Question:

I found some info on generic 6MP. Apparently a couple of companies are now manufacturing it: http://www.thinkpharm.com/pharma/preview/detail/index.php?searchtype=…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hope everyone is doing well; sorry I haven’t been posting lately, but have a new job and not much ‘puter time. I just got my latest 6-MP rx through the mail as usual.  Instead of the regular round, white pills, these look totally different.  They are diamond-shaped and a different colour.  Anybody else had these?  Haven’t had a chance yet to take one into a pharmacy to check on it, but thought I’d check with you all.  TIA Christine CD

Response:

Thanks for your replies; I feel much better now that I know others have received the same thing.  In addition to now being diamond-shaped, these are an off-white kinda yellowish colour.  The manufacturer of these is Prometheus the bottle says, and I wondered if this was the same Prometheus Labs in CA that does the tests; or at least affiliated. Haven’t started taking the new pills yet, but hopefully will have the same results as Deb – no change Thanks once again! Christine CD – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Have the pharmacy split them. Mike Hope everyone is doing well; sorry I haven’t been posting lately, but have a new job and not much ‘puter time. I just got my latest 6-MP rx through the mail as usual.  Instead of the regular round, white pills, these look totally different.  They are diamond-shaped and a different colour.  Anybody else had these?  Haven’t had a chance yet to take one into a pharmacy to check on it, but thought I’d check with you all.  TIA Christine CD There are at least two companies making generic Purinethol now.  My Rx bottle now reads Mercaptopurine instead of Purinethol.  The pills are still round and white but now have numbers instead of the Purinethol label. They are also harder to split in half… —john. Drop PANTS before emailing. An education teaches you that you don’t know everything. Intelligence means you know where to find the information you are lacking. mgbio

Response:

Hello!  I’ve been taking 6mp for awhile now and when I received my last rx through the mail they were also the diamond shaped ones.  They are a generic form of them and cost a lot less.   Quincy

Response:

Have the pharmacy split them. Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hope everyone is doing well; sorry I haven’t been posting lately, but have a new job and not much ‘puter time. I just got my latest 6-MP rx through the mail as usual.  Instead of the regular round, white pills, these look totally different.  They are diamond-shaped and a different colour.  Anybody else had these?  Haven’t had a chance yet to take one into a pharmacy to check on it, but thought I’d check with you all.  TIA Christine CD There are at least two companies making generic Purinethol now.  My Rx bottle now reads Mercaptopurine instead of Purinethol.  The pills are still round and white but now have numbers instead of the Purinethol label. They are also harder to split in half…                                                    —john.

Drop PANTS before emailing. An education teaches you that you don’t know everything. Intelligence means you know where to find the information you are lacking. mgbio

Response:

Hope everyone is doing well; sorry I haven’t been posting lately, but have a new job and not much ‘puter time. I just got my latest 6-MP rx through the mail as usual.  Instead of the regular round, white pills, these look totally different.  They are diamond-shaped and a different colour.  Anybody else had these?  Haven’t had a chance yet to take one into a pharmacy to check on it, but thought I’d check with you all.  TIA Christine CD

There are at least two companies making generic Purinethol now.  My Rx bottle now reads Mercaptopurine instead of Purinethol.  The pills are still round and white but now have numbers instead of the Purinethol label. They are also harder to split in half…                                                         —john.

Response:

Hope everyone is doing well; sorry I haven’t been posting lately, but have a new job and not much ‘puter time. I just got my latest 6-MP rx through the mail as usual.  Instead of the regular round, white pills, these look totally different.  They are diamond-shaped and a different colour.  Anybody else had these?  Haven’t had a chance yet to take one into a pharmacy to check on it, but thought I’d check with you all.  TIA Christine CD

Response:

Same as my situation. The pharmicist told me about it beforehand. They now have generic or just some other brand 6MP. It costs a lot less. I haven’t noticed any differences. Debs Hope everyone is doing well; sorry I haven’t been posting lately, but have a new job and not much ‘puter time. I just got my latest 6-MP rx through the mail as usual.  Instead of the regular round, white pills, these look totally different.  They are diamond-shaped and a different colour.  Anybody else had these?  Haven’t had a chance yet to take one into a pharmacy to check on it, but thought I’d check with you all.  TIA Christine CD

– remove YOURFOOT before responding

Response:

I picked up a prescription of 6-MP last week and it was the same, round, white pills I have always had. — Paul Visit our photo albums at http://www.laflammefamily.ca To reply, replace "deadspam.com" with "laflammefamily.ca" — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hope everyone is doing well; sorry I haven’t been posting lately, but have a new job and not much ‘puter time. I just got my latest 6-MP rx through the mail as usual.  Instead of the regular round, white pills, these look totally different.  They are diamond-shaped and a different colour.  Anybody else had these?  Haven’t had a chance yet to take one into a pharmacy to check on it, but thought I’d check with you all.  TIA Christine CD

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Question:

About a week after taking Singular it feels as though I have a lump in my throat.  I’m not sure if this is a side effect so if anybody else has experienced this I’d like to know.  Would it help for my to switch to Accolate. Thanks for any info.

Hopefully it isn’t an abcess like the one that just about killed me.  No reason for it to be an abcess — mine may have been caused by frostbite — but if should you start having severe choking episodes then get to an ER and have it checked out.

Response:

About a week after taking Singular it feels as though I have a lump in my throat.  I’m not sure if this is a side effect so if anybody else has experienced this I’d like to know.  Would it help for my to switch to Accolate. Thanks for any info.

I just started on Sigulair this past week and after 16 months on Accolate I find it MUCH more effective. No lingering tightness, no consistent light wheezing, its wonderful..almost like Theo again.  What are some of the other side effects..(Dr gave me 2 week sample to try) Bill

Response:

About a week after taking Singular it feels as though I have a lump in my throat.  I’m not sure if this is a side effect so if anybody else has experienced this I’d like to know.  Would it help for my to switch to Accolate. Thanks for any info. I have a lump in my throat also.   I thought it was from increasing the

Flovent from 8 puffs of 110 to 8 puffs of 220, so I have been cutting back on the Flovent, I haven’t noticed any changes in the lump.  I did go to the Dr. and she didn’t see anything abnormal in my throat.  Since this is the height of asthma/allergy season here I am reluctant to go off Singulair,  I had rash on my arms with Accolate.  Let me know what you do, if you stop Singulair and the lump goes away.  I hope the lump isn’t anything serious because for now I have decided to learn to live with the it.  Pam – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I found Singulair worked quite well in lessening need forVentolin, but it caused edema, esp. swollen ankles.  I kept with it for about 4 months since doctors denied this as a side effect. (Doesn’t seem so strange to me since the generic name is M. Sodium)…

Montelukast Sodium http://www.merck.com/product/usa/singulair/cns/prescribing_info/descr… l has a chemical formula of C35 H35 Cl N Na O3 S, it has a molecular weight of 608.18 Daltons (one Dalton is approximately the weight of one hydrogen atom).  Sodium has a molecular weight of 23 Daltons.  That means that sodium accounts for 3.78% of the Montelukast total weight (23/608.18=3.78%).  There are 10 mg of Montelukast Sodium in a tablet of Singulair, that means there are 0.378 mg of Sodium in a Singulair tablet (10 mg x 3.78%=0.378 mg). There are 7.3 mg of Sodium in a single Bite Size tortilla chip of a popular name brand.  I’m not an MD but it is hard for me to imagine that 0.387 mg of Sodium is enough to make one’s ankle swell.  Perhaps it is a reaction to the carbohydrate portion of the molecule.

