Question:

I take lots of inhalers and have just tried Singulair. How long does it take to start working?

When I was in the worst of the year-long attack I had, I felt the effects of Singulair immediately. Now I wonder whether it’s working at all, but it must be because I get worse if I miss taking it.

Response:

I take lots of inhalers and have just tried Singulair. How long does it take to start working? It doesn’t seem to do anything. It is always hard for me to tell what works since I run into triggers off and on. With that and delayed reactions, it is hard to play detective and tell what is due to what. Thanks for the help.

I found it worked within the first few days.  But it appears to be effect for only 2/3 of the people taking it.  You may be in the 1/3. Check with your allergist.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I started it on Tuesday of this week and my experience is it worked almost immediately. My wife said I slept so well…no coughing and no snoring either ( I have sleep apnea….not using my Bi-PAP now because of the 4-5 weeks I’ve had lung problems). She said I hardly moved all night long. YMMV….this is just my experience   Wow! Me too! I had been using my Proventil inhaler regularly along with Serevent. The Dr. put me back on Flovent and added Singulair. I haven’t needed the Proventil even once since then. Since I believe the Flovent takes some time to start working I’m convinced that the Singulair did the job. I’m not 100% better yet – my lungs still hurt when I take a deep breath. But I’m very much improved! Debi

Singulair is practically my god…within 24 hours I felt a *huge* effect. I now use proventil as a rescue inhaler maybe once a week, as opposed to the once/twice/even three times a day I used to have to use it. —  Karen Ingraffea  "I might be a coward; I’m afraid of what I might find out…" -(The Mighty Mighty Bosstones) The Impression That I Get "All things being equal, you lose." -Anon

Response:

I started it on Tuesday of this week and my experience is it worked almost immediately. My wife said I slept so well…no coughing and no snoring either ( I have sleep apnea….not using my Bi-PAP now because of the 4-5 weeks I’ve had lung problems). She said I hardly moved all night long. YMMV….this is just my experience

  Wow! Me too! I had been using my Proventil inhaler regularly along with Serevent. The Dr. put me back on Flovent and added Singulair. I haven’t needed the Proventil even once since then. Since I believe the Flovent takes some time to start working I’m convinced that the Singulair did the job. I’m not 100% better yet – my lungs still hurt when I take a deep breath. But I’m very much improved! Debi

Response:

Your insert should supply this information. If not your pharmacist will tell you.

Response:

I take lots of inhalers and have just tried Singulair. How long does it take to start working? It doesn’t seem to do anything. It is always hard for me to tell what works since I run into triggers off and on. With that and delayed reactions, it is hard to play detective and tell what is due to what. Thanks for the help.

Generally, about 30 days is considered an adequate time to tell if it is or is not working. It’s a terrible responsibility – but somebody has to be the Americans.

Response:

I started it on Tuesday of this week and my experience is it worked almost immediately. My wife said I slept so well…no coughing and no snoring either ( I have sleep apnea….not using my Bi-PAP now because of the 4-5 weeks I’ve had lung problems). She said I hardly moved all night long. YMMV….this is just my experience * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I take lots of inhalers and have just tried Singulair. How long does it take to start working? It doesn’t seem to do anything. It is always hard for me to tell what works since I run into triggers off and on. With that and delayed reactions, it is hard to play detective and tell what is due to what. Thanks for the help. Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

I don’t know if it is because of Advair or not, but my father went into V-Fib 1 month after taking advair. He was very happy with the way he felt being on Advair, but never mentioned anything about the warnings. I just noticed that the warnings say that Advair can change heart rhythm.  That is exactly what happened to my father.  He never had heart problems before, in fact, his Dr has commented before that he has a very strong heart. I’m not sure where to go with this.  I just want to make sure that everyone takes these warnings seriously. Please be careful.  Having this happen to my father has been very difficult. Dave

Response:

It may have been a cumulative effect was he taking something else before Advair. Many asthma sufferers take a form of steroids and albuterol and heart problems are frequent. My best wishes to you and your family and thanks for a difficult reminder. Lane

Response:

Your comments can be true.  However, since being on Advair, he hasn’t used his inhaler, and he hasn’t taken prednisone for quite some time. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It may have been a cumulative effect was he taking something else before Advair. Many asthma sufferers take a form of steroids and albuterol and heart problems are frequent. My best wishes to you and your family and thanks for a difficult reminder. Lane

Response:

It is always difficult to know if a drug side effect is responsible or not. The PDR lists the same 101 side effects for every drug. While I was takng "anyoldmycin" my stocks plunged, my car wouldn’t start and I cut myself shaving. Was all this caused by "anyoldmycin"? Unfortunately it takes a very long time to decide which – if any – ofthe 101 side effects are "real" and requires withdrawal of a medication. The ingredients in Advair are quite common ones and seem to help many persons. Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com http://www.TinnitusRelief.net http://www.emedicine.com/ent/topic516.htm

Response:

Many people find Advair and Flovent disagreeable immedeiately.  So they switch to Pulmicort, which, conversely, is not for everyone.  These two are both powerful and effective steroids. Address:http://www.consumerlawpage.com/article/asthma.shtml Changed:9:56 PM on Friday, November 8, 2002

Response:

Question:

It seems like all the doctors are the same way with where they put the blame. As far as they see it, the meds don’t have any bad effects. My doctor is that way.

