Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 240275

Shown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Anxiety

Posted by girl on July 9, 2003, at 9:29:51

My anxiety attacks are pretty often. It could be triggered by anything. A looming deadline (I'm a writer) or money or just simply being alone. I've taken to Tylenol PM and Simply Sleep to get me through nights sometimes. But I am sick and tired of being afraid and panicking at nothing.
I'm one of the luckier people. I don't really have to work and I don't have to worry about money, but here I am worrying and filled with anxiety. It makes no sense. I know I don't have to worry and still I'm scared stiff. I'm on Prozac, Risperdal, Rivotril, Stilnox and for a time a bit Epival. I even tried Valium but that got me nowhere. I feel like a drug cocktail. Can someone offer some advice?

 

Re: Anxiety » girl

Posted by Ilene on July 9, 2003, at 11:57:53

In reply to Anxiety, posted by girl on July 9, 2003, at 9:29:51

> My anxiety attacks are pretty often. It could be triggered by anything. A looming deadline (I'm a writer)

How do you manage that? I was a writer for a while. I ended up being so frozen that everything I wrote was like a first-grade reader.

or money or just simply being alone. I've taken to Tylenol PM and Simply Sleep to get me through nights sometimes.

I have a sleep disorder and I use a "big light" (what people use for SAD) to keep my circadian rhythms under control (sort of), provigil to be awake during the day, and neurontin before I go to sleep. It works most of the time. *Much* better than the intense insomnia I used to have. (I hate lying awake.) Wouldn't hurt to try the light, if not the drugs.

Right now I prefer being alone, but I have a family. I feel like the maid (cook, clean), plus I feel completely inadequate and that I am dragging them down. At least when I am alone there is no one watching my misery.

(Why would anyone want to "feel my pain"?)

But I am sick and tired of being afraid and panicking at nothing.
> I'm one of the luckier people. I don't really have to work and I don't have to worry about money, but here I am worrying and filled with anxiety. It makes no sense.

Of course it makes no sense! I feel worse realizing it makes no sense. On the other hand, is there any reason why it should?

I just inherited some money, but I don't feel much better. Now I worry about the money. I worry about the birds outside my window. I worry about driving. I worry about my body--I feel like it's gradually seizing up.

I know I don't have to worry and still I'm scared stiff. I'm on Prozac, Risperdal, Rivotril, Stilnox and for a time a bit Epival. I even tried Valium but that got me nowhere. I feel like a drug cocktail. Can someone offer some advice?

Not really. I've never heard of most of those drugs. Clonazepam (klonopin) helps a little.

I too feel like an animated pillbox. I wonder if some of the my difficulties are caused by the drugs.

Positive experiences fill me with dread. I know everything is distorted, but that just makes it worse, because the "insight" doesn't help at all. I just feel more inadequate.

Sometimes I can keep the extreme anxiety a few inches away for a few minutes, but the effort is as intense as the anxiety. Sometimes I can distract myself with reading, but the distraction is only temporary.

My neck and shoulder muscles are constantly contracted. A deep enough massage to loosen them leaves me with bruises. When I had physical therapy I had to take ibuprofen (advil or motrin) before I went in, and had to be iced for 10 minutes afterwards.

I hate the effort of constantly reminding myself to relax. Tension keeps me from collapsing into tears. Relaxation exercises give me time to ruminate. I took yoga classes for a couple of years, but then one day I just couldn't be around all those people.


 

Re: Anxiety

Posted by shadez on July 9, 2003, at 14:31:30

In reply to Re: Anxiety » girl, posted by Ilene on July 9, 2003, at 11:57:53

I have been on every drug you mentioned, at one time or another. Though by being on the drugs its really hard to tell what is a side effect and what is really you. It took me almost 3 years to come off all the drugs with Klonopin being the last of them. I'm very anxious today. I have found though though the year that if I drink a glass of Orange Juice. It clams me down alot, excercise also make me calmer.

