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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tina on May 8, 2000, at 17:02:22
Hi all: My doc is sending me to a pharmacotherapist next week and I would just like to ask everyone if they could post a short list of questions and/or meds that I should ask about. I'm not familiar woth a lot of the meds I see posted on here and I'd like to have some kind of organized thoughts when I go. My major problems are severe anxiety and panic attacks, depression(improving slightly, though I think it's having all you guys to talk to and not the celexa), and last but not least, complete lack of ability to sleep. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
P.S.--Greg, How'd the game go???
Posted by Greg on May 8, 2000, at 17:36:02
In reply to Need Help: Cam/Greg/Anyone????, posted by tina on May 8, 2000, at 17:02:22
Tina,
Remembering that I'm not a doctor, pharmacist or anywhere close to being as intelligent as many people in Babbleland....The first thing I would want to address is the lack of sleep. When I don't sleep well or enough (or in your case not at all) depression and anxiety is amplified many times over. Make sure the therapist is aware of your sleeping problem so he/she can take that in to account when developing a game plan for your ADs.
Try to identify any times of the day that depression, anxiety or panic is worse than others. Does anything particular tend to trigger these actions? Are there times when you feel more comfortable than others?
Write everything down! Be prepared (yes, I was a Boy Scout) Don't just discuss how you feel on the day you see him/her, talk about how you feel in general ALL the time. Tell him/her that it helps when you talk to your support group (that would be us ;^) ) Long term therapy may be a good thing for you.
As usual, I'm pretty useless here. I really can't talk about very many specific meds with you as I've been VERY fortunate to have the first things prescribed to me work well (except for the damn Effexor). I'm sure that others will be able to help you much more than I can.
But remember that I'm always thinking about you.... if that helps.
Hugs,
A Sick PuppyP.S. We're on our way to the game now, Go A's!!! (my son's team) I'll let you know how much we won by when I get back (the Power of Positive Thinking)
> Hi all: My doc is sending me to a pharmacotherapist next week and I would just like to ask everyone if they could post a short list of questions and/or meds that I should ask about. I'm not familiar woth a lot of the meds I see posted on here and I'd like to have some kind of organized thoughts when I go. My major problems are severe anxiety and panic attacks, depression(improving slightly, though I think it's having all you guys to talk to and not the celexa), and last but not least, complete lack of ability to sleep. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
> P.S.--Greg, How'd the game go???
Posted by Noa on May 8, 2000, at 17:49:29
In reply to Re: Need Help: Cam/Greg/Anyone????, posted by Greg on May 8, 2000, at 17:36:02
I agree with Greg about coming prepared with questions and issues. Raise the question about possible med-induced hypomania. Ask if there is a med that will address your anxiety and depression without causing insomnia, something less activating than Celexa. Perhaps you should consider a combination approach--an antidepressant with a mood stabilizer, or two antidepressants.
Good Luck.
Oh, and although I agree with Greg about being prepared, etc., I am decidedly in severe disagreement with him about his self-deprecating remarks. We'll none of that, now! Besides, there is a big difference between being intelligent and being informed. Informing oneself about all of this is a process. I am learning new things all the time, and someday hope to understand what some of the better-informed folks here know. But it isn't a matter of intelligence, and certainly not of usefulness. End of lecture.
Posted by Cam W. on May 8, 2000, at 18:42:50
In reply to Need Help: Cam/Greg/Anyone????, posted by tina on May 8, 2000, at 17:02:22
Tina - I am like Greg in that I might be able to list a bunch of drugs for you, but which are the right ones to try for your particulat situation, I'd leave that up to your doc and the psychotherapist. He/she will see your file and doctor notes and will be far better able to decide what would be good for you to try first. Instead of giving him/her a list of meds and saying which do I use, go in with a list of symptoms and concerns you have about your present meds and problems you have had with past meds. Also give him/her a list of symptoms you have in regard to your disorder. Sort of organize the list into sections and give him/her the list and keep a copy for yourself. This and your file will give him/her a better idea of what will help you, be it medication and/or some sort of psychotherapy.Hope this helps - Cam
Posted by tina on May 8, 2000, at 19:48:29
In reply to Re: Need Help: Cam/Greg/Anyone????, posted by Cam W. on May 8, 2000, at 18:42:50
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input, I'm kinda nervous about this(yeah right KINDA nervous) I know I need it but it still feels like some kind of weakness sometimes, like I can't control my own mind. I wish I was strong like my brother. He can take anything life throws at him and always land on his feet. Sometimes he's an inspiration, sometimes it just pisses me off. Ya know??? Anyway, appt not till next week so I'll let ya know. Thanks again ---Greg you better let me know about the game, I'm living vicariously through you. Tina
>
> Tina - I am like Greg in that I might be able to list a bunch of drugs for you, but which are the right ones to try for your particulat situation, I'd leave that up to your doc and the psychotherapist. He/she will see your file and doctor notes and will be far better able to decide what would be good for you to try first. Instead of giving him/her a list of meds and saying which do I use, go in with a list of symptoms and concerns you have about your present meds and problems you have had with past meds. Also give him/her a list of symptoms you have in regard to your disorder. Sort of organize the list into sections and give him/her the list and keep a copy for yourself. This and your file will give him/her a better idea of what will help you, be it medication and/or some sort of psychotherapy.
