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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dawn Glo on August 31, 2006, at 21:17:25
YES - I can! I was first diagnosed depression when I was in my mid 20's (I am now 47). Back then, there weren't too many medications around so the psych I went to put me on Imipramine. I wasn't able to sleep on it, got severe panic attacks with heavy sweating too which I'd NEVER experenced before being on this med. I soon stopped taking it because the side effects were worse than what I was going thru at that time with the depression and anxiety. Then I found alcohol stopped the anxiety attacks and 'helped' me get thru the day. It also stopped the terrible nightmares I was beginning to have too - BUT - I was soon drinking FAR too much and became dependent on the alcohol. After 10 yrs of living like that I finally decided to try another psych. He put me on Buspar. It did nothing. And by this time I was having such severe panic attacks I was going to the emergency room 2-3 times a week. I couldn't sleep or eat and anything upsetting would start me vomiting and I couldn't stop. I was getting severe gastritis attacks too (could have been from the alcohol too). I ended up in the psych ward for a few days. That doc was a quack so I went to another one. He tried me on Wellbutrin. Nothing. I tried Zoloft - thought the top of my head was going to come off the second day I was on it. Found another psych and was diagnosed with clinical depression and severe anxiety. My life was a living hell by this time too. I drank everyday almost all day! The new doc put me on Paxil and Klonopin (with the understanding I would NOT drink on these meds). After about a month I was actually getting some relief from the depression and the Klonopin helped right away to stop the anxiety. As time went on, my life got MUCH better - I could actually experience a sunset or a bright sunny day and feel CONTENT. Something I hadn't experienced in over 10 yrs! As time went on, I wanted to try some of the newer meds cuz they were supposed to have less side affects (sexual probs) so I was put on Celexa. They discontinued Celexa and replaced it w/Lexapro. The Lexapro worked pretty good for a few years along w/Klonopin. At this point I had been taking 1mg of Klonopin at bedtime to help me sleep and as needed during the day which wasn't very often but I had been taking it for about 10 yrs now. Then for some reason, the Klonopin stopped working. I tried taking more and my doc upped the dosage. I was up to 3mg a day and still no relief. I took as much as 6mg in one day and it made no difference! I felt so hyped up my doc thought I may be becoming manic so he changed my meds to Risperdal. It seemed to help some but after a few weeks the dark depression returned - with a vengence! I called the doc and begged him to put me back on the Lexapro but he said no and I also told him the anxiety was really getting bad. I couldn't sleep and if I did, would wake up after 3 or 4 hours and be racked with anxiety for the rest of the night and into the morning hours. He told me to go to an emergency room - which I did - several times. The Klonopin wasn't working so I stopped taking it, then had terrible withdrawal symptoms so I had to go into a detox place to wean me off of it. When I came out I wasn't doing too bad but I still had whatever they gave me to wean me off the the Klonopin in my system. I got a new psych who put me back on the Lexapro. After a few weeks, severe anxiety hit me again. The Lexapro didn't seem to help either anymore. So my doc put me on Effexor (75mg to start). It took a good month and my dosage was adjusted up to 225mg until I started to get some relief. My new doc also gave me Seroquil to help me sleep because I couldn't sleep much at all. (Seroquil is an anti-psychotic but it has also been known to help with insomnia and I think it has helped with the panic attacks too.) I was unemployed for a year and a half when the Klonopin stopped working and I went off the Lexapro the first time because I just wasn't able to concentrate and felt there was no way I'd be able to hold a job! But my new doc got me regulated on the right dosages and meds now and I'm back to a full-time job again! I rarely experience any anxiety at all anymore, sleep well and really don't have any side effects from the Effexor other than constipation (well and sexual side effects again which has been the case for me with ANY antidepressant meds I have taken) - but I'll live with that! I eat prunes, raisin bran and have Smooth Move tea when I feel too bloated but I'd MUCH rather have the constipation than live with CONSTANT anxiety and depression! So, for now, I am a success story! Everyone's body chemistry is different and what works for one may not work for others. I do have 2 friends who take Effexor and they are doing well on it too. My boyfriend takes Lexapro and it has made a world of difference for him (and his mom takes Effexor also - you don't want to be around her if she tries to stop taking it either!) So if you don't get relief from one psych or type of med, there are plenty more out there to try - just DON'T give up! It may be difficult for a while and you may feel like a guinea pig, but science has not become so advanced yet to know much about the human brain and what will work for each individual. Just be glad we DO have meds now to be able to try! Think of what it must have been like 100 yrs ago! You'd be locked up in a state institution, given ice baths, shock treatments and all sorts of other not-so-nice forms of 'treatment'! I thank my lucky stars I was born now and not 100 or even 50 yrs ago! It may have been a long journey, but I've made it and if these meds stop working, by then there will be more options so I never give up staying positive that I can continue to live a happy and productive life! I also take a deep interest in the medication I am given, do a lot of research on my own and have even taken college courses on Abnormal Psychology to help me to better understand what may be happening with my brain chemistry. Knowledge is power and just knowing that you are NOT alone and you DO have options for treatment has kept me going. I hope it does for you too! I also belong to a group called Recovery Inc which is a non-12 step, self-help program for people who have anxiety, depression, anger issues or other 'abnormal' issues. It has been very influential in my treatment and self-esteem! As the doctor who started Recovery Inc., Dr. Abraham Lowe, says, "There are NO hopeless cases!"
