Question:

Jeff, Sorry to respond so late.  Of course I remember.  I have also been following your ordel.  I’m sorry to hear it, my friend.  You do know, of course, that plaquenil is ototoxic.  I hope that it isn’t bothering your ears too much. Good to hear from you again. Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the X’s from my email address: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – hi mike.  u remember me from a few years ago?  sorry to hear you are not doing very well.  can i offer immunomodulators maybe?  that seems to work for me.  on mtx and plaquenil.  am holding own. jeffy It’s been a long time….  You folks probably don’t remember me, but I’m back. Been in denail the past few months, but it is definately back–my colitis/proctitis.whatever it is.  They’ve never really figured it out actually.  For awhile, I’d have days of no symptoms, then a day of blood, and nothing again for days.  Right now, it’s become constant.  So, I’m back. Tried all the alternative stuff like fish oil, flaxseed, borage, evening primrose, etc.  The only one that seemed to do anything was bromelain, and it made my heart race, so can’t keep taking it.  Trying to avoid any real meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! I’m allergic to 5ASA and I hate the cortisone suppositories–make me get all fungusy down there.  DAMN!!!  Wish there was some other alternative. I don’t have diarrhea, and go only once a day (sometimes twice), just blood and mucus (sometimes just blood)—otherwise the stools are generally normal. I need to find a doc.  My current doc says, "You’re bleeding, so what?" Obviously, I’m a mild case.  Go only once a day, big deal.  It still hurts, and sucks! Don’t know what more to say.  Hope you kept a space open for me in the club. Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the X’s from my email address:

Response:

What’s molo-cure?

Mike,     Here is the link for Molocure: http://www.molocure.com for more info.   Like I said, I don’t know if it works, but thats all my daughter is on right now along with other multivitamins.  Now, I’m not endorsing MoloCure nor am I suggesting its working.  All I’m saying is that MoloCure is a product we chose to add to my daughters diet as a natural suppliment under the supervision of her GI.  I’m a skeptic and I attribute her well being to the Prednisone regimine she was just on and the removal of Asacol from her list of meds. We are still considering 6mp, but for now MoloCure is all we are using and she’s symptom free.     We are going back to the GI next Friday. Joe

Response:

hi mike.  u remember me from a few years ago?  sorry to hear you are not doing very well.  can i offer immunomodulators maybe?  that seems to work for me.  on mtx and plaquenil.  am holding own. jeffy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s been a long time….  You folks probably don’t remember me, but I’m back. Been in denail the past few months, but it is definately back–my colitis/proctitis.whatever it is.  They’ve never really figured it out actually.  For awhile, I’d have days of no symptoms, then a day of blood, and nothing again for days.  Right now, it’s become constant.  So, I’m back. Tried all the alternative stuff like fish oil, flaxseed, borage, evening primrose, etc.  The only one that seemed to do anything was bromelain, and it made my heart race, so can’t keep taking it.  Trying to avoid any real meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! I’m allergic to 5ASA and I hate the cortisone suppositories–make me get all fungusy down there.  DAMN!!!  Wish there was some other alternative. I don’t have diarrhea, and go only once a day (sometimes twice), just blood and mucus (sometimes just blood)—otherwise the stools are generally normal. I need to find a doc.  My current doc says, "You’re bleeding, so what?" Obviously, I’m a mild case.  Go only once a day, big deal.  It still hurts, and sucks! Don’t know what more to say.  Hope you kept a space open for me in the club. Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the X’s from my email address:

Response:

Hi Jennifer, Regarding prednisone in asthma, I have quite a bit of experience with asthma medications, and it sounds like your asthma is not controlled at times?  I was wondering if you have tried Advair? It contains Flovent and Serevent. Barry

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know this doesn’t pertain to the thread however Joe mentioned Prednisone. Is this a common treatment?  I use prednisone when my asthma flares up and when I’m on that med I can eat all day, to be expected, and have no problems with stools. Jennifer   meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for   IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! Mike,     Since my daughter is asacol-intolerant, I’ve added Molo-Cure to her diet with permission of her GI.  She just came off her Prednisone regime due to what we thought was a flare up, but now think it was the Asacol.   So far she is fine.  I can’t attribute her well being to the Molo-cure since she got better just by stopping the Asacol. Right now she is not taking anything, but we are considering 6mp. Our decision is to wait and see for a while…. Joe

Response:

THANKS to all of you who report problems with the asacol, and the docs refusing to acknowledge it… I flat out refused to take it after problems I was having.  Doc thought I was nuts, but I stuck to my guns. I’m taking Colazal now, which is expensive as hell, but is supposed to be similar to asacol.  No problems, but if it’s keeping the CD in check I have no idea. Robin

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Asacol is evil.  I think so many people have been hurt by it, and yet no doc will ever believe it.  What’s molo-cure? Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the (SPAM_BLOCKER) from my email address:   meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for   IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! Mike,     Since my daughter is asacol-intolerant, I’ve added Molo-Cure to her diet with permission of her GI.  She just came off her Prednisone regime due to what we thought was a flare up, but now think it was the Asacol.   So far she is fine.  I can’t attribute her well being to the Molo-cure since she got better just by stopping the Asacol. Right now she is not taking anything, but we are considering 6mp. Our decision is to wait and see for a while…. Joe

Response:

Hi Mike, You mentioned that you have tried everything, so I was wondering if you tried the Specific Carbohydrate Diet recommended by Elaine G. Gottschall ? It worked for my wife, and my sister, who was quite severe. Here is a link to some information about her books. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/096927680X/qid%3D1057963139/sr… My sister went on the strict version of the diet, and within 2 weeks was back to normal. At the very least you should consider reading the book "Breaking the Viscious Cycle". It is based on solid scientific principles, and it has worked for many people. Barry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s been a long time….  You folks probably don’t remember me, but I’m back. Been in denail the past few months, but it is definately back–my colitis/proctitis.whatever it is.  They’ve never really figured it out actually.  For awhile, I’d have days of no symptoms, then a day of blood, and nothing again for days.  Right now, it’s become constant.  So, I’m back. Tried all the alternative stuff like fish oil, flaxseed, borage, evening primrose, etc.  The only one that seemed to do anything was bromelain, and it made my heart race, so can’t keep taking it.  Trying to avoid any real meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! I’m allergic to 5ASA and I hate the cortisone suppositories–make me get all fungusy down there.  DAMN!!!  Wish there was some other alternative. I don’t have diarrhea, and go only once a day (sometimes twice), just blood and mucus (sometimes just blood)—otherwise the stools are generally normal. I need to find a doc.  My current doc says, "You’re bleeding, so what?" Obviously, I’m a mild case.  Go only once a day, big deal.  It still hurts, and sucks! Don’t know what more to say.  Hope you kept a space open for me in the club. Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the X’s from my email address:

Response:

  meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for   IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy!   Mike,     Since my daughter is asacol-intolerant, I’ve added Molo-Cure to her diet with permission of her GI.  She just came off her Prednisone regime due to what we thought was a flare up, but now think it was the Asacol.   So far she is fine.  I can’t attribute her well being to the Molo-cure since she got better just by stopping the Asacol. Right now she is not taking anything, but we are considering 6mp. Our decision is to wait and see for a while…. Joe

Response:

Asacol is evil.  I think so many people have been hurt by it, and yet no doc will ever believe it.  What’s molo-cure? Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the (SPAM_BLOCKER) from my email address:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for   IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! Mike,     Since my daughter is asacol-intolerant, I’ve added Molo-Cure to her diet with permission of her GI.  She just came off her Prednisone regime due to what we thought was a flare up, but now think it was the Asacol.   So far she is fine.  I can’t attribute her well being to the Molo-cure since she got better just by stopping the Asacol. Right now she is not taking anything, but we are considering 6mp. Our decision is to wait and see for a while…. Joe

Response:

I know this doesn’t pertain to the thread however Joe mentioned Prednisone. Is this a common treatment?  I use prednisone when my asthma flares up and when I’m on that med I can eat all day, to be expected, and have no problems with stools. Jennifer

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –   meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for   IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! Mike,     Since my daughter is asacol-intolerant, I’ve added Molo-Cure to her diet with permission of her GI.  She just came off her Prednisone regime due to what we thought was a flare up, but now think it was the Asacol.   So far she is fine.  I can’t attribute her well being to the Molo-cure since she got better just by stopping the Asacol. Right now she is not taking anything, but we are considering 6mp. Our decision is to wait and see for a while…. Joe

Response:

Mike, Maybe you should try a new doctor if your doctor doesn’t seem to think there is a problem… Seems to me if you are having blood in your stools… That’s not good! Hope you feel better soon! Marlena – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s been a long time….  You folks probably don’t remember me, but I’m back. Been in denail the past few months, but it is definately back–my colitis/proctitis.whatever it is.  They’ve never really figured it out actually.  For awhile, I’d have days of no symptoms, then a day of blood, and nothing again for days.  Right now, it’s become constant.  So, I’m back. Tried all the alternative stuff like fish oil, flaxseed, borage, evening primrose, etc.  The only one that seemed to do anything was bromelain, and it made my heart race, so can’t keep taking it.  Trying to avoid any real meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! I’m allergic to 5ASA and I hate the cortisone suppositories–make me get all fungusy down there.  DAMN!!!  Wish there was some other alternative. I don’t have diarrhea, and go only once a day (sometimes twice), just blood and mucus (sometimes just blood)—otherwise the stools are generally normal. I need to find a doc.  My current doc says, "You’re bleeding, so what?" Obviously, I’m a mild case.  Go only once a day, big deal.  It still hurts, and sucks! Don’t know what more to say.  Hope you kept a space open for me in the club. Thanks, Mike

Response:

It’s been a long time….  You folks probably don’t remember me, but I’m back. Been in denail the past few months, but it is definately back–my colitis/proctitis.whatever it is.  They’ve never really figured it out actually.  For awhile, I’d have days of no symptoms, then a day of blood, and nothing again for days.  Right now, it’s become constant.  So, I’m back. Tried all the alternative stuff like fish oil, flaxseed, borage, evening primrose, etc.  The only one that seemed to do anything was bromelain, and it made my heart race, so can’t keep taking it.  Trying to avoid any real meds, but I think I’m screwed.  Are there supplemetns that are *BAD* for IBD?  Even ginger makes me bleed more!  Crazy! I’m allergic to 5ASA and I hate the cortisone suppositories–make me get all fungusy down there.  DAMN!!!  Wish there was some other alternative. I don’t have diarrhea, and go only once a day (sometimes twice), just blood and mucus (sometimes just blood)—otherwise the stools are generally normal. I need to find a doc.  My current doc says, "You’re bleeding, so what?" Obviously, I’m a mild case.  Go only once a day, big deal.  It still hurts, and sucks! Don’t know what more to say.  Hope you kept a space open for me in the club. Thanks, Mike — To reply via email remove the X’s from my email address:

Response:

Question:

Please, does anyone know of a source besides Ford for Power Door Lock actuators. Howabout a way to disable them so the door lock wont stick in the open position? Anybody have any info on these?

