Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 115463

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Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » Gabbi

Posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 14:28:45

In reply to Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » Squiggles, posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 14:14:41

It's called the *myelin sheath* and it covers
the nerve and protects it; its destruction
(and there are many causes, to my trepidation
i found nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, for
example) leads to many serious disorders such
as MS, and ther neurological diseases, besides
stroke and seizure.

Squiggles

 

Re: Benzo Withdrawl

Posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 14:29:51

In reply to Re: Benzo Withdrawl » hildi, posted by Gabbi on August 9, 2002, at 23:19:14

No Gabbi-that wasn't too long at all, it was very informative. Thanks for the reply.
I still don't understand though- how much Klonopin were you on? It looks like you wrote 50mg four times a day??

I am just thinking of starting benzos myself and am afraid. What is the non-benzo med you are using now for anxiety? Is it working?
Is the trazedone for anxiety? How about the phenobarbital- how does that fit into all this- were you given that while in the hospital or ?? (Sorry, I cannot remember what you may have said in previous posts about pheno).

I am definately keeping this info on the vitamin
C (buffered!)for in case I ever do go through something bad with the benzos- if I do go on them.
That, to me , is pretty amazing info that a vitamin so common could be of so much help.
Good luck to you Gabbi and I am really glad you are feeling better.
Hildi

 

Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail?

Posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 14:41:22

In reply to Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » hildi, posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 7:40:22

> After I had my "stroke/seizure/whatever"
> from Klonopin, one of the many weird things
> that happened was a tremendous craving for
> citrus fruits and i hate citrus fruits normally.
>
> Not sure why that was so, but i seemed to need
> Vitamin C.
>
> Squiggles

Very interesting! Thanks for the reply Squiggles-
Hey, I have to ask you something. I have read some of your posts, and it sounds like you have been through hell and back. Would it appropriate to say a lot of what you went through was mainly because of the klonopin?
It sounds as though you are back on it again, but I thought I read a post of yours that mentioned your dr. weaning you off- you are maybe on something different?
A lot of what I'm asking is this: knowing what you know now, would you have still have gone on klonopin? Or would you have taken something different?
I don't know what it was prescribed for you for. For me, I'm debating klonopin use for major anxiety d/o, and the SSRI's I have been taking don't address the anxiety completely- my life is very limited because of this. Also, the SSRI's make me more nervious/tense in other ways and have, as you probably already know, a slew of other side effects.
Hildi

 

Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » hildi

Posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 14:53:53

In reply to Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail?, posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 14:41:22

Hildi,

Of Lithium, Xanax, Synthroid (a pretty
dangerous drug if you overdose), Klonopin
is the worst.

It was not my choice to go on it - you are
not given a choice when you are given drugs -
it's not a restaurant with a menu. I think
I was given it for GAD or maybe because i was
dx'd bipolar - don;t know.

Last time i saw my dr. he mumbled something
about maybe putting me on some new drugs - which
send cold, icy shivers through my veins.
I hope i am just left alone the way i am now,
because frankly i fear medical experimentation.

Anyway, i hope drs. and pharms learn about
Klonopin withdrawal - it is beastly, and since
some medical professionals may take it themselves,
maybe there is hope.

It is not a drug that you can get off of - i
believe it changes your brain at least after many
yrs. of taking it.

Squiggles

 

Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi

Posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 15:05:21

In reply to Re: Benzo Withdrawl, posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 14:29:51

Yes I was taking 50mgs x4 and I don't think Benzo's are innately evil it depends what you are taking them for, and for how long. I think that they can be a life saver if prescribed for a short period while waiting for an A.D. to work. Some people do need to be on them for a long time. My p.doc said some people take 2 mgs of Ativan per day for long periods and have no problem, I was just taking them to cope with any crises and because they are short acting my mood swings were incredible. They also tend to exacerbate most depression over the long haul.
Klonopin I've heard is easier to withdraw from than Ativan, though like anything that is subject to debate. The trazedone was given to me for sleeplessness but it is also prescribed for others as an A.D which alleviates anxiety. I take a very small amount and its only temporary. Because for me actually increases my depression and therefore my anxiety if I take it the way it is normally prescribed.
My anxiety was originally part of my depression but taking the Ativan for much longer than it had been prescribed for and in too high an amount perpetuated it because of the constant rebound anxiety it caused. Then I would take more to eliminate the rebound anxiety and so it goes....
Now that I'm off of it, I don't have those excruciating anxiety attacks because My A.Ds have lifted the depression and therefore the co morbid anxiety.
Its a really tricky thing though, because for me stimulants are actually much better for my anxiety than "downers" I'm on dexedrine which I thought would send me through the roof, but it actually makes me feel relatively normal!!
I really think its a matter of luck in finding a Doctor who is an artist in diagnosing, and atypical drug responses.
Its all so confusing,
But if I can help at all, ask away, I've been through many many treatments for Unipolar Depression with G.A.D.
I am fortunate to have a genius Psychopharmacologist who was consistantly correct in his educated prescription combinations which were seen as unorthodox to most General practioners. He is willing to see me as a patient again even after years of my taking other Drs advice because they were just closer. He also doesn't mind a bit If I ask a question for someone else.

