Question:

as long as there is crusting, the hole will enlarge.speak to your doctor about using an antibiotic ointment and I recommend you start this soon. Murray Grossan, M.D. http://www.ent-consult.com

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I just saw my GP, who got me into the ENT. Like yours, my perforation was small, I was told that with such an allergic nose the surgery would probably not be successful because of a continuously irritated nose, and result with a dying/dead surgical flap, resulting in a bigger hole. Putting in a button , would mean making the hole bigger right now. My concern was that the allergist took me off all steroid nasal inhalers, and I have polyps and severe ragweed & perfume problems that hit me in the sinuses. With a 40 year history of problems in the ragweed season, I was concerned. So for now, doing nothing for the hole is best.  Having the hole there, risks getting larger with drying edges and constant airflow (inside my nose swells shut and then I wake myself up whistling…. yuck) risks making the hole larger. I will work on making saline sprays a habit, but vasoline makes my problem worse, ie on my mouth, vasiline helps for a few hours, but then my skin sloughs off in sheets of dead skin.  The same thing kinda happens in my nose, short relief, but then the whole nose situation actually gets worse instead of better. But, at least I now know the  problem is not due to a growth or cancer , and they actually incouraged me to take my nasal steroid, but to be careful to try to spray the outer walls or up, but avoid the septum. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Greetings-I can sympathize with your aliment.  I also have a perforated septum. My pulmonologist discovered it.  He said don’t worry about it as is small also about 1-2mm.  He suggested placing vaseline in the nostril to keep the nose moist.  I have had not problems so far and would not even know it was there if it was not for the pulmonologist.  The surgery to repair seems to be very painful and a long recoup time.  Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

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Because of allergies and asthma and vasular motor rhinitis, I have for years  used a nasal steroid spray, which helped a lot. For a long while, one nostral had a nosebleed / scab problem, but it was minor and much less troublesome than the major sinus problem and the nose swelling shut every time I layed down as was happening before this.  I didn’t notice any structure change. but……. About 6-7 weeks ago, I was put on a prednisone taper ( 18 day, starting at 60mg, with 2X  normal dose220 flovent) , and the nose went nuts. The allergist told me to stop the nasacort and just use nasachrom. So I did.  had 2 weeks of rebound sinuses, but now just have the problem of the nose swelling shut when I lay down. The nose stopped bleeding and scabbing, but about 3 weeks later, my nose would whistle a clear tone whistle in the morning, and late at night, and even waking me up in the middle of the night!    An indentation started at the bottom of one nostral, but I couldn’t see a perferation in the septum. Now, with my nose supposedly healed ( ie no more bleeding or scabbing) the indentation in the floor of the nostral ( ~12 mm up) is deeper! And , now there is a sizable ~ 1 mm hole in the septum,  I can see light shine through  the well defined hole on both sides. I’m so allergic to ragweed that my GP suggested I start up the aquous form of Nasacort  in August, but, but that was  several weeks ago and now I’m scared to, though I know I might be miserable with out it. *  Is it a bad sign for the tissue corrosion to continue after stopping the pred and the nasacort? …. ie is something more serious possible? * Is there anything too bad about having a small hole about 10-14 mm up your nose… besides the whistling I have been to the clinic soooooo much this year with asthma, I feel like an employee!  Just went to the Weekend walkin clinic last week with an ankle swollen up like a football  from an allergy to some kind of insect bite. Should I make an appt for something no one can probably do anything about? I kinda know I should, yet I guess I just need a kick in the pants or some reassurance. Trying to avoid the hypochondriac label….. Lou Ann

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Greetings-I can sympathize with your aliment.  I also have a perforated septum. My pulmonologist discovered it.  He said don’t worry about it as is small also about 1-2mm.  He suggested placing vaseline in the nostril to keep the nose moist.  I have had not problems so far and would not even know it was there if it was not for the pulmonologist.  The surgery to repair seems to be very painful and a long recoup time.  Good luck to you in whatever you decide.

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Question:

Kathleen, I wonder if you’ve cleaned (or had someone clean) your house thoroughly? After spending 5 days in the hospital earlier this month, I had my couch and carpets steam cleaned and paid a cleaning service to come in a clean REALLY good.  Also, I purchased a HEPA air filtering machine and pillow and mattress covers that are made specifically with asthmatics and allergy sufferers in mind.  Look around your house – do you have a lot of stuffed animals or things that collect and retain dust?  If so, move ‘em out.  That should help a lot. I’m trying to get in the habit of putting my bedding in the dryer for at least 20 minutes once a week.  Supposedly, that gets rid of any dust mites that might be lurking. My point is have a good look at your environment.  It can make a huge difference. Good luck – Laura

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Dear Kathleen, Would you believe that many women find that their asthma actually becomes WORSE during pregnancy (or that they develop it for the first time)? I have not tried the non-drowsy antihistimines, but I know people who swear by them, and also people who have had trouble with irregular heart beat because of them. Vitamin C is purported to have antihistimine properties, I have tried this and it works well for me — 500 to 1000 mg during my mild season, 5000 to 8000 mg during my worst times. I am stunningly sensitive to medications, and I can take this amount without difficulty. Take the powder and mix it with water so that you are sipping it all day I take the buffered kind. To determine the amount that is right for you, just keep taking it until your bowels loosen, and back off from there. I have also read that pregnancy is a factor in candida overgrowth, which may aggravate your asthma / allergy symptoms. I tried an anti-candida diet for the first time this spring, and am having my most trouble free allergy season in a long time! You might want to investigate to see if the symptoms of candida overgrowth match yours. Candida Directory: The Comprehensive Guide to Yeast Free Living, by Helen Gustafson ASthma: Breathe Again Naturally and Reclaim Your Life, by Mimi Weisbord The Yeast Connection, by William G. Crook MD Good luck! Patti – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I was diagnosed with asthma a few years ago.  Last spring & summer season went quite smoothly for me and I assumed credit should be given to the allergy shots and inhaler treatments.  I am now beginning to wonder if that assumption was right.  I was pregnant last spring & summer and my doctor had told me that you tend to have more resistance to things during pregnancy. It is now spring and I can’t breathe!  I am taking Serevent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Flovent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Ventolin inhaler as needed (which is daily at least 3x), Nasacort nasal inhaler 2puffs each side daily, Uniphyl 400mg 2x daily, Intex Pse 2x daily and have been on Medral dose packs several times. It seems as though I walk outside and I’m immediately seized up.  I do not want to spend my life indoors. I now believe the season was better for me due the increased resistancy while I was pregnant.  I don’t plan on having anymore children and really want to breathe someday soon.   Please help!! Any suggestions you may have would be helpful.  Thank you

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You might ask your doctor for allergy testing.  If you are allergic to some of the springtime pollens then they may be causing your current problems. _If_ the problem is caused by allergy you may be able to reduce your medications by trying one of the new non-sedating antihistimines. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was diagnosed with asthma a few years ago.  Last spring & summer season went quite smoothly for me and I assumed credit should be given to the allergy shots and inhaler treatments.  I am now beginning to wonder if that assumption was right.  I was pregnant last spring & summer and my doctor had told me that you tend to have more resistance to things during pregnancy. It is now spring and I can’t breathe!  I am taking Serevent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Flovent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Ventolin inhaler as needed (which is daily at least 3x), Nasacort nasal inhaler 2puffs each side daily, Uniphyl 400mg 2x daily, Intex Pse 2x daily and have been on Medral dose packs several times. It seems as though I walk outside and I’m immediately seized up.  I do not want to spend my life indoors. I now believe the season was better for me due the increased resistancy while I was pregnant.  I don’t plan on having anymore children and really want to breathe someday soon.   Please help!! Any suggestions you may have would be helpful.  Thank you

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I was diagnosed with asthma a few years ago.  Last spring & summer season went quite smoothly for me and I assumed credit should be given to the allergy shots and inhaler treatments.  I am now beginning to wonder if that assumption was right.  I was pregnant last spring & summer and my doctor had told me that you tend to have more resistance to things during pregnancy. It is now spring and I can’t breathe!  I am taking Serevent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Flovent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Ventolin inhaler as needed (which is daily at least 3x), Nasacort nasal inhaler 2puffs each side daily, Uniphyl 400mg 2x daily, Intex Pse 2x daily and have been on Medral dose packs several times. It seems as though I walk outside and I’m immediately seized up.  I do not want to spend my life indoors. I now believe the season was better for me due the increased resistancy while I was pregnant.  I don’t plan on having anymore children and really want to breathe someday soon.   Please help!! Any suggestions you may have would be helpful.  Thank you

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was diagnosed with asthma a few years ago.  Last spring & summer season went quite smoothly for me and I assumed credit should be given to the allergy shots and inhaler treatments.  I am now beginning to wonder if that assumption was right.  I was pregnant last spring & summer and my doctor had told me that you tend to have more resistance to things during pregnancy. It is now spring and I can’t breathe!  I am taking Serevent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Flovent inhaler 2puffs 2x daily, Ventolin inhaler as needed (which is daily at least 3x), Nasacort nasal inhaler 2puffs each side daily, Uniphyl 400mg 2x daily, Intex Pse 2x daily and have been on Medral dose packs several times. It seems as though I walk outside and I’m immediately seized up.  I do not want to spend my life indoors. I now believe the season was better for me due the increased resistancy while I was pregnant.  I don’t plan on having anymore children and really want to breathe someday soon.   Please help!! Any suggestions you may have would be helpful.  Thank you

Which Flovent inhaler are you using? Flovent 44, Flovent 110, or Flovent 220 These are for Low, Medium, and High dose applications. Sounds like you need more inhaled steroids, so may need to increase the dose. Have you had your allergies tested. Sounds like you might be allergic to grass pollen, or other plants in your vicinity. I recognize all your drugs except the Intex Pse? You are taking quite a few. One drug that might be worth trying is the new anti-leukotriene Singulair, a pill you take once/day. Somtimes immunotherapy (allergy shots) can be useful for those who are very allergic. Be sure to breathe thru your nose at all times, to filter the air going to the lungs. If you have any problems with sinusitis or GERD, they should be treated. Ellis

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- 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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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Question:

 This is a re-post from a while ago. I think it answers your question. PEF = Peak expiratory flow; this is the fastest speed you can get air moving out of your lungs if you blow real hard. Back in the old days they used to have "the match test." The doctor would hold a lit match several inches in front of your face (I forget how many – we have PF’s now) and ask you to blow with your mouth open. If you couldn’t blow it out they knew you were in trouble. They could also quantitate things somewhat by describing how close they had to hold the match before you could blow it out. This test was more convenient back when everyone smoked. Somewhere along the line, someone decided to make a device that gave a number. There are several different brands out there. The numbers don’t compare exactly between different models and even between the same model in different conditions. It is the trend, and your own history that counts, so the differences don’t mean all that much. Basically, it is cheap and easy to use. It can give the doctor a number to follow, which is always helpful. You can say "250" rather than "pretty bad." It does have several limitations. The first is that everyone should establish their own "normal." In most ER’s they will have tables that tell them what "normal" for you should be. Trouble is that it varies greatly and these charts are worthless (IMO). Most of the people here probably never get anywhere near "normal." On a good day the chart would have you near death. Some, like myself, can do much more than "normal" and so if they believe the chart, and not me, they will miss a serious decrease in function. The second limitation is that it does not measure precisely the right thing. The PEF generally measures the airflow coming out of the large airways, such as the trachea and first few branches of the Bronchi. Asthma usually is more of a disease of small airways. That is why they make you blow into the PFT machine until you want to pass out. That last little bit of air is coming from the small airways. Usually the PEF correlates with disease severity in asthma, but you have to keep in mind that the PFM (Peak flow meter) is not measuring exactly the right thing and may read normal during a severe attack. The information it gives can be misleading. If you have one at home and use it regularly you will get to know what your best is, and at what levels you tend to get into trouble. This information, derived from your experience, and not a chart can be helpful. It allows you to have a precise way of communicating to your doctor how severe your attack is. The trend now is to develop an "action plan." The PF readings are usually divided up into three zones; green, yellow, and red. The green zone means continue as usual, or possibly taper meds down, depending on what you are doing. Yellow usually calls for some increase in therapy and possibly a call to the doctor. Red usually means call the doctor or 911. — Good Luck, CBI, M.D. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory infection? Niasha

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Hello! I really understand how frustrated you must be!  My peak flow is generally fairly constant, even if I feel tight in my chest.  My doc said he has some patients showing a high peak flow reading yet are sick enough to go to the ER!!  The only time my peak flow dips is when I am really, really sick. I’ve just had to learn through experience and calls to my doctor how to gauge my symptoms and the need for any additional meds.  I was relying heavily on my Pf readings but learned to listen to my body, also. Best of luck, Patrice – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – _That_ explains a few things!  I’d been wondering myself how I could still be having symptoms when my peak flow readings were so high… hmmmm some of this is beginning to make sense to me……Every summer I have the same problems, chest tightness, shortness of breath, panic and chest pain…and every summer i start on the same regime of drugs….ventolin and pulmicort and every summer I never feel any better than the last.  I am beginning to get very frustrated and I am beginning to doubt myself and wonder if it is all in my head. This summer my doctor asked me to start recording peak flow information.  I have been doing it for just over two weeks now (which I hear is a good preliminary period) but i feel just as confused as every.  My symptoms seem consistent with asthma, but not the peak flows.  My levels are high in the morning, dip in the afternoon and evening.  After taking ventolin my personal best is 525.  most days i come in around 425.  but some days at 425 i feel ok and other days i feel like I am suffocating.  and the difference between 450 and 425 feels like the difference between 450 and 200. i thought that this was supposed to take the guess work out of this whole mess and give me some "ammunition" when I go to my doctor? but i am still confused, frustrated and on the verge of a nervous breakdown and I fear that my doctor thinks I am nuts. ter Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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A peak flow meter only measures the condition of the large airways. You could be having problems with the small airways causing such symptoms.

