Posted by galkeepinon on August 10, 2003, at 0:18:39
In reply to advice from all, please, posted by glove on August 7, 2003, at 13:18:21
WOW!!! I feel like I am reading my post! I have had residual anxiety...worrying about mom dying-really, really BAD up until I started Lexapro a week ago-and after reading this, I just realized that I haven't thought that way since starting the Lexapro-a new med for me. I'm wondering about Accutane myself too, I was on it, but couldn't finish full treatment because of side effects and I barely had acne-my family, friends, and my boyfriend at the time was like you're face is fine-looking back I did NOT need to be on Accutane. To this day, I truly believe it has made my depression worse. My grandmother and brother have OCD BAD!!!
It sounds like between the divorce, and you stopping smoking and drinking at the same time with all the other stress, is causing you distress and I'm so sorry to hear that-I truly am.
I've never been able to go on BC pills due to exactly what you said in this post too, it caused problems-depression made worse, etc.
**This was interesting, I was diagnosed with BP2 and I tried Lithium this summer. It did wonders for 2 weeks-but then I had all sorts of side effects-I could NOT and would not tolerate it anymore so I took myself off of it. I don't have the classical symptoms of bipolar either-excessive spending sprees, yada yada yada-everything the DSMIV states, but BP2 tends to be characterized by a more depressive side with hypomania tendencies. That's what I get. I currently take Lamictal, Lexapro, and Klonopin, and am doing pretty good, the rest-meds won't help. I have school loans also about $25,000 right now, but I know I will pay them off when I am done with school. It sounds like you are overwhelmed, and rightfully so!!!!!!
I am glad to hear you are in therapy, that will help a lot. Even going through emotionally abusive childhood issues, again, can be adding to your stress and frustration.
I tried Ativan, it worked well for me in conjunction with a 12-step program and therapy-so it may help you?
Keep me posted, I really hope you feel better and things get to where you feel better:-)
Gal
> Hello everyone, I have been reading this website for some time now but this is the first time that I have posted. I am at a difficult point right now and would really appreciate it if you guys could just tell me what you think.
> When I was 16 I broke up with my boy of 3 years and got very depressed...went into hospital for a couple of weeks and put on Prozac and Lithium. But I was also taking Accutane which was later shown to cause severe depression in patients. Recovered but always had a little bit of anxiety and OCD...nothing that bothered me. Father has OCD bad. At 18 was switched to Celexa...don't remember why. Celexa worked the same all through college until last summer. My parents told me that they are getting divorced...Dad has been cheating. I didn't acknowledge my pain until last X-mas. I began having severe panic attacks and didn't leave the house for two weeks. I was put on Paxil (50 mg), stopped smoking, and stopped drinking all at the same time. Attacks went away but was then suicidal for a couple of days. I did some research and found that birth control can cause problems (which I had been put on in October) so I got off the BP pills and started Wellbutrin (150 mg in morning and 150 mg at night)...depression went away. Now, since then I have had residual anxiety...worrying about mom dying, about boyfriend leaving me, etc. Also, sometimes I find it impossible to get full breaths in. I have started tai chi and exercise. Therapist suggested going to pdoc to get med adjustment. Went to pdoc and he suggested lithium and that I may be bipolar type 2. Now, I looked at the symptoms of bpII and do not relate at all. No family history of BP. My only problems are a little bit of OCD (skin picking) and anxiety. I don't have sleeping problems, no excess energy, no spending sprees, no excess esteem...nothing. I have asked friends and family if they recognize any of these signs and they adamantly say no. Pdoc also said that Wellbutrin may be making anxiety worse and high blood pressure med may be causing problems too. So, this is where I stand. I do not think that I need Lithium. I have decided to cut back on my Wellbutrin to 150 mg in morning and to cut back on BP med because I am exercising more ( I will monitor it though). I am also about to start grad school. Isnt it possible that I am just greiving the loss of my father and that I am freaked out about grad school...I am having to take out $20,000 in loans. I just don't know what to think. Also, I am currently in therapy and am in the process of reviewing an emotionally abusive childhood. I know you guys aren't docs but I would just really like to know what you guys think. Should I maybe increase the paxil? I have Ativen but am too scared to use it. Thank you guys so much for listening...it is such a comfort.
poster:galkeepinon
thread:248993
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030807/msgs/249703.html