 

The Sheath » Squiggles

Posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 15:10:45

In reply to Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » Gabbi, posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 14:28:45

That information was really appreciated, Its a personal thing, I hate not having the accurate terms, I used to have a rain-man like ability to remember that kind of thing, but its leaving me...
Thanks Again
Gabbi

 

Good timing Squiggles... » Squiggles

Posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 15:15:42

In reply to Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » hildi, posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 14:53:53

Another myth put to rest, I'd been told Klonopin was fairly easy to withdraw from. and I'd put that in my post to Hildi saying that it was of course a debatable theory, and your post showed up in the nick of time. Brilliant.

 

Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi » Gabbi

Posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 15:23:08

In reply to Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi, posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 15:05:21

50mg x 4 - can't be right - that would
kill a hoard of elephants; maybe 0.50 x 4

Squiggles

 

Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi » Gabbi

Posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 15:27:19

In reply to Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi, posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 15:05:21

Hi. Your doctor sounds wonderful Gabbi- how lucky for you! And for us- you can actually ask him questions for us??! What a nice guy! I can't even ask questions about myself with my dr.! You have unipolar with GAD? Is GAD 'comorbid anxiety'?
I agree that it's strange the dexedrine doesn't send you through the roof. I thought stimulants were prescribed for ADD? If you don't have ADD then it shows, again, how you really don't know WHAT will work for someone!
It kind of reminds me of when I first started meds, my 1st AD being prozac. Now I have Major anxiety , maybe GAD- but I think worse.! My depresson is: I don't know, maybe unipolar, maybe something else. But anyway. . . prozac is supposed to be rather stimulating, right? For me, I was more focused and calm. Just the opposite of what I thought a stimulating AD would do to me. However, after a while on prozac I did have reactions. I wonder if I would have had these SE's if my dose had been lower? Hmmm.

I was interested to learn more about the trazadone, but it sounds like it can be a depressant to some. With my similar reaction to a stimulating med, I wonder if the traz would have the same depressing effect on me.

Hildi

 

Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » Squiggles

Posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 15:32:48

In reply to Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » hildi, posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 14:53:53

> Hildi,
>
> Of Lithium, Xanax, Synthroid (a pretty
> dangerous drug if you overdose), Klonopin
> is the worst.
>
> It was not my choice to go on it - you are
> not given a choice when you are given drugs -
> it's not a restaurant with a menu. I think
> I was given it for GAD or maybe because i was
> dx'd bipolar - don;t know.
>
> Last time i saw my dr. he mumbled something
> about maybe putting me on some new drugs - which
> send cold, icy shivers through my veins.
> I hope i am just left alone the way i am now,
> because frankly i fear medical experimentation.
>
> Anyway, i hope drs. and pharms learn about
> Klonopin withdrawal - it is beastly, and since
> some medical professionals may take it themselves,
> maybe there is hope.
>
> It is not a drug that you can get off of - i
> believe it changes your brain at least after many
> yrs. of taking it.
>
> Squiggles

Thanks Squiggles. Now I'm nervious. You were not taking it very long (only two years or less, right?)and look what you experienced!
Wow, I am thinking differently about this med now.
Hildi

 

Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi » Squiggles

Posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 15:35:02

In reply to Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi » Gabbi, posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 15:23:08

> 50mg x 4 - can't be right - that would
> kill a hoard of elephants; maybe 0.50 x 4
>
> Squiggles

Yipes! Thats what I thought! Maybe Gabbi did mean .50, NOT 50!

 

Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » hildi

Posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 15:41:12

In reply to Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » Squiggles, posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 15:32:48

No - i was taking it VERY long - 17 years -
it may have been a different story if i
had taken 1 or 2 yrs.