_That_ explains a few things!  I’d been wondering myself how I could still be having symptoms when my peak flow readings were so high…

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_That_ explains a few things!  I’d been wondering myself how I could still be having symptoms when my peak flow readings were so high…

hmmmm some of this is beginning to make sense to me……Every summer I have the same problems, chest tightness, shortness of breath, panic and chest pain…and every summer i start on the same regime of drugs….ventolin and pulmicort and every summer I never feel any better than the last.  I am beginning to get very frustrated and I am beginning to doubt myself and wonder if it is all in my head. This summer my doctor asked me to start recording peak flow information.  I have been doing it for just over two weeks now (which I hear is a good preliminary period) but i feel just as confused as every.  My symptoms seem consistent with asthma, but not the peak flows.  My levels are high in the morning, dip in the afternoon and evening.  After taking ventolin my personal best is 525.  most days i come in around 425.  but some days at 425 i feel ok and other days i feel like I am suffocating.  and the difference between 450 and 425 feels like the difference between 450 and 200. i thought that this was supposed to take the guess work out of this whole mess and give me some "ammunition" when I go to my doctor? but i am still confused, frustrated and on the verge of a nervous breakdown and I fear that my doctor thinks I am nuts. ter Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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Oh, oh!  Thanks.  Niasha – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If you are having trouble breathing, but your PFs are stable, then it is probably an infection.  If the PFs are dropping, but improve with albuterol, that is asthma. Chris Owens Earlier this month I was hospitalized for a week with pneumonia. During all that time, my peak flows were at 100%. Emily M.

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Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory infection? Niasha

A peak flow meter only measures the condition of the large airways. You could be having problems with the small airways causing such symptoms. It could be a respiratory infection; often a virus where antibiotics would probably not be prescribed. Usually an Action Plan calls for increasing meds when either Peak Flow drops into Yellow zone, OR symptoms increase. [eg double inhaled steroid, use Ventolin as needed] Ellis

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Ellis you are tooo clever.  That’s what my doctor said on Friday.  She explained the difference and procedures for a viral vs a bacterial infection (which requires an anitbiotic).   I am on nebulizer treatments and increase steriods.  This is Sunday morning and I feel better already.  Thanks, Niasha Ellis  wrote…A peak flow meter only measures the condition of the large

airways. You could be having problems with the small airways causing such symptoms.  It could be a respiratory infection; often

a virus where  antibiotics would probably not be prescribed.  Usually an Action Plan calls for increasing meds when either Peak Flow drops into Yellow zone, OR symptoms increase.  [eg double inhaled steroid, use Ventolin as needed]

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If you are having trouble breathing, but your PFs are stable, then it is probably an infection.  If the PFs are dropping, but improve with albuterol, that is asthma. Chris Owens

Earlier this month I was hospitalized for a week with pneumonia. During all that time, my peak flows were at 100%. Emily M.

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Fooey, hooey!  Txs Niasha Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory

infection? chris responded…Not only could there be, it’s very likely.  Doctor time.

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PFR are accurate.  I put my average high (700) to be on the safe side.   I can usually go up to 850 at least once and an average bet.  650 and 750 2 out of 3 times.  I guess my question is more about when do you know it’s an asthma attack Vs a respiratory infection.  For asthma I go to the specialist and for infections to my GP (who, by the way, is extremely knowledgeable).

If you are having trouble breathing, but your PFs are stable, then it is probably an infection.  If the PFs are dropping, but improve with albuterol, that is asthma. Chris Owens

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PFR are accurate.  I put my average high (700) to be on the safe side.   I can usually go up to 850 at least once and an average bet.  650 and 750 2 out of 3 times.  I guess my question is more about when do you know it’s an asthma attack Vs a respiratory infection.  For asthma I go to the specialist and for infections to my GP (who, by the way, is extremely knowledgeable). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -nancy wrote… I would suggest going to your pulmonologist and making sure that your numbers are correct.  Are you sure that your "normal" zone isnt too high?  We had a bit of trouble pinpointing my correct range, but once we did, my numbers/breathing were right on the money.

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Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory infection? Niasha

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Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory infection?

Not only could there be, it’s very likely.  Doctor time. Chris Owens

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Can someone explain to me how one can have normal peak flow readings (over 100%) and still be short of breath.  Could there be a respiratory infection? Niasha

I would suggest going to your pulmonologist and making sure that your numbers are correct.  Are you sure that your "normal" zone isnt too high?  We had a bit of trouble pinpointing my correct range, but once we did, my numbers/breathing were right on the money. Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )

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Question:

YOU SAID YOU WAS LEAVIN’ !!!!  doncha hate when people come to yer house, advertise they’re leavin, get in tha dang car… then come back’n stay awhile? JUST when ya get nekkid and start eatin a nuked artichoke, feelin’ like you can breathe agin? ok.. i’m gunna call ya Uncle Buck from this day forward .Yoga helps a lot, and specially CBT. CBT ain’t cognitive behavioral therapy where i come from, Uncle Buck.. and i gotchur CBT !!!! Sagan, and hypochondriac. (no, english is not my mother tongue

(cept when it’s convenient)  and by tha way.. WHO ASKED YA?

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I have been on Atenolol 25mg which is a beta blocker and about the lowest dose around, in fact my doctor told me that it has only been around 2 or 3 years.  I’ve been taking it for about a year now and I have to say I feel a lot more rested and together than when I was on no medication at all. Panic Attacks are rare now, although I still get bouts of anxiety but I guess that everyone.  One thing though, coming off it is annoying because of the shakes but because of my low doasge my doctor said it wouldn’t neccesarily be that much of a problem. Daniko.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tom I take Xanax and a beta blocker, but I have a pacemaker so the beta blocker is to lower the heart rate when the pacer isn’t doin it’s job…sometimes it fires off to a rate of nearly 200bpm. If you get on a beta blocker, take it at night because it tends to make you tired and feel crappy (due to the lowering of the heart rate). — If you sing a country song backwards, you get your job and your wife back. Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars.  I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown).  This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM.  I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough.  One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc.  I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey

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Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues.

Hi Tom. This sounds very familiar to me. I have exactly the same problem/fear though I had more frequent attacks (one every three days) until I started to take xanax and zoloft. I feel quite well now. I’ve found that my dosage is fine, or perhaps in the borderline, at 3.5mg of Xanax XR (1.5-0.5-1.5) and 75mg of Zoloft. Sometimes I take 0.5mg of Ativan if I feel a bit anxious or Xanax IR for special occasions My resting HR is among 60 and 65 bpm, and during a Holter test, it decreased to 40 being asleep, which you know is normal, and increased to 140!!! in the afternoon because of my fear while thinking about the possible results of the test. I also had white coat HBP (140-155 sistolic and 90-95 diastolic), while my normal BP (during a 24h. monitoring was 137-87) and I was VERY anxious that whole day, I didn’t sleep at all :/ (I was not taking benzos). The lowest BP I’ve seen in body was 130/80, one night, after the doc at the ER told me I was not dying (the first time I had a panic attack), I felt so well and happy that didn’t notice they were measuring my BP Yoga helps a lot, and specially CBT. Change your point of view, stop thinking about your health/yourself. This was MHO. Good luck. Sagan, and hypochondriac. (no, english is not my mother tongue

Response:

Gary and others, Thank you for the replies.  You have eased my anxiety, and all have diagnosed me quite accurately….you’re hired.  Imagine being anxious because BP is not 120/80, or because sleep is not perfect, or because resting heart rate increases from 50 to 65 BPM.  That’s me. I suspect all of my recent ailments are related to doing too much (running, volleyball, weights), without paying enough attention to food and water intake, and paying too much attention to heart rate and blood pressure.  Interestingly, overtraining symptoms (OK, from what I’ve read in the medical literature) include anxiety, moodiness, and insomnia.  My sleep in near normal now that I’ve backed off the excessive/obsessive exercise! I have an excellent benefit plan and will see someone in the employee assistance program.  If medication is the answer, I will consider it. Thanks again for the replies.  I will stay tuned here to keep tabs on all the latest and greatest. Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tom, it just occured to me that I left out one thing I wanted to tell you. The current zeitgeist in medicine is to treat anxiety with SSRI antidepressants, such as Paxil, Effexor etc, or tricyclic antidepressants, such as desipramine or nortryptiline..  In that you referenced some episodes of what are likely postural hypotension (dizziness when standing), a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) would not be a particularly good choice for you – these drugs have a ‘moderate’ affinity for alpha 1 adrenergic receptor blockade, which is the primary reason why postural hypotension is such a common side effect with these agents.  Celexa (an SSRI) is my personal favorite because it is the most selective agent for the serotonin receptor – ten times moreso than Paxil, despite the fact that Paxil is clearly the most potent inhibitor of serotonin reuptake.  Potency is mainly a good predictor of adverse events and drug interactions, whereas selectivity will be a better predictor of clinical results.  In the slang of the psychiatry industry, Celexa (or lexapro if you like) is more "clean". Having taken many of these drugs myself, I’ve also found that Celexa is the most anxiolytic of them that I’ve tried.  Another thing I wanted to mention but forgot – I’ve been taking Xanax for 13 years now, and the dose is still the same, and it works just fine every single day. –Gary

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. Hi Tom. This sounds very familiar to me. I have exactly the same problem/fear though I had more frequent attacks (one every three days) until I started to take xanax and zoloft. I feel quite well now. I’ve found that my dosage is fine, or perhaps in the borderline, at 3.5mg of Xanax XR (1.5-0.5-1.5) and 75mg of Zoloft. Sometimes I take 0.5mg of Ativan if I feel a bit anxious or Xanax IR for special occasions My resting HR is among 60 and 65 bpm, and during a Holter test, it decreased to 40 being asleep, which you know is normal, and increased to 140!!! in the afternoon because of my fear while thinking about the possible results of the test. I also had white coat HBP (140-155 sistolic and 90-95 diastolic), while my normal BP (during a 24h. monitoring was 137-87) and I was VERY anxious that whole day, I didn’t sleep at all :/ (I was not taking benzos). The lowest BP I’ve seen in body was 130/80, one night, after the doc at the ER told me I was not dying (the first time I had a panic attack), I felt so well and happy that didn’t notice they were measuring my BP Yoga helps a lot, and specially CBT. Change your point of view, stop thinking about your health/yourself.