Response:

About a week after taking Singular it feels as though I have a lump in my throat.  I’m not sure if this is a side effect so if anybody else has experienced this I’d like to know.  Would it help for my to switch to Accolate. Thanks for any info.

Response:

I found Singulair worked quite well in lessening need forVentolin, but it caused edema, esp. swollen ankles.  I kept with it for about 4 months since doctors denied this as a side effect. (Doesn’t seem so strange to me since the generic name is M. Sodium)   Finally, I tried going off Singulair twice and each time the swelling went away. I am no longer on Singulair. Accolate did not work for me at all.  Unfortunately, I am running out of things to try. Serevent was a disaster.  Any other really new drugs or techniques? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – About a week after taking Singular it feels as though I have a lump in my throat.  I’m not sure if this is a side effect so if anybody else has experienced this I’d like to know.  Would it help for my to switch to Accolate. Thanks for any info.

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Question:

I’m having a root canal done on Friday. I’m going to a dentist that I’ve never seen before and I don’t know the name of the novacaine that doesn’t accelerate the heart. ‘Lil help? Peace, John — The charter is available at:

Question:

My son has been prescribed Effexor for over 2yrs and it has proved more effective than Prozac. However, when taking his normal dosage of 187.5mg a day, a heavy rash breaks out on his arms and upper body. When he reduces the dosage, the rash subsides but he quickly becomes depressed again. Has anyone else had similar problems and how did they overcome them? Or is there an alternative medication which is at least as effective without these distressing side effects. Thanks.

Response:

hello – Upon my initial introduction to Effexor, I too had a rash, but it was on my face. My skin became very red, and then got flaky. It was not itchy, per se, but felt very aching and tight. I used an aloe vera-based moisturizer on my face for about a week, and so far, the rash has not returned. Have your son’s doctors been diligent with helping him with this side effect? If the Effexor is successful for him, it would be a shame not to try to control the rash. Perhaps a skin specialist might be able to offer some help. — regards, Compucat  ^+^<

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My son has been prescribed Effexor for over 2yrs and it has proved more effective than Prozac. However, when taking his normal dosage of 187.5mg a day, a heavy rash breaks out on his arms and upper body. When he reduces the dosage, the rash subsides but he quickly becomes depressed again. Has anyone else had similar problems and how did they overcome them? Or is there an alternative medication which is at least as effective without these distressing side effects. Thanks.

Response:

Thanks for your prompt reply. My son’s rash comprises of dark red spots which itch and then turn to sores. Maybe he should see a skin specialist. Unfortunately, with the NHS, this could take some time to arrange —

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hello – Upon my initial introduction to Effexor, I too had a rash, but it was on my face. My skin became very red, and then got flaky. It was not itchy, per se, but felt very aching and tight. I used an aloe vera-based moisturizer on my face for about a week, and so far, the rash has not returned. Have your son’s doctors been diligent with helping him with this side effect? If the Effexor is successful for him, it would be a shame not to try to control the rash. Perhaps a skin specialist might be able to offer some help. — regards, Compucat  ^+^< My son has been prescribed Effexor for over 2yrs and it has proved more effective than Prozac. However, when taking his normal dosage of 187.5mg a day, a heavy rash breaks out on his arms and upper body. When he reduces the dosage, the rash subsides but he quickly becomes depressed again. Has anyone else had similar problems and how did they overcome them? Or is there an alternative medication which is at least as effective without these distressing side effects. Thanks.

Response:

Hi and Welcome to the ng, My son has been prescribed Effexor for over 2yrs and it has proved more effective than Prozac. However, when taking his normal dosage of 187.5mg a day, a heavy rash breaks out on his arms and upper body. When he reduces the dosage, the rash subsides but he quickly becomes depressed again. Has anyone else had similar problems and how did they overcome them? Or is there an alternative medication which is at least as effective without these distressing side effects. Thanks.

‘Rash is a relatively uncmmon occurrence but I strongly suggest you discuss this with his doctor. — LyndaNP Reality isn’t the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. – Robert J. Ringer

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Question:

Hi Everyone- I am new to this newsgroup but not new to the disease of anxiety. My doctor has switched me from Paxil to Zoloft. She weaned me off Paxil and slowly on to Zoloft 50 mg. My problem is the horrible side effects..I know they are to be expected but these are quite bad. I find I cannot eat anything, I am more anxious, I have vivid flashbacks, I cannot sleep and if I do get any sleep I have horrible nightmares! I also have light sensitivity, major headaches and my eyes feel like they are going to pop out of their sockets!! I cannot focus on many tasks at all. Using the PC has become very hard to look at!! Can anyone tell me if this is normal or if they have experienced this? Thanks in advance —Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.—

Response:

Hi Everyone- I am new to this newsgroup but not new to the disease of anxiety. My doctor has switched me from Paxil to Zoloft. She weaned me off Paxil and slowly on to Zoloft 50 mg. My problem is the horrible side effects..I know they are to be expected but these are quite bad. I find I cannot eat anything, I am more anxious, I have vivid flashbacks, I cannot sleep and if I do get any sleep I have horrible nightmares! I also have light sensitivity, major headaches and my eyes feel like they are going to pop out of their sockets!! I cannot focus on many tasks at all. Using the PC has become very hard to look at!! Can anyone tell me if this is normal or if they have experienced this?