Response:

Please, does anyone know of a source besides Ford for Power Door Lock actuators. Howabout a way to disable them so the door lock wont stick in the open position? Anybody have any info on these?

I get mine at the local junkyard. Usually about $5 each. if you just want to disable them, remove the actuator arm(probably easier to pull the motor out).

Response:

Please, does anyone know of a source besides Ford for Power Door Lock actuators. Howabout a way to disable them so the door lock wont stick in the open position? Anybody have any info on these?

Any stereo shop that installs alarms will have generic actuators that I’m sure you can make work in place of the Ford units. I doubt these aftermarket ones are better than the stock Ford pieces though. My experience with them is that they can be very hard to turn with the key, unless of course they’re hooked into the alarm and you never have to use the key… Tom Shaver Powerdyne + TW

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Please, does anyone know of a source besides Ford for Power Door Lock actuators. Howabout a way to disable them so the door lock wont stick in the open position? Anybody have any info on these? Any stereo shop that installs alarms will have generic actuators that I’m sure you can make work in place of the Ford units. I doubt these aftermarket ones are better than the stock Ford pieces though. My experience with them is that they can be very hard to turn with the key, unless of course they’re hooked into the alarm and you never have to use the key… Tom Shaver Powerdyne + TW

You can easily remove them if you don’t want them installed or if their causing problems with the normal operation of the key unlocking/locking the door from the outside.  You’ll have to remove the door panels.  They’re fastened in a plastic brace by little rubber boots.  Once you see the actuator you’ll notice how easy it is to remove.  If you want to replace them but don’t want to pay FORDMOCO’s price for new ones I replaced mine by going to a junk yard/spare parts yard and they found some for me for 20 bucks a piece.  Works great! Like new.

Response:

~ ~Please, does anyone know of a source besides Ford for Power Door Lock ~actuators. Howabout a way to disable them so the door lock wont stick in ~the open position? Anybody have any info on these? ~ ~Any stereo shop that installs alarms will have generic actuators that I’m sure ~you can make work in place of the Ford units. I doubt these aftermarket ones are ~better than the stock Ford pieces though. My experience with them is that they ~can be very hard to turn with the key, unless of course they’re hooked into the ~alarm and you never have to use the key… ~ ~Tom Shaver ~Powerdyne + TW ~You can easily remove them if you don’t want them installed or if ~their causing problems with the normal operation of the key ~unlocking/locking the door from the outside.  You’ll have to remove ~the door panels.  They’re fastened in a plastic brace by little rubber ~boots.  Once you see the actuator you’ll notice how easy it is to ~remove.  If you want to replace them but don’t want to pay FORDMOCO’s ~price for new ones I replaced mine by going to a junk yard/spare parts ~yard and they found some for me for 20 bucks a piece.  Works great! ~Like new. For cars that weren’t originally equipped with power door locks, is the necessary wiring already in the door?  I’ve been toying with the idea of installing them on my LX so I can get one of those lazy-man FOBs connected to the alarm to lock/unlock the doors from inside when it’s cold/rainy and such.  :-) Chris — Christopher Mauritz         | For info on internet access: IBS Interactive, Inc.       | http://www.interactive.net/

Response:

Question:

Haldol makes me sane when I’m not. Hey Sally. Bob suggested Haldol as well, though I’m wary of it, since it’s such an old drug, and has some severe side effects, from what I hear. Have you had any problems with it? Ian — http://sundry.ws/

Hey Ian, Every once in awhile, I will get TD (tardive dyskenesia) but I also have a prescription for Cogentin that I take when that happens, and it is okay.  Haldol’s the only anti psychotic that I have been on that has helped me – the newer ones don’t, and Seroquel nearly killed me.  I find Haldol to be the right medicine for me, but YMMV. Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Haldol’s the only anti psychotic that I have been on that has helped me – the newer ones don’t, and Seroquel nearly killed me.  I find Haldol to be the right medicine for me, but YMMV.

Hey Sally. Seroquel nearly killed me as well. My pdoc would not listen. I really, truly believe he has read the Marquis de Sade, as he seemed to be a real sadist. I mean, he seemed to enjoy the fact that I was suffering under his care. That Seroquel would give me terrifying body rushes every time I went to sleep. I thought I was gonna die every night. The Abilify isn’t getting rid of the racing thoughts, or helping with the concentration, so I’ll mention to my new pdoc the Haldol, next time I see him. I guess Cogentin isn’t too bad, although with my history, I wonder if they would give me something like that. Thanks for the suggestion, Sally, and BTW, I keep meaning to respond to your very thoughtful email, but I’m too overwhelmed right now to put enough thought into it. Hope you’re well, Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Haldol’s the only anti psychotic that I have been on that has helped me – the newer ones don’t, and Seroquel nearly killed me.  I find Haldol to be the right medicine for me, but YMMV. Hey Sally. Seroquel nearly killed me as well. My pdoc would not listen. I really, truly believe he has read the Marquis de Sade, as he seemed to be a real sadist. I mean, he seemed to enjoy the fact that I was suffering under his care. That Seroquel would give me terrifying body rushes every time I went to sleep. I thought I was gonna die every night. The Abilify isn’t getting rid of the racing thoughts, or helping with the concentration, so I’ll mention to my new pdoc the Haldol, next time I see him. I guess Cogentin isn’t too bad, although with my history, I wonder if they would give me something like that. Thanks for the suggestion, Sally, and BTW, I keep meaning to respond to your very thoughtful email, but I’m too overwhelmed right now to put enough thought into it. Hope you’re well, Ian — http://sundry.ws/

Ian, I have had a couple of pdocs that gave me Haldol, but didn’t like to do it.  They wanted me on a new anti psychotic, but I’ve tried them, and they just don’t work for me.  Haldol, however, does.  Right now I have a great pdoc, whose attitude is "if the medication you are taking is working, let’s keep it like that."  He’s not a benzophobe either, last RX he gave me for Xanax had FIVE refills on it. As to the cogentin, I take that on an "as needed" basis.  I have a bottle of it that is about 8 months old, I have a lot left.  If you get a day of TD you will know it, because your facial muscles do things you don’t want them to do. Not fun, but it’s manageable with Cogentin.  It’s more annoying than anything else. Don’t worry about answering emails.  You write when you want to, I’m here whenever, and my feelings don’t get hurt if I don’t get an answer  Whenever you need to, my inbox is open to you. (and everyone else, for that matter) Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

 How long have you been getting medical help for the anxiety?  It took years for me to get somewhat settled, and I’m always looking for more help. Ah, well, the anxiety is considered just part of the general diagnosis of schizoaffective. My previous pdoc told me to get used to it. My current one is a bit nicer. He gives me Klonopin and tells me to get used to life on that. Didn’t mean to send such a weird post. I talked to Bob A. for a while, and I agreed to take only three of them, as opposed to a bunch. Listening to a very nice Cure mix right now … this is one of the benefits of depression, that the Cure sounds really good.

im sadder these days for many reasons, $$$ would surely ease a lot of the anxiety and dep. darn it, this thing, hoovering over me… ugg… going on 14 years… xanax and zoloft.. klonopin was good to me but no money for doctors.. ohh, boysss don’t.. cryyyy love the cure.. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

love the cure..

Yes, they’re great. I used to have the Bob Smith hairdo in high school, back in ‘89, when Disintegration came out. I was all the rage. Not being able to afford a doctor sucks. Can’t you get some help from a free clinic? Around here, I get to see a free pdoc and a free MD, though I suppose it’s not really free, as I’m on disability, and get Medicare and Medicaid. But I think places like that treat you even if you’re broke. I mean, that’s the idea, anyway, that human beings should all get treatment when they need it. It’s like, a human right, or something. Ian — I’m sick of following my dreams. I’m just gonna ask where they’re goin’, and hook up with ‘em later. (Mitch Hedburg) http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When I was young I thought I would become famous. At some point, I realized it would be a good idea just to be safe. Now I’m trying to reverse what lies ahead, but have realized tonight that it can’t be reversed. These moments of clarity come to me every once in a while  … this illness is just getting a head of steam on it. Right now the only thing keeping me alive is the fact that I’m still too afraid of the actual act of suicide. I would sure fall off the wagon, though, if I had any money. Perhaps this is a good time to declare a moratorium on going outside. Many of us here have done this, I assume. My friend Bob and I (and many of you know Bob) are forming a software company based on our shared qualities of obsessiveness and reclusiveness. We figure that’s the edge we’ll have over the competition. So maybe this will be a good thing. Who knows. But I seem to be incompatible with society in general, and am feeling like I would rather die than go through this night, unless this night were accompanied by large amounts of Klonopin, which will soon follow. Hope yiz understand. I’m not a danger to myself, just realizing what lies ahead. There really isn’t anywhere else I can go to say this. Ian

Hi Ian, I just want to tell you I hope you hang in there. You are beautifully talented — that is apparent in your website. I also know that being talented isn’t easy — there’s a certain amount of pressure to use it as a means to ’success’, whatever that is. I don’t have a lot of great wisdom to impart here. Just know I’m hoping the best for you. I think you have a great spirit. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

that’s part of why I get suicidal. because of constant emotional pain

I hear you. Other people have to go through phases of pain, and don’t understand what it means to have it in their lives constantly. Then they get smug about their success. <sigh Hope you’re well, and living in the moment, Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Just know I’m hoping the best for you. I think you have a great spirit.