Get a new doctor. Chris Owens

Response:

Lisa, I was increased from 2 to 3 puffs twice daily of Flovent 44 about 3 months ago.  Although I haven’t noticed increased cramping, the muscles in my lower legs and arms are very weak and feel like I’ve worked the muscles too hard (which I haven’t, unfortunately).  Actually, they feel sort of like "spaghetti" at times.  I have also gained about 10 pounds since the increase.  What a drag!  Have you experienced any muscle weakness?  My doctor is always reluctant to "blame" oddities on my medicine.

Steroid use can cause upper limb weakness, both legs and arms.  I lift weights and take potassium and calcium suppliments to counter this. Sue – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Patrice I am on Flovent 44 three puffs twice a day.  I am having terrible cramping as of late.  I used to be on Serevent that I know also caused cramping, and have since went off of it because of side effects.  Now I am wondering if the inhaled steroids are causing this and if it is the particular brand I am on (Flovent) or if there is another type that doesn’t cause so much of this cramping. I am on Potassium, cacium, and magnesium supplements.  I am wondering if I should switch, go off of the steroid, or what to do. I am also wondering if anyone else has noticed mood swings while on inhaled steriods.  I noticed these symptoms increase after increasing from two puffs to three puffs twice a day.  Any ideas will be appreciated.  Lisa N

Smoke Often. Die Young.

Response:

Hello-   your dose of flovent is VERY SMALL. I doubt it would cause those problems. Most of us complaining/talking about it are on 220, at least twice a day, sometimes four. Remember to use a spacer and rinse/garble your mouth out well after you take it, it can never hurt. -jenny I am on Flovent 44 three puffs twice a day.  I am having terrible cramping as of late.  I used to be on Serevent that I know also caused cramping, and have since went off of it because of side effects.  Now I am wondering if the inhaled steroids are causing this and if it is the particular brand I am on (Flovent) or if there is another type that doesn’t cause so much of this cramping. I am on Potassium, cacium, and magnesium supplements.  I am wondering if I should switch, go off of the steroid, or what to do. I am also wondering if anyone else has noticed mood swings while on inhaled steriods.  I noticed these symptoms increase after increasing from two puffs to three puffs twice a day.  Any ideas will be appreciated.  Lisa N

Jennifer Gerbi                          http://www.students.uiuc.edu/~gerbi Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign   1-113 ESB             (217)244-0332

Response:

Yes I have noticed muscle weakness!!  I am going back to 2 puffs of Flovent, and like I said, I have cut out Serevent. I have just added Intal also, which I hope will help.  My doctor does the same thing, but enough people here have written about all these side effects to prove to me it is the medicine. I have NEVER had cramps and muscle weakness in my life, I am 32 and healthy otherwise.  And I have had all the strange symptoms for the past 8 months, the exact amount of time I was put on all these asthma drugs. So that is my proof.  I am hoping to get some good results from the Intal so I can reduce the Flovent and maybe get off of it all together.  So you aren’t alone, your symptoms go along with my theory anyway. Lisa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Lisa, I was increased from 2 to 3 puffs twice daily of Flovent 44 about 3 months ago.  Although I haven’t noticed increased cramping, the muscles in my lower legs and arms are very weak and feel like I’ve worked the muscles too hard (which I haven’t, unfortunately).  Actually, they feel sort of like "spaghetti" at times.  I have also gained about 10 pounds since the increase.  What a drag!  Have you experienced any muscle weakness?  My doctor is always reluctant to "blame" oddities on my medicine. Patrice I am on Flovent 44 three puffs twice a day.  I am having terrible cramping as of late.  I used to be on Serevent that I know also caused cramping, and have since went off of it because of side effects.  Now I am wondering if the inhaled steroids are causing this and if it is the particular brand I am on (Flovent) or if there is another type that doesn’t cause so much of this cramping. I am on Potassium, cacium, and magnesium supplements.  I am wondering if I should switch, go off of the steroid, or what to do. I am also wondering if anyone else has noticed mood swings while on inhaled steriods.  I noticed these symptoms increase after increasing from two puffs to three puffs twice a day.  Any ideas will be appreciated.  Lisa N

Response:

It seems like all the doctors are the same way with where they put the blame. As far as they see it, the meds don’t have any bad effects. My doctor is that way. But even though he thinks that way, I got my second VERY BAD cramp in my calf last night while I was sleeping. This is the second one since I started Flovent and Serevent. (And I have only had one other leg cramp in my life 5 years ago) Something has to give. Shannon

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Lisa, I was increased from 2 to 3 puffs twice daily of Flovent 44 about 3 months ago.  Although I haven’t noticed increased cramping, the muscles in my lower legs and arms are very weak and feel like I’ve worked the muscles too hard (which I haven’t, unfortunately).  Actually, they feel sort of like "spaghetti" at times.  I have also gained about 10 pounds since the increase.  What a drag!  Have you experienced any muscle weakness?  My doctor is always reluctant to "blame" oddities on my medicine. Patrice I am on Flovent 44 three puffs twice a day.  I am having terrible cramping as of late.  I used to be on Serevent that I know also caused cramping, and have since went off of it because of side effects.  Now I am wondering if the inhaled steroids are causing this and if it is the particular brand I am on (Flovent) or if there is another type that doesn’t cause so much of this cramping. I am on Potassium, cacium, and magnesium supplements.  I am wondering if I should switch, go off of the steroid, or what to do. I am also wondering if anyone else has noticed mood swings while on inhaled steriods.  I noticed these symptoms increase after increasing from two puffs to three puffs twice a day.  Any ideas will be appreciated.  Lisa N

