Question:

Is there any correlation between weight gain and certain asthma medicines like Accolate or singulair.  I know prednisone makes you retain water when you are on it, but does it have longterm side effects in this area, even if one is only on it for a brief period of time at a low dosage?

Response:

Hi Stephanie, I have found a correlation (whether there supposed to be one or not!).  I asked my primary care doc’s nurse, (who is asthmatic and goes to my asthma doc) if she experienced wt. gain also and she said yes, pretty much in hips and thighs…all since taking Accolate.  I also noticed a wee bit of fluid retention after I started Flovent. Patrice – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Is there any correlation between weight gain and certain asthma medicines like Accolate or singulair.  I know prednisone makes you retain water when you are on it, but does it have longterm side effects in this area, even if one is only on it for a brief period of time at a low dosage?

Response:

Hi Stephanie, I have found a correlation (whether there supposed to be one or not!).

Isn’t this Testimonial evidence?  A correlation is a Statistical property of a data set, it is defined by the ‘r’ value among others.  Be careful or Diane will jump all over you!  : )

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Do you have something better to add? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Stephanie, I have found a correlation (whether there supposed to be one or not!). Isn’t this Testimonial evidence?  A correlation is a Statistical property of a data set, it is defined by the ‘r’ value among others.  Be careful or Diane will jump all over you!  : )

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Ah ha!  The ‘r’ value in my correlation must mean the opposite of front end! ) Patrice – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Stephanie, I have found a correlation (whether there supposed to be one or not!). Isn’t this Testimonial evidence?  A correlation is a Statistical property of a data set, it is defined by the ‘r’ value among others.  Be careful or Diane will jump all over you!  : )

Response:

I have been on prednisone and i am life dependant.  I have a lot of problems with weight gain.  I also took Accolate but got off of it because it did nothing for me.  I am on flovent and see no change in my weight from that.  A lot of medications make you hungry when your dose goes up.  so you have to watch that.  Good Luck * 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 have been on prednisone and i am life dependant.  I have a lot of problems with weight gain.  I also took Accolate but got off of it because it did nothing for me.  I am on flovent and see no change in my weight from that.  A lot of medications make you hungry when your dose goes up.  so you have to watch that

I have had the exact same experience.  I have been dependent on prednisone for about 5 years now, and have had major weight gain.  My doc tells me to eat the way I would if dieting would actually work (low fat, lots of lean meat, fruit and veggies) so that at least I will be healthy.  She has always been very good and understanding with the weight issue.  My hardest part is the frustration. I also tried Accolate and it didnt help much. I also agree about the increase in appetite! It is another part of the frustration.  You are always hungry and you try not to eat because you dont want to gain any MORE weight.  As if having severe asthma wasn’t bad enough! Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )

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I am so glad to find someone who is in my position.  I am also a diabetic and I am on a strick diet.  I take insulin 3 timess a day plus check my sugar 4 times a day.  They that diabetics are skinny I think someone forgot to tell me.  I have a great doctor too about my weight.  Do you have any exersizes that you do or can do besides walking.  I can bearly make it up the stairs. Are you on anyother medications?  I have been on prednisone for about 10 years now.  What dosages are you on? * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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Do you have any exersizes that you do or can do besides walking.  I can bearly make it up the stairs. Are you on anyother medications?  I have been on prednisone for about 10 years now.  What dosages are you on?

Hiya – Right now I am on 20mg and that seems to be as low as I can go without having an attack.  But recently around Christmas I was very ill with bronchitis (it was starting to turn into pneumonia) and I was on 90mg prednisone, and had to taper down from that. I have been "forcing" myself to move more.  I got a 20 minute Richard Simmons videotape (OK, now stop giggling!).  What my doc suggested is that I go as far as I can until I start to feel uncomfortable, then stop.  When I can – resume again.  Anything is better than nothing.  It took me 5 tries to get through the tape the first time, but VERY slowly, it is starting to become easier. Of course, if you are not OK, you dont do it, you have to know how you feel. My doc has been great about the weight problem, she has helped me try to deal with the frustration of doing the right things and getting no results.  Keep your chin up! Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )

Response:

Right now I am on 15mg daily.  I was able to get down to 15mg from 30mg only by taking Methotrexate.  Its a cancer drug but it worked.  I was on it for about 5 years.  When I first went on it I lost my hair because it is a chemo drug and I thru up also. My dooctor is trying to get me down farther but nothing has worked.  So now we are trying cutting 2.5mg every two days.  I can’t start this until I get back from my vacation in April. Right now I am fighting with a cold that is soon going to be bronchitus.  I hate being sick.  I am also being put on the Med. Pump for my diabetes.  Did you get any side effects from the prednisone.  I did I look like I am 8 months preg. and I ended up with diabetes.  I have to take 4 shots a day so they are going to put me on the pump.  What fun!!!! * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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Did you get any side effects from the prednisone.  I did I look like I am 8 months preg. and I ended up with diabetes.  

Does the prednisone cause the diabetes?? My 16 yr old daughter is steroid dependent and stays on what seems to be relatively high doses most of the time. Her Dr. isn’t happy about this , but says she has to breathe. However he never mentioned diabetes as a possible effect.

Response:

Did you get any side effects from the prednisone.  I did I look like I am 8 months preg. and I ended up with diabetes.   Does the prednisone cause the diabetes?? My 16 yr old daughter is steroid dependent and stays on what seems to be relatively high doses most of the time. Her Dr. isn’t happy about this , but says she has to breathe. However he never mentioned diabetes as a possible effect.

Diabetes is one possible side effect of long term use of oral steroids. You can look up the side effects in the Physicians Desk Reference [PDR] that most public libraries carry. Link: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/pred.htm click on Adverse Effects Excerpt: "Adverse Effects Endocrine: Menstrual irregularities; Development of Cushingoid state; Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness; Suppression of growth in children; Decreased carbohydrate tolerance; Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus; Increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics" Ellis — Free audio & video emails, greeting cards and forums Talkway – http://www.talkway.com – Talk more ways (sm)

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Right now I am on 15mg daily.  I was able to get down to 15mg from 30mg only by taking Methotrexate.  Its a cancer drug but it worked.  I was on it for about 5 years.  When I first went on it I lost my hair because it is a chemo drug and I thru up also. My dooctor is trying to get me down farther but nothing has worked.  So now we are trying cutting 2.5mg every two days.  I can’t start this until I get back from my vacation in April. Right now I am fighting with a cold that is soon going to be bronchitus.  I hate being sick.  I am also being put on the Med. Pump for my diabetes.  Did you get any side effects from the prednisone.  I did I look like I am 8 months preg. and I ended up with diabetes.  I have to take 4 shots a day so they are going to put me on the pump.  What fun!!!!

