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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Edgefield on April 29, 2003, at 16:50:38
Well, I've been to the dr. She wants me to continue with Fluoxetine and Ativan. In about four weeks we will reevaluate and possibly try Provigil, Wellbutrin, Celexa, or Anafranil.
I surely would like to hear some success stories from those who have been delivered from this anxiety symptom. I know that the Lord will deliver me, in the meanwhile I'm eager to hear some good new :)
God Bless
Posted by lawrence S. on April 29, 2003, at 18:00:38
In reply to derealization, posted by Edgefield on April 29, 2003, at 16:50:38
I guarantee it he will deliver! I had derealization really severe. now it's totally gone. For me these are the meds that helped me that you might want to consider: Klonopin, Nardil, Fish oil, Ritalin. (This is what I'm on now) You may also find relief with: Luvox (or other ssri's) Mirapex (Dopamine agonist) And others. when I think of them I will post more. My derealization was so freaky and weird I was afraid to talk about it much less think about it. It gave me such bad panic that my guts would wrench and turn. I thought the only thing that would help me was an AP.
Ativan seemed to increase my derealization. Why, I don't know. It should not have, since it is a benzo similar to klonopin. Perhaps it's because of Klonopin's anti-seizure properties? I often wonder if derealization is caused by a stress induced seizure?
My derealization peaked at it's worst when I took Temazepam(Halcion), a sleeping pill benzo.
Yet, the fastest relief I found was with Klonopin. Go figure! Now I can get by without Klonopin. and pretty much just use the Nardil/Fish oil.
Hang in there! Help is on the way!!
Posted by Edgefield on April 29, 2003, at 18:26:13
In reply to Re: derealization, posted by lawrence S. on April 29, 2003, at 18:00:38
Lawrence...I'm printing this posting and putting it on my bathroom mirror! Thank you so very much.
Yes, I'm believing in the name of Jesus to be delivered...through whatever means He chooses.I have heard time and time again that Klonopin will get rid of this symptom and I tried it for over two months. I was not able to function. It kept me so sleeeeeeeepy, but I'm going to take one tonight.
Could you please give me the dosage that you are taking of Klonopin, Fish Oil, Nardil, and Ritalin?
I have been taking fish oil for over two weeks now, maybe I need to switch to the liquid or a different brand. I'm also taking Seriphos, magnesium, calcium, b-complex, iron, and acidophilus. I could make a meal just on all the supplements that I take daily :)
I know that we all are different, but how long did you have to deal with this spacey feeling before you were delivered? Would you say that the current combination of meds. eleviated your symptoms? Was it mainly the Klonopin? How much and how long did you take the Klonopin before the symptom subsided? How effective was the Mirapex?
I understand about certain meds. causing your derealization to be worst. Zoloft and Remeron made mine worst. I only took the Remeron once and I knew from that one experience that I could not tolerate another day like that... I tried the Zoloft for over two months, only because my doctor kept insisting that the side effects would subside, but with each increase it became worst.
Sorry about rambling...but I'm truly thankful for your posting...the Lord has really used you to bless me and probably others this day :)
God Bless
Edgefield (Donna)
> I guarantee it he will deliver! I had derealization really severe. now it's totally gone. For me these are the meds that helped me that you might want to consider: Klonopin, Nardil, Fish oil, Ritalin. (This is what I'm on now) You may also find relief with: Luvox (or other ssri's) Mirapex (Dopamine agonist) And others. when I think of them I will post more. My derealization was so freaky and weird I was afraid to talk about it much less think about it. It gave me such bad panic that my guts would wrench and turn. I thought the only thing that would help me was an AP.
> Ativan seemed to increase my derealization. Why, I don't know. It should not have, since it is a benzo similar to klonopin. Perhaps it's because of Klonopin's anti-seizure properties? I often wonder if derealization is caused by a stress induced seizure?
> My derealization peaked at it's worst when I took Temazepam(Halcion), a sleeping pill benzo.
