Question:

Does Flovent cause mouth thrush or yeast infections? I am just starting using it. Is there any way to avoid it past washing your mouth out? Should I gargle lysterine or something to slear all the meds out?

Response:

Someone recommended eating 1/2 cup yogurt daily.  I also rinse with perioxide which seems to help.  niasha – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does Flovent cause mouth thrush or yeast infections? I am just starting using it. Is there any way to avoid it past washing your mouth out? Should I gargle lysterine or something to slear all the meds out?

Response:

I just brush my teeth and rinse really well after I take my meds, including flovent.  I haven’t had any problems yet.

Response:

Hi James, Does Flovent cause mouth thrush or yeast infections? I am just starting using it. Is there any way to avoid it past washing your mouth out? Should I gargle lysterine or something to slear all the meds out?

The best thing you can do to avoid thrush from steroid inhalers is to  use a spacer device like the Aerochamber.  It breaks the medication down a bit and stops the medication from hitting the back of your mouth. You might notice that when you use a steroid inhaler, you get a nasty taste in your mouth – this usually means that most of the medication has hit the back of your mouth and that you did not inhale deeply enough to get it into your lungs. I would strongly recommend: Getting a spacer Asking your doctor, pharmacist or a Respiratory Therapist to demonstrate the correct use of a spacer Rinsing your mouth out everytime you use the medication (even with the spacer). You do not really need listerine….just rinsing with water has always done the trick for me.  Of course, after you have thrush, you probably do need to use Listerine or Scope.

Response:

People get thrush when they don’t rinse because the medicine is intended for the lungs not the mouth.  In the mouth it breaks down the immune system and throws off the natural balance allowing an opportunity for the yeast (which is normal to be there) to take over and become over abundant. If you rinse with listerine you further break down the natural defenses and allow the yeast an even greater opportunity. Joann RT – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi James, Does Flovent cause mouth thrush or yeast infections? I am just starting using it. Is there any way to avoid it past washing your mouth out? Should I gargle lysterine or something to slear all the meds out? The best thing you can do to avoid thrush from steroid inhalers is to  use a spacer device like the Aerochamber.  It breaks the medication down a bit and stops the medication from hitting the back of your mouth. You might notice that when you use a steroid inhaler, you get a nasty taste in your mouth – this usually means that most of the medication has hit the back of your mouth and that you did not inhale deeply enough to get it into your lungs. I would strongly recommend: Getting a spacer Asking your doctor, pharmacist or a Respiratory Therapist to demonstrate the correct use of a spacer Rinsing your mouth out everytime you use the medication (even with the spacer). You do not really need listerine….just rinsing with water has always done the trick for me.  Of course, after you have thrush, you probably do need to use Listerine or Scope.

Response:

Question:

I have another question about peak flows. I was diagnosed 14 months ago and, despite many different meds, my peak flows have not really budged. And, based on the charts, I’m 100 below where I should be. So how reliable are they? And why aren’t my meds working? (BTW — Just given another new med today!) The charts are only a rough approximation based on height, sex, and age. Other variables include race, chest size, etc. Your Peak Flow is what is measured when asthma is under control, after using a bronchodilator at mid-day. Your peak flow is not supposed to increase; the asthma drugs keep your lung function in the Green Zone (80% of PB).

Sorry, I was referring to Personal Best peak flow here. Personel Best numbers are not expected to increase, but if your typical peak flow is <80% of personal best, it indicates asthma is not controlled. To determine Personal Best peak flow, it may be necessary to give a burst dose of prednisone to quickly control the asthma. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If asthma meds are not working, it raises doubts about the asthma diagnosis. Asthma is diagnosed using lung function tests. Lung function is measured before and after giving an inhaled bronchodilator like albuterol; a 12% improvement tends to confirm an asthma diagnosis. In difficult cases, a 2nd lung test may be given, called a methacholine challenge. Asthma is a reversible disease. If lung function is not reversible, it raises suspicions of COPD. Ellis

Response:

I have had asthma for 15 years and was told about a month ago that my asthma is not under control at all.  I was on Beclovent but now I take Serevent, Flovent, and Salbutamol. I now only use Ventolin about three times a week instead of 3-4 times a day like before. I monitor my peak flows everyday and have noticed that even when I feel that I am having an asthma attack (short of breath, tight chest, coughing) my peak flows usually don’t drop very much and sometimes don’t drop at all.  Are peak flows really a good way to tell how much distress you are in?  Does it work better for some people and not for others? My doctor always determines the severity of my attacks by having me blow once on the peak flow meter.  The problem is that sometimes my peak flows are good but I’m still not feeling great.  I have read a lot on asthma but I still have no answers to this (forgot to ask my doctor that last time I was in).   Sometimes I have wondered if it is all in my head when my peak flows are good and I’m still having problems breathing, but I know that that is ridiculous.  Any insights on this would be greatly appreciated. Meghan (new to this list) Before you buy.

Response:

I have another question about peak flows. I was diagnosed 14 months ago and, despite many different meds, my peak flows have not really budged. And, based on the charts, I’m 100 below where I should be. So how reliable are they? And why aren’t my meds working? (BTW — Just given another new med today!)

Response:

not everyone fits into the charts.  The charts are based upon an average individual with average non-disease oriented lungs.  The charts are averaged based upon size and age however. therefore, your norm will be unique to you.  If it is not budging upward then you may well be at your personal best and all future measurements will be based upon that number. Scooby RCP, EMT-P Perinatal-Pediatric Respiratory Specialist This mail is a natural product.  The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

Response:

I have another question about peak flows. I was diagnosed 14 months ago and, despite many different meds, my peak flows have not really budged. And, based on the charts, I’m 100 below where I should be. So how reliable are they? And why aren’t my meds working? (BTW — Just given another new med today!)

The charts are only a rough approximation based on height, sex, and age. Other variables include race, chest size, etc. Your Peak Flow is what is measured when asthma is under control, after using a bronchodilator at mid-day. Your peak flow is not supposed to increase; the asthma drugs keep your lung function in the Green Zone (80% of PB). If asthma meds are not working, it raises doubts about the asthma diagnosis. Asthma is diagnosed using lung function tests. Lung function is measured before and after giving an inhaled bronchodilator like albuterol; a 12% improvement tends to confirm an asthma diagnosis. In difficult cases, a 2nd lung test may be given, called a methacholine challenge. Asthma is a reversible disease. If lung function is not reversible, it raises suspicions of COPD. Ellis

Response:

Question:

It is nice to know that I’m not alone in my sinus suffering.  I have a chronic infection and am wondering if it is safe to fly with sinusitis.  My son and I are due to fly from London to NY in four weeks and we both have infections now. Does anyone out there know the answer to this? Thanks, MS

Response:

Last year I made 4 trips coast to coast with the sinus infection. I did not have any problems. My guess would be that it will be individuals degree of infection. I know that when I landed in Las Vegas on my way back I sat down on a bench in front of the airport and my sinuses started to drain. I did not have any problems all the time I was there. But afte I arrived back in Pennsylvania I started with the sinuses again.  

Response:

Be very careful.  Because of the changes in air pressure, it can cause some problems.    I have flown with sinus infection.  When I took the precaution of taking a decongestant at least 1/2 hour before I flew, I was okay.  Once I forgot and experienced extreme pain in my ears on landing.  If you have any sensation of blocked ears because of the sinusitus, be especially careful. Laurie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -RSawyer676 wrote in message <19990301132133.05711.00002…@ng41.aol.com

… It is nice to know that I’m not alone in my sinus suffering.  I have a

chronic

infection and am wondering if it is safe to fly with sinusitis.  My son and

I

are due to fly from London to NY in four weeks and we both have infections

now.

