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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 jay on June 8, 2002, at 15:05:18
This is so weird. I have been through meds for almost eight years. The anxiety that a.d's cause, to me, is enought to drive anyone to everything from hospitalization to suicide. Then docs tried throwing on antipsychotics and anticonvulsants to somehow magically relieve the anxiety and agitation a.d.'s cause. Uggh. Expensive and *useless*.But, I am back on maintenance benzo use, and I use a small amount of kava kava (which, btw, is ONLY toxic in large doses). Man, I feel like the *real* me! Very relaxed, able to look at things more positive, good memory and better sleep.
For some VERY dumb reason, the newer a.d.'s have been allowed to be marketed as anti-anxiety meds, which is just *wrong*. They turn me into a completely anxiety-ridden basketcase, and on top of that, numb a good range of emotions. Never mind they kill the most basic and important of human drives, sex drive.
I *may* look into some of the older a.d.'s, some of the tricyclics, but after getting off of a few years worth of Effexor, and briging in a benzo (I also take small amounts of kava), I almost am in shock the 300 percent difference. I also found two other meds helpful for coming off effexor: one was Dramamine (or Gravol in Canada..for the nausea); the other was Immodium (for the bowel problems associated with Effexor..gas..diarreha)
I still take those meds PRN, and with the bromazepam and small amount of kava, am actually *living*. The only other couple of older meds I may look at trying are imipramine and trimipramine. Possibly, nortriptyline, but bad experiences in the past with that too. They act much different then the newer *activating* a.d.'s, so it may be worth a shot. We shall see.
Anyhow...I hope others can find some helpful advise in this. Do NOT just 'accept' you have to live with all of the horrid side effects of meds, esp ones which in end ruin your quality of life. If anxiety is your main issue, the ONLY proven meds to knock this illness (GAD, PAD, etc) down is a good dose of a benzo. Do NOT accept anything less then a massive improvement in symptoms and getting back to enjoying life. Good luck!
Jay
Posted by katekite on June 9, 2002, at 12:31:18
In reply to A..D.'s = pro-anxiety...yukkkk!!! (rant), posted by jay on June 8, 2002, at 15:05:18
Some folks who have heightened anxiety on ADs, who have poor experiences, turn out to have attentional problems (made worse by most ssris, for example). Have you ruled out any degree of attention deficit disorder?
kate
ps -- sorry for suggesting neurontin.... obviously not the drug for you.
Posted by jay on June 9, 2002, at 15:35:58
In reply to Re: A..D.'s = pro-anxiety...yukkkk!!! (rant), posted by katekite on June 9, 2002, at 12:31:18
> Some folks who have heightened anxiety on ADs, who have poor experiences, turn out to have attentional problems (made worse by most ssris, for example). Have you ruled out any degree of attention deficit disorder?
>
> kate
>
> ps -- sorry for suggesting neurontin.... obviously not the drug for you.Hi Kate:
No no..please don't be sorry..you where trying to help.:-) I just had a bad experience with it...and it's just not the drug for me. I do know it works great for others, though.
I am not quite sure a pstim to test for ADD would be good for me either, simply because I feel absolutely horrible on any stimulant. Caffiene drives me nuts, and once I even tried a bit of ephedrine that was in a cold medicine, and I almost turned completely mad. I get very, very irritable on them. Maybe the pstims might be better, though, so who knows. The only problem is I turn into a blathering anxious mess and freak out even if I drop a coin in public. My nerves feel as if they are super-charged with anxiety.
But, we will see. At the very least with the benzos, I can actually get up out of bed.
Thanks very much for your kind support..
Jay
Posted by katekite on June 9, 2002, at 19:57:07
In reply to Re: A..D.'s = pro-anxiety...yukkkk!!! (rant) » katekite, posted by jay on June 9, 2002, at 15:35:58
Well maybe you are like me and have high cortisol... the fight or flight hormone. Mine apparently never shuts off -- insomnia -- lying awake thinking that yes I'd be ready if a bear walked by.
Or hyperthyroid?
Ever had your thyroid hormone or cortisol checked?
kate
Posted by jay on June 10, 2002, at 4:57:36
In reply to Re: A..D.'s = pro-anxiety...yukkkk!!! (rant), posted by katekite on June 9, 2002, at 19:57:07
> Well maybe you are like me and have high cortisol... the fight or flight hormone. Mine apparently never shuts off -- insomnia -- lying awake thinking that yes I'd be ready if a bear walked by.
>
> Or hyperthyroid?
>
> Ever had your thyroid hormone or cortisol checked?
>
> kateI haven't had blood tests in awhile, and I will soon. I never had thyroid problems, just sometimes a slightly lower basel temperature. My old doc let me try T4, and even at tiny doses, it was hell. Maybe my cortisol levels are out of whack, as it feels that way. So far...only the benzos have soothed the fire of anxiety, and taking most new a.d.'s is like putting gasoline on the fire. The anticonvulsants just leave me feeling tired and very depressed.
The thing is, I am slightly above a good weight, and much of it seems to have piled on with the antidepressant use. (Mostly the Effexor) We will see how I do over the next week or so.
It was nice, tonight though, as I had one the of the nicest times I can remember in the past 7-8 years. I thought about planning my summer vacation (haven't taken one in years...lost all interest..the apathy from the antidepressants is horrific to say the least..)..thought about getting a new job...start dating again...like the 'old' me stuck it's head around the corner.
You don't have a 'depression' diagnosis, right Kate? Is your anxiety the worst of it all? I have this little theory...that is that anxiety can 'cause' depression. When you are so anxious and worried, you lose hope and slowly sink.
Anyhow..thanks again!
Jay
Posted by katekite on June 10, 2002, at 7:23:25
In reply to Re: A..D.'s = pro-anxiety...yukkkk!!! (rant) » katekite, posted by jay on June 10, 2002, at 4:57:36
My anxiety waxes and wanes. It's been getting progressively worse for years but still, sometimes will go away for no reason. Like Saturday had a wonderful evening and slept fantastic, awaking refreshed for the first time in weeks. Today its back to my more usual self. After I've had anxiety for a month or so with no relief, I start to get depressed. If I focus on this causal connection I can often get myself out of the depression. I have had a depression diagnosis in the past but not currently. I was diagnosed as BP II for several months but that's been thrown out. Also am ADD, but the meds only work sometimes, so I'm confused about that diagnosis too.
As far as cortisol goes, my pdoc said it's worth getting it checked once in your lifetime -- a 24 hr urine check.
I'm not overweight and have none of the typical signs of cushing's syndrome -- those happen if very high cortisol continues without relief for years and years. Mine is only about 4 times as high as it should be for someone my age.
My only symptoms are: gradually increasing anxiety and insomnia and mental stuff, difficulty concentrating. And inability to tolerate either heat or extreme cold, moreso than in the past. I had quit my job a year ago because of just feeling horribly stressed, and thought that would help. It seemed to at first, then I got stressed out again anyhow. Stressed by everything.
Anyhow -- I delayed testing because I was convinced it was 'just me'. And docs aren't quick to do low yield tests.
But definitely once in your life, especially if you are looking at a lifetime of treatment.
Glad you had a good day and thought about vacations: sometimes on a vacation our normal anxiety disappears for a bit -- since our mind knows the novelty will be anxiety provoking it can see it as a challenge and fun, even.
take care
kate
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