Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I’ve been taking Serevent 2 puffs twice a day and Flovent two puffs twice a day for about 6 months with amazing results.  I’ve gotten to the point that I rarely use my Proventil which is almost a miracle to me. In the last week or so I’ve started having anxiety-like attacks in the evening. I don’t have racing hearbeat but I feel extremely anxious and weird.  Kinda like I took too much Theo-Dur, if any of you know that feeling.  It is very intense.  The only thing I can link it to is the evening dose of Serevent. Has anyone else had this? Maybe I only need to take the Serevent in the a.m.?  I’m going to see my doc but thought I would ask here just in case he tries to tell me I’m nuts (G). Thanks for your help. CarolR

Saw my doctor today and he said the Serevent can cause the anxiety problems. He suggested I try 1 puff twice a day, or 2 puffs in the a.m. and 1 at night to see if that would work.  Also told me to use my peak flow meter to see if I even needed to the Serevent to open the airways.  I had been using to open it up so the Flovent would work.  So…we shall see how it goes. Thanks for all your notes. CarolR

Response:

I’ve been taking Serevent 2 puffs twice a day and Flovent two puffs twice a day for about 6 months with amazing results.  I’ve gotten to the point that I rarely use my Proventil which is almost a miracle to me. In the last week or so I’ve started having anxiety-like attacks in the evening.  I don’t have racing hearbeat but I feel extremely anxious and weird.  Kinda like I took too much Theo-Dur, if any of you know that feeling.  It is very intense.  The only thing I can link it to is the evening dose of Serevent.  Has anyone else had this? Maybe I only need to take the Serevent in the a.m.?  I’m going to see my doc but thought I would ask here just in case he tries to tell me I’m nuts (G). Thanks for your help. CarolR

Response:

You are not nuts. I had the same experience and had to eventually cut out the Serevent due to the anxiety attacks. I know I am very sensitive to medications, and even one puff once a day was too much for me. I am feeling alot better as far as the anxiety goes since stopping Serevent. Hope this helps.

Response:

You are not nuts. I had the same experience and had to eventually cut out the Serevent due to the anxiety attacks. I know I am very sensitive to medications, and even one puff once a day was too much for me. I am feeling alot better as far as the anxiety goes since stopping Serevent. Hope this helps.

It helps a lot.  At least I know I’m not the only one this has happened to! What’s weird is that it doesn’t happen witht he morning dose but just the evening dose.  Maybe I can only take 1 dose a day now? I didn’t take it this morning and I found I really needed it.   Is nothing simple anymore?? (G) CarolR

Response:

Hello: This is EXACTLY why I stopped taking serevent. The exact same symptoms you have. You know, I don’t know why there is so much emphasis on using serevent to get off of a shorter acting type of albuterol. In my opinion, serevent has more severe side effects. I’d talk to your doctor about stopping the serevent. The flovent for me made a HUGE difference. Mabye up that if it gets worse when you go off the serevent. On 12 Aug 1999, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been taking Serevent 2 puffs twice a day and Flovent two puffs twice a day for about 6 months with amazing results.  I’ve gotten to the point that I rarely use my Proventil which is almost a miracle to me. In the last week or so I’ve started having anxiety-like attacks in the evening.  I don’t have racing hearbeat but I feel extremely anxious and weird.  Kinda like I took too much Theo-Dur, if any of you know that feeling.  It is very intense.  The only thing I can link it to is the evening dose of Serevent.  Has anyone else had this? Maybe I only need to take the Serevent in the a.m.?  I’m going to see my doc but thought I would ask here just in case he tries to tell me I’m nuts (G). Thanks for your help. CarolR

Jennifer Gerbi                          http://www.students.uiuc.edu/~gerbi Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign   1-113 ESB             (217)244-0332

Response:

Question:

I have been on Singulair since Feb 98.  I also have noticed fatigue and depression.  I was going to stop once, but, since this is the only drug that has seemed to help I tell myself that I can handle it.  Since nothing else has changed in my life since I started taking Singulair, I really feel that this is a problem due to the drug  

Response:

I’ve noticed a tendency for Singulair to cause fatigue. I think the fatigue reduces with time, but still exists. [I'm in the 50% who experience significant improvement with Singulair, 25% get dramatic improvement, 25% no improvement] I still take Pulmicort, Serevent, and low dose TheoDur. My peak flows are running around 100%, but I have gained weight and have exercise induced asthma. I’ve been experimenting dropping the Singulair; or taking a reduced dose by using every other day (or splitting tablet). I am 60; children take a half dose; maybe certain others should be on a half dose? Singulair PI at www.singulair.com Fatigue is shown as 1.8% versus 1.2% for placebo. Also see: http://www.rxlist.com/scripts/patient/piumore.pl?mononum=806&order=0&… Patient Monograph – montelukast Excerpt: "What should my health care professional know before I use  montelukast? They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect. My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! -N2 Strange… And it isn’t parkinsons? What does your doctor tells you??? no explenation? Hmmmm…my essential tremor is reduced when I am taking methylphenidate (concerta, ritalin)…I wonder if there is a connection? It’s the strangest thing I ever heard. Because methylphenidate isn’t the same as L-dopa and it isn’t effective against tremors from parkinsons. So it’s strange…

<G I do not care if it is "coincidental"….or even placebo….as long as it works <g  But, from what I understand, doesn’t methylphenidate work on the dopamine levels in the patient? Besides, parkinsons is not the same thing as essential tremor…though it does appear that having ET might increase the chances of getting parkinson’s… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_tremor Mine currently is only in my hands (as is my mother’s)…my grandfather’s was in in hands, his arms, and showed up in his gait as well…the weird thing is, it shows up when I am "at rest," but when I do something with my hands (such as play guitar), I do not tremble as much (i.e,. when my hands are resting against the guitar, they might tremble a bit, but when then are pressed down to hold a chord, the whole guitar is not shaking, and the hand stops shaking). — Buny " Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal." ~ Albert Camus

Response:

Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! -N2

Response:

Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Does the shaking go away when you stop taking the Adderall? Priscilla

Response:

Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!

It sounds like the Prozac to me – that’s what has changed.

Response:

Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! -N2

Strange… And it isn’t parkinsons? What does your doctor tells you??? no explenation?

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! -N2 Strange… And it isn’t parkinsons? What does your doctor tells you??? no explenation?

Hmmmm…my essential tremor is reduced when I am taking methylphenidate (concerta, ritalin)…I wonder if there is a connection? — Buny " Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal." ~ Albert Camus

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, After taking Adderall XR 20mg for over six months with no side effects (other than some weight loss), I’ve developed shaking hands over the last month.  I was thinking maybe I got a bad batch of Adderall from the pharmacist last time, but this new batch is having the same effect.  My doctor has no explanation.  The only change is I’ve started taking Prozac each day, but my doc says this should have no impact on my symptoms. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated! -N2 Strange… And it isn’t parkinsons? What does your doctor tells you??? no explenation? Hmmmm…my essential tremor is reduced when I am taking methylphenidate (concerta, ritalin)…I wonder if there is a connection?

It’s the strangest thing I ever heard. Because methylphenidate isn’t the same as L-dopa and it isn’t effective against tremors from parkinsons. So it’s strange… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — Buny " Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal." ~ Albert Camus

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I’m 23 y/o female who has has depression/anxiety all my life…   And I get panic attacks/anxiety attacks…  I don’t get the I’m going to die feeling though so the doc says it’s not true panic attack just anxiety.   I went to the Doctors because I couldn’t function.  No energy, motivation, depression, severe anxiety, can’t concentrate/focus. About the start of  Nov. I was put on Celexa on a Friday morning.   I started taking it and was nausous for 2 days and then I got double vision and couldn’t focus my eyes so I stopped taking that Sunday morning and felt poopy for 2-3 days.. The next friday I got put on Wellbutrin.   That was absolute HELL.   I heard my dog talk and I was insane beyond belief for like 4-5 days and I only took the Wellbutrin for 3 days.   I kept repeating over and over "I’m crazy, I’m crazy".   And I had 3 panic attacks in one day.    So obviously that wasn’t the drug for me.  stopped again.   The Tues-Wed. following the Friday that I was put on the Wellbutrin I had a panic attack in my marriage counseling session.  She helped me go to this Psychiatric place where I met Doctor M. They wanted me to be an in-patient at a Psych Ward.   I said no and they scheduled me an appt w/ Dr. R for 3weeks later.   That same day Doctor M. prescribed me .5mg Klonopin to be taken every 4-6 hours as needed. Klonopin just made me drowsy/semi-drugged.  No good.    So I called back and Dr. M prescribed me Ativan.   I was nervious about taking that so I went on Base (husband is in the military)  and went to a Physicans Assistant-M (PA-M) and he presribed me Zoloft 50mg once a day and Xanax .5mg  3x’s a day that was about Nov. 22.    It started working immediately and I felt great. I had been taking xanax 1-2 times a day when I got really nervous/anxious and over-excited and couldn’t calm down.  I ran out of xanax and called PA-M to get a refill just to last me until my appt w/ the psychiatric nurse Dr. R.  This last friday I went to Dr. R and she decided that I was bi-polar . She was very unorganized and didn’t seem to know her shit.  She kept trying to prescribe medicine for me that I told her had caused me problems in the past.   Kept saying she didn’t like this drug or that drug.  (another doctor had said that in the past also that I was bi-polar possibly.  I think I am more adult ADD than bi-polar though although I have a lot of symptoms for both of them).  So she griped that xanax is a horrible drug and so addictive blah blah blah.  Xanax has been a miracle drug for me.  I felt NORMAL. HUMAN.   It gave me energy and I could concentrate and was happy and funny and social.    So she dicked around and today I finally got my xanax refilled.   But on Friday she gave me Trileptol for the bi-polar and was weaning me off of the zoloft down to 25mg for a week and then off of it. This last Sunday I got depressed. and then Yesterday was hell I couldn’t even get dressed/showered until 5:30pm.   Luckily this happened when I don’t have to work.   The xanax/zoloft has made me so much better that I have been able to get a job and now I am enrolled in college classes online.     At 1:30am last night I had another major panic attack and ended up having to call a Doctor on base to try and calm me down.   Today I went and saw Dr. R again and I told her that the zoloft was ok other than the vivid nightmares and no sex drive..   I said I could deal with that as long as I was happy and could function.  She decided she wanted to put me on Paxil.   Which in the past had given me the nightmares/no sex drive..  DUMB *itch.    Then tried to prescribe me prozac which also doesn’t work for me and I’d told her that twice also that it didn’t work that I was fine on the zoloft.    So she decided to put me on Elavil along w/ the Trileptol.   I have a bad astigmatism and was wearing glasses and Elavil causes depth perception problems again DUMB *itch.    But I got my prescription for xanax refilled. She kept going on and on how addictive it was.   Previously I had been told to take it 3 times a day.  Now she had Dr. M (she can’t presribe scheduled drugs/addictive ones.  she’s not really a Doctor just some special glorified psychiatric nurse).    So Dr. M presribed me #60 pills to take ever 4-6 hours or 4-6 pills a day.  Grrrrrrrrrr…    What should I do now?     I am soooooo confused.   I need to be able to function and work and go to school. Without the xanax and zoloft at 25mg yesterday I couldn’t function.    In the past I have taken Trazadone, Remeron, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa,  Effexor and probably more I’ve forgotten all with some major negative side effects. Help!!!!       I am not doubling up the dosage of the xanax nor even taking it as often as the doctor says I can.   Just when I need it but it’s a miracle when I do need it.    So frustrating.   I admitted to doing drugs in the past.   (pot, mushrooms, acid 2times, xtc25 times or so, never any other methanphetamine drugs).     My sobriety from drugs is very important to me and I believe I have never been addicted to any of those drugs.   I worked in a drug rehab for 9 months helping drug addicted girls.   But from going to feeling normal to and happy to being told that I may not be able to have what has made me happy anymore is very frustrating.   I really don’t care if I get addicted.   I just want to be happy and be able to function and work and live.  I’m tired of existing and not living.     Please help give me some direction on where I should go from here?   Can I report this ladies erratic behavior?    She tried to prescribe me wellbutrin 3 times when that pill puts me in hell. Also my personal counselor told me she talked to PA-M to originally prescribed me the xanax/zoloft and he told her that he was surprised the xanax lasted me as long as it had and he didn’t think that I was a high risk for addiction. Thanks, Jaimie P.S.  Sorry this is so long.  I needed to vent.

