Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 337755

Shown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

I NEED ADVICE!!

Posted by BRC on April 19, 2004, at 13:55:04

I have just started posting here and everyone seems so knowledeable and understanding. So, I was hoping someone may give me some input as to what is going on with my mind. First I'll give you a little background of myself. I am a 28 year old male and was diagnosed in 2000 with severe anxiety, Deprresion, and OCD. It has been a diificult struggle because at first all of my symptoms were physical. So, I had every medical test and saw every specialist there is. But no-one could find anything physically wrong with me. So, natuarlly I ended up seeing several psychiatrists and have been on numerous medications. I currently see the most sought after p-doc in my area. And he is good. I have also been through CBT theraby. But despite all of the doctors, mounting medical bills, and medication, my mind is still messed up. Before I got ill I had graduated from a major University with a 3.5 g.p.a. and was working full time at a major millitary instillation and everything was fine. But now my brain has gone haywire. My main symptoms are constant racing unwanted thoughts and memmories (my doc says this is probably a severe case of ocd). But I have been taking the medication, doing the therapy, exercising, researching the illnesses, and doing what the doc says. But my mind is still a train wreck. Before I considered myself smart with a good head on my shoulders, and now I doubt my own judgement. All of this being said. My question is could the medication that I am taking be causing my mind to race, my thoughts to be distorted, and past memmories flood my mind. Or could it be that I am not on the right medication? It is very hard to function like this and it is very Depressing. I just want my old-self back again. Sorry for such a long post and so much personal info. But anyones input would be greatfully appreciated. My current meds are Lexapro 20mg, Remeron 30mg, and Klonopin 4mg

 

Re: I NEED ADVICE!!

Posted by Bill LL on April 19, 2004, at 14:57:47

In reply to I NEED ADVICE!!, posted by BRC on April 19, 2004, at 13:56:39

Do you still have your military installation job?
How are you functioning at your job? Are you getting your work done?

When did you start on each of your medications?

Also, what were your physicial symptoms before you started on medications?

 

Re: I NEED ADVICE!!

Posted by Keith Talent on April 20, 2004, at 22:08:07

In reply to I NEED ADVICE!!, posted by BRC on April 19, 2004, at 13:55:04

Maybe the combination of Lexapro and Remeron is making you a little high. Is there any family history of bipolar disorders?

 

Re: To Keith Talent this is BRC

Posted by BRC on April 21, 2004, at 14:10:30

In reply to Re: I NEED ADVICE!!, posted by Keith Talent on April 20, 2004, at 22:08:07

Thanks for your response to my post. I have never done drugs or anything, but I don't think the meds make me high. This is the controversy that I face. I think maybe the antidepressants sicne they act as stimulants may increase my thoughts, cause the restlessness, etc. But the doc's say that the symptoms are a result of the an illness (that constant stress has caused my brains chemicals to become out of wack--and I have had O.C.D. since I was young--so the doc's are telling me that I am low on serotonin).

There is no history of any mental illnesses in my family, no alcohol issues, or drug issues.

I have tried so many medication combos and seen so many doctors (each having their own opinion). It's hard to know what to believe.

Thanks for your response and concern and GOD BLESS!!

 

Re: To Bill in response to my post

Posted by BRC on April 21, 2004, at 14:24:47

In reply to Re: I NEED ADVICE!!, posted by Bill LL on April 19, 2004, at 14:57:47

Thanks for responding to my post.

I do not have my job anymore. I was no longer able to function to perform the requirements of the job. I worked their for five years and loved it. I took it to pay my way through college.

My symptoms before starting the medications were severe headaches, dizziness, feeling like I was going to pass out, trembling (I thought I had a stroke or something). But all medical test ruled out anything physical (had mri's, cat scans, you name I've had it)

The physical symtpoms have subsided. I am know just left with the mental (thouhgt symptoms) and restlessness (can't seem to set still). And it is impossible to concentrate on anything. I feel like my I.Q. has been shot down to zero. But I have learned not to pitty party myself and from what I have seen I consider myself very lucky and blessed. But the mental symptoms still trouble me

Thanks for your concern and GOD BLESS.

