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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 22, 2006, at 16:26:15
In reply to 90%Negative Postings..9%Some Help....1% Great???, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 22, 2006, at 16:22:29
Are there any live saved by medication stories?
Posted by Elroy on August 22, 2006, at 16:53:42
In reply to Can someone post a true hands down meds saved me, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 22, 2006, at 16:26:15
> Are there any live saved by medication stories?
In my case, yes.Situation: Anxiety which developed from severe stress into mild anxiety and then into moderate anxiety and then went into a condition of Pseudo Cushing's accompanied by severe anxiety and a number of physical symptoms.
Xanax XR saved my life. A minor dose (1 mg twice a day) was enough to keep the edge off to keep me from going completely nuts - and helped stem the tide of the super elevated levels of cortisol that my conditionwas causing. After a 2 week stay at NIH Hospital (where extensive testing was done - in December of 2005) they confirmed the Pseudo Cushing's diagnosis and recommended that my anti anxiety meds (Xanax XR) be significantly increased. On my return it was increased to 2 mg three times a day (around late January of 2006). Since then my condition has slowly but steadily continued to improve.
Elroy
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 22, 2006, at 18:46:55
In reply to Re: Can someone post a true hands down meds saved » invisibleman15010, posted by Elroy on August 22, 2006, at 16:53:42
The stress then fall into major anxiety sounds very familiar. What is Pseudo Cushing's? I know Xanax helped me. NO med has really helped me at all with depression symptons. But, the benzos, now klonopin does provide me with relief from anxiety and the depression seems to lift a little. I feel almost normal.But it does not last. Glad you got good help. You are a lucky man.
e
Posted by Dim_Light_Shining on August 22, 2006, at 20:37:24
In reply to Re: Can someone post a true hands down meds saved, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 22, 2006, at 18:46:55
Hi,
I'm sorry to hear your experiences with meds have been disappointing overall. But don't give up, as new drugs are always under development...I really hope that something turns up to help you find lasting peace in your life.
I have had a really great experience with Effexor in the past. When I was in my first year of university, I was deeply depressed and at times suicidal. I started taking Effexor and over the next few weeks it was like watching a miracle unfold...I felt so much better, even though I was on a low dose. Whether it was the drug, the cognitive-behavioural therapy I was doing or a change in my circumstances is hard to say, as all happened around the same time...I like to think it was a combination.
I just started taking Effexor again...I'd been off it for a few years and then everything came back. But I try to remind myself how well things turned out last time and try to stay hopeful.
Please try to stay hopeful too - I know how frustrating and discouraging it is. If you haven't already, you may want to look into counselling or cognitive-beahvioural therapy, as this has really helped me.
Hopefully this has provided some encouragement, or whatever else you need to hear right now. Please take good care of yourself and hang in there!
Posted by HOPEFULL on August 23, 2006, at 6:34:17
In reply to Re: Can someone post a true hands down meds saved, posted by Dim_Light_Shining on August 22, 2006, at 20:37:24
Hello, to everyone,I will tell you one thing,yesterday was my 2 day with EFF and I feel tension on my neck because I was only able to sleep 5 hours. But I can say I was able to feel a tiny bit better...of course and no offense to noone, I pray and keep on having Faith... that someday we all WILL,Wake up and SAY WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY, HAVE A BLESS DAY TO ALL
Posted by HOPEFULL on August 23, 2006, at 6:46:29
In reply to Re: Problems with Effexor XR and alcohol?, posted by Aciel on August 21, 2006, at 14:45:56
Posted by Elroy on August 23, 2006, at 7:50:07
In reply to Re: Can someone post a true hands down meds saved, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 22, 2006, at 18:46:55
> The stress then fall into major anxiety sounds very familiar. What is Pseudo Cushing's? I know Xanax helped me. NO med has really helped me at all with depression symptons. But, the benzos, now klonopin does provide me with relief from anxiety and the depression seems to lift a little. I feel almost normal.But it does not last. Glad you got good help. You are a lucky man.
> eIt is a form of Cushing;s Disease. There is actual Cushing's Disease where the body produces excessive cortisol due to a pituitary tumor. Then there's Cushing's Syndrome which is caused by either an adrenal gland tumor or an ACTH-secreting small-cell cancer. Then there's Exogenous Cushing's where a doctor has prescribed excessively strong levels of artificial cortisol (prednisone, etc.)... and then there's Pseudo Cushing's where the body produces highly excessive cortisol for any one of a number of reasons. Excessive obesity. AIDS. Active stage HIV. Acute, chronic alcoholism. And either chronic and/or acute depreession or anxiety.
In the latter case, endocrinologists call it Pseudo Cushing's, while neuropsychiatrists simply refer to it as a psychological disorder accompanied by excessive secretion of cortisol. Interestingly, while Endos are doing much research on "regular" Cushing's, they pretty much ignore Pseudo Cushing's - while the neuropsychiatrists are doing some quite serios research on psychological disorders accompanied by excessive secretion of cortisol (which is in fact MY version of PC).
An interesting article - from NIH Hospital - on that aspects of PC (psychological disorders accompanied by excessive secretion of cortisol) can be found at:
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/sep2002/nichd-09.htm
Posted by flipsactown on August 23, 2006, at 8:26:47
In reply to Re: HAS ANYONE USE CYMBALTA (nm), posted by HOPEFULL on August 23, 2006, at 6:46:29
Currently on Cymbalta 60mg, Wellbutrin 400mg for sexual side effect of Cymbalta and Trazodone 150mg for insomnia side effect of Cymbalta. Have been on this combo for at least 5 months with great success. I have had unipolar depression and have been taken numerous AD's with great success for over 20 years. I am male.
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 23, 2006, at 8:34:48
In reply to Re: Can someone post a true hands down meds saved, posted by Dim_Light_Shining on August 22, 2006, at 20:37:24
Dim lite shining,
Thanks for the post. It home for me. I am thinking about going back on Effexor??? As I have stopped all of my other med cocktail which was not working and never really did. Hey, let me know how you do. I have to decide before mid September when I go back into the Dr. He is pushing for ECT and then back on another med. I am leaning towards Effexor, or the natural route, via St. Johns Wort, Sam E, etc. none of the others have done anything for my depression.
e
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 23, 2006, at 8:38:47
In reply to Re: Pseudo Cushing's » invisibleman15010, posted by Elroy on August 23, 2006, at 7:50:07
How do they know if your body is producing to excessive amounts of cortisol?
E
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 23, 2006, at 8:51:12
In reply to Re: Pseudo Cushing's » invisibleman15010, posted by Elroy on August 23, 2006, at 7:50:07
Very interesting article, seems to fit in parts. But with a limited understanding of chemistry,endochonology etc.(I was a business major) I find a lot of it questionable, as many of us can find parts of the studies that fit some of our conditions. So how are we to know, when most of our GP or Psy Dr. are out in left field to, except for what the drug reps. are pushing. I have been to a number of well respected(at least in my general area) Psy docs and Gps and they never get past, yes you have severe anxiety and or depression, who, why or what doesn't enter the picture. But, thanks again for the article. Good food for thought as I contimplate my next Psy. move.
e
Posted by Crazy Horse on August 23, 2006, at 9:48:25
In reply to Re: Pseudo Cushing's » Elroy, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 23, 2006, at 8:51:12
Posted by Elroy on August 23, 2006, at 11:13:58
In reply to Re: Pseudo Cushing's » Elroy, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 23, 2006, at 8:38:47
The most accurate test is called a "24-hour Urinary Free Cortisol Test". A blood test or a saliva test takes just a momentary "snapshot" of what your cortisol levels are at that exact moment, whereas the 24-hr UFC gives you a more accurate picture of the TOTAL daily output. As cortisol secretion - and therefore the levels on the blood / saliva - vary during the course of the day. You could therefore have highly elevated cortisol levels in general, but just happen to have a blood draw done at the one time of the day where your secretion levels just happened to be just within range. So the doctor says that you're fine. But erally you might be 2 - 3 times (or higher) the maximnum of the reference range for that hormone.
If your levels are in fact elevated, then the next follow-up step would be to have either a Late Night Serum Cortisol draw (blood test) or Late Night Salivaery Cortisol test (saliva test). Because now you DO want a "snapshot picture" of where your cortisol levels are at... if you have PC version then your cortisol levels will be not only within range, but in the lower levels of the reference range). If your late night levels are elevated above range, then it is likely that you have one of the "regular" versions of Cushing's (test is done between 11 PM and Midnight).
Posted by Elroy on August 23, 2006, at 13:53:36
In reply to Re: Pseudo Cushing's » Elroy, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 23, 2006, at 8:51:12
Don't get me wrong. Neither I - nor that article - is saying that ALL conditions of anxiety or depression is caused by or in turn causes elevated cortisol levels.
That's the problem with this field, is that there are so many numerous causes of anxiety / depression... some purely traumatic experiences, some chemical imbalances, some hormonal imbalances (a field - like with this stuff with cortisol that is just starting to get investigated).. and some conditions that are a combination of those causations.
For example, PTSD patients tend to have LOW levels of cortisol (though not usually below the reference range levels... if they do develop such low levels, then they would be developing Addison's Disease which, like Cushing's, is a very serious medical disorder). Not all, but many sufferers of Panic Attacks have low cortisol levels in between attacks - but during the attacks their cortisol levels will sjyrocket and remain elevted for many hours afterwards.
What is being said is that there ARE certain psychological disorders that are characterized by highly elevated cortisol levels and therefore are in fact the same disorder that Endos refer to a very specific form of PC.
As the 24-hr UFC is a quite simple - and fairly inexpensive test - I believe that if it was me that I'd play it safe and check out having the test performed. If nothing else, to rule out that possibility.
In fact, since hormones can have such a great deal of play on our psychological wel-being, I would also strongly request a full range of hormone testing to see if anything was too low, too high or simply out of balance with another hormone.
Posted by alimae on August 24, 2006, at 21:03:35
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Has anyone taken effexor for social anxiety disorder????? My 18 year old is about to start. Any info is greatly needed...
Posted by alimae on August 24, 2006, at 21:05:22
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Has anyone taken effexor for social anxiety disorder????? My 18 year old is about to start. Any info is greatly needed...
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 25, 2006, at 11:41:02
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by alimae on August 24, 2006, at 21:03:35
I know from past Dr. trial and errors, many are using some of the newer anti depressants that have been approved by the FDA for anxiety in it's various forms. I have suffered from socail anxiety from college thru my professional life. I never received any benefit from them for anxiety. The only true relief was from on of the benzo's, klonopin, ativan or xanax. But, a lot of Dr's afraid to prescribe them because of the real potential for addiction. But, they do work, I know they do for me and did in the past. For those that can use them on a as needed basis, that's great. Well, that's my limited input, goodluck, I hope your 18 year old can get a handle on it now.
e
Posted by Ts6639 on August 25, 2006, at 13:15:00
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
My doctor prescribed Effexor for me yesterday, but, after reading some of the postings I don't think I want to try it. I have battled depression for most of my life and tried many life style changes, therapy, and medications. I read in one posting that if you find a medicine that works and then take yourself off of it that the next time it may not work. That has certainly been my experience. If I ever find something that will alleviate this dark cloud, I WILL NOT start tampering again with my treatment and medication. This has been the worst bout with depression so far...but I guess we all feel that way when we are stuck in the thick of it. I've taken Prozac (didn't work); Wellbutrin (made me paranoid and feel crazy); Depakote (felt like a zombie and slept all the time); Zoloft (which worked great until I decided that I was well enough to stop using it) Two years later I could kick myself in the behind. I have had short term results with Prozac, but it stopped working and the cloud returned. For the past two months, I sleep most of the time, rarely eat, suffer from horrible panic attacks, as well as the hopeless inner narrative that many of you may experience. The doctor did put me on Ritalin to help me get myself out of bed and at least function, but the effects are very short term and I crash. Now I'm on Concerta, but not working as well as Ritalin did. Oh well, this is the most I've talked in a while. I think I'll reward myself by going back to bed. Hang in there guys...the mind can distort our reality.
Posted by Phillipa on August 25, 2006, at 21:02:01
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » alimae, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 25, 2006, at 11:41:02
Hey I've been on benzos for over 30years the Ad's don't work and they as well are addictive and have many side effects. That's my opinion. And I have gone off benzos with no problem at all. When stresses in life are low no need for them. Love Phillipa
Posted by Jason1972 on August 25, 2006, at 23:15:11
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by alimae on August 24, 2006, at 21:03:35
> Has anyone taken effexor for social anxiety disorder????? My 18 year old is about to start. Any info is greatly needed...
I took effexor for 4 years. It worked very well for anxiety. It really takes the edge off of stressful situations.
I came off of it because of prostatitus symptoms. I did have a history of prostate problems years before I took effexor, however they had gone away to a very manageable level. After being on effexor for 2 years the prostate symptoms returned with a vengence. After researching on my own, with no advise from any doctors I discovered that effexor can cause prostate problems.
That's my story... Jay
Posted by HOPEFULL on August 26, 2006, at 8:37:27
In reply to Re: Horrible drug, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 12, 2006, at 9:17:44
Has anyone gained weight with EFFEXOR XR, eat and feel empty, retain water, unable to sleep even taking ambien sleep like 4 good hours when I was able to sleep 10 before taking EFFEXOR XR, and yawn all day...has anyone had these symtoms...I just started 5 days ago taking EFFEXOR XR ALSO NOW I DON'T WANT TO GET OUT OF BED AND FEEL WORSE THAN BEFORE
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 26, 2006, at 9:05:23
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by Ts6639 on August 25, 2006, at 13:15:00
Don't forget that every med. seems to work quite differently for a lot of us. I know that reading to much, ie Psycho Babble overload, can scare you from probably aspirin. I actually quit Effexor, about two years ago, mainly because of reading of the potential scary side effects and withdrawl issues. Yes, my cholesterol went way up, but I dealt with it with Omega 3 and Niacin and I had no problems getting off Effexor as I weaned myself off, even taking the capsule open and dumping out a certain amount of the little capsules inside.........Effexor is not for everyone. I am thinking about starting it again along with ECT, as I have battle the darkness for way to long and been through almost all the newer meds. along with the side effects or no benefit..
food for thought......Paxil and Zoloft almost killed me....others have done well.......go figure???
e
Posted by invisibleman15010 on August 26, 2006, at 9:07:34
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » invisibleman15010, posted by Phillipa on August 25, 2006, at 21:02:01
I agree, I agree, I agree!
e
Posted by inshadeoftree on August 26, 2006, at 13:12:27
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? » Phillipa, posted by invisibleman15010 on August 26, 2006, at 9:07:34
effexor at 37.5 mgs and five days of use...way too little to have measurable side effects...yes....so we worry really well...are we good at worry.and analyzing to pieces our bits and pieces...my latest advice was to use meditation and yoga to stop thinking and get to the healing work...well jeeze I know that...How ?... is my question...I'm useing effexor for the sixth day....soon to go to the threshold of 75 mgs a day...am I concerned yup am I worried Yup am I going to be brave yup...am I gonna do meditation and yoga every day nope...do I want someone to fix me Yup...am I doing my share of the fixing/work nope...will I live and breath and dream another day You Bet...am I making progress in my search for the real me yup...I just put these words down here for you to read 'cause it makes me feel I'm not quite so alone in my confused hard to measure world...Luck and kisses to us all.
Posted by SLS on August 27, 2006, at 18:55:00
In reply to Re: Pseudo Cushing's (nm), posted by Crazy Horse on August 23, 2006, at 9:48:25
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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