The usual protocol for tapering steroids is to reduce to 15 mg/day; then go on alternate day therapy at 30 mg every other day; then very slowly reduce the dose down to 5 mg every other day and then go off steroids. Using alternate day therapy is important to stimulate the adrenal gland to start producing cortisone again. Ref: ‘Reversing Asthma’, Richard Firshein DO Ellis — Free audio & video emails, greeting cards and forums Talkway – http://www.talkway.com – Talk more ways (sm)

Response:

Hiya – I am also on methotrexate.  It too has caused me to really thin out my hair and I am very nauseaus (sp?) on the first two days of the week when I take it. My side effects from prednisone have included a dramatic weight gain, and more hair thinning.  My sugar does not go up unless I am on IV solumedrol in the hospital.  Sometimes I have to receive insulin while I am there to control it. But my blood sugar is normally on the very low side, so the orals don’t effect me too much. My doctor also tapers me the way yours does.  She has to be very careful with me, and sometimes we have tapered as slowly as .05mg every 3-4 days.  I have not been able to successfully go down past 20mg without getting sick.  The ONLY time I could was when I was in the test study for mometazone – I was on .05mg of prednisone a day and about to be steroid free, but the study ended and I had to go back up.  Mometazone is supposed to be released in the US by September hopefully.  I dont know if it will work for you (and I sincerely hope it will) but it was a miracle inhaler for me.  I took it in place of Flovent and I was almost steroid free for the first time in 5 years.   If I hadnt told you before, I am 31, and a former professional chef.  I have been on disability for asthma for almost 3 years now – and I am DYING to get back to work. My regimen is: Proventil, Flovent, Serevent, Methotrexate, Prednisone, ClaritinD, and Prilosec (because all the damn meds gives me reflux!). I hope that we can continue to correspond to each other – we have similar lives it seems!! Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )

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I am 39 a legal secretary I just started back to work after not working for several years I only work 31/2 hours a day.  Social security says I am cured and cut me off.  I went to see their doctors and I was having a good day my breathing was great and when I took a breathing test I did really good.  Of course by the next day I could barely breath. I am on Theo-dur, prednisone, flovent, ventolin, insulin.  I am now sick and have a very bad cold I have to call the doctor tomorrow. It does sound like our lives are about the same.  Are you married?  Do you have any kids?  I am married I have been for 18 years.  I have 4 kids.  All teenagers.  My husband is great about me not feeling that great.  I usually come home from work and take a nap until the kids come home from school. I hope that we can keep in touch where do you live?  I live in upstate New York. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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i tried to go off of prednisone by doing exactly how you described but it does not work I always ended in the hospital. So now we are going to try this way first. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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Hiya – I live in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, the border between the north bronx and Manhattan.  Nope, Im not married – first I was working too many hours, then I got too sick to go anywhere.  So I live with my Mom so Im not alone in case I get sick. You really do have to be careful tapering the steroids.  It has been my experience that even .05mg too low and you can have serious problems.  If you are lucky,  and you have a good doc, you know how to tell you are going to have trouble BEFORE you actually have it. I also hope we can continue to correspond!! Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )

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right now I am fighting off a major cold.  I have been home sick from work.  I think it is good that you live with someone because we need someone to help us once in a while.  I bet your mother likes having you around.  I know my husband and kids help me out alot when I get really sick.  I have to get better before april 13 because we are taking our kids on a family vacation before two of them go off to college.  My doctors and I are looking into putting me on pump for my diabetes and they say that I will gain weight from that.  do you get people that don’t believe you that your weight gain is from the meds?  I hate that.  How much methotrexate are you on?  Keep smiling and remember nothing lasts forever.  My favorite saying is Take one day at a time.  that is exactly what we have to do. * 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:

Hi,      It would appear I fit in quite well with this group.  I have severe asthma the chronic facial pain resulted from root canal in 1993.  I am 42 and have been on SSDI since last September although I have been unable to work since last March.  I had been employed since 1986 as a manager for an insurance agency – a job I really liked and had worked hard for my promotions. My asthma began to  deteriorate in last January – I was hospitalized four times last year – twice for pneumonia/asthma & twice for severe asthma attacks.  I have been steroid dependent for well over a year, however, I am trying to taper down slowly.  Unfortunately I have gained an excessive amount of weight – I look in the mirror & don’t recognize the person staring back.  Currently my meds are Theo-dur 450 mg x 2, Accolate 20 mg x 2, Serevent 2 puffs x 2, Flovent 2 puffs x 4, Prevacid 30 mg x 2, Albuterol Sulfate .083% nebulizer treatments q 4-6 hrs prn, Oxygen 3.5 lpm (or higher if needed), Allegra D, prednisone 20 – 40 mg tapering down as tolerated, Methadone 70 mg x 2 (for severe chronic facial pain),  valium 5 mg prn (works well to stop the albuterol/theo-dur shakes if needed), and  finally phenergan 25mg suppositories for nausea prn.  Also, I developed lymphedema in both legs so I have just completed a 6 week course of therapy with the compression bandages, massage, and lasix.  There are some days when it is extremely hard to try & maintain a positive attitude. I am fortunate to have a supportive husband, family, and friends.   My pulmonologist had suggested a trial of metotrexate, however, I am somewhat apprehensive to try.  It seems like I already have enough "side effects" from my other meds to add any addtional ones.        I have found it to be very supportive to talk to others with similar problems – please feel free to e-mail back. Deborah Deborah

Response:

My pulmonologist had suggested a trial of metotrexate, however, I am somewhat apprehensive to try.

Hiya – I cant say positively how the methotrexate would react with your meds, but it has really worked for me.   My current regimen is: Proventil Inhaler as needed, Proventil nebulizer as needed, Serevent 2 puff 2xday, Flovent 2puff 2x day, Prednisone – 20mg, Claritin D-24, Prilosec (for reflux), and the methotrexate. With Methotrexate you have to have a liver function test once a month to make sure your liver is OK.  Other than that, and nausea on my first day, I have no other symptoms or side effects.  It has really helped me while I am waiting for Mometasone to be approved by the FDA.  I did the trial study on that and I was totally OFF prednisone for the first time in years. I, too, have had the massive weight gain, and hair loss from the steroids. When people question me on it, I look them square in the eye and say "I’d rather be fat than not breathe".  They usually dont know what to say after that.  :) Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )

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With Methotrexate you have to have a liver function test once a month to make sure your liver is OK.  Other than that, and nausea on my first day, I have no other symptoms or side effects.  It has really helped me while I am waiting for Mometasone to be approved by the FDA.  I did the trial study on that and I was totally OFF prednisone for the first time in years.

Hi Nancy,       How does the Methotrexate work to improve your asthma? Also, what is Mometasone?  I have been reading about anti -IgE injections which seem promising in the current trials.  Researchers have indicated this drug stops the asthma attacks in adults & children without major side effects.  The drug has not been approved by the FDA, however, it could be approved within a year or two. (hopefully one year)        I like your response regarding excessive weight gain – still, there are so many people (like friends & previous co-workers) with absolutely no idea as to the side effects of prednisone.  I know the added weight adds an additional strain on my heart & lungs, however, I have determined that with my slow metabolism (from the strong narcotics for facial pain) and the increase in appetite  from prednisone – I would have to "starve" to lose even a few pounds.  As for exercise, I have been reduced to a wheelchair on some days due to SOB.      Thanks for your response – keep in touch.   Take care, Deborah

Response:

Hi Deborah – How does the Methotrexate work to improve your asthma?