> Yet, the fastest relief I found was with Klonopin. Go figure! Now I can get by without Klonopin. and pretty much just use the Nardil/Fish oil.
> Hang in there! Help is on the way!!
Posted by McPac on April 29, 2003, at 21:18:11
In reply to Re: derealization » lawrence S., posted by Edgefield on April 29, 2003, at 18:26:13
Could either of you explain what derealization is and describe it? Thanks!
Posted by lawrence S. on April 29, 2003, at 22:18:08
In reply to Re: derealization » lawrence S., posted by Edgefield on April 29, 2003, at 18:26:13
I'm glad you responded so quickly to my post. Klonopin made me too sleepy I recall. Ir's just a good drug to take for quick relief and to get back on track. I only take 1-2mg of klonopin but I haven't had a problem with derealization for so long that I can stop it without a relapse. Unfortunately my body is so used to having it that I get other symptoms of anxiety. I'm probably somewhat hooked on it. When derealization was at it's worst I took about 5mg a day until I got on Luvox or Ritalin.
I take about 2tablespoons of Made from the sun brand (I'm not sure about the name) Just go to www.Iherb.com It's the 8oz. bottle cost $7.00
Or if you have the money you can go to www.Omegabrite.com and swallow about 6 capsules a day of thier product. You have to give it time and take the dose everyday for a couple months.
I take 60mg. of Nardil a day and 10mg of Ritalin.
One way to reduce the dosage of Klonopin is to take it with a good AD like Luvox, Mirapex, This can also cancel out the sedation effect of Klonopin as well.
Mirapex was pretty effective. Each dose increase causes nausea for a few days. This is a really good AD except for sudden sleep attacks! Carefull driving! You can take from .025 up to 5mg but slowly increase. It's best if you can take a mild stimulant such as Ritalin or Cylert(Pemoline)with mirapex.
Derealization started when I was a teenager and experimented with pot. Ther was so much of it around me when I was young it was almost impossible to escape it. Pot caused instant derealization but went away when it wore off.
I guess I've been dealing with this for about 35years
I'll keep you in my prayers
lawrence S.
Posted by lawrence S. on April 29, 2003, at 22:35:32
In reply to Lawrence/Edgefield....Re: derealization, posted by McPac on April 29, 2003, at 21:18:11
For me derealization is feeling like you are floating out of your body. Or sometimes it's a disbelief that anything is real. There are times when it can be pleasant like when you go on vacation and you ask yourself am I really here or just dreaming? Or when you are in love and it's your first kiss. Then again there are times when you may be giving a speech and you feel as if nothing around you is real or it's too quiet and it can cause anxiety, panic, Sometimes things can seem so strange out of place. Time can pass real slow Sounds can be amplified. Things look too large or small. I used to get this deja' vu feeling like I was doing the same thing over and over a trillion times and not able to stop. It can be an EXTREMELY distressing feeling.
Posted by daizy on April 30, 2003, at 7:11:53
In reply to Re: derealization, posted by lawrence S. on April 29, 2003, at 18:00:38
I have that derealization at the moment, it is really awful feeling, nothing seems right, and I feel out of place..... Its such a stupid feeling and I havnt really told anyone about it either, it would just sound stupid to somone who doesnt understand. Ive heard that Celexa and Klonopin are a good combo for this?
Posted by Edgefield on April 30, 2003, at 9:20:46
In reply to Re: derealization, posted by daizy on April 30, 2003, at 7:11:53
Are you taking the Celexa and Klonopin?
God Bless
> I have that derealization at the moment, it is really awful feeling, nothing seems right, and I feel out of place..... Its such a stupid feeling and I havnt really told anyone about it either, it would just sound stupid to somone who doesnt understand. Ive heard that Celexa and Klonopin are a good combo for this?
Posted by Edgefield on April 30, 2003, at 9:42:00
In reply to Lawrence/Edgefield....Re: derealization, posted by McPac on April 29, 2003, at 21:18:11
My derealization began with my first panic attack. Besides feeling panicky and out of control I felt as if I were dreaming...as if what I was experiencing wasn't real. My vision seems to have changed.
