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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by janejj on May 4, 2002, at 23:42:45
Thankyou for caring enough to reply. I have taken a couple of ativans and some trazodone, so feeling a bit more mellow now. I just want to escape myself, I am writhing around in agony from these feelings. I'm scared and I don't see the future. I know this is all supposed to be irrational thinking, but it is so real to me. I feel like I am dying slowly. I think i will stay in bed for 5 days until i can see the doctor and get my boyfreind to pick up some more ativans, Hopefully then this will all be over. Sorry, i don't want to bring anyone else down, sorry if I've made anyone feel that way.
Jane
Posted by jay on May 5, 2002, at 4:36:15
In reply to I have taken some ativan and traz so less anxious, posted by janejj on May 4, 2002, at 23:42:45
> Thankyou for caring enough to reply. I have taken a couple of ativans and some trazodone, so feeling a bit more mellow now. I just want to escape myself, I am writhing around in agony from these feelings. I'm scared and I don't see the future. I know this is all supposed to be irrational thinking, but it is so real to me. I feel like I am dying slowly. I think i will stay in bed for 5 days until i can see the doctor and get my boyfreind to pick up some more ativans, Hopefully then this will all be over. Sorry, i don't want to bring anyone else down, sorry if I've made anyone feel that way.
>
> Jane
No, you haven't brought anyone down..in fact so many (I know I can at this point in time) relate.
Give yourself space and time, and keep the ativan going to keep the anxiety at bay. I've even taken a week off work, telling them I have a horrible viral infection, but like you, I just need this time for peace, and to heal. Don't be afraid to show how bad your pain is to your doctor, as I know sometimes we just want to 'please' them. But it is your life, and your right to live a good one.Best wishes
Jay
Posted by lizbeth on May 5, 2002, at 9:32:30
In reply to I have taken some ativan and traz so less anxious, posted by janejj on May 4, 2002, at 23:42:45
> Thankyou for caring enough to reply. I have taken a couple of ativans and some trazodone, so feeling a bit more mellow now. I just want to escape myself, I am writhing around in agony from these feelings. I'm scared and I don't see the future. I know this is all supposed to be irrational thinking, but it is so real to me. I feel like I am dying slowly. I think i will stay in bed for 5 days until i can see the doctor and get my boyfreind to pick up some more ativans, Hopefully then this will all be over. Sorry, i don't want to bring anyone else down, sorry if I've made anyone feel that way.
>
> JaneJane,
Do not feel bad--that you're bringing anyone else down. A large number of us have truly been there. I am 31 and had my first major depression when I was 22. It was very scary in that I felt very alone--no one could seem to understand how pervasive, how grey my world was.
A very important thing to remember is that there is hope. You will find the right med, or at least something that will work better than the Prozac did. You may have to shift meds over the years depending on your situation, but that's o.k.
I resisted meds at first, went with a great cognitive behavior psychologist who helped a lot and didn't downplay the physiological things going on with me. Six months in, I finally gave Zoloft a try and it helped a lot (after being on both Prozac and Zoloft, I think it's a lot more mellowing than Prozac).
I'm now diagnosed as BiPolar II so I've added a low-dose mood stabilizer to the mix (first Depakote, now Trileptal which I like).
When you're feeling a little better, you might want to investigate "depression-plus" diagnosis's like BiPolar II. I'm in Chicago and have a great psychopharmacologist (a psychiatrist who specializes in tweaking medications) if you want the name. I would urge you to find a psychopharmacologist, even if you have to jump through hoops with your insurance or pay on your own. This one was my second--hold out for a really good one. He made the diagnosis of BPII and it's been a life-saver (literally).
But that doesn't mean that'll be you. You could just be a unipolar depressive, be on the AD for a year or so, gradually go off, and just monitor down the road.
On the meds note, I find Klonopin (do not use the generic, Clonezapam--for this med in particular, the branded name is scientifically proven to be better--it's a benzodiazepine like Ativan) to be very helpful. I take just 0.5 and it helps.
Hang in there,
Elizabeth
Posted by Cecilia on May 7, 2002, at 1:13:30
In reply to Re: I have taken some ativan and traz so less anxious, posted by lizbeth on May 5, 2002, at 9:32:30
Re: the studies you mentioned on Klonopin vs generic clonazepam-do you know who did them and were they double blind? Generics are supposed to be biochemically equivalent, so if there were a proven difference I don`t see how the generic could continue to be sold. Cecilia
Posted by lizbeth on May 7, 2002, at 11:52:57
In reply to Klonopin vs clonazepam » lizbeth, posted by Cecilia on May 7, 2002, at 1:13:30
> Re: the studies you mentioned on Klonopin vs generic clonazepam-do you know who did them and were they double blind? Generics are supposed to be biochemically equivalent, so if there were a proven difference I don`t see how the generic could continue to be sold. Cecilia
Hi Cecilia,Try this link to an old Psycho-Babble post:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990814/msgs/9892.html
I'm sorry, I can't find the studies. Maybe I shouldn't have said "scientific" without quoting the study! I do remember seeing something that was not just anecdotal, on the web about the discrepancy between generic and branded Klonopin.I was a pharmaceutical sales rep for three years and knew of a few, usually well-recognized generics that have different side-effect and efficacy--coumadin, nifedipine (cardiovascular). Usually insurance formularies have gotten pushback on these at some point(including klonopin) so they'll pay for branded (w/doctor's input)
I have tried both, at 0.5 mg, and noticed a difference between them--that was what drove to check out other people's experiences.
If I'm remembering correctly, generics need to have 80% of the same formulation as branded--usually not so much of an issue with most drugs, does make a difference on a few that are usually called out like Klonopin.
Hope that helps,
Elizabeth
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