>
> Hope this helps - Cam
Posted by Greg on May 8, 2000, at 21:43:36
In reply to Re: Need Help: Cam/Greg/Anyone????, posted by Noa on May 8, 2000, at 17:49:29
Noa,
I'll simply say thank you for reminding me of who I am, I promise to try to be less hard on myself in the future. Being less informed than many of you, I tend to speak more from the heart and less from the head, which I've been told is not necessarily a bad thing. I am, however, my own worst critic, but I'm working on it.Many Thanks,
Greg> I agree with Greg about coming prepared with questions and issues. Raise the question about possible med-induced hypomania. Ask if there is a med that will address your anxiety and depression without causing insomnia, something less activating than Celexa. Perhaps you should consider a combination approach--an antidepressant with a mood stabilizer, or two antidepressants.
>
> Good Luck.
>
> Oh, and although I agree with Greg about being prepared, etc., I am decidedly in severe disagreement with him about his self-deprecating remarks. We'll none of that, now! Besides, there is a big difference between being intelligent and being informed. Informing oneself about all of this is a process. I am learning new things all the time, and someday hope to understand what some of the better-informed folks here know. But it isn't a matter of intelligence, and certainly not of usefulness. End of lecture.
Posted by Greg on May 8, 2000, at 21:51:42
In reply to I Love You Guys!!!!, posted by tina on May 8, 2000, at 19:48:29
Tina,
We went up 6-1 in the fourth inning and then the other team (the Mariners) came back in the top of the fifth to tie it at six. We held them in the sixth inning without scoring, and then won in the bottom of the sixth with a run, 7-6. Far more stressful than I needed it to be and I was a nervous wreck by the time it was over. REAL glad to be home....Hugs,
Greg> Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input, I'm kinda nervous about this(yeah right KINDA nervous) I know I need it but it still feels like some kind of weakness sometimes, like I can't control my own mind. I wish I was strong like my brother. He can take anything life throws at him and always land on his feet. Sometimes he's an inspiration, sometimes it just pisses me off. Ya know??? Anyway, appt not till next week so I'll let ya know. Thanks again ---Greg you better let me know about the game, I'm living vicariously through you. Tina
>
>
>
> >
> > Tina - I am like Greg in that I might be able to list a bunch of drugs for you, but which are the right ones to try for your particulat situation, I'd leave that up to your doc and the psychotherapist. He/she will see your file and doctor notes and will be far better able to decide what would be good for you to try first. Instead of giving him/her a list of meds and saying which do I use, go in with a list of symptoms and concerns you have about your present meds and problems you have had with past meds. Also give him/her a list of symptoms you have in regard to your disorder. Sort of organize the list into sections and give him/her the list and keep a copy for yourself. This and your file will give him/her a better idea of what will help you, be it medication and/or some sort of psychotherapy.
> >
> > Hope this helps - Cam
Posted by tina on May 9, 2000, at 10:15:16
In reply to Re: I Love You Guys!!!! Tina, the game, posted by Greg on May 8, 2000, at 21:51:42
> Tina,
> We went up 6-1 in the fourth inning and then the other team (the Mariners) came back in the top of the fifth to tie it at six. We held them in the sixth inning without scoring, and then won in the bottom of the sixth with a run, 7-6. Far more stressful than I needed it to be and I was a nervous wreck by the time it was over. REAL glad to be home....
>
> Hugs,
> Greg
>
> > Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input, I'm kinda nervous about this(yeah right KINDA nervous) I know I need it but it still feels like some kind of weakness sometimes, like I can't control my own mind. I wish I was strong like my brother. He can take anything life throws at him and always land on his feet. Sometimes he's an inspiration, sometimes it just pisses me off. Ya know??? Anyway, appt not till next week so I'll let ya know. Thanks again ---Greg you better let me know about the game, I'm living vicariously through you. Tina
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Tina - I am like Greg in that I might be able to list a bunch of drugs for you, but which are the right ones to try for your particulat situation, I'd leave that up to your doc and the psychotherapist. He/she will see your file and doctor notes and will be far better able to decide what would be good for you to try first. Instead of giving him/her a list of meds and saying which do I use, go in with a list of symptoms and concerns you have about your present meds and problems you have had with past meds. Also give him/her a list of symptoms you have in regard to your disorder. Sort of organize the list into sections and give him/her the list and keep a copy for yourself. This and your file will give him/her a better idea of what will help you, be it medication and/or some sort of psychotherapy.
> > >
> > > Hope this helps - Cam
Posted by ChrisK on May 10, 2000, at 10:55:58
In reply to Need Help: Cam/Greg/Anyone????, posted by tina on May 8, 2000, at 17:02:22
Not to put any scare in you but you may want to ask about Benzo's (benzodiazapams). They are the most common meds used for anxiety and panic but do have some addictive qualities. Many people (including myself) live comforatably on these meds. Klonopin is the easiest to adjust to and might be a good start for someone with anxiety and panic,
I had both plus depression and my panic was helped a lot with Klonopin.
I hope whatever you decide to try works out for you,
Chris
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