Does anyone out there know the answer to this? Thanks, MS

Response:

RSawyer676 wrote:

It is nice to know that I’m not alone in my sinus suffering.  I have a chronic infection and am wondering if it is safe to fly with sinusitis.  My son and I are due to fly from London to NY in four weeks and we both have infections now. Does anyone out there know the answer to this? Thanks, MS

— It can be a problem with both the ears and sinuses. Wellington S. Tichenor, M. D. 642 Park Avenue New York, New York 10021 212 517-6611 wtiche…@sinuses.com Visit our award winning website at: http://www.sinuses.com Sinusitis: A Treatment plan that works for allergy and asthma too Please take advantage of our internal search engine Any information must be discussed with your physician and should not be used as medical advice.   If you are looking for a physician and can’t get to New York, please go to the FAQ page.  Good Luck.

Response:

Wellington S. Tichenor, M. D. <wtiche…@pol.net

wrote in article

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

RSawyer676 wrote: It is nice to know that I’m not alone in my sinus suffering.  I have a

chronic

infection and am wondering if it is safe to fly with sinusitis.  My son

and I

are due to fly from London to NY in four weeks and we both have

infections now.

Does anyone out there know the answer to this? Thanks, MS — It can be a problem with both the ears and sinuses.

True, but if I didn’t fly every time I have a sinus infection I would be unemployed. I have no doubt that the time I spend in the air made my infections worse and contributed to them becoming chronic.  I never had any real discomfort from it though – the pressure didn’t hurt or anything like that. These days, I fly regardless but fortunately, I have enough control over the infections that I don’t get them often nor are they severe. Loki

Response:

These days, I fly regardless but fortunately, I have enough control over the infections that I don’t get them often nor are they severe.

How do you keep control over them?

Response:

I’d like to know that too. How?? frit…@aol.come (Fritz96) Date: Sun, Mar 7, 1999 9:48 PM wrote: "loki" <l…@inlink.com

wrote: These days, I fly regardless but fortunately, I have enough control over the infections that I don’t get them often nor are they severe.

How do you keep control over them? Sue M.

Response:

Fritz96 <frit…@aol.come

wrote in article These days, I fly regardless but fortunately, I have enough control over the infections that I don’t get them often nor are they severe. How do you keep control over them?

Several things. 1.  Irrigation – daily – I just got the Grossan (sp?) tip to try it out 2.  I also have asthma and the Singulaire I take for that helps the sinuses as well 3.  Pau ‘D Arco – I take it daily.  It’s a herb that I drink as a tea and it keeps the infections to almost none at all.  I take it in higher doses if I do get an infection and it cures it faster than antibiotics. 4.  Guaifenesin – taken daily to keep the mucus thined out and flowing 5.  Two sinus surgeries a few years back – one to correct a deviated septum and the other to trim the turbinates. All of this (well, maybe not the herb) things discussed regularly here.   Loki – noting she does not sell herbs

Response:

– Mike Collins – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -loki wrote in message <01be6928$5d77e760$5f8c87d1@carlile

… Fritz96 <frit…@aol.come wrote in article These days, I fly regardless but fortunately, I have enough control over the infections that I don’t get them often nor are they severe. How do you keep control over them? Several things. 1.  Irrigation – daily – I just got the Grossan (sp?) tip to try it out 2.  I also have asthma and the Singulaire I take for that helps the sinuses as well 3.  Pau ‘D Arco – I take it daily.  It’s a herb that I drink as a tea and it keeps the infections to almost none at all.  I take it in higher doses if I do get an infection and it cures it faster than antibiotics. 4.  Guaifenesin – taken daily to keep the mucus thined out and flowing 5.  Two sinus surgeries a few years back – one to correct a deviated septum and the other to trim the turbinates. All of this (well, maybe not the herb) things discussed regularly here. Loki – noting she does not sell herbs

I am very interested in the Singulaire. When this was announced on the UK news not long ago the asthma helplines were jammed wth people ringing up for information. I was seeing my ENT at the time and asked him if this would be suitable ( Leucotreine antagonist). He had’nt heard the news but he was very interested.  Is Singulaire used in the USA on a regular basis? At the present time I use Rhinolast(astelin) to prevent inflammation as I have not found the steroid nasal sprays very effective because of severe allergies. I would be grateful if you could let me know what product you buy that contains the Guaifenesin . Thanks Heather

Response:

Mike Collins <mikeheath…@oakwellmount.freeserve.co.uk

wrote I am very interested in the Singulaire. When this was announced on the UK news not long ago the asthma helplines were jammed wth people ringing up

for

information. I was seeing my ENT at the time and asked him if this would

be

suitable ( Leucotreine antagonist). He had’nt heard the news but he was

very

interested.  Is Singulaire used in the USA on a regular basis? At the present time I use Rhinolast(astelin) to prevent inflammation as I have not found the steroid nasal sprays very effective because of severe allergies. I would be grateful if you could

let

me know what product you buy that contains the Guaifenesin . Thanks Heather

Yes, Singulaire is used regularly here but for asthma, not for sinusitis though I find it does help with that as well.  There is some controversy over the Singulaire as to whether it causes Churg-Strauss syndrome but that is something that only asthmatics get anyway.  I like the Singulaire because it works better for my asthma than the other anti-leucotreine’s did.  Accolate is another of them that did also help my sinusitis though it must be taken twice a day and Singulaire is only once a day. I never found the streoid nasal sprays helped at all.   I have a prescription for the Guaifenesin.  It is for 1200mg twice a day. I actually only take 300 mg twice a day.  They are 600mg tablets and I cut them in half.  My sinuses would like the whole 1200 but my asthma does not – it causes problems. Here in the US you can buy Guaifenesin under the name Robitussin.  They have several products and only one of them is the Guaifenesin without other things added. I don’t know if you have Robitussin in the UK or not but here it is over the counter. Loki

Response:

Sue milham <suemil…@aol.com

wrote in article I’d like to know that too. How??

Several things. 1.  Irrigation – daily – I just got the Grossan (sp?) tip to try it out 2.  I also have asthma and the Singulaire I take for that helps the sinuses as well 3.  Pau ‘D Arco – I take it daily.  It’s a herb that I drink as a tea and it keeps the infections to almost none at all.  I take it in higher doses if I do get an infection and it cures it faster than antibiotics. 4.  Guaifenesin – taken daily to keep the mucus thined out and flowing 5.  Two sinus surgeries a few years back – one to correct a deviated septum and the other to trim the turbinates. All of this (well, maybe not the herb) things discussed regularly here. Loki – noting she does not sell herbs

Response:

Pau ‘D Arco

I had no idea this was so good!  I’ve had some in my cupboard for months but didn’t think to use it for sinusitis,

Response:

Fritz96 <frit…@aol.commmm

wrote in article Pau ‘D Arco I had no idea this was so good!  I’ve had some in my cupboard for months

but

didn’t think to use it for sinusitis,

Yep, if you’re using the loose herb be sure to *boil* it for 20 minutes. Don’t let it sit longer than that without straining it or it will taste bitter. I take 3 cups a day for an active infection and keep it up for about a week though symptoms clear in around 3 days. Loki

Response:

Paula Burch <pbu…@mbcr.bcm.tmc.edu

wrote in article

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Please tell us more about this Pau d’Arco. I’ve found that many people credit an herb with benefits that are actually due to another change made at the same time; if, however, the herb really does have an effect as a drug in itself, it could be quite valuable, so it bears looking into. Did you make any other changes at the same time as you began using the Pau D’arco? Did you have continuing problems after starting the guaifenesin, Singulair, and irrigation, for a significant period of time, that were then apparently cleared up by starting the Pau d’Arco? Many people find that they do not need antibiotics to clear up sinus infections, if they use guaifenesin and irrigation and have had anatomical problems resolved via surgery. Have you tried doing everything else right, and not using Pau d’Arco? How many infections per given period of time do you get while doing everything else right, but not using Pau D’arco, as compared to doing all of the above plus the Pau D’arco?

