![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 34. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fiftylager on January 25, 2006, at 22:13:48
Hi there. I've been lurking awhile and you all seem like a very helpful and sympathetic group. My problem is I suffer from extreme anxiety (maybe a touch of depression). I have it when I drive, when I socialize, when I wake up, when I go to sleep. It drives me crazy and my family. I get a lump in my throat that will last for months, pressure in my chest and a panicky feeling.
I tried celexa a few years ago and one dose (doctor told me to take 1/2 of the pill). Nearly drove me over the edge. At first I felt relaxed and stoned and when I went to bed I had a fitful odd sleep. When I woke up I thought I was dying. My body was wired. I had weird electric feelings all over. I felt like I couldn't breath. I just wanted to lay down and cry. I almost went to the hospital. The experience left me very disturbed.
After that experience I went on lorazepam as needed. And the dr. let me know that he would not continue to prescribe it.
I tried Wellbutrin last year and I felt high and zoned out and very jittery. I felt too weird to drive or take care of my kids. I stayed with it 6 days then gave up. The doctor said it may help me quit smoking too. I just smoked more.
I am now on Buspar 20 mg. It has helped a little bit but not nearly enough. And it's pretty expensive for the mild results.I can't see myself upping the dose anymore because it makes me really dizzy and nauseous if I take 10 mg. I think the effects of it may be waning. I felt a lot of anxiety today and ended up taking a lorazepam.
The dr. has been pushing Effexor but I am too scared to try it. Not only that, I couldn't afford it.
I don't know what to do. I live in a very rural area in Canada and there are no psychiatrists close by for me to go to. I do like my doctor and she is sympathetic to me.
Anxiety and depression runs strongly in my family. My mother just had a nervous breakdown and tried to kill herself. I don't want to spend my life like this. I am only 28 and have 2 young kids. I am a stay at home mom but both my kids are now in school. I've had some pressure to get a job but I am too scared to work. Also, there are very few jobs around here. I want to have a full life. This anxiety is so crippling and it's having an effect on my relationship with my husband.
Has anyone out there had a reaction like this to meds then found a med that worked for them? I'm sorry for writing a novel here but I am really looking for help in getting over this.
Posted by jflange on January 25, 2006, at 22:28:58
In reply to New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by fiftylager on January 25, 2006, at 22:13:48
Hi!
Sorry to hear about the rough time you are having. I have had anxiety like this, and I had success with buspar and an ssri (zoloft) together. I had the same reaction you did to buspar alone. It's useless with panic, but good for certain kinds of anxiety. And with zoloft, I don't experience the buspar drowsiness like I used to.
If cost is an issue, see if you can try a cheaper ssri. Tell your doc that effexor is too expensive and you want something else.
Once you start to get the anxiety under control, you will be able to think about a job and all the other things you described. It's hard to do anything when the anxiety runs loose like that.
Feel better,
jflange
Posted by idolamine on January 25, 2006, at 22:36:55
In reply to New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by fiftylager on January 25, 2006, at 22:13:48
could be bipolar II, if not, you can have propranolol prescribed to you to help with the agitation effects of celexa for the first few weeks, or onward if needed. Hope this help.
idolamine
Posted by Phillipa on January 25, 2006, at 22:43:31
In reply to New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by fiftylager on January 25, 2006, at 22:13:48
Same here and I haven't found an Ad that helps they all create anxiety. Luvox was and is the one I'm using now at low does. I also take a benzo regularly. Valium don't know why so many docs are benzophobic. Does you doc hand out samples the docs here do it a lot . Hope you find one that works. I know how horrible it is. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by shasling on January 25, 2006, at 23:09:07
In reply to New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by fiftylager on January 25, 2006, at 22:13:48
Not surprised the Wellbutrin didn't work out for you. You probably want to stay away from those energizing antidepressants. If I'm not mistaken, that inlcudes Effexor.
I like the buspar/Zoloft suggestion. People often say of Zoloft that it gives them a flat affect; maybe that would help take the edge off for you. And it has been approved for social anxiety disorder, again, I think. At any rate, its been out a long time and might be available in generic form.
It sounds like you are fairly isolated...We're glad you are here. You're in a good place. You'll probably gets lots of advise on meds, (and if you don't try re-posting with something about anxiety meds in the subject).
Stick around and let us know how you are doing.
Hoping for your peace,
Suzie
Posted by RobertDavid on January 26, 2006, at 0:33:06
In reply to New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by fiftylager on January 25, 2006, at 22:13:48
Sounds to me like part of your anxiety is social anxiety. Two of the gold standard meds for social anxiety are Klonopin and Nardil. Buspar is effective for some with generalized anxiety, but typically doesnt work well with social anxiety. Wellbutrin wouldn't normally be used to treat anxiety as it is activating. I'd consider finding a doc that is savvy with anxiety disorters and discussing other options including klonopin and Nardil. Good luck
Posted by fiftylager on January 26, 2006, at 8:37:26
In reply to New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by fiftylager on January 25, 2006, at 22:13:48
Hi! Thank-you so much for your replies. It is nice to know that we are not alone.
As for the zoloft, I don't know. My reaction to celexa was pretty scary and I have been so scared to try anything since then. I felt like I was dying and panicking the worst I have ever panicked. Like I said, I tried the Wellbutrin when I got desperate enough and though not as severe a reaction, I still couldn't handle it. I'd be happy to take a benzo daily to relieve the symptoms but as most of you know, dr's don't like that much.
I don't really have any choice about my doctor. We have a severe dr shortage here and it took me 6 months to get into my current doctor. I was a little ticked she prescribed the wellbutrin when I read it was so activating.
I don't think my dr. would prescribe Nardil because many dr's don't like to prescribe Maoi's. She is only a gp so she is cautious. She'd love to give me the effexor however, I am too scared. I really feel at the end of my rope some days. I wish the buspar was more effective because I have tolerated it fairly well at a low dose (20 mg).
My dad tells me oh just get valium it's only a muscle relaxant and I've taken it for years. My dr. did prescribe the lorazepam but she won't do it on a regular basis. I have to make it last in order to prove I'm not addicted, lol. The worst is that it is effective but when your anxiety is really peaking and you take one, you have to wait for it to take effect. Quite honestly, I could care less if I were addicted as long as I didn't have anxiety.
I have tried deep breathing exercises, but I find focusing on my breathing almost makes it worse. I've read so many articles and done so much research but I feel like it's almost hopeless in beating this. I take fish oil and a vitamine B stress tablet but I don't think it does too much.
I would love to get some exercise in but I have no energy and it's hard to walk in 6 ft of snow, lol. I will also start exercising and just loose the drive to continue. I exercise more in the summer however with swimming, walking, gardening, etc.
I know I sound depressed and I probably am. I just have difficulty realizing it because I went through a very serious depression as a teenager and this isn't quite the same.
One counsellor I saw at age 15 thought I may be manic-depressive but my sessions were cut short. I was put on prozac but I became more depressed. I used to feel very hopeless and sad and would get a though in my head (like harming myself) and couldn't get it out. Then I would be super hyper and act innapropriatly. I occasionally still get hyper but not quite as remarkably. I mostly just have anxiety all the time. Once in awhile I will get this great feeling of calm, happiness and contentment but it is brief, like an hour or so and then I'm back to anxious and helpless.
I am very dependant on my husband because I don't feel capable of doing things and I feel scared all the time. Sometimes I won't answer the phone because I always have this feeling of dread.
I know I am such a headcase but I'm trying to find answers and want to feel normal. I feel like such a burden to my husband and am scared he'll wise up and leave me. I also have no sex drive which doesn't help our relationship. He is a good husband but he must get fed up with my fears, I'm sure. Oh well, I've written a novel again. Thank-you all for listening.
Crissi
Posted by RobertDavid on January 26, 2006, at 11:11:41
In reply to Re: New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by fiftylager on January 26, 2006, at 8:37:26
Some people with anxiety disorters have a poor response to anti depressants. I too took all the meds you mentioned and they did nothing but give me side effects and increase my anxiety. I tried other benzos too, but didn't like the multiple dosing of xanax or ativan, nor did they seem to be quite as effecitve for me. Since you want on going anxiety relief, sounds like you should take a long acting benzo, on that you could take once a day. My choice would be klonopin as it works so well for the social part of anxiety. Many in here have has luck with valium.
I believe many people that have anxiety disortes deal with some depression, but it's caused by the anxiety. When the anxiety is improved so is mood. I'm not a doctor, just my take, from what I've read and experimented with myself. Many of the meds that have not worked well for me do work well for others. But when it comes to social anxiety disorter or generalized anxiety disorter which seems to be what you're dealing with and sense you've tried several anti depressants I'd think you should try a long acting benzo and see how you feel. That being said if you do start taking one you need to start low and keep going up until it is effective. I think many take a very small dose then move on because they don't think it is working for them.
Just my take. I hope you find some relief.....
Rob
Posted by fires on January 26, 2006, at 15:57:06
In reply to New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by fiftylager on January 25, 2006, at 22:13:48
I'm not attacking you. I'm not attacking you. " " "" " " ".
>>My mother just had a nervous breakdown and tried to kill herself.<<
*I* personally get upset with the term "nervous breakdown". My docs nurse used it when referring to me and I got very upset, but didn't say anything to her. I think it's a pejorative term that has no real meaning.JMNSHO (just my not so humble opinion). Keep using the term if you wish. 8-)
Posted by fiftylager on January 26, 2006, at 20:03:31
In reply to Re: New here and desperately looking for advice... » fiftylager, posted by fires on January 26, 2006, at 15:57:06
I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you. My mother calls it a nervous breakdown and so does her counsellor. I'll try to be more careful. You could call it a suicide attempt but it was more a call for help. She downed a bottle of lorazepam with a micky of whiskey. She called my dad at work and told him.
I am very sympathetic to her as she and I are much the same with anxiety and depression.
Posted by fires on January 26, 2006, at 20:52:17
In reply to Re: New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by fiftylager on January 26, 2006, at 20:03:31
>> I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you.<<
No problem. I'm hypersensitive about its use.
>> My mother calls it a nervous breakdown and so does her counsellor.<<
I find the fact that her counselor uses the term a little unusual. Here's some info. from the web site How Stuff Works, which is why I find the counselor's use of the term unusual:
""Nervous breakdown" is not a clinical term. There is no psychiatric definition of a nervous breakdown, and it has nothing to do with nerves. "Nervous breakdown" is an inexact and unscientific term that is no longer used in psychiatry."
>
> I am very sympathetic to her as she and I are much the same with anxiety and depression.<I am too. Also, so you don't think I'm only negative: I recently emailed a thank you to a TV psychologist who was on Larry King Live with other guests, talking about Bipolar Disorder and Depression.
She made a lot of statements about the illnesses being physiological rather than psychological. It was somewhat surprising considering her bio. on her web site: http://www.drrobiludwig.com/?p=biography
BTW, she responded to my email.
Posted by fiftylager on January 26, 2006, at 21:04:38
In reply to Re: New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by idolamine on January 25, 2006, at 22:36:55
Oh my goodness! I saw a counsellor when I was teen (bad depression, suicidal) and he suggested bipolar because I use to get really hyper between my lows. I mean, I was really wacky. I did some reckless stuff. I just did some reading and it scared me. Could it be? I do have changing moods, mostly very bad anxiety, scared, hopeless, guilt, can't stop talking, depression but not as severe as when I was a teen. I'll spend too much money then have a panic attack when I do it. Could I have it or am I just looking for an answer?
Posted by 4WD on January 26, 2006, at 21:25:55
In reply to Re: New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by fiftylager on January 26, 2006, at 20:03:31
> I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you. My mother calls it a nervous breakdown and so does her counsellor. I'll try to be more careful. You could call it a suicide attempt but it was more a call for help. She downed a bottle of lorazepam with a micky of whiskey. She called my dad at work and told him.
>
> I am very sympathetic to her as she and I are much the same with anxiety and depression.Hey, what happened to me was a nervous breakdown - and I don't mind calling it that. It perfectly describes what happened and I don't find it pejorative. I broke down from overwhelming anxiety. I know it's not a true diagnosis DSM-wise but it's a pretty description term.
Marsha
Posted by 4WD on January 26, 2006, at 21:35:26
In reply to Re: Bipolar II, posted by fiftylager on January 26, 2006, at 21:04:38
> Oh my goodness! I saw a counsellor when I was teen (bad depression, suicidal) and he suggested bipolar because I use to get really hyper between my lows. I mean, I was really wacky. I did some reckless stuff. I just did some reading and it scared me. Could it be? I do have changing moods, mostly very bad anxiety, scared, hopeless, guilt, can't stop talking, depression but not as severe as when I was a teen. I'll spend too much money then have a panic attack when I do it. Could I have it or am I just looking for an answer?
Hi Fiftylager,Some people get more anxious on SSRIs like Celexa or Prozac or Zoloft. I do. For a long time I was fine on Effexor but still a nervous jittery sort of person. When Effexor kind of pooped out for depression, I switched to Paxil and had the same sort of reaction you talked about. I was terrified within a few days of starting it.
About the bipolar. I don't know if I'm truly bipolar or if I just get bipolar symptoms from being on SSRIs but what has helped me is a combination of Effexor and Depakote (an anticonvulsant drug that also acts as a mood stabilizer). If your doctor is unwilling to provide benzos then this might be an option since Depakote (or another mood stabilizer) could help with the jitteryness caused by the antidepressant.
But first, I think I might try the Effexor. For me, for a long time, it truly did control my anxiety all by itself. I still was kind of nervous but I was totally functional and even happy a lot of the time.
You doc might also be willing to prescribe Buspar for your anxiety. It doesn't work as well for most people as benzos but it might be better than nothing. One thing that make a benzo-phobic doctor change her mind is if you were to show up in her office unannounced in the middle of an especially bad anxiety attack. Sometimes I think they don't have a clue how bad it can get and think you should just be able to tough it out. When they see someone actually shaking with fear and can measure their elevated blood pressure and see the tears and the horror in the patient's face, they just might have a better idea of what you are going through.
Hope this helps a little. I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. It sounds so much like where I've been and am just barely beginning to emerge from.
Marsha
Posted by fires on January 26, 2006, at 21:49:54
In reply to Re: New here and desperately looking for advice... » fiftylager, posted by 4WD on January 26, 2006, at 21:25:55
> > I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you. My mother calls it a nervous breakdown and so does her counsellor. I'll try to be more careful. You could call it a suicide attempt but it was more a call for help. She downed a bottle of lorazepam with a micky of whiskey. She called my dad at work and told him.
> >
> > I am very sympathetic to her as she and I are much the same with anxiety and depression.
>
>
>
> Hey, what happened to me was a nervous breakdown - and I don't mind calling it that. It perfectly describes what happened and I don't find it pejorative. I broke down from overwhelming anxiety. I know it's not a true diagnosis DSM-wise but it's a pretty description term.
>
> Marsha
>
So your nerves broke down? Which ones and how many? ;-) I have "hay fever" which has nothing to do with hay and it doesn't cause a fever.
Posted by shasling on January 26, 2006, at 22:27:23
In reply to Re: New here and desperately looking for advice... » 4WD, posted by fires on January 26, 2006, at 21:49:54
I'm with Marsha, fiftylager should call it whatever she wants. She's here to express herself. We knew what she meant. New people ought not to be chased off for fear that they have expressed themselves 'wrong'.
Fiftylager - You should call your situation whatever you like to call it; its your post. This is the first time I've ver seen someone correctd on how they should express themselves. I'm sorry that happened with you being new and all. Its usually a very affirming and safe place to express yourself. Stick around. We are glad you are here.
Posted by fires on January 26, 2006, at 22:57:09
In reply to Re: New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by shasling on January 26, 2006, at 22:27:23
> I'm with Marsha, fiftylager should call it whatever she wants. She's here to express herself. We knew what she meant. New people ought not to be chased off for fear that they have expressed themselves 'wrong'.<
Chased off? I didn't chase anyone off.
>
> Fiftylager - You should call your situation whatever you like to call it; its your post. This is the first time I've ver seen someone correctd on how they should express themselves.<Gotta go -- my wife is having a hysterectomy because she's hysterical & my schizophrenic brother's split personality is splitting again. 8-)
Posted by shasling on January 26, 2006, at 23:41:28
In reply to Re: New here and desperately looking for advice... » shasling, posted by fires on January 26, 2006, at 22:57:09
> > I'm with Marsha, fiftylager should call it whatever she wants. She's here to express herself. We knew what she meant. New people ought not to be chased off for fear that they have expressed themselves 'wrong'.<
>
> Chased off? I didn't chase anyone off.You're making me want to leave and I didn't just reach out on my first post and desperately seek advice.
> >
> > Fiftylager - You should call your situation whatever you like to call it; its your post. This is the first time I've ver seen someone correctd on how they should express themselves.<
>
> Gotta go -- my wife is having a hysterectomy because she's hysterical & my schizophrenic brother's split personality is splitting again. 8-)
>
That's very entertaining. If only we were here to be entertained...It was inappropriate to micromanage the language used by someone who was reaching out for help.
Now go ahead and have fun with all that
>
>
>
>
Posted by finelinebob on January 27, 2006, at 0:51:50
In reply to New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by fiftylager on January 25, 2006, at 22:13:48
Please folks, this is is fiftylager's thread, let's not hijack it thru our own sensitivities.
fifty -- there's an emerging diagnosis some call bipolar III or bipolar spectrum disorder. Spectrum being the key term. My own situation is hard to pidgeonhole with any one diagnosis -- like just about everybody. But BSD is often used for people who move between depression and anxiety, not mania. Poor response to SSRIs (like celexa). Laundry list of other things that can make it sound like everyone is BSD. But there are things about your experiences that sound familiar, so I had to chime in ... particularly since I just started seeing a wonderful new pdoc today who is just incredibly knowledgeable about the physiology of all this stuff.
The most important thing to remember is that YMMV -- your mileage may vary.
Another indicator for BSD is positive response to tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). I tanked on SSRIs, but have been very stable on nortriptyline (a TCA) for about 7-8 years now. Given my anxiety, tho, my new pdoc almost considered switching me to effexor. He said that effexor could have a similar effect on managing mood while being even more effective with my anxiety. So maybe trying the effexor wouldn't be such a bad thing to consider.
A couple of people have mentioned klonopin as well. Klonopin's a benzo, and benzo's have a reputation for being addictive. I had been on klonopin on a daily basis for 5 years or so. Got off meds for a while -- no cravings, no withdrawal. Got with a different pdoc and he wouldn't start me back up on it, even tho it had been the most effect med I'd taken for managing my anxiety (to that point). Back with my new pdoc, he said that rep is rubbish for klonopin, that it's a safe drug wrt addictiveness. I'm glad to be back on it.
I'd hate to say any more given the YMMV rule. What it does come down to is having a doc that knows psych meds, and a general practitioner is not going to have the time nor the highly specialized knowledge to really know psych meds well. Even if yo only wind up consulting with a psychiatrist once every 3 months after a few initial visits, the knowledge a pdoc can bring to your treatment can be worth more than a dozen gp's can bring.
