Question:

Hello: For those who are using Prednisone on a long term basis, can you post the actual side effects you are experiencing? I have read the list of possible side effects. Reason: I need to make a decision on using Prednisone for the long term. Thank You. Take Care. B.

Response:

Hello: For those who are using Prednisone on a long term basis, can you post the actual side effects you are experiencing?

My 17 yr old dughter uses Medrol. Her Dr. feels it has lesser side effects in long term use.We feel it has contributed to her having multiple fractures(however she is a gymnast). It makes her hungry, and moody as well as cousing some weight gain.

Response:

I have been on prednisone for 19 months now – ranging from 60 mg to 15 mg (can’t get below that).  I have had changes in my eye sight, depression, weight gain (60 lbs) and moonface.  Personally if I had a choice I wouldn’t use it any longer than I had to. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: For those who are using Prednisone on a long term basis, can you post the actual side effects you are experiencing? I have read the list of possible side effects. Reason: I need to make a decision on using Prednisone for the long term. Thank You. Take Care. B.

Response:

Hello: For those who are using Prednisone on a long term basis, can you post the actual side effects you are experiencing? My 17 yr old dughter uses Medrol. Her Dr. feels it has lesser side effects in long term use.We feel it has contributed to her having multiple fractures(however she is a gymnast). It makes her hungry, and moody as well as cousing some weight gain.

The fractures suggests osteoporosis. Has she had a test? DEXA scan or ultrasound. If she has osteoporosis is she taking calcium supplements and/or Fosomax plus vitamin D? Links on osteoporosis: http://odp.od.nih.gov/consensus/cons/111/111_statement.htm 111. Osteoporosis Prevention, Diagnosis, and Therapy    National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference Statement    March 27-29, 2000 http://www.vh.org/Providers/ClinRef/FPHandbook/Chapter07/14-7.html Gynecology: Osteoporosis http://www.osteo.org/ http://www.springnet.com/ce/p803b.htm Administering Steroids Successfully More info on osteoporosis searching google.com also try the NG sci.med.diseases.osteoporosis Ellis Ellis

Response:

Hello: For those who are using Prednisone on a long term basis, can you post the actual side effects you are experiencing? I have read the list of possible side effects. Reason: I need to make a decision on using Prednisone for the long term. Thank You. Take Care. B.

Hiya – I have been taking daily Prednisone for the last three years.  I have taken a max of 90mg (when I had pneumonia) to my lowest at 20mg.  (I actually went lower than that once taking a hopefully-coming-out-soon inhaler called mometasone, but that doesnt really count). The main side effects I have, is hunger, major weight gain, a bit of adult acne and hair thinning.   My hair hasnt fallen out in clumps but there are some sorta bare spots. I cant tell you what you should do, but in my case I really had no choice.  I was going to the ER at least twice a week and wasn’t getting any better.  Im still on disability for the asthma, and I also take, daily, proventil neb, atrovent neb, claritin d, prilosec, flovent 220 x2 and serevent x2.  For me, the choice was steroids or breathing. I hope this has helped you.  If you have any questions please feel free to ask, or email me. Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )

Response:

I’ve been on prednisone now for 12 years continuously, at varying dosages most of them above 50 mg a day. I have basically had no side effects, I don’t get depression, mood swings or any other of the emotional effects. I haven’t developed diabetes or cataracts. I have slight osteoporosis but this has not got any worse in the last 6 years since I’ve been taking calcium and calcitriol. I know I’m one of the lucky ones who hasn’t had any major problems but there must be more of us around. Hope this helps a little Renae

Response:

: Hello: For those who are using Prednisone on a long term basis, can you : post the actual side effects you are experiencing? I have read the list : of possible side effects. Reason: I need to make a decision on using : Prednisone for the long term. Thank You. Take Care. B. If you can make a decision you should probably decide not to take it. Most of us take it when there is nothing left to stop the asthma. If you can find some other way to control your astma take it. That said the side effects vary from almost none to perforated ulcers and bowels, physocotic mood swings, mania, depression, weight gain, bone loss, and the list goes on. You can end up with adreanl shut down and not be able to get off it at all.  When it is the choice of predizone and breathing I choose breathing. — Gordon    W5RED www.couger.com/gcouger :

Response:

Hello: I Thank all who responded and those who gave specific personal information a special Thank You. Take Care. B. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello: For those who are using Prednisone on a long term basis, can you post the actual side effects you are experiencing? I have read the list of possible side effects. Reason: I need to make a decision on using Prednisone for the long term. Thank You. Take Care. B.

Response:

I was on prednisone for almost two years straight, doses ranging from 110 mg/day to 10-15 mg/day. I had most of the side effects mentioned above plus I had weird skin discolorations in the places that I tended to gain the most weight. Now that I have been off of prednisone for several years now I still have to get bone density tests and cateract/glacoma tested every few years. If I had the choice to take it or not I can’t say that I’d go back to that again, but if it’s the choice between breathing and not I’d take it hands down. -M Hello: For those who are using Prednisone on a long term basis, can you post the actual side effects you are experiencing? I have read the list of possible side effects. Reason: I need to make a decision on using Prednisone for the long term. Thank You. Take Care. B.

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Response:

With me it has always been an easy choice- I want to live and therefore breath- inhaled steroids work up to a point and then I need heavy duty/short duration of prednisone. I would talk to Dr. and see what they think about high dose for short time rather then low dose for long time.  If  Dr. still thinks long term get on the lowest dose you can to maintain. Pam

Response:

I forgot to list the side effects that I have when on prednisone.  The worst for me to deal with is the emotional roll-a-coaster, and the "foggy" dull feeling that I am missing out on things that I should have gotten.  The next is the continuos head ache and stomach problems.  then the weight gain (because this lasts even after I am off) and the long term side effects that I have are cataracts and osteoporosis (I have bones of and 80 year old and I am in my 40’s).  I have had several "stress fractures".  so again if you can avoid it don’t use it.   Pam

Response:

Question:

$240 for a "trial" package?  You guys gotta be kidding!  Is anybody who subscribes to this group stupid enough to send these assholes money? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, We are writing to announce that Johnny Powers has joined as a partner with William Lee, and we now have both the 20mg Lilly Icos original Cialis and the 20mg Chinese manufactured generic Cialis available. business. Lee did not save his emails offline, so he has no record of your order. However, as his partner, Johnny Powers will honor every commitment that William Lee made.  If you have an order of the generic 20mg Chinese Cialis pending, just write to us with the banking and the order details, and we will get the package mailed off to you. So, this is what we have now Real (Lilly Icos) 20mg Cialis Tablets Available for Sale in Quantity 1.)Small trial sample   $15 USD per pill.  16 pills for $15 each, that would be $240  for a 16 pill personal use supply.  (16 pills = 4 blister packs) 2.)Personal use supply   $10 USD per pill.  60 pills for $10 each, that would be $600  for a nice 60 pill personal use supply.  (60 pills = 15 blister packs) 3.)Large Lot sales    $5 USD per pill.  We are willing to really deeply discount to sell in large lots.  We are willing to sell 1,000 pill lots for $5 each, that would be $5,000 for a 1,000 pills.  (1,000 pills = 250 blister packs) Now, We Also Have Generic Chinese Cialis 20mg Pills Available at the following prices: 100 pills for $99-USD  (0.99 per pill) 200 pills for $180-USD  (0.90  per pill) 300 pills for $245-USD  (0.817 per pill) These prices for both the Generic and the Lilly Pharmaceuticals Cialis include shipping to any destination via parcel post.  We have had no problems with any countrys customs.  We place industry standard labeling and customs declarations on the package, and we have our doctors letter inside the package. Please write for ordering instructions Security Issues, we will not allow ourselves to be run out the business, the way that my friend William Lee was treated by Yahoo. Whenever we correspond, I will always send a bcc copy to my Hotmail Save that Hotmail address.  Email to us at Hotmail should hushmail ever fail. Should hushmail roll-over for the net nannies and shut down this account, we will still have your order information at hotmail, and saved offline on our laptops, and we will not loose or otherwise fail to honor any commitments that we make

Response:

There’s a sucker born every minute..

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – $240 for a "trial" package?  You guys gotta be kidding!  Is anybody who subscribes to this group stupid enough to send these assholes money? Hello, We are writing to announce that Johnny Powers has joined as a partner with William Lee, and we now have both the 20mg Lilly Icos original Cialis and the 20mg Chinese manufactured generic Cialis available. business. Lee did not save his emails offline, so he has no record of your order. However, as his partner, Johnny Powers will honor every commitment that William Lee made.  If you have an order of the generic 20mg Chinese Cialis pending, just write to us with the banking and the order details, and we will get the package mailed off to you. So, this is what we have now Real (Lilly Icos) 20mg Cialis Tablets Available for Sale in Quantity 1.)Small trial sample   $15 USD per pill.  16 pills for $15 each, that would be $240  for a 16 pill personal use supply.  (16 pills = 4 blister packs) 2.)Personal use supply   $10 USD per pill.  60 pills for $10 each, that would be $600  for a nice 60 pill personal use supply.  (60 pills = 15 blister packs) 3.)Large Lot sales    $5 USD per pill.  We are willing to really deeply discount to sell in large lots.  We are willing to sell 1,000 pill lots for $5 each, that would be $5,000 for a 1,000 pills.  (1,000 pills = 250 blister packs) Now, We Also Have Generic Chinese Cialis 20mg Pills Available at the following prices: 100 pills for $99-USD  (0.99 per pill) 200 pills for $180-USD  (0.90  per pill) 300 pills for $245-USD  (0.817 per pill) These prices for both the Generic and the Lilly Pharmaceuticals Cialis include shipping to any destination via parcel post.  We have had no problems with any countrys customs.  We place industry standard labeling and customs declarations on the package, and we have our doctors letter inside the package. Please write for ordering instructions Security Issues, we will not allow ourselves to be run out the business, the way that my friend William Lee was treated by Yahoo. Whenever we correspond, I will always send a bcc copy to my Hotmail Save that Hotmail address.  Email to us at Hotmail should hushmail ever fail. Should hushmail roll-over for the net nannies and shut down this account, we will still have your order information at hotmail, and saved offline on our laptops, and we will not loose or otherwise fail to honor any commitments that we make

Response:

Hello, We are writing to announce that Johnny Powers has joined as a partner with William Lee, and we now have both the 20mg Lilly Icos original Cialis and the 20mg Chinese manufactured generic Cialis available. business. Lee did not save his emails offline, so he has no record of your order. However, as his partner, Johnny Powers will honor every commitment that William Lee made.  If you have an order of the generic 20mg Chinese Cialis pending, just write to us with the banking and the order details, and we will get the package mailed off to you. So, this is what we have now Real (Lilly Icos) 20mg Cialis Tablets Available for Sale in Quantity 1.)Small trial sample   $15 USD per pill.  16 pills for $15 each, that would be $240  for a 16 pill personal use supply.  (16 pills = 4 blister packs) 2.)Personal use supply   $10 USD per pill.  60 pills for $10 each, that would be $600  for a nice 60 pill personal use supply.  (60 pills = 15 blister packs) 3.)Large Lot sales    $5 USD per pill.  We are willing to really deeply discount to sell in large lots.  We are willing to sell 1,000 pill lots for $5 each, that would be $5,000 for a 1,000 pills.  (1,000 pills = 250 blister packs) Now, We Also Have Generic Chinese Cialis 20mg Pills Available at the following prices: 100 pills for $99-USD  (0.99 per pill) 200 pills for $180-USD  (0.90  per pill) 300 pills for $245-USD  (0.817 per pill) These prices for both the Generic and the Lilly Pharmaceuticals Cialis include shipping to any destination via parcel post.  We have had no problems with any countrys customs.  We place industry standard labeling and customs declarations on the package, and we have our doctors letter inside the package. Please write for ordering instructions Security Issues, we will not allow ourselves to be run out the business, the way that my friend William Lee was treated by Yahoo. Whenever we correspond, I will always send a bcc copy to my Hotmail Save that Hotmail address.  Email to us at Hotmail should hushmail ever fail. Should hushmail roll-over for the net nannies and shut down this account, we will still have your order information at hotmail, and saved offline on our laptops, and we will not loose or otherwise fail to honor any commitments that we make

Response:

Question:

Singulair is known to curb/assist in eczema and uticaria.