Now that is good advice Sagan, and is also very familiar. Now where have I heard that before?! ;o)

Response:

Tom, it just occured to me that I left out one thing I wanted to tell you. The current zeitgeist in medicine is to treat anxiety with SSRI antidepressants, such as Paxil, Effexor etc, or tricyclic antidepressants, such as desipramine or nortryptiline..  In that you referenced some episodes of what are likely postural hypotension (dizziness when standing), a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) would not be a particularly good choice for you – these drugs have a ‘moderate’ affinity for alpha 1 adrenergic receptor blockade, which is the primary reason why postural hypotension is such a common side effect with these agents.  Celexa (an SSRI) is my personal favorite because it is the most selective agent for the serotonin receptor – ten times moreso than Paxil, despite the fact that Paxil is clearly the most potent inhibitor of serotonin reuptake.  Potency is mainly a good predictor of adverse events and drug interactions, whereas selectivity will be a better predictor of clinical results.  In the slang of the psychiatry industry, Celexa (or lexapro if you like) is more "clean". Having taken many of these drugs myself, I’ve also found that Celexa is the most anxiolytic of them that I’ve tried.  Another thing I wanted to mention but forgot – I’ve been taking Xanax for 13 years now, and the dose is still the same, and it works just fine every single day. –Gary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Many physicians are even ill-informed on the full depth and breadth of the subject of benzodiazepines.  When *taken for an indicated condition in the amount prescribed* benzodiazepines RARELY show evidence of tolerance or tachyphylaxis (needing to take more of the drug to get the same result). Over about 30 days, and often less, they DO lose their ability to sedate generally, so are not an especially good choice for sleep medicines in the long term – for most people.  I work with hundreds of MD’s and can absolutely assure you that a blood pressure of 135/85 is something that they would be UTTERLY unconcerned with.  The American Cardiology Association says that ideally one should have the diastolic (bottom number) pressure at 85 or less, so I’d keep an eye on the sodium intake. IF your pressure were to rise further, particularly the diastolic part, the first thing they’d likely want to do would be to add a mild diuretic to your ace-inhibitor, usually hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) As an athlete with a low resting heart rate and a BP like that, you would likely be unremarkable to any cardiologist, and I’ve worked in some pretty fancy shmanzy places where virtually everything was reacted to and treated aggressively.  The point:  don’t worry so much.  If ya can’t stop worrying, get some Xanax or some anxiolytic drug from your doctor – he should be far more interested in that problem than in your enviable pulse and blood pressure.  Kudos to you for exercising, it does keep anxiety from getting totally out of hand for a lot of people. I’ll even go so far as to say that if your physician actually agreed to give you a beta blocker with numbers like that (in that the drug isn’t indicated at all), I’d fire his ass.  It is clinically dangerous to administer any amount of beta blockade to someone with a resting heart rate of 50. Kindest Regards, Gary You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax. I’ve heard that the effect lessens if taken regularly. In my opinion, a person with a resting heart rate that hovers in the 50’s ought not to be messing with beta blockers. You may be right, but I don’t think many knowledgible MDs would be unconcerned with a BP of 135/85. Also, as it appears you are mildly over-concerned about the "numbers" that indicate "good health", be aware that beta blockers can easily cause a rise in serum cholesterol levels. That’s what I’ve heard.  I’ll pass thanks. Exercising too much and not eating enough do not sound like difficult I have no one to blame but myself.  Funny how all of my sedentary friends and relatives all feel dandy 24/7.  My New Years resolution on Nov 1: exercise less eat more work less vacation more…. Thanks for the input. Mike Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars.  I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown).  This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM.  I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough.  One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc.  I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey

Response:

You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax.   I’ve heard that the effect lessens if taken regularly.

You listened to the wrong people. As a rule no *tolerance* occurs with anxiety sufferers, it’s really exceedingly rare. In my opinion, a person with a resting heart rate that hovers in the 50’s ought not to be messing with beta blockers.  

I certainly agree. You may be right, but I don’t think many knowledgible MDs would be unconcerned with a BP of 135/85.

Actually this is well within the normal range, no reason to worry. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars.  I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown).  This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM.  I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough.  One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc.  I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey

Response:

Many physicians are even ill-informed on the full depth and breadth of the subject of benzodiazepines.  When *taken for an indicated condition in the amount prescribed* benzodiazepines RARELY show evidence of tolerance or tachyphylaxis (needing to take more of the drug to get the same result). Over about 30 days, and often less, they DO lose their ability to sedate generally, so are not an especially good choice for sleep medicines in the long term – for most people.  I work with hundreds of MD’s and can absolutely assure you that a blood pressure of 135/85 is something that they would be UTTERLY unconcerned with.  The American Cardiology Association says that ideally one should have the diastolic (bottom number) pressure at 85 or less, so I’d keep an eye on the sodium intake.  IF your pressure were to rise further, particularly the diastolic part, the first thing they’d likely want to do would be to add a mild diuretic to your ace-inhibitor, usually hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) As an athlete with a low resting heart rate and a BP like that, you would likely be unremarkable to any cardiologist, and I’ve worked in some pretty fancy shmanzy places where virtually everything was reacted to and treated aggressively.  The point:  don’t worry so much.  If ya can’t stop worrying, get some Xanax or some anxiolytic drug from your doctor – he should be far more interested in that problem than in your enviable pulse and blood pressure.  Kudos to you for exercising, it does keep anxiety from getting totally out of hand for a lot of people. I’ll even go so far as to say that if your physician actually agreed to give you a beta blocker with numbers like that (in that the drug isn’t indicated at all), I’d fire his ass.  It is clinically dangerous to administer any amount of beta blockade to someone with a resting heart rate of 50. Kindest Regards, Gary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax. I’ve heard that the effect lessens if taken regularly. In my opinion, a person with a resting heart rate that hovers in the 50’s ought not to be messing with beta blockers. You may be right, but I don’t think many knowledgible MDs would be unconcerned with a BP of 135/85. Also, as it appears you are mildly over-concerned about the "numbers" that indicate "good health", be aware that beta blockers can easily cause a rise in serum cholesterol levels. That’s what I’ve heard.  I’ll pass thanks. Exercising too much and not eating enough do not sound like difficult I have no one to blame but myself.  Funny how all of my sedentary friends and relatives all feel dandy 24/7.  My New Years resolution on Nov 1: exercise less eat more work less vacation more…. Thanks for the input. Mike Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars.  I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown).  This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM.  I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough.  One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc.  I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey

Response:

You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax.  

I’ve heard that the effect lessens if taken regularly. In my opinion, a person with a resting heart rate that hovers in the 50’s ought not to be messing with beta blockers.  

You may be right, but I don’t think many knowledgible MDs would be unconcerned with a BP of 135/85. Also, as it appears you are mildly over-concerned about the "numbers" that indicate "good health", be aware that beta blockers can easily cause a rise in serum cholesterol levels.

That’s what I’ve heard.  I’ll pass thanks. Exercising too much and not eating enough do not sound like difficult

I have no one to blame but myself.  Funny how all of my sedentary friends and relatives all feel dandy 24/7.  My New Years resolution on Nov 1: exercise less eat more work less vacation more…. Thanks for the input. Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars.  I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown).  This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM.  I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough.  One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc.  I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey

Response:

You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax.

i dunno what the topic is, but xanax ALWAYS gets MY vote.. AYE! Exercising too much and not eating enough do not sound like difficult

not difficult at all.. come live at my house. BADDA BING ! ::tossin backah twinkie:: ~tanya

Response:

Tom I take Xanax and a beta blocker, but I have a pacemaker so the beta blocker is to lower the heart rate when the pacer isn’t doin it’s job…sometimes it fires off to a rate of nearly 200bpm. If you get on a beta blocker, take it at night because it tends to make you tired and feel crappy (due to the lowering of the heart rate). — If you sing a country song backwards, you get your job and your wife back.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars.  I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown).  This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM.  I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough.  One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc.  I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey

Response:

Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars.  I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown).  This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM.  I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough.  One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc.  I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey

Response:

You will probably get plenty of "yes" votes for taking Xanax..  In my opinion, a person with a resting heart rate that hovers in the 50’s ought not to be messing with beta blockers.  Also, as it appears you are mildly over-concerned about the "numbers" that indicate "good health", be aware that beta blockers can easily cause a rise in serum cholesterol levels. Exercising too much and not eating enough do not sound like difficult

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Although I don’t have frequent panic attacks, my heart races in doctor office, and blood pessure soars.  I’ve been on 20 mg/day of an ACE inhibitor, and BP varies from 110/70 in summer to 135/85 in winter as measured by home monitor (cause unknown).  This is an established cycle over past three years. I almost considered asking to reduce the med, since I got some dizziness when standing when BPs were 105/65 every summer. Most problematic, not only do I have this anxiety in MDs office, but my HR will go up, at times, when I strap on my home BP monitor. FWIW, I believe I don’t have the most common form of hypertension, but, rather, anxiety about HAVING high blood pressure, as well as some anxiety when it comes to health issues. I’m thinking it’s time for a beta blocker, and my doc would likely agree. But I’m athletic, and resting heart rate most of the time is 50 BPM.  I’d hate to suffer side effects (ED, loss of ability to do strenuous exercise) to control the fight-or-flight response. Incidentally, my resting heart rate has recently climbed (15 BPM), as it does when I exercise too much and don’t eat enough.  One month of no exercise and more food usually get’s me back to 100%. As for the anxiety, I’m looking for comments regarding Xanax, Valium, and/or beta blockers, as well as yoga, biofeedback etc.  I’m type A personality, but never get this adrenaline rush unless it’s time to measure BP, or going on a first date Thanks, flighty-mikey

Response:

Question:

Hello everyone!  I haven’t posted in quite awhile, but now I have questions I hope to get some help with. I use a CPAP at 6 cm, and I’ve been sleeping fine until a few weeks ago, when I started having some pre-CPAP symptoms, especially waking up once or twice a night to use the bathroom.  Around the same time I also started experiencing insomnia, which I’ve never had a problem with before. A month ago, my neurologist started me on Effexor for migraine headache prevention.  I spent a week taking 37.5 mg daily, then bumped up to 75 mg daily, taken in the morning.  The list of side effects for Effexor includes insomnia, so I’m wondering if the drug could be responsible for that, as well as for the return of the pre-CPAP symptoms.  Thoughts? Anyone here taking Effexor? It’s helping with the headaches, and I’d like to try increasing the dosage, but not if it’s going to screw up my sleep. On to another issue: in late March, my long-term live-in relationship with my boyfriend ended.  Long story, which I won’t go into in detail. I moved out (we were living in his house). The last two months have been enormously painful and stressful, but things are beginning to settle down.  I’ve been seeing a psychologist, and the Effexor has certainly helped stabilize my moods.  No more wild roller-coaster emotions. And speaking of stress, my mother is having a recurrence of some serious health problems, and as an only child, I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed and alone in dealing with that. So…. could my sleep problems be some sort of delayed reaction to the stress of the break-up, and/or my mom’s problems?  Oddly enough, I had no sleep problems at all during late March and throughout April, when the break-up was in process and I was dealing with finding a place to live and all the hassles of moving. Finally, I’ve dropped about five or 6 pounds in the last few weeks, which I attribute to loss of appetite due to stress and some stomach upset the first couple of weeks I was in the Effexor.  But I weigh 177 pounds now, and I don’t think five pounds would be enough to necessitate a pressure change.  (For the record, I started on CPAP in September 2000 at a pressure of 7 cm, and was dropped to 6 cm last November after a second sleep study.) Is there anything besides weight loss that might require a pressure change?  I’m not sure my insurance will pay for another sleep study only eight months after the last one. I’ve been thinking about trying a small amount of an OTC sleep aid for the insomnia.  Is this a really bad idea? Well, I think that’s all my questions.  :-) Thanks! Donna sleepless in Pa.