I was doing everything else first and then added the Pau ‘D Arco.  My last surgery was 6 years ago.  I’ve been irrigating since then as well as using the guaifenesin.  I didn’t start the Singulaire till after the Pau ‘D Arco, but I had used Accolate for about a year before I found the herb.  The Singulaire just replaced the Accolate and gave no added improvement.  The Singulaire was started 6 months after I found the herb. Before the herb, I was still having about 3 or 4 sinus infections a year, which was much, much better than the constant one I had for 9 months prior to surgery. I did see some improvement with each change I made but the best I got it to was the 3 or 4 a year.   I started the Pau ‘D Arco during an infection that I couldn’t get rid of with normal antibiotics.  The sinus infection had wreaked havoc with my asthma as well.  I was on prednisone for that to the point that my adrenals started to give me grief.   I had gone through 3 courses of antibiotics and was irrigating and still couldn’t get rid of it.  A friend told me about the Pau ‘D Arco and I tried it.  I’m an herbalist but this one was new to me. I used 3 cups a day and after 3 days was feeling fine and had few symptoms.  I kept using it for 10 days and the infection cleared. Now, I take it daily but only one cup a day.  I don’t get sinus infections on their own at all and it’s been a year.  I did pick up a cold though and got the beginnings of an infection which went away when I upped the herb to 3 cups a day.  That only happened once though. Loki

Response:

What I’m wondering is about getting active properties in the herb.  What brand do you buy?  Have you tried capsules?  I have tried so many folk remedies, ie herbs, that have just not done a thing for me.  Maybe they have not been fresh? "loki" <l…@inlink.com

Date: Wed, Mar 10, 1999 9:33 PM wrote:

I was doing everything else first and then added the Pau ‘D Arco.  My last

surgery was 6 years ago.  I’ve been irrigating since then as well as using the guaifenesin.  I didn’t start the Singulaire till after the Pau ‘D Arco, but I had used Accolate for about a year before I found the herb.  The Singulaire just replaced the Accolate and gave no added improvement.  The Singulaire was started 6 months after I found the herb. Before the herb, I was still having about 3 or 4 sinus infections a year, which was much, much better than the constant one I had for 9 months prior to surgery. I did see some improvement with each change I made but the best I got it to was the 3 or 4 a year.   I started the Pau ‘D Arco during an infection that I couldn’t get rid of with normal antibiotics.  The sinus infection had wreaked havoc with my asthma as well.  I was on prednisone for that to the point that my adrenals started to give me grief.   I had gone through 3 courses of antibiotics and was irrigating and still couldn’t get rid of it.  A friend told me about the Pau ‘D Arco and I tried it.  I’m an herbalist but this one was new to me. I used 3 cups a day and after 3 days was feeling fine and had few symptoms.  I kept using it for 10 days and the infection cleared. Now, I take it daily but only one cup a day.  I don’t get sinus infections on their own at all and it’s been a year.  I did pick up a cold though and got the beginnings of an infection which went away when I upped the herb to 3 cups a day.  That only happened once though. Loki<< Sue M.

Response:

After Loki’s recommendation last week I went out and bought Pau D’Arco is a liquid extract form.  They said it was the next best thing to brewing it yourself, and better than capsules.  I’ve been on anti-biotics for a few weeks, but I must say it’ been the past few days that I’ve really felt better, so maybe it is the herb.

Response:

Sue milham <suemil…@aol.com

wrote in article What I’m wondering is about getting active properties in the herb.  What

brand

do you buy?  Have you tried capsules?  I have tried so many folk

remedies, ie

herbs, that have just not done a thing for me.  Maybe they have not been

fresh? WARNING – SOAPBOX AHEAD! Many herbs should not be taken in capsule form.  It is highly profitable for the herbal industry to sell them that way but it is most often not the most effective way to take an herb. Each herb is different and must be prepared differently.  Pau ‘D Arco’s active properties cannot be extracted by the human body in usable form but for some reason if you either boil it (prepare a decoction) or use a cold extract (tincture or liquid extract) you get what you need. Also, freshness is paramount and I find that frequently the herbs are just too old.  I have found one shop in St. Louis where I live that I can trust to supply quality, fresh herbs.  Many others sell herbs that are just plain old.  I almost never buy capsules but buy the herb in bulk and prepare teas or sometimes tinctures from that. Also, with capsules you just don’t know how much of there herb you are getting.  If you use the same supplier I find that over time their herbs are generally of consistent quality and strength.   Now, the biggest gripe I  have with the whole herbal industry is the "herb of the month" syndrome.  Every so often an herb becomes fashionable and it’s everywhere and every clerk in every health food store is pushing it. Sorry, but it doesn’t work that way.   Each herb has it’s specific uses and while several may work on a given complaint, one will generally be better for it than others though there are exceptions.  The currently popular herb, Kava Kava is an excellent example. It is being pushed as a tranquilizer but that is not it’s main action.  It is used in it’s native land as a hospitality drink and it works the same way there that liquor works here.  It lowers inhibitions and does produce a very nice feeling. For an herb to sooth frazzled nerves, skullcap is much more effective. If folks want to use herbs I’m all for that but I do want them to do their research and not just get what is fashionable or what one book said.  If you can find a qualified herbalist, I urge you to consult them.  If not, at least read up on it in several different sources. The last reason many herbal remedies don’t work is that the doseage is too low.  The books I have all say to use 1 teaspoon per cup and I use 1 tablespoon per cup.  The books are written to avoid lawsuits from ill informed people so they always understate the dose to avoid problems. Trouble is it is frequently too low to be effective.  Of course, if you have an effective dose, you have to think about interactions and contraindications and that isn’t sexy and doesn’t sell books or herbs. Loki

Response:

Fritz96 <frit…@aol.commmm

wrote in article After Loki’s recommendation last week I went out and bought Pau D’Arco is

a

liquid extract form.  They said it was the next best thing to brewing it yourself, and better than capsules.  I’ve been on anti-biotics for a few

weeks,

but I must say it’ been the past few days that I’ve really felt better,

so

maybe it is the herb.

Yep, if you can’t brew it, this is a good option.  Be sure to take it every day and to clear an active infection, take it 3 times a day. I haven’t found any interactions or contraindications with this particular herb. It’s very, very safe.  It also tastes good as a tea – kinda a vanilla flavor. Loki

Response:

Hi, Loki, just wondering, when I take the liquid extract, does it make a difference if I mix it in with a drink, or just squirt it straight into my mouth? Thanks

Response:

Fritz96 <frit…@aol.commmm

wrote in article Hi, Loki, just wondering, when I take the liquid extract, does it make a difference if I mix it in with a drink, or just squirt it straight into

my

mouth?

I’d recommend mixing it into juice or water.   Loki

Response:

Okay, I just got some Pau d’arco today and while brewing it smells just like sassafrass.  Don’t know if there is any connection.  Gonna try it along with the Trovan, since it seems iffy, now on day 5. "loki" <l…@inlink.com

Date: Sat, Mar 13, 1999 10:33 PM wrote: Fritz96 <frit…@aol.commmm

wrote in article Hi, Loki, just wondering, when I take the liquid extract, does it make a difference if I mix it in with a drink, or just squirt it straight into

my

mouth?

I’d recommend mixing it into juice or water.   Loki<< Sue M.

Response:

Sue milham <suemil…@aol.com

wrote in article Okay, I just got some Pau d’arco today and while brewing it smells just

like

sassafrass.  Don’t know if there is any connection.  Gonna try it along

with

the Trovan, since it seems iffy, now on day 5.