"Right now I prefer being alone, but I have a family. I feel like the maid (cook, clean), plus I feel completely inadequate and that I am dragging them down. At least when I am alone there is no one watching my misery."

I've felt this way for most of my life, too. I've been on so many kinds of drugs, I don't know what I feel like without drugs. Hopefully I'll be able to tell you in a few weeks. Hang in there!

 

Re: Anxiety

Posted by JETS on July 9, 2003, at 15:15:43

In reply to Re: Anxiety, posted by shadez on July 9, 2003, at 14:31:30

You sound like your beyond help :0

Good luck!!

 

Re: Anxiety » JETS

Posted by Viridis on July 9, 2003, at 15:28:15

In reply to Re: Anxiety, posted by JETS on July 9, 2003, at 15:15:43

I seriously doubt she's beyond help -- there are just too many treatments out there that can work for different people, sometimes in combination. That can take some trial and error, but I certainly wouldn't give up. For me, Klonopin was the real life-changing med for anxiety, and I don't have to take much (1 mg/day). I've been at that dose for two years with no need for increase. I've added some other things for ADD and depression, but K was really the turning point.

Another thing to consider (maybe together with meds) is cognitive therapy -- many people swear by it.

 

Re: blocked for week » JETS

Posted by Dr. Bob on July 9, 2003, at 17:26:28

In reply to Re: Anxiety, posted by JETS on July 9, 2003, at 15:15:43

> You sound like your beyond help :0

Sorry, but I don't think I can consider it supportive to suggest that someone may be beyond help. I've asked you to be supportive before, so this time I'm going to block you from posting for a week.

Bob

 

Way to go Bob!! (nm)

Posted by jlo820 on July 10, 2003, at 0:35:57

In reply to Re: blocked for week » JETS, posted by Dr. Bob on July 9, 2003, at 17:26:28

 

Re: Way to go Bob!!

Posted by girl on July 10, 2003, at 9:19:15

In reply to Way to go Bob!! (nm), posted by jlo820 on July 10, 2003, at 0:35:57

Thank you Dr.Bob. It was really disenheartening to hear I was a hopeless case. Especially since I'm starting to believe it. Six years of therapy, hospitals and medication... I'm starting to ask the one up above why He keeps me hanging around this earth. Not self-pity here, just pain. I want to stop hurting.

 

Re: Way to go Bob!! » girl

Posted by Viridis on July 10, 2003, at 10:19:42

In reply to Re: Way to go Bob!!, posted by girl on July 10, 2003, at 9:19:15

It's very unlikely that you're a hopeless case -- you probably just have to search high and low for the right psychiatrist, someone who really understands what you're going through. It took me quite a few years, but I'm finally starting to feel normal. I expect you'll be able to get the right help if you just persevere. I know all the trial and error is rough, but it's worth it!

 

Re: Way to go Bob!!

Posted by irishcatholic on July 10, 2003, at 11:42:52

In reply to Re: Way to go Bob!! » girl, posted by Viridis on July 10, 2003, at 10:19:42

there are many long term sufferers who find the right combination
also the biochemists are making new things every year
hang in there!

 

Re: Way to go Bob!!

Posted by Craig Getty on July 10, 2003, at 12:06:47

In reply to Re: Way to go Bob!!, posted by irishcatholic on July 10, 2003, at 11:42:52

Remember that the nature of these diseases/conditions is that they cause us to feel hopeless and distort our perceptions. It's part of it's bag of evil tricks. Just remind yourself that the hopelessness you often feel is another symptom of what you are trying to beat. These are powerful thoughts to overcome, but the reality is that there eventually should be some form of treatment that WILL work for you. Not only are there many types and combinations of medications to try right now, there are even more being developed every year. When I've felt helpless in the past I've found therapy helpful. I don't think for me it is ultimately the answer to my depression, but it helps put things in perspective so I can "regroup my thoughts" and continue fighting.