Response:

Donna Higgins <Do…@Misty.com

wrote:

My experience with Effexor was pre-CPAP. I didn’t have any problem falling asleep, but you can’t draw any conclusions from that. But you’re experiencing migraines, nocturia, and (recently) having problems coping, these are all well known side effects of OSA. Clean your filters and check for leaks. If everything’s ok, then I’d talk to your doctor about going back to your original pressure, you shouldn’t need a re-test. Most OTC sleep aids contain the same active ingredients as Benadryl, it’s a very good temporary sleep aid. Just pick up a bottle of the cheapest generic equivalent at your local drug store. (Avoid the Non-Drowsy versions, you _want_ drowsy.) Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hello everyone!  I haven’t posted in quite awhile, but now I have questions I hope to get some help with. I use a CPAP at 6 cm, and I’ve been sleeping fine until a few weeks ago, when I started having some pre-CPAP symptoms, especially waking up once or twice a night to use the bathroom.  Around the same time I also started experiencing insomnia, which I’ve never had a problem with before. A month ago, my neurologist started me on Effexor for migraine headache prevention.  I spent a week taking 37.5 mg daily, then bumped up to 75 mg daily, taken in the morning.  The list of side effects for Effexor includes insomnia, so I’m wondering if the drug could be responsible for that, as well as for the return of the pre-CPAP symptoms.  Thoughts? Anyone here taking Effexor? It’s helping with the headaches, and I’d like to try increasing the dosage, but not if it’s going to screw up my sleep. On to another issue: in late March, my long-term live-in relationship with my boyfriend ended.  Long story, which I won’t go into in detail. I moved out (we were living in his house). The last two months have been enormously painful and stressful, but things are beginning to settle down.  I’ve been seeing a psychologist, and the Effexor has certainly helped stabilize my moods.  No more wild roller-coaster emotions. And speaking of stress, my mother is having a recurrence of some serious health problems, and as an only child, I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed and alone in dealing with that. So…. could my sleep problems be some sort of delayed reaction to the stress of the break-up, and/or my mom’s problems?  Oddly enough, I had no sleep problems at all during late March and throughout April, when the break-up was in process and I was dealing with finding a place to live and all the hassles of moving. Finally, I’ve dropped about five or 6 pounds in the last few weeks, which I attribute to loss of appetite due to stress and some stomach upset the first couple of weeks I was in the Effexor.  But I weigh 177 pounds now, and I don’t think five pounds would be enough to necessitate a pressure change.  (For the record, I started on CPAP in September 2000 at a pressure of 7 cm, and was dropped to 6 cm last November after a second sleep study.) Is there anything besides weight loss that might require a pressure change?  I’m not sure my insurance will pay for another sleep study only eight months after the last one. I’ve been thinking about trying a small amount of an OTC sleep aid for the insomnia.  Is this a really bad idea? Well, I think that’s all my questions.  :-) Thanks! Donna sleepless in Pa.

Response:

On Wed, 12 Jun 2002 13:34:25 -0400, Donna Higgins <Do…@Misty.com

wrote:

Hello everyone!  I haven’t posted in quite awhile, but now I have questions I hope to get some help with. A month ago, my neurologist started me on Effexor for migraine headache prevention.  I spent a week taking 37.5 mg daily, then bumped up to 75 mg daily, taken in the morning.  The list of side effects for Effexor includes insomnia, so I’m wondering if the drug could be responsible for that, as well as for the return of the pre-CPAP symptoms.   Anyone here taking Effexor? Thoughts?

I was on it until the XR form came out… then my doctor switched me so I had fewer pills. The list of side effects for Effexor also includes somnolence.

It’s helping with the headaches, and I’d like to try increasing the dosage, but not if it’s going to screw up my sleep.

I’d say it might be worth a try… Effexor gets out of your system fairly quickly (unlike that darn Prozac).

Finally, I’ve dropped about five or 6 pounds in the last few weeks, which I attribute to loss of appetite due to stress and some stomach upset the first couple of weeks I was in the Effexor.  

Effexor also seems to have a mild anorexiant effect for some patients.

I’ve been thinking about trying a small amount of an OTC sleep aid for the insomnia.  Is this a really bad idea?

It might work, if you do it occasionally. — Found elsewhere on USENET: "yes invite more — but PLEASSSSSSSE NOT Jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjulie"

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Question:

No, I’m cool with that, James. I don’t even mind lookingat SEs for other TCAs, though they are exactly the same as the one I’m on. But the very first thing I do when I get a refill is bin the info sheet if the pharmacist hasn’t already done so.  The minds of mortals work in strange ways, huh?

agreed. some of those "side effects" are ridiculous though…i mean "alcohol abuse"?! -although i have been feeling like a drink lately, but you’re not meant to consume alcohol when taking paxil. — James Fife, Scotland ICQ:41149795 "there is NO point to life – life IS the point" -me 2001AD

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<snippage BTW, there haven’t been any contributions to the FAQ, so I did some work on it, and have forwarded it to Jackie to look over, fill in blanks, etc.

Hey, Sloopy — You know, I feel that it’s somewhat unfortunate that there were so few contributions to this thread as I think others could offer some helpful opinions.  I’m thinking about suggestions from newbies in particular — wondering what they would like to have seen in an SSRI-FAQ had it existed when they first found ASAP.  I do understand how some may feel *shy* about jumping into a thread in which it looks as though only long-timers are discussing the subject.  However, I’m glad you did pose this idea to the group in an open forum format as it at least allowed for others to contribute should they have desired to do so. Others, such as yourself, who wish to contribute (one way or an udder), will receive a copy for review before it’s "almost" finished, and all input will be appreciated (all input right "now" would be, and is, appreciated:)

Sounds good – I would like to review the "almost" finished FAQ as I think it will be fun to review with respect to the clarity aspect. It won’t be done in a day or two, but it shouldn’t take all that long, either. Of course, I expect Ian to "sheer" it apart, once he has access again:)

LOL… Oh yes, I’m sure Ian will have some opinions and contributions to make, and I certainly wouldn’t want to deprive him of the opportunity to do so.  :) Best… ==== Blue (one who is curse-proof!… ) — Remove mypants to email me

Response:

I’m thinking about suggestions from newbies in particular — wondering what they would like to have seen in an SSRI-FAQ had it existed when they first found ASAP.

hmm. 1. the conditions they are used for 2. what each one in particular is mostly used for 3. how they work 4. something about the different doses 5. side effects of each ssri 6. coming off them 7. um…. — James Fife, Scotland ICQ:41149795 "there is NO point to life – life IS the point" -me 2001AD

Response:

7. um….

known interactions with other drugs/alcohol etc! there! — James Fife, Scotland ICQ:41149795 "there is NO point to life – life IS the point" -me 2001AD

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m thinking about suggestions from newbies in particular — wondering what they would like to have seen in an SSRI-FAQ had it existed when they first found ASAP. hmm. 1. the conditions they are used for 2. what each one in particular is mostly used for 3. how they work 4. something about the different doses 5. side effects of each ssri 6. coming off them 7. um….

Um… could i suggest it doesn’t include the side effects, just a URL to a source that lists them. Most of us, including me, are likely to experience them all on reading about them. Ian

Response:

Um… could i suggest it doesn’t include the side effects, just a URL to a source that lists them. Most of us, including me, are likely to experience them all on reading about them.

you *definately* don’t want to look at this then: <<<warning! http://www.paxilprogress.org/research/research_documents/paxil_sideef… <<<warning! (!) — James Fife, Scotland ICQ:41149795 "there is NO point to life – life IS the point" -me 2001AD

Response:

Um… could i suggest it doesn’t include the side effects, just a URL to a source that lists them. Most of us, including me, are likely to experience them all on reading about them. you *definately* don’t want to look at this then: <<<warning! http://www.paxilprogress.org/research/research_documents/paxil_sideef… <<<warning! (!)

No, I’m cool with that, James. I don’t even mind lookingat SEs for other TCAs, though they are exactly the same as the one I’m on. But the very first thing I do when I get a refill is bin the info sheet if the pharmacist hasn’t already done so.  The minds of mortals work in strange ways, huh? Ian

Response:

Sloopy wrote……. Hopefully, you got it and have eaten your monitor by now

I`ve been cheated!!!! In my tagline is specifically says that I require 14 chocolate bars and you only sent 6 What ‘ya think?

Whatever everyone agree`s on is just fine by me Jackie Acting like a witch…..Eating 14 chocolate bars…..this isn`t a holiday for

Response:

Hi Blue!  :)  Good to see you back.

Thanks, Dan.  It’s a real… er, pleasure <? to be back! IMO, YMMV and all that.  I personally don’t like the Q&A format.  All the information is there either way.   A well laid out document will allow users to find what they need.

I think Sloopy’s intention in bringing up the idea of creating an SSRI-FAQ in an open forum was to allow any and all to express their own opinions, and I am pleased we can have differences in our opinions I’m trying to imagine a newbie who’s gone to the trouble to find the FAQ and is willing to read it.  I just reread the post of Jackie’s where she put together information in a document-type format and contrasted that to Sloopy’s post where he’s posed suggestions for questions. And personally, I think the question and answer format is less *intimidating* somehow.  As you know, some of  us have difficulty concentrating at times, and I feel the question-and-answer format allows the reader to take in the information a bit at a time. However, as you state, a well laid-out document could achieve the same results.  It’s getting that document into a well laid-out state that then becomes the challenge.  Clarity is what is needed, whatever format the FAQ takes.  Should the FAQ take the form of a document rather than a question-and-answer format, I would be willing to review it and voice my opinions on how well it reads, for whatever that’s worth. <snippage As far as dissenting ideas, I had two sources in mind.  The antimed fanatics are one, you know they’ll have something to say about this. But they aren’t really the ones I had in mind.  I was mainly thinking of sincere posters that would like to have non-meds mentioned.

I think Sloopy, in his reply to your post, makes a valid point with respect to this.  If this is to be a FAQ on SSRIs, then that should be the subject of the SSRI-FAQ.  I am sympathetic to those sincere readers and/or posters who would like to have information on dealing with anxiety and panic without the use of meds, and I think this is best addressed as a separate issue as it is in the monthly FAQ. I haven’t heard commentary on the idea of making this a "meds" FAQ rather than just SSRIs.  How many newcomers will even know what an SSRI is and if their med is one?

Once again, I feel what Sloopy said with respect to taking this one step at a time makes sense.  And I do agree with Sloopy that the SSRI-FAQ would serve the purpose of answering those almost daily questions of  "My doctor just put me on <SSRI.  Does anyone know anything about <SSRI?"  That would be the time that the link to the SSRI-FAQ could be provided, and voila!  No more Jackie and Philip spending their time writing the same replies over and over and over again… Best Wishes === Blue — Remove mypants to email me

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Hi Blue!  :)  Good to see you back. It ’tis, isn’t it?  Whoa Nellie!

LOL, Sloopy… I just "luv" Nellie Best… === Blue — Remove mypants to email me

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Blue!  :)  Good to see you back. It ’tis, isn’t it?  Whoa Nellie! IMO, YMMV and all that.  I personally don’t like the Q&A format.  All the information is there either way.   A well laid out document will allow users to find what they need. It makes no difference, AFAIC.  As long as all the info is there, and easy to follow. The questions I last posed need to be included, however – in whatever format.  When I have the time, I’ll go back through it, and see how it lays out. Need all the answers to the questions, tho:) <snip As far as dissenting ideas, I had two sources in mind.  The antimed fanatics are one, you know they’ll have something to say about this. But they aren’t really the ones I had in mind.  I was mainly thinking of sincere posters that would like to have non-meds mentioned. I think you’re missing the point, Dan. The monthly FAQ has all sorts of non-med references. The idea behind *this* FAQ is that people ask the same questions about SSRIs all the time. For those who *ask*, then the URL to this particular FAQ, or the FAQ itself can be posted as a reply. I haven’t heard commentary on the idea of making this a "meds" FAQ rather than just SSRIs. I think one step at a time. When people ask about benzos (for example), there are sites all over the place that talk about their effectiveness and when/if they should be prescribed (and dependency caveats). There are also quite a few sites with opposite views. I not only doubt that a FAQ is necessary for tranquilizers in general, but think it would become a war zone! LOL However, when someone asks about them, they get answers "and" URLs to check. With the SSRI questions, however, there aren’t sites that provide the type of information that’s provided here on an almost daily basis. That’s why it’s an ASAP FAQ, for ease of replies, as well as "more" education on these meds than the poster may have even been aware to ask in the first place. AND, the main reason, I suppose, is that SSRIs are prescribed for just about anything these days, far more than any other class of medications, it appears. That’s why there are more questions about them, and why it seems a need to focus in with a good solid document that contains a lot of the answers to <koff frequenty asked questions:) How many newcomers will even know what an SSRI is and if their med is one? That’s one of the goals;)  Someone says "the doc just put me on Paxil (or whatever it’s called in a particular country), and I don’t know much about it. Can someone tell me about side effects I’ve heard about?" <  BAM – post the FAQ as a reply (just once) or the URL to it   Think of it more as a reply, rather than a FAQ document for searching, and you might see what I feel the aim is. — Sloopy:)