Nope, no connection except they’re both trees… Please let us know how it works. Loki

Response:

Question:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

Question:

Hi Stan and Teilhard I stopped taking one type of medication because my husband said it didn’t make me better. he said I was better on the previous type. So i stopped for 3 days to switchover. but i didn’t cut down first. that’s where i made the mistake. i’m already in therapy and have been for a year. i don’t know if it helps. i’ve been  up and down throughout the year and this time i’m back to where i was when i started the therapy. no perhaps this time i’m worse. this time i want to die. i haven’t felt this bad before. i’ve told my son that i’m very sick and may not get better, so he’s prepared. i can only see this as the way to free the pain. otherwise it will always be with   me here. sue

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sounds like the medication has tranquilized you quite a bit. Maybe you need time to get stabilized. What has been happening with you? Why have you stopped the medication? Oh, by the way, welcome to ASD. Stan hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away. Remove "JUNK" for my valid address.

Response:

hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away.

Welcome to ASD, Sue. The only think I can recommend is looking for professional help. Seems you have seen a pdoc by your reference to medications. Why did you stop taking them? I hope you didn’t do it without supervision, that might be the cause you are feeling bad now. The other thing is therapy, but only you know whether you need it. Good luck to you, and feel free to post anything you like. — Teilhard The Extraterrestrial Eat the sandwich to email.

Response:

Sounds like the medication has tranquilized you quite a bit. Maybe you need time to get stabilized. What has been happening with you? Why have you stopped the medication? Oh, by the way, welcome to ASD. Stan hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away.

Remove "JUNK" for my valid address.

Response:

hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away.

Response:

Hi Stan and Teilhard I stopped taking one type of medication because my husband said it didn’t make me better. he said I was better on the previous type. So i stopped for 3 days to switchover. but i didn’t cut down first. that’s where i made the mistake. i’m already in therapy and have been for a year. i don’t know if it helps. i’ve been  up and down throughout the year and this time i’m back to where i was when i started the therapy. no perhaps this time i’m worse. this time i want to die. i haven’t felt this bad before. i’ve told my son that i’m very sick and may not get better, so he’s prepared. i can only see this as the way to free the pain. otherwise it will always be with   me here. sue

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Sounds like the medication has tranquilized you quite a bit. Maybe you need time to get stabilized. What has been happening with you? Why have you stopped the medication? Oh, by the way, welcome to ASD. Stan hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away. Remove "JUNK" for my valid address.

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Response:

Sounds like the medication has tranquilized you quite a bit. Maybe you need time to get stabilized. What has been happening with you? Why have you stopped the medication? Oh, by the way, welcome to ASD. Stan hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away.

Remove "JUNK" for my valid address. X-No-Archive: yes Newsgroups: microsoft.test,alt.flame.niggers,alt.support.depression NNTP-Posting-Host: w088.z064003087.lax-ca.dsl.cnc.net 64.3.87.88 Lines: 1         Path: news.uni-stuttgart.de!uni-erlangen.de!newsfeed1.telenordia.se!news.algonet. se!algonet!news.maxwell.syr.edu!news.stealth.net!msrtrans1!msrnewsc1!cppssb bsa01.microsoft.com!tkmsftngp01!tkmsftngp04!u&n&a&c&anceller Xref: news.uni-stuttgart.de control:40722255 This message was cancelled from within The Unacanceller’s glorious new software, Lotus 1-2-3 For Rogue Cancellers.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – inscribed: hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. hi Sue, and welcome to asd. did your doctor tell you to go off the medication? doctors are really the only ones who should be deciding what medication works best for you. sometimes coming off a med too quickly can have pretty rotten side effects. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. what are you taking? i’m on Zoloft (sertraline), but have been on several different meds. it typically takes about six weeks or so before one notices an effect from the medications and if they’re working or not. sk

Hi SunKitten, are you finding the Zoloft works for you? my son was on zoloft but we have weaned him off it. It’s been 6 weeks now. he goes back to school this week, so this will be the big test to see if he’s going to cope without medication. He’s only 7, so we don’t want him on medication if he can do without it. Sue

Response:

hi i’m Sue.

snip Hello Sue; welcome to ASD.  Make yourself at home ) — —  Whiskers

Response:

hi i’m Sue. snip Hello Sue; welcome to ASD.  Make yourself at home ) — —  Whiskers

Thanks Whiskers

Response:

discoursed thusly: I stopped taking one type of medication because my husband said it didn’t make me better. he said I was better on the previous type. So i stopped for 3 days to switchover. but i didn’t cut down first. that’s where i made the mistake. No, Sue, that’s not where you made your mistake. You made your mistake when you let your husband make your medication decisions for you. Is your husband also your medical doctor?

no, but he is right. i can see that now. i have thought back over the last few months while taking a new medication, and i really have been worse than previously. Because if he isn’t, then the only person who should be telling you what medication is helping you, is YOU. I get the feeling that your husband is also the one who taught you to refer to your depression as "madness", as you called it when in your first post you asked when does the madness stop. Depression is not madness, it’s a disease that mingles physiological problems with psychological problems. Most people respond best to a mix of the *right* medication and the *right* therapy. But it has the be the meds and therapist that are right for YOU.

I don’t know if I’ve found the right therapist. I’ve been to so many before, and this is the first one i’ve stuck with. Usually i stop going after a couple of sessions. Have you talked with your medical doctor at all about changing your medication? Have you discussed the different types of medication that are available in Australia, and decided with the advice of your doctor what you should be taking?

yes, my psychiatrist has been in contact with me over the weekend.  I’ve tried many different tablets. sometimes they work for awhile but then dont seem as effective. Which meds are you taking, which meds were you taking, and never mind what your husband says makes you better, how did you feel while you were taking them?

I’ve just gone back onto Aropax (Paroxetine). I was on Efexor-xr. Folks in asd will gladly give you all the support and understanding (and information about our own depression experiences) that we can. But if your husband needs depression support, he’ll have to write his own posts, about his own depression issues. We are here to help you with *your* problems. Welcome to asd.

Thank you – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tara J. Ballance Montreal, Canada

Response:

hi i’m Sue. i’m horribly depressed. the last 3 days i thought would be the end of me. but apparently coming off medication too quickly can have bad effects on you. i’m on different medication now. i feel lifeless,i look around my house and things are not familiar anymore. they look dull. the sky looks dull, my family look dull.all day spent in bed just lying there, not even sleeping, just lying thinking of what? i don’t even know. when does the madness go away.

Welcome to ASD, Sue. The only think I can recommend is looking for professional help. Seems you have seen a pdoc by your reference to medications. Why did you stop taking them? I hope you didn’t do it without supervision, that might be the cause you are feeling bad now. The other thing is therapy, but only you know whether you need it. Good luck to you, and feel free to post anything you like. — Teilhard The Extraterrestrial Eat the sandwich to email. X-No-Archive: yes Newsgroups: microsoft.test,alt.flame.niggers,alt.support.depression NNTP-Posting-Host: w088.z064003087.lax-ca.dsl.cnc.net 64.3.87.88 Lines: 1         Path: news.uni-stuttgart.de!rz.uni-karlsruhe.de!news.uni-ulm.de!news.belwue.de!ne ws-stu1.dfn.de!news-koe1.dfn.de!news-was.dfn.de!news-spur1.maxwell.syr.edu! news.maxwell.syr.edu!out.nntp.be!propagator-SanJose!in.nntp.be!news-in-sanj ose!sjc-feed.news.verio.net!sea-feed.news.verio.net!news.verio.net!msrnewsc 1!cppssbbsa01.microsoft.com!tkmsftngp01!tkmsftngp04!u&n&a&c&anceller Xref: news.uni-stuttgart.de control:40727072 This message was cancelled from within The Unacanceller’s glorious new software, Lotus 1-2-3 For Rogue Cancellers.