Thanks, Deirdre. I don’t know how to respond, but what you said means a lot to me. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

<gently snipped ::Perhaps this is a good time to declare a moratorium on going ::outside. Many of us here have done this, I assume. Dear Ian, I read in another post that you are doing better today. I`m so glad to hear that. Bad times never last forever. We seem to forget that when we are in and decided to stay inside. Those four walls get old really quickly. Anyways, my panic and anxiety followed me there too I truly empathize with how you are feeling. There are those days where you just throw your hands up and say I can`t do this anymore. But you wake up the next day and it is a little better and you decide to try again. (((((Ian))))) Jackie ~*~My greatest fear is there is no such thing as PMS and this is really my personality~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Don’t give up Ian, when my anxiety was really bad being housebound was somewhere I didn’t want to be. Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea to encourage you to become housebound in any way. If it’s hard to go outside (does it cause you more anxiety?) you should still try. If you stop going outside, it will be that much harder to go outside when you have to. At least that’s the way I see it. Are you taking any meds or therapy for your schizo-affective disorder?

When my anxiety was very bad at the beginning of my recovery from "meltdown", I made as many trips as I could to my local computer store where I discussed with the proprietor possible specifications for a new computer for him to build for me. The distance was far enough to be exercise and short enough to not be excessively tiring. Make up excuses to go outside. You don’t have to stay there long but make it a point to make it past the front door. If you can set up a chair outside you can take a book or magazine with you to peruse or maybe listen to some music. Gains are made in short steps. — Ron P I’m an EXPERT….a has-been under pressure<;-) — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

If you stop going outside, it will be that much harder to go outside when you have to. Hi Doug. Last night was just a real night of despair. I think today is a bit better, and thank you for the kind words. Going outside … well, I have to for certain things, but man is it hard to deal with "normal" people. We should do things where we feel better afterward, and dealing with society always leaves me feeling desperate. It’s better on the Internet, for whatever reason.

Dealings on the Internet are for the most part non-personal and remote which are the total opposite of face to face encounters. — Ron P I’m an EXPERT….a has-been under pressure<;-) — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Ian, I’ve read a number of things you posted, and you have a lot of capacity to do a lot, and to experience a lot of meaning, even if that’s not happening in your life right now.  Things change, and they sometimes do serendipitously change for the better.  - Gary

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – that’s part of why I get suicidal. because of constant emotional pain I hear you. Other people have to go through phases of pain, and don’t understand what it means to have it in their lives constantly. Then they get smug about their success. <sigh Hope you’re well, and living in the moment, Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

How long have you been getting medical help for the anxiety?  It took years for me to get somewhat settled, and I’m always looking for more help. Ah, well, the anxiety is considered just part of the general diagnosis of schizoaffective.

There seems to be a fast growing number of people here that are schizoaffective, If I hadn’t told you before, I’m on the list.  My previous pdoc told me to get used to it. My current one is a bit nicer. He gives me Klonopin and tells me to get used to life on that.

That’s odd?  Most people that are schizoaffective are on antipsychotics?   I’m on 400mg of Seroquel.  All the benzos in the world didn’t stop my schizo symptoms.  Now I’d guess the Seroquel knocked out about 75% of it. Didn’t mean to send such a weird post. I talked to Bob A. for a while, and I agreed to take only three of them, as opposed to a bunch. Listening to a very nice Cure mix right now … this is one of the benefits of depression, that the Cure sounds really good.

For the life of me I can’t remember any of their music.  I know I heard it, I guess in the early 80’s? Hope you’re doin’ well, Tony, Ian

Thanks Ian, hoping the same for you. Tony — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How long have you been getting medical help for the anxiety?  It took years for me to get somewhat settled, and I’m always looking for more help. Ah, well, the anxiety is considered just part of the general diagnosis of schizoaffective. There seems to be a fast growing number of people here that are schizoaffective, If I hadn’t told you before, I’m on the list.  My previous pdoc told me to get used to it. My current one is a bit nicer. He gives me Klonopin and tells me to get used to life on that. That’s odd?  Most people that are schizoaffective are on antipsychotics?   I’m on 400mg of Seroquel.  All the benzos in the world didn’t stop my schizo symptoms.  Now I’d guess the Seroquel knocked out about 75% of it. Didn’t mean to send such a weird post. I talked to Bob A. for a while, and I agreed to take only three of them, as opposed to a bunch. Listening to a very nice Cure mix right now … this is one of the benefits of depression, that the Cure sounds really good. For the life of me I can’t remember any of their music.  I know I heard it, I guess in the early 80’s? Hope you’re doin’ well, Tony, Ian Thanks Ian, hoping the same for you. Tony

Add me to the list of the schizoaffective group.. or I’m schizo something.  No two doctors can agree on what I am. I think I’m schizophrenic, actually.  Mildly so.  But I agree with Tono.  An antipsychotic is pretty vital if you’re schizoaffective.  I take Haldol.  I’ve tried all the "newer" ones, and they don’t do anything good to me, and most of them do something bad to me.  Haldol makes me sane when I’m not.   Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Haldol makes me sane when I’m not.  

Hey Sally. Bob suggested Haldol as well, though I’m wary of it, since it’s such an old drug, and has some severe side effects, from what I hear. Have you had any problems with it? Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Dear Ian, In the past.. have you been particularly good at foretelling the future?  Have you always seen events coming and knew they were going to happen.. or in the past, have you been surprised by things that happened to you in your life? I wish I could comfort you, you need a hug and reassurance.  Email me anytime, you can ask Bob if I’m worthy of trust.  Fear is one terrible emotion, and I’m not saying I can guantee you will never feel it, because it’s a human emotion.. but I can share with you some things that I went through.  I was certain a year ago that my destiny was to end up on the streets.. Led me to a horrible drinking binge I liked to never came out of.  I learned  not just how to quit drinking.. I learned how to face life.. most all of it and not live in fear.  And I’m glad you are afraid of suicide and I’m glad you are too poor to drink.  So looks like you need to learn how to cope.  That’s what it looks like to me.  If you need to talk, email me anytime.  You would be surprised, Ian.  What we are capable of living through.  I know I am. And that cliche everyone says.. about what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?  That’s not a cliche. It’s the truth.  Ask Bob if I know what I’m talking about in that regard. I’m not an expert, but I came out of where you seem to be awhile back. Please take good care.. we care for you. Sally – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When I was young I thought I would become famous. At some point, I realized it would be a good idea just to be safe. Now I’m trying to reverse what lies ahead, but have realized tonight that it can’t be reversed. These moments of clarity come to me every once in a while  … this illness is just getting a head of steam on it. Right now the only thing keeping me alive is the fact that I’m still too afraid of the actual act of suicide. I would sure fall off the wagon, though, if I had any money. Perhaps this is a good time to declare a moratorium on going outside. Many of us here have done this, I assume. My friend Bob and I (and many of you know Bob) are forming a software company based on our shared qualities of obsessiveness and reclusiveness. We figure that’s the edge we’ll have over the competition. So maybe this will be a good thing. Who knows. But I seem to be incompatible with society in general, and am feeling like I would rather die than go through this night, unless this night were accompanied by large amounts of Klonopin, which will soon follow. Hope yiz understand. I’m not a danger to myself, just realizing what lies ahead. There really isn’t anywhere else I can go to say this. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Don’t give up Ian, when my anxiety was really bad being housebound was somewhere I didn’t want to be. Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea to encourage you to become housebound in any way. If it’s hard to go outside (does it cause you more anxiety?) you should still try. If you stop going outside, it will be that much harder to go outside when you have to. At least that’s the way I see it. Are you taking any meds or therapy for your schizo-affective disorder? — Doug

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Perhaps this is a good time to declare a moratorium on going outside. Many of us here have done this, I assume. My friend Bob and I (and many of you know Bob) are forming a software company based on our shared qualities of obsessiveness and reclusiveness. We figure that’s the edge we’ll have over the competition. So maybe this will be a good thing. Who knows. But I seem to be incompatible with society in general, and am feeling like I would rather die than go through this night, unless this night were accompanied by large amounts of Klonopin, which will soon follow. Hope yiz understand. I’m not a danger to myself, just realizing what lies ahead. There really isn’t anywhere else I can go to say this. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hope yiz understand. I’m not a danger to myself, just realizing what lies ahead. There really isn’t anywhere else I can go to say this. Ian

Good luck with the company. Wish I had the skills, my ability to go outside is limited by my illness and its not particularly fun, I miss it a great deal and want to get back to that. I’ve other things that help me stay alive, I’m not particularly afraid of death, a tiny bit afraid of pain, but that’s part of why I get suicidal. because of constant emotional pain. But, I’ve got too much to do and live for at the moment. Just hope I can keep remembering that. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

If you stop going outside, it will be that much harder to go outside when you have to.