Would you provide me a source for this comment.  I have eczema on my hands and used Singulair until recently.  I’ll have to go back and check the dates but the flare of eczema may coincide with my discontinuing the Singulair.

Response:

Singulair is effective in patients who have an atopic component to their asthma. This atopy is more in align with the upper airways (rhinitis etc.) than a skin allergy, however, Singulair is known to curb/assist in eczema and uticaria. When comparing the two different anti-leukotreiens, as noted on the package inserts of Accolate, it is twice a day dosage, has limited safety profile of between 12 and 65yrs, there exists food and drug interactions, may not be taken one hour before food or before two hours after  food as food affects the bioavailabilty of the drug, interacts with warfarin, aspirin, theophylline, terfinadine and erethomicine. Singulair on the other hand is a once a day dosage, no food or drug interactions and a safety profile from 2yrs of age. The drug is currently being trialed in 6month old babies to two year old kids. Singulair has addressed my post-nasal drip, used to take Flixonase. You might find that your allergy is caused by something that your currentmeds do not address, but if I was you, I would try the Singulair, drop the Accolate. My opinion remains my own from personal experience. Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have some Singulair at the house and have been thinking of taking that instead of Accolate but I doubt that would work. You don’t know until you try it, but has this been prescribed by your doctor?  You would be wise to do things in concert with him/her.  I’m also assuming your doctor is an allergist.  If not, get an allergist fast. You are also taking a lot of asthma medicine and you have a lot of "rhinitis" type symptoms (post-nasal drip, etc.).  Sounds like you want to address those, too (the asthma meds won’t do that, although Singulair might, but that’s another topic). You might want to consider allergy shots, if your allergist determines that indeed you have allergy problems.  They take a long time to build up, but if they work, they are great because you become "immune" to some degree to your allergens.  Very nice.  I speak from experience (took shots for over 10 years then stopped when symptoms were abated for several years). — — Lou Pecora   – My views are my own.

Response:

I suspect the Flovent, especially if you get worse as the dose goes up. Some of Flovent’s side effects are serioius and permanent. Read the warning paper that comes with it. Wheezing is a side effect of Flovent, ( big help). And I never had hives  before Flovent, (another side effect), I only used it for 3 weeks and I still get hives 20 months later.

Response:

I have some Singulair at the house and have been thinking of taking that instead of Accolate but I doubt that would work.

You don’t know until you try it, but has this been prescribed by your doctor?  You would be wise to do things in concert with him/her.  I’m also assuming your doctor is an allergist.  If not, get an allergist fast.   You are also taking a lot of asthma medicine and you have a lot of "rhinitis" type symptoms (post-nasal drip, etc.).  Sounds like you want to address those, too (the asthma meds won’t do that, although Singulair might, but that’s another topic).   You might want to consider allergy shots, if your allergist determines that indeed you have allergy problems.  They take a long time to build up, but if they work, they are great because you become "immune" to some degree to your allergens.  Very nice.  I speak from experience (took shots for over 10 years then stopped when symptoms were abated for several years). — — Lou Pecora   – My views are my own.

Response:

Hi Dana, Some things that might help.  Are your windows in the house closed. Do you keep your windows closed when traveling in the car?  This will keep the pollen out of the house and car.

For the house it might be a better idea to use a window fan with a pollen filter. I mean, what if she’s allergic to indoor things as well like mold spores and dust mite junk? — web: http://www.insecurities.org/jenwolf I keep my air conditioner on with the windows closed.  Of course it’s over 90 here.  If there is a dust mite problem or mold problem then those issues need to be addressed.  I live in a low humidity area so mold and dust mites aren’t that big of a deal here, but I do have my mattresses encased, etc. Also our house is 2 years old, and we are getting rid of the carpets and going to install laminate flooring to elimate other thousands of things that carpets hold. Anything I think will help with my ashtma and allergys I try to do.  Also I live on a farm and no kittys are allowed inside, along with the rest of the animals.  So no pet dander either. Kathy

Response:

Thanks everyone for the input. For the record, I always have the windows closed and the a/c on. Use a top of the line filter as well just for allergies. I have a air purifer in my bedroom. There are no pets in the house. I am extremely allergic to mold and grass pollen both of which have been at high levels in my area for the past 2 wks. I have not had any probs with my allergies or asthma since I developed sinusitus this past winter. I have developed a sinus infection as of this morning and have started on antibiotics. This mess in my nose is starting to flare up my asthma more and more and hope I don’t have to get back on prednisone. Just can’t handle how moody I get on it. I have to take a test this coming Sat. in order to apply to grad school so I am a bit freaked out to say the least. I really hope I start feeling better in the next few weeks. Dana

Response:

For the last couple of weeks my alllergies have really flared up.

Claritin has helped me.  There’s no interaction with my other meds but check with your dr *and* pharmicist. Ted

Response:

Talk to your doctor about adding pseudophedrine decongestant to help with sinuses (there’s a variation of Zyrtec called Zyrtec-D with a 12 hour dose of pseudophedrine included).  There may be reasons against your taking it. Good luck Liam

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For the last couple of weeks my alllergies have really flared up. I take Nasonex and Zyrtec but lately they don’t seem to be doing a thing for me. My sinuses run down my throat especially at night to the point where my throat is raw. MY voice has deepened as well. Now my asthma is flaring up and I don’t know what to do. I take Accolate, Albuterol, Serevent and Flovent for my asthma. I upped my flovent due to increased inflammation. My doctor put me on prednisone for a wk last wk but as soon as I got off the allergies and asthma flared up again. I have some Singulair at the house and have been thinking of taking that instead of Accolate but I doubt that would work. Any suggestions? Dana

Response:

Any suggestions?

Check back with your Doctor and let him know of your problems without self medicating yourself.

Response:

Hi Dana, Some things that might help.  Are your windows in the house closed. Do you keep your windows closed when traveling in the car?  This will keep the pollen out of the house and car.

For the house it might be a better idea to use a window fan with a pollen filter. I mean, what if she’s allergic to indoor things as well like mold spores and dust mite junk? — web: http://www.insecurities.org/jenwolf

Response:

Hi Dana, Some things that might help.  Are your windows in the house closed.  Do you keep your windows closed when traveling in the car?  This will keep the pollen out of the house and car.  Are you rinsing out your nose with salt? Use pickling salt, as it is more pure and warm water with a syringe or water pic.  Do several times a day before you use the flonase.  I also gargle with the salt water mixture.  This helps the sore throat. Also when I am having a bad flare like this, I use the nebulizer instead of the albuterol inhaler.  I take hot showers for the steam to open up also. You could ask the doc for a steroid shot, as they last about 3 weeks. Hope this helps Kathy

Response:

For the last couple of weeks my alllergies have really flared up. I take Nasonex and Zyrtec but lately they don’t seem to be doing a thing for me. My sinuses run down my throat especially at night to the point where my throat is raw. MY voice has deepened as well. Now my asthma is flaring up and I don’t know what to do. I take Accolate, Albuterol, Serevent and Flovent for my asthma. I upped my flovent due to increased inflammation. My doctor put me on prednisone for a wk last wk but as soon as I got off the allergies and asthma flared up again. I have some Singulair at the house and have been thinking of taking that instead of Accolate but I doubt that would work. Any suggestions? Dana

Response:

Question:

Wellbutrin doesn’t cause sexual side effects!  Effexor XR worked great for me but is a TOTAL b*tch to withdraw from – even if you miss one day you get nauseated and sick – bad news!  It also caused sexual side effects for me, as does Celexa – I would avoid both Celexa and Effexor XR and go for the BuSpar or try Wellbutrin. ~Melissa

Response:

Wellbutrin doesn’t cause sexual side effects!  Effexor XR worked great for me but is a TOTAL b*tch to withdraw from – even if you miss one day you get nauseated and sick – bad news!  It also caused sexual side effects for me, as does Celexa – I would avoid both Celexa and Effexor XR and go for the BuSpar or try Wellbutrin. ~Melissa

 But thats your response to Effexor Melissa. Everyone is different. I have been on Effexor XR now for about 3 months. Last weekend I missed my first daily dose, I was staying at a friends house and was so busy with things going on that I just forgot to take my Effexor. I experienced no side effects at all – none. The next day I took my usual dose of 75mg without noticing anything out of the ordinary. I don’t think you can’t lump everyone into the same catagory – people respond differently. So far Effexor XR has helped me a lot.

Response:

My wife has been suffering from daily anxiety for some time now. It may be related to her diagnoses of multiple sclerosis over a year ago; her menopausal phase; or her hypothyroidism. After taking hormone replacement therapy and synthroid for the thyroid problem, she still has daily anxiety. She has been treating it with Ativan but her doc recommend an anti-depressent. Here’s the problem: her GP recommends Celexa; her neurologist recommends Effexor; and her psychiatrist recommended Buspar (and maybe a second drug as well.) She tried Prozac years ago and it worked well except she lost all interest in sex or orgasm was near impossible. My question is…can anyone give some insight into possible side effects of the 3 ADs mentioned? What might she expect? What about withdrawl from them? Getting off of Prozac was a bitch. Any help would be appreciated.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My wife has been suffering from daily anxiety for some time now. It may be related to her diagnoses of multiple sclerosis over a year ago; her menopausal phase; or her hypothyroidism. After taking hormone replacement therapy and synthroid for the thyroid problem, she still has daily anxiety. She has been treating it with Ativan but her doc recommend an anti-depressent. Here’s the problem: her GP recommends Celexa; her neurologist recommends Effexor; and her psychiatrist recommended Buspar (and maybe a second drug as well.) She tried Prozac years ago and it worked well except she lost all interest in sex or orgasm was near impossible. My question is…can anyone give some insight into possible side effects of the 3 ADs mentioned? What might she expect? What about withdrawl from them? Getting off of Prozac was a bitch. Any help would be appreciated.

