Posted by jay on January 25, 2003, at 5:19:21
In reply to Re: Isolating onself..while on a med.., posted by lostsailor on January 24, 2003, at 12:17:12
Hi Tony:Well..after almost a decade of Dx'ed depression, then bipolar, it now looks like I suffer from a MAJOR case of anxiety (GAD..but now 'low level'..)..as well as panic attacks. I found many of the newer antidepressants REALLY made that worse, and eventually I was so scared to leave the house..or my room. Now, I *thought* it was the depression..but the breaking point game when another doctor suggested ECT after my ten year struggle. I also responded poorly to mood stablizers, so/so to atypical antipsychotics..but the anxiety NEVER went away.
I went to an emergency clinic, I was so 'freaked out', and they gave me an ample (theraputic) supply of clonazepam. Oh man....within a half hour it was like this evil 'ghost' of anxiety left me...and over the past few days, I have been fine. Also, my doc changed me to a big dose of imipramine, with a very, very small dose of Effexor.
So, I have gathered and collected as much info as possible, and am going to also get a referal to the 'Anxiety Disorders Clinic' here in Ontario, Canada. My doc isn't benzophobic..but quite conservative in their use. I am sure he will go with a theraputic dose, starting at 1mg 3x a day. (I was on that dose before). The thing is, after my 10 years of suffering, and if it can be abated by a GOOD theraputic benzo dose, I know I will fair well. If I was 'addicted'...I would be needing more and more of a higher dose, and that is far from the case.
Plus, I have always responded well to benzos. And, the imipramine is great for the depression...doesn't cause the 'jittery' feeling most new SRI's cause. We have tried almost every other medication iin the book...and any of the SRI's et all do *crapola* for my anxiety..at the highest doses..for the longest time.
As far as isolating goes...it wasn't depression..it was *anxiety*..just plain brutal fear. If I am anxious for a decade...no wonder I am depressed! A bbenzo with a dose of imipramine and a small dose of Effexor seem to be doing me *extrememly* well. No, not 'manic' well...just that I feel gentle and calm in my approach. Before benzos, it was like I was on a massive dose of methamphetamine, always! I was so nervous I could never even look a person in the eye when talking.
Besides..I need this..because I now have to enter a career..finish a university degree..never mind odd jobs along the way. Sitting in my room, in bed in a panic of fear for the past number of years has set my life wayyyy back.
Anyhow..thanks for the thoughts..and sorry for rambling.
Jay
poster:jay
thread:35658
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030120/msgs/35780.html