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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 Hopefull73 on August 22, 2001, at 13:26:36
After a series of catastrophic life changes, loss, and monumental job related stress in a two month period I developed GAD with Panic Disorder within what seemed like a two day period. Almost overnight everything was different and scary and unreal. I was hit hard with insomnia, panic attacks, depersonalization, and debilitating anxiety.
I finally sought help after suffering unbearably for weeks and was diagnosed with GAD/PD. I started a treatment of Klonopin after two SSRI's proved to be untolderable at even low doses. It's been about 5 months, and I'm certainly better....but not great. I worry about the side effects of Klonopin (sleepy, dizzy, and noticeable hair loss) as well as worrying about someday trying to get off of them (currently at about 1.25 to 1.50 mg daily).
I'm exhausted with trying to ignore the symptoms/effects of this disorder, and I want it to go away so badly I would do anything. I'm in therapy and working hard at cognitive "thought redirecting" and doing what I can to minimize the stress in my life. I'm better for sure, but not back to "normal".
The $64,000 question is will this ever completely go away, and I can come off the meds? My MD is evasive when I ask this question. I read postings on web sites that scare me to death of people on five different meds and comorbidity of all kinds of conditions. Can somebody relate to this and offer some positive feedback...especially with my Klonopin concerns and concerns of my life being fractured forever. I would much appreciate it.
Thank you.
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 22, 2001, at 13:44:07
In reply to Looking for GAD relief, posted by Hopefull73 on August 22, 2001, at 13:26:36
There is no need to be so afraid of Klonopin. That drug has been around for a long time and whole generations have used it. You might like gabapentin better though...
Posted by Willow on August 22, 2001, at 13:45:40
In reply to Looking for GAD relief, posted by Hopefull73 on August 22, 2001, at 13:26:36
Regarding the klonopin I can't comment as I know nothing about it. Regarding a fractured life because of GAD I can. What helped me with the symptoms of GAD has been effexor. Have you tried this medication? After about five months and once I was at a dosage of 150mg, I was able to say wow this feels good to have that monkey off my back.
BEST WISHES
Willow
Posted by Janelle on August 22, 2001, at 14:13:07
In reply to Looking for GAD relief, posted by Hopefull73 on August 22, 2001, at 13:26:36
Although I've had bouts of depression/anxiety since young adulthood (and I'm not that old!), I too, fell into a BAD one after a series stressors one piled up, e.g., a major lifestyle change, rapid weight loss, a relationship turned bad, and jjob related stress.
I had been on Klonopin before all this, for years, and had minimal side effects (was on 1.0 mg/day). I now take it at night right before going to sleep and combined with Zyprexa taken a few hours earlier, I can fall and stay asleep and feel okay during the day.
Good for you to be successful with cognitive "thought redirecting"; when I get anxious and agitated it overrides my attempts to redirect my thoughts. I wind up "letting" them rush over me like a wave and then pass.
Since your GAD sounds more environmentally than biochemically induced, I would say you probably could come off the meds eventually. This is JUST A GUESS. Your MD's evasiveness may be because he or she just plain does not know and may be waiting to see if there's a true biochemical component to your GAD. It could also be that if you're referring to a GP doc doesn't have the background that a pdoc would, so the GP doc would just avoid this area.
I would agree with what has been posted here about Klonopin - it has been around for a very long time and has a good track record. It's longer acting than other benzo's, which makes it less addictive.
Hang in there, it doesn't sound to me like your life is fractured forever. You're going through a VERY rough patch, and you'll come out of it. Again, this is jmo.
Good luck!
-Janelle
Posted by jmaul on August 22, 2001, at 15:18:15
In reply to Re: Looking for GAD relief » Hopefull73, posted by Janelle on August 22, 2001, at 14:13:07
> Although I've had bouts of depression/anxiety since young adulthood (and I'm not that old!), I too, fell into a BAD one after a series stressors one piled up, e.g., a major lifestyle change, rapid weight loss, a relationship turned bad, and jjob related stress.
>
> I had been on Klonopin before all this, for years, and had minimal side effects (was on 1.0 mg/day). I now take it at night right before going to sleep and combined with Zyprexa taken a few hours earlier, I can fall and stay asleep and feel okay during the day.
>
> Good for you to be successful with cognitive "thought redirecting"; when I get anxious and agitated it overrides my attempts to redirect my thoughts. I wind up "letting" them rush over me like a wave and then pass.
>
> Since your GAD sounds more environmentally than biochemically induced, I would say you probably could come off the meds eventually. This is JUST A GUESS. Your MD's evasiveness may be because he or she just plain does not know and may be waiting to see if there's a true biochemical component to your GAD. It could also be that if you're referring to a GP doc doesn't have the background that a pdoc would, so the GP doc would just avoid this area.
>
> I would agree with what has been posted here about Klonopin - it has been around for a very long time and has a good track record. It's longer acting than other benzo's, which makes it less addictive.
>
> Hang in there, it doesn't sound to me like your life is fractured forever. You're going through a VERY rough patch, and you'll come out of it. Again, this is jmo.
> Good luck!
> -JanelleDoes klonopin help you sleep, or is it because you use with zyprexa?
jmaul
Posted by Kaysey on August 26, 2001, at 9:49:19
In reply to Looking for GAD relief, posted by Hopefull73 on August 22, 2001, at 13:26:36
> After a series of catastrophic life changes, loss, and monumental job related stress in a two month period I developed GAD with Panic Disorder within what seemed like a two day period. Almost overnight everything was different and scary and unreal. I was hit hard with insomnia, panic attacks, depersonalization, and debilitating anxiety.
> I finally sought help after suffering unbearably for weeks and was diagnosed with GAD/PD. I started a treatment of Klonopin after two SSRI's proved to be untolderable at even low doses. It's been about 5 months, and I'm certainly better....but not great. I worry about the side effects of Klonopin (sleepy, dizzy, and noticeable hair loss) as well as worrying about someday trying to get off of them (currently at about 1.25 to 1.50 mg daily).
> I'm exhausted with trying to ignore the symptoms/effects of this disorder, and I want it to go away so badly I would do anything. I'm in therapy and working hard at cognitive "thought redirecting" and doing what I can to minimize the stress in my life. I'm better for sure, but not back to "normal".
> The $64,000 question is will this ever completely go away, and I can come off the meds? My MD is evasive when I ask this question. I read postings on web sites that scare me to death of people on five different meds and comorbidity of all kinds of conditions. Can somebody relate to this and offer some positive feedback...especially with my Klonopin concerns and concerns of my life being fractured forever. I would much appreciate it.
> Thank you.
I would say there is not one person on this board who, once they were placed on meds, has not asked that same question. Once again the expression 'your mileage may vary,' comes into play. You seem to have success with 'redirecting,' etc. and, as others here have mentioned, that might indicate that meds might in the future be minimized or eliminated. The important thing is what does it take for you to be able to live as happy and healthy life as possible?
I never responded at all to cognitive therapy, biofeedback, relaxation techniques/tapes, hypnosis, self-talk, self-help books, etc. I did everything in the world to avoid meds for a long (too long) period of time. However, medication is the only thing that has made my life liveable--and over a period of time I have had to change them (now on Effexor which helps both my GAD and depression).
Over time you will be able to see what works and doesn't work for you. It would be extremely difficult for even your physician to make that call. None of us like the 'wait and see' thing, but unfortunately we have to do some of that to find the right therapy. Best of luck to you and you are doing the right thing by seeking help and exploring your options.
This is the end of the thread.
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