Be well,
bob
Posted by summerflowers on January 27, 2006, at 3:54:44
In reply to Re: New here and desperately looking for advice... » fires, posted by shasling on January 26, 2006, at 23:41:28
Hi shasling,I CANT BELIEVE WHAT YOU WERE JUST PUT THROUGH.Iv just read all of this.PLEASE dont feel scared off.Hi.Im summerflowers.I know just how you feel.I had the symptoms of bipolar,it started when I was 13-14.I had very severe lows and highs.I have 5 children,I had my first when I was 18(who is now 15) and at the moment my youngest is 9 mounths old.My bipolar changed over the years,to something I have worked out to be mixed bipolar.I am constantly anxious,worked up,talkative,hypo,stressed,worry,racing thoughts and ideas,but also I am fearfull,have social anziety,withdrawn,while at the same time I can feel really happy and high on everything around me,everything is beutifull,people are beutifull,so many wonderfull ideas,but in the blink of an eye I feel sad. which makes me sound really messed up,but bear in mind im not on any medication,nor have been for over 18 years,apart from antidepressants,for a short while which didnt help.I think the fact I havent been medicated is what made the bipolar change,as well as other factors,such as hormones,and lonliness.My best friends in life are my partner and children.And my mum.I pretty much stick to only them.I also had my children at home,then felt so lost when the last one went to school.I didnt know what to do,what career to follow,and the whole thought of going out there was like entering another world.Im slowly starting to feel better lately.Iv joined a group over the net,fighting for a cause I feel very emotional about,which seems to be really helping me find out who I am.I also have been looking into medications and plan on trying one out.I also want to give up smoking,cofee,eat differently for energy and weight loss,and exercise,because I want to tackle feeling better in all ways.So,shasling,sorry to ramble on,when I read your first posting,I was going to ask you something that came to mind,but read the replys first to see if it hadnt allready been mentioned,only to find you being absolutly scared off!!!!!!!What I wanted to say was:Have you had your thyroid cheaked,and also hormones?If I recall,thyroid or hormones can cause similar symptoms,especially thyroid.If you havent you should get that cheaked.Keep in touch with me here OK>
Posted by shasling on January 27, 2006, at 9:24:12
In reply to Shasling, posted by summerflowers on January 27, 2006, at 3:54:44
> Hi shasling,I CANT BELIEVE WHAT YOU WERE JUST PUT THROUGH.Iv just read all of this.PLEASE dont feel scared off.Hi.Im summerflowers.I know just how you feel.I had the symptoms of bipolar,it started when I was 13-14.I had very severe lows and highs.I have 5 children,I had my first when I was 18(who is now 15) and at the moment my youngest is 9 mounths old.My bipolar changed over the years,to something I have worked out to be mixed bipolar.I am constantly anxious,worked up,talkative,hypo,stressed,worry,racing thoughts and ideas,but also I am fearfull,have social anziety,withdrawn,while at the same time I can feel really happy and high on everything around me,everything is beutifull,people are beutifull,so many wonderfull ideas,but in the blink of an eye I feel sad. which makes me sound really messed up,but bear in mind im not on any medication,nor have been for over 18 years,apart from antidepressants,for a short while which didnt help.I think the fact I havent been medicated is what made the bipolar change,as well as other factors,such as hormones,and lonliness.My best friends in life are my partner and children.And my mum.I pretty much stick to only them.I also had my children at home,then felt so lost when the last one went to school.I didnt know what to do,what career to follow,and the whole thought of going out there was like entering another world.Im slowly starting to feel better lately.Iv joined a group over the net,fighting for a cause I feel very emotional about,which seems to be really helping me find out who I am.I also have been looking into medications and plan on trying one out.I also want to give up smoking,cofee,eat differently for energy and weight loss,and exercise,because I want to tackle feeling better in all ways.So,shasling,sorry to ramble on,when I read your first posting,I was going to ask you something that came to mind,but read the replys first to see if it hadnt allready been mentioned,only to find you being absolutly scared off!!!!!!!What I wanted to say was:Have you had your thyroid cheaked,and also hormones?If I recall,thyroid or hormones can cause similar symptoms,especially thyroid.If you havent you should get that cheaked.Keep in touch with me here OK>
Summerflowers, such a sweet post and I'd love to claim it, but this post you mean for fiftylager; she posted the original thread. I entered the discussion becasue I was bothered that on her first post she was made to feel she was wrong and owed an apology to someone for her choice of words, so I affirmed her right to express herself in her own words and assure her there isn't anything wrong about her. Had that been me, on my first post, I would have so needed that affirmation so I tried to give that to her. Maybe I over-project, I don't know... Anyway, in affirming her I ended up in a non-productive discussion with a third party and inadvertently further derailed her post. For that I apologize to fiftylager and anyone else. Suzie
Posted by fiftylager on January 27, 2006, at 10:37:21
In reply to Re: Shasling Summerflowers, Fiftylager, posted by shasling on January 27, 2006, at 9:24:12
Hi there. I haven't been scared off. I just felt a little dumb, lol. I guess some people are sensitive about generalizations and I'm okay with that. I thank you all for making me feel so welcome.
