Question:

syncope is another word for fainting R

I’ve taken seravent for years and never had a problem.  My son takes singulair and I take Accolate and I’ve never had a problem with either.  Helen

Response:

I know that lots of people do really well on Serevent but like other similar drugs, I’ve heard that it has been known to cause symptoms especially in new users. I got a severe irregular heartbeat with my first dose – had to be treated by EMS! I was really lightheaded and dizzy while all this was going on. You an look up Servent at – http://www.glaxowellcome.co.in/ghome.htm

Response:

syncope is another word for fainting Renae

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve never heard of syncope.  What is it?

Response:

In the last few months I’ve had some episodes of syncope.  The only thing that has changed in my life in this time is stress (more) and  the addition of Serevent and Singulair.  My pulmonologist doesn’t think either of the drugs is the cause (although he’s taking me off the Singulair to be sure) and I have made an appointment with my internist to figure this out. Has anyone had similar episodes while on either of these drugs? Just covering all the bases, Cindy Donnell

Syncope can be caused by many factors including stress. I also doubt either of these drugs could cause it but if I had to pick one it would be Serevent since it’s known to have some effects on the heart. See rxlist.com Here’s a link with more info on syncope: http://www.vh.org/Providers/ClinRef/FPHandbook/Chapter02/11-2.html University of Iowa Family Practice Handbook, 3rd Edition, Chapter 2 Cardiology: Syncope        Peter P. Toth, M.D., Ph.D. Excerpt: "I.Definition Be sure to differentiate between near syncope and vertigo.  The differential diagnosis is different. See Chapter 14 for  work-up and differential of vertigo.  A.Syncope is a sudden, brief loss of consciousness (LOC) and,  strictly speaking, is related to abrupt cerebral hypoperfusion.  B.Near syncope is a sense of impending LOC or weakness,  occurs more frequently, and provides valuable diagnostic clues,  since the patient usually has better recollection of the event.  C.Frequency of causes. 55% vasovagal, 10% cardiac, 10%  neurologic, 5% metabolic or drug-induced, 5% "other," and  10% undiagnosed causes. II.Causes of Syncope and Near Syncope  A.Cardiac and circulatory.   1.Vasodepressor syncope (vasovagal syncope) is the most  common cause and tends to be familial. It occurs when a  susceptible person is confronted with a stressful situation. " Ellis

Response:

Dear ASA’ers, In the last few months I’ve had some episodes of syncope.  The only thing that has changed in my life in this time is stress (more) and  the addition of Serevent and Singulair.  My pulmonologist doesn’t think either of the drugs is the cause (although he’s taking me off the Singulair to be sure) and I have made an appointment with my internist to figure this out. Has anyone had similar episodes while on either of these drugs? Just covering all the bases, Cindy Donnell

Response:

I’ve never heard of syncope.  What is it?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear ASA’ers, In the last few months I’ve had some episodes of syncope.  The only thing that has changed in my life in this time is stress (more) and  the addition of Serevent and Singulair.  My pulmonologist doesn’t think either of the drugs is the cause (although he’s taking me off the Singulair to be sure) and I have made an appointment with my internist to figure this out. Has anyone had similar episodes while on either of these drugs? Just covering all the bases, Cindy Donnell

Response:

Question:

Thanks for the help. Brian’s chest specialist is planning to substitute Singulair for Flovent. My husband and I are still deciding whether to stop the Flovent and change to Singulair or put up with the behaviour changes and leave him on Flovent. The Flovent does work.         I’ve been using the other powerful effective steroid Pulmicort for some nine months and it’s done me a whole lot of good.           Last month I started taking Singulair. Didn’t notice any effect for a few days.  But now, thirty days later, I’m using a whole lot less of the rescue inhaler (albuterol) And from time to time, I’m  forgetting to take the Pulmicort.          I can’t believe your doctor want’s to stop the Flovent before seeing what effect the Singulair may have. (From the point of view of "If it works, don’ mess with it."  Are you sure you read him right?

Response:

I may be a little late with this response. My son has been sporatically on Singular since he was 3 y.o… The reason for only being on it once in a while is because it gave him headaches.  It took me a while to figure out they were related to the Singular, but it is listed as a side effect.  Our doctor initially had given him a 5mg chewable.  Then had us break it in half when the headaches started.   The headaches continued so I gave up on it until recently I’ve tried him on 1/2 tablets again (he is 5 now) and he seems to do better on them. Just FYI …keep it in mind that there are side effects to the Singular. Marina – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for the help.  Brian’s chest specialist is planning to substitute Singulair for Flovent.  My husband and I are still deciding whether to stop the Flovent and change to Singulair or put up with the behaviour changes and leave him on Flovent. The Flovent does work.  He has gotten sick this week with the flu and his asthma has not flared yet (yay!!!). I have talked to other parents who have had the same experience we have with using flovent.  I haven’t seen any studies that say flovent causes behaviour changes but can only go by what I am seeing. Debbie If you haven’t already tried it, you might be surprised about your son’s reaction to Singulair. It tastes _so_ pleasing to children that I’ve read (sorry, can’t recall the source) that there is pressure on the maker to change the flavor to something less palatable. There’ve been incidents of children overdosing on it, perhaps seeing it more as It’s small, cute, pink and tastes great. Even my 10-year old, for whom Singulair proved ineffective, whined the other day he wishes he could take it again, it tasted so good. Crushing it and sprinkling it in something should be no problem for him. ~Jacy

Response:

Thanks for the help.  Brian’s chest specialist is planning to substitute Singulair for Flovent.  My husband and I are still deciding whether to stop the Flovent and change to Singulair or put up with the behaviour changes and leave him on Flovent. The Flovent does work.  He has gotten sick this week with the flu and his asthma has not flared yet (yay!!!).   I have talked to other parents who have had the same experience we have with using flovent.  I haven’t seen any studies that say flovent causes behaviour changes but can only go by what I am seeing. Debbie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you haven’t already tried it, you might be surprised about your son’s reaction to Singulair. It tastes _so_ pleasing to children that I’ve read (sorry, can’t recall the source) that there is pressure on the maker to change the flavor to something less palatable. There’ve been incidents of children overdosing on it, perhaps seeing it more as It’s small, cute, pink and tastes great. Even my 10-year old, for whom Singulair proved ineffective, whined the other day he wishes he could take it again, it tasted so good. Crushing it and sprinkling it in something should be no problem for him. ~Jacy

Response:

If you haven’t already tried it, you might be surprised about your son’s reaction to Singulair. It tastes _so_ pleasing to children that I’ve read (sorry, can’t recall the source) that there is pressure on the maker to change the flavor to something less palatable. There’ve been incidents of children overdosing on it, perhaps seeing it more as It’s small, cute, pink and tastes great. Even my 10-year old, for whom Singulair proved ineffective, whined the other day he wishes he could take it again, it tasted so good. Crushing it and sprinkling it in something should be no problem for him. ~Jacy

Response:

Hi, I’m on flovent since 1999, i’ve never had behavior and personality affects and never heard of some in children. You may try to check other places than flovent side effects. It’s working well, for singulair, headache can occur, if it doesn’t disappear after 2-3 days see your MD to quit singulair. Singulair work well in 1/3 of the peoples, there’s majority of children in this 1/3, another 1/3 get some result, and finally 1/3 don’t get any benifit. You can see result 2-3 days after the first treatment. Don’t quit flovent, for your child don’t worry you’re in the "terrible 2 years" period, they always say no, it like the small angel tranform itself in a little devil! Good luck! AT – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My 2 1/2 year old son is currently using flovent as his preventer medication.  We have found that this affects his behaviour and personality.  When I discussed this with his chest specialist he claims that flovent should not affect his personality.  He suggested that we try singulair with him. Two questions immediately come to mind. One, how do you give a chewable singulair tablet to a child who will refuse to chew it?  (He will not chew anything hard). Two, does anyone have experience with giving singulair to a child this young?  I was told that there should not be any side effects but my husband and I are concerned about using this drug.  We are considering living with the flovent because we know it works. Thanks in advance.  Debbie

Response:

My 2 1/2 year old son is currently using flovent as his preventer medication.  We have found that this affects his behaviour and personality.  When I discussed this with his chest specialist he claims that flovent should not affect his personality.  He suggested that we try singulair with him. Two questions immediately come to mind. One, how do you give a chewable singulair tablet to a child who will refuse to chew it?  (He will not chew anything hard). Two, does anyone have experience with giving singulair to a child this young?  I was told that there should not be any side effects but my husband and I are concerned about using this drug.  We are considering living with the flovent because we know it works. Thanks in advance.  Debbie

Response:

Question:

I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Response:

"Micky Stagemeyer" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

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I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Hi Staggy, I too find it easier to dish out advise then to "help myself". Anyway, I am looking forward to your posts. Lain — Warning: Be careful of the right side.

Response:

Lain –   My ocd is mostly what they would refer to as a "pure obsessional". I don’t have much of the compulsions that are typical of ocd. "Fear" of future events is really hard for me. It keeps me isolated. I spent a month in a day hospital during october which did help but I have a lot of work left to do. The cure is worse than the disease itself. Staggy

Response:

"Micky Stagemeyer" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

news:v72poo4cj5qv03@corp.supernews.com…

I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Hello Staggy Welcome to the group! Sounds like you’ve come to the right place. Dr Zorg

Response:

"Staggy" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

news:v72r14fctffbc1@corp.supernews.com…

The cure is worse than the disease itself. Staggy

Yes, "seems" like the is no light at the end of this tunnel. Lain — Warning: Be careful of the right side.

Response:

Staggy wrote:

  My ocd is mostly what they would refer

to as a "pure obsessional". I don’t have

much of the compulsions that are typical

of ocd. "Fear" of future events is really

hard for me. It keeps me isolated.

Copied from a post I wrote a few weeks ago –

‘FWIW, most people who claim to be ‘pure obsessionals’ or to have ‘pure o’ OCD, in fact perform mental compulsions. Which is good news, in a way, cos it was previously believed that people with just obsessions (people with ‘pure o’ OCD) were more difficult to treat because there were no compulsions to deal with. Most experts now see the concept of ‘pure o’ OCD as outdated and not useful for proper treatment as more has been learned about mental compulsions. Now, people who were once labelled as ‘pure o’ and thus ‘difficult to treat’ are seen as just as treatable as people with ‘regular’ OCD.’ I would add that it could be that isolating yourself is a form of OCD avoidance, which is very typical OCD behaviour.  

The cure is worse than the disease itself.

In some cases, yes. In many cases it’s the belief that the treatment is worse than the OCD that is the culprit. There are many studies that show that people with OCD devalue their ability to cope with ‘bad’ experiences, much more than people without OCD. Couple that with tendencies for people with OCD to exaggerate risk, catastrophize and to dwell on the negative, it’s no wonder many people with OCD do not do CBT. — ARQ Add a dot on each side of the ‘r’ in my name and a ‘c’ in front of lara to email me.

Response:

I drove an ambulance for 15 years and I’ve worked in a hospital for most of my adult life but I don’t want to delude you into thinking I’m a DOCTOR or anything. I also find it easier to help others than to help myself. I’ve been on this group for over for over 5 years and have gotten a lot of useful information from this group. I also find the moral support encouraging. I’ve was diagnosed with OCD & depression 12 years ago (have had it longer). I’ve taken Pamalor, Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, & some others with varying results. SOme were pretty good (like Pamalor and Paxil) but I didn’t like the side effects. I’m currently on Zoloft and Tegretol and I am going to stop the Zoloft (gives me diarrhea & makes me anxious) and try Luvox starting tomorrow. Welcome. NK PS- I would be careful about using your real name on usenet. Too many psychos. "Micky Stagemeyer" <sta…@charter.net

wrote in message

news:v72poo4cj5qv03@corp.supernews.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I’m new to this news group. I’ve been diagnoses with severe ocd. I’m just hoping to connect with some others that have this problem. I am a counselor but you know it’s easier for me to help others than it is for me to help myself. I’ve struggled and studied this for a long time so hopefully I will have useful information for y’all as well. Staggy

Response:

Hi NK,         It is a known fact that diarrhea is a side effect of Zoloft. However, my experience is that you have less risk of it if you take it with a full stomach.  Also, thank you for letting me pick your brain about my current situation. JP

Response:

Question:

Hello Jeff, Seroxat and Paxil are two names for the same drug. The name Seroxat is used in the UK and Paxil, I believe, is what it’s called in the US. Sorry about the confusion. Before the cross posters arrived, quite suddenly it appeared, this was a great group. I started posting on 13th of December last and found that the group helped me greatly over the overwhelmingly miserable period during Christmas and the New Year. What I’m leading up to is that reading the post here and better still posting messages is highly therapeutic and is what I would recommend that you do but sadly the group no longer functions the way it did. Cormac’s suggestion is a good one if you can find a support group. I’m certain there are many such groups in the US but a lot depends on the nature of the support group and the particular way you interact with such a group. We are all different and I can go to a support group here in Dublin but I’m not at all happy with the way it’s run. The fella who set up the group effectively controls the group and I object strongly to this but am afraid to say anything to the psychologist in the hospital where the support group is based about the situation as I see it. The fella who runs the support group and the psychologist are great friends and if I said anything I can almost hear the psychologist ask me now why do I feel this way and I’m sure I would get nowhere and end up banging my head off the wall. Be wary in support groups. You will meet all types and I know from personal experience you may meet folks there who will use you if the conditions are right for that. That is exactly what happened to me. A long time member of the group homed in on me and ended up bullying me in a most insidious way. So, Jeff, beware in the support group setting. As the student who was treating me using CBT told me as she told me I could join the support I would meet all types in the support group. I thought what a strange thing to say. Are we not all on each other’s side I asked myself. The frightening answer is no. Peter Nolan. To email please remove x from xpeter…@gofree.indigo.ie

Response:

Hello Jeff, I’m attempting to send the message below a second time. It never made it first time round. — Peter Nolan. To email please remove x from xpeter…@gofree.indigo.ie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hello Jeff, Seroxat and Paxil are two names for the same drug. The name Seroxat is

used

in the UK and Paxil, I believe, is what it’s called in the US. Sorry about the confusion. Before the cross posters arrived, quite suddenly it appeared, this was a great group. I started posting on 13th of December last and found that the group helped me greatly over the overwhelmingly miserable period during Christmas and the New Year. What I’m leading up to is that reading the

post

here and better still posting messages is highly therapeutic and is what I would recommend that you do but sadly the group no longer functions the

way

it did. Cormac’s suggestion is a good one if you can find a support group. I’m certain there are many such groups in the US but a lot depends on the

nature

of the support group and the particular way you interact with such a

group.

We are all different and I can go to a support group here in Dublin but

I’m

not at all happy with the way it’s run. The fella who set up the group effectively controls the group and I object strongly to this but am afraid to say anything to the psychologist in the hospital where the support

group

is based about the situation as I see it. The fella who runs the support group and the psychologist are great friends and if I said anything I can almost hear the psychologist ask me now why do I feel this way and I’m

sure

I would get nowhere and end up banging my head off the wall. Be wary in support groups. You will meet all types and I know from

personal

experience you may meet folks there who will use you if the conditions are right for that. That is exactly what happened to me. A long time member of the group homed in on me and ended up bullying me in a most insidious way. So, Jeff, beware in the support group setting. As the student who was treating me using CBT told me as she told me I could join the support I would meet all types in the support group. I thought what a strange thing

to

say. Are we not all on each other’s side I asked myself. The frightening answer is no. Peter Nolan. To email please remove x from xpeter…@gofree.indigo.ie

Response:

Check the website  www.socialanxietyinstitute.org I find it extremly helpful. Consider joining a support group – mentioned in the web site. Jeff <jeff9…@hotmail.com

wrote in message

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I’m not sure anyone will see this or respond, but at minimum this posting will let me organize my thoughts and try to explain my situation. I’m male, 31 years old, and have lived with debilitating social anxiety for as long as I can remember, long before there were slick TV commercials for marginally effective pharmaceuticals to treat the disorder. I saw my first psychiatrist when I was 18, who told me I was a nice guy and would have a great life, just stop worrying so much.  By the time I was 24 I finally worked up the courage to talk to a doctor about my depression and social anxiety, and went through the usual suspects with less than impressive results: Zoloft, Serzone, Effexor, Moclobemide.  Then I contracted mono (great, what were the chances of that for a 27 year old virgin).  That completely knocked me out for several months.  Through my doctor, I finally got a referral to a good psychiatrist who diagnosed me with social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and depression.  He put me on Parnate and Klonopin, and I was pleasantly surprised, because I actually felt better than I’d ever felt in my entire life.  I looked forward to my day… the pounding heart and sweaty palms went away, I didn’t think everyone was staring at me, and I could go out to social functions without getting incredibly nervous. The dietary restrictions for Parnate were a minor inconvenience. So were the sleep disturbances/minor insomnia.  My life became almost normal.  I went out with friends.  I know, I know, you aren’t supposed to feel better just from meds… it takes lots of CBT and hard work.  My experience, even with good therapists says that is not true.  I’ve read the books, and understand all the distortions and negative thought patterns that pass through my mind.  But being aware of them, and being able to get them under control are two separate things.  I just have this brain chemistry that kicks in so strongly that the power of thought is not enough. One year later, after relocating to the US, I mentioned the insomnia to my doctor and she said it was caused by depression, and tripled the dose of Parnate, and also suggested ECT, which I declined.  I didn’t sleep properly for days, and got extremely sick with a bacterial infection, probably because I was so tired and my immune system went on a vacation.  It scared me so much that I took myself off Parnate and Klonopin (tapered) without consulting my doctor, who I no longer trusted. This was the worst decision of my life (and I’ve made a lot of bad decisions).  After a few weeks, I quickly realized my error after I started returning to my old ways of hiding out in my apartment avoiding everyone.  Since then, I’ve been dragged through unsuccessful courses of Prozac, Effexor (yuck) and Wellbutrin (double yuck).  I can tolerate side effects, but generally expect to feel better rather than worse.  That all ended about two years ago, when I gave up on meds and doctors who have a kneejerk reaction of try Paxil… try Effexor… or whatever drug-du-jour is being peddled. So I’ve put myself in a terrible position.  The only thing that ever worked for me was a MAOI, and nobody wants to prescribe that.  Or a scheduled drug like Klonopin.  Probably now I’m profiled as exhibiting drug-seeking behavior.  But that seems odd since I have old unused prescriptions for both of the above sitting in the back of my medicine cabinet, as well as random assortments of various drugs sufficient to kill a horse. So, two years of being med-free, practicing meditation daily, and lots of aerobic exercise have not helped, and I am a complete isolated hopeless nervous mess.  When I went to my doctor last week for a sinus infection, I mentioned that I used to be on Parnate, and she said she couldn’t believe anyone prescribed that anymore, and proceeded to explain how great SSRIs are.  I just shut up, went home and took my antibiotics. I don’t know what to do.  Money is not an issue.  I just want to somehow get out of this mess.  I don’t look forward to anything… I can barely go out to buy groceries.  It really hurts me at work.  I may skip an old friend’s wedding because I don’t think I can handle it.  Not sure what to do.  I think good psychiatrists are hard to find- I can’t imagine anyone wanting to take on a case like mine. It seems like there is really no way out of this.  I’m just so tired of life being a constant struggle with getting nervous talking to anyone… I’m getting way too old for this. I’m not suicidal, but wouldn’t be terribly upset if I were run over by a truck tomorrow.  Yes, touching, I know. If you’ve made it this far, I apologize for my rambling. If you can think of any way to get out of this mess, let me know.  I can’t even think of a first step that isn’t destined for failure. Jeff psychiatrist I feel trapped in my apartment now and need help, but can’t figure out how to proceed.  My last attempt was several

Response:

Thanks Peter, Doug, and kicken for your thoughtful responses. I am going to get in touch with my doctor back in Canada, to see if he can help me out with some sort of letter of introduction. I had been a patient of his for several years, so there’s a good possibility he can help out.  Even the doctor in the US who tripled my dose of Parnate may be able to help out, and at least attest to the fact that I was doing okay.  I’m also going to write/phone local psychiatrists to determine if one of them has experience prescribing Parnate. Failing that, Peter mentioned a Seroxat/Paxil combo that I have not tried before, which sounds like it may be worth a try, though I am skeptical because of lack of success with anything other than a MAOI. The worst part is that the disease itself is a real hindrance to finding treatment, because my behavior is just so avoidant. Also, I always feel that it’s not taken seriously, like any of the more popular/trendy psychological disorders.  After all, I’m no threat to anyone, and I’m not experiencing any specific crisis.  At least now I have some concrete ideas on how to proceed – thanks all for the ideas on how to get out of this rut.   Jeff – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -gd…@aug.com (Doug) wrote in message <news:3cbd5389.2725248@news.aug.com

… Jeff, At this point, it sounds like a plan would be to get back on the Parnate and Klonopin which you said you gave up on.  What are the possibilities of writing the doctor again who originally prescribed the Parnate and the Klonopin?  I believe s/he’s in another country now? so this may be impossible.  If you could and sent your posted letter with your cover letter, you might have a fairly good chance of at least getting a letter of introduction for another doctor.  This may be impractical, but what about trying to see the U.S. doctor who tripled the Parnate dose.  I mean there are at least 2 doctors who weren’t averse to prescribing Parnate and Klonopin for you.   The 2nd doctor could be a definite maybe.  Even if you can’t see this doctor because of distance, could you write a letter to her explaining what you’re going thru and request her to write a letter of introduction "To Whom It May Concern" (some unknown doctor as yet) that explains what you’ve tried, what worked and what her recommendation is. I did this when I relocated to another state in the U.S. several months ago and the introductory letter did help.  I’ve been able to continue taking the same meds, but I’m under a little tighter control right now than I was previously.  That could be changed by seeking out a new shrink or by possibly asking my new family GP if he’d be willing to take over the prescriptions. If none of the above is practical, you can write your own letter of introduction, using most, if not all of what you wrote in this post and make an appt. with a new psychiatrist.  Your post is very explicit so I’d include it too.  Good luck. Doug

Response:

Hi Jeff, I’m also 31 and have social phobia and depression probably my whole life. I’ve been on almost every med and combo and other treatments and Parnate is the only one to give some relief also. I do get frustrated at times about some side-effects and that it might not be working enough, then I go off and see how much worse I get and go back on. I would try finding a Dr. in your area that has experience prescribing MAOI’s. It’s rule of thumb to go back to what has helped in the past. I hope you find a good Dr. willing to give it to you and hope you feel better. I’ve been on and off of Parnate for almost a decade. I hope to get better to all the time. Take care B jeff9…@hotmail.com (Jeff) wrote in message

<news:7eb49709.0204152150.287da20e@posting.google.com

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I’m not sure anyone will see this or respond, but at minimum this posting will let me organize my thoughts and try to explain my situation. I’m male, 31 years old, and have lived with debilitating social anxiety for as long as I can remember, long before there were slick TV commercials for marginally effective pharmaceuticals to treat the disorder. I saw my first psychiatrist when I was 18, who told me I was a nice guy and would have a great life, just stop worrying so much.  By the time I was 24 I finally worked up the courage to talk to a doctor about my depression and social anxiety, and went through the usual suspects with less than impressive results: Zoloft, Serzone, Effexor, Moclobemide.  Then I contracted mono (great, what were the chances of that for a 27 year old virgin).  That completely knocked me out for several months.  Through my doctor, I finally got a referral to a good psychiatrist who diagnosed me with social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and depression.  He put me on Parnate and Klonopin, and I was pleasantly surprised, because I actually felt better than I’d ever felt in my entire life.  I looked forward to my day… the pounding heart and sweaty palms went away, I didn’t think everyone was staring at me, and I could go out to social functions without getting incredibly nervous. The dietary restrictions for Parnate were a minor inconvenience. So were the sleep disturbances/minor insomnia.  My life became almost normal.  I went out with friends.  I know, I know, you aren’t supposed to feel better just from meds… it takes lots of CBT and hard work.  My experience, even with good therapists says that is not true.  I’ve read the books, and understand all the distortions and negative thought patterns that pass through my mind.  But being aware of them, and being able to get them under control are two separate things.  I just have this brain chemistry that kicks in so strongly that the power of thought is not enough. One year later, after relocating to the US, I mentioned the insomnia to my doctor and she said it was caused by depression, and tripled the dose of Parnate, and also suggested ECT, which I declined.  I didn’t sleep properly for days, and got extremely sick with a bacterial infection, probably because I was so tired and my immune system went on a vacation.  It scared me so much that I took myself off Parnate and Klonopin (tapered) without consulting my doctor, who I no longer trusted. This was the worst decision of my life (and I’ve made a lot of bad decisions).  After a few weeks, I quickly realized my error after I started returning to my old ways of hiding out in my apartment avoiding everyone.  Since then, I’ve been dragged through unsuccessful courses of Prozac, Effexor (yuck) and Wellbutrin (double yuck).  I can tolerate side effects, but generally expect to feel better rather than worse.  That all ended about two years ago, when I gave up on meds and doctors who have a kneejerk reaction of try Paxil… try Effexor… or whatever drug-du-jour is being peddled. So I’ve put myself in a terrible position.  The only thing that ever worked for me was a MAOI, and nobody wants to prescribe that.  Or a scheduled drug like Klonopin.  Probably now I’m profiled as exhibiting drug-seeking behavior.  But that seems odd since I have old unused prescriptions for both of the above sitting in the back of my medicine cabinet, as well as random assortments of various drugs sufficient to kill a horse. So, two years of being med-free, practicing meditation daily, and lots of aerobic exercise have not helped, and I am a complete isolated hopeless nervous mess.  When I went to my doctor last week for a sinus infection, I mentioned that I used to be on Parnate, and she said she couldn’t believe anyone prescribed that anymore, and proceeded to explain how great SSRIs are.  I just shut up, went home and took my antibiotics. I don’t know what to do.  Money is not an issue.  I just want to somehow get out of this mess.  I don’t look forward to anything… I can barely go out to buy groceries.  It really hurts me at work.  I may skip an old friend’s wedding because I don’t think I can handle it.  Not sure what to do.  I think good psychiatrists are hard to find- I can’t imagine anyone wanting to take on a case like mine. It seems like there is really no way out of this.  I’m just so tired of life being a constant struggle with getting nervous talking to anyone… I’m getting way too old for this. I’m not suicidal, but wouldn’t be terribly upset if I were run over by a truck tomorrow.  Yes, touching, I know. If you’ve made it this far, I apologize for my rambling. If you can think of any way to get out of this mess, let me know.  I can’t even think of a first step that isn’t destined for failure. Jeff psychiatrist I feel trapped in my apartment now and need help, but can’t figure out how to proceed.  My last attempt was several

Response:

Jeff, At this point, it sounds like a plan would be to get back on the Parnate and Klonopin which you said you gave up on.  What are the possibilities of writing the doctor again who originally prescribed the Parnate and the Klonopin?  I believe s/he’s in another country now? so this may be impossible.  If you could and sent your posted letter with your cover letter, you might have a fairly good chance of at least getting a letter of introduction for another doctor.  This may be impractical, but what about trying to see the U.S. doctor who tripled the Parnate dose.  I mean there are at least 2 doctors who weren’t averse to prescribing Parnate and Klonopin for you.   The 2nd doctor could be a definite maybe.  Even if you can’t see this doctor because of distance, could you write a letter to her explaining what you’re going thru and request her to write a letter of introduction "To Whom It May Concern" (some unknown doctor as yet) that explains what you’ve tried, what worked and what her recommendation is. I did this when I relocated to another state in the U.S. several months ago and the introductory letter did help.  I’ve been able to continue taking the same meds, but I’m under a little tighter control right now than I was previously.  That could be changed by seeking out a new shrink or by possibly asking my new family GP if he’d be willing to take over the prescriptions. If none of the above is practical, you can write your own letter of introduction, using most, if not all of what you wrote in this post and make an appt. with a new psychiatrist.  Your post is very explicit so I’d include it too.  Good luck. Doug On 15 Apr 2002 22:50:24 -0700, jeff9…@hotmail.com (Jeff) wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I’m not sure anyone will see this or respond, but at minimum this posting will let me organize my thoughts and try to explain my situation. I’m male, 31 years old, and have lived with debilitating social anxiety for as long as I can remember, long before there were slick TV commercials for marginally effective pharmaceuticals to treat the disorder. I saw my first psychiatrist when I was 18, who told me I was a nice guy and would have a great life, just stop worrying so much.  By the time I was 24 I finally worked up the courage to talk to a doctor about my depression and social anxiety, and went through the usual suspects with less than impressive results: Zoloft, Serzone, Effexor, Moclobemide.  Then I contracted mono (great, what were the chances of that for a 27 year old virgin).  That completely knocked me out for several months.  Through my doctor, I finally got a referral to a good psychiatrist who diagnosed me with social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and depression.  He put me on Parnate and Klonopin, and I was pleasantly surprised, because I actually felt better than I’d ever felt in my entire life.  I looked forward to my day… the pounding heart and sweaty palms went away, I didn’t think everyone was staring at me, and I could go out to social functions without getting incredibly nervous. The dietary restrictions for Parnate were a minor inconvenience. So were the sleep disturbances/minor insomnia.  My life became almost normal.  I went out with friends.  I know, I know, you aren’t supposed to feel better just from meds… it takes lots of CBT and hard work.  My experience, even with good therapists says that is not true.  I’ve read the books, and understand all the distortions and negative thought patterns that pass through my mind.  But being aware of them, and being able to get them under control are two separate things.  I just have this brain chemistry that kicks in so strongly that the power of thought is not enough. One year later, after relocating to the US, I mentioned the insomnia to my doctor and she said it was caused by depression, and tripled the dose of Parnate, and also suggested ECT, which I declined.  I didn’t sleep properly for days, and got extremely sick with a bacterial infection, probably because I was so tired and my immune system went on a vacation.  It scared me so much that I took myself off Parnate and Klonopin (tapered) without consulting my doctor, who I no longer trusted. This was the worst decision of my life (and I’ve made a lot of bad decisions).  After a few weeks, I quickly realized my error after I started returning to my old ways of hiding out in my apartment avoiding everyone.  Since then, I’ve been dragged through unsuccessful courses of Prozac, Effexor (yuck) and Wellbutrin (double yuck).  I can tolerate side effects, but generally expect to feel better rather than worse.  That all ended about two years ago, when I gave up on meds and doctors who have a kneejerk reaction of try Paxil… try Effexor… or whatever drug-du-jour is being peddled. So I’ve put myself in a terrible position.  The only thing that ever worked for me was a MAOI, and nobody wants to prescribe that.  Or a scheduled drug like Klonopin.  Probably now I’m profiled as exhibiting drug-seeking behavior.  But that seems odd since I have old unused prescriptions for both of the above sitting in the back of my medicine cabinet, as well as random assortments of various drugs sufficient to kill a horse. So, two years of being med-free, practicing meditation daily, and lots of aerobic exercise have not helped, and I am a complete isolated hopeless nervous mess.  When I went to my doctor last week for a sinus infection, I mentioned that I used to be on Parnate, and she said she couldn’t believe anyone prescribed that anymore, and proceeded to explain how great SSRIs are.  I just shut up, went home and took my antibiotics. I don’t know what to do.  Money is not an issue.  I just want to somehow get out of this mess.  I don’t look forward to anything… I can barely go out to buy groceries.  It really hurts me at work.  I may skip an old friend’s wedding because I don’t think I can handle it.  Not sure what to do.  I think good psychiatrists are hard to find- I can’t imagine anyone wanting to take on a case like mine. It seems like there is really no way out of this.  I’m just so tired of life being a constant struggle with getting nervous talking to anyone… I’m getting way too old for this. I’m not suicidal, but wouldn’t be terribly upset if I were run over by a truck tomorrow.  Yes, touching, I know. If you’ve made it this far, I apologize for my rambling. If you can think of any way to get out of this mess, let me know.  I can’t even think of a first step that isn’t destined for failure. Jeff psychiatrist I feel trapped in my apartment now and need help, but can’t figure out how to proceed.  My last attempt was several

Response:

I’m not sure anyone will see this or respond, but at minimum this posting will let me organize my thoughts and try to explain my situation. I’m male, 31 years old, and have lived with debilitating social anxiety for as long as I can remember, long before there were slick TV commercials for marginally effective pharmaceuticals to treat the disorder. I saw my first psychiatrist when I was 18, who told me I was a nice guy and would have a great life, just stop worrying so much.  By the time I was 24 I finally worked up the courage to talk to a doctor about my depression and social anxiety, and went through the usual suspects with less than impressive results: Zoloft, Serzone, Effexor, Moclobemide.  Then I contracted mono (great, what were the chances of that for a 27 year old virgin).  That completely knocked me out for several months.  Through my doctor, I finally got a referral to a good psychiatrist who diagnosed me with social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and depression.  He put me on Parnate and Klonopin, and I was pleasantly surprised, because I actually felt better than I’d ever felt in my entire life.  I looked forward to my day… the pounding heart and sweaty palms went away, I didn’t think everyone was staring at me, and I could go out to social functions without getting incredibly nervous. The dietary restrictions for Parnate were a minor inconvenience. So were the sleep disturbances/minor insomnia.  My life became almost normal.  I went out with friends.  I know, I know, you aren’t supposed to feel better just from meds… it takes lots of CBT and hard work.  My experience, even with good therapists says that is not true.  I’ve read the books, and understand all the distortions and negative thought patterns that pass through my mind.  But being aware of them, and being able to get them under control are two separate things.  I just have this brain chemistry that kicks in so strongly that the power of thought is not enough. One year later, after relocating to the US, I mentioned the insomnia to my doctor and she said it was caused by depression, and tripled the dose of Parnate, and also suggested ECT, which I declined.  I didn’t sleep properly for days, and got extremely sick with a bacterial infection, probably because I was so tired and my immune system went on a vacation.  It scared me so much that I took myself off Parnate and Klonopin (tapered) without consulting my doctor, who I no longer trusted. This was the worst decision of my life (and I’ve made a lot of bad decisions).  After a few weeks, I quickly realized my error after I started returning to my old ways of hiding out in my apartment avoiding everyone.  Since then, I’ve been dragged through unsuccessful courses of Prozac, Effexor (yuck) and Wellbutrin (double yuck).  I can tolerate side effects, but generally expect to feel better rather than worse.  That all ended about two years ago, when I gave up on meds and doctors who have a kneejerk reaction of try Paxil… try Effexor… or whatever drug-du-jour is being peddled. So I’ve put myself in a terrible position.  The only thing that ever worked for me was a MAOI, and nobody wants to prescribe that.  Or a scheduled drug like Klonopin.  Probably now I’m profiled as exhibiting drug-seeking behavior.  But that seems odd since I have old unused prescriptions for both of the above sitting in the back of my medicine cabinet, as well as random assortments of various drugs sufficient to kill a horse. So, two years of being med-free, practicing meditation daily, and lots of aerobic exercise have not helped, and I am a complete isolated hopeless nervous mess.  When I went to my doctor last week for a sinus infection, I mentioned that I used to be on Parnate, and she said she couldn’t believe anyone prescribed that anymore, and proceeded to explain how great SSRIs are.  I just shut up, went home and took my antibiotics. I don’t know what to do.  Money is not an issue.  I just want to somehow get out of this mess.  I don’t look forward to anything… I can barely go out to buy groceries.  It really hurts me at work.  I may skip an old friend’s wedding because I don’t think I can handle it.  Not sure what to do.  I think good psychiatrists are hard to find- I can’t imagine anyone wanting to take on a case like mine. It seems like there is really no way out of this.  I’m just so tired of life being a constant struggle with getting nervous talking to anyone… I’m getting way too old for this. I’m not suicidal, but wouldn’t be terribly upset if I were run over by a truck tomorrow.  Yes, touching, I know. If you’ve made it this far, I apologize for my rambling. If you can think of any way to get out of this mess, let me know.  I can’t even think of a first step that isn’t destined for failure. Jeff psychiatrist I feel trapped in my apartment now and need help, but can’t figure out how to proceed.  My last attempt was several

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Hello Jeff, I read through your message to the end. I stay away from this group now because of the cross posting. I’m sorry to tell you there are no simple answers for anyone like you or me suffering from Social Phobia. If there were this great newsgroup that has been decimated by cross posters wouldn’t exist. The only thing you can be certain of is that you will continue to suffer unless something great happens to you which it could. For me being able to leave my so called home where I live with my cruel parents would be the breakthrough for me but that can’t happen yet and may never happen. You say money isn’t a problem. In that case as bad as things may seem to be you could be like me living at home with almost no money at all. I’m not being dismissive here. I understand perfectly well that the solution for each of us that would give us the greatest relief is different for all of us and just because you can do what I can’t which is to get away from my parents in no way means that you aren’t suffering as much as I am. My advice to you is to keep trying. You say you are not suicidal and neither am I by the way then you will keep going forever hoping that things will sort themselves out somehow and maybe they will. The root cause of Social Phobia isn’t at all understood and naturally this is a major problem. I think I have a handle on it in my own case and this helps but the psychological battering I take from my parents 24/7 prevents me from making the breakthroughs I could now make if I was out on my own. I’m 48 by the way. Many people in the group(as it used to be) get great relif from drugs like Seroxat/Paxil but there was a post I saw at one point where the subject line was "Paxil is a Monster". So while drugs work for some people and in many cases transform their lives this is not always the case, indeed far from it. Satellites orbit the earth and perform many functions for us like providing us with a great telecommunications system but sadly the drugs available today are so primitive that they can hardly be described as therapeutic although drugs like anti-biotics are first class compounds. The same cannot be said for other drugs as you almost certainly know yourself. All I can say is you will keep going and always looking out for a way out of this savage disorder that annihilates it’s victims. I’m sorry I can’t help you. Have you tried Seroxat/Paxil? Some people in the group swear by it! Drugs would have no effect on me. Peter Nolan. To email please remove x from xpeter…@gofree.indigo.ie

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – argggggggggggggggggggggg its so annoying Before you buy.

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Phone the hospital!!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – argggggggggggggggggggggg its so annoying Before you buy.

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argggggggggggggggggggggg its so annoying

Having been without your Zoloft for several days (why? It’s not advisable…) your body needs to become accustomed to it again. It is certainly not dangerous at all and will be temporary, may take a few days… Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Before you buy.

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argggggggggggggggggggggg its so annoying

Frenchi, how many tablets did you take at the same time?  Call your doctor! Dot Before you buy.

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argggggggggggggggggggggg its so annoying Before you buy.

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Do yourself two favors, never take a friend’s medication and call your doc now! — TC3 Always take an emergency leisurely. Chinese Proverb – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – argggggggggggggggggggggg its so annoying Before you buy.

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What do you mean – you took them together? Do you mean that you usually split your dosage up but instead took the full dosage? I don’t think and I hope that you did not mean that you took the Zoloft that you didn’t take for the few days. Well I am not an expert on this but I do take Zoloft and have been for about five years. I was told by my doctor that I could separate my dosage or take it all at once it was entirely up to me. I know that side effects for Zoloft have been documented up to 200mg and with that dosage you will experience more side effects. What you are describing is common side effects for people on that dosage. I am assuming that if you have not taken your Zoloft for a few days that your blood levels are very low and that is why you are experiencing side effects now. My Zoloft was just upped from 100 to 150mg and I experienced the same side effects you are describing for about a week. You should direct your question to Margrove as I am sure he will be able to give you a more accurate and reliable answer. Take care Zedexa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – argggggggggggggggggggggg its so annoying Before you buy.

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Question:

I hope someone will soon, Glenn. If you know what I mean. <Hubba,Hubba Gloria

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I only lost 3 pounds last week but the total for two weeks is 11 pounds. It’s still reasonable to lose 50 pounds by my birthday Nov. 28th. Some of the weight I didn’t lose became lean,toned muscle and I’m still detoxing from the med.s which makes it slow going. I had to make a minor call Saturday to Dr.Tom but the no med.s thing is going well. The future’s so bright I have to wear shades. :^) Gloria Thanks for the support!!

Gotta love this girl… — "I do not know" – GlennT Learning to let go… http://people.A2000.nl/gthomas/GlennHome.htm

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Hey girlfriend!! Just under two months until my move to Athens Ga. Life is good! I hope you’re doing well too. G

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Thanks Mary Beth!! It’s good to have your support. G

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Thank you Aware1!! G

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I found a cabbage soup/veggies/fruit diet that I really enjoy. On the fifth and sixth day you can eat up to 20 oz. of steak!! :^) YUM! I’m also off med.s, to make a long story short I may have been sicker on them than I am off. Beside a side-effect of Zoloft for me was midnight eatting binges and Zyprexa helped me gain 80 pounds. I feel great and have had only a few withdrawl events. Week three of the diet and a little over three weeks off Zyprexa. I’ve been off Zoloft for a week and a half and normal sleep cycles are back!! Life is good when I let it be. :^) Gloria

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What is your diet plan?  I know, I know, I’m behind, and probably missed you explaining it all in a previous post. –Tez (fat, and I don’t mean phat) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I only lost 3 pounds last week but the total for two weeks is 11 pounds. It’s still reasonable to lose 50 pounds by my birthday Nov. 28th. Some of the weight I didn’t lose became lean,toned muscle and I’m still detoxing from the med.s which makes it slow going. I had to make a minor call Saturday to Dr.Tom but the no med.s thing is going well. The future’s so bright I have to wear shades. :^) Gloria Thanks for the support!!

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I only lost 3 pounds last week but the total for two weeks is 11 pounds.

Hey, this is great! Congrats on your weight loss! Mary Beth

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Heyhi! Congratulations! Lean, mean, UGA-bound machine chica, eh? -Amber

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I only lost 3 pounds last week but the total for two weeks is 11 pounds. It’s still reasonable to lose 50 pounds by my birthday Nov. 28th. Some of the weight I didn’t lose became lean,toned muscle and I’m still detoxing from the med.s which makes it slow going. I had to make a minor call Saturday to Dr.Tom but the no med.s thing is going well. The future’s so bright I have to wear shades. :^) Gloria Thanks for the support!!

Response:

I only lost 3 pounds last week but the total for two weeks is 11 pounds. It’s still reasonable to lose 50 pounds by my birthday Nov. 28th. Some of the weight I didn’t lose became lean,toned muscle and I’m still detoxing from the med.s which makes it slow going. I had to make a minor call Saturday to Dr.Tom but the no med.s thing is going well. The future’s so bright I have to wear shades. :^) Gloria Thanks for the support!!

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Question:

: Hi, I am new here and I am grateful that there are newsgroups available : to share these panic and anxiety experiences.   : I have been diagnosed with having a severe depression episode and also : am having panic and anxiety attacks.  Primarily while I am driving : to work.  My doctor gave me some medication called effexor to try and : it made me sick to my stomach and really spaced out.  Needless to say : I only took those once. When I went back and told him that they were awful : he gave me some zoloft.  I took one of those and I got a dry mouth, : and felt ’speedy’ and not really like myself. I also felt sick to : my stomach and frankly I didn’t like it at all.  Is this the way : antidepressants are?  Do you always have to feel like a glassy eyed : sick zombie?  I guess I am just wondering if this is normal? The : thought of taking medication in the first place is troubling to me, : let alone having myself turn in to some space cadet. Hi Kelly, I’m currently taking Luvox and desipramine for panic disorder and depression. I too was reluctant to take meds at first but now I’m so relieved to be on them. The Luvox made me very sleepy and nauseated, but that subsided within a couple of weeks. With desipramine I was definitely "spacey" (prob. due to lowered blood pressure) but that went away pretty quickly as well. Most side effects go away within a couple of weeks. I like to think of them as signs that the drugs are working–i.e. they’re starting to change my body chemistry. I’m probably completely off base but it works for me. Please try to ride out the side effects if you can–I have some ideas on how to make them better. You’ll feel a lot better, and knowing the SEs are temporary will give you incentive to stick with them. Going on and off meds is going to do you more harm than good, IMHO. Feel free to email anytime. Doris —                         Doris Ostendorf "Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you."                                                   C.G. Jung

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You might want to look in Imipramine. It is pretty mild and works very good. You will notice dry mouth but hey that is why we have water. Thomas

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am new here and I am grateful that there are newsgroups available to share these panic and anxiety experiences.   I have been diagnosed with having a severe depression episode and also am having panic and anxiety attacks.  Primarily while I am driving to work.  My doctor gave me some medication called effexor to try and it made me sick to my stomach and really spaced out.  Needless to say I only took those once. When I went back and told him that they were awful he gave me some zoloft.  I took one of those and I got a dry mouth, and felt ’speedy’ and not really like myself. I also felt sick to my stomach and frankly I didn’t like it at all.  Is this the way antidepressants are?  Do you always have to feel like a glassy eyed sick zombie?  I guess I am just wondering if this is normal? The thought of taking medication in the first place is troubling to me, let alone having myself turn in to some space cadet. The good thing was I was definitely not depressed anymore.  I was too sick and stoned to feel anything!!!  thanks for listening — kel

Antidepressants work differently for different people. Unfortunately, doctors sometimes have to try different drugs on some people to find the right one. I was diagnosed as being severly depressed and an accompanying anxiety disorder to boot. I was given Prozac first which made me feel MUCH worse (I literally "crashed" and had horrible anxiety problems as well). After being admitted to the hospital, I was given Luvox (a close cousin of Prozac and was almost brand new on the market at the time) which seemed to do the trick after a few weeks. Mind you I was a virtual zombie since I was on way too high a dose! Doctors don’t seem to pay too much attention to psychiatric patients in the hospital. I was mostly just very, very tired from the Luvox and a bit of a dry mouth. The dry mouth went away pretty quickly but since I was on other meds as well, it may or may not have been the Luvox. My guess is that it was. After my hospital stay, another psychitrist (who actually listened!) saw that I was zombified by the dose and cut it down from 150mg to 100mg. It’s been just over a year and I’m now down to 50mg (so far so good!) and I take an Ativan (.5mg) once in a while when I need it. So it may just be a case of finding the right drug for you. It’s bizarre how greatly the side effects are from drug to drug even though they are all very similar (Prozac, Luvox, Zoloft, Effexor). The dose your doctor gave you might be a bit too high – but i guess you have to be on them for a while for them to consider that. I don’t know if this helps you at all other than the fact that many of us here have gone through/going through the same thing! Take heart – you’ll get better! And the crap wears off – really! Thomas

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My doctor gave me some medication called effexor to try and it made me sick to my stomach and really spaced out.  Needless to say I only took those once….

Many side effects can be reduced by s*l*o*w*l*y increasing dosages to the desired level.  Discuss this with your doctor. I guess I am just wondering if this is normal?

Many people have trouble (real or imagined) with "normal" drug dosing. Mike Creswick Practical Software Solutions Member Association of Online Professionals Member HTML Writers’ Guild

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l.  Is this the way   antidepressants are?  Do you always have to feel like a glassy eyed sick zombie?  I guess I am just wondering if this is normal?  

Hi Kelly, Usually, one starts with a very low (subtherapeutic) dose of these meds in order to minimize the side effects, and gradually increase it as your body gets more comfortable with the medicine.  Yes…it is kind of rough in the beginning, but usually these side effects go away after a week or two, and the dosage can be gently increased to a therapeutic level. I had the same problem with Zoloft, and after a few weeks I felt fine and am able to things I haven’t done in 8 years. Good luck! Andy

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Hi, I am new here and I am grateful that there are newsgroups available to share these panic and anxiety experiences.   I have been diagnosed with having a severe depression episode and also am having panic and anxiety attacks.  Primarily while I am driving to work.  My doctor gave me some medication called effexor to try and it made me sick to my stomach and really spaced out.  Needless to say I only took those once. When I went back and told him that they were awful he gave me some zoloft.  I took one of those and I got a dry mouth, and felt ’speedy’ and not really like myself. I also felt sick to my stomach and frankly I didn’t like it at all.  Is this the way antidepressants are?  Do you always have to feel like a glassy eyed sick zombie?  I guess I am just wondering if this is normal? The thought of taking medication in the first place is troubling to me, let alone having myself turn in to some space cadet. The good thing was I was definitely not depressed anymore.  I was too sick and stoned to feel anything!!!   thanks for listening — kel

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I have been diagnosed with having a severe depression episode and also am having panic and anxiety attacks.  Primarily while I am driving to work.  My doctor gave me some medication called effexor to try and it made me sick to my stomach and really spaced out.  Needless to say I only took those once. When I went back and told him that they were awful he gave me some zoloft.

Hmm, sounds to me like your doctor didnt explain things fully too you. Anti-depresssents are renown for making you feel really grotty for the first few days however the key is to bear with them and things should sort themselves out in a week or so. The amount of grottyness you experience depends on the family of anti-depressants your particular one belongs too. I am taking  Seroxat 20mg ( Peroxatine) which I admit I have never heard mentioned here. My current specialist is one of the most senior psycotherapists in London (he’s on the NHS too, for all you UK chaps out there.. a miricle!!) and he was telling me that this is now the leading drug used to combat anxiety and panic disorders.Apparently for all the hype Prozac is in fact as he put it " a pretty crude" drug and though good at treating depression is not so good at treating anxiety and panic disorder. Anyway he fully explained the side effects and though a bit like having  hangover because I expected them I coped ok and now I take them without any problems. Thankfully they seem to be having the desired effect. What was more imprsssive and actually helped me have faith in my therapist and the drugs was the fact that when I returned to see him after a couple of weeks he suggested how I should have felt day by day and indeed myu own personal notes mirrored this. It’s  3 months on now and I have to admit I’m in much better shape and closer to my old self after 2 years of hell. Try to stick with the drugs if you can. About a year after my first panic attack my own local doctor gave me Seroxat to take while I waited for my fisrt appointment with a behavioural therapist. Unfortuantely he didnt describe the side effects properly and of course  I became even more panicy when they started and stopped taking them. I wish I’d stayed with them …perhaps I could have saved myself another 12 months of grief. Good luck….things do get better…eventually..just keep on fighting Paul

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I just started taking zoloft for my panic attacks, I have been on xanax for three months, I was just wondering if anyone has experienced the feeling of not really feeling like your in your right mind, almost like your peering through a glass at the rest of the world when you first started taking anti-depressant medications and does it get better with time? It almost feels like I’m in my mind but I’m really not,, Oh well sorry to take up your time on a stupid question, it just kinda worries me, any help or support would be greatly appreciated….. Thanks Paul Florida

Yes, I have experienced that.  Many of us call it the "Zombie" brain feeling. Clouded thinking is a beginning side-effect that many Zoloft users experience. It does go away for some.  You just have to stay on it for awhile to see if the sun gets brighter or dimmer.  If you don’t feel better, like say after 8 weeks on a therapeutic dose, talk to your doctor.  Matter of fact, it’s always a good plan to call your doctor or pharmacist for any side-effects. Mel

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Not a stupid question at all.  I get that brain-fogged feeling from a lot of medications; indeed, it it also a symptom of anxiety in the first place.  If you only get it as a medication side effect, I would give it a couple of weeks to see if it goes away, as many side effects disappear or become more tolerable as one adjusts to the medication.  If on the other hand it is unbearable, perhaps you should try something different.  

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I just started taking zoloft for my panic attacks, I have been on xanax for three months, I was just wondering if anyone has experienced the feeling of not really feeling like your in your right mind, almost like your peering through a glass at the rest of the world when you first started taking anti-depressant medications and does it get better with time? It almost feels like I’m in my mind but I’m really not,, Oh well sorry to take up your time on a stupid question, it just kinda worries me, any help or support would be greatly appreciated…..

Hi Paul, Do you feel like things around you are unreal, or that you are in a dream? It sounds to me like you *might* be having some derealization/depersonalization, which is frightening, but not dangerous. Derealization/depersonalization is the feeling that one is living in a dream, feeling that nothing is real, feeling detached from oneself. It is another symptom of anxiety and I have heard people that start anti-depressants complain of this also. I had this symptom toward the end of my last setback and it is quite frightening. Since being on Paxil I don`t have this symptom except when having a migraine. How much Zoloft are you taking and how many days have you been on Zoloft? This feeling is probably a side-effect of the Zoloft and more than likely will diminish over the next few weeks as your body gets accustomed to the Zoloft. Have you noticed if the Xanax helps this symptom? If you are concerned about this, don`t hesitate to call your doctor. I know that you are worried, but I can assure you that it is not dangerous, just very uncomfortable. It will get better. Take care. Jackie

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I just started taking zoloft for my panic attacks, I have been on xanax for three months, I was just wondering if anyone has experienced the feeling of not really feeling like your in your right mind, almost like your peering through a glass at the rest of the world when you first started taking anti-depressant medications and does it get better with time? It almost feels like I’m in my mind but I’m really not,, Oh well sorry to take up your time on a stupid question, it just kinda worries me, any help or support would be greatly appreciated….. Thanks Paul Florida

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Question:

Dear Brenda, Please tell me what it is about meds (Xanax in particular) that you are afraid of? Perhaps we could offer some help in that direction. I have been reading all of your posts and I am so distressed for you. I posted you awhile back about the safety of Xanax and offered some relaxation and breathing techniques. Have you tried them? I guess I just cannot understand how a medphobic can take Zoloft with all the anxiety it causes you and refuse to take Xanax which could ease or eliminate your suffering. Why do you fear Xanax so much? And I sincerely believe that it is your fear of it that increased your anxiety when you took it. Just my opinion, of course. I just cannot stand to see someone suffer when they do not have to. Worried about you, Kathryn

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WEll last night I upped my Zoloft from 12.5 to 19mg.(big deal). Woke up at 6am took .25 Xanax went back to bed for about 2 hours. Here is the question. I am med phobic and have not upped my Xanax to .50mg 3x day. Still take .25.My main symptom is constant and I do mean hyperventilation and shortness of breath. Today is day 15 on the Zoloft. Well this afternoon I decided to take .37mg of Xanax (a 25mg pill and a half). Within 10 minutes my anxiety went up. Tried to distract myself then I felt the Xanax kicking in. I get real groggy BUT THE BREATHING STILL IS SHORT.I was afraid to up my dose cux what if it doesnt help the breathing then I will feel hopeless. I am still kinda shook up and depressed and afraid.Please tell me Im doing something wrong or this is just normal for day 15 upping the dosage and being med phobic. Brenda

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Kathryn I think that my biggest fear of taking the Xanax is that it wouldnt work. Now I started off with .25. My problem is my breathing  (shortness of breath ans hyprventilation). I was hoping the Xanax would help be I really doesnt that much. It may take the edge off of the anxiety but the breathing  problem remains. Also did you read my ost where yesterday was the first day that I upped my Zoloft from 12.5 to 19mg. I will post about that later. Now another fear I battle is that I have always hated lose of control. And when I first took the Xanax I would get very groggy,symptoms still there but very groggy. I would have bad thoughts on what if I cant breathe and am too groggy to breathe. That wont happen in Jesus name but the thoughts still come. Now when I wake up at 5 or 6am and take .25mg Xanax I can go back to sleep. I dont know maybe Ill have to upped the Xanax gradually. The pdoc want me to take .50 3 times a day. Brenda

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Kathryn I think that my biggest fear of taking the Xanax is that it wouldnt work.

Brenda, it is possibly, but highly unlikely that xanax won’t work for you – Xanax can calm an elephant!  But, I guarantee that if you don’t take it, it definitely won’t do a thing. Now I started off with .25. My problem is my breathing  (shortness of breath ans hyprventilation). I was hoping the Xanax would help be I really doesnt that much. It may take the edge off of the anxiety but the breathing  problem remains.

Xanax can lessen your anxiety, but it isn’t a cure all. I suspect that your hyperventilating/shortness of breath has become ingrained to the point were its become an almost automatic response. Xanax cannot undo that, no med can. But breathing exercises like those previously mentioned by another poster should.  The bottom  line in this Brenda is that drugs aren’t magic. They can help a great deal, but you have to make an effort too.  Sorry, but if this was easy, we wouldn’t all be here. Also did you read my ost where yesterday was the first day that I upped my Zoloft from 12.5 to 19mg. I will post about that later. Now another fear I battle is that I have always hated lose of control. And when I first took the Xanax I would get very groggy,symptoms still there but very groggy. I would have bad thoughts on what if I cant breathe and am too groggy to breathe.

Okay, firstly the grogginess will diminish as your body gets used to the Xanax. Secondly, Xanax won’t stop you breathing, even if you pass out. In fact you will probably breath better. What is happening at the moment is that the conscious parts of your brain are overriding the auto settings. Left to its own devises the autonomous system would be doing a better job than you are!!   Even when knocked unconscious most people continue to breath.   The benzos are very safe drugs, even when taken in enormous overdose quantities most people just sleep them off. That wont happen in Jesus name but the thoughts still come. Now when I wake up at 5 or 6am and take .25mg Xanax I can go back to sleep. I dont know maybe Ill have to upped the Xanax gradually. The pdoc want me to take .50 3 times a day. Brenda

tackle the increase at a pace you can cope with, but be assured, the meds won’t kill you, drug companies find it cheaper to keep repeat customers rather than continually having to find new ones!!!!. Take care Ian

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One of my fears about taking my ativan is that it wont work.  When i am in the middle of a PA, I always have the comforting thought of "At least I can always take my pill".  My fear is what if i take it and it still doesnt control my attack and my racing thoughts.  My biggest fear is that I will need to go to the hopital because I will not be able to reign myself back in.  Do you ever feel that way?  D

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OMG that is the biggest fear that I have with my Xanax and alot of the time it doesnt help me that much because of the extra anxiety I have. However I suppose to be taking .50 3x a day and I only take .25 sometimes twice. But I couldnt believe somebody else has the same fear though. Brenda

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One of my fears about taking my ativan is that it wont work.  When i am in the middle of a PA, I always have the comforting thought of "At least I can always take my pill".  My fear is what if i take it and it still doesnt control my attack and my racing thoughts.  My biggest fear is that I will need to go to the hopital because I will not be able to reign myself back in.  Do you ever feel that way?  D

Although, reports of antidepressants suddenly failing to work are becoming more common, its rare for his to happen with benzodiazepines. What may happen is that you begin requiring higher doses to achieve the same levels of control. But, most with anx/pan seem to gradually take/need less, not more benzos. Ian

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Ratzenfratzen ISP lost (or did receive) about two days worth of my newsgroup messages. So I had to do a deja search to find out what I missed. <grrrr I think that my biggest fear of taking the Xanax is that it wouldnt work. Now I

It certainly will not work if you do not take it. I know if I tried only .25 I wouldn’t notice a thing. I must take from .5 to 1mg to have any relief at all. There have been days when I have taken up to 2mgs at once. started off with .25. My problem is my breathing  (shortness of breath ans hyprventilation). I was hoping the Xanax would help be I really doesnt that much. It may take the edge off of the anxiety but the breathing  problem

Have you seen a doctor to make certain that your breathing problem is definitely physical? If it is not physical, that is, one of the many symptoms of anxiety and panic then Xanax can definitely help by letting you be calmer. When you are calmer you can breathe easier. I hope you have ruled out any physical cause such as asthma, though. remains. Also did you read my ost where yesterday was the first day that I upped my Zoloft from 12.5 to 19mg. I will post about that later. Now another

I read about it. Pretty gutsy! Good work! fear I battle is that I have always hated lose of control. And when I first took the Xanax I would get very groggy,symptoms still there but very groggy. I

The grogginess passes quickly (MUCH quicker that the side effects of Zoloft!) if you continue taking it. Maybe the symptoms are still there because of your fear of the grogginess or the Xanax not working. I hate the feeling of losing control, too. Which is why I don’t drink anymore. Hardly. But grogginess is not loss of control. When you are in a high anxiety state you are way too alert, sensitive to every little thing and your mind races ahead of you. Xanax can put the brakes on all of that and the drowsiness you feel just may be your body saying to you, “Thank goodness! Now maybe we can get some rest!“ would have bad thoughts on what if I cant breathe and am too groggy to breathe. That wont happen in Jesus name but the thoughts still come. Now when I wake up

Too groggy to breathe? Impossible in anyone’s name! In fact, I can guarantee you that you will breathe BETTER when you allow yourself to sleep. I have said it before and I will say it again that our bodies function quite nicely when we give it over to the brain’s automatic control system. Better, in fact! We muck things up by over thinking. We all just think too much!  You know, the Divine Creator gave us pretty nifty bodies and will take care of them for us just fine when we give them over to sleep. For that matter, the Creator gave us Xanax through providing the plant valerian and us the intellect to use it. at 5 or 6am and take .25mg Xanax I can go back to sleep. I dont know maybe Ill have to upped the Xanax gradually. The pdoc want me to take .50 3 times a day.

Up it as you wish. But do it. I want to hear some success stories from you! BTW, I take Xanax .5 every four hours (that’s about 4 to 5 times a day) PLUS I take 1 mg of Klonopin (another benzo) at bedtime. I have the okay from my pdoc to take extra of either if I need to. Which happens, but rarely. BTW, my husband has mentioned to me that I breathe slower and deeper when I am asleep. I was very happy to hear that because I still have to work on breathing that way (the CORRECT way) when I am awake. Have you asked your hubby how your breathing is when you sleep? If not, ask! I wager he will tell you the same thing. To MissMaine7, Hi. Have you ever taken an Ativan at the onset of a PA? If so, how much? Did it not work at all, work a little, or work well? Love and blessings to all, Kathryn

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Question:

Is it just me or is everyone experiencing massive weight gain whilst on Valproic Acid?  For those who did gain weight, was the amount small, or a lot? I’m really worried. I don’t like this side-effect… i really don’t like it and it’s scaring me. I really don’t want to gain any weight.  And why does one gain weight on this med (actually, most of these types of meds?)? Does it just mess up your metabolism or just make you hungrier, or both? The hungrier part I can handle..it’s the metabolism thing I can’t. Thanks. — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

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I’ve been on Depakote (same thing) and experienced weight gain.It helped with the mania but couldn’t keep depression under control with anti depressents. Taken off Depakote to have ECT. (Mary Jo Hendricks)

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Is it just me or is everyone experiencing massive weight gain whilst on Valproic Acid?  

It sounds like a lot of people gain weight, but it’s not universal.  I didn’t gain any weight.  Maybe it just seems like most people gain weight because they are the ones who complain about Valproic Acid. June "word I was in my life alone, word I had no one left but God."                                                   — Robert Frost

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Is it just me or is everyone experiencing massive weight gain whilst on Valproic Acid?  For those who did gain weight, was the amount small, or a lot? I’m really worried. I don’t like this side-effect… i really don’t like it and it’s scaring me. I really don’t want to gain any weight.  And why does one gain weight on this med (actually, most of these types of meds?)? Does it just mess up your metabolism or just make you hungrier, or both? The hungrier part I can handle..it’s the metabolism thing I can’t. Thanks.

I was supposed to go on depakote, but one of the things that bothered me was the weight gain.  I’m  all over it, spacegurl (is that a family name?).  I think it’s really important to consider these things.  I’ve had a weight probelm before and I’m definitely never going there again as long as I can help it. Although, like Alex said, in cases where you are eating wrong in response to bipolar symptoms, meds will make this easier probably.  Never had depakote, so I can’t speak from experience here.  I just wanted to let you know I kinda understnad your concerns and stuff.   -sophia

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<snipped I’m supposed to go back on Thursday and touch-base with him, which means I have to be taking my meds by then, but….I’m really worried. My philosophy is nothing ventured — nothing gained. Even if you do wind up in a closet sleeping with your dog!

At least you know your dog loves you. -sophia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks! Spacegurl Wishing you all the very best from, James — * Since I do not get a complete Newsfeed, I would appreciate receiving * * a copy of any responding posts. Please also indicate if you are      * * posting as well as emailing me. Thanks for helping me out!           *

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Well, day…..2 of taking this crap.  I’m at loose ends.  I’m feeling very tired all of a sudden, and more more angry.  My temper just seems to be out of of control.  Is this just maybe something coincidental or do many people experience this? I am going nuts.  i just sent a nasty hate-letter to one of my very best-friends, but i couldn’t help it.  I knew that I shouldn’t and I knew that deep down, it wasn’t him, but something in me just go so mad and I coudln’t help it. how long until this stuff works? when people gained the weight, how long until they noticed a difference?  I’m so serious about the weight thing. So serious, in fact, that if i do put on more than 5 pounds, i’m gonna go off of the meds. So far, no weight gain, but I can’t take this much more – waiting and drinking gallons of water (ok fine maybe not gallons) so that I don’t get hungry. what the hell?                                 S P A C E G U R L         "…TODAY I HATE EVERYONE…"  - Killjoys — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

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Spacegurl, I am taking depakote, and am having decent results. The potential for side effects are there though. I read the insert and it was not to good. However, hairloss and occasional weight gain is often the most common effect. Hope this helps, Phil – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello to everyone again. Well, after going thru Effexor withdrawl HELL (I don’t care what my doc said, it WAS withdrawl), my new(ish) pdoc has me on Valporic Acid. I have the prescription all filled and everything, but I’m hesitant to take it. I’m worried about the side-effects.  Is anyone else out there on this med? Can anyone give me feedback about their response to it and side-effects? I’m supposed to go back on Thursday and touch-base with him, which means I have to be taking my meds by then, but….i’m really worried. Thanks! Spacegurl — For more information about this service, send e-mail to: Hello to everyone again. Well, after going thru Effexor withdrawl HELL (I don’t care what my doc said, it WAS withdrawl), my new(ish) pdoc has me on Valporic Acid. I have the prescription all filled and everything, but I’m hesitant to take it. I’m worried about the side-effects.  Is anyone else out there on this med? Can anyone give me feedback about their response to it and side-effects? I’m supposed to go back on Thursday and touch-base with him, which means I have to be taking my meds by then, but….i’m really worried. Thanks! Spacegurl — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

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<Posted and Mailed to Spacegurl Hello to everyone again. Well, after going thru Effexor withdrawal HELL (I don’t care what my doc said, it WAS withdrawal).

Absolutely! A person needs to be slowly weaned off of Effexor (as well as many other meds). My new(ish) pdoc has me on Valproic Acid. I have the prescription all filled and everything, but I’m hesitant to take it. I’m worried about the side-effects.  Is anyone else out there on this med?

It is the same as Depakote except that Depakote enters your system more slowly. That’s why most pdocs prefer Depakote. But Valproate is cheaper. If you experience an upset stomach, you may want to talk to your pdoc about an extended release formulation of Depakote. Can anyone give me feedback about their response to it and side-effects? I’m supposed to go back on Thursday and touch-base with him, which means I have to be taking my meds by then, but….I’m really worried.

My philosophy is nothing ventured — nothing gained. Even if you do wind up in a closet sleeping with your dog! Thanks! Spacegurl

Wishing you all the very best from, James — * Since I do not get a complete Newsfeed, I would appreciate receiving * * a copy of any responding posts. Please also indicate if you are      * * posting as well as emailing me. Thanks for helping me out!           *

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Hello to everyone again. Well, after going thru Effexor withdrawl HELL (I don’t care what my doc said, it WAS withdrawl), my new(ish) pdoc has me on Valporic Acid. I have the prescription all filled and everything, but I’m hesitant to take it. I’m worried about the side-effects.  Is anyone else out there on this med? Can anyone give me feedback about their response to it and side-effects? I’m supposed to go back on Thursday and touch-base with him, which means I have to be taking my meds by then, but….i’m really worried.   Thanks! Spacegurl — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been taking Zoloft 100 mg (after starting at 50 mg) since the end of January.  My other meds are doxepin 50 mg at bedtime, diazepam 20 mg, and atenolol 50 mg every day.  I have had chronic severe anxiety and major depression for the past 20 years (been there, done that with just about every AD there is). Tried to start a job last week for the first time in 4 years (my previous job, where I lived previously, I remained full time for 3 years).  I had severe anxiety on the first day, meaning I felt very claustrophobic (I was in a cubicle with another person about 8 feet by 8 feet, for 8 hours, no windows), responsible for answering phones (6 incoming lines), greeting customers.  I had understood that the job was going to be mostly typing from dictation, which I thought I could handle.  Quit the job and made an ASAP appointment with the PDoc, whose associate I saw today. Initially, before I went on the Zoloft, the PDoc (my regular one) had suggested Paxil, which he thought would be more helpful for my anxiety problems.  Now, I’m thinking, maybe he was right, I suggested this to the one I saw today.  This PDoc wants me to raise dosage of the Zoloft from 100 mg to 200 mg per day, in an attempt to get my anxiety under control.  He figures this will bring quicker results than switching meds at this time, since, due to my economic circumstances, I *have* to get a job soon.  The Zoloft has been better for my depression than any other drug I’ve ever taken, and I’ve had *no* problems with side effects.  After being on it for 4 months, I figure it’s reached whatever maximum effect I can expect, at least at 100 mg. Anyone have any experience with Zoloft, does increasing the dose to the maximum 200 mg help anxiety with depression? Any help much appreciated! Carol

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I was taking zoloft for depression, played with the dosage until the anxiety became something that I had no control over…so I changed to aropax and valium

This PDoc wants me to raise dosage of the Zoloft  from 100 mg to 200 mg per day,

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