Question:

What are your thoughts on very dry skin, crack on fingers and heels, very dry scalp. Bruising easily.  ON Flovent 110, Atrovent, Serevent and Proventil as needed. Also Claritan D.  Am feeling much better and will soon decrease to eventual ceasing of Atrovent.   Thank you for your help. jane

Response:

What are your thoughts on very dry skin, crack on fingers and heels, very dry scalp. Bruising easily.  ON Flovent 110, Atrovent, Serevent and Proventil as needed. Also Claritan D…..

my skin still seems okay but my finger nails are very dry and brittle. I don’t think it is the meds. The decongestant in claritin may be dehydrating you a bit though – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

If you are able to use the MDI with spacer well then the neb machines are just a hassle, expense, and source of infection.

Source of infection…???  Please elaborate.

Response:

If they are not well maintained some can harbor molds. If you are allergic to them it can be a problem. It was probably a little inaccurate of me to imply that you will get an actual lung infection as I don’t think this is common. Forgive me it was late. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you are able to use the MDI with spacer well then the neb machines are just a hassle, expense, and source of infection. Source of infection…???  Please elaborate.

Response:

If I read your post right I think you are asking what a nebulizer is and if you may benefit from it. If not …. Sorry. A nebulizer is a machine that takes the medicine and makes a mist out of it. It takes about 10 minutes to take a single treatment. The "nebs" do deliver more drug to the lower respiratory tree (lungs). The question is; does this make a difference, or ; do you need the extra amount of drug. The answer is probably not. Studies that looked at relative dose have found that 2.5 mg of albuterol nebulized is about equal to ten puffs of the MDI with spacer. Studies looking at effect and outcome find three or four puffs with spacer to be equally effective as nebs. I put this apparent discrepancy together by theorizing that the extra drug above four puffs doesn’t add much. If you are able to use the MDI with spacer well then the neb machines are just a hassle, expense, and source of infection. People in extreme distress cannot use the MDI well and need a neb. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I take Flovent 110, two puffs twice a day.  That usually controls my symptons. I also take allergy shots.  When my asathma  acts up, I also take an inhaled albuterol.  In the past the doctor has prescribed a couple of prednisone bursts when that did not work, and that brought everything under control.  Not real frequent — my last burst was 14 months ago.  Should I be using a nebulizer when the inhaled meds don’t seem to knock it out?  What exactly is a nebulizer and what are the pros and cons.  In the past my asthma seems to have been triggered by cold or flu viruses or cold temperatures, but I think this spring I am getting my first allergy one — everything is blooming here in Iowa, the spring flowers are glorious,  the flowering trees are glorious and the air is full of pollen.  Any thoughts or comments?  I will see my allergist shortly — he left town for two weeks. Kathy from Iowa

Response:

To my doctor the cons of having an at home nebulizer outway the pros.  Using a nebulizer gives you the same medication as an inhaled albuterol inhaler.  This is the same medicne that they usually give me when I need to visit the ER.  The thing about using albuterol in high doses is that it really speeds up your heart rate, something that you might want monitered by the ER staff.  Seccondly at the ER they add extra oxygen to their nebulizers.  This may not help your astma symptoms much, but it is really nice to get some oxygen after having an 80% blood oxygen level when you come in the door.  The third advantage of going to the ER instead of having an at home nebulizer is that in the ER they can give you intravenus steroids.  Although I hate to get them because of the side effects, this works a lot faster than calling your doctor and having him prescribe you a prednisone burst. To me going to the ER at 3:00 in the morning is a real pain.  I live 11 miles from the hospital, which is about a 25 minute drive.  Once you get there they treat you like an idoit, make you put on a gown, start drawing blood, and then after they hook you up to a blood oxygen monitor finaly realize that you are having a severe astma attack start giving you nebulizer treatments.   All of this is annoying, but  when my breathing is so bad that my albuterol inhaler isn’t working I am glad to have the doctors close at hand.

Response:

I take Flovent 110, two puffs twice a day.  That usually controls my symptons. I also take allergy shots.  When my asathma  acts up, I also take an inhaled albuterol.  In the past the doctor has prescribed a couple of prednisone bursts when that did not work, and that brought everything under control.  Not real frequent — my last burst was 14 months ago.  Should I be using a nebulizer when the inhaled meds don’t seem to knock it out?  What exactly is a nebulizer and what are the pros and cons.  In the past my asthma seems to have been triggered by cold or flu viruses or cold temperatures, but I think this spring I am getting my first allergy one — everything is blooming here in Iowa, the spring flowers are glorious,  the flowering trees are glorious and the air is full of pollen.  Any thoughts or comments?  I will see my allergist shortly — he left town for two weeks. Kathy from Iowa

Response:

I take Flovent 110, two puffs twice a day.  That usually controls my symptons. I also take allergy shots.  When my asathma  acts up, I also take an inhaled albuterol.  In the past the doctor has prescribed a couple of prednisone bursts when that did not work, and that brought everything under control.  Not real frequent — my last burst was 14 months ago.  Should I be using a nebulizer when the inhaled meds don’t seem to knock it out?  What exactly is a nebulizer and what are the pros and cons.  In the past my asthma seems to have been triggered by cold or flu viruses or cold temperatures, but I think this spring I am getting my first allergy one — everything is blooming here in Iowa, the spring flowers are glorious,  the flowering trees are glorious and the air is full of pollen.  Any thoughts or comments?  I will see my allergist shortly — he left town for two weeks.

What you and your doctor need to do is sit down and work out a detailed treatment plan on when and how to use your rescue medications, when to call the ER, etc.  This is often tied to a PFM, with certain actions being taken when your flows drop below certain levels. Chris Owens

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I take Flovent 110, two puffs twice a day.  That usually controls my symptons. I also take allergy shots.  When my asathma  acts up, I also take an inhaled albuterol.  In the past the doctor has prescribed a couple of prednisone bursts when that did not work, and that brought everything under control.  Not real frequent — my last burst was 14 months ago.  Should I be using a nebulizer when the inhaled meds don’t seem to knock it out?  What exactly is a nebulizer and what are the pros and cons.  In the past my asthma seems to have been triggered by cold or flu viruses or cold temperatures, but I think this spring I am getting my first allergy one — everything is blooming here in Iowa, the spring flowers are glorious,  the flowering trees are glorious and the air is full of pollen.  Any thoughts or comments?  I will see my allergist shortly — he left town for two weeks. Kathy from Iowa

Hi Kathy, My family , all of us have asthma. My husband has had it all his life, but when he was younger they called it everything but asthma. My son has had asthma since he was 2. I was diagnosed last fall with asthma. We have a nebulizer and all of us have benefitted from it too. We also have a portable nebulizer that runs off a battery. We tend to use the nebulizer when we don’t seem to be getting much relief from the regular inhaler. If you use the nebulizer it delivers the medication to your lungs alot better than an inhaler will. Also we double the flovent and that sometimes helps. There are times when prednisone is also to be used. I would not be with out a nebulizer at all. My son does complain that it takes longer, but the benefits are worth it. Good luck. Susanne Loud

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Question:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

Help!