I have been on meds for about three weeks, first Celexa and now Zoloft.  I have noticed that I have very wierd dreams, not necessarily nightmares, but very bizarre ones.  I am also taking Ambien for sleep and I thought that was causing the dreams. Karen — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

Response:

I had tremendous brain fog on Zoloft.   Everything seemed surreal.  Zoloft decreased my need for benzos, but I was tired all the time.  I really don’t remember all the side effects.  I just know that it didn’t work out for me. Mel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi Everyone- I am new to this newsgroup but not new to the disease of anxiety. My doctor has switched me from Paxil to Zoloft. She weaned me off Paxil and slowly on to Zoloft 50 mg. My problem is the horrible side effects..I know they are to be expected but these are quite bad. I find I cannot eat anything, I am more anxious, I have vivid flashbacks, I cannot sleep and if I do get any sleep I have horrible nightmares! I also have light sensitivity, major headaches and my eyes feel like they are going to pop out of their sockets!! I cannot focus on many tasks at all. Using the PC has become very hard to look at!! Can anyone tell me if this is normal or if they have experienced this? Thanks in advance

Response:

I just got off of Zoloft, but when I went on I was started at 12 1/2mg. and not 50 mg. to start.  That could be your problem.  You need to start slower then 50 mg.  You will probably still have a few side effects, but not like you are having.  Call your doctor and tell him or her.  Good Luck

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone- I am new to this newsgroup but not new to the disease of anxiety. My doctor has switched me from Paxil to Zoloft. She weaned me off Paxil and slowly on to Zoloft 50 mg. My problem is the horrible side effects..I know they are to be expected but these are quite bad. I find I cannot eat anything, I am more anxious, I have vivid flashbacks, I cannot sleep and if I do get any sleep I have horrible nightmares! I also have light sensitivity, major headaches and my eyes feel like they are going to pop out of their sockets!! I cannot focus on many tasks at all. Using the PC has become very hard to look at!! Can anyone tell me if this is normal or if they have experienced this? Thanks in advance —Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.—

 I had an awful time with Zoloft..nightmares, headaches, anxiety beyond the expected time, finally went off it after 8 months or so. If it doesn’t clear up within some weeks,think about changing meds..but you might also try a small amount of a  benzo with it to adjust..it didn’t work for me but I hear that it does all the time for other people. It is always hard to say whether its the wrong med for you or if it’s an adjustment when you are first starting these meds..I personally had an awful time getting past the first weeks I took pamelor years ago, and yet once I did it was the best AD for me with the least  side effects. Good luck May

Response:

I had those side  effects with Paxil. I am currently taking zoloft and it’s working wonders. I find that the ssri’s work differently on different people. Maybe your dcotor will change you back to paxil of put you on prozac. You needent suffer like that.   Dave

Response:

  Hi, I too had a terrible time with Zoloft. I had horrible dreams and would wake up screaming. I talked in my sleep and could nod off in the middle of a conversation! My depression worsened as did anxiety and panic. I also felt like I was dreaming even when I was awake–disassociation I think its called. Things didn’t seem real. A lot of people on this NG seem to have very positive results from Zoloft. It goes to show how different we all are in the ways we react to meds. I’m on 40 mgs. of Prozac now and have been for almost 4 years. It works well for me. I’m sorry you’re having trouble. Maybe its time to call the doctor and let her/him know how you feel.There is bound to be a med out there that will work for you. Maybe Zoloft just isn’t it. Don’t go on feeling like this though. I waited until my next doctor appointment and kept taking the Zoloft. I was sure it would start to work and that it was my fault that it wasn’t. Now I know better! Hope this helps! Best wishes,   Linda

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Everyone- I am new to this newsgroup but not new to the disease of anxiety. My doctor has switched me from Paxil to Zoloft. She weaned me off Paxil and slowly on to Zoloft 50 mg. My problem is the horrible side effects..I know they are to be expected but these are quite bad. I find I cannot eat anything, I am more anxious, I have vivid flashbacks, I cannot sleep and if I do get any sleep I have horrible nightmares! I also have light sensitivity, major headaches and my eyes feel like they are going to pop out of their sockets!! I cannot focus on many tasks at all. Using the PC has become very hard to look at!! Can anyone tell me if this is normal or if they have experienced this? Thanks in advance —Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.—

Response:

Hi Everyone- I am new to this newsgroup but not new to the disease of anxiety. My doctor has switched me from Paxil to Zoloft. She weaned me off Paxil and slowly on to Zoloft 50 mg. My problem is the horrible side effects..I know they are to be expected but these are quite bad. I find I cannot eat anything, I am more anxious, I have vivid flashbacks, I cannot sleep and if I do get any sleep I have horrible nightmares! I also have light sensitivity, major headaches and my eyes feel like they are going to pop out of their sockets!! I cannot focus on many tasks at all. Using the PC has become very hard to look at!! Can anyone tell me if this is normal or if they have experienced this? Thanks in advance

Yes, I have experienced this (and could add some more lovely symptoms) and I guess many of us have. Did you have the same experiences while starting Paxil? Why did you stop Paxil? How *slow* did you wean on Zoloft? It seems advisable to have a benzo on the side. These may be initial Zoloft side effects but if you started at a low dose (12,5 mgs) and weaned on slowly it shouldn’t be so bad IMO. It is possible that Zoloft is not the med for you. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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I started on Zoloft May 3rd and I have not had any side effects at all, not noticabe ones, the only noticable one I have had is I can not have an orgasm..I do not plan to stay on this med for this reason..I was started on Zoloft to control my anger..does anyone know of another AD that is not an SSRI and helps with anger? I am on 50mg every day. Hope…That This Too Shall Pass..

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Question:

Thanks to everyone who responded.  It really does make me feel better to read such supportive comments.   No more AOL….. Thanks again! Peace, Dan

Response:

I’d like to introduce myself.  I’m a twenty six year old male, and I’ve read this newsgroup on and off for the last couple years.   Also, I’d like some feedback on my medication.  First, though, my history with panic disorder…  Ever since I was a little kid I’ve had trouble with panic attacks.  In Little League, I was a nervous wreck before games because I thought I might have an attack.  (Of course at the time I didn’t know what they were, and was afraid to tell anyone.)  I quit the basketball team because I thought I was prone to PAs at night, particularly in the lighting of a gymnasium.  These were textbook panic attacks I was having (and worrying about having!) – most of the symptoms, and they’d last about fifteen minutes or so. I had a pretty normal childhood otherwise.  By the time I reached high school, I considered the PAs a thing of the past, something I’d luckily outgrown.  I made it through college without really giving panic attacks any thought. Then — about three years ago (I’d been out of college almost a year), I was going through a somewhat stressful time in my life, trying to figure out my future, looking for a career I cared about, etc.  I had *the* worst panic attack I’d ever had, and the reason it was so bad was because it seemed to not go away.  Without exaggeration, I can honestly say that I felt like I was having a panic attack for two months.  I had no idea what was going on, and grew very depressed.  I was living with my girlfriend, who was supportive as she could be, but she was the only person I told.  This was a very dark, scary time in my life.  Things lightened up a bit when I finally told my mom.  She knew someone who’d had a problem that sounded similar.  Soon, I moved back home.  I met with my mom’s friend, who gave me several books to read (Kernodle, Sheehan, Reid, Weekes), which I read with a frenzy.  She also recommended a psychiatrist, who helped me through medication.  This was a summer of healing for me.  We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft.  I had tried Imipramine, but it made me feel even more anxious, as though I were about to have a PA at any time. Anyway, this dosage took awhile to reach, but it was the dosage that worked for me.  I also read and practiced many of the self-help techniques such as deep relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation, stopping negative thought patterns, et al.  It took awhile, but I got better.  I finally felt some joy in life again.  Since then, I’ve stayed at the same dosages of the medications, with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane. I’ve moved away from my parents house, and owe them a HUGE debt of gratitude for letting me free-load for a year as I got better.  It took me awhile to get a job, because I had an immense fear of being stuck somewhere for eight hours. I wasn’t afraid to go out – I was afraid, though, to *have* to be in one place.  When I finally started working, it was a huge step in my recovery.   So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.  My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication.  (First I moved away from home – far away, actually – and then I got married to the girlfriend who’d been so supportive when I first got sick, and now we have a three month old baby boy….I’d call all that "transitional".)   That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted. Peace, Dan "Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true  Or is it something worse?"              - Bruce Springsteen

