![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Man with no name on September 26, 2003, at 8:51:09
Hi Everyone,
Just registered.
A little about me. 49 year old male. Happily married with 12 year old daughter. Have suffered on and off with stress/depression for about 24 years now. Probably relates to mothers death and a bad experience in the army. However most of this time O.K. but usually suffer a minor collapse or total nervous breakdown every few years. Longest lasted about 3 months. Have had various therapies and tried various drugs (SRI's Prozac) - often discontinued midway when I have found myself again. Now find myself in another crisis...
Had to leave work as a result of being totally stressed out and it had been building up over a period. Close to hitting someone or something.
Now have docs appointment today.
Though partly work related I do have social probs (avoid large groups and not very good at one on ones also)and I often feel inferior to others - including my wife even. Often say things I don't mean or forget things I've said. Not good at recognising people I have even spoken to. Work stress tends to make me feel worse about myself too - vicious circle. Sometimes I can be the life and soul of a party ! Maybe I'm bipolar - don't think its SAD though I do tend to get it after the end of a summer...
Looking to try a benzo drug (never tried this before) to relax me (through work mainly). I know they can be addicted but if one of these so called 'magic pills' can work - then so be it. Incidentally - was on Prozac 9 months ago - did nothing but perhaps I never gave it long enough ?
I have read a lot about Xanax in particular (and XR certainly seems to get a lot of votes) but then there is also Klonopin. Which one ? As what works for one does not necessarily work for another ? And what of CBT - perhaps I should look at this to try and improve my social skills ? Complex person here..
Sorry about length of this.. doc calling. Love you all out there - lets fight it together !
Posted by Wrain on September 26, 2003, at 12:08:02
In reply to New member- Klonopin, Xanax or CBT or other ? , posted by Man with no name on September 26, 2003, at 8:51:09
Hello and Welcome to the Forum,
We are glad you found your way here. We will be anxious to find what your doctor has to say! I will tell you, Back in 1986 I came down with Bells Palsy which is caused from stress, that is when My doctor gave me Xanax, but I must mention I was not as bad as you are at that time. At that time in 1986 they did prescribe me 1mg a day, at the time that was the strongest dosage you could take, it worked fine for me up until 2001 when I had my nervous breakdown.
When that happened I was diagnosed with Severe Panic Attacks with Argophiba (means not wanting to be in social atmosphire), BiPolar with rapid cycling and severe manic depressive. Before I was diagnosed with all this, I was the life of the party everywhere I went..after the breakdown, it took an everything I had just to get out of bed. For almost a year my outfit was my nightgown.
When I finally started on the meds for BiPolar it was a rough ride getting them straight, they still are not straight but getting closer.
The best advice I can give you is this...Tell your doctor EVERYTHING you are feeling and never forget..You are hiring the Doctor to care for you so make them listen to you..if they don't or you do not feel comfortable, move on, this is YOUR health, not theirs!
Keep us posted and Good Luck Hun
Love Wrain
Posted by Man with no name on September 26, 2003, at 12:45:45
In reply to New member- Klonopin, Xanax or CBT or other ? , posted by Man with no name on September 26, 2003, at 8:51:09
Hi Wrain !
Never expected such quick responce and thanks!
Back from my doc and he informed me that Xanax not available full stop on prescription (I'm in the UK)! He advised that I should not even contemplate taking it even though I assured him
I've never allowed myself to get addicted to any type of drug. I was a little rattled by his total rejection of such drugs in fact - effectively advising me to keep away from benzos ! So is Xanax a banned drug in the UK ? Assuming my GP is being straight with me - and Xanax etc is not available on prescription - then why is the medical profession (it would appear) against the use of this drug. A drug which would appear to be the solution (short term or otherwise) for a great deal of people that have posted on this site. Am I missing something ? Someone please enlighten me !
Anyway.. he has prescribed me a beta blocker called Propranolol. Great - a drug that straight away most people would struggle to remember the name of (deliberate ploy by the producer no doubt), a drug that I believe is more appropriate for those with heart problems and a drug that I'm thinking is not right for my needs. I welcome comments on the last. However having looked a bit more into it - propranolol (inderal) appears to be used by people prior to making a performance i.e. musicians - as it is a relaxant. I guess anything that slows the heart down has to have a calming effect so I have no choice but to try it now. I will let you know how it goes ! The weekend is upon us and though I don't feel like it I will go off on my weekly cycle ride. They say that exercise is a great helper in releasing those endorphins - maybe I should do it every morning before I go to work (oh yeah - particularly when it is chucking it down !)
As for going into work on Monday - time will tell..
Thanks all ! (P.S. Took my first beta blocker 1 hour ago)
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.