Have you ever put on someone elses prescription glasses? Do you remember how the world looked and how you felt with those glasses on? Well, that is the best way I could describe this derealization that I am experiencing.
In the beginning I use to constantly clean my glasses and adjust them on my face thinking that something was wrong with them.When I take Ativan it seems to help my vision and things don't look so of sort.
According to my doctors this is a common anxiety disorder, but unfortunately they are not sure what physically occurs in your body to trigger this symptom. I've learned that this feeling can be caused by anxiety, prescription and non-prescription medication (ecstasy, cannibis...)
It is difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced this feeling. I usually just tell people that I feel "woosie" or "dizzy". They are able to understand those terms instead of me saying that things don't seem real.
God Bless
> Could either of you explain what derealization is and describe it? Thanks!
Posted by Edgefield on April 30, 2003, at 10:05:55
In reply to Re: derealization, posted by lawrence S. on April 29, 2003, at 22:18:08
Are you taking Nardil for social anxiety? So the Luvox helped get rid of the derealization, or at least enabled you to reduce the Klonopin.
I would really like to know what is physically occuring to cause this symptom. I've heard various speculations from drs. I guess the bottom line is that they do not know.
Thanks again Lawrence for your help. I will keep you posted on my progress. I am looking forward to the day when I'll post a praise report about my deliverance!!! And I believe it will be soon :) Praise God!
God Bless
Edgefield
> I'm glad you responded so quickly to my post. Klonopin made me too sleepy I recall. Ir's just a good drug to take for quick relief and to get back on track. I only take 1-2mg of klonopin but I haven't had a problem with derealization for so long that I can stop it without a relapse. Unfortunately my body is so used to having it that I get other symptoms of anxiety. I'm probably somewhat hooked on it. When derealization was at it's worst I took about 5mg a day until I got on Luvox or Ritalin.
>
> I take about 2tablespoons of Made from the sun brand (I'm not sure about the name) Just go to www.Iherb.com It's the 8oz. bottle cost $7.00
>
> Or if you have the money you can go to www.Omegabrite.com and swallow about 6 capsules a day of thier product. You have to give it time and take the dose everyday for a couple months.
>
> I take 60mg. of Nardil a day and 10mg of Ritalin.
>
> One way to reduce the dosage of Klonopin is to take it with a good AD like Luvox, Mirapex, This can also cancel out the sedation effect of Klonopin as well.
>
> Mirapex was pretty effective. Each dose increase causes nausea for a few days. This is a really good AD except for sudden sleep attacks! Carefull driving! You can take from .025 up to 5mg but slowly increase. It's best if you can take a mild stimulant such as Ritalin or Cylert(Pemoline)with mirapex.
>
> Derealization started when I was a teenager and experimented with pot. Ther was so much of it around me when I was young it was almost impossible to escape it. Pot caused instant derealization but went away when it wore off.
>
> I guess I've been dealing with this for about 35years
>
> I'll keep you in my prayers
>
> lawrence S.
Posted by daizy on April 30, 2003, at 11:58:28
In reply to Re: Lawrence/Edgefield....Re: derealization » McPac, posted by Edgefield on April 30, 2003, at 9:42:00
Thats exactly how I feel too! Its weird I just woke up one day and felt everything had changed. Unfortunately Im not on Celexa and Klonopin, but I read somewhere that it had a good effect. I dont have a pdoc so...... If you have an understanding doc, maybe it would be a med combo to discuss?
Good luck.
> My derealization began with my first panic attack. Besides feeling panicky and out of control I felt as if I were dreaming...as if what I was experiencing wasn't real. My vision seems to have changed.
>
> Have you ever put on someone elses prescription glasses? Do you remember how the world looked and how you felt with those glasses on? Well, that is the best way I could describe this derealization that I am experiencing.
> In the beginning I use to constantly clean my glasses and adjust them on my face thinking that something was wrong with them.