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Question:

Question to the group??? Need feedback on this product….  Positive or negative.. I remember some commentary a while back but it has gone from the database…. Thank you for comments…

Response:

I’ve been using it 4 clicks twiced a day for 2 years and it helped me more than the others did. I do have a tendancy toward Candidas infections though from it. I rinse my mouth after use but some are just prone to it. The Nystatin for it works great.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Question to the group??? Need feedback on this product….  Positive or negative.. I remember some commentary a while back but it has gone from the database…. Thank you for comments…

Response:

Question to the group??? Need feedback on this product….  Positive or negative.. I remember some commentary a while back but it has gone from the database…. Thank you for comments…

Pulmicort Turbuhaler (budesonide) is one of the 2 new steroid inhalers; the other is Flovent. I use Pulmicort and consider it the best. It’s a DPI (dry powder inhaler), 200 puffs per container; I use one puff twice a day (used to use multiple puffs of weaker inhalers). It’s made by Astra of Sweden and is popular worldwide. http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/treatmnt/drug/pulmicor.htm Pulmicort Turbuhaler Ellis

Response:

I have used it since ~1990, and am very very pleased with it.  No problems at all. SW

Response:

I have used it since ~1990, and am very very pleased with it.  No problems at all. SW

DITTO except mine is Feb 93.. i was on a high dose of becloforte at the time starwind turned my attention to pulmicort, and i REFUSE to go back! it improved my asthma visibly and immeasurably as to quality of life, ability to function like a human being, not an asthmatic, and my ability to fight off infections, or at least prevent them from escalating to pneumonia, as had been my previous track of life … the difference was noticed w/in 24 hours, and when i’d finally increased up to a dose my doctor felt was good for me, i’d nearly added 30% to my peakflows… Pauline

Response:

Question to the group??? Need feedback on this product….  Positive or negative.. I remember some commentary a while back but it has gone from the database…. Thank you for comments… Pulmicort Turbuhaler (budesonide) is one of the 2 new steroid inhalers; the other is Flovent. I use Pulmicort and consider it the best. It’s a DPI (dry powder inhaler), 200 puffs per container;

The leaflet with mine says that the number of puffs per container depend on the version being used – there is Pulmicort 100 (200 puffs I think), 200 (100 puffs) and 400 (50 puffs).  In other words there is the same amount of drug in each inhaler but the mechanism varies in some way to deliver different doses.  Therefore if you need 4 puffs twice a day of the 100, switching to the 400 will mean you need 1 puff twice a day but the inhaler won’t last any longer.  However it will be easier and quicker to take. I use one puff twice a day (used to use multiple puffs of weaker inhalers). It’s made by Astra of Sweden and is popular worldwide. http://www.ama-assn.org/special/asthma/treatmnt/drug/pulmicor.htm Pulmicort Turbuhaler Ellis

– Surfer!

Response:

Hi What is the incidence of thrush like with the pulmicort inhaler vs. Flovent? Switching to blue cross HMO (USA) and they do not cover azmacort. Chilla

Response:

I was very happy with Pulmicort, too (only stopped when I switched to Singulair).  I liked both the fact that the "spacer" was essentially part of the inhaler itself, and that the inhaler kept track of how many puffs you’d used, so you knew when it needed replacing. Seemed to work at least as well as Vanceril DS, which I’d been using before then.

Response:

The leaflet with mine says that the number of puffs per container depend on the version being used – there is Pulmicort 100 (200 puffs I think), 200 (100 puffs) and 400 (50 puffs).  In other words there is the same

In both Canada and the US, the 200mcg/dose version has 200 doses; not sure what the other dose versions have; the 200mcg/dose is the only one available in the US. SW.

Response:

Question to the group??? Need feedback on this product….  Positive or negative.. I remember some commentary a while back but it has gone from the database….

I’ve been using it for about a year.  I like it better than the MDI stuff.   No electrons were harmed in the posting of this message.

Response:

my 400mcg turbohaler has 200 inhalations in it… Pauline puffs at ibm dot net – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The leaflet with mine says that the number of puffs per container depend on the version being used – there is Pulmicort 100 (200 puffs I think), 200 (100 puffs) and 400 (50 puffs).  In other words there is the same In both Canada and the US, the 200mcg/dose version has 200 doses; not sure what the other dose versions have; the 200mcg/dose is the only one available in the US. SW.

Response:

The leaflet with mine says that the number of puffs per container depend on the version being used – there is Pulmicort 100 (200 puffs I think), 200 (100 puffs) and 400 (50 puffs).  In other words there is the same amount of drug in each inhaler but the mechanism varies in some way to deliver different doses.  Therefore if you need 4 puffs twice a day of the 100, switching to the 400 will mean you need 1 puff twice a day but the inhaler won’t last any longer.  However it will be easier and quicker to take.

The capacity of pulmicort turbohaler differs in different countrys. We, in Germany have Pulmicort 200

Question:

Have you?  I mean, tried a tablespoon or 18 grams a day of inositol for anxiety (not bi-polar or depression).  Does it work?  Will less than 18g work?  The studies seem a bit dated and aren’t very plentiful. Figaro Yes. It works for me. Albeit, my panic attacks came on in middle age. The GP said I was a "classic case" I found it funny as I wasn’t anxious only uncomfortable.

Do you mean that yoou weren’t conscious of having anxiety, even outside of panic attacks?  That opens the question as to whether inositol would help people with GAD, or only PD, OCD and/or depression. I won’t expect a lot of studies. Myo-inositol is unpatentable; therefore, it can’t be a cash cow for some giant drug company.

Yes, I understand your point.  Our drug development system relies too much on capitalistic greed <g.  Still, most of the studies seemed to originate from Ben Gurion U and I didn’t see anything particularly recent.  Some of the European countries are more active in exploring non-pharmaceutical/herbal/dietary supplement types of treatments.  Would be nice to see something from one of those countries, Germany in particular. It works by restoring serotonin sensitivity in part though according to the following abstract this is not the complete story. PMID 11853115  Used to Tx OCD     date 2002

I couldn’t see anything in the abstract that speculated/concluded anything about "restoring serotonin sensitivity".  Do you have any other references I can check? Did that help?

Don’t know yet.  But it’s worth looking into somemore.  Thanks for the info. Figaro

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Have you?  I mean, tried a tablespoon or 18 grams a day of inositol for anxiety (not bi-polar or depression).  Does it work?  Will less than 18g work?  The studies seem a bit dated and aren’t very plentiful. Figaro Yes. It works for me. Albeit, my panic attacks came on in middle age. The GP said I was a "classic case" I found it funny as I wasn’t anxious only uncomfortable. Do you mean that you weren’t conscious of having anxiety, even outside of panic attacks?

Yes. That opens the question as to whether inositol would help people with GAD, or only PD, OCD and/or depression.

It may "only" be the latter. I’d sure try it for the former, if I could if I had the problem. I recall it having effects similar to a SSRI drug per what I’ve read. It also helps with binge eating and bulimia nervosa per our Israeli friends. I won’t expect a lot of studies. Myo-inositol is unpatentable; therefore, it can’t be a cash cow for some giant drug company. Yes, I understand your point.  Our drug development system relies too much on capitalistic greed <g.  Still, most of the studies seemed to originate from Ben Gurion U and I didn’t see anything particularly recent.  Some of the European countries are more active in exploring non-pharmaceutical/herbal/dietary supplement types of treatments.  Would be nice to see something from one of those countries, Germany in particular.

Given that it works for me, I’ll trust Ben Gurion University. The date of their work matches my definition of recent. There is some relatively recent work using a metabolite of myo-inositol called D-chiro-inositol that may "decrease insulin resistance and act to at least partially restore insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal." This is American research on diabetic rats, rhesus monkeys, and homo sapiens. PMID 11900279 I think this finding is suggestive. Anyway, it suggests the supra-nutritional levels of inositol has other applications. But here again this related compound seems to be enhancing the action of a receptor; albeit, not in the nervous system. It works by restoring serotonin sensitivity in part though according to the following abstract this is not the complete story. PMID 11853115  Used to Tx OCD     date 2002 I couldn’t see anything in the abstract that speculated/concluded anything about "restoring serotonin sensitivity".  Do you have any other references I can check?