Posted by TJO on September 1, 2006, at 5:54:50
In reply to Can someone post a true hands down meds saved me, posted by Dawn Glo on August 31, 2006, at 21:17:25
Hi,
No long story really but my meds work and have given me quality of life back. I used to be severely depressed and have bipolar disorder. It is such a releif not to think of suicide all the time--I thought that was "normal".Tammy
Posted by notfred on September 1, 2006, at 14:30:08
In reply to Can someone post a true hands down meds saved me, posted by Dawn Glo on August 31, 2006, at 21:17:25
Yes, they have worked for over 2 decades. Quite well.
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on September 3, 2006, at 3:56:34
In reply to Re: Can someone post a true hands down meds saved, posted by notfred on September 1, 2006, at 14:30:08
It's a good one. Meds have done miracles for plenty on this board. Share your story, your encouragement.
Posted by gardenergirl on September 3, 2006, at 14:21:48
In reply to WHY IS EVERYONE AVOIDING THIS QUESTION????????, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on September 3, 2006, at 3:56:34
I really don't think I was in danger of dying, but I do feel a ton better on Nardil, Lamictal, and Provigil. It's been good to have meds which truly help, compared to all the SSRI's which did not help my atypical depression symptoms.
So I guess it's how one defines "saved your life". I didn't think I qualified for that criteria.
gg
Posted by Dawn Glo on September 3, 2006, at 14:32:31
In reply to Perhaps it's the saved your life requirement? » UgottaHaveHOPE, posted by gardenergirl on September 3, 2006, at 14:21:48
Well, in my case, YES it WAS a life and death situation. Without meds, I would have continued to drink to self medicate and even tho I don't think I was actually capable of committing suicide my thoughts at the time where that I would just drink myself to death. Before I was on any meds and was drinking a lot I was hospitalized twice for pancreatits which is VERY painful and was caused by a direct result of drinking. I was told then that if I continued to drink like I was, I would have to be fed by a tube when my pancrease finally shut down. I had weak bone marrow and also the beginning signs of liver hepatitis. I could have easily gotten liver sclorosis or worse like wet brain. So, yes, in my case it DID save my life to be on meds. Without meds, I would rather drink and take my chances then to live with the constant level of anxiety and depression I have without the meds.
Posted by gardenergirl on September 3, 2006, at 15:16:13
In reply to Re: Perhaps it's the saved your life requirement?, posted by Dawn Glo on September 3, 2006, at 14:32:31
I'm glad you turned it around. :)
gg
Posted by linkadge on September 3, 2006, at 20:15:17
In reply to Re: Perhaps it's the saved your life requirement? » Dawn Glo, posted by gardenergirl on September 3, 2006, at 15:16:13
I can say that SSRI's almost killed me. (But thats not what you wanted to hear) The few times that I nearly ended it all were when my SSRI does were increased. I get a lot of akathesia - feelings of extreme inner restlesness.
But thats just me.