Hi Doug. Last night was just a real night of despair. I think today is a bit better, and thank you for the kind words. Going outside … well, I have to for certain things, but man is it hard to deal with "normal" people. We should do things where we feel better afterward, and dealing with society always leaves me feeling desperate. It’s better on the Internet, for whatever reason. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

When I was young I thought I would become famous. At some point, I realized it would be a good idea just to be safe. Now I’m trying to reverse what lies ahead, but have realized tonight that it can’t be reversed. These moments of clarity come to me every once in a while  … this illness is just getting a head of steam on it. Right now the only thing keeping me alive is the fact that I’m still too afraid of the actual act of suicide. I would sure fall off the wagon, though, if I had any money. Perhaps this is a good time to declare a moratorium on going outside. Many of us here have done this, I assume. My friend Bob and I (and many of you know Bob) are forming a software company based on our shared qualities of obsessiveness and reclusiveness. We figure that’s the edge we’ll have over the competition. So maybe this will be a good thing. Who knows. But I seem to be incompatible with society in general, and am feeling like I would rather die than go through this night, unless this night were accompanied by large amounts of Klonopin, which will soon follow. Hope yiz understand. I’m not a danger to myself, just realizing what lies ahead. There really isn’t anywhere else I can go to say this. Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – When I was young I thought I would become famous. At some point, I realized it would be a good idea just to be safe. Now I’m trying to reverse what lies ahead, but have realized tonight that it can’t be reversed. These moments of clarity come to me every once in a while  … this illness is just getting a head of steam on it. Right now the only thing keeping me alive is the fact that I’m still too afraid of the actual act of suicide. I would sure fall off the wagon, though, if I had any money. Perhaps this is a good time to declare a moratorium on going outside. Many of us here have done this, I assume. My friend Bob and I (and many of you know Bob) are forming a software company based on our shared qualities of obsessiveness and reclusiveness. We figure that’s the edge we’ll have over the competition. So maybe this will be a good thing. Who knows. But I seem to be incompatible with society in general, and am feeling like I would rather die than go through this night, unless this night were accompanied by large amounts of Klonopin, which will soon follow. Hope yiz understand. I’m not a danger to myself, just realizing what lies ahead. There really isn’t anywhere else I can go to say this.

How long have you been getting medical help for the anxiety?  It took years for me to get somewhat settled, and I’m always looking for more help. Tono — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

How long have you been getting medical help for the anxiety?  It took years for me to get somewhat settled, and I’m always looking for more help.

Ah, well, the anxiety is considered just part of the general diagnosis of schizoaffective. My previous pdoc told me to get used to it. My current one is a bit nicer. He gives me Klonopin and tells me to get used to life on that. Didn’t mean to send such a weird post. I talked to Bob A. for a while, and I agreed to take only three of them, as opposed to a bunch. Listening to a very nice Cure mix right now … this is one of the benefits of depression, that the Cure sounds really good. Hope you’re doin’ well, Tony, Ian — http://sundry.ws/ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Question:

OK, first of all, how are you functioning during the daytime, after your 5 hours?

80 % of the time I can function during the day, while feeling tired; 20 % of the time I lay in bed all day. Also, I have chronic Fatigue and I am on long term disability. Anything good happening from this medication after 7 weeks?

Yes, anxiety has become less pronounced, but still need to up the Effexor to better control my anxiety. My fear is if I up the Effexor then I will get no sleep at all. What is it being prescribed for?

Anxiety. Mike – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – G Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Response:

OK, first of all, how are you functioning during the daytime, after your 5 hours?  Anything good happening from this medication after 7 weeks? What is it being prescribed for? G

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Response:

Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Response:

talk to the doc who prescribed the Effexor?? that would be my first step. Lobo

Response:

Hello all, I have been taking Effexor XR 37.5 once a day for 7 weeks. The problem is the lack of sleep; I sleep 4 to 5 hours a night. Initially I thought this would go away once I acclimated to the medication, because that’s what happened in the past with other meds. Unfortunately this has not happened. My question is there any medication that would assist with my sleep problem, so I could get a good night sleep. This would probably be on a long term basis. Thank you to those who respond, Mike

Do you take Effexor for anxiety/panic, depression? Does it work at this low dose? Good sedating antidepressants that work also for anxiety/panic are amitriptyline (TCA) and Paxil (SSRI). Also Remeron which as a rule is somewhat less effective for anxiety disorders but does help people. Low dose ami and ditto Remeron are succesfully prescribed as  sleeping aids. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

Question:

Hithere… for anyone who cares to know.  I am doing remarkably well on day 2 at 25% of my regular 50 mg Zoloft dosage.  I will remain at this dosage until after my menses have passed as PMS can be hellish. Happy as a Clam… PW

Hello.  I have dealt with anxiety and secondary depression for about 15 years.  I have been misdiagnosed more times than I have fingers.  I am under the impression that diagnoses are merely a way for the

psychology/psychiatry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – industry to allocate medication.  It has nothing to do with management.  I have been on Prozac, Melaril, Paxil, Zoloft, Depakote, Risperdal and Xanax. Of all of them I found Zoloft to be the most helpful.  Unfortunately, one of the side effects is weight gain.  I have been on it, 2nd time around, for about a year and a half.  I have learned of a new pseudo-natural supplement called L5 Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP).  It’s a lot like Tryptophan in that it helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin.  I lost my job about 6 months ago, as I go through them like kleenex tissues, and, subsequently lost my health insurance.  I cannot afford to see my psychiatrist anymore. I have always been inclined toward natural healing techniques and really wanted to come off the Zoloft.  I also wanted to lose the 30 pounds I gained in the last 9 months.  I tried to come off it and I started feeling edgy on day 3.  On day 4 I was as maniacal as I was at my absolute worst.  I did some research to learn that there are indeed significant withdrawal symptoms associated with SSRIs not excluding permanent neurological damage and death.  Of all 20 or so doctors I have seen in the last 15 years nobody ever mentioned this!  I was appalled.  Had I known this I may have looked deeper into alternatives.  It’s like coming off heroin!  I am on my 6th week of tapering off.  I have had to cut my 40 hour week (at my new job w/o insurance) to 20.  Fortunately I have a job where this is possible.  I am consulting with a nutritionist on my diet and 5HTP.  She has personal experience with the same type of disorder manifestation as myself except she was on Prozac prior to using 5HTP. What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage.  I use a subligual form of melatonin at night to help me stay asleep, as I have a tendancy to wake up every hour.  It’s working so far.  I am down by 50% of my 50 mg dosage. To women out there:  I do not recommend adjusting your dosage during PMS. Most of us have it worst during this time.  I adjust my dosage about a week into my cycle – when I am at my best.  I have had the best results this way. Also, it takes me about a week to adjust to the lowered dosage.  I have been working with this for nearly 2 months now.  I found that using 5HTP with the SSRI is not good.  I was flooded with serotonin and nuts as ever. I’d love to hear other ppls’ experience coming off SSRIs and the use of natural "supplements".  Thanks! Ms. PW

Response:

I suppose you know that kava is not recommended for use with any other psychoactive drug.  Kava is known to potentiate (increase) the effects of other drugs e,g,, benzodiazepenes, alcohol and barbituates.  I  haven’t seen anything specific to SSRIs or other drugs that affect serotonin, just educated speculation that kava could have a negative impact on serotonin utilization.  Another poster related a problem with anxiety rebound when taking kava, a report I’ve never seen before; I wonder if he/she was taking another drug at the time. From your last post, though, the combination seems to be working for you. I’d suggest, though, that you keep a close watch on your reactions and discontinue the kava as appropriate.  I’d be interested in hearing how it goes for you. I gather that your intent is to withdraw from Zoloft and start on 5-HTP. May I suggest that you hold off on the 5-HTP and just stay on kava for awhile?  If you have anxiety-driven depression, you may not need anything else, or perhaps something milder like an omega-3 supplement (skip St. John’s Wort – it eats kava as well as birth control pills, HIV medication, etc.)  Anyway, take the time to evaluate yourself before you take on the possible risks associated with 5-HTP.  (Actually, I’m considering taking 5-HTP in lieu of melatonin – still researching the issue of combining it with kava) One other note about kava:  researchers may have found the reason why some users have suffered liver damage.  It seems that some herbal manufacturers have been making their kava extracts from "peelings", the bark of the aboveground stems of the plant; which contain pipemethystine, a substance proved to be toxic to liver cultures.  Peelings are a by-product of kava use in the South Pacific and are normally discarded as waste material; in 1998, though, 82% of the kava imported into the U.S. consisted of dried peelings. It would be reasonable for all kava users to research the product they use and determine whether any of the above ground portions of the plant (peelings, stem or leaves) are used; if so, change to another brand that only uses the underground portions (lateral roots and rootstalk).  You don’t need hepititis or cirrohsis on top of your other problems. You may also end up with a more effective kava :}. Cheers, Figaro

Response:

I am reevaluating my need for 5-htp at all.  Kava does seem to be working for me.  I actually only need it on days 1-3 (about) after downgrading my Zoloft dose.  After that, I seem to level out naturally, except for the use of sublingual melatonin.  I think that working only 20 hours a week really halps too, though I can’t do this forever. I have forwarded your message to my nutritionist.  I am particularly interested in what she has to say about the peelings.  The brand of kava I use is Gaia Herbs.  I’ve used other supplements they manufacture with positive results. I have heard of the anxiety rebound effect of kava though, as of yet, it’s not happened to me.  It may be because I don’t use it all the time, only while transitioning to a lower dose ssri. My most annoying withdrawal symptoms now is nausea.  It only lasts for a couple of days and it’s mild, but it makes eating difficult.  The other side of that is that I eat less.  Since I gained 30 pounds on Zoloft, I’m not complaining too loudly.  I anticipate it stopping after I come off the ssri completely. I have lost 10 of the 30 pounds in the last 6 weeks.  Every time I downgrade my dose I lose 3 pounds in the first 36 hours!  Woo-Hoo! PW