This thread must be driving people crazy;

Squiggles

 

Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi » Gabbi

Posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 16:20:23

In reply to Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi, posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 15:05:21

Hey Gabbi. Do You think it is the effexor or the dexedrine that is responsible for the depression and anxiety lift?
Hildi

 

Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi

Posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 17:25:09

In reply to Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi » Gabbi, posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 16:20:23

Its definately the dexedrine, I just started effexor, but I've been on the dexedrine for about 4 years. Its a small amount, but apparently it can lift/depression anxiety in some on its own, but you'd probably have to keep upping the dosage which would get ugly. In my case my Pdoc said it would also boost the effect of the medication without increasing the side effects.

I flipped at first thinking Amphetemines those are just bad. I learned that the amount prescribed for dieters where many of the horror stories came from, was 180 to 200 mgs and I'm only on 20mgs, never been tempted to increase it, and recently learned that I don't have to take them every day, there is no appreciable withdrawl, so now I take them only if I'm having a really bad day.

 

HILDI !thanks squiggles that should be 0.5x4 klon. (nm)

Posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 17:30:15

In reply to Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi, posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 17:25:09

 

Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles

Posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 17:35:00

In reply to HILDI !thanks squiggles that should be 0.5x4 klon. (nm), posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 17:30:15

I'm absolutely new to this board besides that stupid but dangerous error am I doing something I shouldn't be? Or is it that its kind of a convoluted thread..Of course maybe its not good to try and write about medication correctly while undergoing a medication change.

 

Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi » Gabbi

Posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 19:13:02

In reply to Re: Benzo Withdrawl Hildi, posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 17:25:09

Hi Gabbi. I sure have been learning alot of things lately on this board and learning much from you. I had no idea until recently that dexedrine was anything but a diet drug, and I also had wierd ideas about amphetamines. There are many other uses apparently other than to get high.
When I was younger and did speed I always got sick- sometimes threw-up, then got very tired and wanted to sleep. I never got a buzz from amphetamines. . . wonder what this means, if anything. I am just wondering about these types of meds because if you are unipolar and it benefits you then there are many more applications for this med . . .
The Dexedrine increases the effects of the effexor? I think effexor itself is a more stimulating AD. but I could be wrong. That might just have been my reaction. I got really wierded-out on it.
How did you like prozac? Did you start feeling bad on them after a while-is that why dr. thought they weren't working anymore? That's funny. My dr.'s reaction when I started to feel like crude when I was on prozac was to just UP the med. But thats his opinion on every med when there is a bad effect!
So you take the dexedrine in AM? If you took later would it affect your sleep at night?
And you mentioned you take it as needed? So, if you are real anxious or depressed some days you can take 20mg and feel it working a little bit later?
Hmmm. Interesting!
Thanks so much again, for all the info.
Hildi

 

Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles » Gabbi

Posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 19:23:31

In reply to Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles, posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 17:35:00

Hi. I'm not sure what you mean as far as doing something you shouldn't be . . .As for that mistake, I figured it was a typo or some sort of error. no big deal. . I knew I would get it figured out by you, or someone else.

The whole point of this board is to discuss meds, support each other, offer advice, suggest or talk about meds or supplements that worked for some, things that didn't work, etc. . .
This thread is as important as any other. I NEED to talk about this. Anyway, if it drives anyone crazy they don't have to read this particular thread, you know?
Besides, look at some of the other threads here . . .who is going to judge what is crazy and what is not?!
I appreciate all your help. Please keep posting!
Hildi

 

Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles » hildi

Posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 19:30:08

In reply to Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles » Gabbi, posted by hildi on August 10, 2002, at 19:23:31

Hokey,

just thought it may be getting really
long - Does Dr. Bob have limits on how long
a subject can go on, i wonder;

Squiggles

 

Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles Hildi

Posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 19:51:33

In reply to Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles » hildi, posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 19:30:08

No I don't think Dr. Bob has a limit on how long a thread can be. And discussing medication is pretty intricate, so I think it should be okay,
especially if its helpful. I'm sure he'll let us know, and I agree with Hildi, people don't have to read it if they don't want too.

 

Re: P.S Hildi

Posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 19:56:32

In reply to Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles Hildi, posted by Gabbi on August 10, 2002, at 19:51:33

You can also e-mail me if you want to at Princessdirt at Hotmail.com

 

Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles » Squiggles

Posted by Dinah on August 10, 2002, at 20:39:02

In reply to Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles » hildi, posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 19:30:08

Chuckle. You need to check the archives. There was a thread on, I think, Effexor withdrawal that went on for years.