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hi i’m Sue. snip Hello Sue; welcome to ASD.  Make yourself at home ) — —  Whiskers

Thanks Whiskers X-No-Archive: yes Newsgroups: microsoft.test,alt.flame.niggers,alt.support.depression NNTP-Posting-Host: w088.z064003087.lax-ca.dsl.cnc.net 64.3.87.88 Lines: 1         Path: news.uni-stuttgart.de!rz.uni-karlsruhe.de!news.uni-ulm.de!news.belwue.de!ne wsfeed.arcor-online.net!fr.clara.net!heighliner.fr.clara.net!news.stealth.n et!msrtrans1!msrnewsc1!cppssbbsa01.microsoft.com!tkmsftngp01!tkmsftngp03!u& n&a&c&anceller Xref: news.uni-stuttgart.de control:40726147 This message was cancelled from within The Unacanceller’s glorious new software, Lotus 1-2-3 For Rogue Cancellers.

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hi i’m Sue.

snip Hello Sue; welcome to ASD.  Make yourself at home ) — —  Whiskers X-No-Archive: yes Newsgroups: microsoft.test,alt.flame.niggers,alt.support.depression NNTP-Posting-Host: w088.z064003087.lax-ca.dsl.cnc.net 64.3.87.88 Lines: 1         Path: news.uni-stuttgart.de!news.fh-hannover.de!fu-berlin.de!news.maxwell.syr.edu !out.nntp.be!propagator-SanJose!in.nntp.be!news-in-sanjose!sjc-feed.news.ve rio.net!sea-feed.news.verio.net!news.verio.net!msrnewsc1!cppssbbsa01.micros oft.com!tkmsftngp01!tkmsftngp03!u&n&a&c&anceller Xref: news.uni-stuttgart.de control:40719458 This message was cancelled from within The Unacanceller’s glorious new software, Lotus 1-2-3 For Rogue Cancellers.

Response:

I’ve just gone back onto Aropax (Paroxetine). I was on Efexor-xr.

Gosh. How long had you been taking Effexor? It is one of the anti-depressants which must be quit with outmost care, AND supervision. It takes about three weeks (or longer) to make you feel better, and I do not know how you should quit, because I am still on it. But one thing you must never forget: *do not do change anything in the way you medicate unless your pdoc says so*, not your husband. — Teilhard The Extraterrestrial Eat the sandwich to email.

Response:

Question:

Can anyone tell me if it is normal that ejaculation is postponed and less powerful when using Zoloft 75mg a day? No, it’s normal to have no ejaculation, and no erection.

is there any sexual side effects in women’s cases? thanks

Response:

is there any sexual side effects in women’s cases? thanks

Yes, the big O is difficult to achieve…more so than usual, that is! So unfair: Zoloft effectively takes the edge off daily life, at the high price of diminishing one of the reasons for living!!

Response:

I can identify.  The thing that saves me from depression depresses me. I take Effexor now (for a couple of years) but it started half way through the Prozac (about 4 years into that 8-year stint).  Tried Welbutrin but that made me really crazy.         -seph [I'm paul but you already got one, so I'll be seph, as in joseph or persephone] :::   Yes, the big O is difficult to achieve…more so than usual, that is! So :::   unfair: Zoloft effectively takes the edge off daily life, at the high price of :::   diminishing one of the reasons for living!!

Response:

Can anyone tell me if it is normal that ejaculation is postponed and less powerful when using Zoloft 75mg a day?

Yes. It’s normal. Supplementary Wellbutrin may help. It is often used to ameliorate the sexual side effects caused by antidepressant medication, and has been shown in numerous clinical studies to be effective for this purpose. Speaking of Wellbutrin, it also so happens that Wellbutrin is an antidepressant in its own right, noteworthy for not having this particular side effect that you are complaining about. C//

Response:

Can anyone tell me if it is normal that ejaculation is postponed and less powerful when using Zoloft 75mg a day?

No, it’s normal to have no ejaculation, and no erection.

Response:

Question:

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

Response:

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

Response:

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

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

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

Response:

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

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

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

Response:

Question:

Brenda, I have never taken Zoloft, but I am on Paxil and when I began taking it I too had increased anxiety for a few weeks.  I did not want to take my Xanax 3 times a day like the doc said.  I finally gave up and began taking it twice a day. Yes I was sleepy but not so anxious now I am on my eight week and take 10mg Paxil and Xanax only if I really need it like going on a long trip or anything out of the ordinary.  My Xanax prescription is .5 mg.  I began Paxil at 5mg, stayed there for a week and then took about 7mg (I had to break the tablets) for another two weeks and then the 10mg.  Your Zoloft dosage may be too high for the beginning.   25 of Xanax and now my heart is beating faster which – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -is causing me to worry. Is this normal, I took it 30 minutes ago. Or is the faster beating anxiety

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a dilema. Yesterday was day 7 on the Zoloft and I went to the doctor and got a prescript for Xanax. Well I was panicky all day in fact I had the worst pa I had ever had.I took a Xanax and I helped a little. (The Xanax is .;25) The problem is last night I started to get the shakes real bad in the middle of the night so I took a alf of a Xanax. It seem to put me back to sleep. I woke up same condition. What is going on ?????? Even pre-med I never had anxiety like this. I know that they is a weaning on process and for two days I was ok but now doctor wants me to up the dosage to 25mg of Zoloft cuz he said 12.5 is not therepetic but he started me low cuz of my reaction. Is this normal. Im shaking like a leaf. I dont want to become so dependent on Xanax that I catn funtion between dosases. Anyone here experience this on day 8.day; Brenda0

Mine was better by day 8…However, I just upped my dose and am worse than ever…So it comes back each time you up the dose while your body gets used to it apparently…And don’t worry about taking the Xanax for this…I’ve noticed the worst of the side-effects lasted about 8 hours after taking it… .5 mg every 4 hours will kill most of this, and then you can take less or none later…And believe me 1-2 mg of Xanax is a small dose…The studies on dependency often say it takes either a large dose (4 mg + daily) or a long period of time (many months) to get a dependency…Even then it just means you have to ween off the stuff slowly…Hope this helps…Also, I am right there with you having upped my dose recently… Take Care, — Charles Phipps

Response:

Ps to my post I just took .25 of Xanax and now my heart is beating faster which is causing me to worry. Is this normal, I took it 30 minutes ago. Or is the faster beating anxiety. My husband is one his way home. The Xanax really drugged me yesterday when I took it. But that was on an empty stomach and this morning I ate a little something. Brenda

Brenda –   If the anxiety is high enough, .25 mg Xanax WILL NOT work…This is why I take .25 mg every 4-6 hours…Once the anxiety kicks in you have to take more often to get rid of it…Try another .25 if the first doesn’t work…This is also why I have to take so much xanax in the morning…The combo of morning obsessions (the day’s going to suck), having taken the Zoloft, and not having taken Xanax in 8 hours leads to a terrible time…Anyway, hang in there… — Charles Phipps

Response:

Charles thank you for your response. I hope we can stay in contact. We seem to have alot of the same stuff going on. Actually my doc want to up my dosage to 25mg. He says that 12.5 is not a thereputic dose. Of course Im afraid since I have a hard time for the last 2 days. Thank you about the info for the Xanax, cuz I just thought I was some kind a strange case that .25 Xanax wouldnt help. I was a #7-8 panic almost all day and then it came down a tad. Now I take my zoloft in the evening so I dont get that rush from the kick in. What do you guys think about this. Tonight is will take 18mg of Zoloft. Chicken aint I. This group has really helped with my fears which just add to the anxiety. Love you guys Brenda PS My chest has been hurting and my lungs I think from the hyperventilation. Anybody else have that???

Response:

I have a dilema. Yesterday was day 7 on the Zoloft and I went to the doctor and got a prescript for Xanax. Well I was panicky all day in fact I had the worst pa I had ever had.I took a Xanax and I helped a little. (The Xanax is .;25) The problem is last night I started to get the shakes real bad in the middle of the night so I took a alf of a Xanax. It seem to put me back to sleep. I woke up same condition. What is going on ?????? Even pre-med I never had anxiety like this. I know that they is a weaning on process and for two days I was ok but now doctor wants me to up the dosage to 25mg of Zoloft cuz he said 12.5 is not therepetic but he started me low cuz of my reaction. Is this normal. Im shaking like a leaf. I dont want to become so dependent on Xanax that I catn funtion between dosases. Anyone here experience this on day 8.day; Brenda0

My pdoc uses a "one month" rule. If side effects are still bad after a month, then it’s time to try something new. If nothing has really happened, even if the depression hasn’t really lifted, he say’s to stick it out until 2 months. Don’t worry about the Xanax right now…but..you made need something longer acting to help with your anxiety. You may want to make an emergency appointment with your doc about using Klonipin, which lasts fairly long in the body, and after a month, you can decide if you wish to stay on them. Believe me though..I took Xanax and Zoloft…and I had MAJOR rebounds when the Xanax wore off. If you really feel you can’t function, then maybe you should try another med. BUT, I ask you, you may want to try the Klonipin route first. Best of luck…and keep posting. We are here to support you.. James MacLachlan

Response:

I have a dilema. Yesterday was day 7 on the Zoloft and I went to the doctor and got a prescript for Xanax. Well I was panicky all day in fact I had the worst pa I had ever had.I took a Xanax and I helped a little. (The Xanax is .;25) The problem is last night I started to get the shakes real bad in the middle of the night so I took a alf of a Xanax. It seem to put me back to sleep. I woke up same condition. What is going on ?????? Even pre-med I never had anxiety like this. I know that they is a weaning on process and for two days I was ok but now doctor wants me to up the dosage to 25mg of Zoloft cuz he said 12.5 is not therepetic but he started me low cuz of my reaction. Is this normal. Im shaking like a leaf. I dont want to become so dependent on Xanax that I catn funtion between dosases. Anyone here experience this on day 8.day; Brenda0

Hi Brenda, You’re taking a *very* low dose of Xanax. On the other hand you’re on a nice low starting dose of Zoloft. In my unprofessional opinion it might be worth trying .5 mgs of Xanax (0.125 is too little), that is two tabs of .25 mg and see how that works before ending Zoloft maybe prematurely. If that doesn’t work either (and you should know within one day, so you won’t have the time to develop Xanax-dependence) I’d say Zoloft isn’t the med for you in which case the best thing to do often is to try another SSRI (Luvox has the lowest side effect profile rep) or maybe move on to a TCA. Philip

Response:

Ps to my post I just took .25 of Xanax and now my heart is beating faster which is causing me to worry. Is this normal, I took it 30 minutes ago. Or is the faster beating anxiety. My husband is one his way home. The Xanax really drugged me yesterday when I took it. But that was on an empty stomach and this morning I ate a little something. Brenda

Heart racing is not a benzo side effect, it is anxiety talking here. It’s harmless (but can feel quite alarming, doesn’t it?). Xanax will make you drowsy in the beginning, it’s a side effect which will disappear. Philip

Response:

Charles thank you for your response. I hope we can stay in contact. We seem to have alot of the same stuff going on. Actually my doc want to up my dosage to 25mg. He says that 12.5 is not a thereputic dose. Of course Im afraid since I have a hard time for the last 2 days. Thank you about the info for the Xanax, cuz I just thought I was some kind a strange case that .25 Xanax wouldnt help. I was a #7-8 panic almost all day and then it came down a tad. Now I take my zoloft in the evening so I dont get that rush from the kick in. What do you guys think about this. Tonight is will take 18mg of Zoloft. Chicken aint I. This group has really helped with my fears which just add to the anxiety. Love you guys Brenda PS My chest has been hurting and my lungs I think from the hyperventilation. Anybody else have that???

Yesssss, I don’t think it’s your lungs BTW but rather your chest (and possibly back) muscles. No reason to raise the Zoloft quicker than you feel you can. Of course 12,5 mg is not a therapeutic dose (although nothing surprises me anymore about this disorder and sometimes seemingly sub-therapeutic doses do actually help) but your doctor shouldn’t be in such a hurry, take your time! Philip

Response:

Philip Peters wrote to: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Charles thank you for your response. I hope we can stay in contact. We seem to have alot of the same stuff going on. Actually my doc want to up my dosage to 25mg. He says that 12.5 is not a thereputic dose. Of course Im afraid since I have a hard time for the last 2 days. Thank you about the info for the Xanax, cuz I just thought I was some kind a strange case that .25 Xanax wouldnt help. I was a #7-8 panic almost all day and then it came down a tad. Now I take my zoloft in the evening so I dont get that rush from the kick in. What do you guys think about this. Tonight is will take 18mg of Zoloft. Chicken aint I. This group has really helped with my fears which just add to the anxiety. Love you guys Brenda PS My chest has been hurting and my lungs I think from the hyperventilation. Anybody else have that??? Yesssss, I don’t think it’s your lungs BTW but rather your chest (and possibly back) muscles. No reason to raise the Zoloft quicker than you feel you can. Of course 12,5 mg is not a therapeutic dose (although nothing surprises me anymore about this disorder and sometimes seemingly sub-therapeutic doses do actually help) but your doctor shouldn’t be in such a hurry, take your time!

I just want to reinforce what Philip says here. The whole idea is to *work up to* a therapeutic dose. Not to scare you away from it. Please don’t let your pdoc bully you on this one. Doctor and patient must work *together* for optimal results. Be easy, Kathryn

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I have a dilema. Yesterday was day 7 on the Zoloft and I went to the doctor and got a prescript for Xanax. Well I was panicky all day in fact I had the worst pa I had ever had.I took a Xanax and I helped a little. (The Xanax is .;25) The problem is last night I started to get the shakes real bad in the middle of the night so I took a alf of a Xanax. It seem to put me back to sleep. I woke up same condition. What is going on ?????? Even pre-med I never had anxiety like this. I know that they is a weaning on process and for two days I was ok but now doctor wants me to up the dosage to 25mg of Zoloft cuz he said 12.5 is not therepetic but he started me low cuz of my reaction. Is this normal. Im shaking like a leaf. I dont want to become so dependent on Xanax that I catn funtion between dosases. Anyone here experience this on day 8.day; Brenda0

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Ps to my post I just took .25 of Xanax and now my heart is beating faster which is causing me to worry. Is this normal, I took it 30 minutes ago. Or is the faster beating anxiety. My husband is one his way home. The Xanax really drugged me yesterday when I took it. But that was on an empty stomach and this morning I ate a little something. Brenda

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Question:

Thanks to everyone who responded.  It really does make me feel better to read such supportive comments.   No more AOL….. Thanks again! Peace, Dan