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I suppose you know that kava is not recommended for use with any other psychoactive drug.  Kava is known to potentiate (increase) the effects of other drugs e,g,, benzodiazepenes, alcohol and barbituates.  I  haven’t seen anything specific to SSRIs or other drugs that affect serotonin, just educated speculation that kava could have a negative impact on serotonin utilization.  Another poster related a problem with anxiety rebound when taking kava, a report I’ve never seen before; I wonder if he/she was taking another drug at the time. From your last post, though, the combination seems to be working for you. I’d suggest, though, that you keep a close watch on your reactions and discontinue the kava as appropriate.  I’d be interested in hearing how it goes for you. I gather that your intent is to withdraw from Zoloft and start on 5-HTP. May I suggest that you hold off on the 5-HTP and just stay on kava for awhile?  If you have anxiety-driven depression, you may not need anything else, or perhaps something milder like an omega-3 supplement (skip St. John’s Wort – it eats kava as well as birth control pills, HIV medication, etc.)  Anyway, take the time to evaluate yourself before you take on the possible risks associated with 5-HTP.  (Actually, I’m considering taking 5-HTP in lieu of melatonin – still researching the issue of combining it with kava) One other note about kava:  researchers may have found the reason why some users have suffered liver damage.  It seems that some herbal manufacturers have been making their kava extracts from "peelings", the bark of the aboveground stems of the plant; which contain pipemethystine, a substance proved to be toxic to liver cultures.  Peelings are a by-product of kava use in the South Pacific and are normally discarded as waste material; in 1998, though, 82% of the kava imported into the U.S. consisted of dried peelings. It would be reasonable for all kava users to research the product they use and determine whether any of the above ground portions of the plant (peelings, stem or leaves) are used; if so, change to another brand that only uses the underground portions (lateral roots and rootstalk).  You don’t need hepititis or cirrohsis on top of your other problems. You may also end up with a more effective kava :}. Cheers, Figaro

Response:

 Another poster related a problem with anxiety rebound when taking kava, a report I’ve never seen before; I wonder if he/she was taking another drug at the time.

That was me.  The only other drug I was on was alcohol… and lot’s of it.  I was self medicating for about 25 years. Over 15 months sober, one day at a time. Tono

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  Another poster related a problem with anxiety rebound when taking kava, a report I’ve never seen before; I wonder if he/she was taking another drug at the time. That was me.  The only other drug I was on was alcohol… and lot’s of it.  I was self medicating for about 25 years. Over 15 months sober, one day at a time. Tono

Thanks for posting the info, Tono.  I just try to collect info on kava whereever it may be!

Response:

LM, Thank you for your information.  I am working with a nutritionist who has an MS.  She has informaed me that the blood levels of 5HTP are a concern only for those very few with serious metabolic issues.  I am quite healthy in that regard.  She assures me that in her years of working with the CDC she participated in clinical studies on the use of 5htp and tryptophan and found that both amino acids are quite safe in healthy individuals.  She has several patients who are taking up to 250 mg of 5htp daily and have for a year or better with no problems at all.  In my opinion, the ssris are a much greater risk for me personally since there are no clinical studies on the effect ssris in ppl taking them over one year.  The side effects of ssris have been devastating for me.  For those with metabolic issues it should not be taken lightly though.  Thank you.  I will keep the group informed on my progress. PW

Hello.  I have dealt with anxiety and secondary depression for about 15 years.  I have been misdiagnosed more times than I have fingers.  I am under the impression that diagnoses are merely a way for the

psychology/psychiatry – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – industry to allocate medication.  It has nothing to do with management. I have been on Prozac, Melaril, Paxil, Zoloft, Depakote, Risperdal and Xanax. Of all of them I found Zoloft to be the most helpful.  Unfortunately, one of the side effects is weight gain.  I have been on it, 2nd time around, for about a year and a half.  I have learned of a new pseudo-natural supplement called L5 Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP).  It’s a lot like Tryptophan in that it helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin.  I lost my job about 6 months ago, as I go through them like kleenex tissues, and, subsequently lost my health insurance.  I cannot afford to see my psychiatrist anymore. I have always been inclined toward natural healing techniques and really wanted to come off the Zoloft.  I also wanted to lose the 30 pounds I gained in the last 9 months.  I tried to come off it and I started feeling edgy on day 3.  On day 4 I was as maniacal as I was at my absolute worst.  I did some research to learn that there are indeed significant withdrawal symptoms associated with SSRIs not excluding permanent neurological damage and death.  Of all 20 or so doctors I have seen in the last 15 years nobody ever mentioned this!  I was appalled.  Had I known this I may have looked deeper into alternatives.  It’s like coming off heroin!  I am on my 6th week of tapering off.  I have had to cut my 40 hour week (at my new job w/o insurance) to 20.  Fortunately I have a job where this is possible.  I am consulting with a nutritionist on my diet and 5HTP.  She has personal experience with the same type of disorder manifestation as myself except she was on Prozac prior to using 5HTP. What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage.  I use a subligual form of melatonin at night to help me stay asleep, as I have a tendancy to wake up every hour.  It’s working so far.  I am down by 50% of my 50 mg dosage. To women out there:  I do not recommend adjusting your dosage during PMS. Most of us have it worst during this time.  I adjust my dosage about a week into my cycle – when I am at my best.  I have had the best results this way. Also, it takes me about a week to adjust to the lowered dosage.  I have been working with this for nearly 2 months now.  I found that using 5HTP with the SSRI is not good.  I was flooded with serotonin and nuts as ever. I’d love to hear other ppls’ experience coming off SSRIs and the use of natural "supplements".  Thanks! Ms. PW please do not take 5ht without discussing it thoroughly with a doctor-it can cause elevated serum levels of serotonin which does not pass the blood brain barrier but can destroy the valves of your heart-tryptophan as a supplement will not do this because the metabolic process of converting tryptophan buffers the larger flooding of blood levels if you truly believe this supplement is working  for you a urinary 5HIAA test should be done every month or so to see if your blood level of serotonin isn’t too high-if you have any coronary artery disease using this supplement is dangerous there is a whole complex interplay between B vitamins and serotonin as well as its percursors like 5ht -natural supplements are often drugs or co-drugs in a sense so please don’t be over-comfortable by their "natural" label-there are cancerous tumors that secrete gobs of 5ht and that is natural too-for the tumors. Just be careful please LM

Response:

Thanks, Tono.  Actually the kava kava really does help me.  The thing I like to keep in mind is that everyone is different.  That’s why I have a hard time beleiving in diagnoses – there are too many variations.  I’ll keep your suggestion in mind.  But for now it’s the only thing that DOES help.

Well, I’m glad it’s helping.  Just be sure not to over do it.  As far as the diagnosis, I know what you mean.  My Dr. never gave me an actual diagnosis, or I would have 10 or 20 of them!  He only tries to work with all my various symptoms. And like Margrove said, BE CAREFULL! Tono – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  PW What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage. Kava always gave me an awful rebound effect of anxiety.  It worsened each day and I needed more and more of it.  It’s one of the worst "natural" remedies I’ve tried.  Remember, natural doesn’t mean it’s good or safe.  I’d never drink crude oil. Tono

Response:

Hello.  I have dealt with anxiety and secondary depression for about 15 years.  I have been misdiagnosed more times than I have fingers.  I am under the impression that diagnoses are merely a way for the psychology/psychiatry industry to allocate medication.  It has nothing to do with management.  I have been on Prozac, Melaril, Paxil, Zoloft, Depakote, Risperdal and Xanax. Of all of them I found Zoloft to be the most helpful.  Unfortunately, one of the side effects is weight gain.  I have been on it, 2nd time around, for about a year and a half.  I have learned of a new pseudo-natural supplement called L5 Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP).  It’s a lot like Tryptophan in that it helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin.  I lost my job about 6 months ago, as I go through them like kleenex tissues, and, subsequently lost my health insurance.  I cannot afford to see my psychiatrist anymore. I have always been inclined toward natural healing techniques and really wanted to come off the Zoloft.  I also wanted to lose the 30 pounds I gained in the last 9 months.  I tried to come off it and I started feeling edgy on day 3.  On day 4 I was as maniacal as I was at my absolute worst.  I did some research to learn that there are indeed significant withdrawal symptoms associated with SSRIs not excluding permanent neurological damage and death.  Of all 20 or so doctors I have seen in the last 15 years nobody ever mentioned this!  I was appalled.  Had I known this I may have looked deeper into alternatives.  It’s like coming off heroin!  I am on my 6th week of tapering off.  I have had to cut my 40 hour week (at my new job w/o insurance) to 20.  Fortunately I have a job where this is possible.  I am consulting with a nutritionist on my diet and 5HTP.  She has personal experience with the same type of disorder manifestation as myself except she was on Prozac prior to using 5HTP. What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage.  I use a subligual form of melatonin at night to help me stay asleep, as I have a tendancy to wake up every hour.  It’s working so far.  I am down by 50% of my 50 mg dosage. To women out there:  I do not recommend adjusting your dosage during PMS. Most of us have it worst during this time.  I adjust my dosage about a week into my cycle – when I am at my best.  I have had the best results this way. Also, it takes me about a week to adjust to the lowered dosage.  I have been working with this for nearly 2 months now.  I found that using 5HTP with the SSRI is not good.  I was flooded with serotonin and nuts as ever. I’d love to hear other ppls’ experience coming off SSRIs and the use of natural "supplements".  Thanks! Ms. PW

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What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage.