 

Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles » Dinah

Posted by Squiggles on August 10, 2002, at 21:00:11

In reply to Re: Driving people crazy...Squiggles » Squiggles, posted by Dinah on August 10, 2002, at 20:39:02

Phew,

I feel much better now. :-)

Squiggles

 

Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » Gabbi

Posted by jay on August 11, 2002, at 18:46:08

In reply to Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail?, posted by Gabbi on August 9, 2002, at 18:39:15


Hi Gabbi:

(My apologies to Dr. Bob...this is just one paragraph of non-med stuff..I promise. :-)
Well..us Canucks gotta look out for each other, eh?..hehe. Now...about the f*&ing government...I have *hated* the Conservatives since day 1, because the go after the poor, the ones on welfare, the sick, etc. They are a bunch of arrogant, selfish, mean idiots, who like to pick on the less-fortunate. When they first got elected in 1995, the first group they went after where those on welfare, and I have studies (I took social work in college) that show that less then .01 percent of people on welfare *truly* abuse the system. Meanwhile, look at Enron, Worldcom, greedy, selfish theives, corporations who only care about themselves. Government and Business are in bed with each other, and the face of capitalism MUST change. (/rant)

OK...so my heart and empathy are with you. I might suggest getting in touch with the Parkdale Community Legal Centre in Toronto, as they take on cases like yours, and you can sue the a** off the government.

About Effexor...you hear a lot of 'scarry' stories on here, but I will give you my advise from my experience. (And no, it is not that bad..)
First...start on the lowest dose possible...and stay there for months if you have to, until you feel little side effects. The body needs to adjust to the med. (Use benzos as much as needed.)
After which...I would say go to 75mg...then the same...and to a max of 150mg. I've been on the drug for five years, at all doses, and the higher doses may bring a quick 'zip' of relief, but then the side effects kick in, and you become a zombie. I am a pretty big guy too, at 5'11", 230lbs.

I also take a small dose of Zyprexa, 5mg's, which helps a bit with mood stabalization and a bit with sleep.(I go on Epival/Depakote when I get a bad 'manic' spell.) I am not sure about Risperdal or Seroquel. The Zyprexa may work against your Dexedrine, so I don't know about that also.

Myself, my doc has me as BPII with rapid cycling,
and both major depression and major anxiety.(Every type of anxiety, actually..GAD, SP, etc.)
My doc told me he is not really worried about the diagnosis, but rather the symptoms. That is good for me, because he goes through my symptoms, and matches the med.

So...please let me know what you think about what I have said, and how you are doing. I hope you are doing well. The Effexor may be a bit of a rough ride, but I have done several studies on myself, one on Effexor, and one off it, and I am much, much better on it.

Ohhh..and just to not...also...try to clear up as many life issues as you can. Just one at a time. For example..I had a MAJOR dental phobia...neglected dentist for two years, and now that I have my dental work, I feel like a ton of bricks have come off my shoulder. That is just one of many examples.

Please let me know how you are doing...and sorry for the long post.

Jay:-)


> Wow Jay
> I really needed that post of yours, just that feeling of connection eh? Seriously, I'm attempting to battle the Gov who wants me to repay my welfare benefits because somehow they decided I made 43000 dollars last year. My huge earnings were actually 7200, and now they are threatening to not give me my cheque this month ARRRGGHH That and a medication change too much.
> Oh that was really social babble stuff, but your post really helped scrape me from the ceiling.
>
> Lets see, Doc says my Prozac probably stopped being effective, so I'm lowering my dose gradually while adding Effexor slowly, I got myself off Benzos with the aid of vit C. 3wks ago never been able to stop them before, so now I've got trazedone 50mgs for the anxiety, which might be stopped if the effexor works for that also I'm still prescribed cytomel and dexedrine I think thats everything.
> My official title is Miss Major progressive unipolor refractory depression w/comorbid anxiety, its been eight years with a few blessed remissions. Whats your Title?
>
> Many Thanks from a grateful Gabbi.
>
>

 

Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail?

Posted by Gabbi on August 11, 2002, at 19:55:26

In reply to Re: Gabbi...what is your new cocktail? » Gabbi, posted by jay on August 11, 2002, at 18:46:08

Thank-you so much for the advice, and I'm actually going to take it! I've been scared about effexor too, but my doc is pretty good, so I took it, but I will only gradually increase thanks to you. Also Kate-Kite the woman of sensitive reasonable answers said to someone else, remember most of the people who would bother to post something about a medication are the ones who have the negative experiences.

And as for the******* gov't thanks for the empathy on that too, especially when someone posted on P.S.B mentioned your recent good fortune, and had one of those OMG I forgot moments and thought you might see it as begging. Even though I've mentioned my current frustrations re: our precious govt (which echoes what you said exactly) to people as badly off as I am, I panicked.

A very appreciative Gabbi
P.s So Far so Good...med wise.


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