Those spacers are good. . .but the neatest thing I have seen is a product called MDI Tutor. It is tiny [barely adds any size to the inhaler] and helps you use your inhaler properly.
My Aerochamber makes a whistleing sound when I inhale too fast. Is that what you’re talking about? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those spacers are good. . .but the neatest thing I have seen is a product called MDI Tutor. It is tiny [barely adds any size to the inhaler] and helps you use your inhaler properly.
Please email your mailing address. I will send you a complete package of information on what has finally given me drug free relief after thirty years of suffering!!!
I can’t imagine taking inhalers anymore without the Aerochamber. It cuts out that hoarse throat, and just all around seems to be more efficient at getting the medicine where its supposed to go. Before it would land on my upper pallette (sp?) and leave a spot of medicine there. Now I don’t have to pay so much attention to how I’m taking it except for expelling my breath before. Sue M.
I agree with you … Aerochambers are great. There’s a really good one out there called an OptiHaler, made by Healthscan Products. I don’t know if you’ve tried it but I personally like to use it a little better than those clear AeroChamber ones. The OptiHaler is more compact so it’s easier to carry around, and I like how it functions. You can store your medication inside it, too. It’s hard to find though at the pharmacies. 
http://www.europa.com/~bjknotts/
I can’t imagine taking inhalers anymore without the Aerochamber. It cuts out that hoarse throat, and just all around seems to be more efficient at getting the medicine where its supposed to go. Before it would land on my upper pallette (sp?) and leave a spot of medicine there. Now I don’t have to pay so much attention to how I’m taking it except for expelling my breath before. Sue M.
What is an aerochamber? Kathy Anderson fellow-sufferer
What is an aerochamber? Kathy Anderson fellow-sufferer
See the alt.support.asthma FAQ – I wrote a bit on Aerochambers in the FAQ. Briefly, it is a holding chamber that makes inhalers easier and more efficient to use: you spray your medication into it and then inhale the medication from it, at your own comfortable rate. Certainly worth having, since the inhalation speed required for matching the inhaler’s spray speed is difficult for many to achieve (especially during a flare), and since, without one, those who take inhaled steroids are more likely to get thrush. — Mark Feblowitz, GTE Laboratories Inc., 40 Sylvan Rd. Waltham, MA 02254
When I posted my first note about a month ago I got a lot of wonderful advice from people and many asked for an update after I saw the doctor. Here it is! I went to the doctor today and by the time I left I was so elated! What a relief to finally get professional help, I feel so relaxed. He put me on Methylprednisolone tabs for 6 days and I also have Flovent and Serevent that I take two puffs of twice a day. I got Albuterol for when/if I have any problems. He also gave me an AeroChamber and a peak flow meter. Now I’m cooking with gas! :) Thanks for all the concern. Tammy
YOU SAID YOU WAS LEAVIN’ !!!! doncha hate when people come to yer house, advertise they’re leavin, get in tha dang car… then come back’n stay awhile? JUST when ya get nekkid and start eatin a nuked artichoke, feelin’ like you can breathe agin? ok.. i’m gunna call ya Uncle Buck from this day forward .Yoga helps a lot, and specially CBT. CBT ain’t cognitive behavioral therapy where i come from, Uncle Buck.. and i gotchur CBT !!!! Sagan, and hypochondriac. (no, english is not my mother tongue
(cept when it’s convenient) and by tha way.. WHO ASKED YA?
I have been on Atenolol 25mg which is a beta blocker and about the lowest dose around, in fact my doctor told me that it has only been around 2 or 3 years. I’ve been taking it for about a year now and I have to say I feel a lot more rested and together than when I was on no medication at all. Panic Attacks are rare now, although I still get bouts of anxiety but I guess that everyone. One thing though, coming off it is annoying because of the shakes but because of my low doasge my doctor said it wouldn’t neccesarily be that much of a problem. Daniko.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tom I take Xanax and a beta blocker, but I have a pacemaker so the beta blocker is to lower the heart rate when the pacer isn’t doin it’s job…sometimes it fires off to a rate of nearly 200bpm. If you get on a beta blocker, take it at night because it tends to make you tired and feel crappy (due to the lowering of the heart rate). — If you sing a country song backwards, you get your job and your wife back. Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown). This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM. I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough. One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc. I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey
Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues.
Hi Tom. This sounds very familiar to me. I have exactly the same problem/fear though I had more frequent attacks (one every three days) until I started to take xanax and zoloft. I feel quite well now. I’ve found that my dosage is fine, or perhaps in the borderline, at 3.5mg of Xanax XR (1.5-0.5-1.5) and 75mg of Zoloft. Sometimes I take 0.5mg of Ativan if I feel a bit anxious or Xanax IR for special occasions My resting HR is among 60 and 65 bpm, and during a Holter test, it decreased to 40 being asleep, which you know is normal, and increased to 140!!! in the afternoon because of my fear while thinking about the possible results of the test. I also had white coat HBP (140-155 sistolic and 90-95 diastolic), while my normal BP (during a 24h. monitoring was 137-87) and I was VERY anxious that whole day, I didn’t sleep at all :/ (I was not taking benzos). The lowest BP I’ve seen in body was 130/80, one night, after the doc at the ER told me I was not dying (the first time I had a panic attack), I felt so well and happy that didn’t notice they were measuring my BP Yoga helps a lot, and specially CBT. Change your point of view, stop thinking about your health/yourself. This was MHO. Good luck. Sagan, and hypochondriac. (no, english is not my mother tongue
Gary and others, Thank you for the replies. You have eased my anxiety, and all have diagnosed me quite accurately….you’re hired. Imagine being anxious because BP is not 120/80, or because sleep is not perfect, or because resting heart rate increases from 50 to 65 BPM. That’s me. I suspect all of my recent ailments are related to doing too much (running, volleyball, weights), without paying enough attention to food and water intake, and paying too much attention to heart rate and blood pressure. Interestingly, overtraining symptoms (OK, from what I’ve read in the medical literature) include anxiety, moodiness, and insomnia. My sleep in near normal now that I’ve backed off the excessive/obsessive exercise! I have an excellent benefit plan and will see someone in the employee assistance program. If medication is the answer, I will consider it. Thanks again for the replies. I will stay tuned here to keep tabs on all the latest and greatest. Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tom, it just occured to me that I left out one thing I wanted to tell you. The current zeitgeist in medicine is to treat anxiety with SSRI antidepressants, such as Paxil, Effexor etc, or tricyclic antidepressants, such as desipramine or nortryptiline.. In that you referenced some episodes of what are likely postural hypotension (dizziness when standing), a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) would not be a particularly good choice for you – these drugs have a ‘moderate’ affinity for alpha 1 adrenergic receptor blockade, which is the primary reason why postural hypotension is such a common side effect with these agents. Celexa (an SSRI) is my personal favorite because it is the most selective agent for the serotonin receptor – ten times moreso than Paxil, despite the fact that Paxil is clearly the most potent inhibitor of serotonin reuptake. Potency is mainly a good predictor of adverse events and drug interactions, whereas selectivity will be a better predictor of clinical results. In the slang of the psychiatry industry, Celexa (or lexapro if you like) is more "clean". Having taken many of these drugs myself, I’ve also found that Celexa is the most anxiolytic of them that I’ve tried. Another thing I wanted to mention but forgot – I’ve been taking Xanax for 13 years now, and the dose is still the same, and it works just fine every single day. –Gary
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. Hi Tom. This sounds very familiar to me. I have exactly the same problem/fear though I had more frequent attacks (one every three days) until I started to take xanax and zoloft. I feel quite well now. I’ve found that my dosage is fine, or perhaps in the borderline, at 3.5mg of Xanax XR (1.5-0.5-1.5) and 75mg of Zoloft. Sometimes I take 0.5mg of Ativan if I feel a bit anxious or Xanax IR for special occasions My resting HR is among 60 and 65 bpm, and during a Holter test, it decreased to 40 being asleep, which you know is normal, and increased to 140!!! in the afternoon because of my fear while thinking about the possible results of the test. I also had white coat HBP (140-155 sistolic and 90-95 diastolic), while my normal BP (during a 24h. monitoring was 137-87) and I was VERY anxious that whole day, I didn’t sleep at all :/ (I was not taking benzos). The lowest BP I’ve seen in body was 130/80, one night, after the doc at the ER told me I was not dying (the first time I had a panic attack), I felt so well and happy that didn’t notice they were measuring my BP Yoga helps a lot, and specially CBT. Change your point of view, stop thinking about your health/yourself.