Kava always gave me an awful rebound effect of anxiety.  It worsened each day and I needed more and more of it.  It’s one of the worst "natural" remedies I’ve tried.  Remember, natural doesn’t mean it’s good or safe.  I’d never drink crude oil. Tono

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Thanks, Tono.  Actually the kava kava really does help me.  The thing I like to keep in mind is that everyone is different.  That’s why I have a hard time beleiving in diagnoses – there are too many variations.  I’ll keep your suggestion in mind.  But for now it’s the only thing that DOES help.  PW

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage. Kava always gave me an awful rebound effect of anxiety.  It worsened each day and I needed more and more of it.  It’s one of the worst "natural" remedies I’ve tried.  Remember, natural doesn’t mean it’s good or safe.  I’d never drink crude oil. Tono

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello.  I have dealt with anxiety and secondary depression for about 15 years.  I have been misdiagnosed more times than I have fingers.  I am under the impression that diagnoses are merely a way for the psychology/psychiatry industry to allocate medication.  It has nothing to do with management.  I have been on Prozac, Melaril, Paxil, Zoloft, Depakote, Risperdal and Xanax. Of all of them I found Zoloft to be the most helpful.  Unfortunately, one of the side effects is weight gain.  I have been on it, 2nd time around, for about a year and a half.  I have learned of a new pseudo-natural supplement called L5 Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP).  It’s a lot like Tryptophan in that it helps the body produce serotonin and melatonin.  I lost my job about 6 months ago, as I go through them like kleenex tissues, and, subsequently lost my health insurance.  I cannot afford to see my psychiatrist anymore. I have always been inclined toward natural healing techniques and really wanted to come off the Zoloft.  I also wanted to lose the 30 pounds I gained in the last 9 months.  I tried to come off it and I started feeling edgy on day 3.  On day 4 I was as maniacal as I was at my absolute worst.  I did some research to learn that there are indeed significant withdrawal symptoms associated with SSRIs not excluding permanent neurological damage and death.  Of all 20 or so doctors I have seen in the last 15 years nobody ever mentioned this!  I was appalled.  Had I known this I may have looked deeper into alternatives.  It’s like coming off heroin!  I am on my 6th week of tapering off.  I have had to cut my 40 hour week (at my new job w/o insurance) to 20.  Fortunately I have a job where this is possible.  I am consulting with a nutritionist on my diet and 5HTP.  She has personal experience with the same type of disorder manifestation as myself except she was on Prozac prior to using 5HTP. What I would like to know is if anyone reading this has any experience coming off SSRIs and/or using 5HTP.  I am using kava kava to help keep me calm during the day while lowering my dosage.  I use a subligual form of melatonin at night to help me stay asleep, as I have a tendancy to wake up every hour.  It’s working so far.  I am down by 50% of my 50 mg dosage. To women out there:  I do not recommend adjusting your dosage during PMS. Most of us have it worst during this time.  I adjust my dosage about a week into my cycle – when I am at my best.  I have had the best results this way. Also, it takes me about a week to adjust to the lowered dosage.  I have been working with this for nearly 2 months now.  I found that using 5HTP with the SSRI is not good.  I was flooded with serotonin and nuts as ever. I’d love to hear other ppls’ experience coming off SSRIs and the use of natural "supplements".  Thanks! Ms. PW

please do not take 5ht without discussing it thoroughly with a doctor-it can cause elevated serum levels of serotonin which does not pass the blood brain barrier but can destroy the valves of your heart-tryptophan as a supplement will not do this because the metabolic process of converting tryptophan buffers the larger flooding of blood levels if you truly believe this supplement is working  for you a urinary 5HIAA test should be done every month or so to see if your blood level of serotonin isn’t too high-if you have any coronary artery disease using this supplement is dangerous there is a whole complex interplay between B vitamins and serotonin as well as its percursors like 5ht -natural supplements are often drugs or co-drugs in a sense so please don’t be over-comfortable by their "natural" label-there are cancerous tumors that secrete gobs of 5ht and that is natural too-for the tumors. Just be careful please LM

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i have to agree they all tell me that zoloft isn’t addicting either, but screw them all i go off it for 2 days and then have to start it again they say hardly any of the newer drugs are addicting, well i say, that they should try them themselves and then they will see Zoloft Withdrawal–The Darkest Period of my Life Antidepressants  "I had all the classic symptoms of a junkie coming off of heroine."

Well, in my experience, if you taper off of the drug, much the same as you slowly build up to a dose perscribed by your pdoc, you will experience less side effects.  The reason why it seems like you are addicted is because your nervous system has become dependant on the drug, and if you were to just stop it, you will experience severe side effects for several months afterwards, which happened to me a few years ago.  However, it’s not anywhere near as severe of an *addiction* as heroine or alcohol. Frost

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i have to agree they all tell me that zoloft isn’t addicting either, but screw them all i go off it for 2 days and then have to start it again they say hardly any of the newer drugs are addicting, well i say, that they should try them themselves and then they will see

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Zoloft Withdrawal–The Darkest Period of my Life Antidepressants  "I had all the classic symptoms of a junkie coming off of heroine." My name is Virginia and I just finished seeing a segment on 2020 regarding withdrawal symptoms after getting off of an antidepressant. THANK GOD!!! There are other people out there that have experienced the same symptoms I have experienced! Every doctor in the past, (3), I have told about my withdrawal symptoms have told me that it’s not possible or that they’ve never heard of anyone having these

symptoms months after – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – attempting to get off Zoloft. I even got very upset at one of the doctor’s and told him that the symptoms I was experiencing were "real" and that I was not crazy! To make a long story short– The six months I was off the Zoloft was the darkest period of my life. I had all the classic symptoms of a junkie coming off of heroine. For three weeks straight, I had dry heaves, nausea, dizziness, panic attacks so severe I thought I was having a heart attack, cold sweats, a weird sound in my head, like breaking glass every time I’d blink my eyes, the disconnection of your brains ability to catch up with your vision when you look sharply to the left or right (almost like the old slide projectors that take a second and then click to the next picture), severe paranoia, and continual suicidal thoughts. If it were not for my husband taking time of from work to watch over me, I would not be here today! Unfortunately, I lost my job, and ended up having to get back on the Zoloft in order to live a so-called "normal life". And I can honestly say, it was like a miracle how quickly my nausea and dry heaves went away. I only wish that the first doctor I saw would have informed me about the possibility of becoming addicted to this drug, and given me the choice of alternative treatment or a life long commitment to Zoloft. Now the only symptoms I have are dry mouth and a stiff jaw…Oh, and paranoia about ever losing my health insurance. Virginia — Psychiatry is to Science as Astrology is to Astronomy

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dan wrote…… I take xanax before going to bed and get to slepp usually within 10 minutes, but I allways awaken about 1.5 to 2 hours later feeling anxious, and sweating terribly. My hands have gone to sleep due to poor circulation. What is the best med for sleep? PLEASE! Dear Dan, There is a good chance that you are undermedicated when it come to Xanax, the should discuss this with your doctor. How long have you been on Zoloft, what is your current dose and do you feel it has helped you any? How is your anxiety during the day? If Zoloft hasn`t helped you much and is causing you to sleep poorly…..perhaps instead of adding yet another med why not switch to another antidepressant? I have gone through stages where my hands are always falling alseep while I am sleeping I have a bad habit of tucking my arms under my head and that is whats makes them fall asleep. Take care Jackie "Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us." -Stephen Covey

Jackie-I do the same thing you do with my hands under head for sleepling. I assumed it was just poor circulation that caused the numness, Today a doctor told me it is carpel tunnel that is causing them to go to sleep–or probably a pinched nerve.

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I can get ambien here in FLorida a hell of a lot easier than I can get xanax around here.. Ambien, sonata… (guess cause they aren’t in high demand on the street…)

There’s no problem with the availability of Ambien elsewhere, either. It’s zopiclone that can’t generally be obtained in the US, though it is available in Europe. I personally found zopiclone more effective than Ambien, though Ambien is quite good. -David-

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What is the best med for sleep? PLEASE! Ambien (zolpidem) is pretty good, I found. It’s more or less unique. There is also zopiclone, if you can get a script for it (it’s not generally available in the US).

I can get ambien here in FLorida a hell of a lot easier than I can get xanax around here.. Ambien, sonata… (guess cause they aren’t in high demand on the street…) Or you could try a sedating antidepressant like amitriptyline, doxepin, or mirtazapine (Remeron). But these work in a different way for sleeplessness, and may not work for everyone. -David-

when I added remeron to my xanax and zoloft (4mg and 100mg respectively daily) I have had a much easier time sleeping… YMMV. Much Love, Brooke

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I take xanax before going to bed and get to slepp usually within 10 minutes, but I allways awaken about 1.5 to 2 hours later feeling anxious, and sweating terribly. My hands have gone to sleep due to poor circulation. What is the best med for sleep? PLEASE!

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What is the best med for sleep? PLEASE!

Ambien (zolpidem) is pretty good, I found. It’s more or less unique. There is also zopiclone, if you can get a script for it (it’s not generally available in the US). Or you could try a sedating antidepressant like amitriptyline, doxepin, or mirtazapine (Remeron). But these work in a different way for sleeplessness, and may not work for everyone. -David-

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Dan wrote…… I take xanax before going to bed and get to slepp usually within 10 minutes, but I allways awaken about 1.5 to 2 hours later feeling anxious, and sweating terribly. My hands have gone to sleep due to poor circulation. What is the best med for sleep? PLEASE!