>
> When I take Ativan it seems to help my vision and things don't look so of sort.
>
> According to my doctors this is a common anxiety disorder, but unfortunately they are not sure what physically occurs in your body to trigger this symptom. I've learned that this feeling can be caused by anxiety, prescription and non-prescription medication (ecstasy, cannibis...)
>
> It is difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced this feeling. I usually just tell people that I feel "woosie" or "dizzy". They are able to understand those terms instead of me saying that things don't seem real.
>
> God Bless
>
>
>
> > Could either of you explain what derealization is and describe it? Thanks!
>
>
Posted by Edgefield on April 30, 2003, at 13:03:53
In reply to Re: Lawrence/Edgefield....Re: derealization » Edgefield, posted by daizy on April 30, 2003, at 11:58:28
What meds. are you taking to eleviate this symptom?
> Thats exactly how I feel too! Its weird I just woke up one day and felt everything had changed. Unfortunately Im not on Celexa and Klonopin, but I read somewhere that it had a good effect. I dont have a pdoc so...... If you have an understanding doc, maybe it would be a med combo to discuss?
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> > My derealization began with my first panic attack. Besides feeling panicky and out of control I felt as if I were dreaming...as if what I was experiencing wasn't real. My vision seems to have changed.
> >
> > Have you ever put on someone elses prescription glasses? Do you remember how the world looked and how you felt with those glasses on? Well, that is the best way I could describe this derealization that I am experiencing.
> > In the beginning I use to constantly clean my glasses and adjust them on my face thinking that something was wrong with them.
> >
> > When I take Ativan it seems to help my vision and things don't look so of sort.
> >
> > According to my doctors this is a common anxiety disorder, but unfortunately they are not sure what physically occurs in your body to trigger this symptom. I've learned that this feeling can be caused by anxiety, prescription and non-prescription medication (ecstasy, cannibis...)
> >
> > It is difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced this feeling. I usually just tell people that I feel "woosie" or "dizzy". They are able to understand those terms instead of me saying that things don't seem real.
> >
> > God Bless
> >
> >
> >
> > > Could either of you explain what derealization is and describe it? Thanks!
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by daizy on April 30, 2003, at 16:44:22
In reply to Re: Lawrence/Edgefield....Re: derealization » daizy, posted by Edgefield on April 30, 2003, at 13:03:53
I dont have a pdoc, so Im just on TCA now to control my anxiety, which it does to an extent but has side effects which are anhedonia and Binge eating. I will have to wait for months for an appointment, and then I will probably be told by the doc that its nothing meds can help with, like I was by the last doc I saw nearly a year ago, its a screwed system In the UK. The docs dont seem half as clued up, and willing to try meds to make someone better, as American docs seem to be.
What meds. are you taking to eleviate this symptom?
>
>
> > Thats exactly how I feel too! Its weird I just woke up one day and felt everything had changed. Unfortunately Im not on Celexa and Klonopin, but I read somewhere that it had a good effect. I dont have a pdoc so...... If you have an understanding doc, maybe it would be a med combo to discuss?
> >
> > Good luck.
> >
> >
> > > My derealization began with my first panic attack. Besides feeling panicky and out of control I felt as if I were dreaming...as if what I was experiencing wasn't real. My vision seems to have changed.
> > >
> > > Have you ever put on someone elses prescription glasses? Do you remember how the world looked and how you felt with those glasses on? Well, that is the best way I could describe this derealization that I am experiencing.
> > > In the beginning I use to constantly clean my glasses and adjust them on my face thinking that something was wrong with them.
> > >
> > > When I take Ativan it seems to help my vision and things don't look so of sort.
> > >
> > > According to my doctors this is a common anxiety disorder, but unfortunately they are not sure what physically occurs in your body to trigger this symptom. I've learned that this feeling can be caused by anxiety, prescription and non-prescription medication (ecstasy, cannibis...)