Response:

It is hard enough to find medications that take care of the symptoms. If these meds work for you, then you have achieved your goal and I would not try to change them right now, just to get your life back in shape while you are still feeling well.  Make sure your doc. informs you about all possible side effects, but basically I wouldn’t touch a thing for as long as possible if you find a set of meds that really work for you. Dr.S. There are no false alarms http://www.algy.com/pdi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -(SYMKTB) writes: I’d like to introduce myself.  I’m a twenty six year old male, and I’ve read this newsgroup on and off for the last couple years.   Also, I’d like some feedback on my medication.  First, though, my history with panic disorder…  Ever since I was a little kid I’ve had trouble with panic attacks.  In Little League, I was a nervous wreck before games because I thought I might have an attack.  (Of course at the time I didn’t know what they were, and was afraid to tell anyone.)  I quit the basketball team because I thought I was prone to PAs at night, particularly in the lighting of a gymnasium.  These were textbook panic attacks I was having (and worrying about having!) – most of the symptoms, and they’d last about fifteen minutes or so. I had a pretty normal childhood otherwise.  By the time I reached high school, I considered the PAs a thing of the past, something I’d luckily outgrown.  I made it through college without really giving panic attacks any thought. Then — about three years ago (I’d been out of college almost a year), I was going through a somewhat stressful time in my life, trying to figure out my future, looking for a career I cared about, etc.  I had *the* worst panic attack I’d ever had, and the reason it was so bad was because it seemed to not go away.  Without exaggeration, I can honestly say that I felt like I was having a panic attack for two months.  I had no idea what was going on, and grew very depressed.  I was living with my girlfriend, who was supportive as she could be, but she was the only person I told.  This was a very dark, scary time in my life.  Things lightened up a bit when I finally told my mom.  She knew someone who’d had a problem that sounded similar.  Soon, I moved back home.  I met with my mom’s friend, who gave me several books to read (Kernodle, Sheehan, Reid, Weekes), which I read with a frenzy.  She also recommended a psychiatrist, who helped me through medication.  This was a summer of healing for me.  We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft.  I had tried Imipramine, but it made me feel even more anxious, as though I were about to have a PA at any time. Anyway, this dosage took awhile to reach, but it was the dosage that worked for me.  I also read and practiced many of the self-help techniques such as deep relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation, stopping negative thought patterns, et al.  It took awhile, but I got better.  I finally felt some joy in life again.  Since then, I’ve stayed at the same dosages of the medications, with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane. I’ve moved away from my parents house, and owe them a HUGE debt of gratitude for letting me free-load for a year as I got better.  It took me awhile to get a job, because I had an immense fear of being stuck somewhere for eight hours. I wasn’t afraid to go out – I was afraid, though, to *have* to be in one place. When I finally started working, it was a huge step in my recovery.   So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.  My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication.  (First I moved away from home – far away, actually – and then I got married to the girlfriend who’d been so supportive when I first got sick, and now we have a three month old baby boy….I’d call all that "transitional".)   That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted. Peace, Dan "Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true Or is it something worse?"             – Bruce Springsteen

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SYMKTB schreef: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – < snipped life story for space  We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft. with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane. So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.  My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication.  (First I moved away from home – far away, actually – and then I got married to the girlfriend who’d been so supportive when I first got sick, and now we have a three month old baby boy….I’d call all that "transitional".) That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted. Peace, Dan

Hi Dan! Good to hear you’re doing so much better. It seems you have a nice family and your parents seem to have an OK son who will surely be a great father himself. It’s a kind of success story which is always inspirational and it seems there is much warmth around you. About the meds: it’s a lot of benzodiazepine but if it works, it works and if you don’t notice side effects like motor or cognitive impairment I wouldn’t worry about it. The combo of SSRI and benzo is a common one and the Zoloft dose is not unusually high. I’m happy that it works for you the way it does. If and when you feel like it you can always experiment with reducing the Xanax dosage but if it turns out that need 5 mgs that’s fine too IMO. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true  Or is it something worse?"              - Bruce Springsteen

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We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft…… I’ve stayed at the same dosages of the medications, with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane.

This is great you have had such support and found a combo that works for you and given you back your life. So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.

My first reaction is – if it ain’t broken, why fix it?  I think many of us get to a point we feel we can do this without meds and you are certainly free to try and lower your doses and see what happens.  I did that once and found I didn’t need as much K as I was taking.  Went a little lower and found I had pushed it too far.  Anyways,  I don’t know why you feel guilty, as IMO, there is no need to.  Better to be on meds and functioning than a suffering *warrior*.  Plus you have already been there and know what it is like. My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication

An excellent reason for NOT making changes at this time.  If you do want to try that….I hope you will do it at a time when life is relatively stable and nonchaotic – and having a new baby sure doesn’t seem the time.  Congrats by the way.  :) That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted.

Dan…I think you just answered your own question.  Dosages are irrelevent – all that matters is what works for the individual.  Alot to be said for that quality of life thing. Best wishes… Gwen

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(SYMKTB) writes: That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication.

Hi Dan, good story. It gives people hope when they read that someone is doing well. I can’t give you much input on the meds. Please don’t ever feel guilty about taking the medication you need to control the PD. I suffered for years without them. I tried going to therapy and CBT  but nothing ever worked for me.  I’m considering asking my Dr about taking Klonopin. I’ve taken Xanax .5 mg PRN for the past 2 years. I’ve had PD since I was a child as well, but it was only 2 years ago that I decided to go to a Dr and ask for medication. You’re fortunate to have a supporting family and spouse. It’s much easier to deal with your PD if you know someone actually "believes" what’s going on. My husband always thought I was "making it up" until he saw our (at the time 4 yr old) daughter going through a PA. First he started to yell at her, then he saw the fear on her little face and said,"my God, what’s wrong with her?" Of course, I knew what was happening to her and told him. Then he felt awful for all those years of actually yelling at me to "knock off the bullsh*t" during my PA’s. Now whenever he witnesses one, he comes close to tears and tries everything he can to help. I can really relate to your comment on not being afraid to go out, but  being afraid of *having* to be somewhere for 8 hours. I have to return to work as soon as my daughter starts school, and I know I can only handle a few hours a day. That’s why I’m thinking about the Klonopin. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of helpful information from your post. I really learn a lot from here as long as I skip over the useless "wars" that go on. I don’t post here that often myself, but , what prompted me to was to congratulate you on your new baby boy!  And that I see you are a fellow BOSS fan! good luck with the little 3 month old "transition"!! (that’s a biggie isn’t it? LOL!) adp

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Erica– I am also Bulimiarexic…and 15 and on Zoloft and have not had my period for a year and a half. I don’t know about you but my Zoloft doesn’t seem to be helping at all. I think I might start on something different. I am on 175mgs a day now. How much are you on?? I haven’t had birth control pills suggested to me to restore my period but I wouldn’t want them. I hated my period. It is such a mess and a pain. This doesn’t mean I’m afraid of it I just like not having to deal with it.

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Laurie asked: Should I be worried though? I want my "good enough" to not be life-threatening, you know? Am I doing ANYTHING good for myself??

Laurie, You are doing some good things for yourself.  You are taking classes.  You are searching for answers in your life.  You are writing. If you want your "good enough" to not be life threatening you have got to start eating more. Straight out spoilered for dead on painful stuff. s   p     o       i         l           e             r Laurie, if you don’t have periods you are threatening the life of any children you might have in the future.  What does that mean?  It means that someday when your arms ache to hold a baby you won’t be able to.  It means that someday when you share your life with someone and you want your body to hold life inside it, to let it grow inside you, to nourish it from yourself you won’t be able to.  So Laurie, ask yourself.  Is it "good enough"? Mary

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Oui, my doctor wanted me to take BC pills (i’m 16, a virgin) to get my period again, I said NO WAY. Just the thought of it makes me feel ‘unclean’ (is that weird?). I am taking Zoloft, though. I have had my first two panic attacks ON it, I never had one when I wasn’t taking it… Odd… I wouold appreciate feedback from other bulimarexics taking Zoloft- side effects, etc. Merci beaucuop. Erica

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -for awhile i was on birth control pills to "motivate" my body to have a period. has anyone else done this?  i hated taking them (hated having a period) and i don’t need them now (for either of their purposes!)  but, i’m sooooo scared of getting osteoporosis that i was very good about taking them–i hate taking meds. just an fyi for the general public:  i’m taking a science of nutrition class (which i don’t suggest for anyone struggling.  it’s been tough disassociating the class from my ed…but that’s another subject).  anyway, we just finished up talking about calcuim.  the worst kind of supplements you can take are oyster shell–they’re literally ground up oyster shells, so there’s no way to know exactly what’s in them.  the best (according to my prof) are tums–they’re the cheapest and absorb the easiest.  everyone happy with their nutrition lesson for the day?

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Why has the nutrition class been triggering? (besides the obvious answer that it’s all about food) Sarah – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – for awhile i was on birth control pills to "motivate" my body to have a period. has anyone else done this?  i hated taking them (hated having a period) and i don’t need them now (for either of their purposes!)  but, i’m sooooo scared of getting osteoporosis that i was very good about taking them–i hate taking meds. just an fyi for the general public:  i’m taking a science of nutrition class (which i don’t suggest for anyone struggling.  it’s been tough disassociating the class from my ed…but that’s another subject).  anyway, we just finished up talking about calcuim.  the worst kind of supplements you can take are oyster shell–they’re literally ground up oyster shells, so there’s no way to know exactly what’s in them.  the best (according to my prof) are tums–they’re the cheapest and absorb the easiest.  everyone happy with their nutrition lesson for the day?

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for awhile i was on birth control pills to "motivate" my body to have a period.  has anyone else done this?  i hated taking them (hated having a period) and i don’t need them now (for either of their purposes!)  but, i’m sooooo scared of getting osteoporosis that i was very good about taking them–i hate taking meds. just an fyi for the general public:  i’m taking a science of nutrition class (which i don’t suggest for anyone struggling.  it’s been tough disassociating the class from my ed…but that’s another subject).  anyway, we just finished up talking about calcuim.  the worst kind of supplements you can take are oyster shell–they’re literally ground up oyster shells, so there’s no way to know exactly what’s in them.  the best (according to my prof) are tums–they’re the cheapest and absorb the easiest.  everyone happy with their nutrition lesson for the day?

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Erica, This may be a little late, but maybe you should reconsider not wanting to take BC pills.  I agree with you; it’s hard to get over the "unclean" feeling (I’m a virgin too), but I looked at it as just medicine.  I didn’t take it as birth control, but to get my period again, so is it really any different from any other kind of prescription?  I’m off BC now because I put on enough weight to get my periods on my own, but I went a year and a half without getting a period…I was actually happy to gat it at that point, with or without BC.  Just my two cents, Ophelia Oui, my doctor wanted me to take BC pills (i’m 16, a virgin) to get my period again, I said NO WAY. Just the thought of it makes me feel ‘unclean’ (is that weird?). I am taking Zoloft, though. I have had my first two panic attacks ON it, I never had one when I wasn’t taking it… Odd… I wouold appreciate feedback from other bulimarexics taking Zoloft- side effects, etc. Merci beaucuop. Erica

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi guys. I’ll spoiler this for food mentions and health issue mentions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Ok. I’m underweight. Given. I haven’t had a period in two and half years. Given.

you don’t have enough of anything in your diet, then. given. if you did, you might be underweight, but you’d have your period. so you’re missing major things. While I don’t eat very much, the things I eat have good stuff in it

you know what? all food is *good stuff* all food has *good stuff* in it. it’s a fuel. that’s all food is. it’s been politicised to hell, but it’s just a fuel.  (I think) Broccolli, Bananas, Nonfat yogurts, etc.,  So that I think I am getting a reasonable amount of calcium and potassium. I also take a children’s multivitamin.

are you a child, laurie? you should be taking a woman’s multivitamin. preferably several of them, because you’re not going to get the right mix in any one; thye’re just not marketed for people who get none. Here’s my question: If I eat TONS of calcium in the things I eat, tons of potassium, etc., can I still get osteoporosis?

yes Can I still be susceptible to heart attack?

yes But the things I eat (habitually, same things, every day, we all know how the story goes) are healthy and have good vitamins.

as opposed to those vitamins that have been taken over by evil?  Should I be worried though? I want my "good enough" to not be life-threatening, you know? Am I doing ANYTHING good for myself??

taking vitamins is a good step. it’s not enough. and you do *not* eat enough. you do *not* get enough of anything, from Cals to vitamin b to sodium. and it will be life-endangering. I hope I haven’t triggered anyone…

you spoilered it. let people take responsibility for themselves. if you read something spoilered for talk of food, you accepted the chance it might trigger you. ased in general probably triggers people somewhat. that’s a choice people make for themselves, not for others. gus — the unconscious, it seems, will not let go of its hoard. the past comes with us and occasionally kidnaps the present, so that the distinctions we depend on for safety, for sanity, disappear. past. present. future. when this happens, we are no longer sure who we are, or perhaps we can no longer pretend to be sure who we are. if time is a river then we shall all meet death by water.                                          -jeanette winterson "gut symmetries" — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

