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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 olysi79 on July 24, 2007, at 13:22:12
First of all, I apologize for this lengthy "Downer" of a post, I like to be optimistic, but I am feeling bad right now.
I am in the midst of such major life changes (a move, job loss and subsequent search, financial problems) that I have had a relapse of my generalized anxiety disorder, which is quickly heading towards clinical depression (I've been crying alot, major anxiety, etc..). I have OCD as well. Furthermore, I recently tapered off of my zoloft (see why below), thus the combo of no meds, MAJOR life changes, and poor self -esteem is knawing at me without mercy.
I am between meds, and only have valium to help me because my PDOC and I have decided no more SSRIs due to weight gain (about 75 lbs to be exact). We tried a trial of Parnate and I did NOT do well, hence the washout needs to go forward. I suggested Lamictal, and he is going to think about it.
So here I am... now living at home after a relocation, jobless, between schools as my previous plans collapsed (I am a grad student), indecisive as to what to do with my life, and 100 percent penniless, and without insurance. I am feeling such agitation, sadness, and anxiety that I have upped my smoking from 5 cigs a day to a pack, can't eat, and am only able to calm down in the late afternoons/early evening.I think one of the setoffs for me was the side effects of the SSRIS, I loved them, but the weight gain was so significant, and wouldn't stop... I started to develop pre-diabetes as a result and jumped 4 pant sizes.
What can I do? I don't want to think abotu this as a battle between "fat and happy" or "skinny and depressed"... there has got to be something out there that can help me. We all deserve good physical and emotional health, I am out of ideas...A couple questions that I was hoping you could answer with your experiences as well as any research you have seen...
1) Does anyone know of free counseling services available in the Twin Cities area?
2) Does anyone have any additional ideas on how to deal with all of this anxiety?
3) Is it common to relapse like this during these situations when in between or off meds? Where did I go wrong? I tapered of the zoloft via liquid over about 6 weeks....
4) Could Lamictal with Valium provide relief, or should I go another direction? I cannot gain anymore weight, I do want to live to be oldand not die of diabetes or heart problems!
5) How often should one take Valium, I can take 3 tabs a day, but how should I space them out to get the maximum effect? Right Now I only take 2/day, one in the morning, one at night, so I have leeway.
If anyone has any ideas, or can provide a little reassurance or comfort, I'd be very grateful.
Thanks
C
Posted by linkadge on July 24, 2007, at 13:26:15
In reply to Major life changes- pls help, posted by olysi79 on July 24, 2007, at 13:22:12
I think you should try a lower dose of zoloft augmented with wellbutrin.
The wellbutrin can ofset the weight gain of the zoloft, and it can also boost the antidepressant effect.
In addition, wellbutrin has effects as a smoking cessation aid.
Take Care.
Linkadge
Posted by Nathan_Arizona on July 24, 2007, at 13:55:12
In reply to Major life changes- pls help, posted by olysi79 on July 24, 2007, at 13:22:12
I'm with linkadge, adding wellbutrin is probably a good idea.
Also, although I have no personal experience with it, some of my friends have had a lot of luck with buspar for anxiety. Might want to consider that too.
In my opinion, the less valium you take, the better.
I would also go out and seek some kind of employment - even if its not exactly the kind you want to keep long term. Something to help you earn some money and get your mind off things a little.
Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2007, at 17:25:04
In reply to Re: Major life changes- pls help, posted by Nathan_Arizona on July 24, 2007, at 13:55:12
Pretty hard to get a doc to prescribe valium today as I've been on it and off it for 35years never upping doseage usually lowering when stress low but permission to up if crisis it can be taken either once a day , twice a day , or three times a day. But the amount of the dose should equal the same at end of day. Not a good idea to get physically dependant on valium as one day like me you will develop tolerance. Can you find a clinic should be one in a large city and see a pdoc there? Maybe will have a better suggestion and if zoloft worked try it again. Good luck Love Phillipa
Posted by mnfarmboy77 on August 10, 2007, at 22:09:30
In reply to Major life changes- pls help, posted by olysi79 on July 24, 2007, at 13:22:12
> First of all, I apologize for this lengthy "Downer" of a post, I like to be optimistic, but I am feeling bad right now.
>
> I am in the midst of such major life changes (a move, job loss and subsequent search, financial problems) that I have had a relapse of my generalized anxiety disorder, which is quickly heading towards clinical depression (I've been crying alot, major anxiety, etc..). I have OCD as well. Furthermore, I recently tapered off of my zoloft (see why below), thus the combo of no meds, MAJOR life changes, and poor self -esteem is knawing at me without mercy.
> I am between meds, and only have valium to help me because my PDOC and I have decided no more SSRIs due to weight gain (about 75 lbs to be exact). We tried a trial of Parnate and I did NOT do well, hence the washout needs to go forward. I suggested Lamictal, and he is going to think about it.
> So here I am... now living at home after a relocation, jobless, between schools as my previous plans collapsed (I am a grad student), indecisive as to what to do with my life, and 100 percent penniless, and without insurance. I am feeling such agitation, sadness, and anxiety that I have upped my smoking from 5 cigs a day to a pack, can't eat, and am only able to calm down in the late afternoons/early evening.
>
> I think one of the setoffs for me was the side effects of the SSRIS, I loved them, but the weight gain was so significant, and wouldn't stop... I started to develop pre-diabetes as a result and jumped 4 pant sizes.
> What can I do? I don't want to think abotu this as a battle between "fat and happy" or "skinny and depressed"... there has got to be something out there that can help me. We all deserve good physical and emotional health, I am out of ideas...
>
> A couple questions that I was hoping you could answer with your experiences as well as any research you have seen...
>
> 1) Does anyone know of free counseling services available in the Twin Cities area?
> 2) Does anyone have any additional ideas on how to deal with all of this anxiety?
> 3) Is it common to relapse like this during these situations when in between or off meds? Where did I go wrong? I tapered of the zoloft via liquid over about 6 weeks....
> 4) Could Lamictal with Valium provide relief, or should I go another direction? I cannot gain anymore weight, I do want to live to be oldand not die of diabetes or heart problems!
> 5) How often should one take Valium, I can take 3 tabs a day, but how should I space them out to get the maximum effect? Right Now I only take 2/day, one in the morning, one at night, so I have leeway.
> If anyone has any ideas, or can provide a little reassurance or comfort, I'd be very grateful.
> Thanks
> C
I can relate to what your saying totally, I've been on Remeron, Lexapro, combo for 4 yrs now and have gained quite abit of weight and while they help most of the time I have periods where I feel like crap when I wakeup but by the afternoon and into the evening I began to feel great so much so I don't want to go to bed at night cause I know in the am I will have to go through the hell again. As far as free counseling in mpls area I am not aware of any, but I live in the outter burbs of mpls and don't get to the cities much, I have gone to a couple NAMI groups for anxiety and panic disorders they seem helpfull. Is there any thing that you do that just tends to take the anxiety away or lowers it, for me as crazy as it sounds if i'm all anxious if I go and hangout around my animals ie my goats, cows, chickens etc. ( yep i'm a farmer ) my anxiety just tends to fade away.
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