Is that not like telling people to read the F.Manal, just like some PC groups do.??? — Mark Brown

Response:

Hi Blue!  :)  Good to see you back. IMO, YMMV and all that.  I personally don’t like the Q&A format.  All the information is there either way.   A well laid out document will allow users to find what they need. People will read it or not in either style.  A very few start reading a newsgroup by looking for the FAQ.  Most read a couple of recent posts and join in, never knowing if there is a FAQ or not. As far as dissenting ideas, I had two sources in mind.  The antimed fanatics are one, you know they’ll have something to say about this. But they aren’t really the ones I had in mind.  I was mainly thinking of sincere posters that would like to have non-meds mentioned. I haven’t heard commentary on the idea of making this a "meds" FAQ rather than just SSRIs.  How many newcomers will even know what an SSRI is and if their med is one? tnx, drr – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <snippage *** I think it should be as most FAQs are, which is a question/answer format, seeing as it’s about "frequently asked questions."  What ‘ya think?  Would it read better if the info below were the made into answers? Anyone? Yup, I think it would read easier if the information is put in a question and answer format.  That would allow people to zero in on any particular concern or question they may have, which might help insure that the FAQ actually gets read. One thing that Dan suggested was giving counter info, of sorts. I thought about that, and that would lead to Breggin, at the very worst. Breggin has his web sites, and the anti-benzo squad has their FAQ for their mailing list. Hmmm….. gonna have to think about that one for awhile (and re-read the existing FAQ). Good start, yes?  I think it can become a real FAQ in a short time. Yes, it’s a good start.  Only time will tell whether it will actually serve its intended purpose, but how to know without trying? Best Wishes === Blue — Remove mypants to email me

– The second nicest guy on the internet Need the ASAP Mini-FAQ? A copy is at www.drrhodes.org

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –        Mark Brown tries to say… Think of it more as a reply, rather than a FAQ document for searching, and you might see what I feel the aim is. Is that not like telling people to read the F.Manal, just like some PC groups do.??? — Mark Brown I suppose the above comment can stand all by itself as your most helpful contribution to the FAQ on SSRIs.  A vast crevice of information, as always. — Sloopy:)

No. I don’t have the knowledge to contribute to the F.A.Q. WHAT I meant nothing beats discussion on individual topics. A  greater number of people would rather ask a question and have it answered rather than read lots , and lots of information e.g.. newbies, who don’t understand the basic concept of the various ways to deal with their condition Basically all I am saying is that the person or persons who write technical type things tend to write them from their  own knowledge or perspective, and newbies can easily get lost in techno-babble. I know that this does not add anything of a constructive nature. Y.M.M.V. naturally. — Mark Brown

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Sloopy wrote….. Begin there, or you "will" get Soy for Halloween!

I began…..so I expect tons of chocolates before the 31st   Jackie Celexa ( Citalopram ) Recommended starting dose is 5mgs. Increase dose in 5mg increments once a week. Therapeutic range varies between 20 to 40 mgs, although some may do well on 10mgs and others may need 60mgs. Luvox ( Fluvoxamine ) Recommended starting dose is 12.5 to 25mgs. If sensitive to medication, the starting dose of 12.5 mgs is probably best. Increase dose in 12.5 or 25mg increments once a week. Therapeutic range varies between 100-300 mgs. Paxil ( Paroxetine) Recommended starting dose is 5mgs, for people sensitive to medication, it might be better to start at 2.5mgs. Paxil is available in liquid form to make taking very small doses easier. Increase dose in 2.5 or 5mgs increments once a week. Therapeutic range varies between 10-60mgs. Prozac ( Fluoxetine ) Recommended starting dose is 5mgs, for people sensitive to medication, it might be better to start at 2.5mgs. Prozac is available in liquid form to make taking very small doses easier. Increase dose in 2.5 or 5mg increments once a week. Therapeutic range varies between 10-60mgs. Zoloft (Sertraline ) Recommended starting dose is 25mgs, for people sensitive to medication, it might be better to start at 12.5mgs. Increase dose in 12.5 or 25mg increments once a week. Therapeutic range varies between 100-200 mgs, although some may do well on 50mgs and others may need 250mgs. *It is suggested that you increase your dose once a week….however,  you can wean even slower if you feel that is best. This is not a race, sometimes going slower is much better. General Info about SSRI`s It usually takes up to 6-8 weeks for an SSRI antidepressant to really kick in. Some people have reported that their SSRI`s started to work as early as 2 weeks, but don`t get nervous if this doesn`t happen to you. Patience is important when weaning on antidepressants. Common SSRI side-effects which you may or may not experience, are… nausea, diarrhea, increased anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, sleepiness, headache, tremors, dry mouth, weight gain and sexual dysfunction. They are normal, common and usually diminish with time, although some side-effects can be chronic. Any side-effect that is particularly bothersome should be discussed with your doctor. If nausea is a side-effect, take your medication with food, it can help decrease the stomach irritation SSRI`s can cause and that might decrease the nausea. Having trouble sleeping since starting your SSRI? If you are taking your antidepressant in the PM, a switch to the AM might help. Are you battling daytime fatigue since you started your SSRI? If you are taking your antidepressant in the AM, a switch to PM might help. Somtimes you have to experiment with the times you take your SSRI, there is no right or wrong time to take your med, it is what works best for you. Taking a benzodiazepine such as Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, or Valium during the weaning on process can minimize the side-effects. It is a common practice to prescribe a benzodiazepine for people weaning on antidepressants. Benzodiazepines can also help when weaning off SSRI`s and are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. It is very important to never stop your SSRI AD cold turkey or you could experience withdrawal symptoms. Paxil is the most likely out of all the SSRI`s to cause withdrawal symptoms, and Prozac is the least likely.  If and when the time comes to stop taking your antidepressant, make sure it is done under the supervision of your doctor. A slow wean, decreasing your dose in small increments is the best way to go.  Even if you wean off your antidepressant slowly, there is still a chance you can experience "SSRI Discontinuation Syndrome", which basically means withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms are dizziness, electric shock feelings, headaches, increased anxiety, irritability, insomnia, and nausea. These withdrawal symptoms are not dangerous, they will disappear with time. Make sure to inform your doctor if you are experiencing any withdrawal symptoms. Acting like a witch…..Eating 14 chocolate bars…..this isn`t a holiday for

Response:

<snippage *** I think it should be as most FAQs are, which is a question/answer format, seeing as it’s about "frequently asked questions."  What ‘ya think?  Would it read better if the info below were the made into answers? Anyone?

Yup, I think it would read easier if the information is put in a question and answer format.  That would allow people to zero in on any particular concern or question they may have, which might help insure that the FAQ actually gets read. One thing that Dan suggested was giving counter info, of sorts. I thought about that, and that would lead to Breggin, at the very worst. Breggin has his web sites, and the anti-benzo squad has their FAQ for their mailing list.

Hmmm….. gonna have to think about that one for awhile (and re-read the existing FAQ). Good start, yes?  I think it can become a real FAQ in a short time.

Yes, it’s a good start.  Only time will tell whether it will actually serve its intended purpose, but how to know without trying? Best Wishes === Blue — Remove mypants to email me

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d like to suggest that a FAQ on SSRIs be created. It can be used in the weekly FAQ if need be, but more to the point would be a single reply to those who are just starting SSRIs, and want to know the ins and outs, including the positives as well as the negatives (or things to be avoided, or some to "possibly" be expected with the YMMV caveat). *Paxil is more sedating than Prozac, for example. *Starting doses for each of the SSRIs, and the best way to ramp up, and in what increments, and over how long a period of time. *Withdrawal syndrome and half-lives of each (and what that means) *Cross over in switching from one to another *How one may be right, but others may not, for the given individual *What meds shouldn’t be mixed with SSRIs, and the fact that Luvox changes the metabolism of alprozolam, to in effect, double the alprazolam dose. *Don’t mix with an MAOI inhibitor *Don’t mix with herbs unless checked with the doctor or pharmacist. *What about mixing SSRIs and alcohol? *What about sexual dysfunction, if it occurs?   etc., etc., etc…. Hmmm.. there’s a very skinny "basic" start.  Open forum as not a *professional* FAQ, but an ASAP FAQ, based on facts known, and experiences. Once completed, if this could be put on someone’s web site, where there’s space, all the better. No big deal there… I’m sure one of us would be willing to fork over some space. I have lots of spaces but I’m not sure if the URL of www.cobol-death.f2s.com would be great for an SSRI site do you??;-) I’d think this would be a good document, that can evolve with new data, as needed, but mainly used as an informative *tool*. — Sloopy:)   < suggestions? – thoughts? Sounds like a good idea. It would be very good for new people to read up on SSRI’s and not have to deal with some inconsistent information. I would like to see what the others think. I for one would vote yes. Jeff…

I take it , Jeff, when you mention Slopy you are having a joke with us. PLEASE-)))) — Mark Brown

Response:

I’d like to suggest that a FAQ on SSRIs be created.

Excellent idea.  Since no one (hopefully) will have experience will all the SSRI’s, there needs to be a way to compile book data with experience. < suggestions? – thoughts?

Seems like an offline task to compile.  Need some volunteers.  I would be willing. Gwen

Response:

I’d like to suggest that a FAQ on SSRIs be created. snip Sounds like a great idea to me

Anything would be a  good idea to you..!! — Mark Brown

Response:

Well, here are my thoughts on this subject. 1.     We need a coordinator to grease wheels       and keep out the lint.  I nominate Sloopy.  :)       But I do have the time and interest myself.

No wonder the smiley after sloop’s name -(( – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -2.     I think we should create a med FAQ with SSRIs       as one major topic.  TCAs, benzodiazepines       and misc could be others.  This would be subject       to length requirements.  1000 lines is probably a       good maximum for one FAQ. 3.     Discussing the contents on ASAP has merit, but       this might not be the appropriate place.  Certainly       the progress and calls for comments should be       on ASAP. 4      Most of the information in this FAQ will be anecdotal       in nature.  It should be clear that that this is the case       with references to official and not so official       information. 5.     A decision should be made early on about how to       handle dissenting ideas.  Especially controversial       ones.  At first glance, I think that providing a section       about dissenting ideas with links provided by the       dissenters is sufficient. 6.     The final [sic] version should be regularly posted       at ASAP and with the news.answers system.  I can       help whoever does the final posting with this process. tnx, drr        "Gwenivere" says… Excellent idea.  Since no one (hopefully) will have experience will all the SSRI’s, there needs to be a way to compile book data with experience. < suggestions? – thoughts? Seems like an offline task to compile. Yak!  I’m hoping it can be worked on right here…. but…. Need some volunteers.  I would be willing. If it becomes something that doesn’t pan out in the open forum, then yup! A few of us can get together, put the collective knowledge <burp to keyboard, and then "present" what’s been compiled.  I’d like Ian’s input included (he’s not readily available right now) – although it might not be a FAQ but rather a novel;) Of course, there are several here, too many to mention by name, who I’d like to see jump in here and add bits and pieces, to lay down the groundwork – if not the basis for the FAQ, all together. Am I confusing you, Maui?  LOL