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My dietitian used to say, "yes, you eat very healthy foods….but the problem is that you’re not eating ENOUGH!" Yes, you should be concerned that osteoporosis is lurking around the corner for you…. Yes, you should be concerned that what you are doing to your body, an act of omission, rather than comission, is going to have long-term effects. Last year, I broke a toe when I bashed into a bookcase.  When my foot was x-rayed, the doctor talked a lot about "osteopenia," which is the precursor to osteoporosis. Not having periods is not a good thing. A friend of mine, who is severely anorexic, is currently taking Fosamax (sp?) to try to counteract the effects of her long-term illness.   She’s already experienced broken ribs and a broken hip….and she is only in her mid-thirties.  The meds will probably only stave off the osteoporosis for a brief time…. Even though right now, it doesn’t feel that way, Laurie, you ARE doing damage to your body which can have long-term effects.  My dietitian  also used to say, "nothing in nutrition works fast. "  What was being said was that even though I might feel perfectly fine, even though I was eating "healthy" foods, I was still eating at a subnormal level and was not giving myself the nutrition which was needed….and somewhere down the road, years later, I might pay the price. Think about it… –Connie

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Hi Laurie, One thing I’d like to point out in your response is your reference to your eating "good" food.  I hate to say it but there is no such thing as good or bad food.  Healthy eating involves all different types of food and when certain foods are restricted are cut out, your eating is no longer "healthy" (Sorry!) In response to your question about osteoporosis and heart attacks.  Yes, you are definitely at risk.  For one thing, your not menstruating so this means your body is not making estrogen which is essential for the absorption of Calcium.  Therefore it doesn’t matter really how much calcium rich food you are taking it, it won’t be absorbed properly.  Also, the minerals like potassium and magnesium which can affect the heart are also absorbed through the help of other nutrients so if you aren’t eating a balanced diet you won’t have normal levels of these important electrolytes.  (my doctor has pounded this info. into my head, so I know what I’m talking about) Anyway hope this helps. Kathryn K.

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Wanted to let you know what Debra thought of the NSTA symposium.  She sent this to me and I wanted to share it with all of you, since I posted her first call for help, on asd, asking if anyone else was going, since she was going alone.  She enjoyed meeting Elf, Katie and Sondra.  I thank all of you, too, for looking her up. Deb’s message: First of all, thanks to all of you who responded to my inquiry regarding who was attending.  Since it was my first symposium and my spouse could not attend, it was a little intimidating going alone.  However, as suggested through your e-mails, everyone was very kind and helpful. The symposium was great!  If you have never been to one, I would highly recommend it – next year is in San Diego – also a great vacation spot! I found one of the major benefits in attending is sharing the stories, symptoms, concerns with other ST’rs and having someone finally relate to the same set of feelings.  An extra special thanks and "hello" to three wonderful women found through the net, Romona (Elf) from Tennessee, Katie Stehr from Georgia, and Sondra from Ohio.  I also found many members of the NSTA team to be great including Jan Richter, Patricia Murray, Carol Frank, David Stein, and Don Roblee.  Time just flew and attendance was excellent making the sad part the inability to meet and spend time talking with everyone. Carol Frank, President of NSTA, shared that in 1980, there were 22 members of NSTA – today, there are over 3,000.  I’m certain most of you now know about the Botox A shortage.  Allergan is completely out of the product awaiting FDA approval hopefully by the end of November.  You can reach a local sales rep for updates at 1-800-639-7914. After the "Taco Neck" syndrome, Jerry West of the L.A. Lakers has cut two public service announcements.  It was also announced that Dixie Carter and Hal Holbrook will help to sponsor a Casino Night in L.A. next year.  We are still looking for our "famous affected spokesperson". The educational piece of the session began with Dr. Paul Cullis and Dr. Christopher O’Brien discussing Botox.   Most of you know that the body uses acetylcholine from the nerve transmission to the muscle causing it to contract.  Botox stops the release of this action.  There are three proteins that release acetylcholine and Botox A works on one protein (SNAP-25) while Botox B works on Synaptobrevin or VAMP.  One good idea to help counter the antibody situation many have experienced, is to alternate Botox A and Botox B once it has been approved.  It is estimated that the timeframe for Botox B approval is about 12 months.  Another key point from O’Brien is that administration of Botox is an art form and the success on a patient is very technique dependent.   This takes time and experience.  There are 56 muscles in the neck and proper administration of Botox is not in any textbook.   The stats from Cullis and O’Brien were an 80-85% good response rate for Botox for cervical dystonia.  Although to some of us, it has seemed like a miracle, it is not.  Botox typically responds in 1-10 days and peaks between 2-6 weeks. Average time between treatment is 3-4 months; Botox itself actually lasts 12 months but the brain makes new connections to new muscles causing the dystonia symptoms to reoccur.  Botox has been used on some patients for 15 years still receiving good results.  Dystonia does get worse with time and it does get harder to treat.  Antibodies tend to develop faster in younger people, higher doses (300 units+) and more frequent use.  Botox B is supposed to be a cleaner toxin.  Although there is a lot of research going on in many areas for dystonia – genetics, surgeries etc., O’Brien felt Botox will probably be the dystonia treatment of choice for the next five years. The next presentation was by Deborah DeLeon M.S. on the study of genetics of dystonia.  The first issue here is resources.  It is only herself and one other person (now on maternity leave) doing the research so it is taking much longer.  Genetics are showing that dystonia does carry on chromosomes but different ones for different family groups.  There are 2-3 times as many women with cervical dystonia compared to men.  It is showing up a lot in individuals with German backgrounds. Dr. Drake Duane spoke next on "Is ST an autoimmune disease?  He has studied about 300 patients between 1987-1997.  He has discovered the average age of onset is 43.5 yrs and the ratio is 65% female/35%male.  About 90% of ST’rs get relief when laying down.  One key point new to me was the number of patients that develop scoliosis.  Physical therapy can be helpful here as arthritis sets into the neck and back.  Dr. Duane reiterated that the ST brain does not degenerate, it simply has a quirk.   It was never really answered if ST is an autoimmune disease, cause is still unknown. Dr. Mitchell Brin spoke next on Deep Brain Stimulation for ST.  Surgical options are normally left for those that do not respond to medications or Botox.  However, different surgical options are being investigated since there are still limited solutions.  Deep brain stimulation is where electrodes are implanted into one of two areas of the brain and "wires" run down the inside of the neck to the chest with an implant of a pacemaker device.  Videos were shown with Parkinson’s patients where they had virtually no control and when the electrical stimulation was supplied they could move almost normally.  The FDA has approved this process for Parkinson’s and essential tremor.  Dr. Brin will be trialing it on two dystonia patients in December. The next presentation was by Dr. Dennis Dykstra on Doxorubicin Chemomyectomy for the treatment of ST.  Doxorubicin is an anti-cancer drug.  It has been experimented on 18 blepharospasm patients with 9 patients "cured" for one year and 60% of those not receiving any other treatment.  Doxorubicin actually destroys muscle cells which then fills in with connective tissue.   Doxorubicin does not diffuse throughout the muscle like Botox and it can destroy other cells.  It can injure your heart, liver and is toxic to the skin.  It is irreversible.  There are three ST patients trialing this right now.   Since it is in such early stages, very conservative doses are being used and going after only one or two muscles at a time.  Results have thus shown minor improvement.  The benefits are it is much cheaper than Botox ($15 for 10 mg, using 60 mg doses) and it would be permanent.  Overall opinion on this is possible potential but too early to tell.  Next came the presentation from Paul Cullis on ITX (Immunotoxin).  Dr. Cullis pointed out the limitations of Botox are: 1)Duration 3-4 mos. 2) Very expensive 3) certain % of non-responders 4) not specific to the exact area. The goal of ITX is to develop an immunotoxin for treatment of focal muscle spasms utilizing an immunoglobulin that attacks a problem in the body and a toxin with a type of "cruise Missile" that destroys the affected muscle on contact  permanently.  The toxin being used for this study is Ricin (plant based) and it zeroes in on just the affected muscle cells. Unfortunately, I had to make some calls for work at this point so I missed the majority of the denervation surgery presentation.   After a long day filled with information we broke for socializing and sharing of more experiences. The next morning, we had two interesting gentlemen from England share an epidemiology study from the northeast of England and a new program where a Nurse Practitioner is providing Botox treatments in people’s homes.  Out of about 766 patients, 566 have focal dystonia and of those 351 are cervical. They are doing extensive education in England on dystonia and show about 1 in every 10,450 people has cervical dystonia.  The nurse practitioner program has been very successful as patients feel the nurse spends more time with them, really listens to where the pain is and frees the doctor up for more consultation time.  They also expressed that ST is not only a physical movement disorder but it moves people socially and economically as well.  In England, average onset was at 39.4 years and diagnosis at 47 years thus the push for education.  From an employment standpoint for ST, 30.8% were available for work of  which 13.5% were in full-time employment, 8.2% in part-time employment, 7.7% unemployed and 1.4% self-employed.  However, an additional 25.6% were on long-term sick leave or retired early.  Similar employment results were found in a study in Germany.  The treatment of choice in England is Botox rather than drugs that also affect other areas of the body.  Although they also stated that 25% of all patients are dopa responsive so they try Sinebid prior to Botox. From a social perspective, 59.8% of ST’rs had moderate anxiety or depression compared to 19.1% of the general population.  8.8% of ST’rs had severe anxiety or depression compared to 1% of the general population.  60.4% experienced pain or discomfort compared to 29% of the general population and 21.8% had severe pain compared to 3.8% of the general population.  Social functioning for ST’rs was also 23.7 points below the general population. Next came Lee Dreyfus, former Governor of Wisconsin to discuss "Coping as a Family Member".  His wife, Joyce, developed ST seven years ago after a fall at their cottage.   Mr. Dreyfus was quite humorous and while I did not personally agree with everything he said or the comments he made about  and to his wife, he had a few key points from my perspective.  ST is not an individual affliction, it affects all family members.  He felt the key to a successful marriage was a male vs. a shared leadership and that each partner’s #1 concern should be the other person.  He encouraged ST’rs not to "use" the ST as an excuse and not to play wolf with "can’t" vs. "won’t".  He said family members must … read more »

