Posted by saturn on June 18, 2007, at 19:57:20
I hate writing posts that are less than brief, but whatever:
After many years I'm considering a serious trial of meds primarily because due to my self-diagnosed social anxiety. I am also seriously considering sticking with the status quo.
I have been reluctant to undergo any significant med trials due to severe problems with prior trials, most significantly severe chest pain with Zoloft and stimulants independently (BTW I'm a healthy 30 y/o male and have had a completely thorough and negative cardiac workup except for an asymptomatic heart block which therefore prevents me from taking TCA's).
I have also gone through ambien withdrawal and cannot imagine a more serious benzo withdrawal.
Here's the thing: I get by, at least enough to usually fake it. I have times where I'm completely calm and content, and times where I'm rather anxious and/or depressed. *I seem to have virtually no control over these states*, though my anxiety seems to rather consistently be elevated in social situations (and depending on the context of these situations). I can occassionaly be completely calm and collected in front of many people. Many other times I'm very anxious just talking with a co-worker. Insomnia is a constant, which has been reasonably treated with Lunesta monotherapy.
I've never had a manic episode.
So here's my question: Is going down the med route more or less likely to worsen my situation over the long run? My life is decent/manageable...but the social/anticipatory anxiety is really a *serious* problem. Adding serious med side effects/withdrawals could very tip the balance *against* having a decent/manageable life.
I am terrified of chest pain and CNS depressant withdrawal, and am not fond of a merry-go-round of trials and withdrawals (who is, right?).
Self-diagnoses in order of significance are:
1. Social Phobia
2. GAD (but perhaps just an extension of SP)
3. dysthymia (possibly due to anxiety)
4. ADHD (helped with fish oil and worsened with anxiety).I have taken a beta-blocker/benzo combo on several occassions, which worked ok, but am concerned about long-term benzo-induced worsening of depression and ADHD, and tolerance withdrawal. If I go on a benzo I know I'm going on it for life, and I'm afraid of the cardiovascular side effects of MAOI's.
Fish oil seems to help modestly with ADHD and dysthymia, but any med-induced worsening of my ADHD would present significant problems. I absolutely refuse an SSRI or stimulant. Lunesta is my only psych med.
I know I want to have my cake and eat it too. But seriously, to summarize I'm rather reluctant of having a pdoc throw me on some benzo/lamicatal/Lithium or whatever combo and then in the end being worse off than I already am.
Thanks for any input.
Peace...Saturn.
poster:saturn
thread:764011
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070613/msgs/764011.html