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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Chris O on April 6, 2005, at 0:14:57
In reply to Re: At-home sleep studies, other stuff » Chris O, posted by Sarah T. on April 5, 2005, at 23:33:33
Sarah:
Feeling very panicky the last few days, so I guess the inositol isn't doing anything. I bought a couple of bottles of Jarrow powdered inositol from iherb.com a while back. Started on a trial, then stopped, then thought I'd start again last week. Taking about 10 grams a day. After a week, naw, it's not combatting my panic and anxiety. Perhaps I haven't taken it long enough though. The studies with inositol for panic/OCD were all for 4-6 weeks. I'll keep giving it a go.
What you say about melatonin, yeah, that's good advice. Actually, I've thought of it more in line with Ambien, because Ambien is stronger. My doctor prescribed it to me last year when I was having trouble sleeping, but I didn't take it because I worried, "What if I'm choking and I don't wake up?" That's how people die with sleep apnea. He said that wouldn't happen, but I don't have much faith in him, so...plus, I don't really have a sleep disorder; I have an anxiety disorder that gets in the way of my sleep. I am certain that is my problem. And I feel so panicky sometimes...the last few days have been horrible, I worry that I am going to hell, that I will disintegrate, that I will just go crazy and kill myself, because, sometimes, I just, if I feel I can't control my mind, then I get very very scared. But...as long as I remind myself it's just anxiety...I can tend to keep things under wrap. I'm not in a good place though. I'm probably going to have to go on some kind of med again, it's just that...I don't want to and, I don't know what to take. I've got my Cymbalta samples still here, but...we'll see. There's so much more than I could ever put in one of these posts, but...thankfully, I do have a supportive girlfriend.
Anyway, might take a few days of these message boards as my computer also broke down yesterday. And, perfect timing, we needed it to print something for our home business. Whoopee!
I hope you are doing better than I. I will post back and update in the future.
Sincerely,
Chris
Posted by Sarah T. on April 7, 2005, at 0:48:31
In reply to I'm struggling » Sarah T., posted by Chris O on April 6, 2005, at 0:14:57
Hi Chris. Thanks for all that information. I will try to reply at greater length tomorrow or the next day. I'm exhausted tonight, and I feel as if I'm coming down with a bug. I hope that you and your computer are feeling better!
Posted by Spriggy on April 7, 2005, at 11:39:51
In reply to Re: I'm struggling » Chris O, posted by Sarah T. on April 7, 2005, at 0:48:31
I can relate to much of those feelings; I seem to live on "high alert" all the time. I'm not exactly in that horrific anxiety state that you mentioned (RIGHT NOW) but I have been there many times and seem to visit it at least once a week.
Have you tried any Benzo's to help?
Another thing I would mention because you sound like you want to crawl out of your skin (which was how bad I was at one time), is Seroquel. if you read over at: Crazymeds.org
Supposedly, Seroquel is great for "our" type of anxiety. Please consider calling your doctor and asking about it- mine gave me samples.
I know people swear it clears the racing thoughts and jumping out of skin feeling. I am too new on it to tell you just yet, but I'll keep you posted.
I hate you are feeling this way. It is SOOO miserable, people just can not even understand!
Posted by Sarah T. on April 8, 2005, at 1:45:31
In reply to I'm struggling » Sarah T., posted by Chris O on April 6, 2005, at 0:14:57
Hi Chris,
I just did a very short search on Inositol. You've probably researched it at length, so I'm sure you know all there is to know about it. It looks as if there have been some studies indicating that inositol is helpful for depression. I do remember my pdoc mentioning it a few years ago. He had also mentioned high doses of B12.
I think I might have told you before that, some years ago, I went through a bad stretch with terrible anxiety and panic. During that time, my pdoc suggested that I order some audio tapes from The MidWest Center for Stress and Anxiety. I did order that tape set, the one for attacking anxiety and depression. I found the tapes very helpful. I still use some of the self-calming techniques. In fact, I should probably listen to those tapes again. When my doctor first suggested the tapes, I was very reluctant to look into
them, but I have to say that I'm glad I did. When I used the tapes, they didn't have a website, but I see they do have one now. It is www.stresscenter.com. During the worst part of my panic attack phase, I was on Xanax, which I do NOT recommend because it is short-acting and addictive. I replaced the Xanax with long-acting Klonopin, and it was at that time that I started using the audiotapes. Gradually, I was able to get off the Klonopin completely. I tapered off the Klonopin VERY slowly, and I used the anti-panic/anti-anxiety techniques I learned from the tapes. I don't usually buy self-help tapes and books, etc, but I'm mentioning them here because 1) they really helped me, and 2) it seems as if you would like to treat your symptoms as naturally as possible.Another suggestion I have is Magnesium. I started taking it regularly this past year, and it helps relax me. Sometimes, it is a bit too relaxing, so I take it at night. Right now, I take 200-400 mg of Magnesium glycinate at night, right before bed. If I forget to take it, and then wake up in the early morning, I've found it's best not to take it then. If I take the Magnesium too late at night (or too close to the morning), I'm too much of a slug to get out of bed. For several years, I'd take a combination pill of calcium and magnesium citrate, but, for me, the magnesium seems more calming when taken by itself in the form of Magnesium glycinate. I'll probably try Magnesium citrate by itself again. If I take extra calcium, I take it during the day rather than at night.
Have you been exercising regularly? Do you exercise every day? What time of day do you exercise? I think I would disintegrate if I didn't exercise. It is the ONLY thing that has been consistently reliable in helping my depression and anxiety over many years.
I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time now. Remember that it really hasn't been that long since you got off of Lexapro. I've found that it takes a long time to adjust to being medication-free, regardless of what the drug company ads say about withdrawal (or, in their words, "discontinuation syndrome"). By the way, how long had you been on 5-HTP before you decided to stop it? Do you think there might be some kind of "withdrawal" phase when stopping alternative treatments?
You mentioned that you have Cymbalta samples. I have some samples, too. I had tried Cymbalta a few months ago, but it was too much for me. Recently I read that "barbaracat" (another PB poster) takes just 13 grains/pellets out of the Cymbalta capsule, and she's finding it helpful. I might try that at some point, but I'm holding off for now. If and when I go back on prescribed meds, I think I want to stick with what's "tried and true," and right now, Cymbalta has only been on the market for about a half-year or so. So, while it's been "tried," it's still not "true."
I hope you'll be feeling better soon.
Posted by Sarah T. on April 10, 2005, at 0:39:51
In reply to I'm struggling » Sarah T., posted by Chris O on April 6, 2005, at 0:14:57
Hi Chris,
I do hope you're feeling better than you were a few days ago. I have a question for you. Does your girlfriend say that you snore at night? I was thinking about those episodes you've had, when you wake up in a panic, and I was concerned about the possibility of apnea. I'm pretty sure that apnea can be successfully treated with one of those CPAP (?) devices.
This is the end of the thread.
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