Dear Dan, There is a good chance that you are undermedicated when it come to Xanax, the should discuss this with your doctor. How long have you been on Zoloft, what is your current dose and do you feel it has helped you any? How is your anxiety during the day? If Zoloft hasn`t helped you much and is causing you to sleep poorly…..perhaps instead of adding yet another med why not switch to another antidepressant? I have gone through stages where my hands are always falling alseep while I am sleeping I have a bad habit of tucking my arms under my head and that is whats makes them fall asleep. Take care Jackie "Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us." -Stephen Covey

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Question:

For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

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I have taken 75-150 mg before. I currently take regular effexor (not XR) 100 mg.  Effexor XR dosages range from 75 (low) to 450mg (very high).  Avg is from 150mg to 225mg.  You know you are taking too much if you begin to have more and more trouble getting up in the morning. hope this helps, SaNd For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

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I have taken 75XR… my doctor inscreased my med at 150… Yark… I have had hallucinations. Aline – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

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I am on 150mg/day, and having difficulty getting up in the morning. But that was the same before Effexor. I think it is my depression that keeps me tied to bed. Why are you suggesting to lower the dose in this case? I mean, how does high dose of Effexor cause difficulty waking up? cem

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have taken 75-150 mg before. I currently take regular effexor (not XR) 100 mg.  Effexor XR dosages range from 75 (low) to 450mg (very high).  Avg is from 150mg to 225mg.  You know you are taking too much if you begin to have more and more trouble getting up in the morning. hope this helps, SaNd For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

__ Posted Via Binaries.net = SPEED+RETENTION+COMPLETION =

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If you are having more difficulty getting up now than you were before you began taking effexor or when you ere on a lower dosage, then you know that getting up in the morning is becoming even more difficult than before.  That is when you might suspect that you are taking too much effexor.  If you are having the same difficulty getting up inthe morning as you were before you began taking it or when you were on lower doses, then you may not be taking enough and/or it may not be working for you.   Is that a little easier to understand? I know it can be hard to tell how difficult getting up inthe morning is.  I guage it by how long i sleep.  The longer I sleep, the more difficult it is to get up.  Taking too much effexor when it is working can paralyze a person and it can be maddening because it happens so slowly. =) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am on 150mg/day, and having difficulty getting up in the morning. But that was the same before Effexor. I think it is my depression that keeps me tied to bed. Why are you suggesting to lower the dose in this case? I mean, how does high dose of Effexor cause difficulty waking up? cem I have taken 75-150 mg before. I currently take regular effexor (not XR) 100 mg.  Effexor XR dosages range from 75 (low) to 450mg (very high).  Avg is from 150mg to 225mg.  You know you are taking too much if you begin to have more and more trouble getting up in the morning. hope this helps, SaNd For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks… __ Posted Via Binaries.net = SPEED+RETENTION+COMPLETION = http://www.binaries.net

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I am on 75 mg/day.  Many people are on 150 mg.  I have heard of people being on 300 and 375 mg/day.  That’s where some of the bizarre side effects seem to be seen.  (Try a Google search on "effexor side effects.") Contrary to some of the other posts in this thread, I don’t see Effexor having any impact on my ability to get up in the morning.  But I am on a pretty low dose.  I do find that it causes me to have extremely vivid, detailed, long, and sometimes illogical dreams.  Paxil had this effect on me as well. I have heard the opinion that Effexor’s effect on norepinephrine reuptake doesn’t kick in until 150 mg/day, e.g. below 150 it supposedly only works on serotonin.  But I’ve always done fine on 75.  Perhaps it is a function of concentration, which in turn is a function of both dose and body weight, as I am not a large person. Hope this helps.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

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Thanks very much for the help. Much appreciated. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – For anyone who’s ever been on it or is familiar with the drug: What is the average dosage for this stuff? Thanks…

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Question:

BPD is known to be "incurable". so is cancer, cardiac disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and everything else except the common cold. If you get screwed by the insurance company call the board of insurance regulators in your state and file a complaint contact a lawyer and the newspapers-put some heat on them and they will pay-guaranteed

Thanks to everyone who replied.  All good advice. A few comments: I think that I got screwed by my employer rather than the insurance company. It was my employer who  CHOSE to switch from a better plan to one that reimburses psych drugs at 50%.   There were other plans to choose from and they chose this one. I used to pay 8 bucks for Zoloft while employed by these people under the old plan.  Isn’t that kind of like docking people’s salaries? One theory from another employee is that they wanted to cut costs and figured that this plan would screw the least amount of people.   PMS method? – I’m pretty sure that the drug is reimbursed at 50 percent no matter what the need is for it. But, I’m not certain about that. Boy am I confused. Generic Prozac? – I wonder why the psych doctor didn’t prescribe that for me. If it does the same thing and is exactly the same, what gives? Another question – is Prozac effective in helping to combat the tendency to get soooo freaking mad and disgusted that your entire body feels like it’s going to go through the roof?  That’s  one of my symptoms and I don’t mean road rage and stuff like that cuz that’s not what I get upset over. I get upset over nitwits like the people I work for.   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -the major affective disorders like bp require an ongoing course of medication which changes frequently and costs money-they take the risk of insuring you ergo they take the liability of paying as well as the asset of receiving premiums LM

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effective in helping to combat the tendency to get soooo freaking mad and disgusted that your entire body feels like it’s going to go through the roof?  That’s  one of my symptoms and I don’t mean road rage and stuff like that cuz that’s not what I get upset over. I get upset over nitwits like the people I work for.  

no not really in fact ity may alow you the pleasure of releasing this anger with less concern for your ramifications for doing so-a better plan is to stop demanding that those who do indeed act nitwitlike stop doing so since it won’t happen-you cannot change their nitwitdom but you can change your thoughts about how horrible their behavior is. This is cognitive therapy and it may allow you to stop reacting to others who push your buttons log on to www.rebt.org and get the book how to live with a neurotic by ellis it may be helpful LM

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Christine wrote……

<snipped Here’s the real disheartening part of the story – I go to the drug store and find out that my company has switched insurance plans and that I have to pay aprox. $138.00 for a 30-day supply and will get only 50% of that back because it is a psychiatric drug.

insurance and with this plan I have to pay alot more out of  pocket if I am prescribed a brand name med when there is a generic available. You might want to inquire about how much they would cover if you were prescribed generic Prozac. Take care!! Jackie ~*~Beyond myself…….somewhere   I wait for my arrival~*~

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Christine wrote…… <snipped Here’s the real disheartening part of the story – I go to the drug store and find out that my company has switched insurance plans and that I have to pay aprox. $138.00 for a 30-day supply and will get only 50% of that back because it is a psychiatric drug. health insurance and with this plan I have to pay alot more out of  pocket if I am prescribed a brand name med when there is a generic available. You might want to inquire about how much they would cover if you were prescribed generic Prozac. Take care!! Jackie ~*~Beyond myself…….somewhere  I wait for my arrival~*~

all good responses but will only add that any doc who claims prozac is really the best drug for this or for you is talking outa paper butt if you catch my drift. Prozac is typically more stimulating then zoloft and if you had severe side effects to zoloft you may not tolerate prozac any better. They both do similar things slightly differently in ones brain. If you have gad the best treatment is a combination of a benzo and an ad med and I prefer the more sedating ad meds for this not the more stimulating ones-if he is so hell bent on the ssri class ask for some samples for paxil as for insurance reimbursement: consider it a terrorist attack on ones well being and medical health-managed care sucks LM ps. don’t let him give you the crapola about using buspar and an ad instead of a benzo-although it can work for those lucky few the benzo alone will help the generalized sensation of anxiety

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BPD is known to be "incurable".

so is cancer, cardiac disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and everything else except the common cold. If you get screwed by the insurance company call the board of insurance regulators in your state and file a complaint contact a lawyer and the newspapers-put some heat on them and they will pay-guaranteed the major affective disorders like bp require an ongoing course of medication which changes frequently and costs money-they take the risk of insuring you ergo they take the liability of paying as well as the asset of receiving premiums LM

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forgot to mention this… while asking my company’s benefits coordinator what the story was with reimbursement, she asked, "Well, what kind of drug is it – is it a psychiatric drug or is it medically necessary? to which I responded – "IT’S BOTH". Boy, does that make me MADDDD!!!!!<

Well said! P.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yesterday, I met with the ole psych doctor to figure out what med I should start taking for GAD.  I had been using Zoloft in the past but didn’t get past 50 mg and stopped taking it because I thought it was causing me to wake up in the middle of the night.  While discussing my options with the doc, I asked him (like a always do), "Why is Zoloft your drug of choice for me?" He said that the reason he had prescribed Zoloft in the past was because it has a better track record for people actually getting through the initial side effects than Prozac has AND it has helped to ease many different kinds of anxiety situations (OCD, GAD, panic, etc..)  However, his opinion was that thee BEST drug for me to TRY would actually be Prozac.  He stated that although Prozac is a tough one to use at first (because of the jitteryness and anxiety inital side effects), in the long run it is VERY effective in treating GAD once it really kicks in. The plan was for me to very slowly ween (sp?) myself on it by starting with five (5) mg. then 10, then 15 and then 20 eventually over the course of 2 months (if that’s what it takes).  He said that although not gaurenteed, the chances are high that if I get through the side effects that the drug will do its job well.  Anyone agree? I’m kind of scared to death to take this stuff and can imagine freaking out from anxiety.

Prozac is the most stimulating of the SSRI

Question:

<Posted and Mailed One thing that my therp threw at me that was hard to accept (okay…still is), but I know is true, is that we cannot control the way we feel, only how we act because of our feelings. Yeah, it’s kind of warped sounding in a way, but it is true. For instance, I can’t stop myself from feeling I’m a completely useless turd, BUT, hopefully I can stop acting like a completely useless turd until I finally (maybe) feel differently.

This is similar to what I call "acting you way into a feeling". It is far easier said than done — particularly when you’re very depressed. But for example lets say that you are mildly depressed and don’t want to go to a party that otherwise you would want to go to. But you are going to make the effort to go anyway in spite of how you feel. You decide that you are going to act like you are having a great time. So you put on your best party grin and start mingling and talking. Pretty soon you find that you are no longer acting a role — but you are really enjoying yourself. This technique works better with situational depression than with bipolar depression. It’s much harder to fool neurotransmitters!