I see that the abstract entitled in my computer as "mechanism" does not quite say that it "restores serotonin sensitivity". Still that is how I understand it. see PMID 11853115 This paper indicates that its actions are "downstream" of the receptor. It is entitled, "Defining the neuromolecular action of myo-inositol: application to OCD." by Harvey BH, Brink CB, Seedat S, Stein DJ. The paper is originates in South Africa and is a discussion of mechanism. Myo-inositol action is to increase the "message" resulting from the binding serotonin to its receptor, matches my definition for restoring serotonin sensitivity. Did that help? Don’t know yet.  But it’s worth looking into somemore.  Thanks for the info. Figaro

Fair enough.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Did you ever try a tablespoonful of inositol powder per day? Do a PUBMED search if you don’t believe me. Use search words "inositol", "panic", and "anxiety", Might help with the anxiety, however, inositol is a 2nd messenger (precursor) in cellular transmission.  Over excitation of this transmission process is primarily the most accepted theory of bipolar mania.  Lithium is thought to deplete the secondary messengers. Lithium is used in the treatment of bipolar.  Hummh? Anxiety or Mania? MP A valid point. I seem to recall posting a similar caveat some years ago somewhere on the Usenet. But just to keep it interesting, there is early experimental evidence that inositol supplementation may have role in "drug resistant" bipolar patients.  Here is a quote from an article off of www.medscape.com that reports a recent medical conference. " Andrew Nierenberg, MD, (15) of the Dept of Psycahiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, reported a small 6-week placebo-controlled study using inositol, a natural substance involved in the phosphoinositide (PI) cycle. The PI cycle has long been implicated in the pathophysiology of BPAD and the mechanism of action of lithium. Inositol or matching placebo was given to 16 subjects with bipolar depression resistant to several weeks of treatment with therapeutic levels of litium or valproate. Although mania rating scales did not change significantly in either group, 33% of the inositol group met criteria for response vs none of the placebo group. Of interest, inositol is being evaluated in a randomized placebo-controlled fashoin in the STEP-BD study, so larger scale data on this interesting option are forthcoming." STEP-BD study  = Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for BPAD BPAD  = Bipolar affective disorder BP =  Bipolar disorder William A. Noyes Very interesting research.  I will definitely review the article(s) that hopefully will be published from this research.  My curiousity is what happens to persons who are otherwise normal who would take inositol as a supplement.  Haven’t taken the time to review any research on inositol as an adjunt or treatment.  Just am familiar with the mechanisms of it and its possible role in mania. MP

In normals person, it will have no effect on mental function, consciousness, etc. It also is said to have antioxidant and antigylcating properties.

Response:

Did you ever try a tablespoonful of inositol powder per day? Do a PUBMED search if you don’t believe me. Use search words "inositol", "panic", and "anxiety", Have you?  I mean, tried a tablespoon or 18 grams a day of inositol for anxiety (not bi-polar or depression).  Does it work?  Will less than 18g work?  The studies seem a bit dated and aren’t very plentiful. Figaro

Yes. It works for me. Albeit, my panic attacks came on in middle age. The GP said I was a "classic case" I found it funny as I wasn’t anxious only uncomfortable. I felt as if short of breath but not, the pulse rate was elevated, and had a desire for cool outdoor air. So I found myself sitting out on the porch in the middle of the night. I was fortunate as I knew what was going on from the start …….even before I talked to GP. He said it was all in my head. Gee thanks…I thought. No help there.  Fortunately, I had heard of inositol And yes, a lower dose of a heaping teaspoonful  (6 grams ?) serves as an effective maintenance dose for me. But doses at the 1 or 2 gram levels don’t help. I won’t expect a lot of studies. Myo-inositol is unpatentable; therefore, it can’t be a cash cow for some giant drug company. It works by restoring serotonin sensitivity in part though according to the following abstract this is not the complete story. PMID 11853115  Used to Tx OCD     date 2002 Inositol has antioxidant and antiglycating properties. And seems to have anticancer properties by way of boosting natural killer T-lymphocytes. Inositol up because it works for me, because it is vastly safer than the meds. I am not saying it will work for everyone but it seems like it should a first line Tx for panic attacks and OCD. It use in pregnant women is controversial as it is alleged to tend to induce uterine contractions. PMID 9855568 — Review of Uses — not a mainstream journal Still this part of the population would seem also to a target of inositol supplementation as it be used to prevent some neural tube defects in neonates. PMID 12542915 —  date 2003 I’ve taken inositol for some years, now. Off and on at the start. Now regularly at the lower dose. I haven’t had a full-blown panic attack since the late 90’s. I bump the dose up, if I feel like one is possible. Did that help? YMMV .

Response:

Did you ever try a tablespoonful of inositol powder per day? Do a PUBMED search if you don’t believe me. Use search words "inositol", "panic", and "anxiety",

Have you?  I mean, tried a tablespoon or 18 grams a day of inositol for anxiety (not bi-polar or depression).  Does it work?  Will less than 18g work?  The studies seem a bit dated and aren’t very plentiful. Figaro

Response:

Did you ever try a tablespoonful of inositol powder per day? Do a PUBMED search if you don’t believe me. Use search words "inositol", "panic", and "anxiety", Might help with the anxiety, however, inositol is a 2nd messenger (precursor) in cellular transmission.  Over excitation of this transmission process is primarily the most accepted theory of bipolar mania.  Lithium is thought to deplete the secondary messengers. Lithium is used in the treatment of bipolar.  Hummh? Anxiety or Mania? MP

A valid point. I seem to recall posting a similar caveat some years ago somewhere on the Usenet. But just to keep it interesting, there is early experimental evidence that inositol supplementation may have role in "drug resistant" bipolar patients.  Here is a quote from an article off of www.medscape.com that reports a recent medical conference. " Andrew Nierenberg, MD, (15) of the Dept of Psycahiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, reported a small 6-week placebo-controlled study using inositol, a natural substance involved in the phosphoinositide (PI) cycle. The PI cycle has long been implicated in the pathophysiology of BPAD and the mechanism of action of lithium. Inositol or matching placebo was given to 16 subjects with bipolar depression resistant to several weeks of treatment with therapeutic levels of litium or valproate. Although mania rating scales did not change significantly in either group, 33% of the inositol group met criteria for response vs none of the placebo group. Of interest, inositol is being evaluated in a randomized placebo-controlled fashoin in the STEP-BD study, so larger scale data on this interesting option are forthcoming." STEP-BD study  = Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for BPAD BPAD  = Bipolar affective disorder BP =  Bipolar disorder William A. Noyes

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Did you ever try a tablespoonful of inositol powder per day? Do a PUBMED search if you don’t believe me. Use search words "inositol", "panic", and "anxiety", Might help with the anxiety, however, inositol is a 2nd messenger (precursor) in cellular transmission.  Over excitation of this transmission process is primarily the most accepted theory of bipolar mania.  Lithium is thought to deplete the secondary messengers. Lithium is used in the treatment of bipolar.  Hummh? Anxiety or Mania? MP A valid point. I seem to recall posting a similar caveat some years ago somewhere on the Usenet. But just to keep it interesting, there is early experimental evidence that inositol supplementation may have role in "drug resistant" bipolar patients.  Here is a quote from an article off of www.medscape.com that reports a recent medical conference. " Andrew Nierenberg, MD, (15) of the Dept of Psycahiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, reported a small 6-week placebo-controlled study using inositol, a natural substance involved in the phosphoinositide (PI) cycle. The PI cycle has long been implicated in the pathophysiology of BPAD and the mechanism of action of lithium. Inositol or matching placebo was given to 16 subjects with bipolar depression resistant to several weeks of treatment with therapeutic levels of litium or valproate. Although mania rating scales did not change significantly in either group, 33% of the inositol group met criteria for response vs none of the placebo group. Of interest, inositol is being evaluated in a randomized placebo-controlled fashoin in the STEP-BD study, so larger scale data on this interesting option are forthcoming." STEP-BD study  = Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for BPAD BPAD  = Bipolar affective disorder BP =  Bipolar disorder William A. Noyes

