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Re: Need help with Diagnosis...

Posted by ttime on March 18, 2005, at 7:28:46

In reply to Re: Need help with Diagnosis..., posted by jasmineneroli on March 18, 2005, at 1:16:27

> Hi Ttime:
> Just came into this discussion a bit late.
> However, wanted to let you know that you have extremely similar symptoms to me. Including the impatience/irritability etc..
> My dx is severe GAD. So I would concur with those posters who suggest GAD.
> My symptoms have varying degrees of impact upon me. It certainly changes often, sometimes day to day, sometimes every couple of weeks or months.
> It's definitely related to 1) sleep 2) life stress and 3) hormone fluctuations (I'm female).
>
> I often feel I've got things pretty well under conrol and feel almost "great" for weeks or months, and then I "relapse" again...often quite gradually.
>
> The only thing that helps the physical anxiety and generally calms me, is Klonopin, which I take everyday in low dose (.5mg). At the moment I also take (by prescription -in Canada) 1gr Tryptophan daily. This combo seems to work alright as long as my life is in order and I sleep OK. Sleep has long beeen an issue, and often the stress and lack of sleep go hand in hand.
>
> I have tried the following drugs over the years: Paxil, Effexor, Remeron, Amitryptiline, Ativan, Moclobemide, Buspar and Celexa. I've had two separate trials of Celexa, first alone, and more recently with Klonopin. I've also tried several sleep medications added on to the SSRI's. (Like Zopiclone and one of the hypnotic benzo's- but the name escapes me right now!).
> The most effective drug combo was Celexa + Klonopin, however, I couldn't tolerate the side effects of Celexa (sexual dysf., insomnia, jaw clenching, neck stiffness and headaches). I also found it to be very effective for anxiety with ruminations at first, then to wear off as it induced depression.
>
> At the moment, after a period of prolonged stress and poor sleeping, I've begun the a.m. lethargy, irritabilty sequence again. It's now lasting further into the day too. At my Pdoc's yesterday, he said I'm starting to get into a depression (which happens periodically, after the anxiety state). So he's upped my tryptophan dose to 1500mg. We'll see if it helps!!!
>
> My Pdoc is adamant that I don't have any of the Bipolar forms. Even though my energy and mood "cycles" and I get "manic" phases where I just go-go-go and get loads done and talk fast etc.
> He asked me if I feel euphoric or "unbeatable" and like I can handle anything/conquer the world, when I'm in those states. I told him I just feel "driven", I "must get things done" and that most of the time I'm not happy or giddy or enjoying it particularly. I basically feel like I've been switched on "max"!!!!
> This, he said, is the reason why he doesn't consider me BP. It's not true mania, it's just peaking generalized anxiety adrenaline pushing me.
>
> You might want to consider that.
>
> I also believe I have a bit of OCD thrown in.....more the "c" part of OCD. The compulsions, I believe, are part of mt atempts to control my anxiety and soothe myself. I'm not sure that it would be classed as true OCD or OCPD, or an occasional coping mechanism.
>
> Sorry to be so long. I'm the world's worst poster...just go on and on......! I hope some of the rambling has helped though, ask any questions you like! I recommend you continue to research as much as poss, then go to your doc armed with info, opinions and people's experiences!
> Take care
> Jas


Hi Jas:

Thanks so much for your informative post! You and all the other's are the reason I come here, knowing full well I can talk to people going through the same thing I am.

After I read all the posts - and continue to read, my head starts to spin. I know, full well, that since my first major anxiety attack (and quite honestly the "worst" one I ever had), at 18, I have "something wrong with me". Has this stopped me from becoming what people would describe as successful in life (im in IT Sales), no. Has it stopped me from being the luckiest man in the world and marrying my unbelievably loving wife, no. Has it stopped me from having the most beattiful daughter in the world, no. What it has done, is this "something wrong with me" is robbing the joy out of everyday things. I wake up not knowing if I will be a tyrant or not.

I know I am lucky - I thank God everyday, however I would just like to be able to smooth things out a bit. I would like to go outside and have confidence again and feel that "inner" peace. I constantly worry about how people look at me. I am very jumpy lately, like I have a startle reflex. I guess it is because I am on "edge" most of the time. It seems that "stress" has become part of my life and it does not go away. It's not like I ask for it, it's just there (I am sure my chosen profession, and having a 15 month old doesn't help my "stress" level). Who knows.

My reason for continuing to post and seeing what other's who have similar symptoms, like myself, do to manage their life, is to see if there is anthing I can try to help me get to a "neutral" place again. I am not hoping for a miracle. I just want to be able to take a little something that has very few side affects, however allows me to be the guy that is kind, considerate, compassionate, loving, patient and well, you know.

Based on a few posts, I belive by Scott, I think I might call my very little used P-Doc and ask to try Trileptal and maybe a splash of Seroquel. There is a chance that I might have Cyclothymic traits (self diagnosed) as well as GAD. Maybe these 2 can help get me going in the right direction.

I look forward to continuing our dialogue...

Good Luck With Everything,
All the Best
T-Time
38 YO Male



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poster:ttime thread:470832
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050317/msgs/472391.html