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permanently in the ether: I wasn’t aware that Buspar was so short acting. I take 30 mg at bedtime, it used to be 15mg am and pm, but the am dose was definitely making me sluggish. Of course, it could have been the paxil that was knocking me out. I have no idea how effective the Buspar is; because I take so damned many drugs, I never know what is what.

The drowsiness you describe does sound like what happened to my MIL her first few weeks on buspar–then she adjusted–but she does take a nap after lunch and sometimes tries to take on after breakfast. Buspar has made a world of difference for her.  Before buspar, she refused to go to any activities–and kept asking ppl to take her home. After a couple weeks on buspar–she turned around. These drugs have so many different effects on different ppl.  When I was in college I took a pharmacology class that was a survey of all drugs, from caffeine to heroin to thorazine.  One of the first things covered was the LD 50 and the ED 50. LD 50 is the lethal dose for 50 ppl out of 100.  That means the lethal dose stated on your insert will kill 50 out of 100 ppl, of the  50 ppl left, some will die at a lower dose and some will not die at the LD 50 level.  I dont like those odds. ED 50 is the effective dose for 50 out of 100 ppl.  So if a dr prescribes a med based on the medical information provided, you only have a 50/50 chance of the drug even being an effective dose for what you are trying to change.  You also have a chance (if you are one of the 50 ppl that the LD 50 doesnt work for) of the drug being either too strong or too weak for the benefit you are after. I find this whole medical crapola to really be one big game of Russian Roulette.  JMAO.    Yes, I have been having a bad time, but it is getting better. Of course, I have taken a fatalist attitude toward my problems. There is nothing I can do about it, so if they shut off my cable, internet, and telephone; oh well. I don’t think they can shut off my electric because it is my heat and a/c, and with my asthma I must have a/c. Of course, many times in the past, I have discovered the hard way that they can do things to me that I thought they couldn’t.

Please contact the power company if you are not already on lifeline service.  If you are not on lifeline service–they can cut you off. Even my kid got lifeline and he is fairly normal.   Also, I thought cable companies were  required to provide a basic economy package for ppl with low incomes?  Maybe it is a california thing–but here it is the law. Nancy in CA All thoughts posted here, unless otherwise cited, are my opinion based on my research and my experience.  Everyone should do their own research and make their own choices based on their situation. Please visit the new fms-guaifenisin support group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.guaifenisin Please visit the new moderated recovery group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info Please visit the new grandparents ng, alt.talk.grandparents. To respond via email, delete "Z" from my addy.

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hi…me again! for what it is worth, i find it interesting that you get sluggish from buspar…when they had me on that stuff i felt like i had water flowing through my ears constantly, and i was always wired…i never slept. i went on xanax and zoloft after that and even though the zoloft made me that way for around a week, i got over it. but buspar never agreed with my system.(made me want to call the phone company to thank them for billing me…ugh.)…bruce

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Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) sounds like you made some progress today. I’m curious about the buspar.  I’ve been watching sci.med.pharmacy for a while because someone asked about whether or not buspar could be prepared in a long acting form.  My MIL in a nursing home from a stroke takes buspar for stroke related anxiety.

That is a good g, eh? Hospitals and nursing homes do not like buspar because it has a short half life and therefore requires more frequent dosing.

Yes…3 times a day. I also understand that is is much less addicting, or tolerance building, I should say, than ativan or valium.

Yes it is. So, I am wondering why you would take a short acting anti-anxiety medication at bedtime?  For sleep alone?  I am still new here and am just getting ppl straight–did I recall you are having a bad time right now? And now I’m wondering–if you take buspar at bedtime–it wears off in the middle of the night–sending you into the depression during the day that you have?  I may be totally off base–but this is a thought that occured to me. And I have been given Lorazepam (ativan) for anxiety and maybe buspar might be a more controllable choice for me.  I have never used up a script–they go out of date on me when the bottle has been half used.

Peace,

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Hey Ralph you think the Buspar actually works? I was kin a thinking of blowing off refilling mine this month. The freaking prescription is $80 to refill…….anyway. Maybe the therapist will help? Hey its possible. Your not useless you provide a lot of help to us, and personally I like reading your posts. Hopefully your depression will lift soon. ((((((((((((Ralph)))))))))))

Dear Robert,         I don’t know about the buspar, myself. It seems to help me sleep when I have a lot of anxiety. I also seem to forget to take it, a lot. I never forget to take my Prozac. Boy, am I grateful that my Medicare HMO has a RX plan. Without it, my meds would be over $700.00 per month. I think what I am trying to say is that Buspar helps when I am really agitated/anxious and can’t sleep; but I question the usefulness of it day in and day out.         Thank you for your kind words. Yes, you are right, I am not totally useless. But lets just say that my usefulness is severely impaired by this damned condition. When I realize that I haven’t had the ability to so much as keep my apartment clean for over 3 years now; to do the simple things that most people take for granted…. but hey, I am sure that I am not alone in this.         Hope you are having a great day.  Hugs back to you Robert, Ralph

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Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt)

Hi Ralph– sounds like you made some progress today. I’m curious about the buspar.  I’ve been watching sci.med.pharmacy for a while because someone asked about whether or not buspar could be prepared in a long acting form.  My MIL in a nursing home from a stroke takes buspar for stroke related anxiety. Hospitals and nursing homes do not like buspar because it has a short half life and therefore requires more frequent dosing. I also understand that is is much less addicting, or tolerance building, I should say, than ativan or valium. So, I am wondering why you would take a short acting anti-anxiety medication at bedtime?  For sleep alone?  I am still new here and am just getting ppl straight–did I recall you are having a bad time right now?  And now I’m wondering–if you take buspar at bedtime–it wears off in the middle of the night–sending you into the depression during the day that you have?  I may be totally off base–but this is a thought that occured to me. And I have been given Lorazepam (ativan) for anxiety and maybe buspar might be a more controllable choice for me.  I have never used up a script–they go out of date on me when the bottle has been half used. May your good days be many and your bad days fade away, Nancy To respond via email, delete "nospam" from my addy. Please visit the new moderated recovery group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info Also, check out the guafenisin group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.guaifenesin Please visit the new grandparents group, alt.talk.grandparents.

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I wasn’t aware that Buspar was so short acting. I take 30 mg at bedtime, it used to be 15mg am and pm, but the am dose was definitely making me sluggish. Of course, it could have been the paxil that was knocking me out. I have no idea how effective the Buspar is; because I take so damned many drugs, I never know what is what.         Yes, I have been having a bad time, but it is getting better. Of course, I have taken a fatalist attitude toward my problems. There is nothing I can do about it, so if they shut off my cable, internet, and telephone; oh well. I don’t think they can shut off my electric because it is my heat and a/c, and with my asthma I must have a/c. Of course, many times in the past, I have discovered the hard way that they can do things to me that I thought they couldn’t.         I have "faith" that somehow I will get bailed out of this mess; but if not, there is nothing I can do. Oh well, no sense me working myself up. Hope you are having a good day,  Ralph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) Hi Ralph– sounds like you made some progress today. I’m curious about the buspar.  I’ve been watching sci.med.pharmacy for a while because someone asked about whether or not buspar could be prepared in a long acting form.  My MIL in a nursing home from a stroke takes buspar for stroke related anxiety. Hospitals and nursing homes do not like buspar because it has a short half life and therefore requires more frequent dosing. I also understand that is is much less addicting, or tolerance building, I should say, than ativan or valium. So, I am wondering why you would take a short acting anti-anxiety medication at bedtime?  For sleep alone?  I am still new here and am just getting ppl straight–did I recall you are having a bad time right now?  And now I’m wondering–if you take buspar at bedtime–it wears off in the middle of the night–sending you into the depression during the day that you have?  I may be totally off base–but this is a thought that occured to me. And I have been given Lorazepam (ativan) for anxiety and maybe buspar might be a more controllable choice for me.  I have never used up a script–they go out of date on me when the bottle has been half used. May your good days be many and your bad days fade away, Nancy To respond via email, delete "nospam" from my addy. Please visit the new moderated recovery group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.recovery.info Also, check out the guafenisin group at alt.med.fibromyalgia.guaifenesin Please visit the new grandparents group, alt.talk.grandparents.

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Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

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So how do you FEEL about this? hahahaha love, Amy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

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How do I feel? With my hands! How do you feel? <tease Hugs from the serial hugger,  ralph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So how do you FEEL about this? hahahaha love, Amy Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

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You got a deal. Now, just how do we get you here? Tie me down? Hmmmm, whatever do you have in mind? <tease Hugs from the serial hugger, ralph – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Wish I lived close by, Ralph.  I’d drop by, do your laundry, clean your house, organize your meds.  Then I’d tie you down and relay 3 or so decades of my life, viola!!–you have thus served a function–eliminate useless.  Dirt poor?  Sorry, sport, miracles belong to the manic and she ain’t here today. Houston Saw my PDoc today. He isn’t happy about my depressions. He uped my Prozac to 30mg for 7 days then 40mg Still 400 neurontin 4X a day Welbutrin 300mg AM 150mg PM Buspar 30mg at night (it knocks me on my butt) I am also going to get a therapist for the purpose of learning how to deal with my life. Hopefully I will learn some tricks to doing simple things like the laundry, cleaning the house, remembering to take my meds, and surviving being dirt poor and useless. <grin I don’t want to do any of this visualization crap, or how do you feel about how you feel about how you feel about. I want this is what you do, this is how you do it, and maybe you will actually have clean clothes, clean dishes, and dinner on the table. Hugs, Ralph

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