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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Greg on May 5, 2000, at 8:53:23
Please be patient, I will get to the point, I promise. I just need to ramble a little bit first.
I've having increased anxiety the last few days, I always get it about 7pm every night like clockwork, but it's been much more frequent. I took my Ambien about a 1/2 hour before bedtime (10pm) last night which usually allows me to fall asleep about 30 seconds after my head hits the pillow, but I laid there tossing and turning for about 30 minutes before I finally dozed off. At about 1:15am I woke up with my heart pounding, my mind racing and my hands shaking like a leaf. After trying unsuccessfully to go back to sleep, I decided to get up and get ready for work. While in the shower (I do some of my best thinking in there), it dawned on me that I was in the 10th day of my 7 day Catapres patch. I always get increased anxiety when I go too long with out changing it
I've been wearing the Catapres patch (Clonidine, lowers blood pressure, beta blocker I think) for about 7 months. It was originally prescribed by my Pain Management doctor. I had built up a tolerance to the pain meds I was taking (Fentanyl, Norco for back surgery), and it was prescribed with the theory that it would help to increase the effectiveness of the meds. This is the same doctor who, when I called in to see if there was something he could prescribe that would give me more energy during the day, called in a prescription for sleeping pills... Another story, another time.
Anyway, I changed the patch, got ready for work, kissed my wife (yes, she insists that I wake her up at 4am every day to give her a kiss goodbye, pretty cool huh?) and then got on my way to work. On the way, I had a panic attack while driving 75 mph in the fast lane. I managed to pull myself over to the shoulder, took a Xanax and sat cowering down in the seat of my car for about an hour until things finally started to come back into focus. Although I was safely off the road, I was sure that I was going to get hit by a passing car, a cop was going to stop and arrest me or a meteor was going to come crashing thru the roof (the latter being the most preferable). I did manage to get to work and am feeling a little better now, although I am considering put a sign on my door warning everyone that I've contracted some dibilitating disease (if they only knew) and to stay away.
Now for my point....I told you I would get here. My new doc is tapering me off the Catapres, I've gone from the TTS-3 (strongest) to the TTS-2. It took a few days of adjustment, but I seem to be handling the lowered dose OK. I went for 4 weeks without the Catapres not too long ago and felt every beat of my heart every minute of the day for the whole time. It was getting to the point where it was driving me absolutely crazy! I had my heart checked out and was given a clean bill of health (in that area anyway). I'm absolutely petrified of what's going to happen when I'm taken off it all together again. Will I go back to where I was? I think that the Catapres is a vital part of my med cocktail. Should I talk to my doctor about letting me remain on the patch? Maybe the panic attack wasn't related to forgetting about changing the patch, but I'm sure that the anxiety is.
If anyone has any advise, experience or information for me, I'd REALLY appreciate it. For only being 6:50am, the day has really sucked.
Greg
Posted by tina on May 5, 2000, at 9:24:28
In reply to Withdrawals? A little HELP please.....Cam/Anyone?, posted by Greg on May 5, 2000, at 8:53:23
Greg: I really don't know anything about the meds you're on but you may be anticipating the worst when you get off the patch and that could be causing the anxiety. Sorry I can't REALLY help you but you're always there for me and I wanted to return the favour. Thanks for the support on previous post and know that you have mine. Peace--Tina
> Please be patient, I will get to the point, I promise. I just need to ramble a little bit first.
>
> I've having increased anxiety the last few days, I always get it about 7pm every night like clockwork, but it's been much more frequent. I took my Ambien about a 1/2 hour before bedtime (10pm) last night which usually allows me to fall asleep about 30 seconds after my head hits the pillow, but I laid there tossing and turning for about 30 minutes before I finally dozed off. At about 1:15am I woke up with my heart pounding, my mind racing and my hands shaking like a leaf. After trying unsuccessfully to go back to sleep, I decided to get up and get ready for work. While in the shower (I do some of my best thinking in there), it dawned on me that I was in the 10th day of my 7 day Catapres patch. I always get increased anxiety when I go too long with out changing it
>
> I've been wearing the Catapres patch (Clonidine, lowers blood pressure, beta blocker I think) for about 7 months. It was originally prescribed by my Pain Management doctor. I had built up a tolerance to the pain meds I was taking (Fentanyl, Norco for back surgery), and it was prescribed with the theory that it would help to increase the effectiveness of the meds. This is the same doctor who, when I called in to see if there was something he could prescribe that would give me more energy during the day, called in a prescription for sleeping pills... Another story, another time.
>
> Anyway, I changed the patch, got ready for work, kissed my wife (yes, she insists that I wake her up at 4am every day to give her a kiss goodbye, pretty cool huh?) and then got on my way to work. On the way, I had a panic attack while driving 75 mph in the fast lane. I managed to pull myself over to the shoulder, took a Xanax and sat cowering down in the seat of my car for about an hour until things finally started to come back into focus. Although I was safely off the road, I was sure that I was going to get hit by a passing car, a cop was going to stop and arrest me or a meteor was going to come crashing thru the roof (the latter being the most preferable). I did manage to get to work and am feeling a little better now, although I am considering put a sign on my door warning everyone that I've contracted some dibilitating disease (if they only knew) and to stay away.
>
> Now for my point....I told you I would get here. My new doc is tapering me off the Catapres, I've gone from the TTS-3 (strongest) to the TTS-2. It took a few days of adjustment, but I seem to be handling the lowered dose OK. I went for 4 weeks without the Catapres not too long ago and felt every beat of my heart every minute of the day for the whole time. It was getting to the point where it was driving me absolutely crazy! I had my heart checked out and was given a clean bill of health (in that area anyway). I'm absolutely petrified of what's going to happen when I'm taken off it all together again. Will I go back to where I was? I think that the Catapres is a vital part of my med cocktail. Should I talk to my doctor about letting me remain on the patch? Maybe the panic attack wasn't related to forgetting about changing the patch, but I'm sure that the anxiety is.
>
> If anyone has any advise, experience or information for me, I'd REALLY appreciate it. For only being 6:50am, the day has really sucked.
>
> Greg
Posted by M on May 5, 2000, at 10:10:05
In reply to Re: Withdrawals? A little HELP please.....Cam/Anyone?, posted by tina on May 5, 2000, at 9:24:28
Greg, I'd say definitely talk to your doctor about staying on it--if the thought of going off it is giving you anxiety, that in itself could be a reason to stay on. Good luck!
This is the end of the thread.
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