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I’d like to introduce myself.  I’m a twenty six year old male, and I’ve read this newsgroup on and off for the last couple years.   Also, I’d like some feedback on my medication.  First, though, my history with panic disorder…  Ever since I was a little kid I’ve had trouble with panic attacks.  In Little League, I was a nervous wreck before games because I thought I might have an attack.  (Of course at the time I didn’t know what they were, and was afraid to tell anyone.)  I quit the basketball team because I thought I was prone to PAs at night, particularly in the lighting of a gymnasium.  These were textbook panic attacks I was having (and worrying about having!) – most of the symptoms, and they’d last about fifteen minutes or so. I had a pretty normal childhood otherwise.  By the time I reached high school, I considered the PAs a thing of the past, something I’d luckily outgrown.  I made it through college without really giving panic attacks any thought. Then — about three years ago (I’d been out of college almost a year), I was going through a somewhat stressful time in my life, trying to figure out my future, looking for a career I cared about, etc.  I had *the* worst panic attack I’d ever had, and the reason it was so bad was because it seemed to not go away.  Without exaggeration, I can honestly say that I felt like I was having a panic attack for two months.  I had no idea what was going on, and grew very depressed.  I was living with my girlfriend, who was supportive as she could be, but she was the only person I told.  This was a very dark, scary time in my life.  Things lightened up a bit when I finally told my mom.  She knew someone who’d had a problem that sounded similar.  Soon, I moved back home.  I met with my mom’s friend, who gave me several books to read (Kernodle, Sheehan, Reid, Weekes), which I read with a frenzy.  She also recommended a psychiatrist, who helped me through medication.  This was a summer of healing for me.  We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft.  I had tried Imipramine, but it made me feel even more anxious, as though I were about to have a PA at any time. Anyway, this dosage took awhile to reach, but it was the dosage that worked for me.  I also read and practiced many of the self-help techniques such as deep relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation, stopping negative thought patterns, et al.  It took awhile, but I got better.  I finally felt some joy in life again.  Since then, I’ve stayed at the same dosages of the medications, with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane. I’ve moved away from my parents house, and owe them a HUGE debt of gratitude for letting me free-load for a year as I got better.  It took me awhile to get a job, because I had an immense fear of being stuck somewhere for eight hours. I wasn’t afraid to go out – I was afraid, though, to *have* to be in one place.  When I finally started working, it was a huge step in my recovery.   So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.  My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication.  (First I moved away from home – far away, actually – and then I got married to the girlfriend who’d been so supportive when I first got sick, and now we have a three month old baby boy….I’d call all that "transitional".)   That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted. Peace, Dan "Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true  Or is it something worse?"              - Bruce Springsteen

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It is hard enough to find medications that take care of the symptoms. If these meds work for you, then you have achieved your goal and I would not try to change them right now, just to get your life back in shape while you are still feeling well.  Make sure your doc. informs you about all possible side effects, but basically I wouldn’t touch a thing for as long as possible if you find a set of meds that really work for you. Dr.S. There are no false alarms http://www.algy.com/pdi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -(SYMKTB) writes: I’d like to introduce myself.  I’m a twenty six year old male, and I’ve read this newsgroup on and off for the last couple years.   Also, I’d like some feedback on my medication.  First, though, my history with panic disorder…  Ever since I was a little kid I’ve had trouble with panic attacks.  In Little League, I was a nervous wreck before games because I thought I might have an attack.  (Of course at the time I didn’t know what they were, and was afraid to tell anyone.)  I quit the basketball team because I thought I was prone to PAs at night, particularly in the lighting of a gymnasium.  These were textbook panic attacks I was having (and worrying about having!) – most of the symptoms, and they’d last about fifteen minutes or so. I had a pretty normal childhood otherwise.  By the time I reached high school, I considered the PAs a thing of the past, something I’d luckily outgrown.  I made it through college without really giving panic attacks any thought. Then — about three years ago (I’d been out of college almost a year), I was going through a somewhat stressful time in my life, trying to figure out my future, looking for a career I cared about, etc.  I had *the* worst panic attack I’d ever had, and the reason it was so bad was because it seemed to not go away.  Without exaggeration, I can honestly say that I felt like I was having a panic attack for two months.  I had no idea what was going on, and grew very depressed.  I was living with my girlfriend, who was supportive as she could be, but she was the only person I told.  This was a very dark, scary time in my life.  Things lightened up a bit when I finally told my mom.  She knew someone who’d had a problem that sounded similar.  Soon, I moved back home.  I met with my mom’s friend, who gave me several books to read (Kernodle, Sheehan, Reid, Weekes), which I read with a frenzy.  She also recommended a psychiatrist, who helped me through medication.  This was a summer of healing for me.  We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft.  I had tried Imipramine, but it made me feel even more anxious, as though I were about to have a PA at any time. Anyway, this dosage took awhile to reach, but it was the dosage that worked for me.  I also read and practiced many of the self-help techniques such as deep relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation, stopping negative thought patterns, et al.  It took awhile, but I got better.  I finally felt some joy in life again.  Since then, I’ve stayed at the same dosages of the medications, with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane. I’ve moved away from my parents house, and owe them a HUGE debt of gratitude for letting me free-load for a year as I got better.  It took me awhile to get a job, because I had an immense fear of being stuck somewhere for eight hours. I wasn’t afraid to go out – I was afraid, though, to *have* to be in one place. When I finally started working, it was a huge step in my recovery.   So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.  My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication.  (First I moved away from home – far away, actually – and then I got married to the girlfriend who’d been so supportive when I first got sick, and now we have a three month old baby boy….I’d call all that "transitional".)   That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted. Peace, Dan "Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true Or is it something worse?"             – Bruce Springsteen

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SYMKTB schreef: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – < snipped life story for space  We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft. with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane. So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.  My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication.  (First I moved away from home – far away, actually – and then I got married to the girlfriend who’d been so supportive when I first got sick, and now we have a three month old baby boy….I’d call all that "transitional".) That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted. Peace, Dan

Hi Dan! Good to hear you’re doing so much better. It seems you have a nice family and your parents seem to have an OK son who will surely be a great father himself. It’s a kind of success story which is always inspirational and it seems there is much warmth around you. About the meds: it’s a lot of benzodiazepine but if it works, it works and if you don’t notice side effects like motor or cognitive impairment I wouldn’t worry about it. The combo of SSRI and benzo is a common one and the Zoloft dose is not unusually high. I’m happy that it works for you the way it does. If and when you feel like it you can always experiment with reducing the Xanax dosage but if it turns out that need 5 mgs that’s fine too IMO. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – "Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true  Or is it something worse?"              - Bruce Springsteen

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We found a medication combination – 5 mg per day of Xanax, 1mg per day Klonopin, and 150 mg per day Zoloft…… I’ve stayed at the same dosages of the medications, with few side effects, and feel very good.  I’ve had panic attacks begin, but the combination of the medication and learning not to fear the attack enables me to take a deep breath and let it go.  My life isn’t perfect, but I feel sane.

This is great you have had such support and found a combo that works for you and given you back your life. So, I’m curious what your thoughts are on my medication.  Sometimes I feel a bit guilty, like I should try to taper off the meds.  Other times, I’m perfectly content to stay on them the rest of my life.  I haven’t built up a tolerance for the Xanax, so that’s not a problem.

My first reaction is – if it ain’t broken, why fix it?  I think many of us get to a point we feel we can do this without meds and you are certainly free to try and lower your doses and see what happens.  I did that once and found I didn’t need as much K as I was taking.  Went a little lower and found I had pushed it too far.  Anyways,  I don’t know why you feel guilty, as IMO, there is no need to.  Better to be on meds and functioning than a suffering *warrior*.  Plus you have already been there and know what it is like. My doctor mentions tapering every time I see her, which is every three months, but lately I’ve been in so many transitional stages in my life, I just haven’t felt ready to mess with the medication

An excellent reason for NOT making changes at this time.  If you do want to try that….I hope you will do it at a time when life is relatively stable and nonchaotic – and having a new baby sure doesn’t seem the time.  Congrats by the way.  :) That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication. I know the dosages are pretty high, but I also know that quality of life is not something to take for granted.

Dan…I think you just answered your own question.  Dosages are irrelevent – all that matters is what works for the individual.  Alot to be said for that quality of life thing. Best wishes… Gwen

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(SYMKTB) writes: That’s my story, and I’m curious what you all have to say about my medication.

