Question:

Thanks .  I know I don’t have sinusitus or reflux.  the way the Dr. explained it to me is that certain fumes or irritants in the air act on my lungs like putting your hand in bleach water for a while would act on the skin on your hand.  I’ll contact my Dr. about stronger inhaled steroids and check into the place in Denver.  Great idea about an action plan.  Sometimes it’s hard to tell how much oxygen I’m getting because when I’m around the triggers it just keeps building. If I would wheeze right away I could tell better.  Usually I just get coated over in my lungs and my heart starts racing, trying to get enough air.  I usually can get air into my lungs but it doesn’t’ do a lot of good because everything is coated over.  Anyway, I usually have to stay away from the triggers, and then lay slanted, with my head down to get unplugged. Again thanks for the good information.  I’ve been feeling pretty stranded

Response:

    I have asthma that mimics bronchitis and goes into pneumonia, pluresy, and whatever else  they want to label it.  I take accolate, combivent, in the hand held and with a nebulizer depending on my choice, vanceril, guaifenicin, flonaise, and allegra-D on a regular basis.  Then I take oral steroids and appropriate anti-biotics when indicated.  Even with all this my asthma is not controlled,  I try as much as possible to live in a controlled environment.  I clean with baking soda and vinegar as all other cleaning supplies triggers an attack.  The Dr. says that my asthma appears to be triggered by a laundry list of substances that are caustic to me.  Is there anything else that is available to help me not be homebound?

Perhaps you need to increase your dose of inhaled steroids, Vanceril in your case. Per the NHLBI EPR2 Low Dose = 4-12 pf/day Moderate Dose = 12-20 pf/day High Dose 20 pf/day (typically to 40) Vanceril is a rather weak steroid inhaler. You could cut the number of puffs in half by going to Vanceril Double Strength; or switch to a higher strength one–Pulmicort or Flovent 220. These require even fewer puffs. The new guidelines recommend using a peak flow meter to monitor lung condition at home, and an Action Plan to increase meds when peak flows drop or symptoms increase. Many difficult cases of asthma are related either to sinusitis or GE reflux. Those with difficult asthma may benefit from a trip to National Jewish Center in Denver for a full evaluation. www.njc.org   800-222-LUNG Ellis

Response:

    I have asthma that mimics bronchitis and goes into pneumonia, pluresy, and whatever else  they want to label it.  I take accolate, combivent, in the hand held and with a nebulizer depending on my choice, vanceril, guaifenicin, flonaise, and allegra-D on a regular basis.  Then I take oral steroids and appropriate anti-biotics when indicated.  Even with all this my asthma is not controlled,  I try as much as possible to live in a controlled environment.  I clean with baking soda and vinegar as all other cleaning supplies triggers an attack.  The Dr. says that my asthma appears to be triggered by a laundry list of substances that are caustic to me.  Is there anything else that is available to help me not be homebound?

Response:

Question:

I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts.  They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

Response:

" Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence?

Hi Nana, It’s my understanding that a Effexor, an antidepressant, is used to help hot flashes.  I was diagnosed almost twenty years ago and completed a year of CMF chemo a year after diagnosis.  The chemo induced a premature menopause and with it came the hot flashes.  They abated a bit for quite a few years, but are back now (probably coinciding with the time of my natural menopause).  I haven’t asked my Dr. about the Effexor because I know that the antidepressants come with some side effects.  While I hate the hot flashes, I’ll put up with them over the possible side effects of a tricyclic antidepressant.  Good luck to you! Barb

Response:

I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+.

Susan Love debunks this on her site: http://www.susanlovemd.com/community/flashes/hotflash030725.htm

Response:

Barb, I think Effexor is not a tricyclic antidepressant. I believe it works in a similar way to the ‘new’ antidepressants like Prozac.  The older tricyclics have some unpleasant side effects but I understand that the new antidepressants are relatively free of significant side effects.  With Effexor, the main problems seem to be nausea, sweating and insomnia but I know that these don’t affect everybody and I suppose the severity must be related to the dose. My wife couldn’t tolerate these drugs after her chemo and she had to put up with the hot flashes.  However, I know people who get along just fine with Effexor and it is a great help to them.  It would be a shame if anybody had to suffer unnecessarily because of concerns about Effexor side effects. Some people don’t have any side effects at all. I know a lot of people don’t like the thought of taking antidepressants and it’s certainly not for me to say they are right or wrong.  However, if these drugs can help with the hot flashes, some might consider it worthwhile to speak to their doctor. Best wishes to you, Richard

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – " Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? Hi Nana, It’s my understanding that a Effexor, an antidepressant, is used to help hot flashes.  I was diagnosed almost twenty years ago and completed a year of CMF chemo a year after diagnosis.  The chemo induced a premature menopause and with it came the hot flashes.  They abated a bit for quite a few years, but are back now (probably coinciding with the time of my natural menopause).  I haven’t asked my Dr. about the Effexor because I know that the antidepressants come with some side effects.  While I hate the hot flashes, I’ll put up with them over the possible side effects of a tricyclic antidepressant.  Good luck to you! Barb

Response:

Hi Nana, I don’t know if this is true for all but whenever  I ate foods with sugar I would get an almost immediate hot flash.  Avoiding those foods helped a great deal.  Then, if and when I did get one I tried to ride it through like a wave on the ocean.  Doing that me feel like I had some sense of control and that helped, too. Do hope these are lessened for you—take care…

Response:

I had unbearable hot flashes after CMF-induced chemopause at age 43.  Every 20-30 minutes,  24/7, dripping sweat on the floor….  I tried the yam cream (no help), clonidine patches (wouldn’t stick I sweat so much)- finally my onc tried Effexor XR– I got almost immediate relief (I take 75 mg in the AM)  The major side effect is that it can raise your blood pressure.  I have zero side effects.  jeannette

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts. They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

Response:

I am a little nervous.  I reviewed my pathology report and remembered that my lump was both ER+ and PR+.  I have been using the natural progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  Do you think this could have caused a problem? I am not going to use any more "natural" methods such as progesterone cream or black cohosh.  Black Cohosh is estrogen like and therefore could possibly encourage tumor growth.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts. They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

Response:

Barb, I think Effexor is not a tricyclic antidepressant. I believe it works in a similar way to the ‘new’ antidepressants like Prozac.