 

Re: I NEED ADVICE!!

Posted by KathrynLex on April 21, 2004, at 15:11:35

In reply to I NEED ADVICE!!, posted by BRC on April 19, 2004, at 13:55:04

Hi BRC,

This is just a thought, but you might be over medicated. I know that Lexapro can cause racing thoughts...it's usually a side effect that goes away within the first few weeks, but if you're still having that problem you might be on too much. A friend of mine who was on Remeron said it did strange things to her thought patterns...but I know Klonopin can help with that. I would suggest talking to your pdoc about lowering your Lexapro and Remeron doses.

K.

 

Re: I NEED ADVICE!!

Posted by Keith Talent on April 21, 2004, at 19:55:29

In reply to Re: I NEED ADVICE!!, posted by KathrynLex on April 21, 2004, at 15:11:35

OK, maybe you could drop the Remeron. See how that goes for a few weeks. You might actually need to increase the Lexapro dose, assuming the racing thoughts settle down.

 

Re: I NEED ADVICE!! to Keith and Kathryn

Posted by BRC on April 21, 2004, at 20:37:02

In reply to Re: I NEED ADVICE!!, posted by Keith Talent on April 21, 2004, at 19:55:29

Thanks so much for the info. I will talk to my P-doc at my next appointment. I read a book once called Prozac Backlash and it described the symptoms that I experience and warns that AD's can cause distorted thoughts. There is also a internet website called Prozac Truths that has testomonies of people with terrible reactions to these meds. But I have been doing what the doc says hoping the meds would solve the problem. But for $150.00 for a thirty minute meating I think we will begin to explore the situation "a liitle more agressively". As for the response to the Lexapro I didn't know you could increase it beyond 20mg. Thanks for the responses and best of luck to both of you.

 

Re: I NEED ADVICE!! to Keith and Kathryn

Posted by Bill LL on April 22, 2004, at 10:33:05

In reply to Re: I NEED ADVICE!! to Keith and Kathryn, posted by BRC on April 21, 2004, at 20:37:02

I still have another question or 2 if that's ok. When you had your physical symptoms, before taking psychiatric medication, were you still able to do your job at the installation eventhough you didn't feel well?

Was if AFTER you started the Lexapro and/or Remeron that you lost your job?

Was if after the Lexapro and/or Remeron that your brain went haywire?

"Before I got ill I had graduated from a major University with a 3.5 g.p.a. and was working full time at a major millitary instillation and everything was fine. But now my brain has gone haywire."

 

Re: I NEED ADVICE!! to Bill from BRC

Posted by BRC on April 22, 2004, at 12:31:23

In reply to Re: I NEED ADVICE!! to Keith and Kathryn, posted by Bill LL on April 22, 2004, at 10:33:05

Bill,
In response to your questions. I had to leave my job at the military intallation because my symptoms became so severe that I was no loner able to do my job effectively ( I was not fired or anything--it was my own decision to leave because I was scared that I would jepordize the safety of my fellow employees--there was alot of physical work involved and we all worked close together and I did not want to cause anyone to get hurt because I was unable to perform) this was is 1999 and I didn't even know what psychiatric medication was let alone being on any of it at this time.
After rigerous test by doctors and specialist at some prestigeous hospitals in my area some medical illnesses were presumed to be the cause of my symptoms. But all of the doctor's test came back o.k. to rule out any organic causes. And the treatments and medications the doctor's gave me did not alleviate the symptoms. At one point I was even bed ridden for over four months. Know one knew what to do or where else to go.
It was not until around 2001 that I began seeing psychiatrists for my conditon. That is when I first began taking psychiatric medication. Due to my insurance I had to change p-docs several times and each one had their own treatment plan. Which mean I have taken just about all the psychiatric meds on the market. For example: SSRi's Paxil, Prozac, Luvox, Celexa, Lexapro--Tryciclics(mispelled I Know) Anafranil and Elavil--Mood Stabilizers Depakote, Neurontin, Topomax, Gabitril, and Trilleptal--Benzo's Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan--Anti-pychotics Geodon, Risperdal, and Zyprexa.
What I think happened after my own research and understanding is that in 1999 when my symptoms first presented themselves. I was having panic attacks and the doctors and specialist did not diagnose this right of hand. I believe with the constant anxiety that something was seriously wrong, losing my job, mounting bill, etc. I developed a major anxiety disorder that lead to clinical depression. I also believe that the constant changing of p-docs and the constant switching of medication messed up my brain chemistry pretty bad. I am no doctor, psychiatrist, or psychopharmachologist but I think the above mentioned events is why I say my "brain is a train-wreck.
Thanks for your intrest in my situation. Sorry about such a long post. If you have any other questions or input I welcome them. THANKS. BRC