Hi Jaimie & welcome to ASAP! This is typically one of those stories… paved with incompetent mental health practitioners. If Zoloft and Xanax *as needed* works so well for you you’d better stick with it. It’s common and often very effective to combine an SSRI with a benzo. There is no reason why anybody would want to prescribe Paxil or Prozac instead of Zoloft when that is the med that works, it’s plainly ridiculous. Wellbutrin is the most stimulating of antidepressants and as an only med is contra-indicated for anxiety/panic sufferers, in the vast majority of cases it will only exacerbate anxiety as you noticed. BTW you don’t have to think you’re dying when having a PA. As a matter of fact when in the middle of a major PA I wish I *would* die, anything to *stop* it… If you would be bipolar they shouldn’t have prescribed an SSRI for you but lithium or some such. From the scarce information you give it doesn’t sound like you’re bipolar to me and the fact that Zoloft/Xanax helps that makes it even more unlikely. So find another doc or have them prescribe you Zoloft/Xanax as a regular combo. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Welcome, Jaimie.   I was nervious about taking that so I went on Base (husband is in the military)  and went to a Physicans Assistant-M (PA-M) and he presribed me Zoloft 50mg once a day and Xanax .5mg  3x’s a day that was about Nov. 22.    It started working immediately and I felt great.

If this is what works for you, then why not go back to this person.  A good psychiatrist would be best to go to in the long term, one who understands that this is a good med for you.  I take Zoloft, and find it to be a good med.  My psychiatrist also gives me Ativan when it is needed, but I have not needed to take it for quite a while.  The Zoloft is handling things pretty well. Take care, Liz

Response:

HI Jaimie, welcome to ASAP, yep that was a long post, but hope you feel better having vented. No wonder you are confused, you sure have been on a roller coaster with meds and docs. So after all this do you have a proper diagnosis? It appears from what you say that the zoloft/xanax combo works best for you. I understand your docs concerns re addiction given your past but from what you say you are in control. Just wanted to tell you that with the Klonopin/clonazepam it usually does cause drowsiness to begin with but for most people this subsides within a few weeks. It doesn’t give the immediate relief that xanax does but as a longer acting benzo it has major benefits – not suggesting you should go back to it, just giving you my experience with this med. So where to from here? Are any of these docs you’ve seen specialist in anxiety, if not it would be great if you were to get a proper diagnosis. From here you could get back to the meds which have helped in the past and perhaps you might like to consider some therapy to develop coping strategies for the panic attacks. Wishing you all the best for the wedding. Even a happy event can add stress to our lives. Vanessa )

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I’m 23 y/o female who has has depression/anxiety all my life…   And I get panic attacks/anxiety attacks…  I don’t get the I’m going to die feeling though so the doc says it’s not true panic attack just anxiety.   I went to the Doctors because I couldn’t function.  No energy, motivation, depression, severe anxiety, can’t concentrate/focus. About the start of  Nov. I was put on Celexa on a Friday morning.   I started taking it and was nausous for 2 days and then I got double vision and couldn’t focus my eyes so I stopped taking that Sunday morning and felt poopy for 2-3 days.. The next friday I got put on Wellbutrin.   That was absolute HELL.   I heard my dog talk and I was insane beyond belief for like 4-5 days and I only took the Wellbutrin for 3 days.   I kept repeating over and over "I’m crazy, I’m crazy".   And I had 3 panic attacks in one day.    So obviously that wasn’t the drug for me.  stopped again.   The Tues-Wed. following the Friday that I was put on the Wellbutrin I had a panic attack in my marriage counseling session.  She helped me go to this Psychiatric place where I met Doctor M. They wanted me to be an in-patient at a Psych Ward.   I said no and they scheduled me an appt w/ Dr. R for 3weeks later.   That same day Doctor M. prescribed me .5mg Klonopin to be taken every 4-6 hours as needed. Klonopin just made me drowsy/semi-drugged.  No good.    So I called back and Dr. M prescribed me Ativan.   I was nervious about taking that so I went on Base (husband is in the military)  and went to a Physicans Assistant-M (PA-M) and he presribed me Zoloft 50mg once a day and Xanax .5mg  3x’s a day that was about Nov. 22.    It started working immediately and I felt great. I had been taking xanax 1-2 times a day when I got really nervous/anxious and over-excited and couldn’t calm down.  I ran out of xanax and called PA-M to get a refill just to last me until my appt w/ the psychiatric nurse Dr. R.  This last friday I went to Dr. R and she decided that I was bi-polar . She was very unorganized and didn’t seem to know her shit.  She kept trying to prescribe medicine for me that I told her had caused me problems in the past.   Kept saying she didn’t like this drug or that drug.  (another doctor had said that in the past also that I was bi-polar possibly.  I think I am more adult ADD than bi-polar though although I have a lot of symptoms for both of them).  So she griped that xanax is a horrible drug and so addictive blah blah blah.  Xanax has been a miracle drug for me.  I felt NORMAL. HUMAN.   It gave me energy and I could concentrate and was happy and funny and social.    So she dicked around and today I finally got my xanax refilled.   But on Friday she gave me Trileptol for the bi-polar and was weaning me off of the zoloft down to 25mg for a week and then off of it. This last Sunday I got depressed. and then Yesterday was hell I couldn’t even get dressed/showered until 5:30pm.   Luckily this happened when I don’t have to work.   The xanax/zoloft has made me so much better that I have been able to get a job and now I am enrolled in college classes online.     At 1:30am last night I had another major panic attack and ended up having to call a Doctor on base to try and calm me down.   Today I went and saw Dr. R again and I told her that the zoloft was ok other than the vivid nightmares and no sex drive..   I said I could deal with that as long as I was happy and could function.  She decided she wanted to put me on Paxil.   Which in the past had given me the nightmares/no sex drive..  DUMB *itch.    Then tried to prescribe me prozac which also doesn’t work for me and I’d told her that twice also that it didn’t work that I was fine on the zoloft.    So she decided to put me on Elavil along w/ the Trileptol.   I have a bad astigmatism and was wearing glasses and Elavil causes depth perception problems again DUMB *itch.    But I got my prescription for xanax refilled. She kept going on and on how addictive it was.   Previously I had been told to take it 3 times a day.  Now she had Dr. M (she can’t presribe scheduled drugs/addictive ones.  she’s not really a Doctor just some special glorified psychiatric nurse).    So Dr. M presribed me #60 pills to take ever 4-6 hours or 4-6 pills a day.  Grrrrrrrrrr…    What should I do now?     I am soooooo confused.   I need to be able to function and work and go to school. Without the xanax and zoloft at 25mg yesterday I couldn’t function.    In the past I have taken Trazadone, Remeron, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa,  Effexor and probably more I’ve forgotten all with some major negative side effects. Help!!!!       I am not doubling up the dosage of the xanax nor even taking it as often as the doctor says I can.   Just when I need it but it’s a miracle when I do need it.    So frustrating.   I admitted to doing drugs in the past.   (pot, mushrooms, acid 2times, xtc25 times or so, never any other methanphetamine drugs).     My sobriety from drugs is very important to me and I believe I have never been addicted to any of those drugs.   I worked in a drug rehab for 9 months helping drug addicted girls.   But from going to feeling normal to and happy to being told that I may not be able to have what has made me happy anymore is very frustrating.   I really don’t care if I get addicted.   I just want to be happy and be able to function and work and live.  I’m tired of existing and not living.     Please help give me some direction on where I should go from here?   Can I report this ladies erratic behavior?    She tried to prescribe me wellbutrin 3 times when that pill puts me in hell. Also my personal counselor told me she talked to PA-M to originally prescribed me the xanax/zoloft and he told her that he was surprised the xanax lasted me as long as it had and he didn’t think that I was a high risk for addiction. Thanks, Jaimie P.S.  Sorry this is so long.  I needed to vent.

Response:

Hi Jaimie, Welcome to ASAP! It sounds like you’ve been threw the ringer so far. It sounds like you have yet to receive a proper diagnosis and therapuetic routine to work with. I knwo this is frustrating for you but I would try to be as paitent as possible and see this all through. If you receive a firm diagnosis, such as bipolar, they therapy will be different than if you were to suffer from Anxiety/Panic attacks. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is the best therapy for A&P. Work with your Doctors. You clearly don’t have confidence in the one who is unorganized and scattered. Are you confined to using Military Doctors? Would you be able to use civilians and have CHAMPUS reimburse? Military life is difficult to adjust to. How long have you been married?  From your note it sounds like you are going through major life adjustments at the moment. Is your spouse with you? I imagine with the likelyhood of us having a war with Iraq you must be concerned about your husbands life. Good luck and keep us posted as to your progress. Hang tough! Peace, John – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I’m 23 y/o female who has has depression/anxiety all my life…   And I get panic attacks/anxiety attacks…  I don’t get the I’m going to die feeling though so the doc says it’s not true panic attack just anxiety.   I went to the Doctors because I couldn’t function.  No energy, motivation, depression, severe anxiety, can’t concentrate/focus. About the start of  Nov. I was put on Celexa on a Friday morning.   I started taking it and was nausous for 2 days and then I got double vision and couldn’t focus my eyes so I stopped taking that Sunday morning and felt poopy for 2-3 days.. The next friday I got put on Wellbutrin.   That was absolute HELL.   I heard my dog talk and I was insane beyond belief for like 4-5 days and I only took the Wellbutrin for 3 days.   I kept repeating over and over "I’m crazy, I’m crazy".   And I had 3 panic attacks in one day.    So obviously that wasn’t the drug for me.  stopped again.   The Tues-Wed. following the Friday that I was put on the Wellbutrin I had a panic attack in my marriage counseling session.  She helped me go to this Psychiatric place where I met Doctor M. They wanted me to be an in-patient at a Psych Ward.   I said no and they scheduled me an appt w/ Dr. R for 3weeks later.   That same day Doctor M. prescribed me .5mg Klonopin to be taken every 4-6 hours as needed. Klonopin just made me drowsy/semi-drugged.  No good.    So I called back and Dr. M prescribed me Ativan.   I was nervious about taking that so I went on Base (husband is in the military)  and went to a Physicans Assistant-M (PA-M) and he presribed me Zoloft 50mg once a day and Xanax .5mg  3x’s a day that was about Nov. 22.    It started working immediately and I felt great. I had been taking xanax 1-2 times a day when I got really nervous/anxious and over-excited and couldn’t calm down.  I ran out of xanax and called PA-M to get a refill just to last me until my appt w/ the psychiatric nurse Dr. R.  This last friday I went to Dr. R and she decided that I was bi-polar . She was very unorganized and didn’t seem to know her shit.  She kept trying to prescribe medicine for me that I told her had caused me problems in the past.   Kept saying she didn’t like this drug or that drug.  (another doctor had said that in the past also that I was bi-polar possibly.  I think I am more adult ADD than bi-polar though although I have a lot of symptoms for both of them).  So she griped that xanax is a horrible drug and so addictive blah blah blah.  Xanax has been a miracle drug for me.  I felt NORMAL. HUMAN.   It gave me energy and I could concentrate and was happy and funny and social.    So she dicked around and today I finally got my xanax refilled.   But on Friday she gave me Trileptol for the bi-polar and was weaning me off of the zoloft down to 25mg for a week and then off of it. This last Sunday I got depressed. and then Yesterday was hell I couldn’t even get dressed/showered until 5:30pm.   Luckily this happened when I don’t have to work.   The xanax/zoloft has made me so much better that I have been able to get a job and now I am enrolled in college classes online.     At 1:30am last night I had another major panic attack and ended up having to call a Doctor on base to try and calm me down.   Today I went and saw Dr. R again and I told her that the zoloft was ok other than the vivid nightmares and no sex drive..   I said I could deal with that as long as I was happy and could function.  She decided she wanted to put me on Paxil.   Which in the past had given me the nightmares/no sex drive..  DUMB *itch.    Then tried to prescribe me prozac which also doesn’t work for me and I’d told her that twice also that it didn’t work that I was fine on the zoloft.    So she decided to put me on Elavil along w/ the Trileptol.   I have a bad astigmatism and was wearing glasses and Elavil causes depth perception problems again DUMB *itch.    But I got my prescription for xanax refilled. She kept going on and on how addictive it was.   Previously I had been told to take it 3 times a day.  Now she had Dr. M (she can’t presribe scheduled drugs/addictive ones.  she’s not really a Doctor just some special glorified psychiatric nurse).    So Dr. M presribed me #60 pills to take ever 4-6 hours or 4-6 pills a day.  Grrrrrrrrrr…    What should I do now?     I am soooooo confused.   I need to be able to function and work and go to school. Without the xanax and zoloft at 25mg yesterday I couldn’t function.    In the past I have taken Trazadone, Remeron, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa,  Effexor and probably more I’ve forgotten all with some major negative side effects. Help!!!!       I am not doubling up the dosage of the xanax nor even taking it as often as the doctor says I can.   Just when I need it but it’s a miracle when I do need it.    So frustrating.   I admitted to doing drugs in the past.   (pot, mushrooms, acid 2times, xtc25 times or so, never any other methanphetamine drugs).     My sobriety from drugs is very important to me and I believe I have never been addicted to any of those drugs.   I worked in a drug rehab for 9 months helping drug addicted girls.   But from going to feeling normal to and happy to being told that I may not be able to have what has made me happy anymore is very frustrating.   I really don’t care if I get addicted.   I just want to be happy and be able to function and work and live.  I’m tired of existing and not living.     Please help give me some direction on where I should go from here?   Can I report this ladies erratic behavior?    She tried to prescribe me wellbutrin 3 times when that pill puts me in hell. Also my personal counselor told me she talked to PA-M to originally prescribed me the xanax/zoloft and he told her that he was surprised the xanax lasted me as long as it had and he didn’t think that I was a high risk for addiction. Thanks, Jaimie P.S.  Sorry this is so long.  I needed to vent.

Response:

Hey Jaimie! I don’t post here a lot but I do certainly understand and empathize with your predicament .   Just get your meds sorted out and start feeling  human when  the rug gets yanked out from under you AGAIN!!  IT BITES ~ From your comments it would seem that  the PA-M has it the most together, overmedicated state by many of your fellow sufferers opinions or needs. Since you’ve switched  SSRI’s in the past,  I’m guessing going to 50 mg of Zoloft was not a rough start, but you  have a lot happening and the Xanax has helped you smooth over the potholes.   Any change in meds can be uncomfortable. the comment that PA-M was surprised the initial xanax RX lasted you as long as it did  is heartening.  also heartening that your personal counselor  has been in touch with PA-M and they are willling to work together.   thats a wonderful combination.  I don’t knock PA’s either in  Military  or civilian attire, sometimes they have more time to LISTEN. We talk a lot about doctor shopping here, but it seems like/looks like you’ve shopped  and maybe found your own best solution…..  if the Zoloft /Xanax combo works for you, why mess with it? We all want to be well, feel well and  we all search for the Right Stuff. If you are as lucky as I have been you will need the Xanax less and less as the "right" SSRI does what its supposed to do. You CAN chose your  health providers, you MUST chose your health providers, and you are in no way obligated to suck up to anyone who isn’t helping you. That applies to those who may be confusing the issues For your own empowerment, stick with the providers who help you.  Alphabet soup means nothing, results count. Hugs to you. Sue in Maine

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all, I’m 23 y/o female who has has depression/anxiety all my life…   And I get panic attacks/anxiety attacks…  I don’t get the I’m going to die feeling though so the doc says it’s not true panic attack just anxiety.   I went to the Doctors because I couldn’t function.  No energy, motivation, depression, severe anxiety, can’t concentrate/focus. About the start of  Nov. I was put on Celexa on a Friday morning.   I started taking it and was nausous for 2 days and then I got double vision and couldn’t focus my eyes so I stopped taking that Sunday morning and felt poopy for 2-3 days.. The next friday I got put on Wellbutrin.   That was absolute HELL.   I heard my dog talk and I was insane beyond belief for like 4-5 days and I only took the Wellbutrin for 3 days.   I kept repeating over and over "I’m crazy, I’m crazy".   And I had 3 panic attacks in one day.    So obviously that wasn’t the drug for me.  stopped again.   The Tues-Wed. following the Friday that I was put on the Wellbutrin I had a panic attack in my marriage counseling session.  She helped me go to this Psychiatric place where I met Doctor M. They wanted me to be an in-patient at a Psych Ward.   I said no and they scheduled me an appt w/ Dr. R for 3weeks later.   That same day Doctor M. prescribed me .5mg Klonopin to be taken every 4-6 hours as needed. Klonopin just made me drowsy/semi-drugged.  No good.    So I called back and Dr. M prescribed me Ativan.   I was nervious about taking that so I went on Base (husband is in the military)  and went to a Physicans Assistant-M (PA-M) and he presribed me Zoloft 50mg once a day and Xanax .5mg  3x’s a day that was about Nov. 22.    It started working immediately and I felt great. I had been taking xanax 1-2 times a day when I got really nervous/anxious and over-excited and couldn’t calm down.  I ran out of xanax and called PA-M to get a refill just to last me until my appt w/ the psychiatric nurse Dr. R.  This last friday I went to Dr. R and she decided that I was bi-polar . She was very unorganized and didn’t seem to know her shit.  She kept tryin g to prescribe medicine for me that I told her had caused me problems in the past.   Kept saying she didn’t like this drug or that drug.  (another doctor had said that in the past also that I was bi-polar possibly.  I think I am more adult ADD than bi-polar though although I have a lot of symptoms for both of them).  So she griped that xanax is a horrible drug and so addictive blah blah blah.  Xanax has been a miracle drug for me.  I felt NORMAL. HUMAN.   It gave me energy and I could concentrate and was happy and funny and social.    So she dicked around and today I finally got my xanax refilled.   But on Friday she gave me Trileptol for the bi-polar and was weaning me off of the zoloft down to 25mg for a week and then off of it. This last Sunday I got depressed. and then Yesterday was hell I couldn’t even get dressed/showered until 5:30pm.   Luckily this happened when I don’t have to work.   The xanax/zoloft has made me so much better that I have been able to get a job and now I am enrolled in college classes online.     At 1:30am last night I had another major panic attack and ended up having to call a Doctor on base to try and calm me down.   Today I went and saw Dr. R again and I told her that the zoloft was ok other than the vivid nightmares and no sex drive..   I said I could deal with that as long as I was happy and could function.  She decided she wanted to put me on Paxil.   Which in the past had given me the nightmares/no sex drive..  DUMB *itch.    Then tried to prescribe me prozac which also doesn’t work for me and I’d told her that twice also that it didn’t work that I was fine on the zoloft.    So she decided to put me on Elavil along w/ the Trileptol.   I have a bad astigmatism and was wearing glasses and Elavil causes depth perception problems again DUMB *itch.    But I got my prescription for xanax refilled. She kept going on and on how addictive it was.   Previously I had been told to take it 3 times a day.  Now she had Dr. M (she can’t presribe scheduled drugs/addictive ones.  she’s not really a Doctor just some special glorified psychiatric nurse).    So Dr. M presribed me #60 pills to take ever 4-6 hours or 4-6 pills a day.  Grrrrrrrrrr…    What should I do now?     I am soooooo confused.   I need to be able to function and work and go to school. Without the xanax and zoloft at 25mg yesterday I couldn’t function.    In the past I have taken Trazadone, Remeron, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa,  Effexor and probably more I’ve forgotten all with some major negative side effects. Help!!!!       I am not doubling up the dosage of the xanax nor even taking it as often as the doctor says I can.   Just when I need it but it’s a miracle when I do need it.    So frustrating.   I admitted to doing drugs in the past.   (pot, mushrooms, acid 2times, xtc25 times or so, never any other methanphetamine drugs).     My sobriety from drugs is very important to me and I believe I have never been addicted to any of those drugs.   I worked in a drug rehab for 9 months helping drug addicted girls.   But from going to feeling normal to and happy to being told that I may not be able to have what has made me happy anymore is very frustrating.   I really don’t care if I get addicted.   I just want to be happy and be able to function and work and live.  I’m tired of existing and not living.     Please help give me some direction on where I should go from here?   Can I report this ladies erratic behavior?    She tried to prescribe me wellbutrin 3 times when that pill puts me in hell. Also my personal counselor told me she talked to PA-M to originally prescribed me the xanax/zoloft and he told her that he was surprised the xanax lasted me as long as it had and he didn’t think that I was a high risk for addiction. Thanks, Jaimie P.S.  Sorry this is so long.  I needed to vent.

Response:

Hi all, I’m 23 y/o female who has has depression/anxiety all my life…   And I get panic attacks/anxiety attacks…  I don’t get the I’m going to die feeling though so the doc says it’s not true panic attack just anxiety.   I went to the Doctors because I couldn’t function.  No energy, motivation, depression, severe anxiety, can’t concentrate/focus. About the start of  Nov. I was put on Celexa on a Friday morning.   I started taking it and was nausous for 2 days and then I got double vision and couldn’t focus my eyes so I stopped taking that Sunday morning and felt poopy for 2-3 days.. The next friday I got put on Wellbutrin.   That was absolute HELL.   I heard my dog talk and I was insane beyond belief for like 4-5 days and I only took the Wellbutrin for 3 days.   I kept repeating over and over "I’m crazy, I’m crazy".   And I had 3 panic attacks in one day.    So obviously that wasn’t the drug for me.  stopped again.   The Tues-Wed. following the Friday that I was put on the Wellbutrin I had a panic attack in my marriage counseling session.  She helped me go to this Psychiatric place where I met Doctor M. They wanted me to be an in-patient at a Psych Ward.   I said no and they scheduled me an appt w/ Dr. R for 3weeks later.   That same day Doctor M. prescribed me .5mg Klonopin to be taken every 4-6 hours as needed. Klonopin just made me drowsy/semi-drugged.  No good.    So I called back and Dr. M prescribed me Ativan.   I was nervious about taking that so I went on Base (husband is in the military)  and went to a Physicans Assistant-M (PA-M) and he presribed me Zoloft 50mg once a day and Xanax .5mg  3x’s a day that was about Nov. 22.    It started working immediately and I felt great. I had been taking xanax 1-2 times a day when I got really nervous/anxious and over-excited and couldn’t calm down.  I ran out of xanax and called PA-M to get a refill just to last me until my appt w/ the psychiatric nurse Dr. R.  This last friday I went to Dr. R and she decided that I was bi-polar . She was very unorganized and didn’t seem to know her shit.  She kept trying to prescribe medicine for me that I told her had caused me problems in the past.   Kept saying she didn’t like this drug or that drug.  (another doctor had said that in the past also that I was bi-polar possibly.  I think I am more adult ADD than bi-polar though although I have a lot of symptoms for both of them).  So she griped that xanax is a horrible drug and so addictive blah blah blah.  Xanax has been a miracle drug for me.  I felt NORMAL. HUMAN.   It gave me energy and I could concentrate and was happy and funny and social.    So she dicked around and today I finally got my xanax refilled.   But on Friday she gave me Trileptol for the bi-polar and was weaning me off of the zoloft down to 25mg for a week and then off of it. This last Sunday I got depressed. and then Yesterday was hell I couldn’t even get dressed/showered until 5:30pm.   Luckily this happened when I don’t have to work.   The xanax/zoloft has made me so much better that I have been able to get a job and now I am enrolled in college classes online.     At 1:30am last night I had another major panic attack and ended up having to call a Doctor on base to try and calm me down.   Today I went and saw Dr. R again and I told her that the zoloft was ok other than the vivid nightmares and no sex drive..   I said I could deal with that as long as I was happy and could function.  She decided she wanted to put me on Paxil.   Which in the past had given me the nightmares/no sex drive..  DUMB *itch.    Then tried to prescribe me prozac which also doesn’t work for me and I’d told her that twice also that it didn’t work that I was fine on the zoloft.    So she decided to put me on Elavil along w/ the Trileptol.   I have a bad astigmatism and was wearing glasses and Elavil causes depth perception problems again DUMB *itch.    But I got my prescription for xanax refilled. She kept going on and on how addictive it was.   Previously I had been told to take it 3 times a day.  Now she had Dr. M (she can’t presribe scheduled drugs/addictive ones.  she’s not really a Doctor just some special glorified psychiatric nurse).    So Dr. M presribed me #60 pills to take ever 4-6 hours or 4-6 pills a day.  Grrrrrrrrrr…    What should I do now?     I am soooooo confused.   I need to be able to function and work and go to school. Without the xanax and zoloft at 25mg yesterday I couldn’t function.    In the past I have taken Trazadone, Remeron, Paxil, Prozac, Celexa,  Effexor and probably more I’ve forgotten all with some major negative side effects. Help!!!!       I am not doubling up the dosage of the xanax nor even taking it as often as the doctor says I can.   Just when I need it but it’s a miracle when I do need it.    So frustrating.   I admitted to doing drugs in the past.   (pot, mushrooms, acid 2times, xtc25 times or so, never any other methanphetamine drugs).     My sobriety from drugs is very important to me and I believe I have never been addicted to any of those drugs.   I worked in a drug rehab for 9 months helping drug addicted girls.   But from going to feeling normal to and happy to being told that I may not be able to have what has made me happy anymore is very frustrating.   I really don’t care if I get addicted.   I just want to be happy and be able to function and work and live.  I’m tired of existing and not living.     Please help give me some direction on where I should go from here?   Can I report this ladies erratic behavior?    She tried to prescribe me wellbutrin 3 times when that pill puts me in hell. Also my personal counselor told me she talked to PA-M to originally prescribed me the xanax/zoloft and he told her that he was surprised the xanax lasted me as long as it had and he didn’t think that I was a high risk for addiction. Thanks, Jaimie P.S.  Sorry this is so long.  I needed to vent.

Response:

Question:

Have you had your thyroid tested? for sure………it can cause all those symptoms!!!!!!!!!!!!

Response:

In article <3D1791AD.3020…@comcast.net

, FurPaw <furpawn…@comcast.net

wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Dale Davis wrote: I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help. Hi, Dale, and welcome to ASM! The three things I know of that cause hand tremors are anxiety/nervousness, essential tremor, and Parkinson’s.  I’m wondering if the first is the reason they tried to prescribe tranqs.  Otherwise, I’d think they would have gone for an antidepressant if they thought that you were depressed.  Did any of the doctors give you a test for depression?  There are several available, none of which would take more than five minutes to administer.  Here’s one: If they didn’t, shame on them! I hope you have better luck with the neurologist. FurPaw

Thanks for your response. I didn’t get a hand tremor until a month ago. The gyno doctors wanted to prescribe tranquil. because they felt the headaches, nausea and intermittent fevers  were not  menopause related and I looked depressed. I explained they would look depressed too if they sat where I was sitting with a headache, nausea and a 99+ fever. I couldn’t possibly be cheerful. No one tested me for depression. I’m waitng for an MRI and neuro consult. Although I never heard of hand tremors associated with menopause I was hoping maybe it was a rare symptom rather than the alternative diagnosis of brain inflammation, brain tumor, Parkinsons. Dale

Response:

Hi Dale and welcome to a.s.m.  For what it’s worth, I have hand tremors under two circumstances, neither of which is, I believe, directly related to menopause.  In 1998 I had a neuropraxia of my right hand.  I thought I had had a stroke and went to the emergency room.  Believe it or not, my doctor advised acupuncture (which I was getting for a shoulder injury) and it eventually went away by itself.  Affected my handwriting something awful for a while.  Now I get hand tremors from pain.  I have recently posted under other threads about dealing with unwanted facial hair and, respectively, electrolysis and most recently (today, in fact) laser hair removal.  The pain causes hand tremors.  I think it is wise of you, though, to have a checkup to see if there is another reason for them.  I have had headaches for many years, but nausea and fevers (unless you are referring to hot flashes, which, at least in me, do not cause actual measurable fever) is a good thing. Best wishes, RuthJ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Dale Davis wrote:

I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help.

Response:

Dale Davis wrote:

I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help.

Hi, Dale, and welcome to ASM! The three things I know of that cause hand tremors are anxiety/nervousness, essential tremor, and Parkinson’s.  I’m wondering if the first is the reason they tried to prescribe tranqs.  Otherwise, I’d think they would have gone for an antidepressant if they thought that you were depressed.  Did any of the doctors give you a test for depression?  There are several available, none of which would take more than five minutes to administer.  Here’s one: If they didn’t, shame on them! I hope you have better luck with the neurologist. FurPaw

Response:

posted and e-mailed "Dale Davis" <d…@aloha.net

wrote in message

news:ded-2406020826210001@ip64-75-154-101.dial.aloha.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At

first I

attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of

feeling

badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno

offices.

No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been

one year

since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new

symptom of

hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a

symptom of

menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run

this by

the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably

depressed

since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I

don’t buy

that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much

info as

possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have.

Hope

someone can offer some help.

I understand your frustration as I went through many years of ‘mis-diagnosis’ before I got an answer to all my symptoms. The best advice I can give is for you  to ask your neurologist for a brain MRI scan, it’s a painless non-invasive procedure. I hope you can get your health problems resolved quickly. — Shirley see my cat pictures at http://communities.msn.co.uk/Friendsfamilyandfelines2

Response:

Aargh – I forgot to paste the URL before I sent the message.  Sorry about that!  Here it is: http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=973&cn=5 It’s a form that you can fill out on line.  It won’t give you a "definitive diagnosis" but it will help you to understand if you are showing a lot of the symptoms of depression. FurPaw – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Mink wrote:

Can you pls. fill me in on this depression test?  Is it a form with lots of questions on it? Thanks. Kate FurPaw wrote: Dale Davis wrote: I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help. Hi, Dale, and welcome to ASM! The three things I know of that cause hand tremors are anxiety/nervousness, essential tremor, and Parkinson’s.  I’m wondering if the first is the reason they tried to prescribe tranqs.  Otherwise, I’d think they would have gone for an antidepressant if they thought that you were depressed.  Did any of the doctors give you a test for depression?  There are several available, none of which would take more than five minutes to administer.  Here’s one: If they didn’t, shame on them! I hope you have better luck with the neurologist. FurPaw

Response:

Can you pls. fill me in on this depression test?  Is it a form with lots of questions on it? Thanks. Kate – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -FurPaw wrote:

Dale Davis wrote: I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help. Hi, Dale, and welcome to ASM! The three things I know of that cause hand tremors are anxiety/nervousness, essential tremor, and Parkinson’s.  I’m wondering if the first is the reason they tried to prescribe tranqs.  Otherwise, I’d think they would have gone for an antidepressant if they thought that you were depressed.  Did any of the doctors give you a test for depression?  There are several available, none of which would take more than five minutes to administer.  Here’s one: If they didn’t, shame on them! I hope you have better luck with the neurologist. FurPaw

Response:

I have been having headaches, nausea and fevers for many years. At first I attributed these symtoms to perimenopause. However, after years of feeling badly I had a complete checkup at a number of internists and gyno offices. No one has been able to find out what the problem is. It has been one year since my last period and I am still feeling ill. I have a new symptom of hand tremors and wondered has anyone ever experienced this as a symptom of menopause? I am going for a neuro consult but I just wanted to run this by the newgroup. Many of the doctors have just said I’m probably depressed since all my blood work is normal and to go on tranquilizers. I don’t buy that diagnosis, I am not depressed. and am trying to get as much info as possible. I refuse to be treated for something that I don’t have. Hope someone can offer some help.

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Amazing.  We switched from DSL to Cable as our internet provider yesterday. I had only seen one reply to my post via DSL, when I logged on using the cable connection, all the rest appeared. Thank you everybody.  For your words of support, and suggestions and for sharing your Serzone experiences.  I dropped my dose down about three days ago from 400mg a day to 300mg.  I have my mind back!  It’s like the fog lifted and I can think again.  I had exceeded a dose that was good for me. That’s all I can assume.  The first couple of days I needed a prn Ativan along toward evening, but didn’t even need that yesterday.  So, I’m feeling hopeful. Again, thank you all so much.  I’m sorry I didn’t respond sooner, but the messages just weren’t there for me to respond to.  Funky DSL. Debbie

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Debbie: My DR put me on Serzone about a month ago (and took me off of it).  I, too, had memory problems (short-term memory), disorientation and confusion.  It was like walking through a thick fog all the time. I can’t offer you the "hang in there" you need, because Serzone didn’t work with me.  All I can offer is the "wait and see" approach or start the med "roulette."  When Prozac quit working for me after 10 years, I, too, was terrified about starting a new med. My first SSRI was Paxil (I was severly depressed at the time) and all I did was sleep .. not a good thing when I really needed to get out of the house and work.  Prozac worked just dandy for me, then in January, I noticed more and more PAs. I rode the Serzone roller coaster (each time the starter kit upped the dose, I got worse, lots of crying, light-headedness, forgetfulness) until I couldn’t even teach, grade, sleep …  The DR switched my to Zoloft, it’s working OK right now, but I’m still wary. The Zoloft dose increases in two days …. who knows what it will do … Do you have a good doctor?  One who listens?  So far, I have a standing appointment with my DR every 2 weeks to see how the new meds are working (always with the option to get in before the 2 week appt). I don’t think I’ve helped you at all, but I hope my experience …. I don’t know … gives you some idea of a path to follow (not that I have a path … ) Let me know how it goes. schel – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I’ve been a frequent lurker to your group for over five years.  I’ve gained much understand about my Panic Disorder and wealth of information – for which I am very grateful to all of you. I’ve struggled with my PD for six years.  Fought the beast alone for three years with just PRN Xanax, then three years ago, I began daily medication to combat it.  Serzone 150mg BID.  It literally gave me my life back and the full blown PA’s actually stopped for several years.  Last year we increased my PM dose to 200mg due to increased generalized anxiety.  Three weeks ago, PD returned with a vengeance.  I literally ran sobbing from a dinner theater.  The first major, rock your world PA in almost three years.  I went to the doc because I didn’t recover from this easily.  I was tearful and anxious for several days following.  At my insistence, the dose was increased to 200mg BID.  In addition I have always taken 1mg Ativan at night, with the script written for PRN in addition. It’s been over two weeks now – I just can’t seem to get adjusted to this increase.  I am just exhausted all the time and feel so spaced out and air-headed, not to mention it hasn’t done a thing for my overall anxiety. It is the short term memory loss that really has me bothered.  I have felt this as a nagging concern for well over a year now. That I just couldn’t remember things from one minute to the next.  This med increase just brought it screaming to the front of mind because it is even so much worse right now. I have decided, along with my doc over the phone, to go back to a place where I was successful.  150mg BID with the Ativan at night and PRN. She stresses the need to go ahead and use the Ativan PRN stave off the anxiety. I ramble all of this to begin with, because if feels kind of relieving to share it with others who understand, & to ask:  How serious is this memory loss thing regarding Serzone??  Is it a permanent kind of thing, or just chemically induced when taking the med? The memory issues didn’t get much/any press on the web sites I looked at.  Do you think maybe I just tried to exceed my own therapeutic level when I wanted to increase the med? I would literally be scared to death to try another med.  I think I’m in the running for the poster child for "med phobics" <grin  I just wonder if others have used this long term for PD and if so, encountered any of these sorts of experiences.  I read backward in DejaNews for posts on the subject. I found a good many post about the various reason why others stopped taking it, but not so much from the folks who continued.  I guess I just need a good "hang in there".  I  feel like I’m at the bottom of the world right now. Thank you so much for taking the time to wade through this. Debbie, who remembers better days, and is struggling with the current ones. — Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.                            –Henry Kaiser

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Liz, Thanks so much for the moral boost.  I’m hoping reducing the dose will at least clear up fog I have seemed to be living in.  I’ll have to see what happens with the anxiety piece.  I always try to think positive, so I hope this is the trick.  I appreciate your note, Debbie

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Debbie, Welcome, Debbie.  I am so sorry you are having more anxiety and the meds don’t seem to be working right.  I will leave the med questions to the experts, but just wanted to send you strength and hope. Take care, Liz

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struggled with PD for six years. began Serzone 150mg BID. increased PM dose to 200mg due to increased generalized anxiety. three weeks ago, PD returned with a vengeance. dose increased to 200mg BID. take 1mg Ativan at night, PRN. can’t adjust to increase after two weeks on new dose. exhausted all the time, spaced out and air-headed does nothing for overall anxiety short term memory loss has increased back to successful dose of 150mg BID with the Ativan at night and PRN.

IMHO, this was a really good move on your part. I’m glad your pdoc agreed. How serious is this memory loss thing regarding Serzone??

Depends. My Dx is panic disorder w/o depression.  Been on Serzone continuously since Sep 2000. Experienced short term memory loss and inability to focus on details 1 wk after dose went beyond 150mg BID. Is it a permanent kind of thing, or just chemically induced when taking the med?

Went as high as 200mg BID. Almost all background thought processing ceased. Although ruminating/runaway thoughts often triggered symptoms, my mind became TOO quiet. Very disturbing.  Pdoc and I agreed to back-off to 100mg BID which is where I am now. Mind ‘thawed-out’ a day or two later and thought processing returned mostly to normal except for short-term memory ‘brown-out’ periods every so often. Get breakthru symptoms (but no full-blown attacks) about once every two weeks at this dose. Have Xanax PRN, but haven’t had the need in over a month now. The memory issues didn’t get much/any press on the web sites I looked at.  Do you think maybe I just tried to exceed my own therapeutic level when I wanted to increase the med?

IMHO, yes. But ya never know until you try. Start low and move slow is a good rule of thumb. I found a good many post about the various reason why others stopped taking it, but not so much from the folks who continued.  I guess I just need a good "hang in there".

I only have 6mo experience with Serzone, so can’t speak to long term side effects. My pdoc and I have agreed to stop around June/July 2001 and see what happens. However, if you feel like you can function within acceptible limits on your current regimen, my suggestion is to hang in there…  

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I’ve been a frequent lurker to your group for over five years.  I’ve gained much understand about my Panic Disorder and wealth of information – for which I am very grateful to all of you. I’ve struggled with my PD for six years.  Fought the beast alone for three years with just PRN Xanax, then three years ago, I began daily medication to combat it.  Serzone 150mg BID.  It literally gave me my life back and the full blown PA’s actually stopped for several years.  Last year we increased my PM dose to 200mg due to increased generalized anxiety.  Three weeks ago, PD returned with a vengeance.  I literally ran sobbing from a dinner theater.  The first major, rock your world PA in almost three years.  I went to the doc because I didn’t recover from this easily.  I was tearful and anxious for several days following.  At my insistence, the dose was increased to 200mg BID.  In addition I have always taken 1mg Ativan at night, with the script written for PRN in addition. It’s been over two weeks now – I just can’t seem to get adjusted to this increase.  I am just exhausted all the time and feel so spaced out and air-headed, not to mention it hasn’t done a thing for my overall anxiety. It is the short term memory loss that really has me bothered.  I have felt this as a nagging concern for well over a year now. That I just couldn’t remember things from one minute to the next.  This med increase just brought it screaming to the front of mind because it is even so much worse right now. I have decided, along with my doc over the phone, to go back to a place where I was successful.  150mg BID with the Ativan at night and PRN.  She stresses the need to go ahead and use the Ativan PRN stave off the anxiety. I ramble all of this to begin with, because if feels kind of relieving to share it with others who understand, & to ask:  How serious is this memory loss thing regarding Serzone??  Is it a permanent kind of thing, or just chemically induced when taking the med? The memory issues didn’t get much/any press on the web sites I looked at.

The memory loss is temporary, and will go away when (or if) you stop the Serzone. All psychoactive substances can impair cognition (ability to concentrate) and memory. Do you think maybe I just tried to exceed my own therapeutic level when I wanted to increase the

med? Your body couldn’t tolerate the increase, and it told you so. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I would literally be scared to death to try another med.  I think I’m in the running for the poster child for "med phobics" <grin  I just wonder if others have used this long term for PD and if so, encountered any of these sorts of experiences.  I read backward in DejaNews for posts on the subject. I found a good many post about the various reason why others stopped taking it, but not so much from the folks who continued.  I guess I just need a good "hang in there".  I  feel like I’m at the bottom of the world right now. Thank you so much for taking the time to wade through this. Debbie, who remembers better days, and is struggling with the current ones.

Since an increase in your anxiety level precipitated the increase in Serzone, I think it advisable to treat the anxiety with a benzo, such as Ativan, taken on a regular (not as needed) basis. Chip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Hi Debbie, Welcome, Debbie.  I am so sorry you are having more anxiety and the meds don’t seem to be working right.  I will leave the med questions to the experts, but just wanted to send you strength and hope.   Take care, Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, I’ve been a frequent lurker to your group for over five years.  I’ve gained much understand about my Panic Disorder and wealth of information – for which I am very grateful to all of you. I’ve struggled with my PD for six years.  Fought the beast alone for three years with just PRN Xanax, then three years ago, I began daily medication to combat it.  Serzone 150mg BID.  It literally gave me my life back and the full blown PA’s actually stopped for several years.  Last year we increased my PM dose to 200mg due to increased generalized anxiety.  Three weeks ago, PD returned with a vengeance.  I literally ran sobbing from a dinner theater.  The first major, rock your world PA in almost three years.  I went to the doc because I didn’t recover from this easily.  I was tearful and anxious for several days following.  At my insistence, the dose was increased to 200mg BID.  In addition I have always taken 1mg Ativan at night, with the script written for PRN in addition. It’s been over two weeks now – I just can’t seem to get adjusted to this increase.  I am just exhausted all the time and feel so spaced out and air-headed, not to mention it hasn’t done a thing for my overall anxiety. It is the short term memory loss that really has me bothered.  I have felt this as a nagging concern for well over a year now. That I just couldn’t remember things from one minute to the next.  This med increase just brought it screaming to the front of mind because it is even so much worse right now. I have decided, along with my doc over the phone, to go back to a place where I was successful.  150mg BID with the Ativan at night and PRN.  She stresses the need to go ahead and use the Ativan PRN stave off the anxiety. I ramble all of this to begin with, because if feels kind of relieving to share it with others who understand, & to ask:  How serious is this memory loss thing regarding Serzone??  Is it a permanent kind of thing, or just chemically induced when taking the med? The memory issues didn’t get much/any press on the web sites I looked at.  Do you think maybe I just tried to exceed my own therapeutic level when I wanted to increase the med? I would literally be scared to death to try another med.  I think I’m in the running for the poster child for "med phobics" <grin  I just wonder if others have used this long term for PD and if so, encountered any of these sorts of experiences.  I read backward in DejaNews for posts on the subject. I found a good many post about the various reason why others stopped taking it, but not so much from the folks who continued.  I guess I just need a good "hang in there".  I  feel like I’m at the bottom of the world right now. Thank you so much for taking the time to wade through this. Debbie, who remembers better days, and is struggling with the current ones.

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

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Well Debbie I am not a med expert.  I am sorry you are having a rough time right now.  It does feel pretty unfair and makes you angry, doesn’t it, that IT came back!  I have spent a lot of time pondering why IT attacked me for the first time almost a year ago and I have not been the same since.  I can’t tell you about your meds, but I would encourage you to take your doc’s advice about using the Ativan as needed.  Don’t cheat yourself out of the needed calming it can bring you during this rough time. Jeannie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hello, I’ve been a frequent lurker to your group for over five years.  I’ve gained much understand about my Panic Disorder and wealth of information – for which I am very grateful to all of you. I’ve struggled with my PD for six years.  Fought the beast alone for three years with just PRN Xanax, then three years ago, I began daily medication to combat it.  Serzone 150mg BID.  It literally gave me my life back and the full blown PA’s actually stopped for several years.  Last year we increased my PM dose to 200mg due to increased generalized anxiety.  Three weeks ago, PD returned with a vengeance.  I literally ran sobbing from a dinner theater.  The first major, rock your world PA in almost three years.  I went to the doc because I didn’t recover from this easily.  I was tearful and anxious for several days following.  At my insistence, the dose was increased to 200mg BID.  In addition I have always taken 1mg Ativan at night, with the script written for PRN in addition. It’s been over two weeks now – I just can’t seem to get adjusted to this increase.  I am just exhausted all the time and feel so spaced out and air-headed, not to mention it hasn’t done a thing for my overall anxiety. It is the short term memory loss that really has me bothered.  I have felt this as a nagging concern for well over a year now. That I just couldn’t remember things from one minute to the next.  This med increase just brought it screaming to the front of mind because it is even so much worse right now. I have decided, along with my doc over the phone, to go back to a place where I was successful.  150mg BID with the Ativan at night and PRN.  She stresses the need to go ahead and use the Ativan PRN stave off the anxiety. I ramble all of this to begin with, because if feels kind of relieving to share it with others who understand, & to ask:  How serious is this memory loss thing regarding Serzone??  Is it a permanent kind of thing, or just chemically induced when taking the med? The memory issues didn’t get much/any press on the web sites I looked at.  Do you think maybe I just tried to exceed my own therapeutic level when I wanted to increase the med? I would literally be scared to death to try another med.  I think I’m in the running for the poster child for "med phobics" <grin  I just wonder if others have used this long term for PD and if so, encountered any of these sorts of experiences.  I read backward in DejaNews for posts on the subject. I found a good many post about the various reason why others stopped taking it, but not so much from the folks who continued.  I guess I just need a good "hang in there".  I  feel like I’m at the bottom of the world right now. Thank you so much for taking the time to wade through this. Debbie, who remembers better days, and is struggling with the current ones.

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Hello, I’ve been a frequent lurker to your group for over five years.  I’ve gained much understand about my Panic Disorder and wealth of information – for which I am very grateful to all of you. I’ve struggled with my PD for six years.  Fought the beast alone for three years with just PRN Xanax, then three years ago, I began daily medication to combat it.  Serzone 150mg BID.  It literally gave me my life back and the full blown PA’s actually stopped for several years.  Last year we increased my PM dose to 200mg due to increased generalized anxiety.  Three weeks ago, PD returned with a vengeance.  I literally ran sobbing from a dinner theater.  The first major, rock your world PA in almost three years.  I went to the doc because I didn’t recover from this easily.  I was tearful and anxious for several days following.  At my insistence, the dose was increased to 200mg BID.  In addition I have always taken 1mg Ativan at night, with the script written for PRN in addition. It’s been over two weeks now – I just can’t seem to get adjusted to this increase.  I am just exhausted all the time and feel so spaced out and air-headed, not to mention it hasn’t done a thing for my overall anxiety. It is the short term memory loss that really has me bothered.  I have felt this as a nagging concern for well over a year now. That I just couldn’t remember things from one minute to the next.  This med increase just brought it screaming to the front of mind because it is even so much worse right now. I have decided, along with my doc over the phone, to go back to a place where I was successful.  150mg BID with the Ativan at night and PRN.  She stresses the need to go ahead and use the Ativan PRN stave off the anxiety. I ramble all of this to begin with, because if feels kind of relieving to share it with others who understand, & to ask:  How serious is this memory loss thing regarding Serzone??  Is it a permanent kind of thing, or just chemically induced when taking the med? The memory issues didn’t get much/any press on the web sites I looked at.  Do you think maybe I just tried to exceed my own therapeutic level when I wanted to increase the med? I would literally be scared to death to try another med.  I think I’m in the running for the poster child for "med phobics" <grin  I just wonder if others have used this long term for PD and if so, encountered any of these sorts of experiences.  I read backward in DejaNews for posts on the subject. I found a good many post about the various reason why others stopped taking it, but not so much from the folks who continued.  I guess I just need a good "hang in there".  I  feel like I’m at the bottom of the world right now. Thank you so much for taking the time to wade through this. Debbie, who remembers better days, and is struggling with the current ones.

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Question:

Hi there, I used to think the exact same thing.  But, not anymore.  I can’t do this with the aid and assistance of meds.  I am beginning to believe that it is all in my head.  I will still be able to "feel" things, but it won’t be as strong.  I think I am finally coming into my own person.  I just want to be the old me, and if medication will do that and help me accomplish that, then I will be forever grateful. Kelly

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to me, the first step to recovery, is to not need any meds.  we can do this without the assistance of meds.

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Hi…I don’t know what your docs are thinking, but Prozac can cause weight loss.  If prescribed for a person with ed, it’s usually bulimia since this med can help the b/p urges.  I also asked my dr about Zyban and she wouldn’t give it to me b/c apparently it can cause seizures in people with eds.  I think you should ask your docs about switching you to Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor or something else that doesn’t have a high incidence of weight loss as a side effect, but probably not Wellbutrin…the seizure side effect was scary enough to me to forget that idea.  Good luck.  H.

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Poeople with ED’s should NOT take Wellbutrin, unless specifically directed by a physician who is  fully aware of the ED To email, leave off the "xyz"

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Here is an entry from my ‘Journal’: (spoilered for drug and other info) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * On the news this morning they did a thing about Wellbutrin (which is the

same as Zyban) to stop smoking.. I did a little research online and something ‘clicked’…    the dr.’s keep telling me to take my pills, but then tell me they don’t know much about anorexia and what to do about it and stuff..  They don’t seem to see a connection… for anorexia i read that you need to let the person know they are loved

and wanted and have worth..  I keep telling myself that, and i do believe it.. But i think it’s something medical as well… Well..  what ‘clicked’ was when i was reading about Wellbutrin messing

with your ‘pleasure centers’ and replacing other cravings and pleasures in the brain with the drug..  The dopamine thing… Well, ‘hunger’ (for food) is a mild form of ‘craving’…… I no longer

have cravings for foods or even hunger for them, although my body feels/displays the effects of no nutrition.   And the ‘pleasure’ i used to get from foods/tastes/etc. is gone a lot of the time…. Just like the smokers who quit with Zyban, the pleasure of smoking went

away and they were able to quit.. Please, does this make any sense at all?  I am desperate for an answer

before it’s too late…  I started losing the most weight when i started prozac 2 years ago, and the psychs told me it was not the meds doing it. But before that i was never anorexic and i was over 20 pounds heavier than now. i need help to make sense of it, the doc’s won’t listen when i say i need

off meds.. i can’t do it myself, i feel suicidal when i cut the meds.  that scares me becuz that’s not what i want, that’s the meds talking…   i don’t want that at all; i never acted on feelings like that before meds…….but i feel so alone at times…   ignoring the ED doesn’t make it go away…. Does it make sense, my theory about the Wellbutrin and cravings?  I mean,

don’t smokers flll the smoking void with food?.. now they can fill it with Wellbutrin… I have read repeatedly that Wellbutrin is not supposed to be given to anyone with anorexia.  And i never in my life felt TRUE ‘anxiety’ before i was on meds… But my doc’s say that’s not so… Who do i believe???   The stuff i read online is real medical info, not just someone’s personal

opinions..  Are the drug companies paying off the medical ppl, at the expense of the patients???  At $100 a bottle of Wellbutrin, i wouldn’t doubt it… I feel it’s my obligation to find an answer, and then i can help the other

people.  

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just experienced another terrible time driving to and from work today. My panic attacks which have reappeared after a number of years on Tofranil-Xanax and then more recently Zoloft-Xanax are causing me huge problems driving. Each trip to work now is an experience to be dreaded. During the drive I am overcome with these intense feelings of panic, lightheadedness, and the desire to stop the car and get out. It seems worst when I stop at traffic lights. (I am now back on up to 2-mg of Xanax a day as needed and 3-tabs of Imipramine at bedtime-which I hope kicks back in soon). My psychiatrist seems to have little more to offer now except a day long clinic at a local hospital. ( I am looking into changing to a local clinic that specializes in panic disorders) I am considering stoping the driving now and getting a ride to work with a coworker but my psychiatrist says that will only make the agoraphobia worse and it would be better to struggle through the driving problem even if I am uncomfortable. I would appreciate any comments.

Hi, James — Far be it for me to suggest your shrink is wrong, but I do disagree with him/her on this one.  Struggling with driving problems can be dangerous. Why not try what you thought of and get a ride with a co-worker?  I just don’t see how that will make your agoraphobia worse, which, by the way, does not sound like agoraphobia to me.  I’m reminded of the time I was struggling to discontinue Xanax and the horrible problems I experienced with switching to Ativan and then tapering off of Ativan in a 15-day period.  I was told that, yes, I might be *uncomfortable* but that I would be safe.  Ha!  The last thing I was concerned about was being *safe* — I was experiencing severe withdrawal problems and could barely talk or walk, and sleep was out of the question.  I may be completely off on this one, as I am not a doctor of any sort.  Just seems to me that there are other options for you than *struggling with the driving problem.* Best Wishes — Blue

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just experienced another terrible time driving to and from work today. My panic attacks which have reappeared after a number of years on Tofranil-Xanax and then more recently Zoloft-Xanax are causing me huge problems driving. Each trip to work now is an experience to be dreaded. During the drive I am overcome with these intense feelings of panic, lightheadedness, and the desire to stop the car and get out. It seems worst when I stop at traffic lights. (I am now back on up to 2-mg of Xanax a day as needed and 3-tabs of Imipramine at bedtime-which I hope kicks back in soon). My psychiatrist seems to have little more to offer now except a day long clinic at a local hospital. ( I am looking into changing to a local clinic that specializes in panic disorders) I am considering stoping the driving now and getting a ride to work with a coworker but my psychiatrist says that will only make the agoraphobia worse and it would be better to struggle through the driving problem even if I am uncomfortable. I would appreciate any comments.

It’s impolite behaviour of some AD’s to suddenly stop working. If you did well for a long time on imipramine you might now want to try one of its next of kin (which often seem to work best), preferably clomipramine which is imipramine’s closest relative (brand name: Anafranil) or desipramine. But maye you’ll find imipramine working for you this time around as well. It seems you are talking about 75 mgs of imipramine and 2 mgs of Xanax. Both may be raised considerably (imipramine up to 250  mgs, Xanax up to 4 or 5 mgs at least). It sounds like a good idea to change doctors as there are many more possibilities med-wise that can be tried while being an outpatient. Considering the specific anxiety driving, you might want to start CBT which works especially for these kinds of *situational anxiety*. Philip

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Hi,   I’m going through the exact same thing!  I few weeks ago I started having full blowns while driving, mainly home from work , on the interstate.  It seems to have happened when the time changed and the lights, traffic , etc really get me going!  I’ve been pretty much panic free for 5 years now except for anxiety here and there, now BOOM..back again!     I went to my psychiatrist who prescribed zoloft and i’ve been taking that for over 2 wks now + low dosage Klonopin…isn’t helping too much yet.    When i’m driving, I get REALLY dizzy, shaky, and i feel as though i am going to black out.  Every night I have to take a closer exit off the interstate and go the back roads, which take me forever to get home….it’s a struggle every day now….    If you find something to help you, please let me know.  I can’t afford to quit my job and that’s the frame of mind i’m in..just tired of fighting it on a daily basis. Good luck,   Deb

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I have started having attacks as i drive now to.Stoplights are the worst for me.Lately i find that if I talk to myself(I know it sounds wierd)and tell myself that it will be green soon it does help a little.

Response:

Darryl,   The symptoms you describe sound all to familiar, The description of wanting to park the car and fleeing, well I have been there! I have been in this exact situation. I have then let it heighten to the point where my vision became blurred my hearing became so acute, and hands began to turn into clenched fists. You Know!    Darryl YOU KNOW. we are like a secret society, we understand one another, WE KNOW  when our friends and loved ones do not! Fear, Panic, not just being anxious, but sheer indescribable PANIC. The fear of loosing control, fear of a nervous breakdown, visions of mental institutions, what others think of us, being unstable or out of control.   I am not one to say "Come on Darryl, pick yourself up, dust yourself off." No, because I have been there, and am keenly aware that this panic disorder can come to me again. It seemed that  what seemed to hurt me the most, was I lost valuable time and I let this panic rob me of my sense of humor. I hid, afraid that I might have an attack, and that I would have to run out of an uncomfortable situation.   My advise, get some good relaxation tapes and practice, practice until you can say to yourself RELAX and you can feel yourself doing exactly that, slowing down, taking the edge off … by yourself .. without the medication.  Remind yourself of one simple FACT .. and that is:            " NO ONE EVER DIED FROM A PANIC ATTACK ! " It may sound corny, but please. When you feel as though the only thing that will get you through these attacks is to run, or avoid going for a ride or crossing bridges or whatever you associate with having these attacks. Remember NO ONE EVER DIED FROM A PANIC ATTACK! Learn to relax  Deep breaths, holding your breath and slowing exhaling telling yourself to relax, and getting the reward of feeling how cool it feels to sink into whatever you are sitting on and feeling relaxed, limp and relaxed. Practice this technique. and my mantra  . NO ONE …well hopefully you know it by now. Darryl do as I tell you, and the next time you have an attack it will get a little better for you, and then each time the attacks will loose intensity. You will be here Tomorrow no matter how severe the attack, to E-Mail me and let me know if this has in any way helped you.   Learn to laugh at yourself, don’t be too hard on yourself. Every thing is cool, everythings OK.               Jack We should have a secret hand shake or sign.     I KNOW! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So how are you when you drive at other times ie not associated with work? Darryl Just experienced another terrible time driving to and from work today. My panic attacks which have reappeared after a number of years on Tofranil-Xanax and then more recently Zoloft-Xanax are causing me huge problems driving. Each trip to work now is an experience to be dreaded. During the drive I am overcome with these intense feelings of panic, lightheadedness, and the desire to stop the car and get out. It seems worst when I stop at traffic lights. (I am now back on up to 2-mg of Xanax a day as needed and 3-tabs of Imipramine at bedtime-which I hope kicks back in soon). My psychiatrist seems to have little more to offer now except a day long clinic at a local hospital. ( I am looking into changing to a local clinic that specializes in panic disorders) I am considering stoping the driving now and getting a ride to work with a coworker but my psychiatrist says that will only make the agoraphobia worse and it would be better to struggle through the driving problem even if I am uncomfortable. I would appreciate any comments.

Response:

So how are you when you drive at other times ie not associated with work? Darryl – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just experienced another terrible time driving to and from work today. My panic attacks which have reappeared after a number of years on Tofranil-Xanax and then more recently Zoloft-Xanax are causing me huge problems driving. Each trip to work now is an experience to be dreaded. During the drive I am overcome with these intense feelings of panic, lightheadedness, and the desire to stop the car and get out. It seems worst when I stop at traffic lights. (I am now back on up to 2-mg of Xanax a day as needed and 3-tabs of Imipramine at bedtime-which I hope kicks back in soon). My psychiatrist seems to have little more to offer now except a day long clinic at a local hospital. ( I am looking into changing to a local clinic that specializes in panic disorders) I am considering stoping the driving now and getting a ride to work with a coworker but my psychiatrist says that will only make the agoraphobia worse and it would be better to struggle through the driving problem even if I am uncomfortable. I would appreciate any comments.

Response:

Just experienced another terrible time driving to and from work today. My panic attacks which have reappeared after a number of years on Tofranil-Xanax and then more recently Zoloft-Xanax are causing me huge problems driving. Each trip to work now is an experience to be dreaded. During the drive I am overcome with these intense feelings of panic, lightheadedness, and the desire to stop the car and get out. It seems worst when I stop at traffic lights. (I am now back on up to 2-mg of Xanax a day as needed and 3-tabs of Imipramine at bedtime-which I hope kicks back in soon). My psychiatrist seems to have little more to offer now except a day long clinic at a local hospital. ( I am looking into changing to a local clinic that specializes in panic disorders) I am considering stoping the driving now and getting a ride to work with a coworker but my psychiatrist says that will only make the agoraphobia worse and it would be better to struggle through the driving problem even if I am uncomfortable. I would appreciate any comments.

Response:

Question:

SOUNDS LIKE LUPUS TO ME

Response:

Wow, what kind of dr.’s are you seeing?  The ANA is not a definite deciding issue of Lupus, but the butterfly rash, that is major…I also have rash’s, they call mine vasculitis, never had the butterfly tho… Linda

Response:

Is it possible to have Lupus yet have a negative test result?  

Response:

On Thu, 4 Jun 1998 23:40:43 -0600, btl…@webtv.net (Tracey Lowe) wrote:

Is it possible to have Lupus yet have a negative test result?  

Hi Tracey, Yes it is possible.  There are several tests to help diagnose Lupus. None of them are entirely conclusive.  The ANA test can be low or negative even when one has lupus.  The dsDNA test, when it is present, is highly specific for Lupus, however it is only positive in a portion of the Lupus population.  In "mild" cases or in remission, any of these tests can be negative or very low.  Most docs will not give a diagnosis of SLE if these test are low even if one has many of the more telling symptoms.  However, it’s important that if you or your doc suspect connective tissue disease that these tests be repeated at least once a year – more if the patient begins to note an increase of symptoms or severity. In a person previously diagnosed with SLE, drug treatments or just the luck of remission, can cause negative test results and this sometimes confuses both doctor and patient. It is also possible that errors are made in the testing procedure. Again, this indicates a need to be retested in the future. kc

Response:

Tracey Lowe <btl…@webtv.net

wrote in article

<6l80cr$on…@newsd-123.bryant.webtv.net

… Is it possible to have Lupus yet have a negative test result?  

I didn’t know there was a lupus specific test that could be done.  I thought that there were a list of symptoms and tests results that are used for diagnosis criteria.  What test are you referring to that was negative? Judith

Response:

Tracey, you can have a negative ANA test and have lupus and you can have a posiive ANA and not have lupus.  Lupus is typically diagnosed by a combination of symptoms that have been determined by the American Arthritis Foundaton.  So your doctor looks at your overall condition to make a diagnosis. Symptoms they look for are joint pain, sensitivity to sunlight, malar (butterfly) rash on your face, discoid lesions, mouth sores, low grade fever, possible organ involvement…    :(  sorry, that’s all I can think of right now.  Many of us have what we fondly call brain fog and after a full day at work, just can’t seem to think. Hang in there, Margaret

Response:

Thanks for your response.  I develop a large butterfly rash on my face and will get spots on my upper body (some on my legs, If I had shorts on) within 5 min. of being in the sun without sunblock.  I have had knee and ankle joint pains for 15 years however, my rhumatoid test is negative.  I have had 5 biopsies and blood work done 3 times.  The docs I have went to cannot tell me what I have.  Lupus has been the guess however my test all have a negative ANA.  So they just keep testing. The rashes have been going on for 6 years now and are getting larger and more sun sensitive every year, and they take a week or more to disapear. I hope to find out what it is soon!!!   :]  Does this sound farmilliar to anyone?

Response:

I too have the rash, and I never ever go in the sun without loads of protection! To do this is only asking for trouble, in more ways then one. I was diagnosed at 26 and am now 47. As time goes by I get more and more sun sensative. I have to wear sunglasses all year round, and the same with sunscreen. Please be careful. God Bless and Good Health……….Kathy Tracey Lowe wrote in message <6li2fl$90…@newsd-123.bryant.webtv.net

…

Thanks for your response.  I develop a large butterfly rash on my face and will get spots on my upper body (some on my legs, If I had shorts on) within 5 min. of being in the sun without sunblock.  I have had knee and ankle joint pains for 15 years however, my rhumatoid test is negative.  I have had 5 biopsies and blood work done 3 times.  The docs I have went to cannot tell me what I have.  Lupus has been the guess however my test all have a negative ANA.  So they just keep testing. The rashes have been going on for 6 years now and are getting larger and more sun sensitive every year, and they take a week or more to disapear. I hope to find out what it is soon!!!   :]  Does this sound farmilliar to anyone?

Response:

Question:

I’m wondering if anyone else has had my experience or has any advice. I’ve tried many different AD’s and none of them seems to work.  I’ve tried Prozac, twice, the second time at 40 mg/day; Elavil; Buspar (anti-anxiety drug); a couple of tri-cyclics which gave me too many side effects (Imiprimane and Desipramine [sp?]); Trazodone; and St. John’s  Wort.  I’ve tried each of these for a good amount of time, 2 or more months, except the side-effect ones, which I stopped after a few days because of the side effects. The only thing that ever really helps me is therapy and talking to friends.  I talked to an experienced psychiatrist about this once and he said that some people just don’t respond to AD’s.  I have been extremely annoyed at this whole process during the 2-3 years I’ve been involved in trying all these things.  I haven’t had any insurance and the costs, to say the least, have been excessive.  At the dosage I was on, Prozac and Buspar were $120 per month each!  Plus doctor visit charges.  The thing that annoys me is that I wish I had known that none of them would work BEFORE I spent all that money and time and effort. This also disturbs me when I think about all the other people out there who are desperately trying AD’s to help themselves.  Most of them are helped by AD’s, but some aren’t (I couldn’t be the only one, could I?).  Because the whole process of finding an AD for a patient is so hit-and-miss ("Well, we don’t know if this will help you, but try it and see" is something I’ve heard TOO MANY TIMES), one can easily end up spending lots of money before the doctors realize that nothing is going to work. One thing about my history that may be different from many people’s is that I’ve been depressed most of my life, since the age of 9, because of severe early childhood abuse.  This may mean that my depression is more post-traumatic stress than biochemical.  I don’t know much about the theory of biochemistry causing depression, so I may be getting this wrong, I don’t know. One side note about the St. John’s Wort:  at least it was cheap!  And it did feel good to know I was taking something more natural and less likely to cause negative side effects. Any comments, anyone? –Carol

Response:

Carol, What dosage of SJW did you take? I have found that 5 or 6 300 mg standard capsules morning and evening is what I need. That is 3600 mg per day. I have no side effects from that dosage. I also found that some brands just don’t work. (the Pharmasave house brand, in particular) I use Webber (it’s the cheapest and comes bundled with gincko or a stress herb) If you wish to try larger doses you should build up over two or three days at least. I think it would be safe to go as far as 6000 mg per day if necessary, from what I have read, although I have never needed to go that high. I tried Zoloft and didn’t like the side effects. Peter B. Legere – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m wondering if anyone else has had my experience or has any advice. One side note about the St. John’s Wort:  at least it was cheap!  And it did feel good to know I was taking something more natural and less likely to cause negative side effects. Any comments, anyone? –Carol

Response:

Dear Carol: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve tried many different AD’s and none of them seems to work.  I’ve tried Prozac, twice, the second time at 40 mg/day; Elavil; Buspar (anti-anxiety drug); a couple of tri-cyclics which gave me too many side effects (Imiprimane and Desipramine [sp?]); Trazodone; and St. John’s  Wort.  I’ve tried each of these for a good amount of time, 2 or more months, except the side-effect ones, which I stopped after a few days because of the side effects. The only thing that ever really helps me is therapy and talking to friends.  I talked to an experienced psychiatrist about this once and he said that some people just don’t respond to AD’s.  I have been extremely annoyed at this whole process during the 2-3 years I’ve been involved in trying all these things.  I haven’t had any insurance and the costs, to say the least, have been excessive.  At the dosage I was on, Prozac and Buspar were $120 per month each!  Plus doctor visit charges.  The thing that annoys me is that I wish I had known that none of them would work BEFORE I spent all that money and time and effort.

It’s unfortunate, but, at the current state of the art, there’s no way to predict the likely success or failure of meds on any one individual nor, for sure, which one, if any, will work.  There’s a lot more success with ‘which one’ than ‘whether any’.  There’s considerable research ongoing in both, and other areas, of dealing with clinical depression. While there are meds you’ve not tried and combinations thereof, it’s understandable that you’d be reluctant to spend more money in this way. Somewhere between 20% and 25% of depressives don’t respond to the current antidepressants at all.  Often those who want to give up on a particular antidepressant because of some side effects, if persuaded to stick it out, find the side effects diminish and the drug take effect properly.  Of those depressives refractory to medication, about half respond positively to ECT. This also disturbs me when I think about all the other people out there who are desperately trying AD’s to help themselves.  Most of them are helped by AD’s, but some aren’t (I couldn’t be the only one, could I?).  Because the whole process of finding an AD for a patient is so hit-and-miss ("Well, we don’t know if this will help you, but try it and see" is something I’ve heard TOO MANY TIMES), one can easily end up spending lots of money before the doctors realize that nothing is going to work.

That is, unfortunately, the case.  I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault, just that our knowledge isn’t yet sufficiently great to avoid this. The downside of not trying, of course, is depression and its side effects. If one tries, more than 80% of the time appropriate treatment works. One thing about my history that may be different from many people’s is that I’ve been depressed most of my life, since the age of 9, because of severe early childhood abuse.  This may mean that my depression is more post-traumatic stress than biochemical.  I don’t know much about the theory of biochemistry causing depression, so I may be getting this wrong, I don’t know.

While you may have it right, that shouldn’t seriously affect the choice of meds although it would raise the importance of talk therapy as well. One side note about the St. John’s Wort:  at least it was cheap!  And it did feel good to know I was taking something more natural and less likely to cause negative side effects.

This business of ‘natural’ is, IMHO, highly over rated. There have been no good clinical trials of St. John’s Wort in this country.  The only ones of which I’m aware were in Germany and have been challenged on many counts.  It’s method of action is unclear and there have been far more reports of failure than of success with it here.  When one purchases it one cannot be sure, from purchase to purchase, of the amount of active ingredient one is getting.  Not only that, optimal dosages have yet to be determined. Any comments, anyone?

If you were to ask what I’d do now, if I were you, I suspect that, since I don’t know where you are located and thus can’t be more specific, I’d call the nearest _teaching_ hospital and ask for a referral to a really good psychopharmacologist (biopsychiatrist).  I’d lay out the story in as much detail as possible for hir and see what (s)he says. Best of luck, Peter

[ Nafdi 1K ]

The National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc. maintains "800" lines which, presently through a recorded message, provide callers with the symptoms of depression and manic depression and inform them of how to receive a packet of additional information from NAFDI.  This additional information includes a referral list, by state, of doctors and support groups as well as a bibliography, our brochure and additional relevant articles.  The number to call, toll-free, is 1-800-245-4306. If you are familiar with the symptoms of depression and manic depression and prefer not to listen to the recording, you may write to us, The National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc. (or NAFDI) at Post Office Box 2257, New York, NY 10116-2257 and request the information.  Please enclose a self-addressed envelope of business size or larger with $1.01 of U.S. postage affixed (for U.S. addresses).  As we are a not-for-profit organization, if you can afford it, please enclose a contribution of $5 or more.  If you can’t afford that, please let us know and we’ll be happy to send you exactly the same material at no charge. You may also visit us at our web page <http://www.depression.org. In any case, we wish you good luck!

Response:

Hi Are you located in a large city?  I go to a non-for-profit organization of doctors and therapists and the costs are much less.  Maybe there’s one listed in your phone book. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Carol, What dosage of SJW did you take? I have found that 5 or 6 300 mg standard capsules morning and evening is what I need. That is 3600 mg per day. I have no side effects from that dosage. I also found that some brands just don’t work. (the Pharmasave house brand, in particular) I use Webber (it’s the cheapest and comes bundled with gincko or a stress herb) If you wish to try larger doses you should build up over two or three days at least. I think it would be safe to go as far as 6000 mg per day if necessary, from what I have read, although I have never needed to go that high. I tried Zoloft and didn’t like the side effects. Peter B. Legere I’m wondering if anyone else has had my experience or has any advice. One side note about the St. John’s Wort:  at least it was cheap!  And it did feel good to know I was taking something more natural and less likely to cause negative side effects. Any comments, anyone? –Carol

Response:

Hi, I am new to this group. I started taking AD’s about 4 months ago. I take 1000mg  of luvox and have been lucky with the side effects, only one I have that bothers me a little is the reduced libido <s Anyway I went back to my dr and told him I didn’t think they were helping so he said well try going off them and see what happens, well apparently they were working : )  So I went back on. Then I read about St. JW and tried that with the Luvox then read you shouldn’t take both, so went off luvox and am presently just taking sjw 1000mg a day and so far its been better than taking nothing, but was wondering about dosage and such, and whether anyone out there takes both the sjw and the  ad drugs together. I had a minor breakdown the other day and ended up on the floor bawling my eyes out and finally saying out loud that I need help. This was after my 3 kids were gone all weekend and home again for around 2 hours and I couldn’t take it, I totally lost it. So I finally called a family services place that will send someone to talk to you and you kids etc., and just making the call I actually felt better than I had in ages. Oops went a little off the track…. <s What I am wondering is, if any one has any information about sjw and combining it with regular ad drugs and if they have had any luck with just the sjw etc…..or maybe I should just try a different ad drug, im not sure. This is all very new to me although in retrospect its been there quite some time. If the info on SJW is redundant feel free to email me directly. Thank you for any info : ) Lorraine – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Carol, What dosage of SJW did you take? I have found that 5 or 6 300 mg standard capsules morning and evening is what I need. That is 3600 mg per day. I have no side effects from that dosage.

Response:

I’m wondering if anyone else has had my experience or has any advice. I’ve tried many different AD’s and none of them seems to work.  I’ve <snip Any comments, anyone? –Carol

Well…..I’ve tried eight AD’s …..First was zoloft..did that for 8 months, and for a time added trazodone along with it.  It worked so-so…. Next was paxil…did that for about 3 months.  I didn’t have energy to do much of anything.  The withdrawl was 2 weeks of misery.   Next I went without anything for about 2 months.  Signed up for a 10 week self esteem class which used a workbook on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  I felt worse about myself at the end than I did when I started.   Then I tried prozac for 4 months….helped some (any improvement was better than I was).  Started having significant side effects after the dose went beyond 50mg.  Started feeling more depressed as the dose increased. Started effexor…almost stopped it cuz I felt so yucky, but I think it was due to coming off the prozac.  Effexor worked real well for me for about 15 months. **SOAP BOX TIME** I really don’t think that doctors who work in the field of prescribing antidepressant medications fully appreciate how powerful these drugs are, and how strongly they affect the body.  My doctor, for instance, tends to believe that you can just taper a person (me) off one drug for a week or so and add a new drug at the same time or immediately thereafter, and everything will be hunky dory.  WRONG!!!!  As far as I am concerned, there is always some sort of withdrawl the body goes through when stopping one antidepressant, even if you start another at the same time.  I have gone through this a number of times, and I hope I have been instrumental in helping my doctor learn more about this.  Still, there is that transition period where my life sucks even more when I have changed meds. **END OF SOAP BOX** anyway, coming off the prozac made it seem like the effexor was giving me a bad reaction at first, but I hung in and after about a week things were ok.   After about 15 months, I was feeling sort of down, more depressed than I had been in a while.  I was also feeling "chemicalized" and kind of wanted to stop.  My pdoc was gonna have me start serzone, but I tapered off the effexor (again with a two week withdrawl). So, I then went 3 months taking St. John’s Wort.  It helped some, but I gradually sank down badly again, and when work took a stressful turn, I went down fast. Then I took serzone for 4 months.  It is supposed to make most people a little drowsy, but it had the opposite effect on me.  I felt wired.  It leveled out a bit over time, but during this period I did not sleep very soundly.  It was just moderately effective for the depression. At the beginning of february I started remeron.  Again, in changing meds, I had the usual nausea and stuff associated with withdrawl, but man o man that remeron!! It was like Night of the Living Dead!!  I slept HARD for the 3 weeks I took that stuff.  Supposedly the higher the dose, the more that symptom goes away, but I was still a space cadet even after increasing the dose. So I practically begged my pdoc to let me go back on effexor, which I started again this week.  Right now I’m going through the remeron withdrawls, nausea, diarhea and such, but I feel human again. **THEORY** I believe in my case, having taken antidepressants off and on now for over 3 years, that whatever my depression is, drugs only help it to a moderate degree.  It has been my experience that continually increasing the dosage yields diminishing returns.  It does appear, at least at this time in my life, that I need the help of the antidepressants to handle life.  I am working in other ways on "handling life," and perhaps someday I will obtain some results that will make it unnecessary to take antidepressants. I really don’t know.   But, I think I do best if I take the lowest dose that gives any decent effect. And, I am beginning to believe that my system needs a periodic chemical free period.  So my plan at this point is to take the lowest dose of effexor that will stabilize my mood, which from past experience I think is either 150mg or 225mg.  I think that I will also try to go about a month a year chemical free. I guess to summarize, at least maybe to summarize to myself, it takes a long period of trial and error to find out what works and what doesnt.  The hard part is to somehow hang in there while going through all the ups and downs. Best wishes, Patrick *** To reply by email, remove the zzz from my email address ***

Response:

Patrick, Sounds to me that you are playing Russin Rolette. If you had Diabetis, would you go off your insulin for a month every year? Biocemical depression, is a medical condition. The medication change the chemicals in you brain. You only fall deeper each time you start to treat yourself instead of following your pdoc’s advice.                    Please talk to your doc, about your conserns.                                     Penny – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m wondering if anyone else has had my experience or has any advice. I’ve tried many different AD’s and none of them seems to work.  I’ve <snip Any comments, anyone? –Carol Well…..I’ve tried eight AD’s …..First was zoloft..did that for 8 months, and for a time added trazodone along with it.  It worked so-so…. Next was paxil…did that for about 3 months.  I didn’t have energy to do much of anything.  The withdrawl was 2 weeks of misery.   Next I went without anything for about 2 months.  Signed up for a 10 week self esteem class which used a workbook on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  I felt worse about myself at the end than I did when I started.   Then I tried prozac for 4 months….helped some (any improvement was better than I was).  Started having significant side effects after the dose went beyond 50mg.  Started feeling more depressed as the dose increased. Started effexor…almost stopped it cuz I felt so yucky, but I think it was due to coming off the prozac.  Effexor worked real well for me for about 15 months. **SOAP BOX TIME** I really don’t think that doctors who work in the field of prescribing antidepressant medications fully appreciate how powerful these drugs are, and how strongly they affect the body.  My doctor, for instance, tends to believe that you can just taper a person (me) off one drug for a week or so and add a new drug at the same time or immediately thereafter, and everything will be hunky dory.  WRONG!!!!  As far as I am concerned, there is always some sort of withdrawl the body goes through when stopping one antidepressant, even if you start another at the same time.  I have gone through this a number of times, and I hope I have been instrumental in helping my doctor learn more about this.  Still, there is that transition period where my life sucks even more when I have changed meds. **END OF SOAP BOX** anyway, coming off the prozac made it seem like the effexor was giving me a bad reaction at first, but I hung in and after about a week things were ok.   After about 15 months, I was feeling sort of down, more depressed than I had been in a while.  I was also feeling "chemicalized" and kind of wanted to stop.  My pdoc was gonna have me start serzone, but I tapered off the effexor (again with a two week withdrawl). So, I then went 3 months taking St. John’s Wort.  It helped some, but I gradually sank down badly again, and when work took a stressful turn, I went down fast. Then I took serzone for 4 months.  It is supposed to make most people a little drowsy, but it had the opposite effect on me.  I felt wired.  It leveled out a bit over time, but during this period I did not sleep very soundly.  It was just moderately effective for the depression. At the beginning of february I started remeron.  Again, in changing meds, I had the usual nausea and stuff associated with withdrawl, but man o man that remeron!! It was like Night of the Living Dead!!  I slept HARD for the 3 weeks I took that stuff.  Supposedly the higher the dose, the more that symptom goes away, but I was still a space cadet even after increasing the dose. So I practically begged my pdoc to let me go back on effexor, which I started again this week.  Right now I’m going through the remeron withdrawls, nausea, diarhea and such, but I feel human again. **THEORY** I believe in my case, having taken antidepressants off and on now for over 3 years, that whatever my depression is, drugs only help it to a moderate degree.  It has been my experience that continually increasing the dosage yields diminishing returns.  It does appear, at least at this time in my life, that I need the help of the antidepressants to handle life.  I am working in other ways on "handling life," and perhaps someday I will obtain some results that will make it unnecessary to take antidepressants. I really don’t know.   But, I think I do best if I take the lowest dose that gives any decent effect. And, I am beginning to believe that my system needs a periodic chemical free period.  So my plan at this point is to take the lowest dose of effexor that will stabilize my mood, which from past experience I think is either 150mg or 225mg.  I think that I will also try to go about a month a year chemical free. I guess to summarize, at least maybe to summarize to myself, it takes a long period of trial and error to find out what works and what doesnt.  The hard part is to somehow hang in there while going through all the ups and downs. Best wishes, Patrick *** To reply by email, remove the zzz from my email address ***

Response:

What happened with the prozac? SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) "Extract" Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are newer antidepressants which often treat the symptoms of depression more effectively than TCAs and for many people, produce less troublesome side effects. Besides treating depression, SSRIs are sometimes used to treat the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Luvox