Response:

I am on Flovent 44 three puffs twice a day.  I am having terrible cramping as of late.  I used to be on Serevent that I know also caused cramping, and have since went off of it because of side effects.  Now I am wondering if the inhaled steroids are causing this and if it is the particular brand I am on (Flovent) or if there is another type that doesn’t cause so much of this cramping. I am on Potassium, cacium, and magnesium supplements.  I am wondering if I should switch, go off of the steroid, or what to do. I am also wondering if anyone else has noticed mood swings while on inhaled steriods.  I noticed these symptoms increase after increasing from two puffs to three puffs twice a day.  Any ideas will be appreciated.  Lisa N

Response:

Lisa, I was increased from 2 to 3 puffs twice daily of Flovent 44 about 3 months ago.  Although I haven’t noticed increased cramping, the muscles in my lower legs and arms are very weak and feel like I’ve worked the muscles too hard (which I haven’t, unfortunately).  Actually, they feel sort of like "spaghetti" at times.  I have also gained about 10 pounds since the increase.  What a drag!  Have you experienced any muscle weakness?  My doctor is always reluctant to "blame" oddities on my medicine. Patrice – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am on Flovent 44 three puffs twice a day.  I am having terrible cramping as of late.  I used to be on Serevent that I know also caused cramping, and have since went off of it because of side effects.  Now I am wondering if the inhaled steroids are causing this and if it is the particular brand I am on (Flovent) or if there is another type that doesn’t cause so much of this cramping. I am on Potassium, cacium, and magnesium supplements.  I am wondering if I should switch, go off of the steroid, or what to do. I am also wondering if anyone else has noticed mood swings while on inhaled steriods.  I noticed these symptoms increase after increasing from two puffs to three puffs twice a day.  Any ideas will be appreciated.  Lisa N

Response:

Question:

Well, I took Lexapro at 7 PM last night and I am feeling incapacitated with drowsiness right now. This is not good ! I am starting to lose my patience with this med.  It’s been a good 10 days of incapacitating drowsiness. Why bother taking a med at all if it’s going to incapacitate me ? I left a voice mail with my pdoc.  I’ll have to wait to see what he thinks. I’m ready to axe this med and either go back to Zoloft at 100 mg or try something else. Does anybody have a recommendation for an SSRI or AD that relieves anxiety and depression without turning me into a sleepwalker ? Thanks, Tony — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I took Lexapro at 7 PM last night and I am feeling incapacitated with drowsiness right now. This is not good ! I am starting to lose my patience with this med.  It’s been a good 10 days of incapacitating drowsiness. Why bother taking a med at all if it’s going to incapacitate me ? I left a voice mail with my pdoc.  I’ll have to wait to see what he thinks. I’m ready to axe this med and either go back to Zoloft at 100 mg or try something else. Does anybody have a recommendation for an SSRI or AD that relieves anxiety and depression without turning me into a sleepwalker ? Thanks, Tony

Hello Tony,this med doesn’t seem fit for you. I think you will have to wait for your p-doc to call back. I don’t know enough to suggest any meds to you. I am really sorry you have to go through this Tony Hang in there ! Your frien Anna — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I took Lexapro at 7 PM last night and I am feeling incapacitated with drowsiness right now. This is not good ! I am starting to lose my patience with this med.  It’s been a good 10 days of incapacitating drowsiness. Why bother taking a med at all if it’s going to incapacitate me ? I left a voice mail with my pdoc.  I’ll have to wait to see what he thinks. I’m ready to axe this med and either go back to Zoloft at 100 mg or try something else. Does anybody have a recommendation for an SSRI or AD that relieves anxiety and depression without turning me into a sleepwalker ? Thanks, Tony

Prozac, Effexor, Elavil. YMMV. Philip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

This med is probably not the one for you.  Sounds like it is shutting down the wrong things and just making you drowsy.  (((Tony))) Take care, Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, I took Lexapro at 7 PM last night and I am feeling incapacitated with drowsiness right now. This is not good ! I am starting to lose my patience with this med.  It’s been a good 10 days of incapacitating drowsiness. Why bother taking a med at all if it’s going to incapacitate me ? I left a voice mail with my pdoc.  I’ll have to wait to see what he thinks. I’m ready to axe this med and either go back to Zoloft at 100 mg or try something else. Does anybody have a recommendation for an SSRI or AD that relieves anxiety and depression without turning me into a sleepwalker ? Thanks, Tony

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Question:

Hi Tony, I am feeling much, much better. The increase in Effexor XR has helped as has being removed from the source of my stress, albeit temporarily. I am taking life very easy right now:) Thanks and love Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How are you feeling, ((((((Meryl)))) SSRIs cannot "erase" the ongoing problems in our lives, but increases may be necessary to function in everyday life. Saying a prayer that you find an answer to this depression. Take it easy on yourself, Tony — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans"  ~ John Lennon — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Tony, I am feeling much, much better. The increase in Effexor XR has helped as has being removed from the source of my stress, albeit temporarily. I am taking life very easy right now:) Thanks and love Meryl

This is very good news! It makes me feel good. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How are you feeling, ((((((Meryl)))) SSRIs cannot "erase" the ongoing problems in our lives, but increases may be necessary to function in everyday life. Saying a prayer that you find an answer to this depression. Take it easy on yourself, Tony — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans" ~ John Lennon — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Tony, I am feeling much, much better. The increase in Effexor XR has helped as has being removed from the source of my stress, albeit temporarily. I am taking life very easy right now:) Thanks and love Meryl This is very good news! It makes me feel good. Philip