 

Re: I NEED ADVICE!! to Bill from BRC

Posted by Bill LL on April 22, 2004, at 14:01:53

In reply to Re: I NEED ADVICE!! to Bill from BRC, posted by BRC on April 22, 2004, at 12:31:23

So right now, the physical problems are gone. It sounds to me like your doctors did te right thing in trying psychiatric medications.

I think that the problem could be both the wrong meds as well as the wrong dosages. But with your racing thoughts, it sounds like you do need this type of medication.

I didn't see Effexor on the list of drugs that you have tried. Have you tried Effexor. It's a very effective drug.

Also, you have listed a lot of drugs that you have tried. But sometimes docs give up on a drug instead of raising the dose to a high enough amount.

Are you on 20 mg Lexapro? I would consider increasing it to 30mg (that's what I take) and see how that works. I'm doing very well on 30. Some people take 40 mg. I would probably do that first before trying a different drug.

But my point is that a previously tried drug might work out for you if you try it again and go up to a higher dose.

 

Re: I NEED ADVICE!! to Bill from BRC

Posted by BRC on April 22, 2004, at 17:24:20

In reply to Re: I NEED ADVICE!! to Bill from BRC, posted by Bill LL on April 22, 2004, at 14:01:53

Thanks again Bill for your intrest. I did take Effexor XR for over a year at its max. dose, but as the dosage kept going up the side effects became unbearable for me. I know that Effexor trgets more than just the serotonin system and I was hoping it would be the answer, but unfortunately it was not.
I do take 20mg of Lexapro. But I thought that was the max. dose and it could not be raised. I know that people like me with o.c.d.(which I assume is the cause of the unwanted, uncontrollable thoughts) that the dosage is usually higher and takes longer to achieve effectiveness.
So, you think I should talk to my doctor about raising the dosage? I would like to stick with the med combo I have now if adjusting the dosages would help. I have been on the same combo for about 14 months with no increase. I take 20mg of Lexapro, 30mg of Remeron, and 2-4mg of Klonopin daily. I want to be on as less medication as possible. But I do not want to sell myself short if there is something outhere better than what I am on or if a dosage increase would help.
Again I want to thank you very much for your concern. Feel free to ask questions, comment, or give your adive. THANKS BRC

 

Re: I NEED ADVICE!! to Bill from BRC

Posted by monu on April 23, 2004, at 18:40:45

In reply to Re: I NEED ADVICE!! to Bill from BRC, posted by BRC on April 22, 2004, at 17:24:20

Hi BRC. I've been doing tons and tons of research on Prozac, and I've read that it's an excellent AD for OCD. So, as some others have said, maybe you should try switching to something else-Effexor is good as well. I've been on and off Prozac for a few years now-currently on, and it's the best AD I've tried (have tried remeron, lexapro, zoloft, wellbutrin)-luckily it keeps working even though i get on and off of it. No side effects. But everyone is different. I know how hard it is to give meds the trial and error time they need while you have to sit back and experience it all, but hang in there. Let us know what happens after you see your pdoc next.

-monu


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