Very interesting research.  I will definitely review the article(s) that hopefully will be published from this research.  My curiousity is what happens to persons who are otherwise normal who would take inositol as a supplement.  Haven’t taken the time to review any research on inositol as an adjunt or treatment.  Just am familiar with the mechanisms of it and its possible role in mania. MP

Response:

Did you ever try a tablespoonful of inositol powder per day? Do a PUBMED search if you don’t believe me. Use search words "inositol", "panic", and "anxiety",

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello everyone, I posted here a few weeks ago about being prescribed seroquel for GAD/panic.  I really appreciated the feedback, and I don’t want to go on that med. I was on rivotril for years and years, until I started to have some memory problems.  After discussion with my P, I weaned myself off.  I have been med-free for three months, but I really can’t live this way…despite using the CBT techniques as best I can.  SO, my shrink first prescribed celexa….and I HATED it.   So that was where the seroquel came in next. I will be seeing my P next week, and I wanted to have some suggestions for other options.  I am really not interested in SSRI’s, although I know they are the first line.  I HATE their sexual side effects, the feeling I am emotionally flat, and bodily electrified.  So I would like to find something else.  What about buspirone?  What about remeron?  If not these drugs, any other suggestions? Thanks loads! Ron

Response:

Did you ever try a tablespoonful of inositol powder per day? Do a PUBMED search if you don’t believe me. Use search words "inositol", "panic", and "anxiety",

Might help with the anxiety, however, inositol is a 2nd messenger (precursor) in cellular transmission.  Over excitation of this transmission process is primarily the most accepted theory of bipolar mania.  Lithium is thought to deplete the secondary messengers. Lithium is used in the treatment of bipolar.  Hummh? Anxiety or Mania? MP

Response:

Hello everyone, I posted here a few weeks ago about being prescribed seroquel for GAD/panic.  I really appreciated the feedback, and I don’t want to go on that med. I was on rivotril for years and years, until I started to have some memory problems.  After discussion with my P, I weaned myself off.  I have been med-free for three months, but I really can’t live this way…despite using the CBT techniques as best I can.  SO, my shrink first prescribed celexa….and I HATED it.   So that was where the seroquel came in next. I will be seeing my P next week, and I wanted to have some suggestions for other options.  I am really not interested in SSRI’s, although I know they are the first line.  I HATE their sexual side effects, the feeling I am emotionally flat, and bodily electrified.  So I would like to find something else.  What about buspirone?  What about remeron?  If not these drugs, any other suggestions? Thanks loads! Ron

Response:

They say Zoloft helps anxiety, I take it more for depression, but I think it’s helped for both, how about that?  What really really helps me is Xanax. I would not have gotten as far as I have with anxiety relief without it.  I also take BuSpar, but I don’t know how well it works… I’m not sure if it is that that is helping, or the Zoloft, so…I don’t know. Good Luck, Robin

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello everyone, I posted here a few weeks ago about being prescribed seroquel for GAD/panic.  I really appreciated the feedback, and I don’t want to go on that med. I was on rivotril for years and years, until I started to have some memory problems.  After discussion with my P, I weaned myself off.  I have been med-free for three months, but I really can’t live this way…despite using the CBT techniques as best I can.  SO, my shrink first prescribed celexa….and I HATED it.   So that was where the seroquel came in next. I will be seeing my P next week, and I wanted to have some suggestions for other options.  I am really not interested in SSRI’s, although I know they are the first line.  I HATE their sexual side effects, the feeling I am emotionally flat, and bodily electrified.  So I would like to find something else.  What about buspirone?  What about remeron?  If not these drugs, any other suggestions? Thanks loads! Ron

Response:

4ax.com:  What about remeron?  If not these drugs, any other suggestions?

I’m taking remeron (aka avanza in Australia), and apparently its meant to be a good all round drug for depression and anxiety. BUT, in my experience while it has lifted my depression, it hasn’t done much for my anxiety – though now I’m on valium to help manage that. On the upside, it helps with sleeping (becareful with your first couple of doses, as it will knock you flat on your back..with my first dose, I slept for 14 + hours, and that was half a tablet heh). It doesn’t have the sexual side effects of SSRI’s. I don’t know if it is just me, but it seemed to work alot quicker than the SSRI’s I’ve been on (Ciprimil, Luvox, Prozac and Zoloft). I also don’t have the depersonalisation that I experienced while on SSRI’s. On the downside, it will probably make you put on weight (I put on about 5- 10kgs, but I’ve read reports of alot higher weight gains), Until your body gets used to it, you’ll probably sleep alot . And, because its eliminated from the body relatively quickly, if you skip one dose, you might start to feel some withdrawal effects. Of course, this is just my experience with it, and you might respond completely differently.

Response:

What about buspirone?  What about remeron?  If not these drugs, any other suggestions?

When you are making selections on what medication to choose, there are a few things that you should take into consideration.  Symptoms, age, past treatment response, family history of response, side effects, and drug interactions to name a few.  If anyone in your family, maybe a father or mother has taken medication for a similar condition, it may just as well work for you.  If you are older (elderly), you may want to avoid the tricyclic’s (TCA’s) due to their side effect profile.  It sounds like you’re main concern is regarding side effects, so I will list some other medications and their possible side effects for you. You mentioned you didn’t want to take SSRI’s, which are 1st line in the long term therapy of GAD, but there are others. Alternatives: Some nonpharmacologic modalities include avoiding caffeine, stimulants, diet pills, and getting plenty of execise (these choices are "on top of"). Benzodiazepines (BZD’s) are the most effective and safe med’s used to treat acute anxiety symptoms in GAD.  The dose is individualized, and duration of therapy usually should not exceed 4-6 months, but some patients require longer treatment.  They are usually used in addition to other medications if needed to treat anxiety. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is a dopamine/norepi reuptake inhibitor, has a low drug interaction profile, is more activating, and has LESS SEXUAL side effects than others.  It may however potentiate the anxiety symptoms, but that is usually dose dependent. It is not indicated for GAD, but it should help with any depression, however it will not do anything for the anxiety.  A concomitant BZD may help to treat the anxiety. Venlafaxine (Effexor) is a dual serotonin/norepi reuptake inhibitor. It has a low drug interaction profile.  It does have the potential to mild or moderately increase HR/blood pressure at higher doses (225 mg/d) which is attributable to its norepi reuptake inhibition. Mirtazapine (Remeron) can be sedating at low doses (has histamine activity) but at higher doses it can over-ride that effect.  It is good for patients that exhibit anxiety and depression, but it does have the potential for more weight gain than others.  It may be advantagous to patients who can tolerate its sedative effects and who do not respond well to SSRIs or cannot tolerate the sexual or other adverse effects of the other AD’s. Busiprirone has efficacy equal to BZD’s, but lack the muscle relaxant, sedative-hypnotic, motor impairment, and dependence properties.  It should help with the anxiety.  The anxiolytic effects may take more than a week to become established, which make it suitable for generalized anxiety states.  It is not very effective in panic disorders.  It is generally reserved for patients who are nonresponsive to other medications. Tricyclics can be used also.  They have equivalent efficacy to the SSRI’s.  However, the most significant advantage of SSRIs over TCAs is a more favorable side effect profile.  There is a dose related sedative effect, they can have a "quinidine-like" effect in that they can cause hypotension (low blood pressure), and anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, difficulty urinating, blurred vision).  The secondary amines have less sedating effects such as desipramine and nortriptyline. Atypical antidepressants such as trazodone or nefazodone (Serzone) can be used.  Nefazodone has LESS SEXUAL side effects than SSRIs.  IMHO, nefazodone may want to be avoided due to its "black box warning." These both can cause some sedation (nefazodone less than trazodone) and they do have a bad drug interaction profile (nefazodone-inhibition of CYP 3A4). In the treatment of mixed anxiety and depression, this is the relative ranking of drugs healthcare professionals use when making a choice (depends on doc and part of the world you come from): 1) SSRI’s 2) Venlafaxine (Effexor)- need to monitor for blood pressure 3) Nortriptyline (Pamelor)- monitor for ECG changes and hypotension 4) Nefazadone (Serzone)- monitor for drug interactions and hypotension 5) Mirtazapine (Remeron)- monitor for weight gain and hypo/hypertension These suggestions are based on treatments used here in the states and may be different elsewhere.  Hope this information helps. MP PharmD 2006