Linkadge
Posted by deniseuk190466 on September 7, 2006, at 9:32:36
In reply to Can someone post a true hands down meds saved me, posted by Dawn Glo on August 31, 2006, at 21:17:25
Hi,
That's a truly inspirational story because you suffered so much and have come out of it the other side. I tried Effexor but never got up that high, I tried to get my current psychiatrist to prescribe it the other week but he's stopped listening to me.
I want to be at that point you described, where you can watch a sunset and feel truly content. Are you able to do that now?
Denise
Posted by deniseuk190466 on September 7, 2006, at 9:35:29
In reply to To Dawn Glo, posted by deniseuk190466 on September 7, 2006, at 9:32:36
This time around it has been Zyprexa taken now and gain, zyprexa to calm me down when all the other SSRI's tricyclics have made me agitated. Zyprexa always seems to reset my brain, touch wood it always will.
Denise
Posted by Dawn Glo on September 10, 2006, at 12:10:17
In reply to To Dawn Glo, posted by deniseuk190466 on September 7, 2006, at 9:32:36
> Hi,
>
> That's a truly inspirational story because you suffered so much and have come out of it the other side. I tried Effexor but never got up that high, I tried to get my current psychiatrist to prescribe it the other week but he's stopped listening to me.
>
> I want to be at that point you described, where you can watch a sunset and feel truly content. Are you able to do that now?
>
>
> DeniseYes, I AM! And I have motivation again as well, but I also wish to add that when MY pych stop listening to me, I changed doctors. Now I have one that DOES listen to me. I just LOVE the fall and I am anxiously awaiting the changing colors of the trees as I used to marvel at how God could create such colors and so brillantly. I have often sat and pondered how I could duplicate that same brillance in copying those colors onto a canvas and then I am truely aware at how great nature really is!
Dawn
Posted by Dawn Glo on September 10, 2006, at 12:13:01
In reply to Re: and to answer the question, posted by deniseuk190466 on September 7, 2006, at 9:35:29
I have never tried Zyprexa but I am still glad there are so many medications out there because what works for one person doesn't always work for another. Our brains are so different in their chemical make-up. I wish you luck and if you are not getting the help and support you feel you need, don't hesitate to try another doctor!
Posted by deniseuk190466 on September 14, 2006, at 11:09:52
In reply to Re: and to answer the question, posted by Dawn Glo on September 10, 2006, at 12:13:01
Hi Dawn,
Just one more thing (call me columbo :-))
but did it take 225mg of Effexor before you got a response or was it just the time period of a month that got a response.
How did you feel or do you feel on a lower dose?
I ask because I'm sure I never got up very high on Effexor and all I can remember feeling on it was sort of knocked out and dazed.
Also I tried Cymbalta which is supposed to be similiar and that didn't help.
Denise
Posted by Dawn Glo on September 15, 2006, at 20:05:04
In reply to Re: To Dawn Glo - One more thing, posted by deniseuk190466 on September 14, 2006, at 11:09:52
My doctor started me on the Effexor at 75mg but I was pretty bad off at that time and ended up in the pychiatric hospital. I had only been taking the 75mg for maybe a week when I went into the hospital and they upped the dosage to the 225mg right away. They also gave me Seroqil to sleep (which usually knocks MOST people out too, but not me...). I have never felt drugged or out-of-it on the Effexor - not even the 225mg - and I still need the Seroquil to sleep at night too. So to answer your question, I was never really on a lower dosage of the Effexor long enough for me to notice any difference between the 2 doses and I've been on the higher dose now since the end of May. It did take a whole month before I felt much better and the anxiety finally went away. I was dealing with constant anxiety throughout most of the day until I had been on the Effexor around the one month mark. By a month and 1/2, the anxiety was totally gone - but that is me. I have had a pretty high level of anxiety problems since I was in my mid to late 20's (I'm now 47) and it got VERY bad the last year or so (after I went thru menopause). I have now been employed full-time for about 6 weeks now and doing very well!
Hope this helps and remember, there are MANY types of medication out there. If one doesn't work you can always try another. I went thru quite a few before finding anything that worked for me. I feel SO much better on medication that I would go thru the ups and downs trying different meds again until the right one was found because before being on medication I couldn't function normally!
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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