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Thank You Tommye, I thought Deb did a superb job and posted this information, since she sent it to me.  I have received mail from England asking for more info, which I forwarded to him, after I emailed to Deb to get it.    Love Ya too, ….Anna – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Anna and Deb!!!  This is so very interesting-thank you so very much for posting it!! Love Ya, Tommye

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m a new poster to this list and I am hoping that someone out there can give me some advice on Effexor. I take anti-depressants for chronic pain.  I just recently switched from Serzone to Effexor.  The Serzone was working well, but I was having trouble concentrating. I have been taking the Effexor for two weeks.  When I first started taking it, I was taking 75 mg. per day, but I had terrible side effects.  I had panic attacks, blurred vision so bad I couldn’t drive, twitching/shaking, and more. I’ve cut the dosage down to 37.5 but I’m still having some sleep disturbances and difficulty achieving orgasm.  Other than that, I’m actually feeling pretty good on it?  Does anybody have any input on this? Or had any experiences with side effects?

Been on it about 9-10 months.  Have had mostly good to say about it (but the first couple of days were tough).  The side effects have waned considerably without excessive loss of efficacy.  I still don’t sleep well though unless I take my nighly Ambien.  I don’t know if that particularly side effect will ever go away.  Given that I already had problems with insomnia… But by and large it’s been great for me.  The only times that it seems to not keep me from slipping are hormone upheaval times and I’d have to guess by your address name that this won’t be a problem for you.  (too much anyway). Take care and good luck, KCat — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

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I take anti-depressants for chronic pain.  I just recently switched from Serzone to Effexor.  The Serzone was working well, but I was having trouble concentrating. I have been taking the Effexor for two weeks.  When I first started taking it, I was taking 75 mg. per day, but I had terrible side effects.  I had panic attacks, blurred vision so bad I couldn’t drive, twitching/shaking, and more.

I am currently taking Effexor myself at 150mg a day with no severe problems. It took me over two weeks to adjust to it though.  The very first day I took the medication was not very pleasant, as I recall.  I had all kinds of side effects for the first two weeks.  These side effects grew less with time. I’ve cut the dosage down to 37.5 but I’m still having some sleep disturbances and difficulty achieving orgasm.  Other than that, I’m actually feeling pretty good on it?  Does anybody have any input on this? Or had any experiences with side effects?

Effexor can cause both of the problems you describe.  In my case, my last dosage is at 4 PM so I do not have problems sleeping.  Maybe you should consult your doctor over the times you take the medication.  Effexor can cause anorgasmia and other anomalies of that kind (I know!), but except in severe cases this should not be a severe problem (in some ways it can be viewed as an advantage!). If you need more details feel free to mail me at (remove the —-)

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I have been taking the Effexor for two weeks.  When I first started taking it, I was taking 75 mg. per day, but I had terrible side effects.  

My doctor started me out at 37.5 per day for a few days, then I went up to 75. Now, I’m at 150. Of the four ADs I’ve been on, Effexor has probably been the least annoying. I’ve cut the dosage down to 37.5 but I’m still having some sleep disturbances and difficulty achieving orgasm.  