You are correct; Effexor is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibiter (SSRI).  As with any drug, it may have unwanted side effects, but is generally better tolerated than the tricyclics (which aren’t that bad for many people).  Clonidine (Catapres(R)), an alpha adrenergic blocker usually used for blood pressure control helps some folks, as does Bellergal or similar mixtures, evening primrose oil, and vitamin E.  I think the SSRIs are currently preferred.  Zoloft and Effexor are both good. Both can be associated with either weight gain or loss; Effexor is a little more likely to cause weight loss than gain, while most of the others cause gain more frequently than loss. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The older tricyclics have some unpleasant side effects but I understand that the new antidepressants are relatively free of significant side effects.  With Effexor, the main problems seem to be nausea, sweating and insomnia but I know that these don’t affect everybody and I suppose the severity must be related to the dose. My wife couldn’t tolerate these drugs after her chemo and she had to put up with the hot flashes.  However, I know people who get along just fine with Effexor and it is a great help to them.  It would be a shame if anybody had to suffer unnecessarily because of concerns about Effexor side effects. Some people don’t have any side effects at all. I know a lot of people don’t like the thought of taking antidepressants and it’s certainly not for me to say they are right or wrong.  However, if these drugs can help with the hot flashes, some might consider it worthwhile to speak to their doctor. Best wishes to you, Richard " Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? Hi Nana, It’s my understanding that a Effexor, an antidepressant, is used to help hot flashes.  I was diagnosed almost twenty years ago and completed a year of CMF chemo a year after diagnosis.  The chemo induced a premature menopause and with it came the hot flashes.  They abated a bit for quite a few years, but are back now (probably coinciding with the time of my natural menopause).  I haven’t asked my Dr. about the Effexor because I know that the antidepressants come with some side effects.  While I hate the hot flashes, I’ll put up with them over the possible side effects of a tricyclic antidepressant.  Good luck to you! Barb

Response:

Thanks for the correction.  I knew when I wrote it that it didn’t look right, and should have known better.  My daughter took many, many of the SSRI’s a couple of years ago for postpartum depression.  She had a hard time finding the right one and did have significant side effects with this category of drugs.  That doesn’t mean that another person would have the same.  I just prefer to put up with the hot flashes rather than risk the possible side effects.  It’s great when a person gets the optimum benefit with few of the hassles, isn’t it?  Thanks again for clearing my "boo-boo". Barb

Response:

Hi, Nana:     I must be one of the weird ones. I have the hot flashes, but I love the blinkin’ things — first time I’ve been warm in years.     I was also ER+. Nonetheless, when I started having the hot flashes, by onc offered to put me on an estrogen ring which would emit just enough estrogen to keep the hot flashes down but not enough to exacerbate the cancer. I didn’t take it because, as I said, I’m crazy and love my hot flashes.     If any body here would have an answer for you, it would be Tim. As far as I’m concerned, he’s our guru. But I wouldn’t take anything without talking first with your oncologist. Until you do, grab a fan and ice water, girlfriend! I wish I could take your flashes for you. I only get them every 3 minutes!     Hugs,         Mary K

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a little nervous.  I reviewed my pathology report and remembered that my lump was both ER+ and PR+.  I have been using the natural progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  Do you think this could have caused a problem? I am not going to use any more "natural" methods such as progesterone cream or black cohosh.  Black Cohosh is estrogen like and therefore could possibly encourage tumor growth. I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts. They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

Response:

I don’t really know very much about this.  I would certainly think that progesterone cream was a bad idea if the cancer is PR+, however the effect on potential tumours is relatively long term, so I doubt that 3 weeks has caused a problem. With regard to Black Cohosh and its ilk, there seem to be differing opinions, and the research results seem to be uncertain.  One obviously wants to minimise estrogen activity, but to replace the function of estrogen in -parts- of the body.  So the fact that it is estrogen-like is not necessarily a bad thing, it depends on the specific effects on breast cancer tissue, ie which particular estrogen receptors it can bind to.  After all Tamoxifen is estrogen-like in that it binds to estrogen receptors, but of course having done so it dos not activate them. I wouldn’t rule it out yet, but I’d read up on the latest research before using it, and of course consult with your oncologist before prescribing yourself anything, ‘natural’ or otherwise. Tim Jackson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –     If any body here would have an answer for you, it would be Tim. I am a little nervous.  I reviewed my pathology report and remembered that my lump was both ER+ and PR+.  I have been using the natural progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  Do you think this could have caused a problem? I am not going to use any more "natural" methods such as progesterone cream or black cohosh.  Black Cohosh is estrogen like and therefore could possibly encourage tumor growth.

Response:

Too bad the abstract didn’t list WHICH Vit. E — there are four, each with it’s own individual properties. Lady8

Response:

<< Too bad the abstract didn’t list WHICH Vit. E — there are four, each with it’s own individual properties. Lady8   I don’t know that much about vitamins but do think we need to be cautious about anything out-of-the norm that we opt to take.  One important fact about vitamins and supplements–they are considered dietary aids and are under different regulations for manufacture than medications.  What is contained and what the label states is contained do not have to be the same.  Because they are considered ‘dietary,’ they are allowed some leeway in that regard.  So, if decides to take them it is good to ascertain whether or not the company that you are getting them from guarantees that the ingredients and % of amounts are accurate.  Some vitamin manufacturers, however, do guarantee that their products and labels are accurate  even though they are not required to do so (state that they are guaranteed, accurate, or even be accurate).

Response:

Dee wrote <<   The Vitamin E worked to reduce the severity and made the flashes tolerable.  I was surprised at a doctor making that suggestion. I really don’t know alot about vitamins but there appear to be mixed reviews on whether they are or aren’t good for those with breast cancer. "http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=11807780&form… b=m&Dopt=r "1: Int J Cancer 2002 Feb 10;97(5):574-9 Oxidant-antioxidant status in relation to survival among breast cancer patients. Saintot M, Mathieu-Daude H, Astre C, Grenier J, Simony-Lafontaine J, Gerber M. Centre de Recherche en Cancerologie, INSERM-CRLCC, Val D’Aurelle, Parc Euromedecine, Montpellier, France. The role of plasma oxidant-antioxidant status in survival after breast cancer surgery was investigated in a cohort of patients (n = 363) hospitalized in Southern France between 1989 and 1992. The median follow-up was 8 years after surgery for histologically confirmed breast cancer. Plasma analyses were performed after diagnosis and before surgery and adjuvant therapy. We found an inverse relationship between plasma lipoperoxides (MDA) and tumor size at diagnosis, together with higher lipoperoxide levels in node-negative tumors than in node-positive ones (TNM). The longitudinal approach revealed an increased risk of recurrence for patients with plasma lipoperoxides in the highest tertile of the sample (RR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.0). In addition, the risk of recurrence increased (RR = 1.7, 95%CI 1.0-3.0), after adjustment for the known prognostic factors (TNM), for patients with plasma lipid-adjusted vitamin E levels of over 22 micromol/l. The risk of breast cancer death was twice as great for patients with plasma lipid-adjusted vitamin E levels above this value. Excesses of plasma lipoperoxides and vitamin E appear to be factors in poor prognosis for breast cancer-specific survival (OVS) and disease-free survival (DFS), respectively, independent of tumor characteristics at diagnosis. Several hypotheses are advanced to explain the possible role of plasma vitamin E as a factor in poor prognosis for survival. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MeSH Terms: *       Adult *       Aged *       Aged, 80 and over *       Antioxidants/metabolism* *       Biological Markers/blood *       Breast Neoplasms/surgery *       Breast Neoplasms/secondary *       Breast Neoplasms/mortality* *       Breast Neoplasms/metabolism* *       Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/surgery *       Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/secondary *       Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/metabolism* *       Carcinoma, Infiltrating Duct/epidemiology *       Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/surgery *       Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/metabolism* *       Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating/epidemiology *       Carcinoma, Lobular/surgery *       Carcinoma, Lobular/secondary *       Carcinoma, Lobular/metabolism* *       Carcinoma, Lobular/epidemiology *       Cholesterol/blood *       Cohort Studies *       Disease-Free Survival *       Female *       Follow-Up Studies *       France/epidemiology *       Human *       Lipid Peroxides/blood *       Longitudinal Studies *       Lymphatic Metastasis *       Middle Age *       Neoplasm Recurrence, Local *       Oxidants/blood* *       Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism *       Survival Rate Substances: *       Cholesterol *       Receptors, Estrogen *       Oxidants *       Lipid Peroxides *       Biological Markers *       Antioxidants PMID: 11807780 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]"

Response:

Interesting.  I suppose I could learn.  No I hadn’t heard of that either One might theorise about the tissue’s response to T which makes it ineffective after five years.  Something like preferentially breeding cell lines which are resistant to T.  Perhaps a similar effect occurs in other tissues and maybe that can cause a withdrawal effect when you stop. Do you know which arm of ATAC you were on, or is it totally blind? Tim

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t really know very much about this. Well perhaps you know something about this: In late June I finished the five year course of the ATAC programme (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or Combined). About two weeks after that I had a hot flush (being English – it’s what we say!) The incidents have increased, now I have them two or three times a day. Might there be a link? Mary (not due to menopause, that was fourteen years ago!)

Response:

Interesting.  I suppose I could learn.  No I hadn’t heard of that either One might theorise about the tissue’s response to T which makes it ineffective after five years.  Something like preferentially breeding cell lines which are resistant to T.  Perhaps a similar effect occurs in other tissues and maybe that can cause a withdrawal effect when you stop. Do you know which arm of ATAC you were on, or is it totally blind?

Totally blind. No clues at all. No-one knows. As I said, it might not be related but the co-incidence at my age might be significant. As you said, it’s interesting Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tim I don’t really know very much about this. Well perhaps you know something about this: In late June I finished the five year course of the ATAC programme (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or Combined). About two weeks after that I had a hot flush (being English – it’s what we say!) The incidents have increased, now I have them two or three times a day. Might there be a link? Mary (not due to menopause, that was fourteen years ago!)

Response:

My problem is I don’t understand what mechanism causes the hot flushes.  I understand that they happen in estrogen withdrawal, but I don’t know why. My thinking about Tamoxifen resistance is that most of our body tissues are constantly slowly being renewed, especially those in which cancer can occur. So if we change the regime of growth factors in which this happen we prevent the cell lines which are promoted by the particular growth factor, in this case estrogen, from being replaced as they die out, and cell lines which use other mechanisms become prevalent.  Pure Darwin.  And so the tissue becomes refractory to the drug.  We know the cells have the potential to use different growth factors because we get cancers which do.  This mechanism would equally apply to aromatase inhibitors, it is directly dependent on the absence of estrogen stimulation however caused and exactly parallels the cancer suppression. If this is the mechanism then one would expect the incidence of ER+ cancers to have fallen immediately the drug was introduced, to a plateau where it would pretty much stay even after the drug was eventually withdrawn, but the incidence of ER- cancers would have slowly risen because of the increased proportion of non-estrogen dependent cell lines (but of course not by as much as the ER+ fell, because they are the prevalent cancer).  Another prediction of the model is that if a woman who was post 5 years Tamoxifen took estrogen therapy, or became pregnant, her breasts would not enlarge as much as they normally do. In this scenario it is clear that the reintroduction of estrogen would do -something- although it would have little effect on breast tissue growth. It should for example still inhibit osteoclasts (bone removal cells), as the removal of an inhibition would not have suppressed cell line evolution.  If I understood how estrogen withdrawal actually causes spurious fluctuations in the temperature control system, then maybe I could use this model to explain a similar effect on reintroduction. Tim Jackson – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – One might theorise about the tissue’s response to T which makes it ineffective after five years. In late June I finished the five year course of the ATAC programme (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or Combined). About two weeks after that I had a hot flush (being English – it’s what we say!)

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My problem is I don’t understand what mechanism causes the hot flushes.  I understand that they happen in estrogen withdrawal, but I don’t know why. My thinking about Tamoxifen resistance is that most of our body tissues are constantly slowly being renewed, especially those in which cancer can occur. So if we change the regime of growth factors in which this happen we prevent the cell lines which are promoted by the particular growth factor, in this case estrogen, from being replaced as they die out, and cell lines which use other mechanisms become prevalent.  Pure Darwin.  And so the tissue becomes refractory to the drug.  We know the cells have the potential to use different growth factors because we get cancers which do.  This mechanism would equally apply to aromatase inhibitors, it is directly dependent on the absence of estrogen stimulation however caused and exactly parallels the cancer suppression.

Um. I -think- I understand some of that … If this is the mechanism then one would expect the incidence of ER+ cancers to have fallen immediately the drug was introduced, to a plateau where it would pretty much stay even after the drug was eventually withdrawn, but the incidence of ER- cancers would have slowly risen because of the increased proportion of non-estrogen dependent cell lines (but of course not by as much as the ER+ fell, because they are the prevalent cancer).  Another prediction of the model is that if a woman who was post 5 years Tamoxifen took estrogen therapy, or became pregnant, her breasts would not enlarge as much as they normally do.

Mine was ER+, I -think- that’s comforting … In this scenario it is clear that the reintroduction of estrogen would do -something- although it would have little effect on breast tissue growth. It should for example still inhibit osteoclasts (bone removal cells), as the removal of an inhibition would not have suppressed cell line evolution.

As I -think- I unerstand that it suggests that I should have estrogen re-introduced – although perhaps I’m still producing my own. I was tested post menopausally be pre-cancer diagnosis and told I had an excess of estrogen. If I understood how estrogen withdrawal actually causes spurious fluctuations in the temperature control system, then maybe I could use this model to explain a similar effect on reintroduction.

Of course I only started the flushes at menopause but all my life I’ve been a hot and sweaty person. Still am. I sweat in bed while Spouse shivers, he’s always warmed himself on me. Today I’m in shorts and T-shirt (not a pretty sight but I’m comfortable). He’s in jeans and sweat shirt. He says it’s because his thermostat works and mine doesn’t Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tim Jackson One might theorise about the tissue’s response to T which makes it ineffective after five years. In late June I finished the five year course of the ATAC programme (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or Combined). About two weeks after that I had a hot flush (being English – it’s what we say!)

Response:

No one has mentioned Vitamin E pills?  Tthe gyn recommended trying it and said there were prescription drugs that might help, if it didn’t.  The Vitamin E worked to reduce the severity and made the flashes tolerable.  I was surprised at a doctor making that suggestion. Also, don’t some people call them "power surges."

I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts.  They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

Response:

No one has mentioned Vitamin E pills?  Tthe gyn recommended trying it and said there were prescription drugs that might help, if it didn’t.  The Vitamin E worked to reduce the severity and made the flashes tolerable.  I was surprised at a doctor making that suggestion. Also, don’t some people call them "power surges."

LOL! I’ll try to remember that Mary

Response:

Yeah, they do call them power surges! Believe me, my power *really* surges, too!! I do take the Vitamin E. 2,000IU per day. It also is supposed to help the mind and is recommended often for Alzheimer’s patients. I must be hopeless: I still have the hot flashes BIG time. My husband has the Alzheimer’s disease and he does seem to be doing pretty well. I, on the other hand, forget where I put my car keys, checkbook, etc. Mary K

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No one has mentioned Vitamin E pills?  Tthe gyn recommended trying it and said there were prescription drugs that might help, if it didn’t.  The Vitamin E worked to reduce the severity and made the flashes tolerable.  I was surprised at a doctor making that suggestion. Also, don’t some people call them "power surges." I know this is a common subject, but hot flashes are driving me nuts. They started near the end of chemo. I have about 20 a day.  I have tried natural progesterone cream.  I was interested in black cohosh, but after reading on the internet that it is "estrogen-like", I am afraid of it.  My lump was ER+. I have been using the progesterone cream for 3 weeks.  I have seen absolutely no abatement of the hot flashes with this. Does anyone have any ideas?  Is there anything which works but does not increase the chances of recurrence? thanks, nana

Response:

the reintroduction of estrogen would… for example still inhibit osteoclasts (bone removal cells) As I -think- I unerstand that it suggests that I should have estrogen re-introduced – although perhaps I’m still producing my own. I was tested post menopausally be pre-cancer diagnosis and told I had an excess of estrogen.

Yes. I wouldn’t advocate adding to what you already produce yourself.  That shouldn’t have changed. Of course I only started the flushes at menopause but all my life I’ve been a hot and sweaty person. Still am. I sweat in bed while Spouse shivers, he’s always warmed himself on me. Today I’m in shorts and T-shirt (not a pretty sight but I’m comfortable). He’s in jeans and sweat shirt. He says it’s because his thermostat works and mine doesn’t

Yes, this is the fascinating bit.  I know everyone’s thermostat is different and it depends on body weight and things, and it probably has something to do with fat metabolism, and so does (aromatase) estrogen production, but I can’t quite see the connection all the same. Tim

Response:

I don’t really know very much about this.

Well perhaps you know something about this: In late June I finished the five year course of the ATAC programme (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or Combined). About two weeks after that I had a hot flush (being English – it’s what we say!) The incidents have increased, now I have them two or three times a day. Might there be a link? Mary (not due to menopause, that was fourteen years ago!)

Response:

Question:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

Question:

        What are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? One         person has mentioned headaches.

Response:

what are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? one person has mentioned headaches. Paxil (paroxetine) may cause side effects similar to those of the other major serotonin reuptake inhibitors currently on the market, Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline), namely:  dryness of the eyes and mouth, mild constipation, restless sleep or insomnia, and decreased libido.  i have been taking paxil for depression for the past six months and have experienced all of these effects, but they have all abated as time passes, except that i still have problems with restless sleep, and bruxism or grinding of the teeth during sleep.  i’ve been experimenting with timing of the dosage to prevent this.  apparently Paxil gives some people a feeling of more energy, and some a feeling of tiredness.  i was advised that it has the least side effects of any of the serotonin reuptake inhibitors, especially in the area of stomach upset and/or decreased appetite.  i haven’t experienced either of these, nor have i had headaches. i don’t want to take it forever, but i’ve had good results with it–in combination with sessions with a reputable therapist–for depression/social phobia. megan

Response:

        What are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? One         person has mentioned headaches.

Response:

what are some of the side effects of the drug Paxil? one person has mentioned headaches. Paxil (paroxetine) may cause side effects similar to those of the other major serotonin reuptake inhibitors currently on the market, Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline), namely:  dryness of the eyes and mouth, mild constipation, restless sleep or insomnia, and decreased libido.  i have been taking paxil for depression for the past six months and have experienced all of these effects, but they have all abated as time passes, except that i still have problems with restless sleep, and bruxism or grinding of the teeth during sleep.  i’ve been experimenting with timing of the dosage to prevent this.  apparently Paxil gives some people a feeling of more energy, and some a feeling of tiredness.  i was advised that it has the least side effects of any of the serotonin reuptake inhibitors, especially in the area of stomach upset and/or decreased appetite.  i haven’t experienced either of these, nor have i had headaches. i don’t want to take it forever, but i’ve had good results with it–in combination with sessions with a reputable therapist–for depression/social phobia. megan

Response:

Question:

Hi Jim I thought I would let you know about tonight. I haven’t had any medicine at all since 4 yesterday afternoon but they were not worried about it and my B/P is up to 148/90 from 124/80 last time. My temp is 100 and I am usually ready to be buried by then since normal is 96 for me or I am dog sick. My thyroid medicine has taken my values back to the normal range but they still would not let me have my Xenycal after promising me I could until my fasting labs are done in two weeks and another three after that. I am very discouraged and angry because I really wanted to start it when I felt better. They said in my area a nasty virus is going around no thought it could be Septic since I have run around with infection in my face for six months now. So anyway every time I go to the doctor it is one more diagnosis and this time is I am anemic. Gosh if I get worse just dig a hole and throw me in. The good news is I lost another six pounds. Whoopie. I guess I am glad for that but the doctor should not lie and tell me I can have something and then change it. Oh one more good news. The nurse said I could have my Zoloft dose raised so I will be singing a happy dance when it takes effect. Thanks for listening I feel better just knowing you cared about me. Thanks a million. Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

Response:

Diana Ya doing the happy dance yet?  Sorry to hear about all the discouragement.  I dont wanna go off on a rant, but I am really disappointed in the way the medical system works these days.  I am not really putting blame on Docs, or insurance.  I dont know the inner workings so not going to be too quick to pass blame.  I just dont remember having to wait so long in the waiting room to see a doctor, and the lack of sympathy in the medical profession.  When I was younger and diagnosed, my docs nurse came to the hospital to see how I was doing.  It wasnt a professional visit, it was courtesy.  I know that cant take place in todays system, but when you look into a doctors, or nurses face these days (speaking very generally of course) their eyes seem so cold, like if they are working on a machine or something.  Oopps I ranted. Well, I am still happy that you visited the doc.  You do seem more spunky since your return. <g Feeling any better?  Stick in there and when ya need support, ya know theres lots of us here. Jim — Ouch, That H3rtz http://othserver.coxinet.net/ MARS Cars-2, Nascar 3 Driver #147 http://www.mars-racing.com/ http://members.tripod.com/rage613mars/