Response:

Question:

I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Response:

I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Hi,  I wonder why you are on both Zoloft and Welbutrin? Do you have any kids? Do you know if Margo Hemingway is related to Ernest? She went out the Hemingway too didn’t she? hope you feel better soon.

Response:

Welcome to ASD. I understand how you are feeling. You can talk about things here. And you will most likely make friends here. Stan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Response:

I know, people think that misfortune is like a disease. Everyone was all over me while I was pregnant, and nobody wants to come near me since my son has died, except the ones who really matter. It hurts though. Some people are ignorant assholes. That is really horrible shit to go through. Do anything for yourself that makes you feel better, the meds, talk therapy, a whole tub of chocolate icecream… You deserve it. Your husband’s actions would make a lot of people feel worthless, but I hope you know you’re not, now, and taking the initiative in leaving him was a step in the right direction, in building a new life for yourself where _you_ are important. The same thing happened to my best friend’s mother, she also lost her father to cancer and her husband cheated on her and is now living with the other woman. She did go through a really depressed period where she was hospitalised and tried to take her life, but now she’s studying fine art and is a much happier and more successful person than she ever was with her husband. It does happen, but give yourself time, and love. What doesn’t kill you will eventually make you stronger, so for now I too am just concentrating on staying alive. Amy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Hi M I’m taking 40mg Prozac and two hundred mg Welbutrin now for the past 30 days or so.  I think that I’m feeling better, but that just may be the Glenn Livet. I see many parallels in your story to mine, although I have *always* had a predisposition toward clinical depression. This is a good place to be.  You will find that just "being" with similarly afflicted souls will make you feel better (at least that is my experience). Welcome.  Read, and post whne you feel like it. -=oc=-

Response:

Hope you feel better soon, but just thought that I would add that Wellbutrin kept me awake for 2 weeks before I gave up.  Just something to keep in mind. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Response:

Well, a man is only as faithful as his options…I guess it’s their payback for being the buyer in the dating game….since women have a sex life while men have ’sex years’.  But you can get a little satisfaction from the probability that he’ll do the same thing to her….who know’s, maybe you stole him from one upstream?  But what are we supposed to make stop?  If you don’t want pain, avoid humans. They’re always gonna disappoint.  Get a dog…..or you can be unoriginal like 99.9% of the other women pet owners on the planet and get a cat. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M

Response:

  Margaux Hemingway was a granddaughter of Ernest.  She died from an overdose of sedatives, probably Klonopin per CNN.  She was the fifth person in her family to suicide. sad. Erminia

yes very sad, seems like a legacy for them. it just shows how suicide causes more suicide.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently taking Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Neurontin and Dalmane.  I lost my father to terminal lung cancer in March 2000, my husband of 20 years left me 4 months later for someone he’d been having an affair with for quite some time which I was unaware of. We are now divorced ( I initiated it) and he will no longer speak to me as per his significant other. I am in therapy, but feel as though I have reached the end of my rope. There are no friends to call any more, not that there were in the beginning. No one likes bad news apparently it is contagious. What can I do to keep going with feeling lilke I’m going to "Hemingway" every morning. Thanks for any response. M Hi,  I wonder why you are on both Zoloft and Welbutrin? Do you have any kids? Do you know if Margo Hemingway is related to Ernest? She went out the Hemingway too didn’t she? hope you feel better soon.

Margaux Hemingway was a granddaughter of Ernest.  She died from an overdose of sedatives, probably Klonopin per CNN.  She was the fifth person in her family to suicide. sad. Erminia

Response:

Question:

http://www.effexorfx.freeuk.com/

It linked to http://rxlist.com and I noted the connection between Effexor and blood pressure.  Though the data played down the impact of Effexor, it did indicate that Effexor did raise blood pressure in proportion to dose. I just had my blood pressure taken after 9 months of Effexor XR 150mg.  The first systolic reading was 170 and the second was 160.  The nurse was worried that I was about to have a stroke!  I stopped taking it for several days, today my reading was 145/90 (still too high but not stroke-level). I am going to go for a week without it and see what my blood pressure drops to.  Although I am somewhat overweight and my diet is not too good, I am convinced that the Effexor is the chief cause of my high blood pressure.  Just 2 years ago it was only 125 in a doctor’s office.

Response:

http://www.effexorfx.freeuk.com/

Response:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Lines: 5 NNTP-Posting-Host: 1cust250.tnt2.cleveland3.oh.da.uu.net (67.211.27.250) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Trace: fu-berlin.de 1012549143 41704991 67.211.27.250 (16 [33645]) X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.79 [en] (Windows NT 5.0; U) X-Accept-Language: en Xref: uni-berlin.de alt.support.depression.manic:194315 x-no-archive: yes I take 400mg of Lamictal daily and 3600mg of Neurontin, along with 8mg daily of Klonopin and 200mg Wellbutrin SR.

Response:

hi i was wondering what dosages some people were taking for lamotragine and gabapentin… esp. those who have had to go to the high end of the useful range …. also any info on how to discover one’s therapeutic dosage would be greatly appreciated

 4800 mg of Neurontin have been RX for some people. Therpeuric dose is subjective based on your response. Peace, Lynda

Response:

My drug list says you can go to 3200 mg of Neurontin.  I take 1600. I don’t know about Lamictal because I was afraid to take it after they told me about Stephens-Johnson syndrome.  Look it up on the Internet. — Val in Boise

Response:

I am currently at 1500 mg a day of neurontin and I will soon be going up to 1800 mg.   For now I will level off at that point and see how I do.  Do any of you on neurontin find that it makes you sleepy and if so how do you deal with this?  (when you can not sleep such as at work)  I seem to do better when I keep my doses evenly spaced throughout the day however my pdoc says I could take it all at once at bedtime if it made me too sleepy.  This seems like a lot to take at once to me. Bonnie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi i was wondering what dosages some people were taking for lamotragine and gabapentin… esp. those who have had to go to the high end of the useful range …. also any info on how to discover one’s therapeutic dosage would be greatly appreciated thanks cybercafe

Response:

hello – I space mine out during the day… 6 a.m., 1 p.m., 8 p.m., but I am never tired….maybe it is the Effexor I am also taking. — regards, Compucat

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am currently at 1500 mg a day of neurontin and I will soon be going up to 1800 mg.   For now I will level off at that point and see how I do.  Do any of you on neurontin find that it makes you sleepy and if so how do you deal with this?  (when you can not sleep such as at work)  I seem to do better when I keep my doses evenly spaced throughout the day however my pdoc says I could take it all at once at bedtime if it made me too sleepy.  This seems like a lot to take at once to me. Bonnie hi i was wondering what dosages some people were taking for lamotragine and gabapentin… esp. those who have had to go to the high end of the useful range …. also any info on how to discover one’s therapeutic dosage would be greatly appreciated thanks cybercafe