To be honest, Im not totally sure.  My doc suggested it, as my other regimen wasn’t working, my pulmonary functions were still pretty low.  I take 7 pills once a week.  I believe that it is a cancer drug and used in chemotherapy.  I think it has to do with anti-inflammatory properties, but again, Im really not sure. Im going to the doc tomorrow, and I will ask her. Also, what is Mometasone?

Mometasone was an inhaled steroid that I was in the test group for.  I used it over last winter and summer and I was totally OFF prednisone for the first time in 3 years.  It is currently waiting for FDA approval.  This was a lifesaver for me.  Flovent helps me somewhat, but even with Flovent AND methotrexate I cant go below 20mg of prednisone without getting an attack. I have been reading about anti -IgE injections which seem promising in the current trials.  Researchers have indicated this drug stops the asthma attacks in adults & children without major side effects.

Sounds very interesting.  I will be asking her about that too.  My doc is very big into research and she usually knows all about this stuff. Believe me, I know how you feel with the weight gain, and not being able to help yourself with it.  It is a vicious circle we run in.  The steroids make you gain weight, the weight makes your asthma worse, which makes you need more steroids, etc etc. Yes, I have run into people, yes including family, who either dont believe or really dont understand that the weight gain is from the steroids.  EVEN when you can see my thinning hair!!  What, Im just unlucky, im fat and losing my hair??? I dont think so! I will share with you what my doctor told me.  She told me to follow an eating plan that I would follow if I WAS able to lose weight.  (I, personally, find Weight Watchers to be the best plan).  Her theory is that you should eat right, low fat, low sugar and even though you wont lose weight NOW, you will when you can go down on the steroids, and you will be keeping yourself HEALTHY (nutrition wise), which is more important. Then, if you DO either get off the steroids or go on a low dose, you will already have great eating habits!  I still go to the WW meetings when I can, and the leader has been really helpful.  She knows the situation and has even talked to my doctor. She knows how frustrated I get, and celebrates the tiniest weight loss with me!! I hope this info has helped you, and I hope you get better!! Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )

Response:

Hi guys,    I am just tapering down from 180mg of prednisone.  I just got out of the hospital.  I have to say I even lost weight.  I was put on a 1200 calorie diet, low carb and low fat because of the diabetes, the more I taper the more weight I lose.  I also took Chefck advice and bought an exercise tape and do what I can. some days its only working with the weights other days I just watch.  I know eventually I will end up in a wheelchair because omy bone density is getting worse.  But I am going to go down fighting.  So do not give up. * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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Question:

At 3 puffs of Flovent 110 daily (i.e. daily dose of 330 mcg.), I experience significant dysphonia ( hoarseness) At 2 puffs of Flovent 220 daily (i.e. daily dose of 440 mcg.), I experience no dysphonia I have observed this repeatedly over 2 years of daily use. Has anyone else had this experience? Perhaps others with dysphonia on Flovent 110 might try the 220. —–= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =—– http://www.newsfeeds.com – The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! —–==  Over 80,000 Newsgroups – 16 Different Servers! =—–

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Hi, that certainly is a very interesting piece of information, and I am eager to try this "experiment".  Thanks for sharing.

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Question:

This ‘lil tidbit from an e-mail newsletter that I get daily, thought it might be of interest to some: —— *** Asthma drugs found for exercise-induced attacks Two new asthma drugs can help prevent attacks after exercising, but one loses its effectiveness over time and the other fails to work for one-in-four sufferers, according to two studies and an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine. Most people with asthma can exercise vigorously, but they risk developing an attack if their workout ends abruptly or if they exercise in cold, dry air. The two drugs, approved earlier this year and sold under the brand names Singulair and Serevert, helped many asthma sufferers breathe easier after a workout. More importantly, the effectiveness of the medicine did not seem to wane over time. See http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2555087115-ffc —– — rls,   <–not really the one– adnohr at usa dot net barenaked in san diego http://www.concentric.net/~adnohr/

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This ‘lil tidbit from an e-mail newsletter that I get daily, thought it might be of interest to some: —— *** Asthma drugs found for exercise-induced attacks

What I find intresting is how long ago this information was known to the members of this newsgroup.  Maybe the newspapers should start following this newsgroup?

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Please do e-mail me one as I was unable to find it on the net when I looked under Chris King. A very popular name I found. Thanks, Eileen Jackson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -This ‘lil tidbit from an e-mail newsletter that I get daily, thought it might be of interest to some: —— *** Asthma drugs found for exercise-induced attacks Two new asthma drugs can help prevent attacks after exercising, but one loses its effectiveness over time and the other fails to work for one-in-four sufferers, according to two studies and an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine. Most people with asthma can exercise vigorously, but they risk developing an attack if their workout ends abruptly or if they exercise in cold, dry air. The two drugs, approved earlier this year and sold under the brand names Singulair and Serevert, helped many asthma sufferers breathe easier after a workout. More importantly, the effectiveness of the medicine did not seem to wane over time. See http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2555087115-ffc —– — rls,   <–not really the one– adnohr at usa dot net barenaked in san diego http://www.concentric.net/~adnohr/

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writes Please do e-mail me one as I was unable to find it on the net when I looked under Chris King. A very popular name I found.

We do tend to get buried under all the stuff for cycling accessories, amongst other things. Chris (No, I’m not the guy who used to be a BBC camera-man, honest !!!) — Chris King http://www.csking.demon.co.uk

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Question:

 Migraine Prophylaxis [snip] 10. gabapentin (Neurontin

Question:

Ok, so my doctor agreed to try another SSRI, but she wanted me to wean off Paxil first! Told her I could wean off one and wean onto another at the same time, but she was dubious about that so I asked her to look it up and ask around… now she agrees. She has prescribed Effexor.

Although Effexor technically is not an SSRI it is cross tolerant with SSRI’s so switching this way should be no problem. I’ve been told to take 20 mgs of paxil(instead of 40) and to add 37,5mgs of effexor for the next 3 days, then drop the paxil completely and raise the effexor to 75mgs. Does this sound about right? It seems like a fast changeover to me, but I’d rather deal with any side effects and get this change over with quickly myself anyway.

I agree that this may be a tad fast but I think it can be done if you are prepared to white-knuckle through some possible temporary side effects. My other question; is the target does of 75 mgs of effexor comparible to the 40 mgs of paxil I’ve been taking?

That is impossible to say as our reactions to meds are so personal. 75 mg of Effexor sound OK to me and if after a few weeks you feel it doesn’t work well enough you can always raise the dose a bit more. My xanax has been switched from 2x .5mg per day to 1x 1mg xanax XR per day. Hopefully it will stop me feeling like a yo-yo, I may need to ask for a dose increase I think.