Yes — Mark Brown

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Would the FAQ include some of the more commonly used TCAs and Oddball ADs as well? Boyd – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sounds like a great idea.  When are you going to finish it?  :P Seriously, if no one jumps up and wants it, I’ll do it.  My ISP increased my file quota by 30 MB so I think there’s room …. If someone does want to take this on, I can add a summary to one of the other FAQs and a link to where they can get the rest of the info. tnx, drr I’d like to suggest that a FAQ on SSRIs be created. It can be used in the weekly FAQ if need be, but more to the point would be a single reply to those who are just starting SSRIs, and want to know the ins and outs, including the positives as well as the negatives (or things to be avoided, or some to "possibly" be expected with the YMMV caveat). *Paxil is more sedating than Prozac, for example. *Starting doses for each of the SSRIs, and the best way to ramp up, and in what increments, and over how long a period of time. *Withdrawal syndrome and half-lives of each (and what that means) *Cross over in switching from one to another *How one may be right, but others may not, for the given individual *What meds shouldn’t be mixed with SSRIs, and the fact that Luvox changes the metabolism of alprozolam, to in effect, double the alprazolam dose. *Don’t mix with an MAOI inhibitor *Don’t mix with herbs unless checked with the doctor or pharmacist. *What about mixing SSRIs and alcohol? *What about sexual dysfunction, if it occurs?   etc., etc., etc…. Hmmm.. there’s a very skinny "basic" start.  Open forum as not a *professional* FAQ, but an ASAP FAQ, based on facts known, and experiences. Once completed, if this could be put on someone’s web site, where there’s space, all the better. I’d think this would be a good document, that can evolve with new data, as needed, but mainly used as an informative *tool*. — The second nicest guy on the internet Need the ASAP Mini-FAQ? A copy is at www.drrhodes.org

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’d like to suggest that a FAQ on SSRIs be created. It can be used in the weekly FAQ if need be, but more to the point would be a single reply to those who are just starting SSRIs, and want to know the ins and outs, including the positives as well as the negatives (or things to be avoided, or some to "possibly" be expected with the YMMV caveat). *Paxil is more sedating than Prozac, for example. *Starting doses for each of the SSRIs, and the best way to ramp up, and in what increments, and over how long a period of time. *Withdrawal syndrome and half-lives of each (and what that means) *Cross over in switching from one to another *How one may be right, but others may not, for the given individual *What meds shouldn’t be mixed with SSRIs, and the fact that Luvox changes the metabolism of alprozolam, to in effect, double the alprazolam dose. *Don’t mix with an MAOI inhibitor *Don’t mix with herbs unless checked with the doctor or pharmacist. *What about mixing SSRIs and alcohol? *What about sexual dysfunction, if it occurs?   etc., etc., etc…. Hmmm.. there’s a very skinny "basic" start.  Open forum as not a *professional* FAQ, but an ASAP FAQ, based on facts known, and experiences. Once completed, if this could be put on someone’s web site, where there’s space, all the better.

No big deal there… I’m sure one of us would be willing to fork over some space. I have lots of spaces but I’m not sure if the URL of www.cobol-death.f2s.com would be great for an SSRI site do you??;-) I’d think this would be a good document, that can evolve with new data, as needed, but mainly used as an informative *tool*. — Sloopy:)   < suggestions? – thoughts?

Sounds like a good idea. It would be very good for new people to read up on SSRI’s and not have to deal with some inconsistent information. I would like to see what the others think. I for one would vote yes. Jeff…

Response:

I’d like to suggest that a FAQ on SSRIs be created.

This sounds like a good idea to me. -David-

Response:

I’d like to suggest that a FAQ on SSRIs be created.

snip Sounds like a great idea to me — Jon Guite Live support and chat for anxiety and panic disorders daily at #anx/pan For details see http://www.skcldv.demon.co.uk/anxpanw.htm

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Sloopy wrote…… I’d like to suggest that a FAQ on SSRIs be created.

Cool!! Go for it Jackie Acting like a witch…..Eating 14 chocolate bars…..this isn`t a holiday for

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sloopy wrote…… I’d like to suggest that a FAQ on SSRIs be created. Cool!! Go for it LOL! Well, I was hoping, that the collective experiences and wisdom here on ASAP would use this thread to *create* the FAQ.  Add some, delete some, and come up with a final draft – that most agree to. I began with a draft of some basics, that need to be expounded on. Begin there, or you "will" get Soy for Halloween! — Sloopy:)

I don’t have much experience of SSRI’s, except that Prozac had me climbing the walls, but I’d be glad to help in any other way I can. — Jon Guite Live support and chat for anxiety and panic disorders daily at #anx/pan For details see http://www.skcldv.demon.co.uk/anxpanw.htm

Response:

Question:

Justin,     Depression is a bummer, in and of itself. Have you asked your doc to check other things out? I have a thyroid problem and one of the things that surfaces with it is depression and a tendency to sleep 14 hours a day ( really ), skin problems, other health problems can accompany it. Most docs blow us off because, as men, we are in the minority with this, and so they seldom screen for it. Having checked a few things back for about 20 years or more, it is highly probable I’ve had for some time. A couple of simple blood tests and you’ll have a good idea if it is or isn’t, but it is not normal to be depressed and it would be one less worry. It could be something so simple but life changing as this that it would be prudent to discuss it with your doc.     A good place to ask for more question on this might be Alt.Support.Thyroid , as they are good, gentle folks with a lot of answers pertaining to what you’ve described, and it is quite possible to have a life changing event cause a temporary health issue. If that isn’t the case, feel free to vent, rant, or rave here. We’ll listen.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This post is not divorce, but I do need help. I have posted at other ng some have been helpful others have not. I’m looking for advice, I will be preprared to take it. Which can be hard for me. I have posted here before. My name is Justin, I’m 22/m I feel like my life is a real mess, I don’t know how to get out of this rut. Most days I rather be dead then go on. I don’t feel like I will neber ever, ever get better It starts here. Im upset because I feel like I  disappointed my parents at many levels. After graduating high school in 98′ I went off to the University Of Toledo. I stayed 5 days. I left because I was paranoid about some stuff from high school, which I rather not mention. Upon coming home I worked several jobs. I didn’t stay at many because I was too paranoid. I eventually became house bound. The only time I left was to see my doctor. Its almost like my mom hated my mom for not understanding my problems. I wasn’t a perfect kid, but most of my problems stemed from this issue. I finally moved in with my father. I did get better. I started doing the phones at his office and became confident. But living with my father was hell. He made me ill and I became aneroxic at some level. I’m about 5′11" I dropped down to 135Ib. Eventually I moved out. I couldn’t  stand the asshole. I did it overnight without hi knowing (If you ask my father he will tell you what a rotten kid I was) I then moved into an apartment. In a good neighborhood. But even in good areas there are some real nuts. The lady who lived across from me was a cocaine addict. She even proposition me for sex in the middle of the night. I didn’t touch the skank. Eventually, I moved out of that apartment and one across the street. I then met up with this dude, while working at the movie theatre. That was a bad sitution. He never took showers. He left meatloaf out for weeks, he had cereal all over the floor in his room. The list goes on and on. The apartment managers let me break my lease. I now live by myself(boy, im glad I don’t live with anyone) Then 7 months ago. I was so depressed I hooked up with some guy I met on the net. I regret doing this, one because Im not gay. But I was so unhappy. I would do anything to relieve stress. Lately, I look at porn on the net because Im miserable. Then last week I got fired from my job at Nordstroms as a dishwasher.. I was only there for about 5 weeks. So it wasn’t a big deal. The reason is I don’t know how  to do washes. I also put the trash in the wrong place a few times. I know this was my fault. I got a little lazy. The last day I was there this dude got in my face and was yelling at me about how I don’t know how to do dishes. He put his finger in my face. I dont look weak now. I now weigh abou 170 5′11" medium build. Im pissed another dude got in my face. I told my grandfather what happened he said i "fucked up" and on the wrong track in life. Today, its 5:30 am. I feel like shit. I’m thinking about cutting school. I sleep like 14 hrs a day. Im so depressed, and even a little suicidal. I have bad obsessions. I’m always concerned with my looks. I always think Im ugly, but I’m not I’m actually good looking. I stand in the mirrors for awhile picking at whats wrong with my face, and how i could correct it. I’m seething about some other things. I was talking to this kid I know from one of the ng. I told him how sometimes I read posts with advice and I get upset. He told me im too emotional, and then he said im as emotional as a woman. After he said that I started insulting him like crazy. I usually feel bad when Im brutally mean to people this time, I wasn’t. I could barley sleep last  night because of this comment. I don’t feel like I will get over this comment. Boy, am I angry. Then last night I read a helpful post on here. Anyway, I took it the wrong way and got upset. I was then obsessing about it all last night and still am. The comment was just how relationships are 50/50 nothing bad. Well, I then started to worry that Im just a totaly self-absorbed dude. Which Im not, except when it comes to my problems.  I see myself being absorbed in them. After I read that post I was got all paranoid that when Im not absorbed in my own problems Im not interested in others. I dont want people to see me like this, so now im very worried. So I traced back to all the people I talk to at school and wondered if I seemed interested in them. And I did. But now I fear that I will worry if  I seem interested in people and watch everything I say, and maybe say things just so I seem interested. Maybe ask them questions that I might not normally do. I once did this before and I felt fake. I rather be mother fucking dead then to have this obsession return and thats what its fucking doing. To some this may seem like nothing to me this is a huge deal. I rather stay home then bare this worry. What’s funny is people do REALLY like me. People ask me where the parties are, boy if they only knew how horrible my life is. I once took a survery at the mall while I had some extra time. The kid doing the survey was in high school. He said I bet your a frat boy. Its funny because I see myself as an ugly, loser fuck. Will I get better? I have been going through hell for the last 5 years I see a doc, take meds, do everything. nothin works Justin

Response:

 But now I fear that I will worry if  I seem interested in people and watch everything I say, and maybe say things just so I seem interested. Maybe ask them questions that I might not normally do. I once did this before and I felt fake. I rather be mother fucking dead then to have this obsession return and thats what its fucking doing. To some this may seem like nothing to me this is a huge deal. I rather stay home then bare this worry.

Ask your doc if you can get into some sort of support group for obsessives.   I think obsessions can be an offshoot from anxiety disorders, and are not exactly the same as depression.  But ask a pro, i really don’t know.  I do know from experience that medications made obsessions worse for me.  I still deal with them but they’re more under control, and even channeled into positive things sometimes…  I wonder if your past anorexia is related to that, also?  I was told it was all related.  Congrats on getting past that part, that’s a big step that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Good luck.  

Response:

Justin, I am sorry you are feeling so depressed and going through sucha horrible time of it. But As you say this is a divorce support group and I don;t know how much good posting here will do, have you tried posting on the Alt. Support Depressed or depression NG? Have you tired talking to people, to friends to the doctor even?

Response:

This post is not divorce, but I do need help. I have posted at other ng some have been helpful others have not. I’m looking for advice, I will be preprared to take it. Which can be hard for me. I have posted here before. My name is Justin, I’m 22/m Will I get better? I have been going through hell for the last 5 years SNIP, SNIP, SNIP I see a doc, take meds, do everything. nothin works Justin

Will you get better?  Sure you will!  It’s obvious to me that you are TOO HARD ON YOURSELF.  When I was 22 years old I felt the same way…which is pitiful because very few people have found themselves at such an early age…meanwhile a lot of your friends have graduated from college and look like they had all the self-direction in the world.  Don’t believe it. You need to send a cheap little greeting card to your parents every now and then.  Falling out of contact is not very good psychology….even if you’re at a place in life when you don’t like them and think their values stink. I’m going to sing a song… listen to the words… DESYREL, LITHIUM, ZOLOFT, XANAX, LORAZAPAM, NORTRIPTOLEAN, PROZAC and PAXIL. It took over seven years of trial and error to get the right medication before life began to be bearable.   You want advice?  Contruct a diary of your moods and chart the highs and lows.  Write a lil’ story about your past history of abuse and addiction. 2. Go back to your medical doctor and tell him you want to visit a psychiatrist.  He’ll give you a medical referral 3.   A good psychiatrist will ask you 50-100 questions…in rapid fire… He’ll then construct a baseline on where you are right now verses where you ought to be.  4) You’ll have routine visits with him– adjusting medication. PS You know you’re not a loser…just take better care of yourself.