Response:

Hi Compucat, I seem to do better when I space mine similar to that as well.  I have noticed that I get particularly sleepy if I don’t keep moving or stay busy in some manner.  How is the Effexor working for depression for you?  That is one that has been recommended to me that I have not yet tried. Bonnie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hello – I space mine out during the day… 6 a.m., 1 p.m., 8 p.m., but I am never tired….maybe it is the Effexor I am also taking. — regards, Compucat I am currently at 1500 mg a day of neurontin and I will soon be going up to 1800 mg.   For now I will level off at that point and see how I do.  Do any of you on neurontin find that it makes you sleepy and if so how do you deal with this?  (when you can not sleep such as at work)  I seem to do better when I keep my doses evenly spaced throughout the day however my pdoc says I could take it all at once at bedtime if it made me too sleepy.  This seems like a lot to take at once to me. Bonnie hi i was wondering what dosages some people were taking for lamotragine and gabapentin… esp. those who have had to go to the high end of the useful range …. also any info on how to discover one’s therapeutic dosage would be greatly appreciated thanks cybercafe

Response:

heh… the reason i have had the good fortune to find myself back among you charming sirs and madams is because i recently lost my job due to drowsiness… or… falling asleep at work….  thing is, i can’t tell if it was more due to the Valporate or the Effexor … any ideas ? i found that both of them made me drowsy at one time.. though that my have been when i first started i *need* to figure out which med is the culprit so i can stop taking it, but i just can’t tell… i mean when i am out of work, running around, doing my own thing, i am fine …. ug… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Compucat, I seem to do better when I space mine similar to that as well.  I have noticed that I get particularly sleepy if I don’t keep moving or stay busy in some manner.  How is the Effexor working for depression for you?  That is one that has been recommended to me that I have not yet tried. Bonnie hello – I space mine out during the day… 6 a.m., 1 p.m., 8 p.m., but I am never tired….maybe it is the Effexor I am also taking. — regards, Compucat I am currently at 1500 mg a day of neurontin and I will soon be going up  to 1800 mg.   For now I will level off at that point and see how I do.  Do  any of you on neurontin find that it makes you sleepy and if so how do you  deal with this?  (when you can not sleep such as at work)  I seem to do  better when I keep my doses evenly spaced throughout the day however my pdoc  says  I could take it all at once at bedtime if it made me too sleepy.  This  seems like a lot to take at once to me. Bonnie hi i was wondering what dosages some people were taking for lamotragine and gabapentin… esp. those who have had to go to the high end of the useful range …. also any info on how to discover one’s therapeutic dosage would be greatly appreciated

Response:

hi i was wondering what dosages some people were taking for lamotragine and gabapentin… esp. those who have had to go to the high end of the useful range …. also any info on how to discover one’s therapeutic dosage would be greatly appreciated thanks cybercafe

Response:

hi… I am taking 2400 mg. of Gabapentin along with 187.5 mg. of Effexor. – regards, Compucat

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi i was wondering what dosages some people were taking for lamotragine and gabapentin… esp. those who have had to go to the high end of the useful range …. also any info on how to discover one’s therapeutic dosage would be greatly appreciated thanks cybercafe

Response:

hi Bonnie.. I was visiting my pdoc today after having 2 crashes last week and really high anxiety that has resulted in no sleep of any consequence for almost a month. So for now, I will be taking 75 mg. of Effexor in the a.m. and 75 mg. again at noon. That is a slight drop in my total for the day by 37.5 mg. as we try to find where the best dose is for me.We may have gone a touch high on the Effexor. My Gabapentin dose will stay the same – 2400 mg. a day, this time only split up twice. The depression has lifted, I can feel that, but I am not out of the woodwork. That said, my body/mind has always proved to be rather treatment resistant. It has been about a month and a half on this combination of drugs. I really feel they are my answer and I want to work to get the right balance for me. I  previously took Prozac for 10 years – no side effects – then gradually had to start increasing the dose up to 60 mg. a day, and then it just died on me. I have been having some side effects, but are they Effexor side effects or Gabapentin side effects or both?: – cannot sleep – extremely decreased appetite – jittery – blurred/double vision (this is gone now) – tremors (they feel like little electrical jolts Bonnie, please remember that you may have some of these or none at all. Remember, we were not all made at the Chrysler plant in Detroit on Monday morning. We all will react differently. Look at my 10 years with Prozac – we are talking no side effects at all. It was a delight for me. Maybe that will be you with Effexor. Do some reading about it on the web medical sights and see if you feel comfortable with considering it. I am hearing very good things about it and good successes. hugs, — regards, Compucat

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Compucat, I seem to do better when I space mine similar to that as well.  I have noticed that I get particularly sleepy if I don’t keep moving or stay busy in some manner.  How is the Effexor working for depression for you?  That is one that has been recommended to me that I have not yet tried. Bonnie hello – I space mine out during the day… 6 a.m., 1 p.m., 8 p.m., but I am never tired….maybe it is the Effexor I am also taking. — regards, Compucat I am currently at 1500 mg a day of neurontin and I will soon be going up to 1800 mg.   For now I will level off at that point and see how I do. Do any of you on neurontin find that it makes you sleepy and if so how do you deal with this?  (when you can not sleep such as at work)  I seem to do better when I keep my doses evenly spaced throughout the day however my pdoc says I could take it all at once at bedtime if it made me too sleepy.  This seems like a lot to take at once to me. Bonnie hi i was wondering what dosages some people were taking for lamotragine and gabapentin… esp. those who have had to go to the high end of the useful range …. also any info on how to discover one’s therapeutic dosage would be greatly appreciated thanks cybercafe

Response:

Question:

Hi Jim I thought I would let you know about tonight. I haven’t had any medicine at all since 4 yesterday afternoon but they were not worried about it and my B/P is up to 148/90 from 124/80 last time. My temp is 100 and I am usually ready to be buried by then since normal is 96 for me or I am dog sick. My thyroid medicine has taken my values back to the normal range but they still would not let me have my Xenycal after promising me I could until my fasting labs are done in two weeks and another three after that. I am very discouraged and angry because I really wanted to start it when I felt better. They said in my area a nasty virus is going around no thought it could be Septic since I have run around with infection in my face for six months now. So anyway every time I go to the doctor it is one more diagnosis and this time is I am anemic. Gosh if I get worse just dig a hole and throw me in. The good news is I lost another six pounds. Whoopie. I guess I am glad for that but the doctor should not lie and tell me I can have something and then change it. Oh one more good news. The nurse said I could have my Zoloft dose raised so I will be singing a happy dance when it takes effect. Thanks for listening I feel better just knowing you cared about me. Thanks a million. Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

Response:

Diana Ya doing the happy dance yet?  Sorry to hear about all the discouragement.  I dont wanna go off on a rant, but I am really disappointed in the way the medical system works these days.  I am not really putting blame on Docs, or insurance.  I dont know the inner workings so not going to be too quick to pass blame.  I just dont remember having to wait so long in the waiting room to see a doctor, and the lack of sympathy in the medical profession.  When I was younger and diagnosed, my docs nurse came to the hospital to see how I was doing.  It wasnt a professional visit, it was courtesy.  I know that cant take place in todays system, but when you look into a doctors, or nurses face these days (speaking very generally of course) their eyes seem so cold, like if they are working on a machine or something.  Oopps I ranted. Well, I am still happy that you visited the doc.  You do seem more spunky since your return. <g Feeling any better?  Stick in there and when ya need support, ya know theres lots of us here. Jim — Ouch, That H3rtz http://othserver.coxinet.net/ MARS Cars-2, Nascar 3 Driver #147 http://www.mars-racing.com/ http://members.tripod.com/rage613mars/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Jim I thought I would let you know about tonight. I haven’t had any medicine at all since 4 yesterday afternoon but they were not worried about it and my B/P is up to 148/90 from 124/80 last time. My temp is 100 and I am usually ready to be buried by then since normal is 96 for me or I am dog sick. My thyroid medicine has taken my values back to the normal range but they still would not let me have my Xenycal after promising me I could until my fasting labs are done in two weeks and another three after that. I am very discouraged and angry because I really wanted to start it when I felt better. They said in my area a nasty virus is going around no thought it could be Septic since I have run around with infection in my face for six months now. So anyway every time I go to the doctor it is one more diagnosis and this time is I am anemic. Gosh if I get worse just dig a hole and throw me in. The good news is I lost another six pounds. Whoopie. I guess I am glad for that but the doctor should not lie and tell me I can have something and then change it. Oh one more good news. The nurse said I could have my Zoloft dose raised so I will be singing a happy dance when it takes effect. Thanks for listening I feel better just knowing you cared about me. Thanks a million. Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

Response:

Hi Again Ditto to all you said and today was the first time I saw a nurse practitioner but you know I think I will keep her. She was more thorough than the doctor even though I like her too but the nurse was better and patient friendly. I still feel awful but I will have my phenergan for the nausea and it will be better. I appreciate your help and support. As usual ASD come to help me. I owe everyone so much. They have pulled me through some really tough times. Thanks again Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Diana Ya doing the happy dance yet?  Sorry to hear about all the discouragement.  I dont wanna go off on a rant, but I am really disappointed in the way the medical system works these days.  I am not really putting blame on Docs, or insurance.  I dont know the inner workings so not going to be too quick to pass blame.  I just dont remember having to wait so long in the waiting room to see a doctor, and the lack of sympathy in the medical profession.  When I was younger and diagnosed, my docs nurse came to the hospital to see how I was doing.  It wasnt a professional visit, it was courtesy.  I know that cant take place in todays system, but when you look into a doctors, or nurses face these days (speaking very generally of course) their eyes seem so cold, like if they are working on a machine or something.  Oopps I ranted. Well, I am still happy that you visited the doc.  You do seem more spunky since your return. <g Feeling any better?  Stick in there and when ya need support, ya know theres lots of us here. Jim — Ouch, That H3rtz http://othserver.coxinet.net/ MARS Cars-2, Nascar 3 Driver #147 http://www.mars-racing.com/ http://members.tripod.com/rage613mars/ Hi Jim I thought I would let you know about tonight. I haven’t had any medicine at all since 4 yesterday afternoon but they were not worried about it and my B/P is up to 148/90 from 124/80 last time. My temp is 100 and I am usually ready to be buried by then since normal is 96 for me or I am dog sick. My thyroid medicine has taken my values back to the normal range but they still would not let me have my Xenycal after promising me I could until my fasting labs are done in two weeks and another three after that. I am very discouraged and angry because I really wanted to start it when I felt better. They said in my area a nasty virus is going around no thought it could be Septic since I have run around with infection in my face for six months now. So anyway every time I go to the doctor it is one more diagnosis and this time is I am anemic. Gosh if I get worse just dig a hole and throw me in. The good news is I lost another six pounds. Whoopie. I guess I am glad for that but the doctor should not lie and tell me I can have something and then change it. Oh one more good news. The nurse said I could have my Zoloft dose raised so I will be singing a happy dance when it takes effect. Thanks for listening I feel better just knowing you cared about me. Thanks a million. Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

Response:

could be Septic since I have run around with infection in my face for six months now

Diana, Just a question, have they ever treated that infection? If not why not? 6 months is a long time to wallk around with an infection. just curious Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

Hi Ruthie Yes for three months she agreed it was sinus and I went to urgent care twice and her once and was on antibiotics for ten days each time and then the last three months she changed her mind since I had a raised area on my gum above the tooth that broke off and I keep trying to tell her it started in my cheek and nose and went to my gum and she said there was no way it could get to my gum but that isn’t what she said when she asked if my teeth hurt and I said yes. Hmmm I wonder sometimes about doctors. I do go to the dentist this coming Tuesday so hopefully it will be taken care of. Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – could be Septic since I have run around with infection in my face for six months now Diana, Just a question, have they ever treated that infection? If not why not? 6 months is a long time to wallk around with an infection. just curious Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

Hmmm I wonder sometimes about doctors. I do go to the dentist this coming Tuesday so hopefully it will be taken care of. Di

Di, Hooray! Teeth can make you feel rotten, I’ve had abcessed teeth and they aren’t fun, Hope all goes well on tuesday, and you’ll be feeling better soon! Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

Ruthie Hi. Thanks for your sweet post. I sure do hope Tuesday takes care of things with the dentist. Maybe even get rid of these daily headaches that started since it has been so long. Di. — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hmmm I wonder sometimes about doctors. I do go to the dentist this coming Tuesday so hopefully it will be taken care of. Di Di, Hooray! Teeth can make you feel rotten, I’ve had abcessed teeth and they aren’t fun, Hope all goes well on tuesday, and you’ll be feeling better soon! Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ruthie Hi. Thanks for your sweet post. I sure do hope Tuesday takes care of things with the dentist. Maybe even get rid of these daily headaches that started since it has been so long. Di. — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing Hmmm I wonder sometimes about doctors. I do go to the dentist this coming Tuesday so hopefully it will be taken care of. Di

Di, Anytime Hon, I just know when I had abcessed teeth, I felt like crap, my face would swell and the pain was so bad I wanted to shoot myslef… my whole face would hurt, I couldn’t sleep, thank God my dentist would usually see me the next day…. Let us know how it goes! Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

Ruthie I sure will. I promise. And thanks so much. Yes I have the same symptoms as you did and yes I would like to shoot myself, only problem is I have a deadly fear of guns and Dale sold all his when we got married. But my luck I would miss anyway so Tuesday will do better than the shooting. LOL. I have a sick sense of humor today but still so sick I can hardly sit here. Take care honey and thanks Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ruthie Hi. Thanks for your sweet post. I sure do hope Tuesday takes care of things with the dentist. Maybe even get rid of these daily headaches that started since it has been so long. Di. — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing Hmmm I wonder sometimes about doctors. I do go to the dentist this coming Tuesday so hopefully it will be taken care of. Di Di, Anytime Hon, I just know when I had abcessed teeth, I felt like crap, my face would swell and the pain was so bad I wanted to shoot myslef… my whole face would hurt, I couldn’t sleep, thank God my dentist would usually see me the next day…. Let us know how it goes! Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

diana is one of the shining stars of our group. and we would be lost without her enthusiasm and her great willingness to listen to those that hurt. Speedy recovery from your virus.  Love me

Response:

Loretta You are such a sweet friend. Thanks. Today is a much better day for me. Your the greatest. I love you too. You are my role model, I want to be as beautiful as you are. Love Me — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – diana is one of the shining stars of our group. and we would be lost without her enthusiasm and her great willingness to listen to those that hurt. Speedy recovery from your virus.  Love me

Response:

Question:

i was taking Paxil for about 1.5 yrs and my doctor recently switched me to effexor.  i immediately began experiencing GAD symptoms (i was diagnosed with panic disorder before being diagnosed with depression; they put me on xanax for a while before paxil) and i find it absolutely unbearable.  should i try combining maybe xanax or klonopin with th effexor or should I find a new drug like serzone or traxodone?  ive been struggling for years to find an antidepressant that works for me and i am desparate for any info.  thanks

Response:

I was on Effexor for about five weeks.  The Effexor really did not do anything for me.  I felt anxious all the time.  I finally went to the doctor and demanded that he change my prescription.  I am on Prozac 20mg/day plus Ativan 2mg at night. JP – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i was taking Paxil for about 1.5 yrs and my doctor recently switched me to effexor.  i immediately began experiencing GAD symptoms (i was diagnosed with panic disorder before being diagnosed with depression; they put me on xanax for a while before paxil) and i find it absolutely unbearable.  should i try combining maybe xanax or klonopin with th effexor or should I find a new drug like serzone or traxodone?  ive been struggling for years to find an antidepressant that works for me and i am desparate for any info.  thanks

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In some people SSRI’s can increase anxiety. Where TCA’s and MOAI’s do not. YMMV Tim I beg to differ. TCA’s as a rule do increase symptoms in the first weeks as well. With most SRI’s it’s the same and in both cases this is of a passing nature. I don’t really know about MAOI’s. Philip

When I first went on a TCA I could hardly do anything for about 4 days except fall asleep. I was trying to get my act together to complain to the Doctor about this, when it suddenly cleared up. YYMV of course. — Jon Guite When replying by email, please remove the trailing x from my return address

Response:

In some people SSRI’s can increase anxiety. Where TCA’s and MOAI’s do not. YMMV Tim

I beg to differ. TCA’s as a rule do increase symptoms in the first weeks as well. With most SRI’s it’s the same and in both cases this is of a passing nature. I don’t really know about MAOI’s. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i was taking Paxil for about 1.5 yrs and my doctor recently switched me to effexor.  i immediately began experiencing GAD symptoms (i was diagnosed with panic disorder before being diagnosed with depression; they put me on xanax for a while before paxil) and i find it absolutely unbearable.  should i try combining maybe xanax or klonopin with th effexor or should I find a new drug like serzone or traxodone?  ive been struggling for years to find an antidepressant that works for me and i am desparate for any info.  thanks — Friends, don’t let friends eat haggis.

Response:

Hi.  I was on Klonopin and Effexor at once before.  I was also on two other crappy meds, so It is hard to judge.  Effexor did a lot for my depression at first, but after about 3 months, it really didn’t have any effect.  I was on 175mg, about go on 300 when I switched to Parnate-an MAO.  It has *Really* helped my depression a lot.  It has also improved my anxiety.  Klonopin also improved my anxiety, but I was a zombie and had a hard time getting up and functioning.  Good luck. i was taking Paxil for about 1.5 yrs and my doctor recently switched me to effexor.  i immediately began experiencing GAD symptoms (i was diagnosed with panic disorder before being diagnosed with depression; they put me on xanax for a while before paxil) and i find it absolutely unbearable.  should i try combining maybe xanax or klonopin with th effexor or should I find a new drug like serzone or traxodone?  ive been struggling for years to find an antidepressant that works for me and i am desparate for any info.  thanks

Response:

According to the literature I got w/my prescrip of effexor ANXIETY is one of the possible side-effects of effexor. Other possible side-effects include: dizziness, nausea, dry mouth and rapid heartbeat. I’ve experiences all of the side effects except dizziness. I cut my effexor tablets in half now and the more severe side-effects have vanished. Doug

Response:

In some people SSRI’s can increase anxiety. Where TCA’s and MOAI’s do not. YMMV Tim i was taking Paxil for about 1.5 yrs and my doctor recently switched me to effexor.  i immediately began experiencing GAD symptoms (i was diagnosed with panic disorder before being diagnosed with depression; they put me on xanax for a while before paxil) and i find it absolutely unbearable.  should i try combining maybe xanax or klonopin with th effexor or should I find a new drug like serzone or traxodone?  ive been struggling for years to find an antidepressant that works for me and i am desparate for any info.  thanks

– Friends, don’t let friends eat haggis.

Response:

i was taking Paxil for about 1.5 yrs and my doctor recently switched me to effexor.  i immediately began experiencing GAD symptoms (i was diagnosed with panic disorder before being diagnosed with depression; they put me on xanax for a while before paxil) and i find it absolutely unbearable.  should i try combining maybe xanax or klonopin with th effexor or should I find a new drug like serzone or traxodone?  ive been struggling for years to find an antidepressant that works for me and i am desparate for any info.  thanks

Why did you go off Paxil? Which AD’s did you try? I wouldn’t take Klonopin if I were you as this is contra-indicated for people suffering from depression. Xanax, however, has a slight antidepressant component of its own. Have you tried a TCA? Trazodone is not a good anti-anxiety med. I always thought Serzone wasn’t either, unless combined with Xanax, but lately quite some people here have reported good results. If you tried the other options this might be a med for you to try now. It enhances the effect of Xanax which means that you can take less Xanax than you weuld normally do and maybe you can have longer breaks in between doses. Let no-one tell you that Serzone/Xanax is a bad combo because it isn’t if prescribed and used in the right way. Of course there are still the MAOI’s to consider which seem the most effective meds but have other disadvantages. Please let us know how you carry on! Philip

Response:

Question:

: Does anyone know the side effects from Prozak? I have been taking 20mg : daily for a couple of months, and have had a mild headache ever since. It’s : kind of like someone is pushing on my head from above! : Jim — Jim, All AD’s usually have some side-effects but they vary according to the person. I took one dose of 20 mg. of Prozac and had an extreme anxiety attack in the middle of the night. Prozac is an SSRI which is one of the newest drugs available and theoretically has fewer side effects than the older tri-cyclics. They don’t seem to have the tendency to sedate or cause dry-mouth and constipation like the older drugs, but I have had some side effects from Zoloft and Serzone which are fairly new as well. Basically any thing that you notice after being on the drug and didn’t have before could be a side-effect. Quite often the side-effects will go away or dissipate over time, sometimes not. Give it 4-6 weeks if it is not severe headache and then decide if it has helped. If not, you should hav e your doctor try another one. Good Luck! Lise,  Guelph, ON Canada

Response:

Does anyone know the side effects of Prozak. I have been on 20mg a day for a couple of months and have had a strange heavy feeling 24 hours a day! Kind of a very mild dull headache. This was similar to the very reason (Symptom) that I was originally given the Prozak for. Any ideas would be great! Please reply by e-mail Jim

I have the same prescription which includes Xanax.  No side effects, except when I take too much alcohol (beer).  Then I get anxious or close to panic.  I was also on 60 mg of Prosac for years and the only side effect was need to sleep and no libido and that was a fair trade-off as far as I was concerned. —

Response:

Does anyone know the side effects from Prozak? I have been taking 20mg daily for a couple of months, and have had a mild headache ever since. It’s kind of like someone is pushing on my head from above! Jim

 I was on Prozac for about 9 months to one year, it was my first AD and I had a hard time with it. I would have a few night mares and would be sexually uninterested if that is what the word would be. It took away my libido and gave me diarea, both of which were uncomfortable for me. I am no longer taking any medications but this summer I want to try to get back on something. I was also taking 20mg, 10 in the mourning and 10 at night. Then I was moved to just 10 a day, in the morning. Later I switched to wellbutrin and then to zoloft. None of these medications worked the way I wished they would have but I am still going to try again. Shane

Response:

Does anyone know the side effects of Prozak. I have been on 20mg a day for a couple of months and have had a strange heavy feeling 24 hours a day! Kind of a very mild dull headache. This was similar to the very reason (Symptom) that I was originally given the Prozak for. Any ideas would be great! Please reply by e-mail Jim

Response: