Posted by Rick on October 10, 1999, at 0:56:40
In reply to Rick, are you out there??, posted by Bones on October 9, 1999, at 9:48:38
> Hey Rick:
>
> Came back from my pdoc yesterday with a new presciption for my social anxiety ... Nardil. I read your earlier postings. I know it pooped out for you quickly and caused hypotension. How did it work on your social anxiety. Did you have difficulties with insomnia??
>
> Also, I discussed the Selegeline/Klonopin combo you described as wonderful. Are you still taking this combo. or did I read earlier that you had given up on the Selegeline?? Does Klonopin depress you cognitively?? Does it work well for your social anxiety. Blushing is my predominant "presentation". I wonder if it would help with that. Ativan certainly didn't. I blushed in a very relaxed state. (An attempt at humor, nyaah haa. One has to laugh.)
>
> Have a great weekend. (It's Thanksgiving in Canada. I have three meals big turkey meals to attend this weekend.)Still here, Bones! Klonopin's still a godsend for me. Generally 1.5-2.0 mg/day. (I also take small, twice-a-day doses of Pindolol and Buspar, but the Klonopin is the key for Social Anxiety. I won't go into the reasons for the other two meds here.) I stopped the Selegiline. It did seem to have some distinct cognitive benefits, but I think it added a tad of agitation, and it was actually TOO stimulating sexually combined with the Klonopin (I won't go into details, and that may not have even been a typical reaction). The only reason I may eventually try another AD is to see if I can attain steady-state relief without needing carefully-timed, multiple doses each day.
It's definitely worth giving Nardil a try. For me it was wonderful at times (not consistently), but the side effects (NOT including weight gain for me) were too much at theraputic doses, and it largely pooped out besides. A near-panic (not in the clinical sense) presentation debacle was the "last straw" for me. I was "thisclose" to making some excuse -- if I utter a whole sentence -- and bolting from the overcrowded room. This was about 4 weeks into the treatment, and I took no other meds that day. Despite my experience, I know many people have had smashing -- and lasting -- success with Nardil, so it's definitely worth a try if you don't mind the food restrictions (which were greatly overstated, BTW -- for ME, anyways).
With Nardil, insomnia per se wasn't a problem so much as needing to get up more often to head for the bathroom -- and trying to get there without falling from postural hypotension. I actually LOVED the fact that Nardil completely suppressed my dreams (or at least my memories of them), because they're always so annoying. Now, unfortunately I dream more than ever, and, while they're still bizarre and annoying dreams, I don't have ten different themes occuring at once a la "Seinfeld" (which was how my pre-meds mind worked). BTW, when I DID sleep poorly or go to bed too late, Nardil seemed to keep it from bothering me as much the next day with regards to sleepiness, alertness, or cognitive ramifications.
Have you heard about the "ETS" operation specifically designed to stop people from blushing? Just about every time I've looked at alt.support.social-phobia, that's been a discussion topic. Since that's not a main focus for me, I haven't paid much attention. If you're unaware but interested, check for old posts on ETS by searching at www.deja.com.By the way, I believe Ativan is a short half-life benzo like Xanax. While the usual YMMV applies, for me Klonopin has been SOOOOOO much more effective and calming than Xanax was, with no sedation (exceptions: first week; or if I take too much or space doses too close together). Xanax made me feel drugged, even when it didn't make me tired. Klonopin feels so much "smoother" and more natural, if taken properly. And there are no congnition problems. To the contrary, my mind is sharper when anxiety is at bay, and I've been winning accolades for my ideas and analyses at work lately. I'm often forgetful in an absent-minded way, but that was happening long before I started ANY meds!
Anyways, enjoy the turkey, and good luck!
poster:Rick
thread:12893
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991001/msgs/12939.html