Hi Dan, good story. It gives people hope when they read that someone is doing well. I can’t give you much input on the meds. Please don’t ever feel guilty about taking the medication you need to control the PD. I suffered for years without them. I tried going to therapy and CBT  but nothing ever worked for me.  I’m considering asking my Dr about taking Klonopin. I’ve taken Xanax .5 mg PRN for the past 2 years. I’ve had PD since I was a child as well, but it was only 2 years ago that I decided to go to a Dr and ask for medication. You’re fortunate to have a supporting family and spouse. It’s much easier to deal with your PD if you know someone actually "believes" what’s going on. My husband always thought I was "making it up" until he saw our (at the time 4 yr old) daughter going through a PA. First he started to yell at her, then he saw the fear on her little face and said,"my God, what’s wrong with her?" Of course, I knew what was happening to her and told him. Then he felt awful for all those years of actually yelling at me to "knock off the bullsh*t" during my PA’s. Now whenever he witnesses one, he comes close to tears and tries everything he can to help. I can really relate to your comment on not being afraid to go out, but  being afraid of *having* to be somewhere for 8 hours. I have to return to work as soon as my daughter starts school, and I know I can only handle a few hours a day. That’s why I’m thinking about the Klonopin. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of helpful information from your post. I really learn a lot from here as long as I skip over the useless "wars" that go on. I don’t post here that often myself, but , what prompted me to was to congratulate you on your new baby boy!  And that I see you are a fellow BOSS fan! good luck with the little 3 month old "transition"!! (that’s a biggie isn’t it? LOL!) adp

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Question:

Good for you to find out about these drugs…from 1 to 10  my tinnitus is about a (7) right now… it was a(2) before a hip operation in Aug. this yr….Pain medication was the cause of the increase… I have hope that the T will drop down to (2) again since stopping the pain medication…

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        On Tuesday my psychiatrist wanted me to start Paxil 10mg (I really think of him as a doctor who writes prescriptions for my Ambien and Xanax, rather than a psychiatrist.  I had six visits precertified through my US Health Care Insurance).  On Saturday afternoon I had a severe agitated depression that lasted about three hours, even though my t wasn’t bothering me then.         This is the time of year that allot of people get depressed anyway. Especially the ones without family.         I’ve been having a really good week so far, the best since this t hit me in July.  So I decided not to start the paxil yet.  Even though I had loud t three days in a row, it didn’t seem to bother me as much.  I’ve also been eating well for the last week. I’m also anticipating starting TRT soon. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

   Interesting. You dont say how many milligrams you were on. I was put on 20 mg a day. After two months i decided to cut my dosage in half due to side effects. I am on 10 mg a day.    I havent noticed any increase in ringing. The drop down to 10 mg very quickly eliminated the side effects including alternating hot and cold flashes and extreme fatigue. My mood was not affected.    My psychiatrist became very upset when i told him i had done this and told me i had made a serious mistake and was in for a big accident. He then threw me out of his office because i didnt want to return to the full dose.    I am going to slowly ease off the Paxil totally. If i feel the need to go backon it i will certainly find myself another doctor.    I have been on so many different medications the past three months trying to get back to "normal" which hasnt really happened, although life is more livable..thats a start. Anti depressants can help. Paxil seemed to level everything out. But it does affect your body and i didnt care for that discomfort on top of my tinnitus.    It doesnt totally get you out of the funk. Even on my full dose i got bouts of depression, I still do. Lots of emotions are tied up in this and if you already are experiencing stress or disapointments in life, tinnitus just adds to it, making you feel broken, victimized and helpless. Cynthia    I

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FYI Paxil withdrawal is NOT pleasant. Dizziness, vomiting, loss of balance and *auditory hallucinations.*  These have been documented in others than I.  My psychiatrist found a paper on SSRI withdrawal, how lack of knowledge in this area is starting to cause problems. The drug companies don’t want to talk about this. This report has been my experience, only. I hope it helps others. BUT I will always belong to the ATA and a T. suffer’s advocate. Best to all. ciao, randall

        Interesting. You dont say how many milligrams you were on. I was put on 20 mg a day. After two months i decided to cut my dosage in half due to side effects. I am on 10 mg a day.         I havent noticed any increase in ringing. The drop down to 10 mg very quickly eliminated the side effects including alternating hot and cold flashes and extreme fatigue. My mood was not affected.         My psychiatrist became very upset when i told him i had done this and told me i had made a serious mistake and was in for a big accident. He then threw me out of his office because i didnt want to return to the full dose.         I am going to slowly ease off the Paxil totally. If i feel the need to go backon it i will certainly find myself another doctor.         I have been on so many different medications the past three months trying to get back to "normal" which hasnt really happened, although life is more livable..thats a start. Anti depressants can help. Paxil seemed to level everything out. But it does affect your body and i didnt care for that discomfort on top of my tinnitus.         It doesnt totally get you out of the funk. Even on my full dose i got bouts of depression, I still do. Lots of emotions are tied up in this and if you already are experiencing stress or disapointments in life, tinnitus just adds to it, making you feel broken, victimized and helpless. Cynthia         I

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In article <01bcf5e6$d2cd89e0$0521accf@larrygol

, "Larry Goldman"

<larrg…@erols.com

writes: On Tuesday my psychiatrist wanted me to start Paxil 10mg (I really think of him as a doctor who writes prescriptions for my Ambien and Xanax, rather than a psychiatrist.  I had six visits precertified through my US Health Care Insurance).

Hi, Larry! We have all been pulling for you here, knowing how tough the past few weeks have been for you and hoping you will find something to help.  Glad this week has been better.  It’s about time! I thought I would clarify that a psychiatrist is a medically trainned doctor who generally has specialized training in medication.  A psychiatrist usually sees a patient and interviews him on a periodic basis in order to assess and monitor his meds.  If a person needs to be hospitalized, a psychiatrist generally is responsible, although more and more other mental health professions are becoming involved in hospitalization these days. A psychotherapist is a person with specialized training in psychotherapy.  This training varies, but may easily take 8-12 years or more of graduate school.  A psychiatrist may go on for more training in therapy, and some do, but by the time they have finished all the education that it took to get this far, many don’t sign up for an additional 8-12 years.  Many either are not interested or feel that it is time to get on with their lives.  Therefore, it may take some exploring to find out what training a particular psychiatrist has, or for any other therapist, for that matter. Good luck with the TRT.  We are all crossing our fingers for you. Ginny

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This has been my experience. I developed *unbearable* tinnitus around Labor Day.  I have always noticed a slight sound [note] every now and again, but nothing *devastating*. This was.   1. Psychiatrist, Primary care, ENT: all tests MRI; another ENT; Tinnitus specialist who recommened a plan of treatment for T., long and involved. 2. I looked up several drugs in PDR. Found for Paxil [a Prozac relative] [all SSRIs, Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Effexor, Desyrel(R), ] and Desyrel a small incidence of tinnitus. 3. 5 doctors and $2000.00 later, I decided to try and see if I was one of the small few in whom SSRIs caused tinnitus. 3. I stopped PAXIL and DESYREL. 4. 3 weeks later [today] tinnitus is 90% gone.  I comes and goes and changes daily, but on the whole, for the first time in 2 1/2 months I can honestly say I believe these drugs to be the cause of *my* tinnitus. 5. I put the connection together, because of Effexor withdrawal, caused a feeling of loss of balance control [INNER EAR]. 6. I knew if I missed 2 days of Paxil I became VERY dizzy and felt "swimmy."  [again, INNER EAR] 7.  I figured if the drugs [SSRIs] caused dizziness upon withdrawal, they were doing something in my inner ear, so what not the T. 8. Most of the tinnitus is gone. I still feel swimmy.  Waves of nausea will hit, along with a symphony of sounds in my ears.     So, I certainly believe IF you developed T. after starting an anti-depressant [namely SSRIs] or your T. has gotten worse, I would talk to your doctor about these drugs. FYI Paxil withdrawal is NOT pleasant. Dizziness, vomiting, loss of balance and *auditory hallucinations.*  These have been documented in others than I.  My psychiatrist found a paper on SSRI withdrawal, how lack of knowledge in this area is starting to cause problems. The drug companies don’t want to talk about this. This report has been my experience, only. I hope it helps others. BUT I will always belong to the ATA and a T. suffer’s advocate. Best to all. ciao, randall

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