Posted by Cam W. on May 4, 2000, at 23:58:18
In reply to To Cam W, posted by gloria on May 4, 2000, at 15:14:38
Gloria - Librium is a metabolite of Valium. Actually I believe it was the first benzodiazepine developed. It has a much longer half-life than Xanax (100 h vs. 12-15 h) and probably isn't as good for panic (in most people) but it will work for them. Librium does have a tendency to build up in the body, so withdrawl has to be done slowly.I do think that ß-blockers work very well in many people with panic disorder. I don't know where I mislead you. They are great for stage fright, too. I whole heartedly back their use for panic.
Neurontin does work in some people, but the early claims were not proven in clinical trials. It does work in some people and may be worth a try, especially for your depression. I don't see Neurontin used in panic, but that is only because the docs in my neck of the woods don't use it. Ask your doc if he/she has had any success with it in panic disorder.
Lamictal is a mood stabilizer with antidepressant properties, but the serious rash side effect scares many people off. The risk of developing a rash is minimized by increasing the dosage slowly. Ask your doc about this option as well.
Gloria, you shouldn't feel like a dummy when we talk over your head. The kind of stuff we talk about is specifics and most people don't really need to know that stuff. It is just the scientific jargon we have to use to get thoughts about what we think the medications are doing. I'm sure there are things you know about that I would not be able to fully understand as well. This is my job and I like my job, so I have to dig deep to find answers and this requires a different kind of language. Anyone can learn it, but it would not be practical for everyone. When we talk like that, it is just sharing minor details that we use to try to put the whole picture of a drug's effects into perspective. (kinda like a hobby).
poster:Cam W.
thread:32283
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/32349.html