Thanks Philip, Just have to make it last. At least I know I am still here under all the anxiety and depression. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

So glad you upped your meds, dear Meryl.  Later, once your life quiets down, you can always lower it again. Take care, Liz I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing":) I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now 300 mg. All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. love Meryl

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Liz, I am noticing an improvement. Had my longest sleep in 6 weeks last night:) I think I have been caught out by the fact that sorting out RL stuff is taking much longer than I anticipated. This has meant prolonged anxiety and worry. It will end. love Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So glad you upped your meds, dear Meryl.  Later, once your life quiets down, you can always lower it again. Take care, Liz I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing":) I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now 300 mg. All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi, Meryl, You are sounding better and very positive!!! smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Liz, I am noticing an improvement. Had my longest sleep in 6 weeks last night:) I think I have been caught out by the fact that sorting out RL stuff is taking much longer than I anticipated. This has meant prolonged anxiety and worry. It will end. love Meryl So glad you upped your meds, dear Meryl.  Later, once your life quiets down, you can always lower it again. Take care, Liz I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing":) I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now 300 mg. All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

love Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Meryl, You are sounding better and very positive!!! smiles, Elise Hi Liz, I am noticing an improvement. Had my longest sleep in 6 weeks last night:) I think I have been caught out by the fact that sorting out RL stuff is taking much longer than I anticipated. This has meant prolonged anxiety and worry. It will end. love Meryl So glad you upped your meds, dear Meryl.  Later, once your life quiets down, you can always lower it again. Take care, Liz I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing":) I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now 300 mg. All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Liz, I am noticing an improvement. Had my longest sleep in 6 weeks last night:) I think I have been caught out by the fact that sorting out RL stuff is taking much longer than I anticipated. This has meant prolonged anxiety and worry. It will end. love Meryl

Glad you are feeling an improvement, Meryl.  This is good news.   Take care, Liz — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

How are you feeling, ((((((Meryl)))) SSRIs cannot "erase" the ongoing problems in our lives, but increases may be necessary to function in everyday life. Saying a prayer that you find an answer to this depression. Take it easy on yourself, Tony — "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans"  ~ John Lennon — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

It does help:) Thanks Bob, love Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Meryl, I am on 300mg. and so is my brother.  I am pretty sure I have been on 450, almost positive.  I *think* my doc told me at some point that there are new thoughts amongst psychopharmocologists on how much effexor is acceptable/helpful. hope this helps, bob I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing":) I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now 300 mg. All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Meryl, I am on 300mg. and so is my brother.  I am pretty sure I have been on 450, almost positive.  I *think* my doc told me at some point that there are new thoughts amongst psychopharmocologists on how much effexor is acceptable/helpful. hope this helps, bob

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing":) I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now 300 mg. All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Rita, Yes it is about *if*  :) I can and do increase my Xanax when necessary. The former levels worked each time. It just seems that I’m OK for 9- 12 months and then I start to get overwhelmed and the depression resurfaces. It is my hope that when the current stressors in my personal life diminish, my need for increased medication will do likewise. love Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wow, what a memory!  Yeah, I can see your concern, but if, IF, that should ever happen, your doc may just add a bit of another AD along with the Effexor.  Or even increase your Xanax a little.   Who knows?   Maybe you should have been on this higher level all along.   I’ve been on the same level for three years.   We tried to go higher but just one little dose higher of Effexor made me climb the walls.  That’s when my p-doc knew I was on the right dose. xxoo Rita Thanks Rita but I remember your dose:) When having my script for 300 mg approved my psychiatrist stated my level of depression as major. I also take Xanax for my Panic Disorder. I have increased my dose. I believe it will help. My concern was more the fact that if I am near the upper level I may eventually need to find another AD, but I guess I am a bit ahead of myself. Thnks, love Meryl Hi Meryl…I was going to tell you what my dose level was because you asked, but I changed my mind.   The reason is my level of depression is most likely different than yours, plus I take Xanax along with it, so that also changes things. I agree with your doctor’s words about a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.  My way of thinking is that it doesn’t matter how high or how low a dose of Effexor someone else is taking….what matters is what works for you. If you trust your doctor and he’s done well for you, then I would go along with his advise on upping the dose.   He knows your case better than any of us do, plus we’re not doctors.   Nothing is written in stone…if the dose is too high for you, all you need do is wean down to the lower dose. Just my two cents worth…. Rita xxoo If you find it’s too high a dose, you can always wean down again. Nothing is written in stone. I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing":) I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now 300 mg. All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – :I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of :depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I :worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is :incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous :thing":) :I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their :prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my :mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now :300 mg. :All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. Dear Meryl, Sorry you are struggling with depression. Good luck with the med increase…….I hope it helps. (((((Meryl))))) Jackie ~*~If I could wish for my life to be perfect, it would be tempting but I would have to decline, for life would no longer teach me anything~*~

Thanks Jackie, Increasing Effexor has helped in the past. I see no reason why it won’t this time. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