I think so too considering the AD change. I take Xanax XR and IMO it is far preferable to *normal* Xanax. No rollercoatser effect anymore but a comparatively very smooth ride. Any thoughts/comments about this change in meds?

No ) Keep us posted! Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Ok, so my doctor agreed to try another SSRI, but she wanted me to wean off Paxil first! Told her I could wean off one and wean onto another at the same time, but she was dubious about that so I asked her to look it up and ask around… now she agrees. She has prescribed Effexor. I’ve been told to take 20mgs of paxil(instead of 40) and to add 37,5mgs of effexor for the next 3 days, then drop the paxil completely and raise the effexor to 75mgs. Does this sound about right? It seems like a fast changeover to me, but I’d rather deal with any side effects and get this change over with quickly myself anyway. My other question; is the target does of 75 mgs of effexor comparible to the 40 mgs of paxil I’ve been taking? My xanax has been switched from 2x .5mg per day to 1x 1mg xanax XR per day. Hopefully it will stop me feeling like a yo-yo, I may need to ask for a dose increase I think. I’ll soon find out, considering the other med change! : ) Any thoughts/comments about this change in meds? I mean to start the changeover tommorow… Vashti

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From what you say above, and below, Vashti, it doesn’t seem like she has a good grip on these medications, but at least is open minded. Both frustrating and refreshing at the same time!

well could be dangerous to be less savy about things one prescribes Yes, I think it’s far too fast and large a drop in Paxil,

I concur My biggest concern would be that sudden drop of Paxil from 40 to 20, with a "starter" dose of Effexor ( 37.5 mg ) to take the place of 20 mg of Paxil?  I don’t think so!!

nope best off dropping paxil by 5mg a day per week until off Remember, they may be very slight, if much at all. So much depends on how ‘you’ react, not how some others have.

true 150 mg of Effexor to 40 mg of Paxil??

or  more since paxil is up to 17 times more potent at the synapse then prozac effexor hits multiple sites at higher doses and is basicaly serotonergic at lower ones so a sliding conversion may not be too bad-as a phenethylamine compound it excerts reuptake inhibition on serotonin first noradrenaline second and weakly dopaminergic thirdly so in some ways in works like a tca but in reverse where the tca hits adrenergic sites first serotonin sites second. it would be somewhat difficult to make a comparative dose per dose response due to the different pharmacokinetics and individual responses From what I understand, the XR should work out very well.

yes it would bot Rita and Philip use this med with good success You’re not alone..

Microbes are everywhere

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Question:

Self-injury with knives and razors. I would cut on myself when I was depressed, before I got on the right medications. I’m ashamed of it, I still have scars, but I have a great therapist that’s helping me understand why I did that. -Emily

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hi Emily. this is interesting! did you see yourself at all becoming tolerant to the stimulants?  If so, did effexor help with this? also, I have anxiety which mostly manifests as stomach pain (nausea/butterflies).  did you get this too?  Did the drug combo you’re on help? thanks!! – Jason Web Page: http://www.JasonsWeb.com "Quantum Physics: The dreams that makes up stuff"

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Our psychiatrist says that Jesse shouldn’t worry about taking Adderall or Ritalin in eves, as once the brain waves are working correctly sleep should come MORE easily.  This isn’t true for all patients, but works for many. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi,   I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.   Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao!   -Emily

– Colette

Response:

Effexor has helped many people with ADD+anxiety.  I found it helpful until an unusual side effect stopped me from using it. I think I know a little about the razor thing.  When I was in high school I had a problem with an ingrown tow nail.  The school doc did a painful hack job and the toe eventually got worse.  I figured that I could do better without anaesthetic than he did with it. I got out a new razor blade and started cutting carefully.  It was a little bloody, but I felt little pain and a sense of quiet calm.  It was strangely soothing. I cleaned up the problem. The toe got better and I haven’t had any problems with it since. There’s no need to be ashamed.  The cutting was a way of self-treating the anxiety.  Effexor is a much better way.  You are making progress. George Self-injury with knives and razors. I would cut on myself when I was depressed, before I got on the right medications. I’m ashamed of it, I still have scars, but I have a great therapist that’s helping me understand why I did that. -Emily

Before you buy.

Response:

Hi there! This is great feedback to be getting! I was diagnosed with ADD comorbid with depression five years ago, and got every book on the subject I could find. I joined a support group too. Everything was starting to work out. But because I didn’t have insurance at my job, it was also very expensive. The doctor, plus the counselor, plus the liver tests for the Cylert, plus the cost of the Cylert was forcing me to pay nearly $500 a month out of my pocket. I couldn’t afford it anymore so I quit. Well finally, being very depressed and still ADD, I went to see another psychiatrist that works on a sliding scale. She decided I didn’t have ADD at all because "adults don’t have ADD." She told me that when adults think they have ADD it’s really just Bipolar II. So she put me on lithium. I thought she was wrong but gave her the benefit of the doubt. I tried lithium for a couple of months. It did nothing for me at all. So I gave up on it and went to see a psychiatrist who was more expensive. But by this time I had insurance and could afford him. He told me that I was definitely depressed, that the Bipolar II diagnosis was ludicrous, and that he wasn’t sure about the ADD. He wanted to wait a while to see if ADD is really there and not just depression masquerading as ADD. He put me on Effexor. I got to tell you, the stuff is a miracle drug for me! When I’m on the Effexor, I feel like a totally different person. I feel happier, my thinking is less gloomy and dark. I’m less irritable, and more sociable. But without it, I’m deeply depressed. But the ADD symptoms never really went away. I still have the attention-holding and short-term memory problems. I still can’t read a book with out flying off with a million new ideas. I still get easily distracted, even by my own thoughts. And I still have trouble finishing things. The doctor decided that I am indeed ADD, and now he wants to try me out on Adderal. I pick up the prescription this afternoon. Your feedback is invaluable, and thanks. I hope it works as well for me as it has for you. Cliff Pearson Dallas, Texas USA – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi,    I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.    Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao! -Emily

– Cliff Pearson Dallas Progressive Action League 1920 Abrams Parkway, #354 Dallas, Texas 75214-6218 Hotline: (214) 319-9819 Web: http://www.dallasprogressive.org

Response:

Oh darn!   I was hoping to be able to claim the silly curls on something…….  lol — Annie

| | I have very low blood pressure by nature (must be the curly hair   lol). I | guess with the meds , my BP is normal. | | Nah, it’s not the curly hair, mine’s straight and my normal BP is | 80/58. | | — | Ann

Response:

| Effexor can cause elevated high blood pressure and possible | sedation.  These were the reasons I quit taking it two weeks | ago, and went back to Prozac – for the additional pep, and also | because I stated taking stronger stims which also elevate BP. | | Could either of these be the unusual side effect? | I have very low blood pressure by nature (must be the curly hair   lol).  I guess with the meds , my BP is normal. I talked to my GP about Prozac and she told me that it was normally given to people who are very low energy wise and that I was too peppy for that drug….. oh well…. — Annie

| Effexor can cause elevated high blood pressure and possible | sedation.  These were the reasons I quit taking it two weeks | ago, and went back to Prozac – for the additional pep, and also | because I stated taking stronger stims which also elevate BP. | | Could either of these be the unusual side effect? | | John | | | | | Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. | Up to 100 minutes free! | http://www.keen.com |

Response:

I have very low blood pressure by nature (must be the curly hair   lol).  I guess with the meds , my BP is normal.

Nah, it’s not the curly hair, mine’s straight and my normal BP is 80/58. — Ann

Response:

Effexor has helped many people with ADD+anxiety.  I found it helpful until an unusual side effect stopped me from using it.

<snipped I’m curious as to what was the "unusual side effect" that caused you to stop taking Effexor? (I’m curious only because I too get an unusual [and annoying] side effect from my Effexor [which, btw,  has been added to my Dexedrine, with positive results for my attention deficit]; a side effect that has me wishing there was something equivalent out there that could provide me with the same benefits as Effexor, but without this one distractingly uncomfortable side effect.) Sodah

Response:

I take Effexor for different reasons then you but I’m curious about the side effects you are taking about. I started to take Effexor because of depression due to the M.S..  The one thing I liked about the drug was the lack of side effects.  So I’m real curious to find out about the side effects you have. They might be caused by the combo of the meds your currently on. Take care! — Annie

|

| Effexor has helped many people with ADD+anxiety.  I found it helpful | until an unusual side effect stopped me from using it. | | <snipped | | I’m curious as to what was the "unusual side effect" that caused you to stop | taking Effexor? | | (I’m curious only because I too get an unusual [and annoying] side effect | from my Effexor [which, btw,  has been added to my Dexedrine, with positive | results for my attention deficit]; a side effect that has me wishing there | was something equivalent out there that could provide me with the same | benefits as Effexor, but without this one distractingly uncomfortable side | effect.) | | Sodah | |

Response:

Effexor can cause elevated high blood pressure and possible sedation.  These were the reasons I quit taking it two weeks ago, and went back to Prozac – for the additional pep, and also because I stated taking stronger stims which also elevate BP. Could either of these be the unusual side effect? John Got questions?  Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com

Response:

Self injure??  Like what, if I may ask? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi,   I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.   Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao!   -Emily

– Colette

Response:

Hi,    I thought that I would post this and see if anyone else has noticed anything like this. In addition to having ADD, I have clinical depression and severe anxiety. I found that Adderall was like a miracle for my anxiety, because it took away so many of the racing thoughts and ruminations in my head. However, my most difficult time has always been at night. I used to have panic attacks so badly that I would hyperventilate and faint. Well, even though Adderall seems to be the best med. for this, I was told that I couldn’t take it at night, as it might interfere with the onset of sleep. So, my psychiatrist added Xanax for nighttime. Well, even though it seemed to help the anxiety, it actually kept me awake instead of putting me to sleep. It also made me severely depressed and apathetic, to the point where I began to self-injure; something that I hadn’t done for a long, long time. Needless to say, I went right off of it.    Anyway, several weeks ago, my psychiatrist put me on the anti-depressant Effexor, saying that it would help with my ADD and anxiety, as well as the depression. Because it acts on norepinepherine as well as serotonin, it’s a good adjunct to stimulants in ADD/ADHD people. Anyways, it has been amazing! After only a week of taking Effexor XR 75mg/day(in the morning), my nighttime anxiety was nearly gone! I also noticed that I didn’t get nearly as irritable when my Adderall wore off in the evening. I used to hate the dropoff that I noticed with my stimulant, and now I can hardly detect it. It just feels like the Effexor has smoothed out my day. I don’t have the peaks and valleys that I had while I was just on Adderall. I am feeling a lot more even. I just thought I would see if anyone else has had an experience with Effexor and ADD. Ciao!   -Emily

Response:

Question:

they often times don`t know how to treat anxiety disorders effectively. Benzos, also known as tranqulizers, are one of the most effective meds for anxiety and are least likely to cause sexual dysfunction.

in addition the tricyclic antidepressants work better more often for migraine type headaches, neuralgia and pain then the ssri types you have taken and have much less sexually disruptive side effects-drugs like tofranil or elavil, pamelor and sinequan are ones to ask your doc about LM

Response:

:Hi, :My doctor has diagnosed me with General Anxiety Disorder. She has been :trying to treat me for 5 months now. I have been on Zoloft, Wellbutrin, :Lexapro and now Effexor. All of which ruined my sex life! The only time :I was ok was when I was just on the Wellbutrin but then I needed the ther for the anxiety. My doctor started me on these types of pills :cause I was having headaches that she believes is caused from stress and :anxiety. My question to all of you is….Is there an anxiety pill that :does not have sexual side affects? Is there a pill that is helping :anyone in that department? I go back to the doctor on Wednesday to see :what she is gonna do with me now. I’m so tired of going once a month. :The headaches are better tho. I would appreciate any help. Thanks! :Christi Dear Christi, It sounds like your MD, not a psych doctor, is treating your anxiety disorder? If that`s the case, I suggest you find a psych doctor that specializes in anxiety disorders to be treated. While MD`s may be well intentioned, they often times don`t know how to treat anxiety disorders effectively. Benzos, also known as tranqulizers, are one of the most effective meds for anxiety and are least likely to cause sexual dysfunction. Take care Jackie ~*~All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another~*~         ~Anatole France~

Response:

Hi, My doctor has diagnosed me with General Anxiety Disorder. She has been trying to treat me for 5 months now. I have been on Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Lexapro and now Effexor. All of which ruined my sex life! The only time I was ok was when I was just on the Wellbutrin but then I needed the other for the anxiety. My doctor started me on these types of pills cause I was having headaches that she believes is caused from stress and anxiety. My question to all of you is….Is there an anxiety pill that does not have sexual side affects? Is there a pill that is helping anyone in that department? I go back to the doctor on Wednesday to see what she is gonna do with me now. I’m so tired of going once a month. The headaches are better tho. I would appreciate any help. Thanks! Christi

Response:

Hi, My doctor has diagnosed me with General Anxiety Disorder. She has been trying to treat me for 5 months now. I have been on Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Lexapro and now Effexor. All of which ruined my sex life! The only time I was ok was when I was just on the Wellbutrin but then I needed the other for the anxiety. My doctor started me on these types of pills cause I was having headaches that she believes is caused from stress and anxiety. My question to all of you is….Is there an anxiety pill that does not have sexual side affects? Is there a pill that is helping anyone in that department? I go back to the doctor on Wednesday to see what she is gonna do with me now. I’m so tired of going once a month. The headaches are better tho. I would appreciate any help. Thanks! Christi

Hi Christi, I’m on Xanax which is a benzo (tranquilizer) and has no sexual side effects at all…In fact there is no weaning onto this class of drug, and no need to wait days/weeks to feel a difference. It will take effect within 10-50 minutes. It simply slows down your nervous system. The other popular drugs in this class are Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, etc…BTW Tension headaches are part of my anxiety… Good Luck with your doc, Kevin…

Response:

I am 31 years old and recently began taking Aropax (paroxetine like paxil) to combat anxiety and depression that I’ve had as long as I can remember. GAD isolates me from people (no friends, no relationships) and it was my hope that the medication would allow me to enjoy being around people so I could start dating and going out.  Problem is after 5 days, Aropax has taken away my sex drive and I can’t achieve orgasm.  This is very depressing and I don’t see how I can meet a woman in this condition.  My self-esteem is zero. Also my family has a big reunion coming up – mostly relations I hardly know, and I am worried they will make me feel inadequate (which I cannot handle) but I don’t see how I can get out of it without offending anyone. Any Ideas? David

Response:

: I am 31 years old and recently began taking Aropax (paroxetine like paxil) : to combat anxiety and depression that I’ve had as long as I can remember. : GAD isolates me from people (no friends, no relationships) and it was my : hope that the medication would allow me to enjoy being around people so I : could start dating and going out.  Problem is after 5 days, Aropax has taken : away my sex drive and I can’t achieve orgasm.  This is very depressing and I : don’t see how I can meet a woman in this condition.  My self-esteem is zero. : : Also my family has a big reunion coming up – mostly relations I hardly know, : and I am worried they will make me feel inadequate (which I cannot handle) : but I don’t see how I can get out of it without offending anyone. Hi David, It takes a month or so for your body to adjust to paroxetine, and the side effects may only be temporary. I know, since I used the same med myself and experienced temporary sexual side effects too. It’s also natural for men to get excessively self conscious and anxious about their sexual status, and such anxiety can interfere with sex drive too. Sometimes it’s good to take a vacation from orgasms for a few days; which can be an aphrodisiac. Also, it’s important to remember that no med can completely solve anxiety and depression on its own. Living with anxiety and depression for years does leave psychological scars which take time and effort to heal. Even with a good med, recovery can be a difficult and awkward process of trying new things and testing our limits. It’s important not to rush the process; just embrace challenges at a pace that is right for you. Push yourself, but be patient with yourself too. We all fall down from time to time, but it’s how often we get back up that really matters. Best Wishes, Arthur

Response:

Hello David, Paroxetine IMO is very difficult to go on for most people.  In my experience I had very similar problems sexually as you do now.  I found that over time my sex drive returned (this happened once I was at my current dosage for about a month).  One question I would have for you is what is your current dosage?  I know starting too high will make these side effect worse.  As far as a possible solution to your problem, one option is to get a prescription for Welbutrin, to take with your Paroxetine.  This has been known to knock this problem out for many people.  Hope this helps. Good Luck! d

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am 31 years old and recently began taking Aropax (paroxetine like paxil) to combat anxiety and depression that I’ve had as long as I can remember. GAD isolates me from people (no friends, no relationships) and it was my hope that the medication would allow me to enjoy being around people so I could start dating and going out.  Problem is after 5 days, Aropax has taken away my sex drive and I can’t achieve orgasm.  This is very depressing and I don’t see how I can meet a woman in this condition.  My self-esteem is zero. Also my family has a big reunion coming up – mostly relations I hardly know, and I am worried they will make me feel inadequate (which I cannot handle) but I don’t see how I can get out of it without offending anyone. Any Ideas? David

Response:

Question:

Hi Julie, I often find it odd that anti-depressants are so useful for anxiety reduction. But my pdoc told me that properties in anti-depressants are as effective for anxiety disorders as well. So if it owrks…I’ll take it! Social anxiety could be treated more effectively with Behavior therapy. Experiencing fearful situations, having success in incremental steps in social surrondings while on the prozac could be a good course to take. Start small and work in progressive steps towards whatever goal you have set for yourself. Just be realistic…if you set the bar too high and don’t make it, you’ll feel more defeated and may not progress to your liking. Whatever you decide to do, just be yourself and treat yourself with the respect you’d like to have. So often to feel better, we have to start with the addressing way in which we treat ourselves…from there its easy. Peace, John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey, I’ve had somewhat minor anxiety or panic attacks for years.  I finally got some help from a dr. last year.  I am taking Prozac and have felt so much better. I still have some social anxiety at times.  I don’t know why. Does Prozac help in that way?  I don’t ever feel that I am Depressed…just anxious or worried. Any one  know what I’m talking about? Give me some feedback!  :)

Response:

I have had anxiety for 11 years without any depression.  Some of the meds that work for depression also work for anxiety.  If you are feeling better with the Prozac, this is a good thing.   Take care, Liz Hey, I’ve had somewhat minor anxiety or panic attacks for years.  I finally got some help from a dr. last year.  I am taking Prozac and have felt so much better. I still have some social anxiety at times.  I don’t know why. Does Prozac help in that way?  I don’t ever feel that I am Depressed…just anxious or worried. Any one  know what I’m talking about? Give me some feedback!  :)

–          Your mind is a garden,        your thoughts are the seeds. the harvest can be either flowers or weeds.             – Author Unknown

Response:

Hey, I’ve had somewhat minor anxiety or panic attacks for years.  I finally got some help from a dr. last year.  I am taking Prozac and have felt so much better. I still have some social anxiety at times.  I don’t know why. Does Prozac help in that way?  I don’t ever feel that I am Depressed…just anxious or worried. Any one  know what I’m talking about? Give me some feedback!  :)

Dear Julie, Welcome to ASAP!! It sounds like the Prozac has really helped you. The best thing for Social Anxiety is cognitive behavioral therapy. Take care Jackie

Response:

Thanks, Liz!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had anxiety for 11 years without any depression.  Some of the meds that work for depression also work for anxiety.  If you are feeling better with the Prozac, this is a good thing. Take care, Liz Hey, I’ve had somewhat minor anxiety or panic attacks for years.  I finally got some help from a dr. last year.  I am taking Prozac and have felt so much better. I still have some social anxiety at times.  I don’t know why. Does Prozac help in that way?  I don’t ever feel that I am Depressed…just anxious or worried. Any one  know what I’m talking about? Give me some feedback!  :) —          Your mind is a garden,        your thoughts are the seeds. the harvest can be either flowers or weeds.             – Author Unknown

Response:

Hey, I’ve had somewhat minor anxiety or panic attacks for years.  I finally got some help from a dr. last year.  I am taking Prozac and have felt so much better. I still have some social anxiety at times.  I don’t know why. Does Prozac help in that way?  I don’t ever feel that I am Depressed…just anxious or worried. Any one  know what I’m talking about? Give me some feedback!  :)

Response:

Hey, I’ve had somewhat minor anxiety or panic attacks for years.  I finally got some help from a dr. last year.  I am taking Prozac and have felt so much better. I still have some social anxiety at times.  I don’t know why. Does Prozac help in that way?  I don’t ever feel that I am Depressed…just anxious or worried. Any one  know what I’m talking about? Give me some feedback!  :)

IMO the thing to do is start Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which will in all probabilty help a lot witht he social anxiety. Philip

Response:

My 11 year old son was prescribed porzac for his anxiety. He started at 10 mgs., but was still feeling anxiety so now he is up to 20 mgs. He has been on the medication for a total of 6 weeks and is tolerating it well. It seems to take to edgfe off of his anxious feelings. It didn’t happen overnight, and he still may not benefit from the full effects yet. He is not 100 % OK, but it DOES take time. Be patient!! Good Luck. If anyone out there has had experience with prozac and a child, please let me know.

Response:

 hi, I am a reporter for The Associated Press, and am looking for people who are currently in therapy and are anxious about the economy. I’d like to talk to them for an article I’m writing on the stress Americans are feeling due to the changing economy. Anyone I talk to won’t be quoted without their permission.  I prefer to talk by telephone, (212-621-1555), but am happy to communicate first by e-mail. I need to talk by WED, OCT. 28, however.  I hope someone could come forward to share their experiences.  Sincerely, Maggie Jackson My 11 year old son was prescribed porzac for his anxiety. He started at 10 mgs., but was still feeling anxiety so now he is up to 20 mgs. He has been on the medication for a total of 6 weeks and is tolerating it well. It seems to take to edgfe off of his anxious feelings. It didn’t happen overnight, and he still may not benefit from the full effects yet. He is not 100 % OK, but it DOES take time. Be patient!! Good Luck. If anyone out there has had experience with prozac and a child, please let me know.

Response:

Hi John and thanks for writing..i do have one side affect from prozac and that is really bad headaches and some nausea

Response:

    Hi everyone..My name is Kelle im 21 and i suffer from anxiety attacks     and slight depression..i have been prescribed Prozac 20mgs from my     psychiatrist..im on it 2 weeks and dont feel a difference..i heard these     medications take about 4-6 weeks to work..if anyone had any good     experiences with prozac and depression or anxiety please let me know     I will say that if you have been on Prozac for only 2 weeks, it is too early to judge whether you may benefit or not.  I did not have much luck with prozac with regards to anxiety, but I also couldn’t bare the side effects it caused me.  You didn’t mention that you were suffering from any side effects, so that in itself is positive.  That alone will allow you to continue taking the medicine with hopes of benefiting from it.  If after 6 weeks, you don’t show *any* improvement with your anxiety/depression, you probably will want to switch medications.  At that point there are many people in this newsgroup who could offer plenty of good, sound advice.     good luck….     John L.

Response:

Hi everyone..My name is Kelle im 21 and i suffer from anxiety attacks and slight depression..i have been prescribed Prozac 20mgs from my psychiatrist..im on it 2 weeks and dont feel a difference..i heard these medications take about 4-6 weeks to work..if anyone had any good experiences with prozac and depression or anxiety please let me know

Response:

You are right two weeks of prozac is far too soon to tell anything.  My own experience with prozac is that it was ineffective in controlling anxiety or anxiety attacks, klonopin works much better for me.  You might investigate that or other benzodiazapenes either in addition to or instead of prozac, for one thing you will get much faster results.  peter

Response:

Note: Someone e-mailed me concerned that I was giving Prozac free advertising, hmmm ok…am I? Yes, I am telling you all take Prozac or die…relax people. Also, what follows is only my opinion, do NOT take it as truth or let it sway YOUR opinion of Prozac or any other anti-depressants. OK, Prozac has been called the "miracle drug". Hey, it’s not only used to treat Depression anymore! Now it has been approved for the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bulimia and PMS. Hmmm, what will Prozac "cure" next? I’ve seen people on up to 80 mg. of Prozac, AND it did CRAP for them. Now they have all these new anti depressants, like Effexor, Paxil, Zoloft and Luvox. Still none have become such a "pop culture" icon as Prozac! I mean, Prozac is on tee-shirts, in tons of books, you name it. Still the strangest Prozac use, in my opinion, was when my friend’s Dalmation was on Prozac. The vet prescribed it because the dog was hyper. After that the dog bugged out more & started biting people, until they had to put him to sleep. Hmmm, should we take a clue from that? Hey, check out these "possible" Prozac side effects (taken from an actual med info sheet given with prescription): Loss of appetite, rash, headache, anxiety, rapid pulse, loss of coordination, trouble breathing, trouble urinating, dizziness/drowsiness. OK, well that’s fun……. The newest ad from those wacky Prozac people follows. Aww, how cutesy, I guess they think that this will make everyone want Prozac, those masterminds. If you take Prozac you will see the cute little birdies outside your window too! Well, thought I’d share my thoughts, so that they don’t eat me alive. You can now say, "Thanks for sharing", like all the wackos in AA would say. Don’t even get me started on the topic of "AA". Well, maybe another day, if enough people would like to hear. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Thank You for sharing!  (((hugs)))

Question:

Here in Canada you can only get Wellbutrin in the 150 mg SR format. Period. I had a bad experience once with just half of a 37mg Effexor dose and I do not want to take a whole dose of Wellbutrin, SR or not. So if you break a 150 SR pill into quarters do you get the equivalent of 37.5mg of non SR Wellbutrin? I take it if you break the coating on the pill it is no longer "SR", but is it the same stuff as regular Wellbutrin? Does anyone know if Zyban is sustained release?

Response:

Just FYI….I was breaking in half a time released "beta blocker" (for migraines).  My blood pressure was dropping so I thought I would break it in half to lower the dose. I ended up with a horrid migraine and my doctor told me it was because it was a sustatined release and breaking them in half destroys the ability for it to disperse slowly. Stewart (Metaphor)….does this sound correct to you.  It kind of made sense to me. Nik "So it’s Rorschach and Prozac and everything is groovy"  Nick Cave, Murder Ballads  Home Page – http://members.aol.com/niknik7/main.html

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I’ve made many a happy fish myself  (haate rats…ugh)with Morphine wastes, Demerol, etc…

Make me happy, mail them my way. I am Protector of the Fishies, Bev’s Narcotics Disposal Service, a service with a smile. nod, nod, nod — bev . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . http://members.tripod.com/~Veb

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Hi there, Tony….the claritin in and of itself most likely is not the cause of your symptoms….however, the "D" (ie. decongestant) may be…..allergists tend not to perscribe claritin D for routine needs, usualyy only the claritin part…..the decongestant is pseudoephidrine, or one of it’s cousins, which can make you nervous, edgy, wakeful….

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wasn’t referring to claritin in terms of SR drugs….just quirky effects certain meds may or may not have on individuals….that’s all!

Response:

I’ve made many a happy fish myself  (haate rats…ugh)with Morphine wastes, Demerol, etc…

Response:

: don’t know about the Zyban, although I think "in general" it comes in a : smaller dosage……also. while you may have a strong reaction to one med, : the same might not be true with others….some people get TIRED from : tylenol…I take one Benedryl and sleep for 2 days….I get tired on Paxil : and Claritin, both supposedly not drugs which have that effect on most : people…Wellbutrin is in a totally different class than other : AD’s….however, if reaction is "allergic" in nature, discuss w your doc : your concerns….caution is good, but don’t let fear hold you back…. Claritin itself is not a time release drug, it just has a very long half-life which makes once daily dosing feasible.  Claritin-D, however, has in addition 240mg of sudafed which *is* time-release over 24 hours. Caution should be used with breaking Wellbutrin-SR because if you read the literature, you’ll find a single dose which is too high greatly increases the risk of a seizure.  No one really knows how the time release is affected by breaking the tablets, so the prudent thing is to not do it.

Response:

don’t know about the Zyban, although I think "in general" it comes in a smaller dosage……also. while you may have a strong reaction to one med, the same might not be true with others….some people get TIRED from tylenol…I take one Benedryl and sleep for 2 days….I get tired on Paxil and Claritin, both supposedly not drugs which have that effect on most people…Wellbutrin is in a totally different class than other AD’s….however, if reaction is "allergic" in nature, discuss w your doc your concerns….caution is good, but don’t let fear hold you back….

Response:

never break or crush any SR med…wellbutrin or any other….the properties that make it sustained release/long acting, don’t work then, and you can’t "regulate" the med you get…may actually OVERdose yourself that way…real;ly

Response:

Uh…I have worked in nursing homes for the past 6 years.  Here in Washington state nearly all nursing homes use cards with 30 day supply of a specific med for a specific patient.  The meds are prepackaged in little blister packs at the dosage ordered.  It is true that occasionally we have to cut meds in half when the pharmacy delivery is delayed.  But when meds arrive the pills are already cut (if needed) by the pharmacy. But never do we cut meds in half and give one patient one half and another patient the other half.   When we do cut a tablet in half, the other half goes in the garbage.  Yes the patient gets charged for the entire tablet.  But fortunately we don’t have to do it too often. My pet peeve though is narcotics.  Once delivered…. they will not allow it to be returned for a refund.    All other prescriptions are allowed to be returned.  So…. us nurses have to flush many many narcotics every few days.  I remember having to flush about 500 tablets of various narcotics from mscontin to darvocets.   Betcha the rats were happy in the sewers. — Cindy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here in Canada you can only get Wellbutrin in the 150 mg SR format. Period. I had a bad experience once with just half of a 37mg Effexor dose and I do not want to take a whole dose of Wellbutrin, SR or not. So if you break a 150 SR pill into quarters do you get the equivalent of 37.5mg of non SR Wellbutrin? I take it if you break the coating on the pill it is no longer "SR", but is it the same stuff as regular Wellbutrin? Does anyone know if Zyban is sustained release? Zyban is exactly the same as Wellbutrin SR.  Studies were done during the development of Wellbutrin SR to determine the release profile of broken tablets (an interesting side bar, many nursing homes routinely cut pills in half giving one half to one resident and the other half to another but charge each resident for an entire pill).  At any rate, what was determined was that: a)it is difficult to accurately divide a Wellbutrin SR dose in half by cutting tablets (trying to quarter a dose would probably leave you with a squashed tablet) b) the sustained release quality was lost but the dissolution profile wasn’t similar to Wellbutrin IR (instant release), it was sort of Wellbutrin MR (modified release). Keeping in mind that the SR formulation was developed to reduce the incidence of siezures, I would not recommend "futzing" with chopping up Wellbutrin SR tablets at all.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Here in Canada you can only get Wellbutrin in the 150 mg SR format. Period. I had a bad experience once with just half of a 37mg Effexor dose and I do not want to take a whole dose of Wellbutrin, SR or not. So if you break a 150 SR pill into quarters do you get the equivalent of 37.5mg of non SR Wellbutrin? I take it if you break the coating on the pill it is no longer "SR", but is it the same stuff as regular Wellbutrin? Does anyone know if Zyban is sustained release?

Zyban is exactly the same as Wellbutrin SR.  Studies were done during the development of Wellbutrin SR to determine the release profile of broken tablets (an interesting side bar, many nursing homes routinely cut pills in half giving one half to one resident and the other half to another but charge each resident for an entire pill).  At any rate, what was determined was that: a)it is difficult to accurately divide a Wellbutrin SR dose in half by cutting tablets (trying to quarter a dose would probably leave you with a squashed tablet) b) the sustained release quality was lost but the dissolution profile wasn’t similar to Wellbutrin IR (instant release), it was sort of Wellbutrin MR (modified release). Keeping in mind that the SR formulation was developed to reduce the incidence of siezures, I would not recommend "futzing" with chopping up Wellbutrin SR tablets at all.

Response:

prvtctzn

Question:

 Been on prozac for a month, I’ve found a personal peace I’ve never known before. Prior to that, I was on serzone. It wired me. Kept me awake at night and made me more depressed……Good Luck The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young.                        -Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray,1891

   Amen    (If you get the chance, see the 1945 movie with Hurd Hatfield Donna Reed and Angela Lansbury).

Response:

 Been on prozac for a month, I’ve found a personal peace I’ve never known before. Prior to that, I was on serzone. It wired me. Kept me awake at night and made me more depressed……Good Luck

The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young.                         -Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray,1891

Response:

 Been on prozac for a month, I’ve found a personal peace I’ve never known before. Prior to that, I was on serzone. It wired me. Kept me awake at night and made me more depressed……Good Luck

Response:

Works for me but I need 40 mg per day. Effexor was great at 300+ mg/day but I  had to take it every 4 hours. SJW was enough in the summer but I went back to  Prozac this fall – badddd crashing! Somedays you’re the pigeon, somedays you’re the statue. Lynn from North Dakota

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[posted and emailed] Could I get a show of ppl. who have been rescued from depression successfully because of Prozac? Also I’d like to know how one decides if one can stop taking it? Many thanks.

i’m a partial success story.  i started paxil (AD in prozac class) when i was REALLY suicidal, and it saved my life many times. unfortunately, i was later diagnosed as bipolar type II (rapid cycling and/or hypomanic), and paxil makes me TOO manic occasionally.  so i have to change from paxil to another AD. but again, my life was saved several times with paxil. "Dark Prism" – My personality refracts darkly through the serotonigenic spectrum. Thomas A. Ott — ottthoma (at) pipeline.com – [3 t's in ottthoma!!!] http://www.geocities.com/~ottthoma — main site http://www.geocities.com/~ottthoma/depression/index.html—– depression site http://www.geocities.com/~ottthoma/depression/sjw.html —— st. john’s wort stuff FCC Regulations provide up to 500 dollars in damages PER INCIDENT for Unsolicited Commercial E-Mail.  Go ahead.  Make my day.

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Could I get a show of ppl. who have been rescued from depression successfully because of Prozac? Also I’d like to know how one decides if one can stop taking it? Many thanks. Frank

Prozac helped my depression, but not as well as zoloft, effexor, or serzone did. Patrick

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