Response:

This post is not divorce, but I do need help. I have posted at other ng some have been helpful others have not. I’m looking for advice, I will be preprared to take it. Which can be hard for me. I have posted here before. My name is Justin, I’m 22/m I feel like my life is a real mess, I don’t know how to get out of this rut. Most days I rather be dead then go on. I don’t feel like I will neber ever, ever get better It starts here. Im upset because I feel like I  disappointed my parents at many levels. After graduating high school in 98′ I went off to the University Of Toledo. I stayed 5 days. I left because I was paranoid about some stuff from high school, which I rather not mention. Upon coming home I worked several jobs. I didn’t stay at many because I was too paranoid. I eventually became house bound. The only time I left was to see my doctor. Its almost like my mom hated my mom for not understanding my problems. I wasn’t a perfect kid, but most of my problems stemed from this issue. I finally moved in with my father. I did get better. I started doing the phones at his office and became confident. But living with my father was hell. He made me ill and I became aneroxic at some level. I’m about 5′11" I dropped down to 135Ib. Eventually I moved out. I couldn’t  stand the asshole. I did it overnight without hi knowing (If you ask my father he will tell you what a rotten kid I was) I then moved into an apartment. In a good neighborhood. But even in good areas there are some real nuts. The lady who lived across from me was a cocaine addict. She even proposition me for sex in the middle of the night. I didn’t touch the skank. Eventually, I moved out of that apartment and one across the street. I then met up with this dude, while working at the movie theatre. That was a bad sitution. He never took showers. He left meatloaf out for weeks, he had cereal all over the floor in his room. The list goes on and on. The apartment managers let me break my lease. I now live by myself(boy, im glad I don’t live with anyone) Then 7 months ago. I was so depressed I hooked up with some guy I met on the net. I regret doing this, one because Im not gay. But I was so unhappy. I would do anything to relieve stress. Lately, I look at porn on the net because Im miserable. Then last week I got fired from my job at Nordstroms as a dishwasher.. I was only there for about 5 weeks. So it wasn’t a big deal. The reason is I don’t know how  to do washes. I also put the trash in the wrong place a few times. I know this was my fault. I got a little lazy. The last day I was there this dude got in my face and was yelling at me about how I don’t know how to do dishes. He put his finger in my face. I dont look weak now. I now weigh abou 170 5′11" medium build. Im pissed another dude got in my face. I told my grandfather what happened he said i "fucked up" and on the wrong track in life. Today, its 5:30 am. I feel like shit. I’m thinking about cutting school. I sleep like 14 hrs a day. Im so depressed, and even a little suicidal. I have bad obsessions. I’m always concerned with my looks. I always think Im ugly, but I’m not I’m actually good looking. I stand in the mirrors for awhile picking at whats wrong with my face, and how i could correct it. I’m seething about some other things. I was talking to this kid I know from one of the ng. I told him how sometimes I read posts with advice and I get upset. He told me im too emotional, and then he said im as emotional as a woman. After he said that I started insulting him like crazy. I usually feel bad when Im brutally mean to people this time, I wasn’t. I could barley sleep last  night because of this comment. I don’t feel like I will get over this comment. Boy, am I angry. Then last night I read a helpful post on here. Anyway, I took it the wrong way and got upset. I was then obsessing about it all last night and still am. The comment was just how relationships are 50/50 nothing bad. Well, I then started to worry that Im just a totaly self-absorbed dude. Which Im not, except when it comes to my problems.  I see myself being absorbed in them. After I read that post I was got all paranoid that when Im not absorbed in my own problems Im not interested in others. I dont want people to see me like this, so now im very worried. So I traced back to all the people I talk to at school and wondered if I seemed interested in them. And I did. But now I fear that I will worry if  I seem interested in people and watch everything I say, and maybe say things just so I seem interested. Maybe ask them questions that I might not normally do. I once did this before and I felt fake. I rather be mother fucking dead then to have this obsession return and thats what its fucking doing. To some this may seem like nothing to me this is a huge deal. I rather stay home then bare this worry. What’s funny is people do REALLY like me. People ask me where the parties are, boy if they only knew how horrible my life is. I once took a survery at the mall while I had some extra time. The kid doing the survey was in high school. He said I bet your a frat boy. Its funny because I see myself as an ugly, loser fuck. Will I get better? I have been going through hell for the last 5 years I see a doc, take meds, do everything. nothin works Justin

Response:

Question:

I have been taking seroxat/paxil for some years now, but it seems to have stopped working, and anyway it messes up my sexual response. I did try Prozac for a short while but it made me manic and insomniac.  Any recommendations would be welcome.

I used seroxat for mere months and besides the sexual sideeffects I also suffered from insomnia. Even so much that Dalmadorm 30 mg did not help. It gave me a shallow restless and short sleep of perhaps 3 to 4 hours. Perhaps prozac would work better for me.

Response:

The best person to ask, obviously, would be your doctor or your psychiatrist. Personally, I was on Paxil for 4 years (if I remember correctly) and then suddenly got very depressed at the beginning of this year. Unfortunatly antidepressants can "poop out" on some people, which is what happened to me, and likely you. My shrink switched me to Zoloft (sertraline) because it is helpful for anxiety as well as depression, like Paxil. I’ve never had sexual problems on either drug so I’m not sure if Zoloft is as bad as Paxil for that, but I’d definitely mention the sexual side-effects when you see your doc. Good luck! Tara – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been taking seroxat/paxil for some years now, but it seems to have stopped working, and anyway it messes up my sexual response. I did try Prozac for a short while but it made me manic and insomniac. Any recommendations would be welcome.

Response:

I have been taking seroxat/paxil for some years now, but it seems to have stopped working, and anyway it messes up my sexual response. I did try Prozac for a short while but it made me manic and insomniac.  Any recommendations would be welcome.

Response:

Question:

Hi Tom, I am a wine-maker and get a lot of pleasure from making and drinking my own wine. Most medications (as far as I have seen), tell you to avoid alcohol (there, that’s my disclaimer <G) but I truly do enjoy a good glass of red 3/4 times a week. Several times I have even had (gasp!) 2 glasses of wine, but I draw the line there. What I have found is that I have no tolerance for alcohol -I either feel very sleepy or get quite giddy. I have not felt any after-effects the next day. My doctor is fully aware of my hobby.

I think most doctors automatically tell you not to drink, or very little, whether you’re on medication or not.  But, for me too, when I’m on a benzo, alcohol has an increased effect, and a lot less of it goes a lot farther than I want.  A lot of us self-medicate with alcohol as it is a CNS depressant sort of like benzo’s with a much shorter half-life and more dangerous side-effects. Listen to your body and you can probably tell is you can handle a little alcohol with the drugs or not.  (Unless you are a substance abuser, that is.) Gordon Held

Response:

That seems to be the case. Too bad meds ALL have to say this. I had to take an antibiotic once with the same warning – but there it DID matter. WOW! Talk about am upset stomach! Yikes! So… a beer or two is cool. A good glass of cabernet even better! Cheers… Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Tom, I am a wine-maker and get a lot of pleasure from making and drinking my own wine. Most medications (as far as I have seen), tell you to avoid alcohol (there, that’s my disclaimer <G) but I truly do enjoy a good glass of red 3/4 times a week. Several times I have even had (gasp!) 2 glasses of wine, but I draw the line there. What I have found is that I have no tolerance for alcohol -I either feel very sleepy or get quite giddy. I have not felt any after-effects the next day. My doctor is fully aware of my hobby. The times that I do not drink at all are the periods when my anxiety is extremely high and I am either levelling up on a medication or trying a new one or if the depression is very bad. Then I wait for a few months until I feel "balanced" again. BTW, I take a TCA daily and an occasional benzo when needed. If you are concerned about damage to your body, you could have your doctor do a liver function test. Cheers! Charley So… I want to understand… Does taking Buspar or Xanax, etc. forever disallow you from enjoying a beer or two with friends -something that has REALLY lifted my spirits in the past. I’ve battled this question myself several times and usually have the beer or wine, not to excess. But I WOULD like to know if it is TRULY harmful, in this VERY moderate way? Doctors will, of course, say no alcohol. Pharmacy, same thing. I understand. They have to cover their ass and the combination probably is not good (chemically speaking) but alcohol never is good for you anyway. Addictive people should NEVER cross the two! To that I agree. But, once you take some of the "fairly" harmless fun out of your life, your anxiety can go though the roof! I KNOW! Exercise is great. I do it myself regularly when I can. BUT… giving up those few beers with my friends FOREVER seems harsh! I drank twice (half bottle of wine once and a few beers another time) while on Buspar (5 mg/twice day) and Xanax (1 mg 2-3 times a day). All I noticed is I had a good time, might have slept TOO well, and maybe a little more groggy getting up. So what! Took a shower and went back to my daily, fairly healthy grind! Probably a week or two later I may have done the same thing. I have a high tolerance to drugs (Found out the hard way after an appendectomy!). That’s just "my" body chemistry. Just curious if I’m crazy or not? Please no preachy non alcohol speeches. I’d just like to know what the REAL danger here is. Maybe we should all just go to http://www.beer.com and send each other a "virtual" beer! It’s really there! Someone else can start that tradition. Any takers? Tom …do not mix very well. i went a little nuts lastnight and drank a couple quarts of beer, felt fine til i woke up this morning, now i’m wondering if i have done long lasting damage to my body!!!!! uggggh. 15mg 2x a day and 3 quarts of pabst, you think i will live? needless to say i’m not doing that again. "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So… I want to understand… Does taking Buspar or Xanax, etc. forever disallow you from enjoying a beer or two with friends -something that has REALLY lifted my spirits in the past. I’ve battled this question myself several times and usually have the beer or wine, not to excess. But I WOULD like to know if it is TRULY harmful, in this VERY moderate way? Doctors will, of course, say no alcohol. Pharmacy, same thing. I understand. They have to cover their ass and the combination probably is not good (chemically speaking) but alcohol never is good for you anyway. Addictive people should NEVER cross the two! To that I agree. But, once you take some of the "fairly" harmless fun out of your life, your anxiety can go though the roof! I KNOW! Exercise is great. I do it myself regularly when I can. BUT… giving up those few beers with my friends FOREVER seems harsh! I drank twice (half bottle of wine once and a few beers another time) while on Buspar (5 mg/twice day) and Xanax (1 mg 2-3 times a day). All I noticed is I had a good time, might have slept TOO well, and maybe a little more groggy getting up. So what! Took a shower and went back to my daily, fairly healthy grind! Probably a week or two later I may have done the same thing. I have a high tolerance to drugs (Found out the hard way after an appendectomy!). That’s just "my" body chemistry. Just curious if I’m crazy or not? Please no preachy non alcohol speeches. I’d just like to know what the REAL danger here is. Tom

If you react well to it there should be no problem in moderate drinking, although it’s better not to do it on a daily basis. I often drink a few glasses of wine myself and have done so on 375 different meds and I’m still around with the ol’ liver still intact. *Moderation* is the keyword here though. Interaction with benzos: alcohol and benzos both are CNS depressants which means that they may enhance each other’s effects: in other words, you may get drunk sooner or be more sedated than others. Hangovers may consist of PA’s. I’m not familiar with the exact interaction with Buspar but I do know that except with MAOI’s, AD’s can be taken while drinking a few glasses of wine/beer. My pdoc doesn’t mind me drinking as he knows I’m not going to be a alcoholic. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …do not mix very well. i went a little nuts lastnight and drank a couple quarts of beer, felt fine til i woke up this morning, now i’m wondering if i have done long lasting damage to my body!!!!! uggggh. 15mg 2x a day and 3 quarts of pabst, you think i will live? needless to say i’m not doing that again. "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

Response:

So… I want to understand… Does taking Buspar or Xanax, etc. forever disallow you from enjoying a beer or two with friends -something that has REALLY lifted my spirits in the past. I’ve battled this question myself several times and usually have the beer or wine, not to excess. But I WOULD like to know if it is TRULY harmful, in this VERY moderate way? Doctors will, of course, say no alcohol. Pharmacy, same thing. I understand. They have to cover their ass and the combination probably is not good (chemically speaking) but alcohol never is good for you anyway. Addictive people should NEVER cross the two! To that I agree. But, once you take some of the "fairly" harmless fun out of your life, your anxiety can go though the roof! I KNOW! Exercise is great. I do it myself regularly when I can. BUT… giving up those few beers with my friends FOREVER seems harsh! I drank twice (half bottle of wine once and a few beers another time) while on Buspar (5 mg/twice day) and Xanax (1 mg 2-3 times a day). All I noticed is I had a good time, might have slept TOO well, and maybe a little more groggy getting up. So what! Took a shower and went back to my daily, fairly healthy grind! Probably a week or two later I may have done the same thing. I have a high tolerance to drugs (Found out the hard way after an appendectomy!). That’s just "my" body chemistry. Just curious if I’m crazy or not? Please no preachy non alcohol speeches. I’d just like to know what the REAL danger here is. Maybe we should all just go to http://www.beer.com and send each other a "virtual" beer! It’s really there! Someone else can start that tradition. Any takers? Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …do not mix very well. i went a little nuts lastnight and drank a couple quarts of beer, felt fine til i woke up this morning, now i’m wondering if i have done long lasting damage to my body!!!!! uggggh. 15mg 2x a day and 3 quarts of pabst, you think i will live? needless to say i’m not doing that again. "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