:I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of :depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I :worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is :incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous :thing":) :I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their :prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my :mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now :300 mg. :All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. Dear Meryl, Sorry you are struggling with depression. Good luck with the med increase…….I hope it helps. (((((Meryl))))) Jackie ~*~If I could wish for my life to be perfect, it would be tempting but I would have to decline, for life would no longer teach me anything~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Wow, what a memory!  Yeah, I can see your concern, but if, IF, that should ever happen, your doc may just add a bit of another AD along with the Effexor.  Or even increase your Xanax a little.   Who knows?   Maybe you should have been on this higher level all along.   I’ve been on the same level for three years.   We tried to go higher but just one little dose higher of Effexor made me climb the walls.  That’s when my p-doc knew I was on the right dose. xxoo Rita

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks Rita but I remember your dose:) When having my script for 300 mg approved my psychiatrist stated my level of depression as major. I also take Xanax for my Panic Disorder. I have increased my dose. I believe it will help. My concern was more the fact that if I am near the upper level I may eventually need to find another AD, but I guess I am a bit ahead of myself. Thnks, love Meryl Hi Meryl…I was going to tell you what my dose level was because you asked, but I changed my mind.   The reason is my level of depression is most likely different than yours, plus I take Xanax along with it, so that also changes things. I agree with your doctor’s words about a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.  My way of thinking is that it doesn’t matter how high or how low a dose of Effexor someone else is taking….what matters is what works for you. If you trust your doctor and he’s done well for you, then I would go along with his advise on upping the dose.   He knows your case better than any of us do, plus we’re not doctors.   Nothing is written in stone…if the dose is too high for you, all you need do is wean down to the lower dose. Just my two cents worth…. Rita xxoo If you find it’s too high a dose, you can always wean down again. Nothing is written in stone. I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing":) I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now 300 mg. All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Thanks Rita but I remember your dose:) When having my script for 300 mg approved my psychiatrist stated my level of depression as major. I also take Xanax for my Panic Disorder. I have increased my dose. I believe it will help. My concern was more the fact that if I am near the upper level I may eventually need to find another AD, but I guess I am a bit ahead of myself. Thnks, love Meryl

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Meryl…I was going to tell you what my dose level was because you asked, but I changed my mind.   The reason is my level of depression is most likely different than yours, plus I take Xanax along with it, so that also changes things. I agree with your doctor’s words about a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.  My way of thinking is that it doesn’t matter how high or how low a dose of Effexor someone else is taking….what matters is what works for you. If you trust your doctor and he’s done well for you, then I would go along with his advise on upping the dose.   He knows your case better than any of us do, plus we’re not doctors.   Nothing is written in stone…if the dose is too high for you, all you need do is wean down to the lower dose. Just my two cents worth…. Rita xxoo If you find it’s too high a dose, you can always wean down again. Nothing is written in stone. I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing":) I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now 300 mg. All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi Meryl…I was going to tell you what my dose level was because you asked, but I changed my mind.   The reason is my level of depression is most likely different than yours, plus I take Xanax along with it, so that also changes things. I agree with your doctor’s words about a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.  My way of thinking is that it doesn’t matter how high or how low a dose of Effexor someone else is taking….what matters is what works for you. If you trust your doctor and he’s done well for you, then I would go along with his advise on upping the dose.   He knows your case better than any of us do, plus we’re not doctors.   Nothing is written in stone…if the dose is too high for you, all you need do is wean down to the lower dose. Just my two cents worth…. Rita xxoo If you find it’s too high a dose, you can always wean down again.   Nothing is written in stone.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing":) I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now 300 mg. All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

I have just agreed to increase my Effexor dose as I have a recurrence of depression. I am now at 300 mg. Part of my initial concern was that I worried I might be at the maximum dose but my pdoc has told me this is incorrect. Actually his words were, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing":) I know there are other posters taking Effexor. Would any mind sharing their prescribed dose? I have been taking Effexor for years and it does lift my mood. I took 75 mg for 2 years, then 150 for a year, then 225 and as of now 300 mg. All increases have occured when I was struggling with difficult RL events. love Meryl — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Question:

It’s been about two months since I’ve been on my meds, and my anxiety symptoms have pretty much disappeared except for one thing. When I go out I constantly watch my bag (which I put my water in) afraid that someone will slip me a mickey. (And at work too,etc.) Then at home I obsess about the household chemicals, afraid that they will get into my mouth or eyes. Does it sound like ocd? I’m about to go up to 50mgs of Zoloft on Wednesday, and hopefully this should help.

Response:

Nicole wrote…. It’s been about two months since I’ve been on my meds, and my anxiety symptoms have pretty much disappeared except for one thing. When I go out I constantly watch my bag (which I put my water in) afraid that someone will slip me a mickey. (And at work too,etc.) Then at home I obsess about the household chemicals, afraid that they will get into my mouth or eyes. Does it sound like ocd? I’m about to go up to 50mgs of Zoloft on Wednesday, and hopefully this should help.

Dear Nicole, Obsessive thoughts are common with anxiety disorders and they can be part of OCD……only your doctor can tell you what yours are. I`ve had what my psychologist calls OC tendencies, so I can relate to your thoughts. Increasing your Zoloft dose might address this more effectively. Since being on Paxil, obsessive thoughts are gone for the most part. Glad to hear you are doing better ) Jackie ~*~Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star

Response:

Does it sound like ocd?

no not really it sounds like you are habituated to negative scary thoughts of someone hurting you or you being in a position at the mercy of others control-I would say you tend to be perfectionsitic and like even need to be in control but I could be wrong this is cyber space if the thoughts are intrusive and you cannot stop them once you make some controlled observations ie: you check the seal on the water bottle and are satisfied it is sealed etc-then this is a type of obsessive thinking and the meds and some therapy will hopefuly help LM

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Path: lobby!newstf02.news.aol.com!audrey04.news.aol.com!not-for-mail Lines: 7 Newsgroups: alt.support.anxiety-panic Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com It’s been about two months since I’ve been on my meds, and my anxiety symptoms have pretty much disappeared except for one thing. When I go out I constantly watch my bag (which I put my water in) afraid that someone will slip me a mickey. (And at work too,etc.) Then at home I obsess about the household chemicals, afraid that they will get into my mouth or eyes. Does it sound like ocd? I’m about to go up to 50mgs of Zoloft on Wednesday, and hopefully this should help.

 Hi Nicole,  Does this worry about your bottle continue, or are there times when you are not so worried about it? We’ve a house full of anxiety people here , and at different times some of us have had an obssessing spell, which stops, while others (me) still obsess a bit, but to no great extent. Fear of being hurt by chemicals, even tho there is no way they could actually get onto you, is an irrational after-trace of the major anxiety you were experiencing. I found similar thoughts, but didnt get really upset by them, as I knew they were extremely unlikely. That rationalising did not stop them immediately though. Eventually they did drift away. After many years of meds, I’ve found this symptom to have dissappeared.

Response:

Question:

No recomendation yet, meeting with Doc next week… — Dan ICQ 108553906

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Folks,          I’ve been on the Paxil for about five weeks now,  feeling better but really experiencing the sexual side effects of the Paxil. I have heard that Serzone gives you all the benefits of Paxil and No sexual side effects.         Can anyone respond both pro and con for switching to Serzone. I’d like to get my drive/libido back. Also if you have made the switch from Paxil how did you do it, were you weaned off the Paxil slowly or just a cold turkey switch to the serzone. Thanks in advance for any and all responses. — Dan ICQ 108553906 serzone does indeed have less sexual interference then the ssri’s-switching is best done by a slow taper off the paxil and once on around 5 mg a day for a week just switching over to a small dose of serzone-initially you may feel fatigued and spacey for a few days to a few weeks if you go too fast upward in the titration-what has your doc recomended? LM

Response:

Folks,           I’ve been on the Paxil for about five weeks now,  feeling better but really experiencing the sexual side effects of the Paxil. I have heard that Serzone gives you all the benefits of Paxil and No sexual side effects.          Can anyone respond both pro and con for switching to Serzone. I’d like to get my drive/libido back. Also if you have made the switch from Paxil how did you do it, were you weaned off the Paxil slowly or just a cold turkey switch to the serzone. Thanks in advance for any and all responses. — Dan ICQ 108553906

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Folks,          I’ve been on the Paxil for about five weeks now,  feeling better but really experiencing the sexual side effects of the Paxil. I have heard that Serzone gives you all the benefits of Paxil and No sexual side effects.         Can anyone respond both pro and con for switching to Serzone. I’d like to get my drive/libido back. Also if you have made the switch from Paxil how did you do it, were you weaned off the Paxil slowly or just a cold turkey switch to the serzone. Thanks in advance for any and all responses. — Dan ICQ 108553906

serzone does indeed have less sexual interference then the ssri’s-switching is best done by a slow taper off the paxil and once on around 5 mg a day for a week just switching over to a small dose of serzone-initially you may feel fatigued and spacey for a few days to a few weeks if you go too fast upward in the titration-what has your doc recomended? LM

Response:

Danny, I didn’t go from Paxil to Serzone but did go Zoloft-Wellbutrin-Serzone, which I now have been on for about five months.  With the Wellbutrin I ramped off, and then began the "starter pack" of Serzone.  But even the lowest dosage I found intolerable at first – it upset my stomach and made me feel like I had drank ten cups of coffee.  I had to break the beginning pills in half to make it comfortable and move up from there.  Once you’re on it it’s fine, but it’s bumpy getting there. As far as libido or sexual side effects there were none . . . . at first. However (and this could just be me, obviously) at about the four month mark I did start to have problems, similar to what the Zoloft was doing.  It disperses my concentration to the point where it’s very difficult to "finish" in bed.  I don’t know why it took this long to kick in, but it did. I’m currently at 150mg twice a day, and at one point my doc tried to increase it to 400 total.  That DIDN’T work, made me feel like a zombie and totally screwed with my physical coordination, so I went back to 300.  But I’m seriously thinking of ramping off it entirely, not just because of the sexual problem but other side effects as well.  I’ll call my doc and talk about it. Good luck to you, however, and don’t take my experience as a negative for trying Serzone.  I’ve noticed on the other meds many times I have an unusual reaction which just proves we all react differently to some degree. Wayne

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Folks,           I’ve been on the Paxil for about five weeks now,  feeling better but really experiencing the sexual side effects of the Paxil. I have heard that Serzone gives you all the benefits of Paxil and No sexual side effects.          Can anyone respond both pro and con for switching to Serzone. I’d like to get my drive/libido back. Also if you have made the switch from Paxil how did you do it, were you weaned off the Paxil slowly or just a cold turkey switch to the serzone. Thanks in advance for any and all responses. — Dan ICQ 108553906

Response:

Question:

I’ve been on an antidepressant (Effexor) for about six months now. It has been remarkably effective for the depression, but is affecting the quality of my sleep.  I’ve tried taking it at different times if the day, but still have problems.  One thing I notice in particular is that I often wake up after about five hours of sleep and feel tired, but mentally alert.  If I go ahead and go into the office to work super-early, my production is outstanding for about half the day. I get to feeling  very run down after lunch though.   If I go back to bed after waking up alert like this, I am usually able to drift off for another 1-2 hours of sleep.  Unfortunately, after sleeping an extra hour or two,  I FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET UP. Even after loading up on coffee, no-doz, etc., I feel groggy all day.  I guess I don’t understand sleep cycles. How can I be more tired from sleeping two extra hours?  Does this have anything to do with which sleep cycle I’m in when the alarm goes off?  Any ideas on this will be appreciated.

Response:

Hello, DGA – Have you ever been tested for a sleep disorder?  For years doctors tried to tell me that I was suffering from depression because I was sleepy all of the time.  Finally I was diagnosed first with sleep apnea and five years with narcolepsy.  I don’t know how long I had apnea before it was diagnosed, but I had had the narcolepsy for 37 years!  Having untreated sleep disorders can depress anyone! Kent Taylor (Mongo) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -DGA wrote in message …

I’ve been on an antidepressant (Effexor) for about six months now. It has been remarkably effective for the depression, but is affecting the quality of my sleep.  I’ve tried taking it at different times if the day, but still have problems.  One thing I notice in particular is that I often wake up after about five hours of sleep and feel tired, but mentally alert.  If I go ahead and go into the office to work super-early, my production is outstanding for about half the day. I get to feeling  very run down after lunch though.   If I go back to bed after waking up alert like this, I am usually able to drift off for another 1-2 hours of sleep.  Unfortunately, after sleeping an extra hour or two,  I FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET UP. Even after loading up on coffee, no-doz, etc., I feel groggy all day.  I guess I don’t understand sleep cycles. How can I be more tired from sleeping two extra hours?  Does this have anything to do with which sleep cycle I’m in when the alarm goes off?  Any ideas on this will be appreciated.

Response:

On Wed, 04 Aug 1999 19:16:58 GMT, "DGA" <davea…@flash.net

wrote: I’ve been on an antidepressant (Effexor) for about six months now. It has been remarkably effective for the depression, but is affecting the quality of my sleep.  I’ve tried taking it at different times if the day, but still have problems.  One thing I notice in particular is that I often wake up after about five hours of sleep and feel tired, but mentally alert.  If I go ahead and go into the office to work super-early, my production is outstanding for about half the day. I get to feeling  very run down after lunch though.   If I go back to bed after waking up alert like this, I am usually able to drift off for another 1-2 hours of sleep.  Unfortunately, after sleeping an extra hour or two,  I FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET UP. Even after loading up on coffee, no-doz, etc., I feel groggy all day.  I guess I don’t understand sleep cycles. How can I be more tired from sleeping two extra hours?  Does this have anything to do with which sleep cycle I’m in when the alarm goes off?  Any ideas on this will be appreciated.

Try setting an alarm to limit your nap to 20-30 minutes.  Most people will be somewhat refreshed by that without having the body go into the "very groggy" state you describe. When you go to sleep, there are a lot of things that slow down – not just heartrate, many other body systems do this.  By going to sleep for 1-2 hours you give your body time to completely shut down – and you’ve seen how hard it is to get it started again.  By taking a short nap you don’t give your body time to completely shut down, so starting up again is a lot easier. In college I pulled a few long nights now and again.  I found that if I finished early enough to get 3 or more hours of sleep it was worth going to bed.  If I was going to get 1-2 hours (just as you describe) it did the same thing for me it is doing to you – made me really groggy the next day.  So if there was only time for 1-2 hours I just stayed awake (hadn’t been told about short naps then).

Response:

DGA wrote:

I’ve been on an antidepressant (Effexor) for about six months now. It has been remarkably effective for the depression, but is affecting the quality of my sleep.

Greetings!  You’ve definitely come the right spot to talk about sleep problems.  Just remember that most of us here are not medical professionals. We can offer our own experience, and that of others, but it’s just that … our own thoughts and opinions, not a medical training!

One thing I notice in particular is that I often wake up after about five hours of sleep and feel tired, but mentally alert.  …

You might want to check out the patient information for this drug.  You can search for it at http://www.rxlist.com/ where I found indications that this drug for a small percentage of people slightly (very slightly) increased the incidence of insomnia and somnolence. You might want to discuss this with your doctor.  Additionally as Kent pointed out, your depression might well be connnected to sleep problems. Also, (and remember this is my own experience only) you might want to change the time you sleep to 1.5 hours instead of 2 hours.  I find that I feel more rested when I get a multiple of 90 minutes of sleep. Regards, =jbf= John B. Fisher

Response:

I was on Effexor for depression but went off of it. I am very groggy when I get up my resting heartbeat is faster than it should be. and I am always in alot of pains. ie. lower back, etc. among other stress and the like.

Response:

DGA wrote:

I’ve been on an antidepressant (Effexor) for about six months now. I guess I don’t understand sleep cycles. How can I be more tired from sleeping two extra hours?  Does this have anything to do with which sleep cycle I’m in when the alarm goes off?  Any ideas on this will be appreciated.

I’ve been on Effexor for 5 years.  It has caused two sleep related problems for me.  The first is called Rem Behavioral Disorder.  This is a condition where you "act out" your dreams, and it makes your sleep non-restful.  The second is called "Periodic Leg Movement Disorder."  I had a related problem (called Restless Leg Syndrome) before I went on Effexor, but SSRIs can make it much worse.  If you have PLMD without RLS, then you probably don’t even know you have it, and Effexor can make it get much worse.  PLMD means you kick your legs every minute or two, all night long.  (except when you are dreaming) The kicks cause you to stay in a less-restful stage of sleep, and keep you from getting enough of the deep sleep you need in order to get real rest. I have noticed over the years on Effexor that if I wake up naturally, then go back to sleep, I will end up sleeping for up to a whole DAY before I can manage to get myself back out of bed.  (Unless something scares me awake, or my wife physically drags my butt out of bed.) I haven’t ever heard about this before, and I always assumed it was because the meds I take for sleep wear off by morning time.  But you are right, it doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.  I’ll ask my psychiatrist about it, and see if I can find anything about it on the net. One thing you might want to consider is the VERY short halflife of Effexor.  Do you usually take it in the morning?  If you take it when you get up, but you put off getting up, then that _might_ make it so that you start to experience the very mild beginnings of withdrawal.  Effexor withdrawal can be VERY nasty, and it generally involves migraine headaches, _massive_ periods of fragmented sleep where you often can’t clearly distinguish between being awake and being asleep, and vertigo/balance problems.  I’m on Effexor XR, so that I can get by with only one dose per day.  With normal Effexor, I had to take it twice a day, and if I was more than an hour or two late for the dose, I’d start having the headaches, dizziness, etc. About your weird problems when going back to sleep though, with ME, it seems like I stay in a sleep which is kind of like the sleep I have when I’m going through Effexor withdrawal.  I’m 1/2 awake, and 1/2 asleep, and it is impossible to tell if I’m dreaming or not. Any time I experience that "weird sleep," I usually end up not being able to get out of bed for a long time, and I always end up being exhausted for at least 12 hours or so afterwards.  It’s probably some weird sleep problem caused by Effexor, which someone will end up "discovering" in 10 years.  :) Anyway, my best suggestion is to just get up after 5 hours, and try to stick it out til your normal bedtime the next night.  If you need more than 5 hours sleep per night, then eventually the sleep deficit should help you sleep later.  I don’t have ANY idea what to do about the weird grogginess after going back to sleep.  I never even really gave it much thought as being a problem separate from my OTHER sleep problems until I read your post.  Thanks for the info.  :) -Bret Wood -bretw…@cs.uoregon.edu

Response:

Question:

Any anxious/depressed nurses out there? I recently graduated nursing school and started my first ever LPN job. Although I’ve been on various SSRIs (currently Zoloft) the old anxiety and depression which I thought had subsided several years ago are coming back with a vengeance!  I’m afraid I’m going to screw up, get a bad review, or even get fired or lose my license! Diana B.

Hi Diana, welcome to ASAP, If every nurse with a anxiety disorder was fired, then most hospitals would need to close. For some reason(s) the medical profession generally, and nurses in particular, seem to have more than their fair share of anxiety and depression sufferers. Probably, all  due to those difficult to please patients, although I am of course an exception!    :-^) Take care Ian

Response:

If every nurse with a anxiety disorder was fired, then most hospitals would need to close. For some reason(s) the medical profession generally, and nurses in particular, seem to have more than their fair share of anxiety and depression sufferers. Probably, all  due to those difficult to please patients, although I am of course an exception!    :-^) Take care Ian

In my experience the worst patients, are male patients. Especially in the 45 to 50 age bracket. <G They are demanding, obnoxious and can not handle any pain. I would give up peroxide just to see what kind of patient you are, Ian. ~~ When I was in the hospital having surgery, this one night there was this person screaming all night, it was the most blood-curdling screams I had ever heard. I couldn`t take it any more, and asked one of the nurses what was wrong. With a "giggle", she said it was the man down the hall passing a tiny ole kidney baby…….You guys are such babies<VBG. *Her*

Response:

Any anxious/depressed nurses out there? I recently graduated nursing school and started my first ever LPN job. Although I’ve been on various SSRIs (currently Zoloft) the old anxiety and depression which I thought had subsided several years ago are coming back with a vengeance!  I’m afraid I’m going to screw up, get a bad review, or even get fired or lose my license! Diana B. The JerZ Fox Money doesn’t buy happiness. Poverty doesn’t buy anything.

Response:

Any anxious/depressed nurses out there? I recently graduated nursing school and started my first ever LPN job. Although I’ve been on various SSRIs (currently Zoloft) the old anxiety and depression which I thought had subsided several years ago are coming back with a vengeance!  I’m afraid I’m going to screw up, get a bad review, or even get fired or lose my license! Diana B.

Hi Diana, Welcome to ASAP! I am a LPN also, but I am not working due to PD.  I do understand how difficult it is to do your job while being very anxious and panicky. When I was working in a nursing home, I was the medication and treatment nurse. Medications were quite difficult to dispense while in a anxiety state. My worse fear was I would make a medication error and hurt someone. I had no idea what was wrong with me, but you do know what you are dealing with. Seek help immediately, before this gets out of control. I would first go to your MD and get a good checkup just to make sure nothing physical is causing it. If everything checks out, get to a psych doctor ASAP. It is time to either up the Zoloft dose, or think about a med change. A script for a benzo would also help. I would also suggest Cognitive Behavioral therapy, if you haven`t done this before. You need to be taught some coping tools for those anxious moments at work. And CBT can do that. You can`t get fired or lose your license because you suffer from a anxiety disorder. Making errors while really anxious is always a possibility, that is why you need to deal with this now, and aggressively, this will not go away on its own. I really do sympathize with you, I do know what you are going through. Hope things work out, and keep in touch<g Jackie ~~Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence~~

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: