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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1105 to 1129 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by Willow on June 18, 2001, at 19:07:18
In reply to Re: CFS, Effexor - YES!!!! - Zo?, posted by ksc on June 18, 2001, at 8:42:33
KSC - Do mean the effexor gave you symptoms of FMS/CFS or it worsened a preexisting
condition?Willow
Posted by MsNeffy on June 18, 2001, at 20:40:11
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome » Ottawa Bill, posted by Cam W. on June 18, 2001, at 10:05:40
> > why doesn't Wyatt=Ayerst warn prospective patients of how difficult and painful this drug is to stop ?
>
> Bill - Wyeth-Ayerst has had withdrawl information in the CPS since at least 1999. They are legally covered, but if you are looking for someone to go after; perhaps your doctor should have told you about the withdrawl effects. Then again, the company has told most of the doctors about the withdrawl effects, but the doctors do forget, because most people who quit Effexor (esp. Effexor XR) have no withdrawl symptoms, and many that do, do not report them to their doctors. - CamMy doctor prescribed effexor to me today, I came here looking for information about the drug before I began taking it. I specifically asked him if there were any major side effects or withdrawl symptoms and he said no. Is it just that Dr's are uninformed for the most part? Needless to say after reading I think I'll try something else...any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Kristi on June 18, 2001, at 21:23:08
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome, posted by MsNeffy on June 18, 2001, at 20:40:11
Hi!
I am really glad you found this sight before you began your effexor. There is such wonderful information on here. I certainly wish I had!!!
You asked for advice.... and I'd like to give you my opinion.... but keep in mind it is only that. My opinion. You do what you feel is right.. and I should stress... everyone is different.
I think this is a much better source for "side effects and risks"... better than any pamphlet. Everytime I see someone new asking about effexor, or about to get on... my stomache does this little flip floppy thing. It was the worst drug for me... and as you can see, for quite a few. As someone once posted... it is only the people who come here that have problems.. the rest are out and about with their lives.... but do you really want to take the chance? There are sooo many AD's out there to choose..... ask your doctor for one your less leary about. If you see the archives... effexor seems to dominate a lot of the board... in my eyes.. that is not a good thing. And please be strong if your doctor says to ignore what you've read. I just don't really see a need for you to start this drug with so many out their to choose from. UNLESS... big unless, you have tried many others and they haven't worked for you. In that case, I believe you should give it a try. I consider it a last resort thing. I'm talking from personal experience, what I've read on this board... and what friends and family have gone thru. Good luck in whatever you decide. Thinking of you, Kristi
> > > why doesn't Wyatt=Ayerst warn prospective patients of how difficult and painful this drug is to stop ?
> >
> > Bill - Wyeth-Ayerst has had withdrawl information in the CPS since at least 1999. They are legally covered, but if you are looking for someone to go after; perhaps your doctor should have told you about the withdrawl effects. Then again, the company has told most of the doctors about the withdrawl effects, but the doctors do forget, because most people who quit Effexor (esp. Effexor XR) have no withdrawl symptoms, and many that do, do not report them to their doctors. - Cam
>
> My doctor prescribed effexor to me today, I came here looking for information about the drug before I began taking it. I specifically asked him if there were any major side effects or withdrawl symptoms and he said no. Is it just that Dr's are uninformed for the most part? Needless to say after reading I think I'll try something else...any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Zo on June 19, 2001, at 2:16:39
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome » MsNeffy, posted by Kristi on June 18, 2001, at 21:23:08
The only problem I'm having with the Effexor-withdrawal fire raging thru this board is that the hairest, hands-down, junkie-snivelling withdrawal I ever had was to. . .. Desryrel.
I'm awfully sorry people have had a tough time getting off Effexor.
And I've known docs to say all *sorts* of meds have No Side Effects. Who knows why such carelessness happens.
I'm just not sure the experiences here amount to a reason to label Effexor some scary, bad drug. Example: Serzone turned me into a walking zombie, unable to function for five months, unable even to express what I was going through. Should I start a thread scaring everybody all to hell about Serzone?
My call is, I think not.
Best,
Zo
Posted by Bayla on June 19, 2001, at 5:55:49
In reply to CFS, Effexor - YES!!!! - Zo?, posted by Willow on June 16, 2001, at 21:22:44
> A comment on your problems with Effexor, Zo:
Just to reiterate my previous posting statement of how our different syndromes etc. affect the uptake of Effexor....since I have been on the drug, I am having NO dreams and no restless leg s/s - which is dramatic for me as I used to not only dream vividly, but have those intense "night terrors". My Fibro pain has been reduced more than 50% and my fatigue has been virtually eliminated...just some sleepiness during the first few hours after taking the drug...and that symptom is becoming more tolerable each new day I'm on the drug. It's amazing how our unique body chemistry integrates these meds, isn't it? That's why the treatment of Fibro/CFS has been so difficult, as these syndromes are so multifaceted that there is no protocol that seems to "fit", even as a baseline. There is so much trial and error with meds that many of us get so frustrated. But I'm so thrilled with the benefits of Effexor in treating my own symptoms, it's hard not to want to shout "try it" from the rooftops!
Posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 11:33:35
In reply to KSC ??, posted by Willow on June 19, 2001, at 9:43:06
Willow Wrote: "Do mean the effexor gave you symptoms of FMS/CFS or it worsened a preexisting
condition?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Willow,
Actually it looks like it gave me the SYMPTOMS of FMS/CFS (chronic fatigue, muscle pain and weakness). I was always one who slept through the night before I started taking my Effexor. Then as soon as I started taking Effexor XR the dreams started... every night, wierd dreams. They eventually got worse to the point where I couldn't go into stage 4 REM sleep. REM sleep is the point where your body takes in the most oxygen and rejuvenates your muscles. My body wasn't able to do that, which we believe caused the muscle pain and weakness.I was at the point where it felt like I'd pumped 300 pounds of weights with my legs by just walking up a flight of stairs. To carry a bag of groceries was like carrying 50+lbs. I slept 10 hrs/night and felt like I hadn't slept at all, and I had to sleep at least one full day on the weekend just to go to work on Monday.
I've tapered off from 112.5 to 75mg for almost a week now and I already have more energy and the muscle pain and stiffness has lessened.
Kate
Posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 12:13:22
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome, posted by Zo on June 19, 2001, at 2:16:39
Zo Wrote: "Serzone turned me into a walking zombie, unable to function for five months, unable even to express what I was going through. Should I start a thread scaring everybody all to hell about Serzone? My call is, I think not."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do what you want Zo, but this site has been a God send for some of us. When you're feeling as though you're a 33 year old in a 93 year olds body, and doctors can't figure out why, you have no idea how great it feels to find out that it's all because of a silly little pill.We keep saying that this medication doesn't work the same for everyone. There's no question about that!!! We just want to make people aware of what it CAN do, and if you start to feel like "this" then it COULD be your medication, not some serious disease, like they thought was wrong with me. That way people don't have to unnecessarily feel like death warmed over for months or years on end.
So please stop dissing us for feeling crummy. We're just trying to educate others for what our doctors wouldn't educate us on.
Posted by Willow on June 19, 2001, at 12:20:06
In reply to Re: KSC ??, posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 11:33:35
KSC
Your side-effects aren't abnormal. Suprisingly for me despite the side-effects it has energized me somewhat. And the tiredness you describe it is helping to alleviate. Also I've noticed that the withdrawals that people are describing are the symptoms of my CFS.
I completed a sleep test in April, it shows that my stage four sleep is half of what it should be and stage one is double what it should be, and the rest are normal. My arousal index was elevated and limb movements was moderately-severe. In July I'll see the doctor for an interpretation.
Gees who would think sleep was more than just well sleep?
Willow
Posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 12:27:30
In reply to Re: KSC ??, posted by Willow on June 19, 2001, at 12:20:06
Willow wrote: "Also I've noticed that the withdrawals that people are describing are the symptoms of my CFS."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know... that's what sort of made me nervous, because I was having those symptoms BEFORE going off. I've been a little wiery that it might get worse before it gets better (can't imagine that's possible), but at least I'm prepared for it. However...so far so good! WAHOO...
Thaks for the support ;-)Hope all goes well with you and your sleep tests.
KSC
Posted by MsNeffy on June 19, 2001, at 12:48:07
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome » MsNeffy, posted by Kristi on June 18, 2001, at 21:23:08
>
> Hi!
> I am really glad you found this sight before you began your effexor. There is such wonderful information on here. I certainly wish I had!!!
> You asked for advice.... and I'd like to give you my opinion.... but keep in mind it is only that. My opinion. You do what you feel is right.. and I should stress... everyone is different.
> I think this is a much better source for "side effects and risks"... better than any pamphlet. Everytime I see someone new asking about effexor, or about to get on... my stomache does this little flip floppy thing. It was the worst drug for me... and as you can see, for quite a few. As someone once posted... it is only the people who come here that have problems.. the rest are out and about with their lives.... but do you really want to take the chance? There are sooo many AD's out there to choose..... ask your doctor for one your less leary about. If you see the archives... effexor seems to dominate a lot of the board... in my eyes.. that is not a good thing. And please be strong if your doctor says to ignore what you've read. I just don't really see a need for you to start this drug with so many out their to choose from. UNLESS... big unless, you have tried many others and they haven't worked for you. In that case, I believe you should give it a try. I consider it a last resort thing. I'm talking from personal experience, what I've read on this board... and what friends and family have gone thru. Good luck in whatever you decide. Thinking of you, Kristi
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > > > why doesn't Wyatt=Ayerst warn prospective patients of how difficult and painful this drug is to stop ?
> > >
> > > Bill - Wyeth-Ayerst has had withdrawl information in the CPS since at least 1999. They are legally covered, but if you are looking for someone to go after; perhaps your doctor should have told you about the withdrawl effects. Then again, the company has told most of the doctors about the wi
Posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 15:11:17
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome » MsNeffy, posted by paulk on June 19, 2001, at 14:04:28
Paulk Wrote: "If you felt particularly bad on it, you might be one of the 1% that has a bipolar disorder that gets triggered with SSRIs."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm very sorry, but I for one am slightly insulted by your diagnosis. What you're basically saying here is that each of these poor people who is having negative side effects from this drug has bi-polar disorder. That is a very strong statement to make, and I for one would like to see some form of proof of this.
Posted by paulk on June 19, 2001, at 16:15:18
In reply to Re: withdrawal syndrome, posted by ksc on June 19, 2001, at 15:11:17
> Paulk Wrote: "If you felt particularly bad on it, you might be one of the 1% that has a bipolar disorder that gets triggered with SSRIs."
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> I'm very sorry, but I for one am slightly insulted by your diagnosis. What you're basically saying here is that each of these poor people who is having negative side effects from this drug has bi-polar disorder. That is a very strong statement to make, and I for one would like to see some form of proof of this.Seems like I said something like - “might be” - and something about - “1%”- didn’t I? I am not a doctor and don’t pretend to be making a “diagnosis”. I also am sorry if something I said was “insulting”??
On the other had – I had a long-term (20+years) friend who attempted suicide – he was admitted to a hospital –where they put him on Effexor, which sent him off to a manic state that he found unbearable. Turns out they had missed-diagnosed him, and he was found to be bi-polar. He now takes Lithium and isn’t doing real well, but is a bit better. I was hoping to share this with others who may have gone down that path because many doctors, who are prescribing Effexor, would not necessarily recognize what was happening.
I think you might want to read through what I wrote – I think perhaps you misunderstood me – I just reread and it seems there may be some confusion about withdrawal symptoms/ verses side effects (which I have gone through twice getting of Effexor – and find like a mild flue that last for some weeks - yuck)
We all have different DNA and thus Neurochemistry and therefore react differently to medications. If you have had bad side effects from Effexor it doesn’t mean you are bipolar – it also doesn’t mean that this is a bad drug for others.
If I had a mania reaction from taking Effexor, I would sure want to find out if I was bipolar so I could get the appropriate medicines.
Posted by AnitaThib on June 20, 2001, at 11:10:42
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I started taking Effexor 6 weeks ago. Dosage of 150 mg daily. I have never felt so normal in a long time. Energy level great, mood stable and happy. No more staying in bed for 3 days at a time and not knowing why I was so sad. Had tried zoloft for a couple of years and was previously on celexa. Could not notice any difference on these two drugs; but, when my physician gave me samples of Effexor to try, it was almost immediate relief and feeling of stability. Would recommend to anyone.
Posted by dugbet on June 20, 2001, at 14:43:57
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by AnitaThib on June 20, 2001, at 11:10:42
It was nice to hear your message, so many of the messages sound pretty doom and gloom. I have no signs of depression but have suffered from uncontrollable fatigue and migrane headaches (4-5 a week) for about three years now. My doctor has me on Celexa which has almost completly eliminated the headaches but has not phased the fatigue. I am in the process of slowing down the celexa intake so that I can start on Effexor. It seems strange to be taking these meds that are to be for depression as I am very happy, content, calm and have a great life except for this horrible fatigue. Since the fatigue ruins my days I guess I'm willing to try about any thing.
> I started taking Effexor 6 weeks ago. Dosage of 150 mg daily. I have never felt so normal in a long time. Energy level great, mood stable and happy. No more staying in bed for 3 days at a time and not knowing why I was so sad. Had tried zoloft for a couple of years and was previously on celexa. Could not notice any difference on these two drugs; but, when my physician gave me samples of Effexor to try, it was almost immediate relief and feeling of stability. Would recommend to anyone.
Posted by Christina T on June 20, 2001, at 19:46:47
In reply to Re: im trying to quit, im losing my mind, posted by Gerri_mww on July 9, 2000, at 14:36:45
I know exactly how you've been feeling. Since moving to a new city and not having a job for a while, I wasn't able to see a doctor. I had to take myself off of them. And it's been awful. All the symptoms that everyone has mentioned has happened to me. I feel like i'm cracking up half the time.
But I was reading that effexor balances serotonin levels in the brain. I wonder if taking a serotonin supplement will lessen the withdrawl effects. Any input on this???
Christina
> > > how can i get off this med, without losing my mind?
> >
> > James here....
> >
> > Taper then take Prozac for a few days. The prozac will slowly leave your body and end the problems you are having. I'm glad you found this space because we mention this trick often. Sorry your doc does not know about it, many do.
> >
> > james
>
> It sounds like the Effexor was really helping with anxiety. If the Prozac plan doesn't appeal to you maybe have your doc put your on Wellbutrin or Buspar for the panic until you are totally off the Effexor or as a med instead of the effexor to control anxiety. I was first on buspar but even at half a dose I felt drugged out so I switched to Wellbutrin for the anxiety. You also might try cutting out all forms of caffiene, I find that even having a chocolate bar will increase my chances of having an attack that day (and I have gone to the emergency room several times for "heart attacks" LOL).
> Gerri
Posted by b on June 20, 2001, at 23:03:44
In reply to Re: withdrawal, posted by Ottawa Bill on June 18, 2001, at 7:58:59
I'm so glad I found this website! My doctor weaned me off Effexor after being on it 8
months by having me take four days each of the lower doses. I have been off of it for a
HUGE total of 3 days. For the last 2 days, I've had major dizziness OFTEN and I can cry
at the drop of a hat. I thought I was going crazy or needing to call up Doc for another
appointment. All she told me was to expect "flu-like symptoms" not weird "flighty" brain
sensations and MORE feelings of depression. From reading through your comments, I
feel like I'm not alone and I'll give myself a couple of weeks to feel like an actual person
again.
Effexor was a GREAT help when I needed it most! It was well worth these withdrawls IF
they subside soon!?
Posted by Lynnae on June 25, 2001, at 8:42:22
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hello! I need some help. I have taken Paxil, Zoloft, and Celexa along with Ativan and another nerve pill (I can't remember it's name). My main issue is anxiety -- I get jittery, tremble, feel like I can't breathe, etc. I am tired of being given all these "wonder drugs" that do nothing but make me fat. Does anyone have any experience with Buspar for anxiety? Also, what about Effexor XR? I have not heard much about the Buspar (good or bad), but have read awful things about Effexor. Please let me know if Buspar works toward eliminating anxiety. I can't stand feeling this way! Thank you all so much for helping me out here. :)
Posted by AKC on June 25, 2001, at 12:02:07
In reply to Buspar - is it really helpful for anxiety?, posted by Lynnae on June 25, 2001, at 8:42:22
I personally had an awful experience on Buspar - it clouded my mind - I was in a deep state of depression mixed with panic and I believe to this day that the buspar added to the confused state. My only "evidence" is that when they took me off the buspar at the hospital, the next day a loud noise that had been going off in my head was gone (I didn't realize how bad it was until it was gone). So I am in the down column on buspar.
As far as Effexor goes, it has helped me tremendously for depression, but not at all for anxiety. And it is probably contributing to my anxiety - I am just now starting to understand how the antidepressants may mess up the hypomania side of bipolar II. I have never heard of it being used for anxiety, but someone else on this board may have had some success with it for that purpose. Good luck.
Posted by gilbert on June 25, 2001, at 20:01:55
In reply to Re: Buspar - is it really helpful for anxiety?, posted by AKC on June 25, 2001, at 12:02:07
> I personally had an awful experience on Buspar - Ditto Ditto Ditto.......Buspar was useless for panic and made me jumpy as hell. Also got very dizzy right after taking it with hot flashes.....bizarre.