Buspar in not like any other anxiety drug and not use for panick attack. It takes effect after a few weeks and does not interfere with the interest in sex. On the contrary, some say that at high dosage, it helps. The only sundesirable side effects i have experienced with Buspar is, sometimes, dizziness and tiredness. Il helps to take the medication with a very large glass of water. If you experience panick attack you could had attivan or something similar for a couple of days. ap

Response:

Question:

Well some doctor dignosed me wdith depression and anxiety. Got some wellbutrin for the depression and atavan for the anxiety. the atavan works good! I take 1mg. when I get to start going into an attack. But I don’t know about the wellbutrin. Sometimes I feel like it’s working but at times I just feel so down and the stuff doesn’t seem to work. I tke 300mgs. 150 in the morning and 150 at night. Does anyone take this stuff? If so how are you doing with it and how much do you take? Please reply in the group !!

Response:

I take wellbutrin, twice a day, for the last three months, it works for me

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well some doctor dignosed me wdith depression and anxiety. Got some wellbutrin for the depression and atavan for the anxiety. the atavan works good! I take 1mg. when I get to start going into an attack. But I don’t know about the wellbutrin. Sometimes I feel like it’s working but at times I just feel so down and the stuff doesn’t seem to work. I tke 300mgs. 150 in the morning and 150 at night. Does anyone take this stuff? If so how are you doing with it and how much do you take? Please reply in the group !!

Response:

I take the same dose, I just upped it to this since last saturday and I feel much better, no insecutities, no depression. I was on 150 mg in the morning for the past 3 years for ADHD, but figured out I also have depression……upped the dose and I am good to go now…. I take wellbutrin, twice a day, for the last three months, it works for me Well some doctor dignosed me wdith depression and anxiety. Got some wellbutrin for the depression and atavan for the anxiety. the atavan works good! I take 1mg. when I get to start going into an attack. But I don’t know about the wellbutrin. Sometimes I feel like it’s working but at times I just feel so down and the stuff doesn’t seem to work. I tke 300mgs. 150 in the morning and 150 at night. Does anyone take this stuff? If so how are you doing with it and how much do you take? Please reply in the group !!

–   8:55am  up 3 days, 27 min,  1 user,  load average: 0.06, 0.10, 0.33 Linux 2.2.16-22 Acerbus Vir, "Carpo Noctis", http://www.clicqx.com —

Response:

Well some doctor dignosed me wdith depression and anxiety. Got some wellbutrin for the depression and atavan for the anxiety. the atavan works good! I take 1mg. when I get to start going into an attack. But I don’t know about the wellbutrin. Sometimes I feel like it’s working but at times I just feel so down and the stuff doesn’t seem to work. I tke 300mgs. 150 in the morning and 150 at night. Does anyone take this stuff? If so how are you doing with it and how much do you take? Please reply in the group !!

Hi, For me, Wellbutrin works best as a means to reduce fatigue. I’ve been taking Wellbutrin for almost two years.  I started with celexa, but it caused increased fatigue.  I then tried Wellbutrin and liked it.  I tried them together but celexa still knocked me out.  I stopped celexa and just used Wellbutrin twice a day.  One or both of these made me way too happy, and even enhanced colors to the point of being noticable.  While that was fun, I was more interested in being normal. I take Wellbutrin 150mg 3 times a day now.  Twice a day was fine at first, but I got tolerant to it and so upped to three.  No manic or colors.. It took three to keep my brain numbness (tense mucsles) and fatigue away, so I assume that means it’s helping with my depression.  It seems to miss the mark for my anxiety, but maybe helps a little.  My anxiety is always present, and doesn’t really come and go. Upping to three and maybe in combo with depakote gave me an occasional very slight tremor.  The Wellbutrin is like three cups of coffee, or chewing a piece of nicotine gum, so I added the depakote to negate that a bit. Either Depakote seriously trashed my short term memory, or it allowed the reality induced stress to do it, but my memory (ability to concentrate?) went bye-bye when I started it.  That’s much better now (a year and a half after starting depakote).  Memory still causes me problems, and it will probably show up in the composition of this message. When I firt started taking Wellbutrin, I felt good and actually had an interest in doing projects and visiting people.  Let me tell you that is a great feeling and if that is the absence of depression, I want it.  While I don’t have that fatigued feeling anymore,  I’m back to my old self  now of being lazy and not wanting to vist anyone, and my surroundings quite often are not are in focus from an awareness standpoint. Hope this rambling helps a little.  Feel free to e-mail or just post if anything I said sparks a question. Take it easy, Robert

Response:

"BUSPAR" for anxiety.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well some doctor dignosed me wdith depression and anxiety. Got some wellbutrin for the depression and atavan for the anxiety. the atavan works good! I take 1mg. when I get to start going into an attack. But I don’t know about the wellbutrin. Sometimes I feel like it’s working but at times I just feel so down and the stuff doesn’t seem to work. I tke 300mgs. 150 in the morning and 150 at night. Does anyone take this stuff? If so how are you doing with it and how much do you take? Please reply in the group !! Hi, For me, Wellbutrin works best as a means to reduce fatigue. I’ve been taking Wellbutrin for almost two years.  I started with celexa, but it caused increased fatigue.  I then tried Wellbutrin and liked it.  I tried them together but celexa still knocked me out.  I stopped celexa and just used Wellbutrin twice a day.  One or both of these made me way too happy, and even enhanced colors to the point of being noticable.  While that was fun, I was more interested in being normal. I take Wellbutrin 150mg 3 times a day now.  Twice a day was fine at first, but I got tolerant to it and so upped to three.  No manic or colors.. It took three to keep my brain numbness (tense mucsles) and fatigue away, so I assume that means it’s helping with my depression.  It seems to miss the mark for my anxiety, but maybe helps a little.  My anxiety is always present, and doesn’t really come and go. Upping to three and maybe in combo with depakote gave me an occasional very slight tremor.  The Wellbutrin is like three cups of coffee, or chewing a piece of nicotine gum, so I added the depakote to negate that a bit. Either Depakote seriously trashed my short term memory, or it allowed the reality induced stress to do it, but my memory (ability to concentrate?) went bye-bye when I started it.  That’s much better now (a year and a half after starting depakote).  Memory still causes me problems, and it will probably show up in the composition of this message. When I firt started taking Wellbutrin, I felt good and actually had an interest in doing projects and visiting people.  Let me tell you that is a great feeling and if that is the absence of depression, I want it.  While I don’t have that fatigued feeling anymore,  I’m back to my old self  now of being lazy and not wanting to vist anyone, and my surroundings quite often are not are in focus from an awareness standpoint. Hope this rambling helps a little.  Feel free to e-mail or just post if anything I said sparks a question. Take it easy, Robert

Response:

I take 150/mg of Wellbutrin 2x/day, and Remeron 30mg, and doxepin 50mg at night, i dont think anything is working yet

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well some doctor dignosed me wdith depression and anxiety. Got some wellbutrin for the depression and atavan for the anxiety. the atavan works good! I take 1mg. when I get to start going into an attack. But I don’t know about the wellbutrin. Sometimes I feel like it’s working but at times I just feel so down and the stuff doesn’t seem to work. I tke 300mgs. 150 in the morning and 150 at night. Does anyone take this stuff? If so how are you doing with it and how much do you take? Please reply in the group !!

Response:

100 mg twice a day been taking it 13 years not a *cure*, but the only AD that ever helped me usually takes 4-6 weeks to begin working currently taking it with Ritalin and Risperdal Schuyler "Bliss is ignorance"

Response:

Well some doctor dignosed me wdith depression and anxiety. Got some wellbutrin for the depression and atavan for the anxiety. the atavan works good! I take 1mg. when I get to start going into an attack. But I don’t know about the wellbutrin. Sometimes I feel like it’s working but at times I just feel so down and the stuff doesn’t seem to work. I tke 300mgs. 150 in the morning and 150 at night. Does anyone take this stuff? If so how are you doing with it and how much do you take? Please reply in the group !!

I was on it, recently.  Sort of a first-run to see the results, if any.  Same amount, same dosage.  The reaction times I’ve seen vary.  I started feeling results in a couple of weeks (though I’ve seen claims that it started working in as little as 2-3 days!) I was better able to focus, my routines weren’t disrupted by an inability to concentrate, which was one of the symptoms of my own depression.  I will add that counseling also helped to some degree.

Response:

I’ve been on Wellbutrin for about 3 years now. Until recently it was working quite well. The past few weeks I have been really struggling with my depression; feelings of worthelssness, guilt, suicidal idealogy. And my insomnia is coming back. For me the insominia is almost worse than the other symptoms. I hate not being able to sleep. Is it possible the efficacy of the medication is diminishing because I’ve been on it so long?

Response:

I’ve been on Wellbutrin for about 3 years now. Until recently it was working quite well. The past few weeks I have been really struggling with my depression; feelings of worthelssness, guilt, suicidal idealogy. And my insomnia is coming back. For me the insominia is almost worse than the other symptoms. I hate not being able to sleep. Is it possible the efficacy of the medication is diminishing because I’ve been on it so long?

Yes it is possible; when I was having a particularly hard time a while back my dr gave me some celexa as well, then tried remeron. Adding celexa helped for a while, took the edge off. Remeron will knock you right out.

Response:

Well some doctor dignosed me wdith depression and anxiety. Got some wellbutrin for the depression and atavan for the anxiety. the atavan works good! I take 1mg. when I get to start going into an attack. But I don’t know about the wellbutrin. Sometimes I feel like it’s working but at times I just feel so down and the stuff doesn’t seem to work. I tke 300mgs. 150 in the morning and 150 at night. Does anyone take this stuff? If so how are you doing with it and how much do you take? Please reply in the group !!

I swallowed my pride back in May, went to a psy went my symptoms of sadness, not sleeping, eating, ect… she told me what I had already suspected, depression (and ADHD) and promptly put me on Wellbutrin SR 100mg at first.  I didn’t feel anything for the first couple weeks, but when it kicked in I knew it.  Currently on 200mg, taken twice a day for 400mg daily, along with 50 or 100mg of trazodone at bedtime to help my sleep. Both drugs have worked wonders, I sleep well, and am doing much better when I’m awake.  I’ve come off the initial rush of good feeling, but I still feel it has a strong effect.  I’m under more stress now, but feel better most of the time, in addition to drinking much less and sleeping a lot more, regularly.

