are true.  I took it for a while and have to give it up due to heart palpatations. Really, don’t blow off so much steam without more information. Respectively Fred

     You are right about sibutramine (Meridia) not being an amphetamine, however it’s not just an SSRI per se but a serotonin-norepinephrine, and to a lesser extent, dopamine reuptake inhibitor.  Meridia is not a monoamine releasing agent like amphetamine or some amphetamine congeners.  The potency of Meridia is said to be 73% norepinephrine, 54% serotonin, and 16% dopamine reuptake inhibition per one study using plasma samples from volunteers. Meridia does share some side effects with venlafaxine (Effexor) due to the potent effect on norepinephrine reuptake, such as sustained BP elevation. Chris

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Last night I saw a new one, apparently some new amphetamine to be used for weight loss called "Meridia".  The list of contraindications included high BP, (duh), heart disease, anyone taking medications for anxiety (!!!)….all of which makes it pretty useless for me. But here’s where my ears pointed up: "Meridia is a controlled substance, so there may be some limited dependence." or words to that effect, but I’m sure of the phrase "limited dependence". Aha!  So,…it’s not "addictive", it has "limited dependence".  This should be of interest to all of us who are accused of being "addicted" to benzos. Our clarification (beaten to death in this newsgroup) has hit the big time! E. Brent Price Brent, Really, you have jumped to some pretty naive conclusions from the tv advert. Meridia is a seratonin re-uptake inhibitor, not an amphetamine.  The drugs are not related directly, and there is not a "subjective" effect anywhere like "bennies".

I beg to differ as a web search shows that Meridia (sibutramine) is *not* an SSRI and is *not* used for PAD. The manufacturer claims that it increases the amount of dopamine, increases the effect of serotonin and enhances the effect of norepinephrine "thus actually increasing the basal medtabolic rate. This means that with Meridia a patient will actually increase the amount of calories burned while at rest." If there is any link to anti-anxiety meds it’s with the TCA’s and not with the SSRI’s though I take it that this one works in a totally different way than TCA’s do. All drugs are scheduled for prescription purposes, it doesn’t mean that if it’s scheduled, it’s going to be addictive. The contraindications are true.  I took it for a while and have to give it up due to heart palpatations.

Did you take it for weight loss or for anxiety, Fred? Really, don’t blow off so much steam without more information. Respectively Fred

Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The last couple of years here in the US, there has been a controversial explosion in prescription drug advertisements in the mass media.  I mean television ads, slick ads in magazines intended for the general public; not just professional journals. Most of the drugs are for things like hair loss, high BP, acid stomach, etc, and some you can’t hardly figure out what the hell the drug is supposed to be for.  They end urging you to contact your doctor, then (talking real fast) run through a list of contraindications. Last night I saw a new one, apparently some new amphetamine to be used for weight loss called "Meridia".  The list of contraindications included high BP, (duh), heart disease, anyone taking medications for anxiety (!!!)….all of which makes it pretty useless for me. But here’s where my ears pointed up: "Meridia is a controlled substance, so there may be some limited dependence." or words to that effect, but I’m sure of the phrase "limited dependence". Aha!  So,…it’s not "addictive", it has "limited dependence".  This should be of interest to all of us who are accused of being "addicted" to benzos. Our clarification (beaten to death in this newsgroup) has hit the big time! E. Brent Price

Well, what a difference a few days make!  Last night, an entirely *new* ad for Meridia appeared, totally different pictures, and almost the same voiceover except for this: "Patients who abuse Meridia may become dependent." So, here in the US, anti-drug mania still rules.  I can just imagine hoards of stockholders besieging the company with pitchforks and torches demanding an end to selling "addicting drugs".  Easy as pie, just make the patient responsible for the "addiction" by "abusing" it. This in a country that considers *any* use of an illegal drug "abuse". Smoke a half of a joint once a month? You are an abuser.  Who wants to bet that the therapeutic dosage of Meridia is equivalent to abuse? E. Brent Price

Response:

I’m reposting this because my message already dropped off of my crummy server.  Sorry if it’s a duplicate for you.  I get a lot of threads that start with "Re:…." and I seldom get responses to my posts.  I took it personal at first, but then decided it was either a lousy server exchange or

Hi Brent, Your post is not a duplicate for me. I have seen you post many times and people do respond to your posts!! Maybe like you said lousy server. Lately I am not recieving whole threads, and sometimes I have no idea what people are talking about. I always enjoy  your posts. Hopefully you get this one!! Jackie "Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?"

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m reposting this because my message already dropped off of my crummy server.  Sorry if it’s a duplicate for you.  I get a lot of threads that start with "Re:…." and I seldom get responses to my posts.  I took it personal at first, but then decided it was either a lousy server exchange or I simply write in such crystal clear logic that nobody has anything to add or argue with.  Ya think?  Anyway, here’s that post: – The last couple of years here in the US, there has been a controversial explosion in prescription drug advertisements in the mass media.  I mean television ads, slick ads in magazines intended for the general public; not just professional journals. Most of the drugs are for things like hair loss, high BP, acid stomach, etc, and some you can’t hardly figure out what the hell the drug is supposed to be for.  They end urging you to contact your doctor, then (talking real fast) run through a list of contraindications. Last night I saw a new one, apparently some new amphetamine to be used for weight loss called "Meridia".  The list of contraindications included high BP, (duh), heart disease, anyone taking medications for anxiety (!!!)….all of which makes it pretty useless for me. But here’s where my ears pointed up: "Meridia is a controlled substance, so there may be some limited dependence." or words to that effect, but I’m sure of the phrase "limited dependence". Aha!  So,…it’s not "addictive", it has "limited dependence".  This should be of interest to all of us who are accused of being "addicted" to benzos. Our clarification (beaten to death in this newsgroup) has hit the big time! E. Brent Price

Brent, Really, you have jumped to some pretty naive conclusions from the tv advert. Meridia is a seratonin re-uptake inhibitor, not an amphetamine.  The drugs are not related directly, and there is not a "subjective" effect anywhere like "bennies". All drugs are scheduled for prescription purposes, it doesn’t mean that if it’s scheduled, it’s going to be addictive. The contraindications are true.  I took it for a while and have to give it up due to heart palpatations. Really, don’t blow off so much steam without more information. Respectively Fred

Response:

I’m reposting this because my message already dropped off of my crummy server.  Sorry if it’s a duplicate for you.  I get a lot of threads that start with "Re:…." and I seldom get responses to my posts.  I took it personal at first, but then decided it was either a lousy server exchange or I simply write in such crystal clear logic that nobody has anything to add or argue with.  Ya think?  Anyway, here’s that post: – The last couple of years here in the US, there has been a controversial explosion in prescription drug advertisements in the mass media.  I mean television ads, slick ads in magazines intended for the general public; not just professional journals. Most of the drugs are for things like hair loss, high BP, acid stomach, etc, and some you can’t hardly figure out what the hell the drug is supposed to be for.  They end urging you to contact your doctor, then (talking real fast) run through a list of contraindications. Last night I saw a new one, apparently some new amphetamine to be used for weight loss called "Meridia".  The list of contraindications included high BP, (duh), heart disease, anyone taking medications for anxiety (!!!)….all of which makes it pretty useless for me. But here’s where my ears pointed up: "Meridia is a controlled substance, so there may be some limited dependence." or words to that effect, but I’m sure of the phrase "limited dependence". Aha!  So,…it’s not "addictive", it has "limited dependence".  This should be of interest to all of us who are accused of being "addicted" to benzos. Our clarification (beaten to death in this newsgroup) has hit the big time! E. Brent Price

Response:

Question:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

Question:

I took Betaseron for a year and a half.  The flu-like symptoms went away  (fortunate, since I got chills so bad I had to buy a Polarfleece outfit to  sleep in under 2 blankets and 2 quilts).  But the depression, which began only  on injection days, got worse and  never went away.  Only an MRI would show  whether the Beta was doing its job.  I assume it was, but that wouldn’t do me  any good if I killed myself.  I tried Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor–had a variety  of unpleasant side effects.  I know depression can be an MS symptom, but this  did seem drug related, so I finally decided I’d rather live with the MS, quit  the Beta.  Took a year to pull out of scary depression.  I’m doing pretty well  now.    I gather that Betaseron does work for some (many?) people but I’ve felt that  it’s potential for depression has been understated.

Response:

Hi Sue! I have been on Betaseron for over 2 years now.  I didn’t take any prednisone  when I started it, but I do take it when my symptoms get worse.  Yeah, that  stuff is no fun at all! I have not had the "flu-like" symptoms since the first month I was on  Betaseron. My injection site problems have been minimal.  I rub aloe vera cream with  vitamins A, D, and E on my legs and stomach.  For the past 2 months, I have  convinced my boyfriend to help me inject my "hip" area–some word they came up  with for butt!  I am giving my other spots a rest this way.  The redness is  going away, and I hope my skin will be a little more receptive to the  injections. I have had what I call "mini-attacks" since I have been on the  Betaseron–nothing like the major ones I experienced before.  Is it the drug?  Who knows! It may not be helping me at all, or it could be what is keeping me  walking (not very well, but, hey, I’ll take it!) Best of luck in whatever you decide to do! Sylvia

Response:

I’m seriously considering taking one of the three drugs – betaseron, copaxone or avenox.  I have had the remitting kind of MS for 16 years.  I have had some permanent damage from many of the attacks.  I would like to ask the following questions of people who have been on these drugs. 1.  For those on betaseron or avenox – did you take steroids for the first  3 months?  I’m concerned about getting hyper,  nervous and depressed because that is what has happened in the past when I’ve been on prednisone.     Was there relief from your MS symptoms while on betaseron or avenox?     Was the improvement worth having all the flu-like symptoms, pain of shots,          etc.? 2.  For those on copaxone – was there any relief from  MS symptoms? 3.  Why do you feel that being on any of these three drugs is worth experiencing the side effects? Thanks for your help  Sue

Response:

Sue wrote:

I’m seriously considering taking one of the three drugs – 1.  For those on betaseron or avenox – did you take steroids for the first 3 months?      Was there relief from your MS symptoms while on betaseron or avenox?    Was the improvement worth having all the flu-like symptoms, pain of shots,          etc.?

I was on the study for Avonex for 2 years and on Betaseron for 2+ years and I didn’t have to take steroids for either one of them.  I myself got no relief while on either drug.  From what I understand there is not supposed to be any inprovement while on these drugs, just no worsening.

3.  Why do you feel that being on any of these three drugs is worth experiencing the side effects?

While I did not feel any different being on either dug, a few months after going off each one I had an exacerbation.  So I guess they must have been doing something right. I hope this answers some of your questions, Marcy http://members.aol.com/marcyrw2/MS.html

Response:

Suepinca <suepi…@aol.com

wrote in article

<19970929004601.UAA15…@ladder01.news.aol.com

… I’m seriously considering taking one of the three drugs – betaseron, copaxone or avenox.  

<snip

Sue,  I just started Avonex as I was starting to have symptoms that interfered with me doing my work at the office – To me Avonex was recommended and I also was happier injecting once a week rather than injecting every two days with Beta.  I currently am set to have 1 day of solu-medrol IV drip each month and the avonex injections weekly.  The first time I had horrible after effects from the avonex, second time I increased the tylenol to 4 doses (2 hrs before shot, at time of shot & twice more before retiring to bed) and had no after effects from the shot that time.   I will not know if the Avonex is working for sure, but I am hoping it will slow down the progression.  The solu-medrol is to help with some of my current numbness and I believe it is helping a little.  Good luck in your decision. PS I do not mind self-injecting the Avonex

Response:

Hi! I’ve been on Betaseron just over a year. At first I did quite well with

the

self injections. I take Baclofen, Amitryptiline and Paxil, too. I only

started

taking the Paxil (antidepressent) a few months ago. About 6 months

into the

therapy I began having anxiety attacks when I tried to inject. My

husband still

has to inject me but i don’t get upset anymore. I feel the

medicine has kept me

from having severe symtoms. I’ve had mild ones when

I’ve overdone. On the

subject of side effects; I found that if I take two

ibuprofen tablets when I

get my shot, I suffer no side effects. I have

tested this theory and find that

if I don’t take the ibuprofen, I get the

aches & fever. I’d like to switch to

Avonex for the convenience and fewer

injection sights (getting scar tissue) but

those two free months are a

powerful incentive. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Polly

In article <342fa40e.6874…@news.jersey.net

, re…@usa.net wrote: Sue, I haven’t been on Avonex for long enough to know if it’s helping (5 weeks, after 3 months of Betaseron). I also haven’t had active MS enough to know. I had one attack prior to staring Betaseron, and another three months into the treatment. I think you have to take it longer than that to see results. I received IV prednisone with an oral taper (total time, 2 weeks) for both attacks. The side effects gradually disappeared once I stopped the steroids, and my symptoms completely cleared the first time. I am now waiting for the numbness in my right side to completely clear; it’s gradually improving. My understanding of both Avonex and Betaseron is that they won’t make you feel better, but will decrease the number and severity attacks. Future MRIs should show fewer or no plaques have formed. Both are suppposedly equally effective, but I switched to Avonex because it’s more convenient, once a week rather than every other day, and it doesn’t leave any injection site marks. Beta leaves pinkish marks on some spots that take a long time to disappear. I continued Avonex while on steroids and experienced no adverse effects. I found the side effects about equal with both, and that is, the flu-like symptoms subside after a month or so of injections. Although the Avonex needle is longer and it goes into your muscle, rather than under the skin with Beta, I find no difference in pain sensation between the two. It just feels like a brief pin stick, and I barely notice it now when the needle goes in. I think it’s worth a try, if it will prevent future attacks and nerve damage. Beta and Avonex are both based on interferons that occur naturally in the body. I get blood tests every few months to make sure no damage is being done to my stem. I have also improved my diet, am using some herbal supplements, and am on a "maintenance" program of exercises prescribed by a physical therapist to keep me as mobile as possible. I’m seriously considering taking one of the three drugs – betaseron, copaxone or avenox.  I have had the remitting kind of MS for 16 years.  I have had some permanent damage from many of the attacks.  I would like to ask the following questions of people who have been on these drugs. 1.  For those on betaseron or avenox – did you take steroids for the first 3 months?  I’m concerned about getting hyper,  nervous and depressed because that is what has happened in the past when I’ve been on prednisone.    Was there relief from your MS symptoms while on betaseron or avenox?    Was the improvement worth having all the flu-like symptoms, pain of shots,          etc.? 2.  For those on copaxone – was there any relief from  MS symptoms? 3.  Why do you feel that being on any of these three drugs is worth experiencing the side effects?    ——————————————————    ~ ~      Reesa Marchetti, Editor-Writer-Musician-Web Author     `O O^         re…@usa.net   http://www.jersey.net/~reesa    <                 …COol MOther    ^^

Response:

Sue, I haven’t been on Avonex for long enough to know if it’s helping (5 weeks, after 3 months of Betaseron). I also haven’t had active MS enough to know. I had one attack prior to staring Betaseron, and another three months into the treatment. I think you have to take it longer than that to see results. I received IV prednisone with an oral taper (total time, 2 weeks) for both attacks. The side effects gradually disappeared once I stopped the steroids, and my symptoms completely cleared the first time. I am now waiting for the numbness in my right side to completely clear; it’s gradually improving. My understanding of both Avonex and Betaseron is that they won’t make you feel better, but will decrease the number and severity attacks. Future MRIs should show fewer or no plaques have formed. Both are suppposedly equally effective, but I switched to Avonex because it’s more convenient, once a week rather than every other day, and it doesn’t leave any injection site marks. Beta leaves pinkish marks on some spots that take a long time to disappear. I continued Avonex while on steroids and experienced no adverse effects. I found the side effects about equal with both, and that is, the flu-like symptoms subside after a month or so of injections. Although the Avonex needle is longer and it goes into your muscle, rather than under the skin with Beta, I find no difference in pain sensation between the two. It just feels like a brief pin stick, and I barely notice it now when the needle goes in. I think it’s worth a try, if it will prevent future attacks and nerve damage. Beta and Avonex are both based on interferons that occur naturally in the body. I get blood tests every few months to make sure no damage is being done to my stem. I have also improved my diet, am using some herbal supplements, and am on a "maintenance" program of exercises prescribed by a physical therapist to keep me as mobile as possible.

I’m seriously considering taking one of the three drugs – betaseron, copaxone or avenox.  I have had the remitting kind of MS for 16 years.  I have had some permanent damage from many of the attacks.  I would like to ask the following questions of people who have been on these drugs. 1.  For those on betaseron or avenox – did you take steroids for the first 3 months?  I’m concerned about getting hyper,  nervous and depressed because that is what has happened in the past when I’ve been on prednisone.    Was there relief from your MS symptoms while on betaseron or avenox?    Was the improvement worth having all the flu-like symptoms, pain of shots,          etc.? 2.  For those on copaxone – was there any relief from  MS symptoms? 3.  Why do you feel that being on any of these three drugs is worth experiencing the side effects?

   ——————————————————    ~ ~      Reesa Marchetti, Editor-Writer-Musician-Web Author     `O O^         re…@usa.net   http://www.jersey.net/~reesa    <                      …COol MOther    ^^                    

Response: