Question:

No one understands that you simply can’t just dump a therapist (a good one) to run to another one.  I don’t know where I would begin or how I would start talking.  I would have to take all the notes on my visits and make tons of them myself and would need a full day visit just to get her acquainted with me. This sucks so much and I am so fucking angry.  No one cares.  I don’t understand but I guess it is "welcome to the world of HMO’s".  (our old insurance was great) Fucked up stupid assed lamo system.

It’s fucked all right.  I’m not in the same boat by any means.  My insurance changed this year also, but it turned out to be less money for more coverage.  Many other aren’t so fortunate. Use the anger.  Press your elected representatives to write laws instituting Medical Savings Accounts.  The benefits are numerous. You have your own account, protected by law.  This allows you to chose what coverage you need and who to buy it from.  You can buy a full plan, catastrophic coverage only, or no coverage at all – you simply pay the doctor with funds from the account. The account could also roll over year to year, adding any unused funds to the pool.  The whole thing could earn interest and grow a loittle more, or at least hedge against inflation. Your employer contributes towards your account at the same rate they would pay towards company group insurance.  But they save money because human resources no longer needs to supervise employee insurance plans  They simply provide the money as a tax exempt benefit, and the employee is responsible for the rest. But I’m not holding my breath.  Most people seem content to ask someone else to take care of them, and then spend all their time bitching about how bad they are being cared for.

Response:

I understand, Becky.  My pdoc just dropped out of my insurance plan.  I did not want to start over with another one.  I really, really like him. He is totally awesome. I am going to pay out of pocket to see him, and my PCP will take care of my meds.  But I don’t have to see my pdoc as often as a therapist, so I am going to try to swing it. I’m so sorry you have to face these kind of decisions. Wanda — Always interesting what is revealed about oneself when one guesses at another person’s motives.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been seeing my therapist for about 4 years now.  We have a good relationship. Suddenly hubby’s boss changes the insurance on us and while all my other specialists and doctors are covered—-my therapist is not. It is such a crazy situation and I am winging out into left field.  I have been winging anyway—dissociation and black outs—-and need her and need to be able to see and talk to her.  She understands ME.  She knows most of everything there is to know about me.  I can’t even imagine starting with someone else. The insurance company does not understand this.  They have been giving us the run-a-round.  My therapist is trying to help but is getting no where either. Her visits are $80/45 minutes.  I would have to pay that and $20-30 ontop of that to get my bill paid down. No one understands that you simply can’t just dump a therapist (a good one) to run to another one.  I don’t know where I would begin or how I would start talking.  I would have to take all the notes on my visits and make tons of them myself and would need a full day visit just to get her acquainted with me. This sucks so much and I am so fucking angry.  No one cares.  I don’t understand but I guess it is "welcome to the world of HMO’s".  (our old insurance was great) Fucked up stupid assed lamo system. Becky who can’t shed tears but can sure go on a good rage…… "I have seen the sea when it is stormy and wild; when it is quiet and serene; when it is dark and moody. And in all its moods, I see myself."      -Martin Buxbaum

Response:

Does your husband’s employer offer —what’s it called — it’s that thing where they put aside part of his pay *pre-tax* into a medical/health account and you can draw from it within a particular time-period (usually a very strict calendar year) to pay your medical bills. No Wombn his employer doesn’t offer anything like that.  Either way it would probably be easier for us to start a savings account now in prepartion for next year.  Not a bad idea really.  <sigh  Maybe it would keep us ahead of the bill. Where do middle income folks go when they can’t afford insurance on their own and have to rely on their employer?  What do they do? You know the problem really is not to bad regarding the doctors it is regarding the Mental Health services in our country. No one wants to admit we are out here and that we deserve the benefits as everyone else has in seeing a specialized doctor. Because we are dealing with mental health we are put into whole other categories and over looked and railroaded into seeing the people that they handpick—not the folks that we have been with for years. I just fucking amazes me how they are able to get away with what they do not only in mental health issues but in other areas of health care. Hey it isn’t fair but then I learned from a little kid up that most things in life are never fair and nothing ever will be. Becky "I have seen the sea when it is stormy and wild; when it is quiet and serene; when it is dark and moody. And in all its moods, I see myself."      -Martin Buxbaum

Response:

Thank you Fiona…… Hugs….. Becky "I have seen the sea when it is stormy and wild; when it is quiet and serene; when it is dark and moody. And in all its moods, I see myself."      -Martin Buxbaum

Response:

Thanks Minx for caring. It is frustrating as well as infuriating. THESE people do not care. Hell I have to watch my prescriptions now because if the script is for 100+ tabs a month then the doctor has to call the insurance company and have it approved for that amount OR the doctor has to be very careful and make sure they give me the highest dose pill. All because my husband’s work wanted to save a few bucks. I know I know everyone is out for a buck these days.  So us poor folks get stuck up the ass in bills and debt. I am SO pissed off…… Becky Hugs Hugs… "I have seen the sea when it is stormy and wild; when it is quiet and serene; when it is dark and moody. And in all its moods, I see myself."      -Martin Buxbaum

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been seeing my therapist for about 4 years now.  We have a good relationship. Suddenly hubby’s boss changes the insurance on us and while all my other specialists and doctors are covered—-my therapist is not. It is such a crazy situation and I am winging out into left field.  I have been winging anyway—dissociation and black outs—-and need her and need to be able to see and talk to her.  She understands ME.  She knows most of everything there is to know about me.  I can’t even imagine starting with someone else. The insurance company does not understand this.  They have been giving us the run-a-round.  My therapist is trying to help but is getting no where either. Her visits are $80/45 minutes.  I would have to pay that and $20-30 ontop of that to get my bill paid down. No one understands that you simply can’t just dump a therapist (a good one) to run to another one.  I don’t know where I would begin or how I would start talking.  I would have to take all the notes on my visits and make tons of them myself and would need a full day visit just to get her acquainted with me. This sucks so much and I am so fucking angry.  No one cares.  I don’t understand but I guess it is "welcome to the world of HMO’s".  (our old insurance was great) Fucked up stupid assed lamo system.

this is horrible. I feel furious just reading this.  It makes me sick.   I hate the insurance industry, I hate we have no socialized care, and I hate you have to go through this. becky, I hope you win this. I hope. minx — "I wouldn’t mind leaving myself behind if I could, but I don’t know the way out." — Elphaba, _Wicked_

Response:

<snip I wish I had a magic wand and could fix this for you Becky. I do have one possibility for you, does the insurance (HMO?) have an out-of-network rate? I know that my evil HMO pays a greater percentage or all of an "in-network" provider, but does pay something when I see an "out-of-network" provider. Of course, my HMO is so notorious around these parts that only two pdocs in reach of me are "in-network," my current pdoc described them as being one he wasn’t too sure of and the other he "wouldn’t let talk to my houseplants." Though this is also the same HMO that won’t pay my medication costs at the higher rate because I could have generic Paxil and Seroquel if I "really wanted them." Fiona — If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste the adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.      – Anne Bradstreet, Meditations Divine and Moral, 1664

Response:

I have been seeing my therapist for about 4 years now.  We have a good relationship. Suddenly hubby’s boss changes the insurance on us and while all my other specialists and doctors are covered—-my therapist is not. It is such a crazy situation and I am winging out into left field.  I have been winging anyway—dissociation and black outs—-and need her and need to be able to see and talk to her.  She understands ME.  She knows most of everything there is to know about me.  I can’t even imagine starting with someone else. The insurance company does not understand this.  They have been giving us the run-a-round.  My therapist is trying to help but is getting no where either. Her visits are $80/45 minutes.  I would have to pay that and $20-30 ontop of that to get my bill paid down. No one understands that you simply can’t just dump a therapist (a good one) to run to another one.  I don’t know where I would begin or how I would start talking.  I would have to take all the notes on my visits and make tons of them myself and would need a full day visit just to get her acquainted with me. This sucks so much and I am so fucking angry.  No one cares.  I don’t understand but I guess it is "welcome to the world of HMO’s".  (our old insurance was great) Fucked up stupid assed lamo system. Becky who can’t shed tears but can sure go on a good rage…… "I have seen the sea when it is stormy and wild; when it is quiet and serene; when it is dark and moody. And in all its moods, I see myself."      -Martin Buxbaum

Response:

Question:

Hi Everyone,     Has anyone contacted Influenza while taking Singulair?  I had influenza for around 6 days and looking for others to correspond with. Sincerely, Sandy

Response:

Hi Everyone,     Has anyone contacted Influenza while taking Singulair?  I had influenza for around 6 days and looking for others to correspond with.

Yep, pretty sure I’ve got the flu now.  It’s wreaking havoc with my asthma and I almost ended up in the ER yesterday.  Once I took all my meds and doubled my inhaled steroid, I got my peak flows *UP* to 80% of normal. This is still not as bad as the last time I got the flu when I wasn’t taking Singulair.    I’m only on my third day though. Loki

Response:

I started taking Singulaire in Aug./98, also had the flu shot, did not catch the flu this year. I don’t think Singulaire should have any bearing on catching the flu at all.  Singulaire is to stop the process which causes inflamation and the flu is of course a virus that enters the system.

Response:

Hi Everyone,     Has anyone contacted Influenza while taking Singulair?  I had influenza for around 6 days and looking for others to correspond with. Sincerely, Sandy

Hi,I have been on singular for about 10months and had the flu 2 times on it.I was real sick with the flu but,my asthma thank God was not affected by it.In fact, I did peak flow readings and had the best readings I have ever had.Go figure huh?This last flu I had a cough and it is still there the cough but,I understand it hangs for about 2weeks.I thought Oh,no,I wondered if it was congestion but,each time I coughed it was clear breathing.Then the peak flows were very good. I feel like stronger in my breathing since I have been on singular.I know it is doing something good for me.I guess some people dont feel it did anything for them.I hope you have had success on the singular and stay well.Leona

Response:

Question:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

– Surfer!

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Question:

writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Two years ago my allergies really gave me trouble. The progression ended up with me getting pneumonia in April lasting two months until June. At the time I was 38 yrs old reasonably healthy jogging and taking karate up until I couldn’t breath after a run. I started to get sick and thought I had the Flu. But it held on and I went to the Dr.   and I was diagnosed with pneumonia. I was really sick for about 2 weeks and off work for 2 months. I was referred to a Lung Specialist in the midst of all this and had the lung function test as well as sputum tests. He told me that I had asthma as a result of the pneumonia and some scarring in my lungs. He also said that the sputum tests show that I have a fungus in my lungs called Asperligosis (I hope spelling doesn’t count here) I was put on medications Pulmicort and Ventolin. Every morning about an hour or so after I get up I get tight in my chest and hack up some interesting samples of goo. I usually get it up in an hour or so and usually don’t need a shot of my ventolin. But I find now that I don’t have the wind like I had pre-pneumonia. QUESTION— Is the Asperligosis fungi causing my asthma to be worse? Is the fungus actually causing my asthma as I never had it before? Is there any medications out that can rid me of this fungus? I would appreciate any feed back anyone can give me. Thank you.                                    Bob

Aspergillosis is a mold, causing infections in the external ear.Occasionally lesions appear in the skin,nasal sinuses,orbit,bronchi,lungs or other internal organs. Stanley Lepelstat  Phramacy Consultant Easy access to homeopathy   http://www.mja.net/accupathy Email your address for a free brochure on Homeopathy —

Question:

sylvain, (&FJ if you’re reading this) been out of town for almost a week, hence the delayed reply. i switched to lexapro at the instigation of my female companion, to reduce the well-known sexual side-effect. in my case, the sexual side-effect was greatly reduced in fact.

  That the sexual sideeffects are reduced so much compared th seroxat    is good news to me. This is what I’m after, a lessening of sideeffects   and the same benefits anxiety wise. Could you make an immediate   shift between the two meds or did you have to cut down the milligrams   slowly and then start on the new med?

Response:

FJ wrote:

  That the sexual sideeffects are reduced so much compared th seroxat    is good news to me. This is what I’m after, a lessening of sideeffects   and the same benefits anxiety wise. Could you make an immediate   shift between the two meds or did you have to cut down the milligrams   slowly and then start on the new med?

Usually you should be able to cut down one med and up the other at the same time but discuss it with your shrink.

Response:

None <i-dont-want-to-receive-any-ma…@swissonline.ch

wrote in message <news:3f5b685f$1@news.swissonline.ch… FJ wrote:   That the sexual sideeffects are reduced so much compared th seroxat    is good news to me. This is what I’m after, a lessening of sideeffects   and the same benefits anxiety wise. Could you make an immediate   shift between the two meds or did you have to cut down the milligrams   slowly and then start on the new med? Usually you should be able to cut down one med and up the other at the same time but discuss it with your shrink.

i actually stopped taking the paxil completely & switched to lexapro the day after i got some. i wasn’t as worried about that as i perhaps should have been, because several times before i had missed one dose of paxil–but made sure i never missed two in consecutive days–and missing one dose didn’t affect me greatly, just made me a little edgy.

Response:

yitwail wrote:

i actually stopped taking the paxil completely & switched to lexapro the day after i got some. i wasn’t as worried about that as i perhaps should have been, because several times before i had missed one dose of paxil–but made sure i never missed two in consecutive days–and missing one dose didn’t affect me greatly, just made me a little edgy.

At times I get all sad if I only miss my Effexor dose by a few hours. At other times I can miss it completely for a day and don’t notice. It’s weird.

Response:

"Sylvain  Van der Walde" <sylvain.vanderwa…@which.net

wrote in message <news:F4F3b.1606$FZ3.430214@newsfep2-win.server.ntli.net…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

"FJ" <F@J wrote in message news:3f4e34ac$0$19384$d40e179e@nntp05.dk.telia.net… If you’re on 20 Mg, a raise to 40 Mg should do the trick I’ve been on Seroxat (Paxil) for 5-6 years. Sylvain.   Hi Sylvain!   Does this mean that you have to raise the milligrams again and again, untill the   med doesn’t work anymore? FJ. According to the manufacturer; 20 Mg is the minimum therapeutic dosage for SP, and 50 Mg is the maximum. If you get no improvement on 40 Mg, I don’t believe that there’s much point raising it to 50 Mg. It’s 60 Mg max. for OCD, by the way. I would urge you to stick with Seroxat as long as possible, as you just don’t know how the other meds. will work with you. On the other hand, if you want badly enough to change, by all means do so. You could try Celexa (Cipramil, Citalopram) first. Sylvain.

or you could try 30mg before going to 40mg, trying for a little better mileage. i took 30mg for a few years before switching to lexapro. thing to remember about SSRI is that dosage isn’t always linear, meaning doubling the dose doesn’t necessarily double the effect, which can either more than double or increase more moderately, so trial and error is worthwhile.

Response:

i took 30mg for a few years before switching to lexapro. thing to remember about SSRI is that dosage isn’t always linear, meaning doubling the dose doesn’t necessarily double the effect, which can either more than double or increase more moderately, so trial and error is worthwhile.

 How did Lexapro woork for you, compared to seroxat?

Response:

"yitwail" <catim…@yahoo.com

wrote in message

news:cc4558e9.0308291004.781d801e@posting.google.com… > "Sylvain  Van der Walde" <sylvain.vanderwa…@which.net

wrote in message

<news:F4F3b.1606$FZ3.430214@newsfep2-win.server.ntli.net

…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > "FJ" <F@J

wrote in message

> > news:3f4e34ac$0$19384$d40e179e@nntp05.dk.telia.net… > > > > If you’re on 20 Mg, a raise to 40 Mg should do the trick > > > > I’ve been on Seroxat (Paxil) for 5-6 years. > > > > Sylvain. > > >   Hi Sylvain! > > >   Does this mean that you have to raise the milligrams again and again,

untill the   med doesn’t work anymore? FJ. According to the manufacturer; 20 Mg is the minimum therapeutic dosage

for

SP, and 50 Mg is the maximum. If you get no improvement on 40 Mg, I

don’t

believe that there’s much point raising it to 50 Mg. It’s 60 Mg max. for OCD, by the way. I would urge you to stick with Seroxat as long as possible, as you just don’t know how the other meds. will work with you. On the other hand, if you want badly enough to change, by all means do

so.

You could try Celexa (Cipramil, Citalopram) first. Sylvain. or you could try 30mg before going to 40mg, trying for a little better mileage.

Yitwail. Yes, of course he could. I tried it myself, but it hardly made any difference. Going to 40 Mg did the trick.

i took 30mg for a few years before switching to lexapro. thing to remember about SSRI is that dosage isn’t always linear, meaning doubling the dose doesn’t necessarily double the effect, which can either more than double or increase more moderately, so trial and error is worthwhile.

Agreed. I have 2 questions: Why did you stop at 30 Mg of Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat), and start with Lexapro (Escitalopram) rather than going with Celexa (Citalopram)? I won’t carry on with this thread after this message. Sylvain

Response:

"Sylvain  Van der Walde" <sylvain.vanderwa…@which.net

wrote in message <news:YI_3b.3132$FZ3.672264@newsfep2-win.server.ntli.net… I have 2 questions: Why did you stop at 30 Mg of Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat), and start with Lexapro (Escitalopram) rather than going with Celexa (Citalopram)? I won’t carry on with this thread after this message. Sylvain

sylvain, (&FJ if you’re reading this) been out of town for almost a week, hence the delayed reply. i switched to lexapro at the instigation of my female companion, to reduce the well-known sexual side-effect. in my case, the sexual side-effect was greatly reduced in fact. otherwise, i haven’t noticed any significant medical difference between 30mg paxil & 10mg lexapro. lexapro does cost a bit more in the copayment required by my medical insurance.

Response:

If you’re on 20 Mg, a raise to 40 Mg should do the trick I’ve been on Seroxat (Paxil) for 5-6 years. Sylvain.

  Hi Sylvain!   Does this mean that you have to raise the milligrams again and again, untill the   med doesn’t work anymore?

Response:

"FJ" <F@J

wrote in message

news:3f4e34ac$0$19384$d40e179e@nntp05.dk.telia.net…

If you’re on 20 Mg, a raise to 40 Mg should do the trick I’ve been on Seroxat (Paxil) for 5-6 years. Sylvain.   Hi Sylvain!   Does this mean that you have to raise the milligrams again and again, untill the   med doesn’t work anymore?

FJ. According to the manufacturer; 20 Mg is the minimum therapeutic dosage for SP, and 50 Mg is the maximum. If you get no improvement on 40 Mg, I don’t believe that there’s much point raising it to 50 Mg. It’s 60 Mg max. for OCD, by the way. I would urge you to stick with Seroxat as long as possible, as you just don’t know how the other meds. will work with you. On the other hand, if you want badly enough to change, by all means do so. You could try Celexa (Cipramil, Citalopram) first. Sylvain.

Response:

Pretty much all modern anti depressants (SSRI and the newer stuff) should work.

   Thanks for the answer, but do you think that a change will lessen the SP more than the weaned off seroxat

Response:

FJ wrote:

Pretty much all modern anti depressants (SSRI and the newer stuff) should work.    Thanks for the answer, but do you think that a change will lessen the SP more than the weaned off seroxat

Hard to say, really. They all fight SP to some extent but their effectiveness is highly dependent on the individual. Effexor works quite nicely for me and simply fantastic when it comes to my depression.

Response:

"FJ" <F@J

wrote in message

news:3f4b81b6$0$7822$d40e179e@nntp03.dk.telia.net…

    I have a feeling that seroxat (after having worked a year) not is as effective anymore. Is it possible that change to another med would work!

FJ. If you’re on 20 Mg, a raise to 40 Mg should do the trick I’ve been on Seroxat (Paxil) for 5-6 years. Sylvain.

Response:

    I have a feeling that seroxat (after having worked a year) not is as effective anymore. Is it possible that change to another med would work!

Response:

FJ wrote:

    I have a feeling that seroxat (after having worked a year) not is as effective anymore. Is it possible that change to another med would work!

Pretty much all modern anti depressants (SSRI and the newer stuff) should work.

Response:

Question:

How many here are at least 50 years old? If you are what anti-depressant are you using and have you been using it since turning 50 years young? I know this probably doesn’t make much sense to lots of people in here–but I’m trying to find out if one medicine is prescribed more for older folks? We live in a world of numbers and age of course bing the biggest factor of all in the numbers "game". (Another example of numbers that I read is that 66% of all alcoholics who have quit drinking, have mental problems of some sort) Even car insurance companies use age in figuring their fees for insurance–another number. What is your income level–another number. So what I’m asking here is simple. 50 years of age and up: what anti-depressant are you taking and how is it working for you? Now if no one replies, then I know that I’m the oldie in here. Thanks Much and allways remember in all you do this one very important factor: "If it doesn’t fit, You MUST acquit"

Response:

Dan: I am 51, and while I stopped taking meds this fall, I was previously on Celexa 20 mg for 3 years and Paxil 20 mg and then 30 mg for one year. – Anne

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many here are at least 50 years old? If you are what anti-depressant are you using and have you been using it since turning 50 years young? I know this probably doesn’t make much sense to lots of people in here–but I’m trying to find out if one medicine is prescribed more for older folks? We live in a world of numbers and age of course bing the biggest factor of all in the numbers "game". (Another example of numbers that I read is that 66% of all alcoholics who have quit drinking, have mental problems of some sort) Even car insurance companies use age in figuring their fees for insurance–another number. What is your income level–another number. So what I’m asking here is simple. 50 years of age and up: what anti-depressant are you taking and how is it working for you? Now if no one replies, then I know that I’m the oldie in here. Thanks Much and allways remember in all you do this one very important factor: "If it doesn’t fit, You MUST acquit"

I am 54 and am currently on *imipramine* and Xanax and they work well for me. In the first 18 years or so of my PD which started in 1968 when I was 20 I was only on a benzo. Around age 42 or so I needed to add an AD which was *clomipramine*, another TCA (and one that is much researched and  often prescribed in Europe while imipramine seems more of an American first choice TCA). At some point clomipramine seemed to *poop out* on me and I tried SSRI’s and even the RIMA *moclobemide* (always together with a benzo) which worked but I seem to respond just a bit better to TCA’s. In my case I don’t think any of this has anything to do with age. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -How many here are at least 50 years old? If you are what anti-depressant are you using and have you been using it since turning 50 years young? I know this probably doesn’t make much sense to lots of people in here–but I’m trying to find out if one medicine is prescribed more for older folks? We live in a world of numbers and age of course bing the biggest factor of all in the numbers "game". (Another example of numbers that I read is that 66% of all alcoholics who have quit drinking, have mental problems of some sort) Even car insurance companies use age in figuring their fees for insurance–another number. What is your income level–another number. So what I’m asking here is simple. 50 years of age and up: what anti-depressant are you taking and how is it working for you? Now if no one replies, then I know that I’m the oldie in here. Thanks Much and allways remember in all you do this one very important factor: "If it doesn’t fit, You MUST acquit"

I’m 57, and have been on the TCA dothiepin (prothiaden) for some years – though recently discontinued it, and have felt no ill effect from that: therapy alone is now enough for me. Before the TCA, I was on Paxil, which didn’t agree with me – too many side effects. If I needed an AD again, I would go back to dothiepin. -David-

Response:

Hi Dan! I’m 57 and I’ve been on Paxil for about 4 – 5 years.  I only require 10 mg.  I seem to be very sensitive to meds, but I don’t know if it’s due to age or not.  Even that amount, combined with .5 mg Ativan twice a day makes me lethargic. Dot

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many here are at least 50 years old? If you are what anti-depressant are you using and have you been using it since turning 50 years young? I know this probably doesn’t make much sense to lots of people in here–but I’m trying to find out if one medicine is prescribed more for older folks? We live in a world of numbers and age of course bing the biggest factor of all in the numbers "game". (Another example of numbers that I read is that 66% of all alcoholics who have quit drinking, have mental problems of some sort) Even car insurance companies use age in figuring their fees for insurance–another number. What is your income level–another number. So what I’m asking here is simple. 50 years of age and up: what anti-depressant are you taking and how is it working for you? Now if no one replies, then I know that I’m the oldie in here. Thanks Much and allways remember in all you do this one very important factor: "If it doesn’t fit, You MUST acquit" I am 54 and am currently on *imipramine* and Xanax and they work well for me. In the first 18 years or so of my PD which started in 1968 when I was 20 I was only on a benzo. Around age 42 or so I needed to add an AD which was *clomipramine*, another TCA (and one that is much researched and  often prescribed in Europe while imipramine seems more of an American first choice TCA). At some point clomipramine seemed to *poop out* on me and I tried SSRI’s and even the RIMA *moclobemide* (always together with a benzo) which worked but I seem to respond just a bit better to TCA’s. In my case I don’t think any of this has anything to do with age. Philip Thanks Philip, Is that "imipramine" the generic name or the other name form.

It’s the generic name. Most common brand name: *Tofranil*. I should buy a medical book to look these up.

You can find them on the net at Arthur’s excellent dictionary at http://www.anxiety-panic.com Is it taken daily and in what measurements does it come.

Here the smalles dosage is 25 mg (and I also mean the pill is so small that one can hardly cut it in half). In the US tabs 0f 10 mg are available. It is taken daily, like with all AD’s it’s a matter of finding out whether taking it in the AM or in the PM agrees best with you. I actually take part of it in the AM and part of it in the PM, don’t really remember why Like all TCA’s is has a large therapeutic window, from 75 mg to, say, 225 mg. Too high TCA doses are toxic though which angain is individual and can, if necessary, being measured by blood work. (Just as a side note, my regular MD, told me yesterday–that I sould ask my psycharist to switch me to another medicine, when I told him I was no lonfer taking celexa-because of excessive sleepiness).

If that sleepiness bothers you too much it may be a good idea. I am going to ask my Pdoc about it–but I’m not so sure he’ll put me on it anyway.

Another good choice may be Effexor, a newer med which, like TCA’s but in a somewhat different way, targets both serotonin and norepinephrine receptors. The different types of doctors–if they do one thing–it is protect their territory–when you ask for a med. change.

I have been rather lucky in this dept. as my pdoc actually agreed to my own choice of meds. Also you MAY be right about age making no difference, but if so–then it’s one of those very RARE things where age doesn’t count.

This is a big *YMMV*, I was strictly talking about myself. Medication for the elderly (but we’re not yet there when we are in our fifties or early sixties IMO) can sometimes be different (as in smaller benzo doses, for instance, or no TCA’s when having cardiovascular problems etc.etc.) Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

So what I’m asking here is simple. 50 years of age and up: what anti-depressant are you taking and how is it working for you?

Zoloft for anxiety and depression, Ativan when needed, and Concerta to keep me peppy. Take care, Liz

Response:

So what I’m asking here is simple. 50 years of age and up: what anti-depressant are you taking and how is it working for you? Now if no one replies, then I know that I’m the oldie in here. I’m 58 and started Zoloft for depression 10 years ago (when I was 48). My dose of Zoloft depends on whether I am depressed or not. I also take a TCA called desipramine to boost the effects of the Zoloft. Zoloft works well for me. I take Klonopin for anxiety/panic/agoraphobia. Chip

Thank you each and every one . As for zoloft–I just could not take that–it kept me awake. Celexa–the opposite. Basically–I can use xanax for attacks of anxiety–with no problem, but I would definately like to try something else. Good suggestions here–will he write me something different is the question.

Response:

I am posting this for LM being his post never showed up – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -ubject: If You are at least 50 Years of age and on anti-depressants How many here are at least 50 years old? If you are what anti-depressant are you using and have you been using it since turning 50 years young? I know this probably doesn’t make much sense to lots of people in here–but I’m trying to find out if one medicine is prescribed more for older folks? We live in a world of numbers and age of course bing the biggest factor of all in the numbers "game". (Another example of numbers that I read is that 66% of all alcoholics who have quit drinking, have mental problems of some sort) Even car insurance companies use age in figuring their fees for insurance–another number. What is your income level–another number. So what I’m asking here is simple. 50 years of age and up: what anti-depressant are you taking and how is it working for you? Now if no one replies, then I know that I’m the oldie in here. Thanks Much and allways remember in all you do this one very important factor: "If it doesn’t fit, You MUST acquit"

the only time age is a factor in prescribing any medication is if the patient is geriatric in nature, or has some compromised abilities in metabolizing some types of drugs-usually the longer half life drugs like valium, klonopin and prozac etc… other then that profile of patient and drug are used as a methodology for prescribing LM ~*~I may not be perfectly beautiful, I may not be perfectly wise, I may not be perfectly obedient, but I am perfectly me~*~

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How many here are at least 50 years old? If you are what anti-depressant are you using and have you been using it since turning 50 years young? I know this probably doesn’t make much sense to lots of people in here–but I’m trying to find out if one medicine is prescribed more for older folks? We live in a world of numbers and age of course bing the biggest factor of all in the numbers "game". (Another example of numbers that I read is that 66% of all alcoholics who have quit drinking, have mental problems of some sort) Even car insurance companies use age in figuring their fees for insurance–another number. What is your income level–another number. So what I’m asking here is simple. 50 years of age and up: what anti-depressant are you taking and how is it working for you? Now if no one replies, then I know that I’m the oldie in here. Thanks Much and allways remember in all you do this one very important factor: "If it doesn’t fit, You MUST acquit" I am 54 and am currently on *imipramine* and Xanax and they work well for me. In the first 18 years or so of my PD which started in 1968 when I was 20 I was only on a benzo. Around age 42 or so I needed to add an AD which was *clomipramine*, another TCA (and one that is much researched and  often prescribed in Europe while imipramine seems more of an American first choice TCA). At some point clomipramine seemed to *poop out* on me and I tried SSRI’s and even the RIMA *moclobemide* (always together with a benzo) which worked but I seem to respond just a bit better to TCA’s. In my case I don’t think any of this has anything to do with age. Philip

Thanks Philip, Is that "imipramine" the generic name or the other name form. I should buy a medical book to look these up. Is it taken daily and in what measurements does it come. (Just as a side note, my regular MD, told me yesterday–that I sould ask my psycharist to switch me to another medicine, when I told him I was no lonfer taking celexa-because of excessive sleepiness). I am going to ask my Pdoc about it–but I’m not so sure he’ll put me on it anyway. The different types of doctors–if they do one thing–it is protect their territory–when you ask for a med. change. Also you MAY be right about age making no difference, but if so–then it’s one of those very RARE things where age doesn’t count. Thanks much for your comment.

Response:

So what I’m asking here is simple. 50 years of age and up: what anti-depressant are you taking and how is it working for you? Now if no one replies, then I know that I’m the oldie in here.

I’m 58 and started Zoloft for depression 10 years ago (when I was 48). My dose of Zoloft depends on whether I am depressed or not. I also take a TCA called desipramine to boost the effects of the Zoloft. Zoloft works well for me. I take Klonopin for anxiety/panic/agoraphobia. Chip

Response:

Question:

Risa, Diet isn’t my problem right now.  I fell on my knee in November and tore the cartilage so I have not been able to do any exercise at all.  But I have maintained my weight (210 lbs). I’m hoping to have something done soon so that I can get back to at least going for walks.  I’ve been practically housebound with this.  I can’t even swim with this, so once it’s fixed I’m hoping with the wellbutrin and better diet that i’ve had to go to since being housebound that the exercise will start to help the pounds to drop. Keep the fingers crossed Lesleyanne Visit my homepage at http://home.thezone.net/~chech * 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:

In article <0258552c.332fc…@usw-ex0102-015.remarq.com

, La

Chech <la_chechNOlaS…@my-deja.com.invalid

wrote: Risa, Diet isn’t my problem right now.  I fell on my knee in November and tore the cartilage so I have not been able to do any

exercise

at all.

Did I forget to mention that I lost the weight without exercising? I had an infected toe at the time and could hardly walk myself. Sorry about your knee. I’ve had 6 knee surgeries so far and I can relate. (I played ice hockey in college. It’s murder on the knees.) Risa Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you, you must acquire it. * 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:

Risa, Ah ha!  What is this diet? Is there a website? Lesleyanne Visit my homepage at http://home.thezone.net/~chech * 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:

In article <1e25befc.d62d6…@usw-ex0102-015.remarq.com

, La

Chech <la_chechNOlaS…@my-deja.com.invalid

wrote: Risa, Ah ha!  What is this diet? Is there a website?

Sort of. It’s just the publisher hawking the book. http://www.avonbooks.com/avon_user/book.html?book_id=36414 Risa Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you, you must acquire it. * 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:

Effexor withdrawal got me into a whole lot of trouble – throwing up all the time, sick as a dog.  Switching to Zoloft was a relief while it lasted, but now I’m on good old Prozac.  It’s that same old bugaboo about everyone’s body chemistry being different…

Response:

"M. Allison" wrote:

Hello all,   My doctor has given me two weeks’ worth of Effexor XR 37.5 mg.  Does anyone have any experience with this SSRI/SNRI?  I’ve been doing some searching online, and I’m looking for personal experiences as well as any contraindications for Effexor and antibiotics. TIA, Mellissa — **Insert Witty Sig File Here** —

I take 225 mg of effexor every day it is the only medicine that has accually worked. I have taken alot of others.   I have had no problem taking effexor with antibiotics. any more question email back

Response:

I’m now on the max daily dose of effexor it’s the second time I’ve been on it. I have not experienced any side effects but remember when I came off it the last time I was ill for 3 days. I’m not looking forward to a repeat of that though. Pete

Response:

Hello,   I just wanted to thank everyone who responded to my question – you’ve set aside some of my concerns.  I’ve been taking it for 6 days now, and while I don’t notice a significant change, I am feeling more motivated.  I hope this continues. Mellissa — **Insert Witty Sig File Here** Get the lead out to reply. Visit my webpage! http://users.uniserve.com/~muddles

Response:

I’m now on the max daily dose of effexor it’s the second time I’ve been on it. I have not experienced any side effects but remember when I came off it

What exactly is the ‘max dose?’  I am on 300 mg’s a day – 150 two times daily. Best, Luanne

Response:

LuanneP wrote in message

I’m now on the max daily dose of effexor it’s the second time I’ve been on it. I have not experienced any side effects but remember when I came off

it

What exactly is the ‘max dose?’  I am on 300 mg’s a day – 150 two times

daily.

Back when I was on it I was getting 375 a day (half in the am, half in the pm, and it was combined with Knolopin (sp?)) They told me then that it was the max therapeutic dose at the time.  Weather or not that has changed in the past few years is beyond me. I cannot comment further because I was taught if you cant say something nice, dont say anything at all. *LOL*  My experiences with psych drugs were not positive. Kate Minola How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”                          -Dr. Seuss

Response:

you are correct.  the max dose of effexor is still 375 mg a day.

Response:

Hello all,   My doctor has given me two weeks’ worth of Effexor XR 37.5 mg.  Does anyone have any experience with this SSRI/SNRI?  I’ve been doing some searching online, and I’m looking for personal experiences as well as any contraindications for Effexor and antibiotics. TIA, Mellissa — **Insert Witty Sig File Here** —

Response:

Mellissa, I started taking effexor after weaning abit off Prozac.  I had absolutely no side effects that I can think of.  Now, it’s possible that having been on prozac so long, my body was use to the drug, as effexor is similar to prozac.  But when I switched from Effexor to Wellbutrin I was out for the count for almost a week with fever, nausea, headaches etc.  They did wear off. Everyone is different.  Effexor is one of the drugs touted as being helpful for PTSD and while I gained weight on prozac, my weight stabilized on effexor.  I’m on wellbutrin trying to lose the 60 lbs I put on while on prozac. http://www.mentalhealth.com/ This site can give you a great deal of information of the medications include adverse effects etc.   As for anti-biotics, I have taken them several times while taking SSRIs and been told that there’s no problems with combining the two. Take Care Lesleyanne Visit my homepage at http://home.thezone.net/~chech * 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:

In article <ilKy4.18260$Dv1.206…@news1.rdc1.bc.home.com

, "M.

Allison" <mudd…@holycow.com

wrote: Hello all,  My doctor has given me two weeks’ worth of Effexor XR 37.5

mg.  Does

anyone have any experience with this SSRI/SNRI?  I’ve been

doing some

searching online, and I’m looking for personal experiences as

well as any

contraindications for Effexor and antibiotics.

I’ve been taking Effexor XR for about 8 months now. It’s the best med I’ve had to date other than the Ritalin. One of the biggest side effects I’ve had to date is increased blood pressure from the Effexor. At the dose you’re taking it shouldn’t be a problem, but if your doctor raises the dose, keep an eye on it. I had to lower my dose to keep the blood pressure at a safe level. http://www.onlinepsych.com/public/search/medsrcfr.htm http://www.healthtouch.com/level1/p_dri.htm These are the two sites I have for information about psych medications. Good Luck. Risa Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you, you must acquire it. * 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:

My doctor has given me two weeks’ worth of Effexor XR 37.5 mg.  Does anyone have any experience with this SSRI/SNRI?

That’s the dosage I started on although now I take Effexor XR 150 mg twice daily.  It works for me.  I have heard that going off of it HAS to be a gradual thing because the side effects are not too nice. Best, Luanne

Response:

But when I switched from Effexor to Wellbutrin I was out for the count for almost a week with fever, nausea, headaches etc.  They did wear off

Lesley, Didn’t your doctor make you cut down your dosage gradually?  That’s what my sister did when she "graduated" to another drug. I have heard a lot of bad things about the side effects regarding "Effexor Withdrawal." Best, Luanne

Response:

In article <0a85f304.6097a…@usw-ex0102-015.remarq.com

, La

Chech <la_chechNOlaS…@my-deja.com.invalid

wrote:

(snip)

I’m on wellbutrin trying to lose the 60 lbs I put on while on prozac.

I’m using the Atkins’ diet. I lost 20 lbs. the first month. It’s not something that I would do forever (even though that’s what he recommends) but it’s been more successful than anything else I’ve tried. Email if you want to talk about this more. Risa Be curious always! For knowledge will not acquire you, you must acquire it. * 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:

Question:

      is it addictive?       is it expensive?       is it like valium/librium  or is it better for anxiety?       any bad side effects from the med?       any one taken it for more than a year?        i have to start taking it soon, and just wondered how it        effects other people….          thanks in advance……roman

Response:

I’ve been on Buspar for 3 months. 60 mg/day. It works great for me without any side effects. It is not addictive.I don’t know how expensive it is – I have prescription coverage. It is extremely safe. I think it is used alot in children. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –       is it addictive?       is it expensive?       is it like valium/librium  or is it better for anxiety?       any bad side effects from the med?       any one taken it for more than a year?        i have to start taking it soon, and just wondered how it        effects other people….          thanks in advance……roman

Response:

anyone on BUSPAR

I’ve been on Buspar for a while now. Its non-addictive, moderately expensive. Effects?  I don’t know of any for sure.  I take it in connection with Zoloft. It ammeliorates some of the side effects of Zoloft and helps me get by on a lighter dose. Hope this helps. "All wisdom is plagiarism; only stupidity is original"

Response:

I have just started on Buspar also.  So far I can tell no bad side effects.  Would like to hear of successes.  My doctor was not very positive this would help me.  Let us know. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been on Buspar for 3 months. 60 mg/day. It works great for me without any side effects. It is not addictive.I don’t know how expensive it is – I have prescription coverage. It is extremely safe. I think it is used alot in children.       is it addictive?       is it expensive?       is it like valium/librium  or is it better for anxiety?       any bad side effects from the med?       any one taken it for more than a year?        i have to start taking it soon, and just wondered how it        effects other people….          thanks in advance……roman

Response:

 I just started on a combo of Buspar and Wellbutrin after 2 years on Paxil… I’ll let you know how it goes. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have just started on Buspar also.  So far I can tell no bad side effects. Would like to hear of successes.  My doctor was not very positive this would help me.  Let us know. I’ve been on Buspar for 3 months. 60 mg/day. It works great for me without any side effects. It is not addictive.I don’t know how expensive it is – I have prescription coverage. It is extremely safe. I think it is used alot in children.       is it addictive?       is it expensive?       is it like valium/librium  or is it better for anxiety?       any bad side effects from the med?       any one taken it for more than a year?        i have to start taking it soon, and just wondered how it        effects other people….          thanks in advance……roman

Response:

Question:

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

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

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Question:

Group A relatively short-time ago, a questionnaire appeared about medication, etc.–I tried to answer it but had a difficult "computer day"–(i..e. couldn’t send it via trumpet news reader. Given that, is there any way that I can view the results of this survey??–could it be posted to the group???  Or I would like it via my Thanks!! chief

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: A relatively short-time ago, a questionnaire appeared about medication, : etc.–I tried to answer it but had a difficult "computer day"–(i..e. couldn’t : send it via trumpet news reader. : : Given that, is there any way that I can view the results of this : survey??–could it be posted to the group???  Or I would like it via my Hi Chief, That survey was not exactly a *survey*, but rather a means of sharing our collective experience with a variety of therapies, medications, and coping techniques. A copy of the questionnaire follows for anyone who would like to give it a try. So far, about 80 people have tried this and the feedback has been mostly positive. In my own case, it proved helpful with finding appropriate and effective medications, which I have been exploring with the guidance of a doctor. One of the best sources for help these days is the anxiety clinics appearing in major metropolitan hospitals. Some doctors specializing in anxiety and panic disorders are really beginning to understand such disorders and how to treat them. Most other doctors, however, are still very unfamiliar with anxiety and panic disorders. Be cautious about independant clinics that are not associated with a hospital.                                         Best Wishes,                                         Arthur        A Questionnaire of Symptoms and Treatments             for Anxiety and Panic Disorders Introduction: This is a questionnaire regarding the symptoms and treatments associated with anxiety and panic disorders. If you fill out this questionnaire and send it to confidential database with the responses of others. Based on case by case similarities, a private report will be generated for your specific case which will suggest treatments that other related cases have found helpful. This private report will be sent to you via e-mail so that you and your doctor may explore such treatments at your discretion. There is no fee associated with this service. The only public reports that may be posted in future would regard general observations of the many cases and will not include names or data specific to any one case. Processing of all questionnaires and generation of reports have no professional certification in medicine, psychiatry, or psychology. I am, however, a fellow sufferer of panic disorder and am applying my background in science and computing to help us find relief from chronic anxiety and panic. This effort is driven by the current lack of adequate diagnostics for anxiety and panic disorders. Instructions: If you have ever experienced an anxiety or panic disorder, please fill out this questionnaire. Even if you consider yourself recovered, please fill out this questionnaire as best as you can remember your experiences. Enter your answers to the right of each question or item. Answers do not have to be precise, simply an approximate guess will do. Do not to focus on your worst or last attack, but consider your attacks in general as you answer these questions. When finished, please e-mail (DO NOT POST) your completed completely confidential. General Questions: Please indicate your Sex (M/F). At what Age do you believe your anxiety or panic disorder began? How long ago was your last anxiety or panic attack? (five years ago? three months ago? yesterday?) Currently, do you feel that your life is being more controlled or less controlled by anxiety or panic attacks? (less/same/more) Do you think there is a history of anxiety-panic disorder in your family? (Y/N) The following sentences describe anxiety or panic of different severity. For each sentence, indicate how often you experience such anxiety or panic. 0 = never 1 = several times over several years 2 = several times a year 4 = several times a month 6 = several times a week 8 = several times a day 10 = constantly every day I am nervous, but I can still function. I am very nervous, but I think I can get through the next hour. I am scared, and would like to go home immediately. I am very frightened, and don’t feel comfortable anywhere. I am terrified and feel like I’m about to pass out. I am terrified and feel that I am about to die. I am horrified beyond death-like terror. I am actually "paralyzed" with unimaginable horror. During our anxiety or panic disorder, we may experience a variety of symptoms. These symptoms may occur either during or between attacks. Please rate the severity of which you have experienced each of the following symptoms on a scale of zero to ten. (Blank or 0 = not at all, …, 10 = extremely severe) Fears and Phobias: Agoraphobia (a fear of anxiety or panic attacks that often results in a growing avoidance of things or situations) Fear of Being Alone Fear of Being With People Fear of Closed Spaces (Claustrophobia) Fear of Confrontation Fear of Dark Rooms Fear of Diseases (Hypochondria) Fear of Dying Fear of Fear Fear of Food Poisoning or Contamination Fear of God Fear of Going Insane Fear of Heights (Acrophobia) Fear of Help Not Being Available Fear of Humiliation Fear of Living Fear of Open Spaces Fear of Persecution Fear of Public Places Fear of Public Speaking Fear of Responsibility (Performance Anxiety) Fear of Social Diseases (VD, AIDS, etc.) Fear of Social Situations Fear of Snakes Fear of Specific People Fear of Spiders (Arachniphobia) Fear of Standing in Lines Fear of Traveling Psychological Sensations: Anger Anxiety (In Certain Situations) Anxiety (Generalized, Anytime) Anxiety (School, Work, Career) Anxiety (Family) Anxiety (Friends) Anxiety (Romance) Compulsive or Overly Repetitive Behavior Concentration Difficulty Chronic Nightmares Chronic Worrying Crying Depression Derealisation (Feeling of Unreality) Depersonalisation Dissociation Eating Disorder (Bulimia, Anorexia) Eating Disorder (Compulsive, Binge) Escape into Fantasy Feelings of Guilt Feelings of Persecution (present tense) Hopelessness Housebound Low Self-Esteem Memory Problems (Short Term) Memory Problems (Long Term) Mood Swings Obsessive Thinking Panic Attacks (In Certain Situations) Panic Attacks (Random, Anytime) Recurring Memories of Traumatic Event Self Abuse (Bruising, Cutting, etc.) Suicidal Thoughts Physical Sensations: Headaches Craving for Alcohol Insomnia (Trouble Getting to Sleep) Sleepiness (During Awake Hours) Dizziness or Vertigo Light-headedness Fainting (Actually Passing Out) Temporary Paralysis Easily Startled (Jumpy) Allergies Dry Eyes Watery Eyes Overly Sensitive to Sunlight Visual Disturbances Burning or Pressure Around Eye or Nose Area Overly Sensitive to Odors Sinus Congestion Overly Sensitive to Noise Ringing in Ears Dry Mouth Dehydration (Often Thirsty) Breathing Difficulties (Hyperventilating, etc.) Feeling of Abnormal Heartbeat Chest Pains Appetite Loss Appetite Gain Weight Loss Weight Gain Nausea Intestinal Pains (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Diarrhea Joint Pain Muscular Pain Muscular Tension Muscular Tics, Twitches, or Spasms Weakness in Arms or Legs Overly Sensitive to The Way Things Feel (Tactile) Uncontrollable Shaking or Trembling Unsteadiness Cold, Clammy Skin Cold Extremities (Hands or Feet) Cold Chills Sweating Hot Flashes Numbness in Arms or Legs "Pins and Needles" Sensation Itching Excema and Rashes Fatigue (Tired, Low Energy) Hyperness (Too Much Energy) Erratic Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia) Reduced Resistance to Colds or Viruses If you have experience with symptoms not listed here (fears, psychological or physical sensations), please list them below along with a severity from zero to ten. Please rate your experience of each of the following treatments on a scale of -10, …, 0, …, +10. (-10 = very negative reaction to treatment, …, blank or 0 = have not tried or not at all helpful, …, 10 = extremely helpful) Medications and Supplements: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Atenolol Ativan Buspar Buspirone Clonazepam (Rivotril, Klonopin) Colofac (Mebervine) Desipramine DHEA Effexor (venlafaxine) Fluanxol (Flupenthixol) GABA Gammanil (Lofepramine) GLS Gravol Halcion Haloperidol Herbal Suppliments Ibuprofen (Advil) Imipramine Inderal (Propranalol) Kava Kava L-Tryptophan (Tryptan) Lecithin Lectopam Librium Lorazepam Ludiomil Lustral (Setraline hydrochloride) Luvox (fluvoxamine) Magnesium Oxide Melatonin Modulon Motilium Nardil Nortriptyline (Aventyl) Pantothenic Acid Parlodal (Bromocriptine) Parnate Paxil (Paroxetine, Seroxat) Prothiaden (Dothiepin hydrochloride) Prozac (fluoxetine) Serax Serzone (Nefazodone) Thyroid Hormone Valerian Valium Vitamin B Complex Vitamin B12 Vitamin C Wellbutrin Xanax (Alprazolam) Zantac Zoloft (sertraline) Psychological Therapies: Behavioral Therapy Biofeedback Cognitive Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Counseling or Social Work Group Therapy Hypnotic Psychotherapy Hypnotic Suggestion Positive Thoughts Psychotherapy (Gestalt or Psychoanalysis) Support Group Other: Acupuncture Adjusting Lifestyle (School, Work, Career) Adjusting Lifestyle (Family) Adjusting Lifestyle (Friends) Adjusting Lifestyle (Romance) Breathing Exercises Chiropractic Confronting Fears Discovering or Expressing True Self Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Faith, Religion, or Spiritual Pursuits Gardening Physical Exercise Planned or Controlled Diet Playing with Children or Pets Homeopathy Laughter Massage Meditation (Deep Relaxation, Yoga, … read more »

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