> > >
> > > It is difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced this feeling. I usually just tell people that I feel "woosie" or "dizzy". They are able to understand those terms instead of me saying that things don't seem real.
> > >
> > > God Bless
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > > Could either of you explain what derealization is and describe it? Thanks!
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by lawrence S. on April 30, 2003, at 21:16:39
In reply to Re: derealization, posted by daizy on April 30, 2003, at 7:11:53
Another thing that should not be ruled out is the possiblity that you could have temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). This causes feelings of derealization and deja'vu. Check google for TLE as there is a lot of posts about it also babble search has much on it.
Posted by ace on May 1, 2003, at 2:38:00
In reply to Re: derealization, posted by lawrence S. on April 29, 2003, at 18:00:38
Posted by garylee on May 2, 2003, at 9:39:17
In reply to Re: Lawrence/Edgefield....Re: derealization, posted by daizy on April 30, 2003, at 16:44:22
Daizy
I know the feeling. Docs in the UK are generally useless, and have done me no good in fact only harm. I have been lucky enough to find a pdoc that is basically letting me try anything (with in reason) that I can back up with some kind of research, whether it be from the UK, US or any other country.
The way to get yourself seen to properly is to mention that your condition is making you suicidal. Even if your not, the alarm bells start ringing and you doc will have no choice but to refer you. If he won't seek legal action.
Good Luck
Gary
Posted by daizy on May 2, 2003, at 16:08:33
In reply to Re: Lawrence/Edgefield....Re: derealization, posted by garylee on May 2, 2003, at 9:39:17
> Daizy
>
> I know the feeling. Docs in the UK are generally useless, and have done me no good in fact only harm. I have been lucky enough to find a pdoc that is basically letting me try anything (with in reason) that I can back up with some kind of research, whether it be from the UK, US or any other country.
>
> The way to get yourself seen to properly is to mention that your condition is making you suicidal. Even if your not, the alarm bells start ringing and you doc will have no choice but to refer you. If he won't seek legal action.
>
> Good Luck
>
> GaryI dont want to get put in hospital or anything! But I get your point about that being the only way to get through to them, Ive had many bad experiences with doctors in this country, Im hoping my next one will be better. Its funny they are getting paid so much, for you to put all the hard work in really isnt it!
Posted by worrier on May 2, 2003, at 21:23:00
In reply to Re: Lawrence/Edgefield....Re: derealization » Edgefield, posted by daizy on April 30, 2003, at 11:58:28
Daisy, my best suggestion is to get a good pdoc soon. I'm sure that you MD is a good and understanding doc but primary care docs often don't have the expertise to correctly prescribe psychoactive drugs. I experienced derealization alot in association with anxiety/panic attacks and saw my MD for it when it became more frequent and disturbing. She put me on a series of different antidepressants, mostly SSRIs, each of which made the problems much worse (to the point that I finally ended up in the ER). Finally came to my senses and got myself to a good pdoc. It's been a year since my big downward spiral and while things aren't great they are much better. All I take is xanax .25
mg 4 or 5 times daily. As I said, things aren't perfect, but at least I'm functional and the derealization is all but gone...just little episodes now and then. Good luck to you. Worrier.
Posted by michael73 on May 3, 2003, at 23:47:20
In reply to derealization, posted by Edgefield on April 29, 2003, at 16:50:38
I have a lot of luck on derealization with Anafranil. Mine occurs apart from anxiety, I associate it with OCD though I've had GAD in the past. Pot + derealization is horrifying. I've had the visual disturbances - essentially impossible to describe to a normal person. I actually partially lost my vision for about a half hour - big bright pulsating blind spots. But with the Anafranil I felt in control of my mind and wasn't scared. In some ways it was gratifying in that it was definitely not just my imagination - I was largely blind - period. I think there's more to that visual thing. Derealization is just plain scary but I hope it helps to know that I've had it real bad and then had it subside. I was totally obsessed with it and fighting it. My advice is not to fight it but rather just go with it knowing that you're not alone and that it can subside. Prozac made it much worse in me. Michael73
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