Hang in there,

Craig

 

Amen to the above post » Craig Getty

Posted by KellyD on July 10, 2003, at 13:38:51

In reply to Re: Way to go Bob!!, posted by Craig Getty on July 10, 2003, at 12:06:47

Ms. Girl,
Hang in there. No case is hopeless and there is a reason you are here, in this world, at this time. Keep fighting and you will find your victory. Best of all wishes to you.

 

Thank you.

Posted by girl on July 10, 2003, at 15:56:58

In reply to Amen to the above post » Craig Getty, posted by KellyD on July 10, 2003, at 13:38:51

You know, it was my psych who told me to venture onto this site. I have never felt so much support before. It astounds me. Nevermind the I'm not alone crap. The fact is that you reply to what I say and think. That makes all the difference in the world out here in the real time.

As smarmy as it is, I wanted to share a poem by Dorothy Parker. When I first read it, I laughed. It was dark and comical and true.

Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.

May we all live and beat our inner demons.

 

Re: Thank you.

Posted by glenn on July 11, 2003, at 12:04:47

In reply to Thank you., posted by girl on July 10, 2003, at 15:56:58

I am also glad Dr Bob blocked that twerp, after many more pills than you are on I finally plucked up the courage to try xanax, it worked in 30 minutes whereas valium , klonopin and librium did nothing!
There are plenty of meds, herbs, supplements and tecniques you have probably not tried, put these in google and have a look:
Tryptozen
L theanine
Holy Basil
Niacinamide
Pikamilon
Pregabalin (soon to be available)
Thats just off the cuff!
The problem with this illness is that it feels like you will never get better and nothing will ever work, it Lies!!!
And you don't need twerps telling you that it's right because it isn't!!

Glenn

 

Re: Thank you.

Posted by KimberlyDi on July 11, 2003, at 13:14:04

In reply to Thank you., posted by girl on July 10, 2003, at 15:56:58

Ms. Girl,
You've found your own kind here. *Normal* people can't relate or understand anywhere near as well. As in any group, the not-so-nice folks reside as well. Thankfully, our fragile psychies are protected by Dr.Bob. A high-five (^5) to you for seeing the warmth and caring of the others and not focusing on the one negative poster.
Good luck!
KDi in Texas

p.s. I love that poem. I keep a file of my favorite posts by others & have added that poem to it!


> You know, it was my psych who told me to venture onto this site. I have never felt so much support before. It astounds me. Nevermind the I'm not alone crap. The fact is that you reply to what I say and think. That makes all the difference in the world out here in the real time.
>
> As smarmy as it is, I wanted to share a poem by Dorothy Parker. When I first read it, I laughed. It was dark and comical and true.
>
> Razors pain you;
> Rivers are damp;
> Acids stain you;
> And drugs cause cramp.
> Guns aren't lawful;
> Nooses give;
> Gas smells awful;
> You might as well live.
>
> May we all live and beat our inner demons.

 

Re: please be civil » glenn

Posted by Dr. Bob on July 11, 2003, at 19:16:03

In reply to Re: Thank you., posted by glenn on July 11, 2003, at 12:04:47

> that twerp

It's great to support Girl, but please at the same time be sensitive to the feelings of others and don't post anything that could lead them to feel accused or put down, either. Thanks,

Bob

 

(((((gentle hug to you)))))) » girl

Posted by galkeepinon on July 11, 2003, at 21:22:06

In reply to Re: Way to go Bob!!, posted by girl on July 10, 2003, at 9:19:15

you are not a hopeless case....just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and hope you feel better soon, I just saw this post.
I'm here for you.


Gal

> Thank you Dr.Bob. It was really disenheartening to hear I was a hopeless case. Especially since I'm starting to believe it. Six years of therapy, hospitals and medication... I'm starting to ask the one up above why He keeps me hanging around this earth. Not self-pity here, just pain. I want to stop hurting.

 

Re: please be civil

Posted by glenn on July 12, 2003, at 3:56:12

In reply to Re: please be civil » glenn, posted by Dr. Bob on July 11, 2003, at 19:16:03

Apologies bob, guess I just let my feelings about the insensitivity of the post get to me.

Glenn


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