I am on buspar but it's not working. I've been on it for almost 2 months. At first I was elated, woo hoo, this is working. I wanted to dance and tell the whole world, which a I practically did. This past week, it just doesn't seem to be working. I'm very depressed about it. I seem to be in a sad, anxious place this week. I've taken a few lorazepam to help but I'm running out. I've written my entire history down for my doctor to read (dr's intimidate me and I clam up). She can decide where to go after that. I'm so happy I've found a place where you're all so willing to help. Thank you!
Posted by fires on January 27, 2006, at 11:58:46
In reply to Re: New here and desperately looking for advice..., posted by finelinebob on January 27, 2006, at 0:51:50
> fifty -- there's an emerging diagnosis some call bipolar III or bipolar spectrum disorder. Spectrum being the key term. My own situation is hard to pidgeonhole with any one diagnosis -- like just about everybody. But BSD is often used for people who move between depression and anxiety, not mania.<<In my case it's hypomania.
>> Given my anxiety, tho, my new pdoc almost considered switching me to effexor. He said that effexor could have a similar effect on managing mood while being even more effective with my anxiety. So maybe trying the effexor wouldn't be such a bad thing to consider.<<
Effexor triggered my BP (officially BP-NOS). I was never BP before taking Effexor.
>
> A couple of people have mentioned klonopin as well. Klonopin's a benzo, and benzo's have a reputation for being addictive. I had been on klonopin on a daily basis for 5 years or so.<<I've been on Klonopin since 1990. No signs of addiction. I have 3 docs that agree -- Klonopin has a bad reputation that is undeserved. They like it because it is longer acting then the other benzos, and has relatively few side effects.
I know some disagree, but they consider it dependency, rather than addiction, because few, if any Klonopin users exhibit addictive behaviors.
Posted by fires on January 27, 2006, at 12:22:53
In reply to Re: Shasling Summerflowers, Fiftylager, posted by shasling on January 27, 2006, at 9:24:12
> > Hi shasling,I CANT BELIEVE WHAT YOU WERE JUST PUT THROUGH.Iv just read all of this.PLEASE dont feel scared off.<<
I don't recall her saying that she had been/felt scared off. I think it would be prudent if others would cease telling her how she should feel.
>>I entered the discussion becasue I was bothered that on her first post she was made to feel she was wrong and owed an apology to someone for her choice of words...<<I don't recall saying that she owed anyone an apology. Once again, maybe others should cease telling her how they interpreted my statements. I think she can decide for herself how to interpret them.
<<"Had that been me, on my first post...<<
Yes, it wasn't you.
Posted by fires on January 27, 2006, at 12:55:48
In reply to Re: It's me fiftylager, posted by fiftylager on January 27, 2006, at 10:37:21
> Hi there. I haven't been scared off. I just felt a little dumb, lol. I guess some people are sensitive about generalizations and I'm okay with that. I thank you all for making me feel so welcome.<<
Thank you for clearing up this matter. It appears that you realized that I wasn't trying to chase/scare you off. I notice that you used "lol" after saying that you "just felt a little dumb". I think that indicates that you didn't take my remarks as seriously as others did.
Anyway, welcome! Independent thinkers, such as yourself, are infinitely valuable to a group.
Please correct me if I've misinterpreted your comments in any way.
>
> I am on buspar but it's not working. I've been on it for almost 2 months. At first I was elated, woo hoo, this is working. I wanted to dance and tell the whole world, which a I practically did. This past week, it just doesn't seem to be working. I'm very depressed about it. I seem to be in a sad, anxious place this week. I've taken a few lorazepam to help but I'm running out. I've written my entire history down for my doctor to read (dr's intimidate me and I clam up). She can decide where to go after that. I'm so happy I've found a place where you're all so willing to help. Thank you!
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