Now that is good advice Sagan, and is also very familiar. Now where have I heard that before?! ;o)
Tom, it just occured to me that I left out one thing I wanted to tell you. The current zeitgeist in medicine is to treat anxiety with SSRI antidepressants, such as Paxil, Effexor etc, or tricyclic antidepressants, such as desipramine or nortryptiline.. In that you referenced some episodes of what are likely postural hypotension (dizziness when standing), a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) would not be a particularly good choice for you – these drugs have a ‘moderate’ affinity for alpha 1 adrenergic receptor blockade, which is the primary reason why postural hypotension is such a common side effect with these agents. Celexa (an SSRI) is my personal favorite because it is the most selective agent for the serotonin receptor – ten times moreso than Paxil, despite the fact that Paxil is clearly the most potent inhibitor of serotonin reuptake. Potency is mainly a good predictor of adverse events and drug interactions, whereas selectivity will be a better predictor of clinical results. In the slang of the psychiatry industry, Celexa (or lexapro if you like) is more "clean". Having taken many of these drugs myself, I’ve also found that Celexa is the most anxiolytic of them that I’ve tried. Another thing I wanted to mention but forgot – I’ve been taking Xanax for 13 years now, and the dose is still the same, and it works just fine every single day. –Gary
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Many physicians are even ill-informed on the full depth and breadth of the subject of benzodiazepines. When *taken for an indicated condition in the amount prescribed* benzodiazepines RARELY show evidence of tolerance or tachyphylaxis (needing to take more of the drug to get the same result). Over about 30 days, and often less, they DO lose their ability to sedate generally, so are not an especially good choice for sleep medicines in the long term – for most people. I work with hundreds of MD’s and can absolutely assure you that a blood pressure of 135/85 is something that they would be UTTERLY unconcerned with. The American Cardiology Association says that ideally one should have the diastolic (bottom number) pressure at 85 or less, so I’d keep an eye on the sodium intake. IF your pressure were to rise further, particularly the diastolic part, the first thing they’d likely want to do would be to add a mild diuretic to your ace-inhibitor, usually hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) As an athlete with a low resting heart rate and a BP like that, you would likely be unremarkable to any cardiologist, and I’ve worked in some pretty fancy shmanzy places where virtually everything was reacted to and treated aggressively. The point: don’t worry so much. If ya can’t stop worrying, get some Xanax or some anxiolytic drug from your doctor – he should be far more interested in that problem than in your enviable pulse and blood pressure. Kudos to you for exercising, it does keep anxiety from getting totally out of hand for a lot of people. I’ll even go so far as to say that if your physician actually agreed to give you a beta blocker with numbers like that (in that the drug isn’t indicated at all), I’d fire his ass. It is clinically dangerous to administer any amount of beta blockade to someone with a resting heart rate of 50. Kindest Regards, Gary You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax. I’ve heard that the effect lessens if taken regularly. In my opinion, a person with a resting heart rate that hovers in the 50’s ought not to be messing with beta blockers. You may be right, but I don’t think many knowledgible MDs would be unconcerned with a BP of 135/85. Also, as it appears you are mildly over-concerned about the "numbers" that indicate "good health", be aware that beta blockers can easily cause a rise in serum cholesterol levels. That’s what I’ve heard. I’ll pass thanks. Exercising too much and not eating enough do not sound like difficult I have no one to blame but myself. Funny how all of my sedentary friends and relatives all feel dandy 24/7. My New Years resolution on Nov 1: exercise less eat more work less vacation more…. Thanks for the input. Mike Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown). This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM. I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough. One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc. I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey
You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax. I’ve heard that the effect lessens if taken regularly.
You listened to the wrong people. As a rule no *tolerance* occurs with anxiety sufferers, it’s really exceedingly rare. In my opinion, a person with a resting heart rate that hovers in the 50’s ought not to be messing with beta blockers.
I certainly agree. You may be right, but I don’t think many knowledgible MDs would be unconcerned with a BP of 135/85.
Actually this is well within the normal range, no reason to worry. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown). This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM. I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough. One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc. I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey
Many physicians are even ill-informed on the full depth and breadth of the subject of benzodiazepines. When *taken for an indicated condition in the amount prescribed* benzodiazepines RARELY show evidence of tolerance or tachyphylaxis (needing to take more of the drug to get the same result). Over about 30 days, and often less, they DO lose their ability to sedate generally, so are not an especially good choice for sleep medicines in the long term – for most people. I work with hundreds of MD’s and can absolutely assure you that a blood pressure of 135/85 is something that they would be UTTERLY unconcerned with. The American Cardiology Association says that ideally one should have the diastolic (bottom number) pressure at 85 or less, so I’d keep an eye on the sodium intake. IF your pressure were to rise further, particularly the diastolic part, the first thing they’d likely want to do would be to add a mild diuretic to your ace-inhibitor, usually hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) As an athlete with a low resting heart rate and a BP like that, you would likely be unremarkable to any cardiologist, and I’ve worked in some pretty fancy shmanzy places where virtually everything was reacted to and treated aggressively. The point: don’t worry so much. If ya can’t stop worrying, get some Xanax or some anxiolytic drug from your doctor – he should be far more interested in that problem than in your enviable pulse and blood pressure. Kudos to you for exercising, it does keep anxiety from getting totally out of hand for a lot of people. I’ll even go so far as to say that if your physician actually agreed to give you a beta blocker with numbers like that (in that the drug isn’t indicated at all), I’d fire his ass. It is clinically dangerous to administer any amount of beta blockade to someone with a resting heart rate of 50. Kindest Regards, Gary
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax. I’ve heard that the effect lessens if taken regularly. In my opinion, a person with a resting heart rate that hovers in the 50’s ought not to be messing with beta blockers. You may be right, but I don’t think many knowledgible MDs would be unconcerned with a BP of 135/85. Also, as it appears you are mildly over-concerned about the "numbers" that indicate "good health", be aware that beta blockers can easily cause a rise in serum cholesterol levels. That’s what I’ve heard. I’ll pass thanks. Exercising too much and not eating enough do not sound like difficult I have no one to blame but myself. Funny how all of my sedentary friends and relatives all feel dandy 24/7. My New Years resolution on Nov 1: exercise less eat more work less vacation more…. Thanks for the input. Mike Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown). This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM. I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough. One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc. I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey
You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax.