Gil
Posted by Willow on June 25, 2001, at 20:58:26
In reply to Re: Buspar - is it really helpful for anxiety?, posted by gilbert on June 25, 2001, at 20:01:55
I find Effexor is great for genarlized anxiety. The initial side-effects can mimic anxiety: racing heart and sweating. My pharmascist told me that this was normal and ends in about two weeks, before I started taking it. Each time I had increased the dosage I initially got the sweating again but it goes away withing a month. Here it's getting hot so I melt in with the crowd. Don't be scared by other's experience. It has eliminated my anxiety.
Free Willow
Posted by tina on June 26, 2001, at 9:19:00
In reply to is it really helpful for anxiety?, posted by Willow on June 25, 2001, at 20:58:26
Ditto on the BuSpar for me. It was awful. I felt more anxious than ever before and I couldn't leave my house for several days. Not to mention the pounding headaches....daily.
But don't forget, all these meds affect people differently. Such as, I don't have any side effects from MAOI;s or TCA's but have horrible side effects on SSRI's. I'm a weird one because I always read that the side effects of TCA's and MAOI's are among the worst and the SSRI's are easier to tolerate. Hmmm. Don't be scared off because of the effects on others. Something may be just perfect for you even if it hasn't been for others! It's just the joys of the illness.
good luck> I find Effexor is great for genarlized anxiety. The initial side-effects can mimic anxiety: racing heart and sweating. My pharmascist told me that this was normal and ends in about two weeks, before I started taking it. Each time I had increased the dosage I initially got the sweating again but it goes away withing a month. Here it's getting hot so I melt in with the crowd. Don't be scared by other's experience. It has eliminated my anxiety.
>
> Free Willow
Posted by liz taylor on June 26, 2001, at 14:15:23
In reply to Everyone's different, but..., posted by Racer on October 24, 1999, at 22:14:55
>Have been on Effexor XR for 10 months. Felt better right a way. Started at 34.5 and went to 75 after a week.
Had a hard time sleeping at first, but changed to taking meds in am, so sleeping better. Did not eat a lot and lost weight at first.After 5 months depression came back in full, so doc upped does to 150. Now after 5 months on 150 I am in a deep dpression again.
Not sure what to do. I know doc will want to up does to 300, but by now the side effects are taking their toll.Side effects: 1) jittery 2) hard to get to sleep unless I have gone without sleep for a long time or take a sleeping pill, but then can hardly wake in the PM.
3) very weird, real dreams 4) once I start eating I can hardly quit - gaining weightI have felt so good on the the Effexor that I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and up does and deal with the increased side effects. Any info you can give would be so appreciated.
Thank you, Liz
Posted by Elizabeth on June 27, 2001, at 6:57:34
In reply to Buspar - is it really helpful for anxiety?, posted by Lynnae on June 25, 2001, at 8:42:22
Hi there.
Can you describe your anxiety symptoms in more detail, like what type of thoughts you have when you are feeling anxious, and are there any triggers? Do you feel anxious all the time, or does it come in spells or attacks?
Ihe reason I'm asking these questions is that there are a few different types of anxiety and the treatments are not the same for all of thems (although there is some overlap). What you described sounds more like panic disorder than any other anxiety disorder, but obviously that's not certain. I'll go ahead and tell you about treatments for panic disorder, but just be aware that this info doesn't necessarily apply to other anxiety states like generalised anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress, social phobia, etc.
> I have taken Paxil, Zoloft, and Celexa along with Ativan and another nerve pill (I can't remember it's name).
Klonopin, Xanax, Valium, Librium, Serax, Tranxene, ... ?
Do you remember what dose of Ativan you were taking, by any chance? Also, were you taking it on an ad-lib (or "as needed") basis, or on a regular around-the-clock schedule (e.g., thrice daily or every 6-8 hours).
> Does anyone have any experience with Buspar for anxiety?
I tried BuSpar (buspirone) in the typical low dose range used for mild to moderate anxiety and antidepressant augmentation: up to 45 mg/day, I think. In this dose range, it is *not* effective for panic disorder (which might be what you have), nor (by itself) for depression. In higher doses (more like 60-90 mg/day) it is effective for depression; I'm not sure about panic disorder. (60 mg or more
Unlike the benzodiazepines (what you call "nerve pills," also known as "minor tranquilisers"), BuSpar takes several weeks to work. It sometimes causes increased anxiety in the beginning. It's basically an antidepressant, like most of the other ones you mentioned (Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa). The way it works is a little different, though: instead of increasing the amount of serotonin available, buspirone imitates one of the actions of serotonin. (It's thought to be what's called a "partial agonist" at type 1a serotonin receptors.)
> Also, what about Effexor XR?
Like the other antidepressants, it takes several weeks to work and may make you more anxious during those first weeks. Also, if you had weight problems from the SSRIs (Paxil, etc.), then Effexor may cause weight gain for you too.
SSRIs and Effexor do usually work for panic disorder, but a lot of people have a very hard time tolerating them long enough (they take several weeks to work, as I mentioned). The best appproach if increased anxiety is a problem starting out is to start out at a very low dose and increase it gradually, as tolerated. It can also help to take a benzodiazepine during the time when you are waiting for the antidepressant to work. Klonopin and Xanax are probably the most effective benzodiazepines for anxiety (especially panic anxiety).
Besides benzodiazepines, some other options for panic disorder are the older antidepressants -- "tricyclics" (imipramine, nortriptyline, desipramine, clomipramine) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Nardil, Parnate). People who have anxiety often find these more tolerable, although the newer ADs are marketed as having fewer side effects (really, they have *different* side effects). There are also two newer, non-SSRI antidepressants -- Serzone and Remeron -- that may work for panic disorder. Non-cardioselective beta blockers (such as propranolol) can also alleviate some of the symptoms, like tremor, difficulty breathing, and palpitations.
Sometimes, if a person has an abnormal EEG or if more conventional treatments (like antidepressants and benzodiazepines) don't work, anticonvulsants may be used. Depakote and Neurontin seem to work for true panic disorder as well as for some types epilepsy; Tegretol may be preferable for people who have temporal lobe epilepsy that manifests as panic-like attacks. Panic-like epilepsy is unusual, but not unheard of, and it should be considered if the usual treatments don't work. There are a few other conditions that can mimic panic disorder, such as asthma and cardiac arrhythmias, and these should be ruled out, especially if you are considering a tricyclic antidepressant or a beta blocker.
I hope this helps. Don't get discouraged: there are lots of different approaches to anxiety, as you can see; you just have to keep trying stuff until you find what works for you. (If you're interested, I can also tell you about a few different non-medical approaches. These tend to be less reliable, in my opinion, but they are often very helpful, especially if used with medication.)
-elizabeth
Posted by Lynnae on June 27, 2001, at 7:34:41
In reply to Buspar - is it really helpful for anxiety?, posted by Lynnae on June 25, 2001, at 8:42:22
Hi Elizabeth! Thank you so much for your indepth response. It is really helpful. I have suffered from panic attacks, but I have learned how to control those. The anxiety is not as severe as the panic. In my chest cavity, I just feel all jittery (like the effect of WAY too much coffee!) and my breathing feels restricted (like my chest is closing in). None of the relaxtion, breathing, etc. that works for the panic attacks seems to help these episodes subside. The other nerve pill I took was Xanax (I remembered as soon as I posted! :)), and now I am taking Ativan. Both dosages are/were at 1 mg. 3xday. I am starting an exercise program to help rid myself of the Celexa weight and I am hoping this will have some effect on the anxiety. We will see! :) Thanks to everyone for the wonderful response so far. I'll be checking in!
Posted by Elizabeth on June 27, 2001, at 9:36:57
In reply to Re: Buspar - is it really helpful for anxiety? » Lynnae, posted by Lynnae on June 27, 2001, at 7:34:41
Lynnae,
Some people who have panic disorder also experience milder panic-like symptoms all the time, as you describe. If I were in your situation, I'd want to see an internist/GP to make sure that the autonomic symptoms (jittery or revved-up feelings, tightness in chest, difficulty breathing, etc.) were not due to some sort of cardiovascular or pulmonary problem. Having ruled that stuff out, my first choice for a medication (well, second choice, assuming benzodiazepines hadn't worked) would be a beta blocker like Inderal (propranolol). Since you have thes symptoms constantly, a longer-acting beta blocker might be preferable (propranolol only works for about 4 hours -- there is a sustained-release formulation, Inderal LA, but it's rather expensive). Also, cardioselective beta blockers (e.g., atenolol) don't work very well for that kind of stuff. Beta blockers can make asthma and some kinds of cardiac arrhythmias worse, so if you turn out to have one of those conditions then you need to get it treated appropriately.
I hope the exercise helps you (it almost certainly won't hurt!). I guess I was pretty lucky that I had such an easy time losing all the weight (upwards of 50 lbs) that I gained when I was taking Nardil (although I don't recommend my method -- "the depression diet").
-elizabeth
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