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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by toohighstrung on May 16, 2003, at 1:18:11
Okay, so here's my background. In high school I started having panick attacks. I learned to control them through deep breathing. When I was 22 my father died and I was there when it happened. His death was very traumatic for me to see because it was not peaceful. A few years later I saw a guy get shot in front of me over a fender-bender. In dealing with it, I started drinking and doing excstacy which only made things worse (of course). I have since stopped the substance abuse, but after so many trips to the doctor over what I thought were heart attacks and terminal illnesses which all turned out to be anxiety related, I was finally diagnosed with anxiety disorder. I am now taking effexor which has worked pretty well so far (75 milligrams), but I still have moments when I feel like I am going completely nuts. I'm constantly haunted by the face expression of death, I'm still tired a lot of the time, and I still have horrible insomnia on occasion. Lately all of this has been worse. And I think for some reason being 'diagnosed' has made me feel worse instead of better. If anyone can reach out a hand and tell me I'm not so abnormal and that maybe there is some hope for a normal life for me....that maybe if I just increase my dosage or something that I might feel ok again. Help!!!!!
Posted by Willow on May 16, 2003, at 9:07:10
In reply to Am I nuts?, posted by toohighstrung on May 16, 2003, at 1:18:11
Are you nuts?? Not anymore than the other guy. Unfortunately, you've had some rough experiences that have left a mark. Anxiety disorders vary in intensity, but with help are manageable.
My life experiences aren't the same as your's but follow a similiar pattern. I've been seeing a psychologist to help me understand why I react the way I do, which includes why my body reacts in a manner similiar to your's I suspect. Last fall I started seeing a psychiatrist too. With the combined guidance from both, I am not just hopeful but sure now that I'm on the road to normalcy. Well, as normal as the next person.
I too am on effexor, have been for several years with dosage increases at different intervals. How long have you been on this medication? I kept noticing improvement even months after starting it, now even having been on it for years; though, I know my improvement wouldn't have been possible without the understanding of this disorder I've gained through therapy.
Getting a diagnosis you can expect to go through a process not much different from grief. You've survived much grief in your life already. You'll get over this, because it's not really a loss but a step toward the normalcy that you are craving.
I am also taking clonazepam at night, which helps eliminate the anxiety during the day. I believe the psychiatrist is thinking that through cognitive techniques she is teaching me that I'll be able to control the anxiety without this med. I'm not as confident about this or have concerns about taking it long-term because of it's benefits. I don't know if this medication is an option for yourself if you've had addiction issues.
The most important issue in my opinion is having doctors that will listen to you and ones that you trust enough to listen to their advice.
BEST WISHES
Wackie Willow
Posted by cubbybear on May 16, 2003, at 11:17:59
In reply to Am I nuts?, posted by toohighstrung on May 16, 2003, at 1:18:11
Are you new to this message board? If so, take comfort from the fact that you've taken an important step forward in dealing with your problems. Although we've never met in person, we all help each other through this board. Look at all the names of people who have posted here. We all have problems in one way or another and are taking medication(s) for these problems.Sometimes the medications are life-savers; sometimes they're awful, so changes have to be made. Nobody, including you, is "nuts." You CAN take charge of your life--if you don't like the med you're taking or the doctor you have, you can do whatever it takes to overcome the difficulties.
You are lucky to be living in an age when there are meds available left and right to tackle the kind of traumas you've been through. Witnessing or even hearing about a violent death is traumatic for any human being.
When I was 21 (I'm 54 now), a woman who I was dating two years earlier was found murdered in Pennsylvania. The story got onto the front page of the New York Daily News and I passed out when I saw it. It took me 18 months to get the images out of my head. In those days, there was no real arsenal of anti-depressants available as there is today; and to make matters worse, I was consulting with a psychologist, not a psychiatrist, and so he couldn't even prescribe anything. My GP didn't know a major tranquilizer from a minor tranquilizer (unfortunately, some still don't today).Sorry for all the rambling--my point is that when you find the medication that's right for your own mental chemistry, plus a competent doctor, and a supportive group of friends, you'll have all the ingredients in place to ensure peace of mind in the not-too-distant future. Hang in there!
Posted by daizy on May 16, 2003, at 12:48:05
In reply to Am I nuts?, posted by toohighstrung on May 16, 2003, at 1:18:11
No, your not 'nuts'! Ive been in a similar situation to you, I too felt like I was going mad with anxiety. I was prescribed Effexor and I have to say it did nothing for me, except give me a whole load of unpleasant side effects, and I think it probably made my anxiety worse. Saying that each med works different for everyone, so if your having successs with it, then thats great! Who prescribed you the effexor, if I may ask? I think you should see someone who knows how to treat anxiety, like others have suggested a therapist?
Okay, so here's my background. In high school I started having panick attacks. I learned to control them through deep breathing. When I was 22 my father died and I was there when it happened. His death was very traumatic for me to see because it was not peaceful. A few years later I saw a guy get shot in front of me over a fender-bender. In dealing with it, I started drinking and doing excstacy which only made things worse (of course). I have since stopped the substance abuse, but after so many trips to the doctor over what I thought were heart attacks and terminal illnesses which all turned out to be anxiety related, I was finally diagnosed with anxiety disorder. I am now taking effexor which has worked pretty well so far (75 milligrams), but I still have moments when I feel like I am going completely nuts. I'm constantly haunted by the face expression of death, I'm still tired a lot of the time, and I still have horrible insomnia on occasion. Lately all of this has been worse. And I think for some reason being 'diagnosed' has made me feel worse instead of better. If anyone can reach out a hand and tell me I'm not so abnormal and that maybe there is some hope for a normal life for me....that maybe if I just increase my dosage or something that I might feel ok again. Help!!!!!
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