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Jim I thought I would let you know about tonight. I haven’t had any medicine at all since 4 yesterday afternoon but they were not worried about it and my B/P is up to 148/90 from 124/80 last time. My temp is 100 and I am usually ready to be buried by then since normal is 96 for me or I am dog sick. My thyroid medicine has taken my values back to the normal range but they still would not let me have my Xenycal after promising me I could until my fasting labs are done in two weeks and another three after that. I am very discouraged and angry because I really wanted to start it when I felt better. They said in my area a nasty virus is going around no thought it could be Septic since I have run around with infection in my face for six months now. So anyway every time I go to the doctor it is one more diagnosis and this time is I am anemic. Gosh if I get worse just dig a hole and throw me in. The good news is I lost another six pounds. Whoopie. I guess I am glad for that but the doctor should not lie and tell me I can have something and then change it. Oh one more good news. The nurse said I could have my Zoloft dose raised so I will be singing a happy dance when it takes effect. Thanks for listening I feel better just knowing you cared about me. Thanks a million. Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

Response:

Hi Again Ditto to all you said and today was the first time I saw a nurse practitioner but you know I think I will keep her. She was more thorough than the doctor even though I like her too but the nurse was better and patient friendly. I still feel awful but I will have my phenergan for the nausea and it will be better. I appreciate your help and support. As usual ASD come to help me. I owe everyone so much. They have pulled me through some really tough times. Thanks again Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Diana Ya doing the happy dance yet?  Sorry to hear about all the discouragement.  I dont wanna go off on a rant, but I am really disappointed in the way the medical system works these days.  I am not really putting blame on Docs, or insurance.  I dont know the inner workings so not going to be too quick to pass blame.  I just dont remember having to wait so long in the waiting room to see a doctor, and the lack of sympathy in the medical profession.  When I was younger and diagnosed, my docs nurse came to the hospital to see how I was doing.  It wasnt a professional visit, it was courtesy.  I know that cant take place in todays system, but when you look into a doctors, or nurses face these days (speaking very generally of course) their eyes seem so cold, like if they are working on a machine or something.  Oopps I ranted. Well, I am still happy that you visited the doc.  You do seem more spunky since your return. <g Feeling any better?  Stick in there and when ya need support, ya know theres lots of us here. Jim — Ouch, That H3rtz http://othserver.coxinet.net/ MARS Cars-2, Nascar 3 Driver #147 http://www.mars-racing.com/ http://members.tripod.com/rage613mars/ Hi Jim I thought I would let you know about tonight. I haven’t had any medicine at all since 4 yesterday afternoon but they were not worried about it and my B/P is up to 148/90 from 124/80 last time. My temp is 100 and I am usually ready to be buried by then since normal is 96 for me or I am dog sick. My thyroid medicine has taken my values back to the normal range but they still would not let me have my Xenycal after promising me I could until my fasting labs are done in two weeks and another three after that. I am very discouraged and angry because I really wanted to start it when I felt better. They said in my area a nasty virus is going around no thought it could be Septic since I have run around with infection in my face for six months now. So anyway every time I go to the doctor it is one more diagnosis and this time is I am anemic. Gosh if I get worse just dig a hole and throw me in. The good news is I lost another six pounds. Whoopie. I guess I am glad for that but the doctor should not lie and tell me I can have something and then change it. Oh one more good news. The nurse said I could have my Zoloft dose raised so I will be singing a happy dance when it takes effect. Thanks for listening I feel better just knowing you cared about me. Thanks a million. Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

Response:

could be Septic since I have run around with infection in my face for six months now

Diana, Just a question, have they ever treated that infection? If not why not? 6 months is a long time to wallk around with an infection. just curious Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

Hi Ruthie Yes for three months she agreed it was sinus and I went to urgent care twice and her once and was on antibiotics for ten days each time and then the last three months she changed her mind since I had a raised area on my gum above the tooth that broke off and I keep trying to tell her it started in my cheek and nose and went to my gum and she said there was no way it could get to my gum but that isn’t what she said when she asked if my teeth hurt and I said yes. Hmmm I wonder sometimes about doctors. I do go to the dentist this coming Tuesday so hopefully it will be taken care of. Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – could be Septic since I have run around with infection in my face for six months now Diana, Just a question, have they ever treated that infection? If not why not? 6 months is a long time to wallk around with an infection. just curious Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

Hmmm I wonder sometimes about doctors. I do go to the dentist this coming Tuesday so hopefully it will be taken care of. Di

Di, Hooray! Teeth can make you feel rotten, I’ve had abcessed teeth and they aren’t fun, Hope all goes well on tuesday, and you’ll be feeling better soon! Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

Ruthie Hi. Thanks for your sweet post. I sure do hope Tuesday takes care of things with the dentist. Maybe even get rid of these daily headaches that started since it has been so long. Di. — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hmmm I wonder sometimes about doctors. I do go to the dentist this coming Tuesday so hopefully it will be taken care of. Di Di, Hooray! Teeth can make you feel rotten, I’ve had abcessed teeth and they aren’t fun, Hope all goes well on tuesday, and you’ll be feeling better soon! Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Ruthie Hi. Thanks for your sweet post. I sure do hope Tuesday takes care of things with the dentist. Maybe even get rid of these daily headaches that started since it has been so long. Di. — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing Hmmm I wonder sometimes about doctors. I do go to the dentist this coming Tuesday so hopefully it will be taken care of. Di

Di, Anytime Hon, I just know when I had abcessed teeth, I felt like crap, my face would swell and the pain was so bad I wanted to shoot myslef… my whole face would hurt, I couldn’t sleep, thank God my dentist would usually see me the next day…. Let us know how it goes! Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

Ruthie I sure will. I promise. And thanks so much. Yes I have the same symptoms as you did and yes I would like to shoot myself, only problem is I have a deadly fear of guns and Dale sold all his when we got married. But my luck I would miss anyway so Tuesday will do better than the shooting. LOL. I have a sick sense of humor today but still so sick I can hardly sit here. Take care honey and thanks Di — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ruthie Hi. Thanks for your sweet post. I sure do hope Tuesday takes care of things with the dentist. Maybe even get rid of these daily headaches that started since it has been so long. Di. — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing Hmmm I wonder sometimes about doctors. I do go to the dentist this coming Tuesday so hopefully it will be taken care of. Di Di, Anytime Hon, I just know when I had abcessed teeth, I felt like crap, my face would swell and the pain was so bad I wanted to shoot myslef… my whole face would hurt, I couldn’t sleep, thank God my dentist would usually see me the next day…. Let us know how it goes! Ruthie Up here in Michigan. Friends multiply joy and divide sorrow! and……. Just remember…if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off. <G

Response:

diana is one of the shining stars of our group. and we would be lost without her enthusiasm and her great willingness to listen to those that hurt. Speedy recovery from your virus.  Love me

Response:

Loretta You are such a sweet friend. Thanks. Today is a much better day for me. Your the greatest. I love you too. You are my role model, I want to be as beautiful as you are. Love Me — May You Live Today~By~How You Want To Be Remembered Tomorrow Please Remove No Spam before e-mailing

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – diana is one of the shining stars of our group. and we would be lost without her enthusiasm and her great willingness to listen to those that hurt. Speedy recovery from your virus.  Love me

Response:

Question:

Hi Everyone, I haven’t posted here before- I’m hoping to find someone here who understands what I’m going through.  I am dealing with the trauma of being sexually abused by my ex-husband and started having flashbacks about a month ago.  It’s been a year since we divorced but I just began to acknowledge that what he did to me was sexual abuse last October.  I think I repressed a lot of the memories because they were too painful to confront.  I was raped on numerous occasions throughout our relationship but at the time didn’t want to acknowledge that rape could happen between married people.  Most of the information I find on sexual abuse is about children who have been abused, which is a horrible thing for any child to have to go through, but I feel alone in that my sexual abuse happened in my adulthood and with the person who said he loved me.   I started taking Zoloft recently for depression and PTSD- supposedly Zoloft has been approved to treat PTSD and the anxiety and stress related to it.  It seems to be helping and I haven’t had any flashbacks since being on it but I’m getting headaches and feeling fatigued most of the time.  Does anyone else taking Zoloft have these side effects?  Just curious. Thanks for reading! Amy

Response:

Amy, Welcome to the ng.  You experiences are not uncommon and although many of us may have experienced differing traumas – the way we react, the symptoms of PTSD are usually extremely similar. It is good that you are getting help now.  The sooner people are treated after the trauma, the chance that the severity of your symptoms can be lessened.  Keep it up – therapy and medications are our most useful tools right now. Medications are often a trial and error process too.  Side effects such as headaches and fatigue may lessen with time.  Most SSRIs like Zoloft need 6 to 8 weeks to become fully effective. If side effects are still present and hard to deal with after 2-3 months, it might be an idea to try another one.  Effexor has also been found to be effective against PTSD.  I’ve taken Prozac, Effexor and am now on Wellbutrin and find they all help to differing degrees.  I changed from Prozac to Effexor because of persistant headaches, then changed to Wellbutrin because of I couldn’t control my weight on the other two.  It takes time but the end result is worth it. There are some good websites with alot of information on PTSD and medications: http://www.trauma-pages.com/index.phtml http://www.ptsd.com/ http://www.mentalhealth.com/ Feel free to ask any questions and take care! Lesleyanne Visit my homepage at http://home.thezone.net/~chech * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Hi Lesleyanne, Thanks for replying to my post.  So how does PTSD affect you?  For me, the flashbacks can be brief recollections or I can actually feel like the trauma is reoccurring- kind of a suspension of reality if you know what I mean.  I also deal with this low-level ongoing sense of anxiety. So it actually helps to deal with the trauma sooner rather than waiting? Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth pursuing the trauma- if one can actually reach some kind of resolve.  I’m hoping so. Thanks for the info on the medications.  It helps. Take Care, Amy

Response:

Amy, It is important to deal with the trauma in your therapy.  You need to understand how your condition has progressed from the trauma to your current symptoms.  It helps your mind come to terms with how it has affected you.  A good therapist can help with this while medication helps the symptoms. Dealing with the trauma as quickly as possible after the trauma has ended is key – you can see how this idea is practiced after the school shootings in the states where counsellors are brought in immediately and the students are encouraged to talk about their feelings.  In such cases, followups are imperative so as to intervene if symptoms begin to show. If this had happened for me I have no doubt that I would be in much better shape.  I even saw a psychiatrist after I returned from Bosnia in 94, but he treated me as if I was a trouble maker and indicated that if I didn’t stop, my career would be in jeopardy.  This was all too common practice in the canadian forces up to recently when they initiated a host of programs to prevent and treat PTSD in veterans.  Too late for me and alot of other people….which is what forced them to act. Right now, most of my symptoms are kept in check with medication – wellbutrin and imovane (for sleep).  I don’t work and am waiting for my release from the armed forces.  That in itself I believe will be a great relief for me.  I can’t wait. Take Care Lesleyanne Visit my homepage at http://home.thezone.net/~chech * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

On 04 Mar 2000 22:26:26 GMT, swissc…@aol.com (SwissChsy) wrote: Hi Amy,

Most of the information I find on sexual abuse is about children who have been abused, which is a horrible thing for any child to have to go through, but I feel alone in that my sexual abuse happened in my adulthood and with the person who said he loved me.  

People here have PTSD from many different types of traumas, but I think that quite often folks can still relate to each other, because they have been through some very difficult experiences or are living with the symptoms of PTSD. You might be able to find some articles, resources, etc, out there however, which do address your own trauma more specifically. I would try looking around on some of the PTSD-related websites out there, including: http://www.trauma-pages.com/index.phtml I hope that helps. Perhaps it might also be worthwhile finding out if there are any active groups/organisations in the area for women who have been through an abusive relationship, as they might be able to offer you support, or to put you in touch with other women who have survived a similar situation…? Just a thought anyway. Either way, welcome to the newsgroup.  :^) Mae Tang (replace "nospam" with "nu-it" for a valid e-mail address) The Scampering Rat Page http://www.nu-it.demon.co.uk/scamp/

Response:

Hi Amy, I just wanted to let you know that you aren’t alone…. I too was sexually (physically and mentally) abused by my ex. as an adult. When you wrote "with the person who said he loved me" it really hit home for me. I believe my ex really thought he loved me… but his idea or definition of love is a hell of a lot different then mine. It makes me so angry when I hear people deny that rape occurs between husband and wife, I am not referring to your self denial that events happened to you… that I understand, but rape is rape no matter how the rapist is related to the victim. I hope you improve with your side affects from the medication and I wish you the best, Patricia. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

I haven’t posted here before- I’m hoping to find someone here who understands what I’m going through.  I am dealing with the trauma of being sexually abused by my ex-husband and started having flashbacks about a month ago.  It’s been a year since we divorced but I just began to acknowledge that what he did to me was sexual abuse last October.  I think I repressed a lot of the memories because they were too painful to confront.  I was raped on numerous occasions throughout our relationship but at the time didn’t want to acknowledge that rape could happen between married people.  Most of the information I find on sexual abuse is about children who have been abused, which is a horrible thing for any child to have to go through, but I feel alone in that my sexual abuse happened in my adulthood and with the person who said he loved me. I started taking Zoloft recently for depression and PTSD- supposedly Zoloft has been approved to treat PTSD and the anxiety and stress related to it.  It seems to be helping and I haven’t had any flashbacks since being on it but I’m getting headaches and feeling fatigued most of the time.  Does anyone else taking Zoloft have these side effects?  Just curious. Thanks for reading! Amy

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Response:

Amy, everyone, I am sorry for the offensive language in my previous message. This is the first time my anger got the better of me and I should have waited until I cooled down a bit. It won’t happen again. Patricia. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Hi Everyone, I haven’t posted here before- I’m hoping to find someone here who understands what I’m going through.  I am dealing with the trauma of being sexually abused by my ex-husband and started having flashbacks about a month ago.  It’s been a year since we divorced but I just began to acknowledge that what he did to me was sexual abuse last October.  I think I repressed a lot of the memories because they were too painful to confront.  I was raped on numerous occasions throughout our relationship but at the time didn’t want to acknowledge that rape could happen between married people.  Most of the information I find on sexual abuse is about children who have been abused, which is a horrible thing for any child to have to go through, but I feel alone in that my sexual abuse happened in my adulthood and with the person who said he loved me. I started taking Zoloft recently for depression and PTSD- supposedly Zoloft has been approved to treat PTSD and the anxiety and stress related to it.  It seems to be helping and I haven’t had any flashbacks since being on it but I’m getting headaches and feeling fatigued most of the time.  Does anyone else taking Zoloft have these side effects?  Just curious. Thanks for reading! Amy

___________________________________________________________________________ ___ Total Internet privacy — get your Freedom pseudonym at http://www.freedom.net

Response:

Amy Your post was in no way offensive.  Actually I believe some swearing when you want to vent is not out of the rhelm of the reasonable.  For some reason, some of these words help relieve some of the tension. For my part, I started swearing in French after 4 years in Quebec, so when I returned to an english environment I could swear all I wanted and no one had a clue what I was saying – but it felt just as good. Lesleyanne Visit my homepage at http://home.thezone.net/~chech * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Hi Lesleyanne, Actually Patricia was the one who wrote the e-mail she apologized for.  I agree with you- I wasn’t offended by what she said- anger is a normal response to being abused, if anger comes out, so be it.  Letting it out helps to heal, keeping it in eats away at a person. Thanks, Amy

Response:

oops, sorry…..i’ve been having brain farts all week.  I still think it’s Friday. Tabernaque!!! Lesleyanne Visit my homepage at http://home.thezone.net/~chech * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

Question:

Thinking of you, Sandra, & hope your weekend is fine & dandy! My ex was always turned on by the thought of a woman squatting… Aware1 — Toto… I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.

L-O-L!!!! That’s the reason I was a little leery of posting that! Thanks, Aware. I think the rest of the weekend will go well. Things always seem to go better after a night out with TJOML…..Everyone needs to find one magician in their life, and keep him/her sacred…. Sandra

Response:

Thinking of you, Sandra, & hope your weekend is fine & dandy! My ex was always turned on by the thought of a woman squatting… Aware1 — Toto… I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.

Response:

The collapse is almost over. I’m exhausted but okay. I managed to make myself go out last night. I’m so glad I did. It was one of the rare times The Joy of My Life and I could go out after his play was done. He was Marc Antony in Julius Caesar, this time, and he really rocked. So we went out to celebrate at the actor’s hangout here in town, and I sat surrounded by handsome men and  beautiful women until the pub kicked us out. For a little while, it was like the old times – he didn’t even mention his lady. He held court, and I was the lady in waiting once again – which I don’t mind in the least. It’s a role I rarely get to play, and therefore, I never get tired of. I managed to make rehearsal today before I collapsed again for the rest of the afternoon. I finally have enough energy to clean house. I drank and drank and drank water today. It’s my drug of choice from now on. The last few weeks, I discovered I could play instruments better (heads, up, Trev, this may work for you) and, ladies and gentlemen, a few minutes ago I discovered I can squat. Now, that may not seem like much to you ( and maybe a little graceless for me to mention) but I have not been able to use my knees or legs to squat in – oh my God – six years. The interesting thing about this, for me, is though my muscle control is now better, the tremor is actually a little worse. I think that may be the increased electrolyte activity. So, Trev, my sister in trembles, this is a down side, but one I can still live with. I’m trying to counter it with massage and back muscle exercise ( I use my back muscles to control the tremors in my arms.) Soooooo….I’m just taking a break from cleaning, and I’m going back to it. I tried posting earlier today, but didn’t really feel like going through stuff yet, so I’ve deleted most posts. ASD overload. I hope you all are having a good weekend. Sandra

Response:

Hey Sandra. Glad you had a good time! I had a great time going out with my friends the other night. Unfortunately though, water was NOT my drug of choice. Oh well…

Well…… last night I had to do the beer thang meself. Otherwise TJOML would drink the whole pitcher ! Take care and I’ll keep you updated on the implant surgery for the tremor. I’m meeting the docs in a couple of weeks to discuss the matter. Love, Trev

I didn’t know it was an implant. I thought the surgery cut a synaptic connection, as in the surgery for Parkinson’s… In any case, good luck with it. Someday, maybe I’ll get fed up with being a human vibrator and have it done myself….. Sandra – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text — Trevorskah THIS IS NOT A TEST ICQ#35428694 The collapse is almost over. I’m exhausted but okay. I managed to make myself go out last night. I’m so glad I did. It was one of the rare times The Joy of My Life and I could go out after his play was done. He was Marc Antony in Julius Caesar, this time, and he really rocked. So we went out to celebrate at the actor’s hangout here in town, and I sat surrounded by handsome men and  beautiful women until the pub kicked us out. For a little while, it was like the old times – he didn’t even mention his lady. He held court, and I was the lady in waiting once again – which I don’t mind in the least. It’s a role I rarely get to play, and therefore, I never get tired of. I managed to make rehearsal today before I collapsed again for the rest of the afternoon. I finally have enough energy to clean house. I drank and drank and drank water today. It’s my drug of choice from now on. The last few weeks, I discovered I could play instruments better (heads, up, Trev, this may work for you) and, ladies and gentlemen, a few minutes ago I discovered I can squat. Now, that may not seem like much to you ( and maybe a little graceless for me to mention) but I have not been able to use my knees or legs to squat in – oh my God – six years. The interesting thing about this, for me, is though my muscle control is now better, the tremor is actually a little worse. I think that may be the increased electrolyte activity. So, Trev, my sister in trembles, this is a down side, but one I can still live with. I’m trying to counter it with massage and back muscle exercise ( I use my back muscles to control the tremors in my arms.) Soooooo….I’m just taking a break from cleaning, and I’m going back to it. I tried posting earlier today, but didn’t really feel like going through stuff yet, so I’ve deleted most posts. ASD overload. I hope you all are having a good weekend. Sandra

Response:

Hey Sandra. Glad you had a good time! I had a great time going out with my friends the other night. Unfortunately though, water was NOT my drug of choice. Oh well… Take care and I’ll keep you updated on the implant surgery for the tremor. I’m meeting the docs in a couple of weeks to discuss the matter. Love, Trev — Trevorskah THIS IS NOT A TEST ICQ#35428694

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The collapse is almost over. I’m exhausted but okay. I managed to make myself go out last night. I’m so glad I did. It was one of the rare times The Joy of My Life and I could go out after his play was done. He was Marc Antony in Julius Caesar, this time, and he really rocked. So we went out to celebrate at the actor’s hangout here in town, and I sat surrounded by handsome men and  beautiful women until the pub kicked us out. For a little while, it was like the old times – he didn’t even mention his lady. He held court, and I was the lady in waiting once again – which I don’t mind in the least. It’s a role I rarely get to play, and therefore, I never get tired of. I managed to make rehearsal today before I collapsed again for the rest of the afternoon. I finally have enough energy to clean house. I drank and drank and drank water today. It’s my drug of choice from now on. The last few weeks, I discovered I could play instruments better (heads, up, Trev, this may work for you) and, ladies and gentlemen, a few minutes ago I discovered I can squat. Now, that may not seem like much to you ( and maybe a little graceless for me to mention) but I have not been able to use my knees or legs to squat in – oh my God – six years. The interesting thing about this, for me, is though my muscle control is now better, the tremor is actually a little worse. I think that may be the increased electrolyte activity. So, Trev, my sister in trembles, this is a down side, but one I can still live with. I’m trying to counter it with massage and back muscle exercise ( I use my back muscles to control the tremors in my arms.) Soooooo….I’m just taking a break from cleaning, and I’m going back to it. I tried posting earlier today, but didn’t really feel like going through stuff yet, so I’ve deleted most posts. ASD overload. I hope you all are having a good weekend. Sandra

Response:

Question:

My hair is thinning, a side effect of zoloft. Any one else have this problem? If I change meds, will my hair come back? Thank you. < Some Prozac people report hair loss, as well. Try MDMA. Lizy

What is MDA

Response:

My hair is thinning, a side effect of zoloft. Any one else have this problem?

If I change meds, will my hair come back? Thank you. < Some Prozac people report hair loss, as well. Try MDMA. Lizy

Response:

My hair is thinning, a side effect of zoloft. Any one else have this problem? If I change meds, will my hair come back? Thank you.

Response:

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After a pretty severe crash last week (cutting and all), I’m working my way back out.  But it seems like I’m climbing up a gravel cliff-little things seem to push me back down again.  I have no idea where the top is, but it’s a lot harder to get out each time I crash. My therapist thinks there’s something I’m not telling her, and my PDoc keeps upping my Zoloft dose.  He says that any other meds are a ’shot in the dark’ as to their effectiveness with me, and since Zoloft worked for me once (before I went off it-not recommended!), it should again, but I’m at double the dose now w/ no relief and the side effects are increasing. My wife is getting frustrated, since I’m such a burden when I crash, and it takes me *so* long to get back to ‘normal’.  She’s a rock, but after an episode, she tends to get a bit more upset with me since it builds up. At least I had one good realization while I was down: I felt that it *would* pass at some point.  That’s a first.  So score one for my sense of self-preservation. Thanks to all the asd’ers and grinchers that supported me last week.  I hope I didn’t bring you down. Mark "I was told that ‘Pain is just weakness escaping.’  Well, then I should be freakin’ Hercules by now."

 Mark, *Any* med is a shot in the dark.  The fact that Zoloft worked once, doesn’t mean it will work forever for you.  Since the side effects seem to be increasing and the Zoloft isn’t working, maybe it’s time to try something else.  You’re paying the pdoc for help, insist that you get it. chuck

Response:

After a pretty severe crash last week (cutting and all), I’m working my way back out.  But it seems like I’m climbing up a gravel cliff-little things seem to push me back down again.  I have no idea where the top is, but it’s a lot harder to get out each time I crash. My therapist thinks there’s something I’m not telling her, and my PDoc keeps upping my Zoloft dose.  He says that any other meds are a ’shot in the dark’ as to their effectiveness with me, and since Zoloft worked for me once (before I went off it-not recommended!), it should again, but I’m at double the dose now w/ no relief and the side effects are increasing. My wife is getting frustrated, since I’m such a burden when I crash, and it takes me *so* long to get back to ‘normal’.  She’s a rock, but after an episode, she tends to get a bit more upset with me since it builds up. At least I had one good realization while I was down: I felt that it *would* pass at some point.  That’s a first.  So score one for my sense of self-preservation. Thanks to all the asd’ers and grinchers that supported me last week.  I hope I didn’t bring you down. Mark "I was told that ‘Pain is just weakness escaping.’  Well, then I should be freakin’ Hercules by now."

Response:

Question:

Im looking for any information regarding results people have found using Manerix or other antidepressants for treating Panic

Response:

Im looking for any information regarding results people have found using Manerix or other antidepressants for treating Panic

Manerix is one of the so-called "reversible" MAOI antidepressants. The main advantage it seems to have over traditional MAOIs (Nardil and Parnate) is that it doesn’t impose the hefty food restrictions they do. Against that, it seems to have picked up a reputation for not being very wonderful against PD, though *some* have reported successes with it so it might be worth a try. I was on it for a few months. They were the most expensive M&Ms I’ve ever bought — Gary Cooper

Response:

Marks) writes: Org.  : York University Im looking for any information regarding results people have found using Manerix or other antidepressants for treating Panic

Dear Brad (?), Hello, and welcome to ASAP! Depending on what you want the info for, you may have to be a little more specific… I monitor this group fairly regularly, and would hazard a conservative guess that at least 50% of us are on some sort of antidepressant. Some are on the older types (e.g., imiprimine, etc.) while many others are on the newer SSRI’s (Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, etc.) Some take an antidepressant alone, others take a combination of antidepressant plus a benzodiazapine …again, the benzos seem to range from good ol’ Valium to newer things like Xanax (alprazolam) or Rivotril (called Klonopin in the U.S., available here in Canada as generic "clonazapam".) Still others take only the benzo with no antidepressant. In this, as in so many areas of life, the watchword is YMMV (your mileage may vary.) For example, I take .5 mg Rivotril (clonazapam) and 10 mg imiprimine once a day, at bedtime, which seems to keep my panic attacks at bay. My doc has suggested a switch to Zoloft and gradually dropping the Rivotril, but I’m foot-dragging… partly due to fear of change (and possibly having to experience a flood of panic attacks) and partly due to the increased $$ I will have to spend on meds if I decide to switch. Hope this helps, Jane. —

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