Response:

I take the 150mg Wellbutrin 2x a day. When I started it was after a major suicide attempt. They took me of the second (bedtime) dose as it was keeping me awake at night (and put me on Remoron for the nightime dose)but, because I became seriously suicidal again in the past 2 weeks, the put me back on the second dose AND Xanex. I feel normal now for the first time in months. You couldn’t get me to stop taking it now. You know, I know a lot of people that are taking Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin and others and for some reason they keep wanting to quit taking the stuff. I know that there are side effects (particularly sexual side effects) that we don’e like but, for crying out loud, the side effects are a whole lot less that the suicidal feelings that I get when severly depressed. I’m willing to take em forever if need be. I remember tho look on my 25 year old son’s face w  I’d taken about a zillion pills (almost made it). ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN TAKE (MEDS) OR DO (THERAPY) IS BETTER THAN THAT. This is all only my opinion but the second dose of Wellbutrin and the Xanex is working so well that I actually feel that I have a future again. I’m disabled physically, suffer from a lot of chronic pain, as broke as I could possibly be to the point I’ve lost 26 pounds in the past 6 weeks, seperated from my wife for 2 years and just filed for divorce. My roommate pointed out toe that I was singing in the shower this morning. Good luck to you and let me know how things turn out for you. I care. Michael McCammon Portland, oregon

Response:

Dan I was on Wellbutrin for 8 years and it stopped working. I was off it one week and started feeling even worse. I am back on it in combination with Effexor XR. No dramatic change . After the week off on Wellbutrin , I just started back on today 8-1-02. We will have to see.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been on Wellbutrin for about 3 years now. Until recently it was working quite well. The past few weeks I have been really struggling with my depression; feelings of worthelssness, guilt, suicidal idealogy. And my insomnia is coming back. For me the insominia is almost worse than the other symptoms. I hate not being able to sleep. Is it possible the efficacy of the medication is diminishing because I’ve been on it so long?

Response:

my phisician who is not a psyciatrist recomended wellbutrin 150mg, considering I have moderate depression.  Does anyone have experience using this grug? Thak you.

Response:

my phisician who is not a psyciatrist recomended wellbutrin 150mg, considering I have moderate depression.  Does anyone have experience using this grug?

All physicians can prescribe antidepressants.  It’s not restricted to psychicatrists.  In fact, the amount of depression seen in a typical family practice is amazing.  I work in ob/gyn and we use antidepressants fairly frequently. I haven’t seen any adverse reactions to wellbutrin.  However, we use that one more for smoking cessation than depression. Good luck Susan

Response:

my phisician who is not a psyciatrist recomended wellbutrin 150mg, considering I have moderate depression.  Does anyone have experience using this grug? Thak you.

I don’t use Wellbutrin, so this might not answer your question.  For depression, I take L-Tyrosine, and amino acid.  I take it with some Vitamin C & B6.  It’s worked wonders, and I’m very happy with it. L-Tyrosine is used by your adrenal gland to make L-Dopamine, a mood elevator.  With lowered L-Dopamine levels, you suffer from depression. You might want to try it. After all, you are not suffereing from a drug deficiency, but you might be suffering from an amino acid deficiency. Best of Luck, Peg Before you buy.

Response:

What kind of depression do you have???  If you don’t mind me asking?? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my phisician who is not a psyciatrist recomended wellbutrin 150mg, considering I have moderate depression.  Does anyone have experience using this grug? Thak you. I don’t use Wellbutrin, so this might not answer your question.  For depression, I take L-Tyrosine, and amino acid.  I take it with some Vitamin C & B6.  It’s worked wonders, and I’m very happy with it. L-Tyrosine is used by your adrenal gland to make L-Dopamine, a mood elevator.  With lowered L-Dopamine levels, you suffer from depression. You might want to try it. After all, you are not suffereing from a drug deficiency, but you might be suffering from an amino acid deficiency. Best of Luck, Peg Before you buy.

Response:

The primary precaution with Wellbutrin is for those who have had previous seizures.  Otherwise, normal dosage for depression is 150 mg. bid (twice daily).  Often one is started on 150 mg. qd, then increased to bid after a few days.  It is, in fact, the same drug sold as Zyban which is known to wanting to cut back.  Good luck.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What kind of depression do you have???  If you don’t mind me asking?? my phisician who is not a psyciatrist recomended wellbutrin 150mg, considering I have moderate depression.  Does anyone have experience using this grug? Thak you. I don’t use Wellbutrin, so this might not answer your question.  For depression, I take L-Tyrosine, and amino acid.  I take it with some Vitamin C & B6.  It’s worked wonders, and I’m very happy with it. L-Tyrosine is used by your adrenal gland to make L-Dopamine, a mood elevator.  With lowered L-Dopamine levels, you suffer from depression. You might want to try it. After all, you are not suffereing from a drug deficiency, but you might be suffering from an amino acid deficiency. Best of Luck, Peg Before you buy.

Response:

to Roxanne; I have trouble to concentrate, to force myself to study for my professional test, which is really easy, great deal of procrastination, so I talked to psychiatrist. He said I have mild to moderate depression. I was advised to take wellbutrin for 2-4 month. It makes me sleepy, however and I think reduces my libido. On the other hand some times i think it helps, and sometimes i don’t.

Response:

What kind of depression do you have???  If you don’t mind me asking??

Every year in October I get extreme sadness.  A lot of people think it’s seasonal affected disorder.  I think that’s a possibility, or that it might be an anniversary of something I don’t remember.  I take the L- Tyrosine year round just to be on the safe side. I’ve also had depression marked by extreme apathy and accompanied by mild diarheaa.  I did some research into it (after coming out of a month-long episode!) and learned that this is probably a kidney problem, that my kidneys weren’t properly cleansing themselves. Another article I read stated that watermelon has something it that triggers the kidneys to cleanse themselves.  I’ve been eating watermelon daily since then, and haven’t had a replay of that scary episode. Peg Before you buy.

Response:

my phisician who is not a psyciatrist recomended wellbutrin 150mg, considering I have moderate depression.  Does anyone have experience using this grug? Thak you.

Response:

my phisician who is not a psyciatrist recomended wellbutrin 150mg, considering I have moderate depression.  Does anyone have experience using this grug?

All physicians can prescribe antidepressants.  It’s not restricted to psychicatrists.  In fact, the amount of depression seen in a typical family practice is amazing.  I work in ob/gyn and we use antidepressants fairly frequently. I haven’t seen any adverse reactions to wellbutrin.  However, we use that one more for smoking cessation than depression. Good luck Susan

Response:

my phisician who is not a psyciatrist recomended wellbutrin 150mg, considering I have moderate depression.  Does anyone have experience using this grug? Thak you.

I don’t use Wellbutrin, so this might not answer your question.  For depression, I take L-Tyrosine, and amino acid.  I take it with some Vitamin C & B6.  It’s worked wonders, and I’m very happy with it. L-Tyrosine is used by your adrenal gland to make L-Dopamine, a mood elevator.  With lowered L-Dopamine levels, you suffer from depression. You might want to try it. After all, you are not suffereing from a drug deficiency, but you might be suffering from an amino acid deficiency. Best of Luck, Peg Before you buy.

Response:

What kind of depression do you have???  If you don’t mind me asking?? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – my phisician who is not a psyciatrist recomended wellbutrin 150mg, considering I have moderate depression.  Does anyone have experience using this grug? Thak you. I don’t use Wellbutrin, so this might not answer your question.  For depression, I take L-Tyrosine, and amino acid.  I take it with some Vitamin C & B6.  It’s worked wonders, and I’m very happy with it. L-Tyrosine is used by your adrenal gland to make L-Dopamine, a mood elevator.  With lowered L-Dopamine levels, you suffer from depression. You might want to try it. After all, you are not suffereing from a drug deficiency, but you might be suffering from an amino acid deficiency. Best of Luck, Peg Before you buy.

Response:

The primary precaution with Wellbutrin is for those who have had previous seizures.  Otherwise, normal dosage for depression is 150 mg. bid (twice daily).  Often one is started on 150 mg. qd, then increased to bid after a few days.  It is, in fact, the same drug sold as Zyban which is known to wanting to cut back.  Good luck.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What kind of depression do you have???  If you don’t mind me asking?? my phisician who is not a psyciatrist recomended wellbutrin 150mg, considering I have moderate depression.  Does anyone have experience using this grug? Thak you. I don’t use Wellbutrin, so this might not answer your question.  For depression, I take L-Tyrosine, and amino acid.  I take it with some Vitamin C & B6.  It’s worked wonders, and I’m very happy with it. L-Tyrosine is used by your adrenal gland to make L-Dopamine, a mood elevator.  With lowered L-Dopamine levels, you suffer from depression. You might want to try it. After all, you are not suffereing from a drug deficiency, but you might be suffering from an amino acid deficiency. Best of Luck, Peg Before you buy.

Response:

to Roxanne; I have trouble to concentrate, to force myself to study for my professional test, which is really easy, great deal of procrastination, so I talked to psychiatrist. He said I have mild to moderate depression. I was advised to take wellbutrin for 2-4 month. It makes me sleepy, however and I think reduces my libido. On the other hand some times i think it helps, and sometimes i don’t.

Response:

What kind of depression do you have???  If you don’t mind me asking??

Every year in October I get extreme sadness.  A lot of people think it’s seasonal affected disorder.  I think that’s a possibility, or that it might be an anniversary of something I don’t remember.  I take the L- Tyrosine year round just to be on the safe side. I’ve also had depression marked by extreme apathy and accompanied by mild diarheaa.  I did some research into it (after coming out of a month-long episode!) and learned that this is probably a kidney problem, that my kidneys weren’t properly cleansing themselves. Another article I read stated that watermelon has something it that triggers the kidneys to cleanse themselves.  I’ve been eating watermelon daily since then, and haven’t had a replay of that scary episode. Peg Before you buy.

Response:

Question:

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

Response:

 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

Response:

     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

Response:

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

Response:

     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.

Response:

     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

Response:

- 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

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Question:

Hi Pepsi 46 Just want to wish you all the best i am also a mum of two teenagers, they can be quite a handfull without this kind of problems… Want to wish you and your daugther lots of strength, and best wishes ((((((((((((((((Pepsi JR and SR)))))))))))))))) Jeannette

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To all who replied to my original post–I can’t thank you enough for your thoughtful and kind answers. I have been very upset about this and trying to help her all I can. The doctor who originally prescribed this medication to her was not very helpful and did not take my daughter’s concerns about the side effects seriously.

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To all who replied to my original post–I can’t thank you enough for your thoughtful and kind answers. I have been very upset about this and trying to help her all I can. The doctor who originally prescribed this medication to her was not very helpful and did not take my daughter’s concerns about the side effects seriously.

Hi again, I can relate to your being upset as I am a parent too. My oldest daughter has shown signs of an anxiety disorder and I have done everything in my power to help her.She refuses my help. Fortunately, your daughter wants help. You have the bond. Use it. I would strongly advise to seek a good Psych doc and/ or grill this one about his intensions. There is no need for your daughter to suffer. Best to you, Steph

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I hope one of you can help with some questions I have. My daughter started suffering from panic attacks–3 hospital visits this month alone. The doctor put her on Zoloft 25.mg–I hope that is the correct dosage. Mg?

The starting dose of Zoloft for someone with panic disorder is 12.5 to 25 mg/day. Benzos (e.g. Xanax, Ativan) are often added initially to help with the temporary side effects of increased anxiety and insomnia. She has been having strange symptons since taking this medicine. Like elecrical currents shooting in her head. A strange numbness in the left side of her face. It goes away–this is not constant.

These are called "paresthesias" and are a symptom of Zoloft withdrawal and can occur if one tapers off Zoloft too rapidly. Is she taking her Zoloft every day? If not, she may be experiencing Zoloft withdrawal. She wants to stop the medication–she feels she can handle these panic attacks with the help of a therapist.

You don’t state her age, but I believe a teenager should have some input into his/her treatment. The ER last night suggested she take one tablet today, none tomorrow

When tapering off Zoloft one should take some Zoloft every day (no skipping days). and then taper off over a 2 week period down to none. She has only been taking these tablets 3 weeks. I don’t know all the ins and outs of side effects for this medication. Could someone please help me with some information. Thank you for your time.

Should she experience the effects of Zoloft withdrawal, she can take some Zoloft that day to diminish them. The details of coming off a psychiatric med should be explained by a professional. Chip

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I started Zoloft at 25 mg too, and if I had to do it again, I would have started at 12.5.  Side effects are common until the body gets used to the changes. Your daughter might do better seeing a psychiatrist since they usually know the medicines for anxiety much better.  Cognitive Behavior Therapy with a therapist would help her a lot, too.  Please let us know how she is doing. Take care, Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I hope one of you can help with some questions I have. My daughter started suffering from panic attacks–3 hospital visits this month alone. The doctor put her on Zoloft 25.mg–I hope that is the correct dosage. Mg? She has been having strange symptons since taking this medicine. Like elecrical currents shooting in her head. A strange numbness in the left side of her face. It goes away–this is not constant. She wants to stop the medication–she feels she can handle these panic attacks with the help of a therapist. The ER last night suggested she take one tablet today, none tomorrow and then taper off over a 2 week period down to none. She has only been taking these tablets 3 weeks. I don’t know all the ins and outs of side effects for this medication. Could someone please help me with some information. Thank you for your time.

– Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.                            –Henry Kaiser

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To all who replied to my original post–I can’t thank you enough for your thoughtful and kind answers. I have been very upset about this and trying to help her all I can. The doctor who originally prescribed this medication to her was not very helpful and did not take my daughter’s concerns about the side effects seriously.

Response:

pepsi46 asked: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I hope one of you can help with some questions I have. My daughter started suffering from panic attacks–3 hospital visits this month alone. The doctor put her on Zoloft 25.mg–I hope that is the correct dosage. Mg? She has been having strange symptons since taking this medicine. Like elecrical currents shooting in her head. A strange numbness in the left side of her face. It goes away–this is not constant. She wants to stop the medication–she feels she can handle these panic attacks with the help of a therapist. The ER last night suggested she take one tablet today, none tomorrow and then taper off over a 2 week period down to none. She has only been taking these tablets 3 weeks. I don’t know all the ins and outs of side effects for this medication. Could someone please help me with some information. Thank you for your time.  

Hi, 25 mgs of Zoloft is the usual dose daily for panic disorder initially. It is not unusual for your daughter to be having these side effects. It takes a good 8 weeks or so to wean onto an antidepressant. Actually my drug handbook states that after 1 week the dosage should be upped to 50 mgs, max dose being 200 mgs per day which of course depends on the patient and how they tolerate the med.I would strongly suggest you discuss this with her Physician or P-doc ASAP.You could always call a pharmacy and ask about the S/E if you cannot talk to the Dr soon enough. I was on Zoloft once but it did not help me. I hope your daughter finds relief soon. Take care, Steph

Response:

I hope one of you can help with some questions I have. My daughter started suffering from panic attacks–3 hospital visits this month alone. The doctor put her on Zoloft 25.mg–I hope that is the correct dosage. Mg? She has been having strange symptons since taking this medicine. Like elecrical currents shooting in her head. A strange numbness in the left side of her face. It goes away–this is not constant. She wants to stop the medication–she feels she can handle these panic attacks with the help of a therapist. The ER last night suggested she take one tablet today, none tomorrow and then taper off over a 2 week period down to none. She has only been taking these tablets 3 weeks. I don’t know all the ins and outs of side effects for this medication. Could someone please help me with some information. Thank you for your time.  

Response:

I hope one of you can help with some questions I have. My daughter started suffering from panic attacks–3 hospital visits this month alone. The doctor put her on Zoloft 25.mg–I hope that is the correct dosage. Mg? She has been having strange symptons since taking this medicine. Like elecrical currents shooting in her head. A strange numbness in the left side of her face. It goes away–this is not constant. She wants to stop the medication–she feels she can handle these panic attacks with the help of a therapist. The ER last night suggested she take one tablet today, none tomorrow and then taper off over a 2 week period down to none. She has only been taking these tablets 3 weeks. I don’t know all the ins and outs of side effects for this medication. Could someone please help me with some information. Thank you for your time.  

The electrical currents are Brain shivers which are common with antidepressant medications. But what you and your daughter need to do is contact the doctor that prescribed the Medication and he will help her withdraw from the medication and perhaps start her on something else. SHe should wean with the doctor and he will evaluate her progress. Otherwise the doctor will not know what is going on. I had experienced the brain shivers with Effexor but they were not enough for me to stop taking the medication. But if she is having panic attacks, her treatment may include a benzodiazepine such as Xanax or Ativan, which would help her calm down within a half hour of the attack. I wish you and your daughter well.Julie

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Question:

Tapering is good.  I had a bad reaction to Zoloft, made me manic-like and/or obsessive.  I thought I was in control, but was actually very far gone.   Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For six days now, I’ve been feeling disconnected – basically "high." My therp believes its the Zoloft (50 mg per day), so I’m talking with the good doctor tomorrow about trying something else. Questions: * Will I have to taper off the Z, or can I just quit and start something else in a few days? * Anybody else have this problem with Zoloft?  The summary of studies at the Pfizer website makes this type of reaction look infrequent if not rare. BGS * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

You’ll probably have to taper off – if they don’t you’ll feel like crud – they pulled me off Effexor XR when my manic episode was in swing – now I feel sick without the Effexor. However, you are on a very low dose and if you start another AD in a few days, you should be ok. Good luck.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -For six days now, I’ve been feeling disconnected – basically "high." My therp believes its the Zoloft (50 mg per day), so I’m talking with the good doctor tomorrow about trying something else. Questions: * Will I have to taper off the Z, or can I just quit and start something else in a few days? * Anybody else have this problem with Zoloft?  The summary of studies at the Pfizer website makes this type of reaction look infrequent if not rare. BGS * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

For six days now, I’ve been feeling disconnected – basically "high." My therp believes its the Zoloft (50 mg per day), so I’m talking with the good doctor tomorrow about trying something else. Questions: * Will I have to taper off the Z, or can I just quit and start something else in a few days?

How long have you been taking the Zoloft?  50 mg is a low dosage, so my guess is you can just switch, but your best bet is to consult your doctor. * Anybody else have this problem with Zoloft?  The summary of studies at the Pfizer website makes this type of reaction look infrequent if not rare.

I’ve been taking Zoloft for over a year.  I’m up to 100mg/day. I think I sort of feel like this when I’m on it, but it doesn’t bother me.  Maybe I like being disconnected? Good luck! BGS * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s

Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

* Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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i have been taking it for 2 weeks now and that is exactly how i feel every day…. i hope it goes away – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For six days now, I’ve been feeling disconnected – basically "high." My therp believes its the Zoloft (50 mg per day), so I’m talking with the good doctor tomorrow about trying something else. Questions: * Will I have to taper off the Z, or can I just quit and start something else in a few days? * Anybody else have this problem with Zoloft?  The summary of studies at the Pfizer website makes this type of reaction look infrequent if not rare. BGS * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

For six days now, I’ve been feeling disconnected – basically "high." My therp believes its the Zoloft (50 mg per day), so I’m talking with the good doctor tomorrow about trying something else. Questions: * Will I have to taper off the Z, or can I just quit and start something else in a few days? * Anybody else have this problem with Zoloft?  The summary of studies at the Pfizer website makes this type of reaction look infrequent if not rare. BGS * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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Hi I just started Zoloft too and I am glad to "meet" someone else who is too please keep me posted and I’ll keep you abreast of what happens to me — Demise

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Hehehehe! — Demise – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Unwanted" high or sedated feeling?  Who’d be crazy enough to NOT want those effects? [g] =JaGNuT=

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Saw the doctor this afternoon, and he is switching me to Celexa, 20 mg/day.  No tapering down on the Z needed, he said.  Just fill my new prescrip and start tomorrow on the Celexa. He said that he’s seen Celexa work better for patients that had that unwanted "high" or sedated feeling from Zoloft.

"Unwanted" high or sedated feeling?  Who’d be crazy enough to NOT want those effects? [g] =JaGNuT= Visit Jaguar’s Psych Center "http://www.jaglair.com/psych/jag-psyc.htm"

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Saw the doctor this afternoon, and he is switching me to Celexa, 20 mg/day.  No tapering down on the Z needed, he said.  Just fill my new prescrip and start tomorrow on the Celexa. He said that he’s seen Celexa work better for patients that had that unwanted "high" or sedated feeling from Zoloft.

That’s good news!  Good luck with your new prescription. Take care. Athena * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Saw the doctor this afternoon, and he is switching me to Celexa, 20 mg/day.  No tapering down on the Z needed, he said.  Just fill my new prescrip and start tomorrow on the Celexa. He said that he’s seen Celexa work better for patients that had that unwanted "high" or sedated feeling from Zoloft. BGS * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

I’ve been on the Z for only 4 weeks.  Haven’t really felt any mood effect, and the daze I’m in hasn’t helped much at all.

Well, that’s definitely long enough for the drug to take effect if it’s going to.  The daze doesn’t sound like a good side effect.  I guess I don’t have that side effect because I can still function — sort of! I see the doctor tomorrow about switching to something else. I couldn’t function in college when I was high, and I’m no better at it 10 years later.  Makes it awfully hard to function at work, especially for paying attention in meetings.

Good luck on your doctor appointment. Let us know what he/she recommends!  Take care. -Athena * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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How long have you been taking the Zoloft?  50 mg is a low dosage, so my guess is you can just switch, but your best bet is to consult your doctor.

I’ve been on the Z for only 4 weeks.  Haven’t really felt any mood effect, and the daze I’m in hasn’t helped much at all. I see the doctor tomorrow about switching to something else. I’ve been taking Zoloft for over a year.  I’m up to 100mg/day. I think I sort of feel like this when I’m on it, but it doesn’t bother me.  Maybe I like being disconnected?

I couldn’t function in college when I was high, and I’m no better at it 10 years later.  Makes it awfully hard to function at work, especially for paying attention in meetings. BGS (in NY State) * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

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Question:

Hello, I started taking Zoloft last friday(25mg/day) and I’ve already started feeling more relaxed, but I’m getting some unpleasant side effects. I’m having problems concentrating & sleeping and my head feels heavy and as if an uncomfortable amount of presure was being applied to it. I’ve lowered my dosage to 5mg a day and the problems concentrating has mostly gone and the other problems aren’t as bad but are still there. Can I expect these side effects to go away with time? If so, how long? If they don’t go away, am I likely to have better luck with a different SSRI or to have the same problems? Also, I’m considering taking melatonin to help with sleeping. Does anyone have experience using melatonin with Zoloft? Steve

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I have tried many SSRI’s for my anxiety, and have not found one I am completely happy with yet.  I have consistently been on clonazepam, though, and it works wonderfully.  My doctor says the SSRI’s have different side effects for everyone…your individual brain’s biochemistry will determine how well each one works for you and how many side effects you encounter.  I am currently on Prozac, but it, like all the SSRI’s I have tried, have sexual side effects for me.  But certainly some have been much better than others. Sexual effects aside, Zoloft was by far the worst for me (I couldn’t stop tensing up, grinding my teeth, even on 1/2 of the lowest dosage) while Paxil had the best anxiolytic effects.  So my opinion would be to give it a shot. If the side effects remain, keep trying the other ones until you find one that works for you.

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Hi Steve, I started taking Zoloft last friday(25mg/day) and I’ve already started feeling more relaxed, but I’m getting some unpleasant side effects. I’m having problems concentrating & sleeping and my head feels heavy and as if an uncomfortable amount of presure was being applied to it.

It is very common to have a increase in anxiety while weaning on anti-depressants. I’ve lowered my dosage to 5mg a day and the problems concentrating has mostly gone and the other problems aren’t as bad but are still there. Can I expect these side effects to go away with time?

They should go away with time. It is hard to say how long you will have to put up with these side-effects. Ask your doctor for a scrpt for a benzo, such as Xanax, or Klonopin, it will help with these side-effects.  If so, how long? This varies from  person to person, but hopefully not more than a few weeks. If they don’t go away, am I likely to have better luck with a different SSRI or to have the same problems?

All anti-depressants can cause a increase in anxiety while weaning on them. It really is a normal,  and quite common to experience some side-effects while weaning on Ad`s. You could switch from Zoloft to Paxil, and find you have the same side-effects, or it is much worse on Paxil. No one can tell you how you will react on any medication, it is a matter of you getting on the med and seeing for yourself. Please don`t get discouraged, it does get better. Let me suggest instead of taking 25mgs of Zoloft, go to 12.5mgs, and do all your increases in 12.5mg increments, and stay at each increase for one week. You may find this helps lessen those side-effects you were feeling. We have a poster here that has had great success weaning on Zoloft in this manner. It can`t hurt to try. Unfortunately, sometimes to get better, we have to tolerate side-effects of certain meds, that will eventually help us. Also, I’m considering taking melatonin to help with sleeping. Does anyone have experience using melatonin with Zoloft?

I am not sure about the safety with taking Melatonin and Zoloft, so I can`t comment. If you are having problems with sleep, don`t take the Zoloft in the PM, take it in the AM. You could ask your doctor for a prescription for something to aid your sleep, Ambien from what I hear is good. Another option, and of course ask your doctor, is to take Benadryl, also known as "Diphenhydramine", it is a anti-histamine, but is quite a effective sleep aid. And is okay for long term use. Take care and hang in there, it will get better Jackie

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I just recently started taking Zoloft also and had some side effects, too.  I’ve been on it for about two weeks now and it seems to have gotten better.  I noticed Jackie mentioned to you that Ambien is good for sleep.  I take that also, and it knocks me out.  I started out on 10 mgs. and down to 5 mgs. because I was feeling groggy the next day from it.  I can sometimes now take 2.5 mgs. and still get a good night’s sleep. Karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I started taking Zoloft last friday(25mg/day) and I’ve already started feeling more relaxed, but I’m getting some unpleasant side effects. I’m having problems concentrating & sleeping and my head feels heavy and as if an uncomfortable amount of presure was being applied to it. I’ve lowered my dosage to 5mg a day and the problems concentrating has mostly gone and the other problems aren’t as bad but are still there. Can I expect these side effects to go away with time? If so, how long? If they don’t go away, am I likely to have better luck with a different SSRI or to have the same problems? Also, I’m considering taking melatonin to help with sleeping. Does anyone have experience using melatonin with Zoloft? Steve

– Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

Response:

Hello, I started taking Zoloft last friday(25mg/day) and I’ve already started feeling more relaxed, but I’m getting some unpleasant side effects. I’m having problems concentrating & sleeping and my head feels heavy and as if an uncomfortable amount of presure was being applied to it. I’ve lowered my dosage to 5mg a day and the problems concentrating has mostly gone and the other problems aren’t as bad but are still there.

Hey, how did you do that? Does Zoloft come in tabs of 10 mgs which you cut in two? I wasn’t aware of that. Can I expect these side effects to go away with time? If so, how long?

The lower you start and the slower you raise the dose, the lesser the SE’s. A benzo on the side is also helpful. Yes, these SE’s should go away but it’s difficult to say when. You might experience some every time you up the dose. You should give Zoloft a fair trial of eight weeks on therapeutic dosage. Side effects may well disappear before that time but as you wean on very slowly (which is *good*) it may take a while. If they don’t go away, am I likely to have better luck with a different SSRI or to have the same problems?

If after eight weeks on a therapeutic dose the SE’s haven’t gone away – but there’s no reason now to think they won’t – it might be a good idea to try another SSRI. It’s often done and it’s done quickly as you don’t have to wean off of one first before being able to get on the other one. But this is not the time to think of that. First give Zoloft a fair trial. Also, I’m considering taking melatonin to help with sleeping. Does anyone have experience using melatonin with Zoloft?

Melatonin doesn’t seem the first choice med for insomnia. Do you take your Zoloft in the evening? In that case you might want to try to take it in the morning which might help with your insomnia. If  insomnia is a product or symptom of PD it will get away when PD is treated properly. If you do need a med, try Ambien or Trazodone, I’d say IMO. Steve

Philip

Response:

Hi Steve, I started taking Zoloft last friday(25mg/day) and I’ve already started feeling more relaxed, but I’m getting some unpleasant side effects. I’m having problems concentrating & sleeping and my head feels heavy and as if an uncomfortable amount of presure was being applied to it. It is very common to have a increase in anxiety while weaning on anti-depressants.

Jackie, Thanks for responding, but I think you misread my above post – I’m not feeling anxiety at all on Zoloft – it works great emotionally it just makes me feel physicaly ill.(as described above) Steve

Response:

I started taking Zoloft last friday(25mg/day) and I’ve already started feeling more relaxed, but I’m getting some unpleasant side effects. I’m having problems concentrating & sleeping and my head feels heavy and as if an uncomfortable amount of presure was being applied to it. I’ve lowered my dosage to 5mg a day and the problems concentrating has mostly gone and the other problems aren’t as bad but are still there. Hey, how did you do that? Does Zoloft come in tabs of 10 mgs which you cut in two? I wasn’t aware of that.

The starter pack I got came with some 25mg pills which I quatered. (It wasn’t easy!) Can I expect these side effects to go away with time? If so, how long? The lower you start and the slower you raise the dose, the lesser the SE’s. A benzo on the side is also helpful. Yes, these SE’s should go away but it’s difficult to say when. You might experience some every time you up the dose. You should give Zoloft a fair trial of eight weeks on therapeutic dosage. Side effects may well disappear before that time but as you wean on very slowly (which is *good*) it may take a while.

I don’t understand how a benzo will help with headaches(?) I thought benzo’s only got rid of anxiety – the Zoloft has already done that. Please explain. Steve

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I started taking Zoloft last friday(25mg/day) and I’ve already started feeling more relaxed, but I’m getting some unpleasant side effects. I’m having problems concentrating & sleeping and my head feels heavy and as if an uncomfortable amount of presure was being applied to it. I’ve lowered my dosage to 5mg a day and the problems concentrating has mostly gone and the other problems aren’t as bad but are still there. Hey, how did you do that? Does Zoloft come in tabs of 10 mgs which you cut in two? I wasn’t aware of that. The starter pack I got came with some 25mg pills which I quatered. (It wasn’t easy!) Can I expect these side effects to go away with time? If so, how long? The lower you start and the slower you raise the dose, the lesser the SE’s. A benzo on the side is also helpful. Yes, these SE’s should go away but it’s difficult to say when. You might experience some every time you up the dose. You should give Zoloft a fair trial of eight weeks on therapeutic dosage. Side effects may well disappear before that time but as you wean on very slowly (which is *good*) it may take a while. I don’t understand how a benzo will help with headaches(?) I thought benzo’s only got rid of anxiety – the Zoloft has already done that. Please explain. Steve

Ideally a benzo should also help with sleeping and the feeling of pressure in your head. You may not call them that but these are also anxiety symptoms. Philip

Response:

Thanks for responding, but I think you misread my above post – I’m not feeling anxiety at all on Zoloft – it works great emotionally it just makes me feel physicaly ill.(as described above) Steve

Hi Steve, If it is not anxiety it is most definitly a side-effect of the Zoloft. It should pass with time. A benzo might help alleviate some of the symtpoms. Good Luck!! Jackie

Response:

I started taking Zoloft last friday(25mg/day) and I’ve already started feeling more relaxed, but I’m getting some unpleasant side effects. I’m having problems concentrating & sleeping and my head feels heavy and as if an uncomfortable amount of presure was being applied to it.

<snipped Also, I’m considering taking melatonin to help with sleeping. Does anyone have experience using melatonin with Zoloft?

I took Melatonin with Zoloft with my doctors OK, but certainly discuss this with your doctor before deciding to do it. There are certainly other options out there that may be more beneficial for you. Ray

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I don’t understand how a benzo will help with headaches(?) I thought benzo’s only got rid of anxiety – the Zoloft has already done that. Ideally a benzo should also help with sleeping and the feeling of pressure in your head. You may not call them that but these are also anxiety symptoms.

Oh, I see. That’s interesting. I’ve never had those symptoms before taking zoloft. Steve

Response:

I don’t understand how a benzo will help with headaches(?) I thought benzo’s only got rid of anxiety – the Zoloft has already done that. Ideally a benzo should also help with sleeping and the feeling of pressure in your head. You may not call them that but these are also anxiety symptoms. Oh, I see. That’s interesting. I’ve never had those symptoms before taking zoloft. Steve

I was going to ask about this…Since I went to 100 mg, I have had a pressure in my forehead at times…Not a headache, but the kind of feeling you get when you realize that you’ve been tightening your forehead for hours…I know this could be anxiety, but my anxiety has been much better and I haven’t had this before…It’s almost like the Zoloft has the front of my brain in overdrive now…What are the long term affects of these drugs anyway…Do they permanently alter brain chemistry?  I don’t feel different really, but I don’t want to find out when I’m done that I have permanent needs for these things… — Charles Phipps

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello All,    After starting Zoloft (100mg) 10 days ago I have been experiencing some uncomfortable side effects (nervousness, lightheadedness, irritability, etc.).  At this time, the Zoloft seems to be inducing panic attacks, not preventing them.  My doctor had warned me of this and advised me to "weather the storm" and give the meds a few weeks to take effect.  Has anyone experienced similar side effects with Zoloft (or other SSRIs)?  And, if so, how long did it take for these to subside?  I realize that everyone reacts differently to meds, but I’m  looking for some relief in the fact that I am not alone, and other people have shared similar experiences. Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year— Danno

Zoloft does indeed induce panic in the starting stages.  Many doctors realize this, and start the Zoloft at a very low dose, increasing it gradually over a period of months.  The starting dose can be as low as 12.5 mg every other day, working up to the therapeutic dose from there.  Another way of fighting the panic in the early stages of Zoloft is with a short-term prescription for Xanax or another benzodiazepine during the initial high-anxiety period.  If you are having trouble with the Zoloft, please suggest these ideas to your doctor. Hirsch address in header has been changed to avoid junk mail

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Hello All,         After starting Zoloft (100mg) 10 days ago I have been experiencing some uncomfortable side effects (nervousness, lightheadedness, irritability, etc.).  At this time, the Zoloft seems to be inducing panic attacks, not preventing them.  My doctor had warned me of this and advised me to "weather the storm" and give the meds a few weeks to take effect.  Has anyone experienced similar side effects with Zoloft (or other SSRIs)?  And, if so, how long did it take for these to subside?  I realize that everyone reacts differently to meds, but I’m  looking for some relief in the fact that I am not alone, and other people have shared similar experiences. Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year— Danno

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello All,        After starting Zoloft (100mg) 10 days ago I have been experiencing some uncomfortable side effects (nervousness, lightheadedness, irritability, etc.).  At this time, the Zoloft seems to be inducing panic attacks, not preventing them.  My doctor had warned me of this and advised me to "weather the storm" and give the meds a few weeks to take effect.  Has anyone experienced similar side effects with Zoloft (or other SSRIs)?   And, if so, how long did it take for these to subside?  I realize that everyone reacts differently to meds, but I’m  looking for some relief in the fact that I am not alone, and other people have shared similar experiences. Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year— Danno

Hi Danno I just started taking Zoloft also.  My doctor started me out with 50mg and suggested that I take 1/2 for a while until I get used to it.  I experienced some side effects; nausea, diareah, anxiousness; but after a week I was able to increase my dosage to the full 50mg.  It has taken another week at the full dosage to feel O.K.  The side effects seem to be going away.  Now it’s time to see if it will really help me with my PA’s Good Luck, ttfn Kathy

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I have also recently started taking Zoloft and the same has happened to me.  My doctor also gave me the same advice.  At this point I am on 100mg and also taking xanex once a day.  I will continue this and see how it works.  I know how you feel but hang in there.

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Hi Rhenda,    The office help at your mom’s doctor’s office is deplorable.  As someone else mentioned, perhaps this dr. doesn’t have enough patients who need Botox to keep a sufficient supply around.  What to do?  Try all the suggestions offered, also consider this one.    The neurologists at the large university hospital where I get Botox, set aside only a couple of days to do nothing but give injections – the hospital obtains a supply of  the poison.  However, a couple of the doctors have suggested to some dystonics in my support group, that if they prefer, their pharmacist possible could order Botox for them.  The patient would then bring the vial(s) with them to their doctor for the injections.  This seems to be advisable or suggested to those people whose insurance likes it that way.  But, why would this not work for your mother – for whatever reason!?  If she can obtain Botox herself, maybe the neuro would be willing to inject her…that is if she can by-pass the rude office help.      Maybe worth a try.  I know of at least two people who obtain their serum directly  from their pharmacist.  One problem of course, would be that she would have to get an Rx for the stuff.     Keep trying!     Best Regards,       Nancy

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi Rhenda,   The office help at your mom’s doctor’s office is deplorable.  As someone else mentioned, perhaps this dr. doesn’t have enough patients who need Botox to keep a sufficient supply around.  What to do?  Try all the suggestions offered, also consider this one.   The neurologists at the large university hospital where I get Botox, set aside only a couple of days to do nothing but give injections – the hospital obtains a supply of  the poison.  However, a couple of the doctors have suggested to some dystonics in my support group, that if they prefer, their pharmacist possible could order Botox for them.  The patient would then bring the vial(s) with them to their doctor for the injections. This seems to be advisable or suggested to those people whose insurance likes it that way.  But, why would this not work for your mother – for whatever reason!?  If she can obtain Botox herself, maybe the neuro would be willing to inject her…that is if she can by-pass the rude office help.     Maybe worth a try.  I know of at least two people who obtain their serum directly  from their pharmacist.  One problem of course, would be that she would have to get an Rx for the stuff.    Keep trying!    Best Regards,      Nancy

Nancy, your idea is great and might provide an avenue around this mess. One problem, though, many trained neuro. at Univ. will NOT inject unless the vials come from their freezer. The problem is legal in nature. I tried to get the vials oversees (price is much less in UK & France). They would have been packaged and remain in a frozen state but the FDA does not allow out-of-country medicine to be used in U.S. Maybe the antibodies I have to BOTOX A & F are a blessing in disguise! —         ——-Dystonia Foundation’s co-Webmaster——         ** (312) 755-0198 [v], (312) 803-0138 [fx],  **         ** http://www.zipnet.net/users/dystonia/     **         ** One East Wacker Drive – Chicago, IL 60601 **

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello all, I found this newsgroup in a search for information for my mother.  I have read the messages available on my server today, but have not searched for an archive or FAQ, or lurked for a decent time before my first post because I’m in a hurry. Everybody is these days, but this is MY MOM. My mother, the most assertive, confident, intelligent person I know, suffers from debilitating spasmodic torticollis.  I could go on for a page or two about her history and symptoms, but for now I will try to be brief.  Mom has been receiving Botox injections since 1992.  They provide her enough relief that she is able to travel with my dad around the country and visit the kids & grandkids.  She was at my house in late May and traveled home in considerable pain expecting to get her next injection soon.  Her treatment has been postponed indefinately by the doctor’s office and they will only tell her that they cannot get the medicine at present and don’t know when more will come in. She has been sitting at home for six weeks now waiting on word that she can get her treatment.  Calls to the clinic have been met with rude treatment from the woman-in-charge.  She will not tell mom why they can’t get the Botox, or when they expect to. Nothing.  She even yelled at MY MOTHER. Well, I’m ready to drive down there and confront the bunch, but mom won’t hear of it.  She has "forbidden" me to even call and talk to the doctor’s staff to try and get more info.  She wouldn’t even give me his name.  She is scared to death they will refuse her treatment when they do get the medicine if I piss them off.  This is incredible behavior from her (see the first sentence of paragraph two above). I am trying to help in the least obtrusive way I can.  Mom said, "I forbid you to call them!"  So, I got on the internet.  I knew the name of the university medical center where she goes, so now I know the Doc’s name, his nurse’s name, his email address, the entire history of Botox development and production, all about the Orphan Drug Act, and Allergan.  What I don’t know is why my mother’s clinic doesn’t have the medicine for her.   My dad suspects this is a ruse, that the doc is stalling because he went out of town or something.  My mom suspects it may be bureaucratic bungling at the university hospital.  Someone lost or destroyed the last batch, they have to go through the red tape to get more.  But it would help her a lot if I could find out something.  Her last communication with the clinic was a talk with the woman-in-charge who said "I’m going on vacation until August 12.  If we have the Botox when I get back, I’ll call you to schedule an appointment.  There’s no point in bothering anyone until then, there’s nothing we can do."  I really want to yell at that woman.  But, I promised my mother.   So…I said all of that to say this:  Does anyone know why, or even if the Botox supply has been interrupted? Thanks, Rhenda

Hi Rhenda and welcome!! Sounds as though you are going through a tough time…good grief! I don’t know a thing about the situation with Botox.  I’d almost be tempted to telephone Allergan and ask them. The treatment your mom is receiving from the drs office is inexcusable IMHO.  However, it is your mom’s dr so it makes the situation delicate for you to say the least. Hopefully others who are more up on Botox will respond to your post.  In the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt to e-mail the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation and ask whether there have been any recent problems that they one recommended by the Foundation…perhaps a mention of situation would be warranted here, although it sounds like the office staff leaves much to be desired moreso than the dr. I wish you luck and a good ending to your mom’s situation. MB

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I found this newsgroup in a search for information for my mother.  I have read the messages available on my server today, but have not searched for an archive or FAQ, or lurked for a decent time before my first post because I’m in a hurry. Everybody is these days, but this is MY MOM. My mother, the most assertive, confident, intelligent person I know, suffers from debilitating spasmodic torticollis.  I could go on for a page or two about her history and symptoms, but for now I will try to be brief.  Mom has been receiving Botox injections since 1992.  They provide her enough relief that she is able to travel with my dad around the country and visit the kids & grandkids.  She was at my house in late May and traveled home in considerable pain expecting to get her next injection soon.  Her treatment has been postponed indefinately by the doctor’s office and they will only tell her that they cannot get the medicine at present and don’t know when more will come in. She has been sitting at home for six weeks now waiting on word that she can get her treatment.  Calls to the clinic have been met with rude treatment from the woman-in-charge.  She will not tell mom why they can’t get the Botox, or when they expect to. Nothing.  She even yelled at MY MOTHER. Well, I’m ready to drive down there and confront the bunch, but mom won’t hear of it.  She has "forbidden" me to even call and talk to the doctor’s staff to try and get more info.  She wouldn’t even give me his name.  She is scared to death they will refuse her treatment when they do get the medicine if I piss them off.  This is incredible behavior from her (see the first sentence of paragraph two above). I am trying to help in the least obtrusive way I can.  Mom said, "I forbid you to call them!"  So, I got on the internet.  I knew the name of the university medical center where she goes, so now I know the Doc’s name, his nurse’s name, his email address, the entire history of Botox development and production, all about the Orphan Drug Act, and Allergan.  What I don’t know is why my mother’s clinic doesn’t have the medicine for her. My dad suspects this is a ruse, that the doc is stalling because he went out of town or something.  My mom suspects it may be bureaucratic bungling at the university hospital.  Someone lost or destroyed the last batch, they have to go through the red tape to get more.  But it would help her a lot if I could find out something.  Her last communication with the clinic was a talk with the woman-in-charge who said "I’m going on vacation until August 12.  If we have the Botox when I get back, I’ll call you to schedule an appointment.  There’s no point in bothering anyone until then, there’s nothing we can do."  I really want to yell at that woman.  But, I promised my mother. So…I said all of that to say this:  Does anyone know why, or even if the Botox supply has been interrupted? Thanks, Rhenda

I would e-mail the dystonia foundation with cc to the hospital.  I would e-mail or write allergen and cc the hospital.  Let the hospital know te enths you ar going to to get the botox for THEM. I think people with a power trip take the phones at clinics.  Either that or the sheer volume of calls make them misanthropes.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Thanks for the suggestion, Mary Beth.  Public thanks also to Sherrie and Becky who were kind enough to send very nice email messages with helpful suggestions.  And each of you added a different piece of information!  My next challenge is to get mom on the Internet.  She has a new electronic typewriter and thinks it’s the "cat’s meow".  I tried to get her interested when she was here, but she said she’s too old (62! that used to be "old" when I was 21, but now I’m 41 so it’s not) to learn this new "widget" and it hurt to hold her head still and look at the screen.  (She has essential tremor which she has had since her late teens.  It is familial.  She has had a few "supermarket" diagnoses of Parkinson’s from absolute strangers.  I still can’t believe the stupidity of someone who would offer up unsolicited outrageously inaccurate advice on a medical problem to a total stranger, but I digress.)  I wish I had found this newsgroup before I was trying to turn Mom on to the wonders of the ‘Net. She’ll be back this fall, I hope.  If we can get the damned Meanwhile, I am calling her up (long distance) and reading your email to her. Rhenda

Hey Rhenda!! Tell your Mom that I am 52 and just began with a computer in late 1993, so it is never too late to learn…as you say, 62 is young Rhenda, you are one spunky gal!!  I just want to keep yelling, "Go Girl"!!!  I am certain with you on Mom’s team, she can’t go wrong!  But the doctors sure can–tee hee! Take care, MB

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Tell your Mom that I am 52 and just began with a computer in late 1993, so it is never too late to learn…as you say, 62 is young

My future mother-in-law is 63 and has been using a computer for about a year now.  We got her "addicted" through games and word processing, and now she’s into email and the internet.  My Grannie, at 76 is quite keen on learning the internet and email as well.  Maybe your Mom just isn’t old enough yet. <g Cathy. —  (—-)                                                     (—-)   "  "         http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~collisoc          "  "

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writes: You know BOTOX is very expensive.  Clinics have to buy in bulk as it is cheaper to purchase it this way.  When clinics buy in bulk like this they usually have a set day which they give the injections.  Perhaps your Mother’s clinic feels that there aren’t enough people coming to the clinic to warrent purchasing the BOTOX. My suggestion to you is why don’t you call the DYSTONIA FOUNDATION Headquarters in Chicago (312) 755-0198 — explain your Mother’s situation and find out what other clinics in your Mother’s area are giving BOTOX   injections.  Life is too short and sweet to go thru unnecessary hassle. Your Mother needs attention now and not whenever… Hope this helps some.  Cheerio, Becky

I was wondering how to post what I wanted to pass along to you then I read the above portion of Becky’s post. There is a company called ATHENA RX HOME PHARMACY. The number is 1-800-528-4362. They have Botox listed in thier Neurolgy Products catalog that I have. They don’t give a price for it,say’s to call for price. Maybe your mother can call and get some information from them and then call doctors office and tell them to give her an injection date and she can have the botox there. See how fast they get some Botox in then. Might be worth checking into. I got the information on Athena from some stuff I got at the symposium. Good luck Roger

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – writes: You know BOTOX is very expensive.  Clinics have to buy in bulk as it is cheaper to purchase it this way.  When clinics buy in bulk like this they usually have a set day which they give the injections.  Perhaps your Mother’s clinic feels that there aren’t enough people coming to the clinic to warrent purchasing the BOTOX. My suggestion to you is why don’t you call the DYSTONIA FOUNDATION Headquarters in Chicago (312) 755-0198 — explain your Mother’s situation and find out what other clinics in your Mother’s area are giving BOTOX injections.  Life is too short and sweet to go thru unnecessary hassle. Your Mother needs attention now and not whenever… Hope this helps some.  Cheerio, Becky I was wondering how to post what I wanted to pass along to you then I read the above portion of Becky’s post. There is a company called ATHENA RX HOME PHARMACY. The number is 1-800-528-4362. They have Botox listed in thier Neurolgy Products catalog that I have. They don’t give a price for it,say’s to call for price. Maybe your mother can call and get some information from them and then call doctors office and tell them to give her an injection date and she can have the botox there. See how fast they get some Botox in then. Might be worth checking into. I got the information on Athena from some stuff I got at the symposium. Good luck Roger

Thanks for sharing this bit of info with us, Roger.  Had I gone to the New York Symposium in May, you better believe I would have grabbed *any* BOTOX info there. I do know that BOTOX is *VERY* expensive because I see the charges on my health insurance bills.  The reason BOTOX is expensive is because only one company makes it – as the one you mentioned in your msg.  I may be wrong, but I don’t think the company would issue the medicine to one dr alone unless s/he is associated with a ‘BOTOX’ clinic.  This is a good idea — to call the company and find out if the particular clinic is still giving BOTOX injections and when the injections are given.  But, by the same token, you could also ask where the other ‘BOTOX’ clinics are in the area — if the company would give out such priviledge info.   BUT, then finding another dr would be a ‘hassle’ in this process. Anyway, hassle or no, it is worth the effort to track things down if you feel the particulars are helpful to you.  There, I’ve said my 2%…. Cheerio, Becky

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Hi All: Just wanted to let you all know that I’m alive alive and well.  Just took a ‘computer break’ to write a paper and other things to prepare fore a job that I might be hire for in the Fall…  But, I’ll make my present known on this n/g ASAP… Anyway, just wanted to share with you my answer to Rhenda that I personally answered with you all. Yes, MB, I practically said the same thing you said, but added my 2% worth…  I do lurk on here now and then no matter how *busy* I am.  I know what’s going on…  <<<VBG – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I found this newsgroup in a search for information for my mother.  I have read the messages available on my server today, but have not searched for an archive or FAQ, or lurked for a decent time before my first post because I’m in a hurry. Everybody is these days, but this is MY MOM. My mother, the most assertive, confident, intelligent person I know, suffers from debilitating spasmodic torticollis.  I could go on for a page or two about her history and symptoms, but for now I will try to be brief.  Mom has been receiving Botox injections since 1992.  They provide her enough relief that she is able to travel with my dad around the country and visit the kids & grandkids.  She was at my house in late May and traveled home in considerable pain expecting to get her next injection soon.  Her treatment has been postponed indefinately by the doctor’s office and they will only tell her that they cannot get the medicine at present and don’t know when more will come in. She has been sitting at home for six weeks now waiting on word that she can get her treatment.  Calls to the clinic have been met with rude treatment from the woman-in-charge.  She will not tell mom why they can’t get the Botox, or when they expect to. Nothing.  She even yelled at MY MOTHER. Well, I’m ready to drive down there and confront the bunch, but mom won’t hear of it.  She has "forbidden" me to even call and talk to the doctor’s staff to try and get more info.  She wouldn’t even give me his name.  She is scared to death they will refuse her treatment when they do get the medicine if I piss them off.  This is incredible behavior from her (see the first sentence of paragraph two above). I am trying to help in the least obtrusive way I can.  Mom said, "I forbid you to call them!"  So, I got on the internet.  I knew the name of the university medical center where she goes, so now I know the Doc’s name, his nurse’s name, his email address, the entire history of Botox development and production, all about the Orphan Drug Act, and Allergan.  What I don’t know is why my mother’s clinic doesn’t have the medicine for her. My dad suspects this is a ruse, that the doc is stalling because he went out of town or something.  My mom suspects it may be bureaucratic bungling at the university hospital.  Someone lost or destroyed the last batch, they have to go through the red tape to get more.  But it would help her a lot if I could find out something.  Her last communication with the clinic was a talk with the woman-in-charge who said "I’m going on vacation until August 12.  If we have the Botox when I get back, I’ll call you to schedule an appointment.  There’s no point in bothering anyone until then, there’s nothing we can do."  I really want to yell at that woman.  But, I promised my mother. So…I said all of that to say this:  Does anyone know why, or even if the Botox supply has been interrupted? Thanks, Rhenda

[ Rhenda 5K ]

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I found this newsgroup in a search for information for my mother.  I have read the messages available on my server today, but have not searched for an archive or FAQ, or lurked for a decent time before my first post because I’m in a hurry. Everybody is these days, but this is MY MOM. My mother, the most assertive, confident, intelligent person I know, suffers from debilitating spasmodic torticollis.  I could go on for a page or two about her history and symptoms, but for now I will try to be brief.  Mom has been receiving Botox injections since 1992.  They provide her enough relief that she is able to travel with my dad around the country and visit the kids & grandkids.  She was at my house in late May and traveled home in considerable pain expecting to get her next injection soon.  Her treatment has been postponed indefinately by the doctor’s office and they will only tell her that they cannot get the medicine at present and don’t know when more will come in. She has been sitting at home for six weeks now waiting on word that she can get her treatment.  Calls to the clinic have been met with rude treatment from the woman-in-charge.  She will not tell mom why they can’t get the Botox, or when they expect to. Nothing.  She even yelled at MY MOTHER. Well, I’m ready to drive down there and confront the bunch, but mom won’t hear of it.  She has "forbidden" me to even call and talk to the doctor’s staff to try and get more info.  She wouldn’t even give me his name.  She is scared to death they will refuse her treatment when they do get the medicine if I piss them off.  This is incredible behavior from her (see the first sentence of paragraph two above). I am trying to help in the least obtrusive way I can.  Mom said, "I forbid you to call them!"  So, I got on the internet.  I knew the name of the university medical center where she goes, so now I know the Doc’s name, his nurse’s name, his email address, the entire history of Botox development and production, all about the Orphan Drug Act, and Allergan.  What I don’t know is why my mother’s clinic doesn’t have the medicine for her.   My dad suspects this is a ruse, that the doc is stalling because he went out of town or something.  My mom suspects it may be bureaucratic bungling at the university hospital.  Someone lost or destroyed the last batch, they have to go through the red tape to get more.  But it would help her a lot if I could find out something.  Her last communication with the clinic was a talk with the woman-in-charge who said "I’m going on vacation until August 12.  If we have the Botox when I get back, I’ll call you to schedule an appointment.  There’s no point in bothering anyone until then, there’s nothing we can do."  I really want to yell at that woman.  But, I promised my mother.   So…I said all of that to say this:  Does anyone know why, or even if the Botox supply has been interrupted? Thanks, Rhenda

Hi Rhenda: I’m sorry your Mother has been having a frustrating time — I know what it’s like to go without my BOTOX injections — and I have injections not only to my neck, but also my vocal chords and face. …And it must be very frustrating for you as well not knowing what to do about your Mother’s situation, especially when she *FORBIDS* you not to intercede.  Since when does a loving daughter always obey her Mother???  I know I can relate to your situation as I live with my 90 yr old Mother. Mother’s can be VERY stubborn at times! Anyway, back to your problem with drs and BOTOX.  I’ve been to many a dr and would like to kick some of them in the butt.  Some drs have very poor ‘bedside’ manners.  And their secretaries are like a drill sargeant — if you can get past them you’re lucky…  BUT, there’s no reason for a clinic to act in such a non-professional way.  The only thing I can say here is maybe the clinic is giving up the ‘BOTOX program’ because of budget problems (yeah!  that ’song’ has a ring to it, doesn’t it?). Still, they should have alerted the patients to this. You know BOTOX is very expensive.  Clinics have to buy in bulk as it is cheaper to purchase it this way.  When clinics buy in bulk like this they usually have a set day which they give the injections.  Perhaps your Mother’s clinic feels that there aren’t enough people coming to the clinic to warrent purchasing the BOTOX. My suggestion to you is why don’t you call the DYSTONIA FOUNDATION Headquarters in Chicago (312) 755-0198 — explain your Mother’s situation and find out what other clinics in your Mother’s area are giving BOTOX   injections.  Life is too short and sweet to go thru unnecessary hassle. Your Mother needs attention now and not whenever… Hope this helps some.  Cheerio, Becky <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< |Rebecca Ladew                  |"Watch me disappear!"  CLICK.           | |70323,722 (Compuserve)         |                                        | <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

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