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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 9, 2000, at 11:10:31
OK, My currents meds are 300mg of Effexor XR, and 45mg of Melloril (Thirazadine).
I desperately don't want to come off the Effexor, as after trying about 10 meds, this is the only one that has helped my depression, and it has helped ALOT.
I've even finally got used to the side affacts (even though they seemed less than with other meds for me)... even the insane dreaming is becoming easier for me to deal with - all in all, these side effects are outweighed GREATLY by the improvement in my depression.BUT (isn't there always a but!) I am still suffering terribly from panic attacks. I get one most mornings, and on mondays especially they tend to last all day (this is the first monday I've made it into work in 6 weeks).
What kind of meds can I ask for to help with this - I'm in the UK and don't think we have Xanax... I'd rather have something to keep them all away rather than something to take when one arrives.
Thanks
Nikki
Posted by NikkiT2 on October 9, 2000, at 11:14:39
In reply to Seeing Pdoc.. want med advice!!, posted by NikkiT2 on October 9, 2000, at 11:10:31
I forgot to mention that I'd also like something that didn't make me so tired all the time. I think it's the melloril (first time I tried Effexor I didn't sleep really atall!), cos all I want to do these days is sleep.. and I have NO energy what so ever.
Help people!!
Nikki
Posted by JohnL on October 10, 2000, at 4:02:31
In reply to Seeing Pdoc.. want med advice!!, posted by NikkiT2 on October 9, 2000, at 11:10:31
Nikki,
I'm glad you're doing pretty well with Effexor. That's definately good news. As for the panic, there are quite a few meds that could treat it. As to which med, it all depends on what the underlying chemistry is that's causing it. Probably only through trial and error will you find what works best for you.Some possibilities...
If serotonin receptors are overactive, then Remeron might work. Serzone might too, but it's record is a little more finnicky.
If dopamine is overactive, then a tiny dose of Zyprexa or Risperdal could work.
If GABA is underactive, then a small dose of a benzo would do the trick. If Xanax isn't available, surely there must be other choices. As with everything else, one may work when another doesn't.
I know of life-long sufferers of panic who found complete results when they finally tried Lithium, and in other cases Depakote. Again, as with the others above, only very small doses were necessary when the right med was found.
And believe it or not, there are actually some people (smaller population than the above meds) that find panic relief with stimulants. I know that sounds all backwards, but it's true.
If norepinephrine is overactive, a beta blocker would be helpful.At this point we don't know which of the above chemistries is causing your panic. Just have to compare different meds and find what works. When one does work, then with the benefit of hindsight you'll know what chemistry was at fault.
In a population of 250 patients with panic/anxiety who found complete long lasting results with a medication, here are statistics of what worked. What's interesting is that some of these meds worked where there was no clinical suggestion to think that they would work.
Serotonin antidepressants 48%
Other antidepressants 11%
GABA meds (benzos) 24%
Lithium 22%
Stimulant 14%
Antipsychotic 13%
Depakote 11%
Tegretol 3%
Thyroid 24% (even tho blood tests indicated only 13% of these needed thyroid treatment)
Blends of the above 35%
Stimulants needing antipsychotic with it 21%You'll have to see what direction your doctor wants to take.
John
Posted by Leonardo on October 10, 2000, at 6:08:55
In reply to Seeing Pdoc.. want med advice!!, posted by NikkiT2 on October 9, 2000, at 11:10:31
I'm in the UK too, but haven't tried Effexor (yet..) I found that Seroxat (Paxil) was very good at controlling my panic/anxiety, even at quite low doses, but useless as an antidepressant. I tried reboxetine, which is very stimulating and can increase anxiety. It also didn't work as an antidepressant by itself. However, the two together work pretty well for me. Not sure if you will be allowed to take Effexor plus Seroxat, but I find a very low dose of Seroxat (even 5mg) is enough to control my panic/anxiety tendencies, so I wouldn't have thought this would be dangerous
Leonardo
> OK, My currents meds are 300mg of Effexor XR, and 45mg of Melloril (Thirazadine).
>
> I desperately don't want to come off the Effexor, as after trying about 10 meds, this is the only one that has helped my depression, and it has helped ALOT.
> I've even finally got used to the side affacts (even though they seemed less than with other meds for me)... even the insane dreaming is becoming easier for me to deal with - all in all, these side effects are outweighed GREATLY by the improvement in my depression.
>
> BUT (isn't there always a but!) I am still suffering terribly from panic attacks. I get one most mornings, and on mondays especially they tend to last all day (this is the first monday I've made it into work in 6 weeks).
>
> What kind of meds can I ask for to help with this - I'm in the UK and don't think we have Xanax... I'd rather have something to keep them all away rather than something to take when one arrives.
>
> Thanks
>
> Nikki
Posted by Lisa Simpson on October 10, 2000, at 9:58:41
In reply to Re: Seeing Pdoc.. want med advice!! » NikkiT2, posted by Leonardo on October 10, 2000, at 6:08:55
Hi Nikki, this is just to let you know that Xanax is available in the UK - I live in Kingston, Surrey, and I get it prescribed, although it has to be done under private prescription. Ask your GP about it. It also goes under a generic name, which I can't remember at the moment, but will post to you when I do!
Lisa
Posted by pullmarine on October 12, 2000, at 1:01:48
In reply to Seeing Pdoc.. want med advice!!, posted by NikkiT2 on October 9, 2000, at 11:10:31
Xanax is available in the UK. I found that saying an 'our father who art in heaven' really helps, and i'm not really religious. I do it as a kind of meditation and I find comfort in the words.
I would not take benzo's if i were u, they are terribly addictive.
John
> OK, My currents meds are 300mg of Effexor XR, and 45mg of Melloril (Thirazadine).
>
> I desperately don't want to come off the Effexor, as after trying about 10 meds, this is the only one that has helped my depression, and it has helped ALOT.
> I've even finally got used to the side affacts (even though they seemed less than with other meds for me)... even the insane dreaming is becoming easier for me to deal with - all in all, these side effects are outweighed GREATLY by the improvement in my depression.
>
> BUT (isn't there always a but!) I am still suffering terribly from panic attacks. I get one most mornings, and on mondays especially they tend to last all day (this is the first monday I've made it into work in 6 weeks).
>
> What kind of meds can I ask for to help with this - I'm in the UK and don't think we have Xanax... I'd rather have something to keep them all away rather than something to take when one arrives.
>
> Thanks
>
> Nikki
This is the end of the thread.
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