I’ve heard that the effect lessens if taken regularly. In my opinion, a person with a resting heart rate that hovers in the 50’s ought not to be messing with beta blockers.
You may be right, but I don’t think many knowledgible MDs would be unconcerned with a BP of 135/85. Also, as it appears you are mildly over-concerned about the "numbers" that indicate "good health", be aware that beta blockers can easily cause a rise in serum cholesterol levels.
That’s what I’ve heard. I’ll pass thanks. Exercising too much and not eating enough do not sound like difficult
I have no one to blame but myself. Funny how all of my sedentary friends and relatives all feel dandy 24/7. My New Years resolution on Nov 1: exercise less eat more work less vacation more…. Thanks for the input. Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown). This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM. I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough. One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc. I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey
You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax.
i dunno what the topic is, but xanax ALWAYS gets MY vote.. AYE! Exercising too much and not eating enough do not sound like difficult
not difficult at all.. come live at my house. BADDA BING ! ::tossin backah twinkie:: ~tanya
Tom I take Xanax and a beta blocker, but I have a pacemaker so the beta blocker is to lower the heart rate when the pacer isn’t doin it’s job…sometimes it fires off to a rate of nearly 200bpm. If you get on a beta blocker, take it at night because it tends to make you tired and feel crappy (due to the lowering of the heart rate). — If you sing a country song backwards, you get your job and your wife back.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown). This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM. I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough. One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc. I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey
Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown). This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM. I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough. One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc. I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey
You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax.. In my opinion, a person with a resting heart rate that hovers in the 50’s ought not to be messing with beta blockers. Also, as it appears you are mildly over-concerned about the "numbers" that indicate "good health", be aware that beta blockers can easily cause a rise in serum cholesterol levels. Exercising too much and not eating enough do not sound like difficult
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown). This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM. I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough. One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc. I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -question wrote:
I am a 21 year old male suffering from Social Phobia. I’ve tried drugs in the past, mostly SSRI’s, with no real success. Some of the drugs I’ve tried I went off immediatly due to sexual side effects, mostly inability to feel pleasure while masturbating. The most recent drug, Zoloft, I went off due to the sexual side effect after 6-8 weeks. The sexual side effect had occured almost immediatly but I stayed on it for a little while. After the drug was out of my system I still felt like I wasn’t getting pleasure like I used to. I also see that I am less interested in masturbating that I used to be. (No sexual partners involved, due to social phobia and all) Can these drugs have permanent effects on a person’s sexuality when you are off them? The psychiatrist I used to see recommended that I go on the drugs even with the side effect to deal with my social problem. A this point, I might have to consider it. Sidenote: The drugs I’ve had sexual side effects with are Effexor and Zoloft.
(Sadly), the sexual side effects with Effexor wear off pretty quickly (personally, I’m hoping for an anti depressant that causes me to lose all interested in sex, now that would be something). Without benzos in addition to it, sex drive will go back to normal in say 4 to 6 weeks whereas time to orgasm stays higher but it’s definitely possible after the first few weeks to get there.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -questionfor2…@yahoo.com (question) wrote in message <news:7fcdbfb4.0310192029.2f9937db@posting.google.com
… I am a 21 year old male suffering from Social Phobia. I’ve tried drugs in the past, mostly SSRI’s, with no real success. Some of the drugs I’ve tried I went off immediatly due to sexual side effects, mostly inability to feel pleasure while masturbating. The most recent drug, Zoloft, I went off due to the sexual side effect after 6-8 weeks. The sexual side effect had occured almost immediatly but I stayed on it for a little while. After the drug was out of my system I still felt like I wasn’t getting pleasure like I used to. I also see that I am less interested in masturbating that I used to be. (No sexual partners involved, due to social phobia and all) Can these drugs have permanent effects on a person’s sexuality when you are off them? The psychiatrist I used to see recommended that I go on the drugs even with the side effect to deal with my social problem. A this point, I might have to consider it. Sidenote: The drugs I’ve had sexual side effects with are Effexor and Zoloft. Any info would be appreciated.
i think it’s unlikely your side effects are permanent, because i experienced them continuously while taking paxil–we’re talking about a period of years–but as soon as i switched to lexapro the side effects were vastly reduced. besides lexapro, the other ssri to consider, as crackwalker pointed out, is luvox. when i decided to switch from paxil at the insistence of my new girlfriend, i told my MD i want to switch to luvox, but he said, oh no, take lexapro, so i did and the results have been excellent, although your mileage may vary. btw, if you’re curious about lexapro vis-a-vis luvox, luvox has been around much longer than lexapro, so presumably it’s not as effective as ssri’s go. lexapro, according to what i read, which might be pharm. co. propaganda, is a modified form of celexa. celexa basically contained two active components, only one of which is the ssri, so they deleted the other component that presumably caused lots of side effects to produce lexapro. good luck.
I am a 21 year old male suffering from Social Phobia. I’ve tried drugs in the past, mostly SSRI’s, with no real success. Some of the drugs I’ve tried I went off immediatly due to sexual side effects, mostly inability to feel pleasure while masturbating. The most recent drug, Zoloft, I went off due to the sexual side effect after 6-8 weeks. The sexual side effect had occured almost immediatly but I stayed on it for a little while. After the drug was out of my system I still felt like I wasn’t getting pleasure like I used to. I also see that I am less interested in masturbating that I used to be. (No sexual partners involved, due to social phobia and all) Can these drugs have permanent effects on a person’s sexuality when you are off them? The psychiatrist I used to see recommended that I go on the drugs even with the side effect to deal with my social problem. A this point, I might have to consider it. Sidenote: The drugs I’ve had sexual side effects with are Effexor and Zoloft. Any info would be appreciated.
Hi I would try a.. Luvox/Fluvoxamine Its the only med in the ssri category I can’t find anything on sexual dysfunction Crackwalker’ "question" <questionfor2…@yahoo.com
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Any info would be appreciated.
I read somewhere that the NPS considers invasive plants and animals to be a greater threat to the integrity of the park environments then the crush of human visitors.
This is one of the areas where full protection gets very hard to even define. For example, the Great Smokies area parks and some of the national forests nearby, are all either already allowing or considering unlimited fishing of rainbow trout. Why? Because the rainbow isn’t a native species, and they hope that eliminating it from some streams will preserve the native trout (which is technically a char anyway). Park service people are busily figuring out which streams have waterfalls high enough to keep rainbows from returning if fished out (as rainbows are mediocre jumpers compared to the native species), and which ones can’t be kept cleared. It may be ecologically sound overall, but it results in a crazy quilt pattern of fishing policies. I’m waiting for someone to suggest ‘improving’ a few waterfalls to make more streams ‘native species only’. Then there’s the asiatic brown trout, which is also non-native, but is unfortunately an excellent jumper… Meanwhile, efforts continue to restore once native elk and wolves. Elk seem to be working, but keeping released red wolves alive when they stray out of the park area is highly doubtful, and if they can’t be established as a stable population, then the only way left to control the elk is to allow hunting. There’s also the question of whether red wolves count as a native species, since they all seem to have some domestic canine genes mixed in. Wolves may also help reduce the numbers of wild boar (again a non-native species). But nobody seriously thinks the wild boar can be eliminated by wolf predation… The situation makes one thing clear. Once you let invasive plants and animals in, and hunt out a few native species, you have a seriously unstable ecosystem on your hands, and every step you take to restore a ‘normal’ ecology is a step into the unknown. All the likelyest scenarios involve other problems developing, and fixes for the fixes for the fixes being required. ‘Full protection’ becomes ‘full protection for native species’, with native usually meaning ‘before the white man came’. Planners don’t generally like to admit it, but they are not even trying to preserve the full diversity of the park’s wildlife, they are trying to set a higher threshold for the coming crash. They don’t expect to have a thousand species of wildflowers in the park in 30 years, but they think that proper management can cut diebacks to 20% or so, or in some areas 50%, and not taking these steps could leave us with 80 or 90% losses to some phyla. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yup and we also have to worry about plans to "localize" control of other areas of wilderness. This is one of the few instances I can think of where National control of land is far better than state or local control. Once local control is involved, local, economic concerns, logging, etc. takes over. Then we all lose what we’ve been lucky enough as a nation to have had in the past. Jerry
I still believe we have to recognize that National Parks are, by their very design, places where we have to balance the needs of recreation and protection. – Bob C.
snipped all sorts of agreeable stuff… Here’s the crux of the problem, not all people agree on what the "balance" should be. leads to healthy debate…too bad that’s about as far as it can go in this forum. — Paul Schnettler
Don’t know if many have been following a previous post on protections for our National Parks but it seems by the responses that various animals and objects within our parks are not fully protected! I was always under the assumption that our National Parks were these "Cathedrals" set aside, forever for the people and also for preservation. I think I agree with your sentiments in general, but disagree with the notion that National Parks should be set aside as "Cathedrals".
This was not a suggestion of mine——-simply an observation I had personally made and thought was true! This is more the purpose of other types of protected areas. A National Park is not the same thing as a wilderness area, although it may contain such areas. The mission of the NPS is stated as: "…to promote and regulate the use of the…national parks…which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
Unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations is a key phrase here. And as was stated in other posts, changing times, habitat loss and other factors may change the general "mission" of the park in future years. A key to the statement is the "enjoyment" aspect. Most of our parks have been created around scenic wonders of the landscape, scenic wonders which people naturally want to go see. (Everglades NP, designated in 1947, was the first park created purely because of the plant and animal life, with supporters admitting that many would consider the scenery to be "confused and monotonous" – having been there twice, however, I can tell you that the abundance of plants and animal life is itself a scenic wonder!). Personally, I think it makes sense to try to make the parks as accessible as possible (within the bounds of leaving them "unimpaired"). The reason I say this is that our National Parks are probably the best school room we have for educating people on the need for protecting our wilderness.
Exactly. Even though I don’t like the idea of seeing animals in cages in zoos, I agree with the reasons——to educate, inform and enlighten the public on the issues of preservation. Somewhere along the line, man may have to face the choice of either restricting events that may lead to the complete loss of a species, etc. or lose the species alltogether. That’s a drastic statement and we as a nation are at this cross road with some species now but will we value our National Parks enough to restrict certain activities in a park that will cause negative affects by overuse? I read somewhere that the NPS considers invasive plants and animals to be a greater threat to the integrity of the park environments then the crush of human visitors.
I somewhat agree. Vast numbers of visitors can be controlled, after all, you’re dealing with an "intelligent" being. :-) But mindless, foreign plants that may have no, local preditors but thrive in their new homes can choke out resident plants because these plants have to contend with the native insects, diseases, etc. I don’t know if this is true, but I can easily believe it given the the human visitation is mostly limited to very small areas of the park and is completely within our control. So bring as many people as possible to the park and give them that environmental education.
Yes. The vast majority of visitors to the parks never see the "back country". Yes, we do have to be always wary of many of the privatization schemes and other ways in which those hostile to environmental concerns would like to "Disnify" our parks, but I still believe we have to recognize that National Parks are, by their very design, places where we have to balance the needs of recreation and protection.
Yup and we also have to worry about plans to "localize" control of other areas of wilderness. This is one of the few instances I can think of where National control of land is far better than state or local control. Once local control is involved, local, economic concerns, logging, etc. takes over. Then we all lose what we’ve been lucky enough as a nation to have had in the past. Jerry
Jerry, I know where you’re going with your plea, and I respect that. But why attempt to turn something that was once and is no longer…wilderness, into what it cannot revert back to? It’s an oxymoron… congregating mass quantities of people into an area like Yellowstone renders it no longer a "wilderness" experience.
Well, the way I look at it is that the vast majority of visitors to the park don’t even get into the "back country"! Many just drive the loops then stay in a motel for the night then head home. So not that many people are spoiling the parks. And the few who do make it back into the "wilderness" tend to take care of it. It’s not a lost cause. Why not keep the truly unmolested areas as wilderness areas for all to see and experience, while leaving other areas not so pristine? Experiencing the wilderness is more of a mindset rather than an event. One (IMHO) cannot expect to funnel people in cars or any other form of mass transportation into an area and then proclaim it as a "wilderness past" experience. In almost every preserve…(I like that word better) type of area I’ve visited, it takes a day of hard paddling or strenuous hiking to get past the day trip mentality people, back to the areas where you really want to spend time exploring. In other words, you put the effort forth to find the "walden" that you seek, each seeker has his/her own expectations.
That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Again, IMHO the mere presence of people threatens the protections afforded the animals in the parks. Any man vs/ animal situation puts the animal at a disadvantage with regards to protections…it’s the human psyche that upsets the balance.
You’re right but just by having people present, doesn’t necessarily have to degrade the immediate environment for animals living there. That’s where and why we have certain rules to follow to insure a quality experience in our parks. Somethin’ worth fighting for. Jerry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Paul Schnettler
Don’t know if many have been following a previous post on protections for our National Parks but it seems by the responses that various animals and objects within our parks are not fully protected! I was always under the assumption that our National Parks were these "Cathedrals" set aside, forever for the people and also for preservation.
I think I agree with your sentiments in general, but disagree with the notion that National Parks should be set aside as "Cathedrals". This is more the purpose of other types of protected areas. A National Park is not the same thing as a wilderness area, although it may contain such areas. The mission of the NPS is stated as: "…to promote and regulate the use of the…national parks…which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." A key to the statement is the "enjoyment" aspect. Most of our parks have been created around scenic wonders of the landscape, scenic wonders which people naturally want to go see. (Everglades NP, designated in 1947, was the first park created purely because of the plant and animal life, with supporters admitting that many would consider the scenery to be "confused and monotonous" – having been there twice, however, I can tell you that the abundance of plants and animal life is itself a scenic wonder!). Personally, I think it makes sense to try to make the parks as accessible as possible (within the bounds of leaving them "unimpaired"). The reason I say this is that our National Parks are probably the best school room we have for educating people on the need for protecting our wilderness. People who would dismiss me as a tree-hugger and not listen to anything I say will stop and take notice when they’re in a national park listening to a park ranger say the exact same thing. People of all political ideologies seem to have a great deal of respect for park rangers, and I don’t think I ever met a ranger who wasn’t a great deal concerned about protecting the environment. I read somewhere that the NPS considers invasive plants and animals to be a greater threat to the integrity of the park environments then the crush of human visitors. I don’t know if this is true, but I can easily believe it given the the human visitation is mostly limited to very small areas of the park and is completely within our control. So bring as many people as possible to the park and give them that environmental education. Yes, we do have to be always wary of many of the privatization schemes and other ways in which those hostile to environmental concerns would like to "Disnify" our parks, but I still believe we have to recognize that National Parks are, by their very design, places where we have to balance the needs of recreation and protection. – Bob C.
Don’t know if many have been following a previous post on protections for our National Parks but it seems by the responses that various animals and objects within our parks are not fully protected! I was always under the assumption that our National Parks were these "Cathedrals" set aside, forever for the people and also for preservation. Not so. So, when you see lobbyists trying to further degrade the only public place that should be held in trust for preservation AND public use that does not degrade your park, speak up. All Americans have the right to get a glimpse of what the American wilderness used to be. And future generations should also have the same expectations. There is plenty of public land outside our National Parks where people can use the land for something other than preservation. Here’s a "timely" quote from John Muir that perfectly fits various "These temple-destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar". Jerry
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Don’t know if many have been following a previous post on protections for our National Parks but it seems by the responses that various animals and objects within our parks are not fully protected! I was always under the assumption that our National Parks were these "Cathedrals" set aside, forever for the people and also for preservation. Not so. So, when you see lobbyists trying to further degrade the only public place that should be held in trust for preservation AND public use that does not degrade your park, speak up. All Americans have the right to get a glimpse of what the American wilderness used to be. And future generations should also have the same expectations. There is plenty of public land outside our National Parks where people can use the land for something other than preservation. Here’s a "timely" quote from John Muir that perfectly fits various "These temple-destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar". Jerry
Jerry, I know where you’re going with your plea, and I respect that. But why attempt to turn something that was once and is no longer…wilderness, into what it cannot revert back to? It’s an oxymoron… congregating mass quantities of people into an area like Yellowstone renders it no longer a "wilderness" experience. Why not keep the truly unmolested areas as wilderness areas for all to see and experience, while leaving other areas not so pristine? Experiencing the wilderness is more of a mindset rather than an event. One (IMHO) cannot expect to funnel people in cars or any other form of mass transportation into an area and then proclaim it as a "wilderness past" experience. In almost every preserve…(I like that word better) type of area I’ve visited, it takes a day of hard paddling or strenuous hiking to get past the day trip mentality people, back to the areas where you really want to spend time exploring. In other words, you put the effort forth to find the "walden" that you seek, each seeker has his/her own expectations. Again, IMHO the mere presence of people threatens the protections afforded the animals in the parks. Any man vs/ animal situation puts the animal at a disadvantage with regards to protections…it’s the human psyche that upsets the balance. — Paul Schnettler
Hi Betsy, Excellent thread! For those of you who are on antidepressants, what different sorts of experiences have you had that show they’re working? We’re all taught to recognize such symptoms of depression as deep sadness, lack of energy, apathy, etc.
What shows they are working. I think it’s good to approach this from both the lack of negative symptoms *and* the return of positives: – Less deep sadness, replaced by feelings of calm or "normalcy". The "normalcy" is noticed by realizations that "hey! this is how I used to feel when I wasn’t depressed!". – Lack of energy, replaced by just the ability to get out of bed and in the shower in order to make it to work on time. Feeling rested after a normal nights sleep, instead of wanting to sleep all day. – Apathy replaced by hope that things can get better, and caring about that, which also can ironically cause some fear in me. In the 3 weeks I’ve been taking meds for dysthymia (low grade chronic depression), these things, to the less profound degree I’ve felt them, have cleared up.
Good! I’m glad for you! But a more noticeable difference for me is a greater ability/willingness to be open and honest with my feelings *before* a fuse gets lit — I don’t keep from speaking up and let things fester so much. Then a problem can be resolved when it’s still small, and my feelings stay more neutral during and after the resolution. It’s weird. : )
I’ve noticed that I tend to be able to resolve things in a more tactful appropriate manner sooner when I’m doing well on antidepressants. One concern that I have is that one of the meds I take is Klonopin, and it gives me what I would consider an artificial self confidence and changes my personality in ways that I’m more laid back and I’ve noticed that people respond very positively to that. My sense of humor increases too, or at least my ability to convey it. The concern is that Klonopin is addictive, and I must moderate its use. I never take more than the prescribed dosage, but sometimes recently I have been taking up to 2mg (like today), so I want to go a week or so without it, or maybe taking only .5mg. Two of the lesser-talked-about symptoms of depression are persistent feelings of low self-worth and guilt. I’m not saying that antidepressants are the cure-all for these feelings, but I wonder if the meds are helping to relieve some of these feelings in me so that speaking up is a more tolerable option now?
I think this goes back to speaking up — that can help relieve guilt. If you’re feeling less depressed and good about yourself in general, it’s easier to brush off someone else’s inappropriate guilt feelings. This past weekend I told my Mom I was going to try to contact the Make a Wish Foundation to see if she could get tickets to see Tiger Woods in Rockford. My Mom’s been through a lot, she loves Tiger Woods, and it would make her sooooooo happy. It would make me equally or more happy to be able to make her happy. Well, when I asked my Mom if I have her permission to do that, my sister said, in an irritated condescending tone of voice that Make a Wish is only for terminally ill children. Well, my first feeling was hurt. I had taken a risk and gone out of my way to try to do something positive, and immediately it was shot down by my sister (but my Mom liked the idea — anything to see Tiger Woods My sister started to say more, and I realized I didn’t want to get into a debate with her. So, I said I didn’t want to talk about it. She called me rude for not wanting to talk about it, that when someone wants to talk I "should" talk. I said no, I’m setting a boundary and I choose not to talk about it. Mainly, because I saw it as a lose-lose conversation or a win-lose conversation. In converstations like that, I don’t want to be the winner or loser. I want it to be win-win, or an intelligent discussion of the ways to find out what the Make a Wish covers, and also an acknowledgement of the intent. If I were in depression, I may not have been as internally comfortable about how I handled it. I was at peace after I set the boundary, event though my sister was frustrated and tried to get me to participate more in the conversation. She also has a young daughter. During the weekend she said "Kevin!!! Shannon has hair spray in her hand, you "should" have closed the bathroom door". I said "Sure, no problem, I will be happy to do that in the future. I just need to be informed of these things and you hadn’t let me know to do that". She said yes, I know I did because I told Randy (my brother). (as if someone else is evidence that she told me). I left it as a final "I don’t believe you told me otherwise I would have gladly complied, but I’ll be sure to do it in the future". It’s almost like the meds have taken the power out of the "excuses" depression makes me vulnerable to (I’m too tired; it’ll never work; I’m not good enough) and the healthier thoughts I’ve been planting all along in therapy, etc. have a chance to actually be heard — by me.
YES. *This* is what meds (IMO) are good for. The depression support group I go to says this too, and this is my experience. For me, the meds put me in a state where I’m more willing to remember and apply the healthy thoughts from therapy and other sources, and it also makes therapy more effective — instead of always dealing with depression in therapy and "dysthymia-struggles" (to coin a term), it can get to dealing more in the soluiton. Of course, it could all be placebo effect, too. At this point I really don’t care. : ) Just wondered what you guys have experienced?
I don’t think it’s the placebo effect. After years of taking meds, not taking them when I was supposed to, forgetting to take them, not taking them as prescribed, taking them while drinking, I eventually had a lot of empirical data that leads me to believe, for me anyway, that the meds do help a lot. I have been taking them as prescribed, except for Klonopin which I choose to take as needed because I know how addictive it can be. Betsy
Another point about meds. Sometimes it takes a loooong time to find a good match, or the right meds (not to mention a good psychiatrist). Right now, crossing fingers, the combination of 150mg of Effexor XR, with 50mg Zoloft recently re-added (because I was proactive and contacted the psychiatrist), occasional use of Klonopin as needed, and 50-100mg of Trazodone for sleeping (I almost always take 50mg) works very well. Today, I can honestly say I feel "normal" (just for today). Maybe a little depressed and sad, but at least functional. About the placebo effect. I wonder whether the full spectrum lights and the SAD lights have a placebo effect for me. I don’t care. All I know is that after a long day at work under my full spectrum light, when I go out into the dark winter here, I almost feel like I had a day of sunshine and the dark night seems more natural. So, the lighting helps also. Kevin P.S. — thanks for your recent e-mail Betsy, I’ll try to get back to you (and a few others who’ve e-mailed in the last few weeks, some of whom I haven’t heard from in a while)
For those of you who are on antidepressants, what different sorts of experiences have you had that show they’re working? We’re all taught to recognize such symptoms of depression as deep sadness, lack of energy, apathy, etc. In the 3 weeks I’ve been taking meds for dysthymia (low grade chronic depression), these things, to the less profound degree I’ve felt them, have cleared up. But a more noticeable difference for me is a greater ability/willingness to be open and honest with my feelings *before* a fuse gets lit — I don’t keep from speaking up and let things fester so much. Then a problem can be resolved when it’s still small, and my feelings stay more neutral during and after the resolution. It’s weird. : ) Two of the lesser-talked-about symptoms of depression are persistent feelings of low self-worth and guilt. I’m not saying that antidepressants are the cure-all for these feelings, but I wonder if the meds are helping to relieve some of these feelings in me so that speaking up is a more tolerable option now? It’s almost like the meds have taken the power out of the "excuses" depression makes me vulnerable to (I’m too tired; it’ll never work; I’m not good enough) and the healthier thoughts I’ve been planting all along in therapy, etc. have a chance to actually be heard — by me. Of course, it could all be placebo effect, too. At this point I really don’t care. : ) Just wondered what you guys have experienced? Betsy
– Lack of energy, replaced by just the ability to get out of bed and in the shower in order to make it to work on time. Feeling rested after a normal nights sleep, instead of wanting to sleep all day.
I’ve stopped taking 3-4 hour naps on the weekends. : ) There’s all sorts of stuff to do when you look for it. I’ve noticed that I tend to be able to resolve things in a more tactful appropriate manner sooner when I’m doing well on antidepressants. One concern that I have is that one of the meds I take is Klonopin, and it gives me what I would consider an artificial self confidence and changes my personality in ways that I’m more laid back and I’ve noticed that people respond very positively to that.
Is it an antianxiety med? It’s interesting that you say it feels like an artificial self-confidence. Does that mean that anxiety feels natural for you?? I don’t quite know how to respond, except that you seem to be staying self-aware about your use of it and that’s a good thing. I think this goes back to speaking up — that can help relieve guilt. If you’re feeling less depressed and good about yourself in general, it’s easier to brush off someone else’s inappropriate guilt feelings.
Exactly. And the low self-esteem, that also leads to not speaking up or even counting my needs and feelings as important enough to bother dealing with. It’s a sort of self-sustaining loop in depression, apathy/low self-worth/lethargy. Regarding the incident with your sister, she sounds more than a little stressed-out herself. : ) But you handled her very well! It’s almost like the meds have taken the power out of the "excuses" depression makes me vulnerable to (I’m too tired; it’ll never work; I’m not good enough) and the healthier thoughts I’ve been planting all along in therapy, etc. have a chance to actually be heard — by me. YES. *This* is what meds (IMO) are good for. The depression support group I go to says this too, and this is my experience.
You don’t know how encouraging it is to hear this, Kevin. One of the worst things about chronic depression is that little by little, year by year, you’re just resigning yourself to the fact that this is what life feels like. You don’t even think it CAN be different. It’s such a relief to know there’s something that can actually help. And yet, I don’t feel as if the meds are "doing" it to me, I feel like I’m the one making the choices and changing my behavior. I don’t think it’s the placebo effect. After years of taking meds, not taking them when I was supposed to, forgetting to take them, not taking them as prescribed, taking them while drinking, I eventually had a lot of empirical data that leads me to believe, for me anyway, that the meds do help a lot. I have been taking them as prescribed, except for Klonopin which I choose to take as needed because I know how addictive it can be.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, it really is valuable to me. You’ve been around the block with this and I know you speak from experience. Happy New Year! Betsy
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Shanon, How is it different that I am using a drug to alter the way I feel in somewhat the same way that they are using drugs to alter the way that they feel. -) You are being monitored by a professional throughout the complete period of taking your "drugs" — your friends are not. -) You are being prescribed the correct dosage of your "drug" — your friends not. -) Your friends may become addicted to their drugs — you are *very* unlikely to become addicted to yours.
I agree with you completely. I’m not a chemist, so when I was using pot all those years I really had no idea exactly what dosage I needed to obtain the feeling I wanted. And I didn’t want to alleviate a painful condition, I wanted to obtain a high. The partnership with one and maybe two professionals, if you have a therapist, makes treatment with meds for depression a vastly different experience than chasing a high with street drugs. Betsy
Shanon, How is it different that I am using a drug to alter the way I feel in somewhat the same way that they are using drugs to alter the way that they feel.
-) You are being monitored by a professional throughout the complete period of taking your "drugs" — your friends are not. -) You are being prescribed the correct dosage of your "drug" — your friends not. -) Your friends may become addicted to their drugs — you are *very* unlikely to become addicted to yours. Yes, medicine can also be a "drug" and basically humans can become addicted to almost anything, I think. Drugs have been widely used since the beginning of mankind. Weren’t it the Maya who used leaves of the coke plant to enhance their bodily capabilities?? The main difference between the drug known as medicine and what people think of as "real" drugs is that there is a safety/precaution variable included — your doc. If you’re self-medicating yourself its drug abuse and may lead to dependency. At least I think of it that way. Hope that helped. Pete ;O) — ~ But if you’re in the eye of storm. Think of the lonely dove. The experience of survival is the key. To the gravitiy of love. ~ -Enigma
Since I have started Paxil, I have noticed so many positive effects.. First of all, my anxiety level has plummetted - thank God!! Secondly, my need to complete everything in order has subsided a little bit, I no longer panic if I don’t follow a schedule or stick to an exact plan. My depression has gotten so much better as well, I still feel bad sometimes, but nothing how I used to feel. But, then I wonder if this is a good thing. I mean, I have friends who do drugs like pot and ecstacy – they say that the drugs make them happy – ecstacy makes them feel empathetic and like they have a connection with people. Pot makes them calm, helps them concentrate, takes the edge off of their angry dispositions. So I’m wondering, how am I different from them in my own use of Paxil? How is it different that I am using a drug to alter the way I feel in somewhat the same way that they are using drugs to alter the way that they feel. The only difference is that my drugs are legal. I guess I’m rambling.. Shanon
For those of you who are on antidepressants, what different sorts of experiences have you had that show they’re working?
I am able to sleep. I am able to not obsess about things, to let things go, to go to work. I am able to eat better without so much worry that I will wake up the next morning weighting a ton. When I have gone off my antidepressants the first thing I notice returning is my anxiety, which results in insomnia and obsessive compulsive behaviors. I have gone off and back on many times against medical advise, and I know that they help me tremendously. When I am off, I crash so bad. Love Kal
i am not as reactive emotionally. but in a good way. i can still cry and i do feel anger, but its not rage anymore.
What a relief this must be. I have had flashes of rage throughout the years, for me I think they’re related to unrelenting depression. it has slowed my mind down. my mind used to race so fast , i talked fast, etc. now i am more even keeled. it has helped me to sleep better and longer. which is wonderful considering my history of insomnia. and i am more positive thinking now, i dont get so down on myself and i dont feel hopeless. i look for solutions to problems now and it helps to keep my chin up
but you’re an important part of ase-d for me. You are not your struggles, you are the person inside and I just wanted to let you know I see you. : ) Happy New Year! Betsy
Hi, My son & I are both on Paxil. I think it’s the best drug I’ve ever taken (so far), and it works very well on my son. For me, it has the least amount of side effects than Zoloft, Buspar & Luvox. Good luck, Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will it have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated thanks Smurf
"Smurf" <Smurf…@btinternet.com
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I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will
it
have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated
It’s pretty similar to Prozac in many respects but for some people the *initial* side-effects seem to be a bit more dramatic. It has a much shorter half-life than Prozac which means that a week after you stop taking it, the drug will leave your body – Prozac can stay around for much longer. There isn’t too much difference between the 2 drugs. Gareth.
http://paxil.bizland.com/ check this out first. it works well but it’s hell on earth to get off it!!!! "Smurf" <Smurf…@btinternet.com
wrote in message
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I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will
it
have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated thanks Smurf
Paxil helped me a lot more than Prozac ever did. The only bad problem I have ever had with Paxil is when I get a hair up my ass and decide not to take my medicine any more and tried to wean off of it. It is definitely a drug that has to be weaned from slowly. I’ve gotten very dizzy and had these shock like feelings going through my arms if I don’t take it. Ida Smurf <Smurf…@btinternet.com
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I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will
it
have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated thanks Smurf
Smurf wrote:
I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will it have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated thanks Smurf
I know I’m starting to sound like a walking advertisement for Paxil, but it’s helped me a lot. I’ve never been on Prozac, so I can’t compare the two. I did have some side effects, but they faded pretty quickly. Can I ask why you’re switching from Prozac to Paxil, and what specifically is worrying you about it? Good luck! — Dave Hollinden david.hollin…@sdrc.com (work) dholl…@iglou.com (home)
I went to my GP today and he put me on Paxil, I was on prozac before. How have others felt on Paxil, is it any good, is it as good as Prozac, Will it have any adverse side effects. I’m a bit worried to be honest so all help appreciated thanks Smurf
One side effect of having spasmodic torticollis which I had not appreciated was the difficulty in finding spectacles. Like many people of my age – 48 – I have difficulty reading without spectacles and I have been short-sighted since I was a teenager. So I thought I would try varifocal lenses to give me the best of both worlds.
I use varifocal lenses but just with the computer. I haven’t had any problem. I have S.T.,B.T.W. However I found these were very blurred. An optician friend at the bridge club explained why. Because of my neck movements I am often looking through the side of my spectacle lenses. Not all the area of a varifocal lens is intended to be used – just the middle funnel.
Your friend’s explanation seem to be on the mark. One should not move too much (side to side) with these spectacles. I have Essential Tremor and only when I purposefully exaggerate the movements will my vision will blur. Please keep in mind that some of the medications you take for Dystonia will affect your eye site precariously. Has anyone found the same problem and solved it. I would love to know. Thanks.
Regards, Gene
One side effect of having spasmodic torticollis which I had not appreciated was the difficulty in finding spectacles. Like many people of my age – 48 – I have difficulty reading without spectacles and I have been short-sighted since I was a teenager. So I thought I would try varifocal lenses to give me the best of both worlds. However I found these were very blurred. An optician friend at the bridge club explained why. Because of my neck movements I am often looking through the side of my spectacle lenses. Not all the area of a varifocal lens is intended to be used – just the middle funnel. Has anyone found the same problem and solved it. I would love to know. Thanks. — David Everett
Any side effects would be physical in nature. If things are fairly "whacked" (and I don’t know exactly what you mean) then it suggests the Zoloft is not working. Either you need to increase the dose up to the max of 200 mg or switch to another OCD drug such as Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, or Anafranil. Its pretty much trial and error. There is no way to know ahead of time which is most likely to work. Erich
D iIR r T wrote:
i have been on zoloft for about 7 months and haven’t noticed any physical side effects, but things are fairly wacked and i’m not sure if there are any known mental/emotional side effects… (?)
I’ve also been taking Zoloft for about 7-8 months and have noticed just one side effect … that being fatigue. I’m taking 300mg daily and my OCD symptoms have improved significantly. The major symptom of my OCD is having to go back and "check" if I’ve hit someone while driving … and because of the Zoloft and behaviour therapy, this symptom has pretty much disappeared (thankfully!). However, I can’t seem to get enough sleep …. I now require at least 8 hours to function and even then I’m pretty tired. However, I find this side effect tolerable in comparison to my OCD symptoms. I’ve also found a drastic improvement in regards to my mood swings. Shannon
Subject: Zoloft: side effects???? From: dii…@aol.com (D iIR r T) Date: Sun, Oct 26, 1997 01:01 EST Message-id: <19971026060100.BAA12…@ladder02.news.aol.com i have been on zoloft for about 7 months and haven’t noticed any physical side effects, but things are fairly wacked and i’m not sure if there are any known mental/emotional side effects… (?)
I think I know just what you mean. I tried Zoloft for about three or four months. After the first month or so, I would wake up and be in this strange, surreal state of mind for about 30 minutes or so before I would completely "awaken". It felt REALLY weird, and was quite unpleasant. The Zoloft also would alter my sleeping in such a way so that I would sometimes be asleep, but would be somewhat aware of what was happening in my environment; if someone cut a radio on, for instance, I would be aware of that, but would STILL BE ASLEEP. Strange. The stuff also interfered with my ability to concentrate to a certain extent, which I also didn’t like. Basically, you’ve just got ask yourself whether or not the medicine is taking care of the problem(s) it’s supposed to; then ask yourself whether or not the side effects are worth putting up with. If your answer to EITHER one of these questions is "no", you might want to give another SSRI a try. I personally went back to Prozac, and am glad I did. Good luck… -Bill Spruell
i have been on zoloft for about 7 months and haven’t noticed any physical side effects, but things are fairly wacked and i’m not sure if there are any known mental/emotional side effects… (?)
John, Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. Amazing tho that may seem.
From the evidence of my eyes and memory, a lot of depressed people don’t. The information is probably news to someone reading it, old hat though it was to you. — The opinions given above may be mine. They might also just be what I feel like saying right now, okay?
Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together? Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers? Well, Zoloft is an antidepressant. Alcohol is a CNS depressant. Your call. Danny
It is possible to have seizures and also strokes when combining alcohol and zoloft. TheDelser
: OUCH! nothing more to say…;) : I’ve taken Zoloft for 3 years and drank for 3+ years. Zoloft has helped, and has been therapeutic. I no longer take Zoloft, but I still have my beers. will
Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good it makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft. Carma – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together? Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?
Excellent response. I really wish someone had given me this advice before I got into it. SNIP Many to totally stupid and embarassing things in public.
That would be me. This may get you taked about but not in a light you would like.
And how. The danger is that you don’t know what will happen. For damn sure don’t have to plan on driving. I went into a corn field one night on two Vodka martinis, sound asleep at the wheel. They check for the level and it was only .15. But the combination of that and my BP pills knocked my but out.
Okay, are you sure you mean .15? Legally drunk is .10, you know… Just checking. G. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -SNIP
Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together? Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?
Zoloft (sertraline) is an antidepressant; alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, so the expectation would likely be that drinking while depressed would not be helpful to recovery. This is not to say that an occasional sip of alcohol would hurt, but it is always wise to speak with your own physician about these drinking while on psychiatric medications. I no longer drink while taking medications. I used to. Didn’t help at all to drink, in fact made it worse, so I quit. -jim
Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together? Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?
: Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : it makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft. The term "depressant", when used in reference to alcohol, means that it slows you down, NOT that it causes the condition known as "depression". Alcohol *CAN* be dangerous with zoloft; it can make you MUCH drowsier/drunker than you expect, and long term alcohol use *CAN* cause depression (not because it’s a "depressant", but because of other changes that heavy use of alcohol causes in your body) But light drinking is fairly safe. The reason you’re told to avoid alcohol on zoloft is because you don’t have carte blanche freedom to drink as much as you want.
Hi all, I’d like to mention an additional danger besides the one listed. Zoloft (as do ALL antidepressants) tends to lower the seizure threshold (i.e. make it easier to have a seizure) as does alcohol. For most people this might not be a problem, but if you’re borderline seizure oriented, or especially overtired, be VERY careful of this combination. I’d remind people as well, that this being cough/cold season, LIQUID nyquil is 50 proof or 25% alcohol. Email welcome. John Abeel — John Abeel, R.P.H. http://www.servtech.com/public/rxman " He who hath no scruples isn’t worth a dram " – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : John, : Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart : enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. : Amazing tho that may seem. Why, then, didn’t you use the term "depressant" correctly in the following post that you made? : : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : : it makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.
While on ADs, the effects of alcohol on my system are unpredictable. I
The effects of alcohol on bipolar people, on AD or not, is unpredictable. |Home page:http://reality.sgi.com/employees/chokshi_clubfed/ |Silicon Graphics, Inc., voice: (301) 572-1678, fax: (301) 572-8778 |—Mortal, why doth thou live like thou art immortal?
Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together? Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?
Well, Zoloft is an antidepressant. Alcohol is a CNS depressant. Your call. Danny
: It is possible to have seizures and also strokes when combining alcohol : and zoloft. Strangely, this is NOT mentioned in any of the literature on zoloft. Care to substantiate this claim, oh ignoble bullshitter?
John, Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. Amazing tho that may seem. Carma – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : it makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft. The term "depressant", when used in reference to alcohol, means that it slows you down, NOT that it causes the condition known as "depression". Alcohol *CAN* be dangerous with zoloft; it can make you MUCH drowsier/drunker than you expect, and long term alcohol use *CAN* cause depression (not because it’s a "depressant", but because of other changes that heavy use of alcohol causes in your body) But light drinking is fairly safe. The reason you’re told to avoid alcohol on zoloft is because you don’t have carte blanche freedom to drink as much as you want.
Well let’s see perhaps it is just I’ve been studying the wrong books but the last time I checked all forms of ETOH were listed as major central nervous system depressants and the formula 1 CNSD + 1 CNSD still looks like too drugged to cogitate properly let alone breath. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – : John, : Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart : enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. : Amazing tho that may seem. Why, then, didn’t you use the term "depressant" correctly in the following post that you made? : : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : : it makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.
: John, : Not to be too dysphoric but some of us litle ole bipolars are smart : enough to know the difference between depression and a CNS depressant. : Amazing tho that may seem. Why, then, didn’t you use the term "depressant" correctly in the following post that you made? : : Ahcohol is a depressant, no matter what else you think about how good : : it makes you feel. It interferes with you Zoloft.
OUCH! nothing more to say…;)
Zoloft affects Serotonin, while alcohol affects GABA transmission and recption. Unless there’s effects we’re not aware of.
Can anyone tell me what the dangers are of taking Zoloft and alcohol together? Is it just that the Zoloft may not be affective, or are there physical dangers?
You may get drunk a LOT faster. Then again, you may not. Charlie’s Sneaker Pages: http://sneakers.pair.com/ Best Value in Airplanes: http://www.boeing.com/
Im looking for any information regarding results people have found using Manerix or other antidepressants for treating Panic
Im looking for any information regarding results people have found using Manerix or other antidepressants for treating Panic
Manerix is one of the so-called "reversible" MAOI antidepressants. The main advantage it seems to have over traditional MAOIs (Nardil and Parnate) is that it doesn’t impose the hefty food restrictions they do. Against that, it seems to have picked up a reputation for not being very wonderful against PD, though *some* have reported successes with it so it might be worth a try. I was on it for a few months. They were the most expensive M&Ms I’ve ever bought 
— Gary Cooper
Marks) writes: Org. : York University Im looking for any information regarding results people have found using Manerix or other antidepressants for treating Panic
Dear Brad (?), Hello, and welcome to ASAP! Depending on what you want the info for, you may have to be a little more specific… I monitor this group fairly regularly, and would hazard a conservative guess that at least 50% of us are on some sort of antidepressant. Some are on the older types (e.g., imiprimine, etc.) while many others are on the newer SSRI’s (Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, etc.) Some take an antidepressant alone, others take a combination of antidepressant plus a benzodiazapine …again, the benzos seem to range from good ol’ Valium to newer things like Xanax (alprazolam) or Rivotril (called Klonopin in the U.S., available here in Canada as generic "clonazapam".) Still others take only the benzo with no antidepressant. In this, as in so many areas of life, the watchword is YMMV (your mileage may vary.) For example, I take .5 mg Rivotril (clonazapam) and 10 mg imiprimine once a day, at bedtime, which seems to keep my panic attacks at bay. My doc has suggested a switch to Zoloft and gradually dropping the Rivotril, but I’m foot-dragging… partly due to fear of change (and possibly having to experience a flood of panic attacks) and partly due to the increased $$ I will have to spend on meds if I decide to switch. Hope this helps, Jane. —