Response:

Well, I’ve tried this a couple of times (I am on Xanax and Zoloft), and all that ever seemed to happen is that I had a hangover seemingly no matter what – sometimes even from 1 beer!  Not kidding…That’s all it ever was like though…I’m not taking a ton of Xanax, though, so I don’t know… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So… I want to understand… Does taking Buspar or Xanax, etc. forever disallow you from enjoying a beer or two with friends -something that has REALLY lifted my spirits in the past. I’ve battled this question myself several times and usually have the beer or wine, not to excess. But I WOULD like to know if it is TRULY harmful, in this VERY moderate way? Doctors will, of course, say no alcohol. Pharmacy, same thing. I understand. They have to cover their ass and the combination probably is not good (chemically speaking) but alcohol never is good for you anyway. Addictive people should NEVER cross the two! To that I agree. But, once you take some of the "fairly" harmless fun out of your life, your anxiety can go though the roof! I KNOW! Exercise is great. I do it myself regularly when I can. BUT… giving up those few beers with my friends FOREVER seems harsh! I drank twice (half bottle of wine once and a few beers another time) while on Buspar (5 mg/twice day) and Xanax (1 mg 2-3 times a day). All I noticed is I had a good time, might have slept TOO well, and maybe a little more groggy getting up. So what! Took a shower and went back to my daily, fairly healthy grind! Probably a week or two later I may have done the same thing. I have a high tolerance to drugs (Found out the hard way after an appendectomy!). That’s just "my" body chemistry. Just curious if I’m crazy or not? Please no preachy non alcohol speeches. I’d just like to know what the REAL danger here is. Maybe we should all just go to http://www.beer.com and send each other a "virtual" beer! It’s really there! Someone else can start that tradition. Any takers? Tom …do not mix very well. i went a little nuts lastnight and drank a couple quarts of beer, felt fine til i woke up this morning, now i’m wondering if i have done long lasting damage to my body!!!!! uggggh. 15mg 2x a day and 3 quarts of pabst, you think i will live? needless to say i’m not doing that again. "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

– Charles Phipps

Response:

…do not mix very well. i went a little nuts lastnight and drank a couple quarts of beer, felt fine til i woke up this morning, now i’m wondering if i have done long lasting damage to my body!!!!! uggggh. 15mg 2x a day and 3 quarts of pabst, you think i will live? needless to say i’m not doing that again. "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

Response:

I had a REAL BAD experience when I was a drinker and took Buspar.  The two do not mix together well at all.  I personally don’t approve of drinking while taking meds…end of story.  But for those who do I say this…..Buspar and alcohol ARE dangerous.  Be careful.  You have to stop and ask yourself is drinking more important or is my health more important. Yes….alcohol causes health problems.  I only wish the best for you. Xanman – Former Drunk, Junkie, Pill poppin’, Dope smokin’, Idiot! — A little insanity in an sane wolf. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …do not mix very well. i went a little nuts lastnight and drank a couple quarts of beer, felt fine til i woke up this morning, now i’m wondering if i have done long lasting damage to my body!!!!! uggggh. 15mg 2x a day and 3 quarts of pabst, you think i will live? needless to say i’m not doing that again. "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

Response:

well DAMN, boy! i think the three quarts of pabst would do you in the next morning even without the buspar! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -….do not mix very well. i went a little nuts lastnight and drank a couple quarts of beer, felt fine til i woke up this morning, now i’m wondering if i have done long lasting damage to my body!!!!! uggggh. 15mg 2x a day and 3 quarts of pabst, you think i will live? needless to say i’m not doing that again. "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

Response:

well DAMN, boy! i think the three quarts of pabst would do you in the next morning even without the buspar!

nah, i’m a professional drinker…… here’s my record for most alcohol consumed in an evening, it’s true i wrote it all down the next day, amazed myself even: 3 12oz cans of pabst 2 long island teas a martini 2 12 oz bottles of miller 1 screw driver 4 16 oz draft beers (unknown brand) 1 big margarita and a quart of pabst before bed and i didn’t even have a hangover, i was at work at 9 am on the dot.  i wouldn’t lie "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

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…do not mix very well. i went a little nuts lastnight and drank a couple quarts of beer, felt fine til i woke up this morning, now i’m wondering if i have done long lasting damage to my body!!!!! uggggh. 15mg 2x a day and 3 quarts of pabst, you think i will live? needless to say i’m not doing that again.

Been doing that lately my self.   Watch – that it can truley mess you up. Do you feel it helps – albeit only temporarily?    What about depression the next day?  Terable? You’re so much better off when you do something physical.  Working out helps.  I guess that would include narly s-x too. Well i wish i could make that claim lately but i’m crossing a sand doon in the middle of the desert..  I know that soon along will come Ms or Mrs right,  food and water!   Maybe then i’ll be able to worry about somebody else’s life 1/2 as much as i do mine.  Maybe i just need two women! Wo wo wo, i thought you were banned.   Don’t know if we should be talking.  Well i think the question now is do you think you learned what ever lesson that it was you should have been learning?   Make people come to you.  Screw them – it’ll happen.! In the mean time hold your head up and by all means just relax. ralph g

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Wew that’s alot.  But try climbing on top your roof and smoking two bowls of green bud on top of it all and then fall off the ladder.  Still feeling that.  I drank a lot more than you did though. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – well DAMN, boy! i think the three quarts of pabst would do you in the next morning even without the buspar! nah, i’m a professional drinker…… here’s my record for most alcohol consumed in an evening, it’s true i wrote it all down the next day, amazed myself even: 3 12oz cans of pabst 2 long island teas a martini 2 12 oz bottles of miller 1 screw driver 4 16 oz draft beers (unknown brand) 1 big margarita and a quart of pabst before bed and i didn’t even have a hangover, i was at work at 9 am on the dot.  i wouldn’t lie "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

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Been doing that lately my self.   Watch – that it can truley mess you up. Do you feel it helps – albeit only temporarily?    What about depression the next day?  Terable?

i felt great while drinking, it was the next morning i had to pay though. i didn’t have one single bit of anxiety during the festivities. no depression the next day, just horrible shakes and headache, and a thought that i had hurt my brain beyond repair. You’re so much better off when you do something physical.  Working out helps. I guess that would include narly s-x too.

working out is a good thing, well, i play soccer, and do a lot of walking, not really "working out" but it is exercise. sex is a bore and does nothing more than make life more complicated. oh well, i’ve sworn it off for now. Well i wish i could make that claim lately but i’m crossing a sand doon in the middle of the desert..  I know that soon along will come Ms or Mrs right, food and water!   Maybe then i’ll be able to worry about somebody else’s life 1/2 as much as i do mine.  Maybe i just need two women! Wo wo wo, i thought you were banned.   Don’t know if we should be talking. Well i think the question now is do you think you learned what ever lesson that it was you should have been learning?   Make people come to you.  Screw them – it’ll happen.!

huh? the banned thing is because i was banned from a club in memphis for talking shite on them on my web page, it’s just an inside joke in a couple other news groups. In the mean time hold your head up and by all means just relax.

sure, that’s what i’m going for. "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

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Was only wondering.   Don’t mix meds and alcohol!   Not good for you and in most cases it’s antagonistic in it’s effects.  I RARELY even mix a little g.bud with it.  Come down and by all means don’t add to the problem! I never have any anxiety while drinking but i never need help with that, med wise. I don’t even like mixing analgisics with my hang over!   You bought it you pay for it.   PAY AS YOU GO!  Leave your chemistry alone And sex is a bore?   What?   <biting toung to keep from commenting See ya, gotta go now.   Sex a bore?   It’s always a bore if you’re lucky! Thanks for the explain- on the banned thing.  Avoided that as much as possible. Was there something you wanted to add? Talking s–t on yo web page?  Not cooo if you ask me.  I knew there was an alterior motive to your madness Later! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Been doing that lately my self.   Watch – that it can truley mess you up. Do you feel it helps – albeit only temporarily?    What about depression the next day?  Terable? i felt great while drinking, it was the next morning i had to pay though. i didn’t have one single bit of anxiety during the festivities. no depression the next day, just horrible shakes and headache, and a thought that i had hurt my brain beyond repair. You’re so much better off when you do something physical.  Working out helps. I guess that would include narly s-x too. working out is a good thing, well, i play soccer, and do a lot of walking, not really "working out" but it is exercise. sex is a bore and does nothing more than make life more complicated. oh well, i’ve sworn it off for now. Well i wish i could make that claim lately but i’m crossing a sand doon in the middle of the desert..  I know that soon along will come Ms or Mrs right, food and water!   Maybe then i’ll be able to worry about somebody else’s life 1/2 as much as i do mine.  Maybe i just need two women! Wo wo wo, i thought you were banned.   Don’t know if we should be talking. Well i think the question now is do you think you learned what ever lesson that it was you should have been learning?   Make people come to you.  Screw them – it’ll happen.! huh? the banned thing is because i was banned from a club in memphis for talking shite on them on my web page, it’s just an inside joke in a couple other news groups. In the mean time hold your head up and by all means just relax. sure, that’s what i’m going for. "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

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Hi Tom, I am a wine-maker and get a lot of pleasure from making and drinking my own wine. Most medications (as far as I have seen), tell you to avoid alcohol (there, that’s my disclaimer <G) but I truly do enjoy a good glass of red 3/4 times a week. Several times I have even had (gasp!) 2 glasses of wine, but I draw the line there. What I have found is that I have no tolerance for alcohol -I either feel very sleepy or get quite giddy. I have not felt any after-effects the next day. My doctor is fully aware of my hobby. The times that I do not drink at all are the periods when my anxiety is extremely high and I am either levelling up on a medication or trying a new one or if the depression is very bad. Then I wait for a few months until I feel "balanced" again. BTW, I take a TCA daily and an occasional benzo when needed. If you are concerned about damage to your body, you could have your doctor do a liver function test. Cheers! Charley

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So… I want to understand… Does taking Buspar or Xanax, etc. forever disallow you from enjoying a beer or two with friends -something that has REALLY lifted my spirits in the past. I’ve battled this question myself several times and usually have the beer or wine, not to excess. But I WOULD like to know if it is TRULY harmful, in this VERY moderate way? Doctors will, of course, say no alcohol. Pharmacy, same thing. I understand. They have to cover their ass and the combination probably is not good (chemically speaking) but alcohol never is good for you anyway. Addictive people should NEVER cross the two! To that I agree. But, once you take some of the "fairly" harmless fun out of your life, your anxiety can go though the roof! I KNOW! Exercise is great. I do it myself regularly when I can. BUT… giving up those few beers with my friends FOREVER seems harsh! I drank twice (half bottle of wine once and a few beers another time) while on Buspar (5 mg/twice day) and Xanax (1 mg 2-3 times a day). All I noticed is I had a good time, might have slept TOO well, and maybe a little more groggy getting up. So what! Took a shower and went back to my daily, fairly healthy grind! Probably a week or two later I may have done the same thing. I have a high tolerance to drugs (Found out the hard way after an appendectomy!). That’s just "my" body chemistry. Just curious if I’m crazy or not? Please no preachy non alcohol speeches. I’d just like to know what the REAL danger here is. Maybe we should all just go to http://www.beer.com and send each other a "virtual" beer! It’s really there! Someone else can start that tradition. Any takers? Tom …do not mix very well. i went a little nuts lastnight and drank a couple quarts of beer, felt fine til i woke up this morning, now i’m wondering if i have done long lasting damage to my body!!!!! uggggh. 15mg 2x a day and 3 quarts of pabst, you think i will live? needless to say i’m not doing that again. "Remember, when someone annoys you that it takes 42 muscles to frown, but it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and whack them in the head." http://members.aol.com/unfun26/enter.htm

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