Effexor tends to be stimulating. My pdoc had me go with the last dose about 4 PM and that helped. (Actually, as long as I don’t take it immediately before going to bed.) Other than that, I’m actually feeling pretty good on it

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Hi, I’m a new poster to this list and I am hoping that someone out there can give me some advice on Effexor. I take anti-depressants for chronic pain.  I just recently switched from Serzone to Effexor.  The Serzone was working well, but I was having trouble concentrating. I have been taking the Effexor for two weeks.  When I first started taking it, I was taking 75 mg. per day, but I had terrible side effects.  I had panic attacks, blurred vision so bad I couldn’t drive, twitching/shaking, and more.   I’ve cut the dosage down to 37.5 but I’m still having some sleep disturbances and difficulty achieving orgasm.  Other than that, I’m actually feeling pretty good on it?  Does anybody have any input on this? Or had any experiences with side effects?

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Question:

‘Nother meds question– I was just wondering if anyone else has ever taken serzone. I started taking antid*pr*ssants about four years ago, when I hit a colossal d*pr*ssion, and was first prescribed prozac. I stayed on that for about six months, and although the d*pr*ssion remained, it seemed ~slightly~ more controlable; but the amazing thing that seemed to happen with the prozac was that I could actually read again! However, after a while, I started thinking that there must be something better than this. I was still d*pr*ssed, still failing school, still barely functional. So, I went on "The Great Med Quest." I tried everything, and nothing seemed to help me with what I was looking for– something to help me be more functional, and to help me to concentrate enough to be able to read and to focus enough to do my coursework. After ritalin, wellbutrin, zoloft, effexor, and others which I have forgotten, I went back on prozac, because at least I had been able to read when I was on it before. I took it for about a year– going up to sixty and sometimes eighty mg’s a day. I pretended that I was not d*pr*ssed anymore, and I could still barely focus. A little over a month ago I woke up, and realized exactly how d*pr*ssed I was. A couple of days later, I found myself in the h*sp*t*l. I asked my p to change meds, so he said that my options were either serzone or paxil, and that that was it, there wasn’t anything else for me to take. However, the side effects with the serzone seem incredible. I have only been taking it for a few weeks, and pretty irregularly due to the side effects– i.e. if I choose to take it on a given day, I can expect not to be able to drive, walk straight, eat, or sleep for less than fourteen hours. However, I feel like this is kind of my last hope of ever feeling "normal." I wonder if I just took it regularly for a few weeks and rode the side effects through if they would eventually disappear and the meds would end up helping me. Has anybody had serzone work for them? … Or what about paxil? Any advice, words of wisdom, suggestions, etc, desparately sought… Erica

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ‘Nother meds question– I was just wondering if anyone else has ever taken serzone. I started taking antid*pr*ssants about four years ago, when I hit a colossal d*pr*ssion, and was first prescribed prozac. I stayed on that for about six months, and although the d*pr*ssion remained, it seemed ~slightly~ more controlable; but the amazing thing that seemed to happen with the prozac was that I could actually read again! However, after a while, I started thinking that there must be something better than this. I was still d*pr*ssed, still failing school, still barely functional. So, I went on "The Great Med Quest." I tried everything, and nothing seemed to help me with what I was looking for– something to help me be more functional, and to help me to concentrate enough to be able to read and to focus enough to do my coursework. After ritalin, wellbutrin, zoloft, effexor, and others which I have forgotten, I went back on prozac, because at least I had been able to read when I was on it before. I took it for about a year– going up to sixty and sometimes eighty mg’s a day. I pretended that I was not d*pr*ssed anymore, and I could still barely focus. A little over a month ago I woke up, and realized exactly how d*pr*ssed I was. A couple of days later, I found myself in the h*sp*t*l. I asked my p to change meds, so he said that my options were either serzone or paxil, and that that was it, there wasn’t anything else for me to take. However, the side effects with the serzone seem incredible. I have only been taking it for a few weeks, and pretty irregularly due to the side effects– i.e. if I choose to take it on a given day, I can expect not to be able to drive, walk straight, eat, or sleep for less than fourteen hours. However, I feel like this is kind of my last hope of ever feeling "normal." I wonder if I just took it regularly for a few weeks and rode the side effects through if they would eventually disappear and the meds would end up helping me. Has anybody had serzone work for them? … Or what about paxil? Any advice, words of wisdom, suggestions, etc, desparately sought… Erica

Hi Erica, I was on paxil for about 2 months last year. I found that it lifted the depression to a degree, but the side effects (lack of sleep, tremor, feeling really agitated and unbelievable night-mares every night), were out-weighing the anti-depressant function. These tablets are hard to gauge though. One fits some-one but doesn’t fit the other person. It’s all a matter of trial and error as you seem to know. I thought that I would never find a med to alleviate some of my more severe symptoms, but this year have found an old tri-cyclic that seems to be doing a pretty good job….and I went through the whole range too…. Good luck… Hope you find something that helps you… Grace

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i took serazone for a while, ttwice acctually, the first time it worked really well for me (i had less side effects than i did on prozac), and i went off meds entirely after a whille.  then i went back on it not too long ago, and the side effectts weren’t too bad until my time sense left and i didn’t realize how many doses i had missed…  for me, if i’ve missed doses i get really bad side effects unless i taper back on the same way as if i was just starting it. different people react better to different meds, and there may not be one currently that will really work for you (i hope there is one). good luck elf

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I also took Serzone for a while.  I had the simular side affect the if I missed a dose, I would get really sick in taking the next dose unless I tapered myself back on it. Other than that I had no side effects, but fro me it didn’t help with my depression.  It was the last hope for me because I’d been on Effexor,Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, tricyclics, MAOI’s. The only thin I haven’t tried is Remeron (sp). But none of the docs will even consider it. Margaret i took serazone for a while, ttwice acctually, the first time it worked really well for me (i had less side effects than i did on prozac), and i went off meds entirely after a whille.  then i went back on it not too long ago, and the side effectts weren’t too bad until my time sense left and i didn’t realize how many doses i had missed…  for me, if i’ve missed doses i get really bad side effects unless i taper back on the same way as if i was just starting it. different people react better to different meds, and there may not be one currently that will really work for you (i hope there is one). good luck elf

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Hi Erica, hihi, Grace  = ) I was on paxil for about 2 months last year. I found that it lifted the depression to a degree, but the side effects (lack of sleep, tremor, feeling really agitated and unbelievable night-mares every night), were out-weighing the anti-depressant function.

that sux. i thnk that that is what zoloft did when i was on it… These tablets are hard to gauge though. One fits some-one but doesn’t fit the other person. It’s all a matter of trial and error as you seem to know.

yeah, i know = … i wish it were easier I thought that I would never find a med to alleviate some of my more severe symptoms, but this year have found an old tri-cyclic that seems to be doing a pretty good job….and I went through the whole range too…. Good luck… Hope you find something that helps you… Grace

thank you = ) erica "… I’m just having thoughts of Marianne she could outrun the fastest slug she could Marianne quickest girl in the frying pan"

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