![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 15:39:39
Because I've become "addicted" to this site, and also thanks to the encouragement and support of some kind souls (you know who you are), I'm "back" and would like to take this opportunity to explain something about my d@mn illness and the meds and how these relate to the questions I've been asking, (which I still feel leery to ask any more of) -- basically, my condition and perhaps the meds, but from past experience, I think it is the illness, has severely limited my cognitive functioning ... to the point where when it comes to reading I cannot concentrate on anything very long or detailed. I can't even read magazines or light fiction books without racing thoughts creeping in and forcing me to read the same passage over and over again. Also and primarily, with the high level of anxiety I have, I get a feeling of being overwhelmed by so much reading material that my head starts to swim, the anxiety builds and feeds on itself and I can't focus. Watching television is also a chore - I can't concentrate very long, I *zone out* and miss chunks of dialog then can't figure out what just happened.
What I'm trying to illustrate with these is examples is that when it comes to doing RESEARCH on topics like those I've put into questions on here, I just can't sift and sort through copious amounts of reading material such as that found in response to an Internet Search.
Also, I'm homebound so I can't even get out to a library or bookstore to do research there. T'wouldn't matter anyway, because as I said above, I'm unable to deal with a large amount of detailed reading material.
By posing the questions on here, I was hoping to get concise, to-the-point, SHORT/BRIEF answers that I could manage to read through without feeling overwhelmed and having my head spin to the point where I couldn't focus or concentrate. And it worked - I could handle the answers I was getting on here and was able to ask follow-up questions if I didn't understand something.
I hope this explains things!
Posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 16:52:58
In reply to I'm ''back'' and explanation re my illness/meds, posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 15:39:39
> Because I've become "addicted" to this site, and also thanks to the encouragement and support of some kind souls (you know who you are), I'm "back" and would like to take this opportunity to explain something about my d@mn illness and the meds and how these relate to the questions I've been asking, (which I still feel leery to ask any more of) -- basically, my condition and perhaps the meds, but from past experience, I think it is the illness, has severely limited my cognitive functioning ... to the point where when it comes to reading I cannot concentrate on anything very long or detailed. I can't even read magazines or light fiction books without racing thoughts creeping in and forcing me to read the same passage over and over again. Also and primarily, with the high level of anxiety I have, I get a feeling of being overwhelmed by so much reading material that my head starts to swim, the anxiety builds and feeds on itself and I can't focus. Watching television is also a chore - I can't concentrate very long, I *zone out* and miss chunks of dialog then can't figure out what just happened.
>
> What I'm trying to illustrate with these is examples is that when it comes to doing RESEARCH on topics like those I've put into questions on here, I just can't sift and sort through copious amounts of reading material such as that found in response to an Internet Search.
>
> Also, I'm homebound so I can't even get out to a library or bookstore to do research there. T'wouldn't matter anyway, because as I said above, I'm unable to deal with a large amount of detailed reading material.
>
> By posing the questions on here, I was hoping to get concise, to-the-point, SHORT/BRIEF answers that I could manage to read through without feeling overwhelmed and having my head spin to the point where I couldn't focus or concentrate. And it worked - I could handle the answers I was getting on here and was able to ask follow-up questions if I didn't understand something.
>
> I hope this explains things!Hi Janelle,
I'm glad you are back! I hope you don't feel an overwhelwhelming need to defend yourself. I know darn well what it is like to have thoughts racing so fast it is difficult to remember what was happening a few moments ago.
In fact I was hypomanic/agitated for a number of days and I was thinking and typing so fast that I couldn't remember what thought I had on a sentence before I finished typing a sentence for a number of weeks!
Have you started up the Depakote? That should help with the racing thoughts.
Best Wishes,
John
Posted by IsoM on April 2, 2002, at 17:07:09
In reply to I'm ''back'' and explanation re my illness/meds, posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 15:39:39
Whew, Janelle!! I've got the same problem but by the time I came to the end of your post...
Hmm, what WAS I trying to say here? ;-)
Seriously though, I do have that in a major way - it's why sometimes I can't answer you. My train of thought runs off so fast that I've missed what I was trying to explain & completely lost what I was thinking. I liken my thoughts to wet, slippery soap - the harder you try to hold on to it, the faster & further it'll zip from your grasp.My Mom used to say when I was small, if you can't remember it, it probably wasn't important. Not true for me. I've forgotten the most important things sometimes. I completely forgot about attending the funeral of a good friend's son. I had this itching thought in the back of my mind that I was suppose to be doing something that day, but couldn't figure it out.
Posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 17:12:51
In reply to Re: I'm ''back'' and explanation re my illness/meds » Janelle, posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 16:52:58
Hi John,
Thank you so much for posting here - I am a very sensitive soul by nature (even more so when I am depressed and anxious, and this particular episode is especially BAD), so I appreciate your kind words.
I suppose I did feel somewhat of a need to "defend" myself (although at the same time I felt that I shouldn't have to justify anything to anyone, especially on here! LOL!), but my primary purpose in doing this post was to explain and share more specifically what I'm going through - it is driving me even crazier than I already am - LOL! ;-)
I want people to understand why I was asking questions here that I THEORETICALLY should have been able to search out on the Net. I just cannot cope with the sheer volume of info that comes back from med and biology searches and am unable to get out to a library or bookstore (although I'd have the same problem of being overwhelmed with the info I'd find in books and mags there). This forum was enabling me to cut out massive quantities of material, prevent the overwhelmed and anxiousness I get from information overload, and just get concise responses that I could then post a follow-up question to if need be.
It means a lot to hear that someone else (you!) know what it is like to have thoughts racing so fast it is difficult to remember what was happening a few moments ago.
Not only does this happen - constant, racing, INTRUSIVE thoughts that steer me away from being able to focus on even the simplest things (a tv program, reading a magazine, never mind trying to read medical info from the Net), but I have become absent-minded and forgetful, two things I NEVER am when I'm feeling *well* - I'm extremely organized, careful, methodical. It is very upsetting to have *lost* this (temporarily, I hope).
To answer your question. Yes, I have started on the Depakote. I've been on it a whopping three days! My pdoc started me on 500mg/night of DepakoteER and it zonked me out for a couple of days and calmed the anxiety, but now I seem to be adjusting to it and I notice my anxiety level rising again.
However, I am a coffee drinker and thought that drinking my usual just one cup a day might help with the fogginess and drowsiness that Depakote seems to be inducing but for some reason, I think the coffee is making things WORSE, which is strange because one cup NEVER affected me in terms of jitteriness or making me more anxious until recently - my nervous system is so screwed up now that it can't even handle one cup of coffee.
So I'm STOPPING that to see just how the Depakote works with NO stimulants in me. Then at some point, I may try green tea (I hear it has quite a few medicinal benefits, not to mention that it contains caffeine!)
The pdoc said I may well have to increase the dose of Depakote to hit an effective one ...
Keep your fingers crossed for me that the Depakote will be the *answer* for my anxiety.
Thanks so much for everything.
-Janelle
Posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 17:24:51
In reply to JOHNX2, thanks and more:, posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 17:12:51
Hi Janelle,It sounds like things are moving briskly in the right direction. You should be able to tune the depakote dosage to get things smoothed over. You may also ask about adding on some Neurontin if you still feel jittery (this is a very mild anti-anxiety anticonvulsant that is very popular to smooth out bumps). You also will have room to play with the Effexor dose. Keep in mind that Effexor can be quite stimulating.
So please try to take it easy. I know you have been through a lot, and have learned a lot too.
The questions you have asked on this board have helped a lot of other people to learn also, btw.
So don't be shy.You are a tough person. I can see it and I know you will do well!
Take Care.
John> Hi John,
>
> Thank you so much for posting here - I am a very sensitive soul by nature (even more so when I am depressed and anxious, and this particular episode is especially BAD), so I appreciate your kind words.
>
> I suppose I did feel somewhat of a need to "defend" myself (although at the same time I felt that I shouldn't have to justify anything to anyone, especially on here! LOL!), but my primary purpose in doing this post was to explain and share more specifically what I'm going through - it is driving me even crazier than I already am - LOL! ;-)
>
> I want people to understand why I was asking questions here that I THEORETICALLY should have been able to search out on the Net. I just cannot cope with the sheer volume of info that comes back from med and biology searches and am unable to get out to a library or bookstore (although I'd have the same problem of being overwhelmed with the info I'd find in books and mags there). This forum was enabling me to cut out massive quantities of material, prevent the overwhelmed and anxiousness I get from information overload, and just get concise responses that I could then post a follow-up question to if need be.
>
> It means a lot to hear that someone else (you!) know what it is like to have thoughts racing so fast it is difficult to remember what was happening a few moments ago.
>
> Not only does this happen - constant, racing, INTRUSIVE thoughts that steer me away from being able to focus on even the simplest things (a tv program, reading a magazine, never mind trying to read medical info from the Net), but I have become absent-minded and forgetful, two things I NEVER am when I'm feeling *well* - I'm extremely organized, careful, methodical. It is very upsetting to have *lost* this (temporarily, I hope).
>
> To answer your question. Yes, I have started on the Depakote. I've been on it a whopping three days! My pdoc started me on 500mg/night of DepakoteER and it zonked me out for a couple of days and calmed the anxiety, but now I seem to be adjusting to it and I notice my anxiety level rising again.
>
> However, I am a coffee drinker and thought that drinking my usual just one cup a day might help with the fogginess and drowsiness that Depakote seems to be inducing but for some reason, I think the coffee is making things WORSE, which is strange because one cup NEVER affected me in terms of jitteriness or making me more anxious until recently - my nervous system is so screwed up now that it can't even handle one cup of coffee.
>
> So I'm STOPPING that to see just how the Depakote works with NO stimulants in me. Then at some point, I may try green tea (I hear it has quite a few medicinal benefits, not to mention that it contains caffeine!)
>
> The pdoc said I may well have to increase the dose of Depakote to hit an effective one ...
>
> Keep your fingers crossed for me that the Depakote will be the *answer* for my anxiety.
>
> Thanks so much for everything.
> -Janelle
Posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 17:36:39
In reply to Re: JOHNX2, thanks and more: » Janelle, posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 17:24:51
Hi Janelle,Just a few thoughts to talk to your pdoc since you are extremely agitated:
-I may try to get a Neurontin prescription add on.
-maybe increase your zyprexa to 5 mg
-Maybe switch ADs from Effexor to a more mild SSRI like Celexa (or lower Effexor dose).John
>
> Hi Janelle,
>
> It sounds like things are moving briskly in the right direction. You should be able to tune the depakote dosage to get things smoothed over. You may also ask about adding on some Neurontin if you still feel jittery (this is a very mild anti-anxiety anticonvulsant that is very popular to smooth out bumps). You also will have room to play with the Effexor dose. Keep in mind that Effexor can be quite stimulating.
>
> So please try to take it easy. I know you have been through a lot, and have learned a lot too.
>
> The questions you have asked on this board have helped a lot of other people to learn also, btw.
> So don't be shy.
>
> You are a tough person. I can see it and I know you will do well!
>
> Take Care.
> John
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Hi John,
> >
> > Thank you so much for posting here - I am a very sensitive soul by nature (even more so when I am depressed and anxious, and this particular episode is especially BAD), so I appreciate your kind words.
> >
> > I suppose I did feel somewhat of a need to "defend" myself (although at the same time I felt that I shouldn't have to justify anything to anyone, especially on here! LOL!), but my primary purpose in doing this post was to explain and share more specifically what I'm going through - it is driving me even crazier than I already am - LOL! ;-)
> >
> > I want people to understand why I was asking questions here that I THEORETICALLY should have been able to search out on the Net. I just cannot cope with the sheer volume of info that comes back from med and biology searches and am unable to get out to a library or bookstore (although I'd have the same problem of being overwhelmed with the info I'd find in books and mags there). This forum was enabling me to cut out massive quantities of material, prevent the overwhelmed and anxiousness I get from information overload, and just get concise responses that I could then post a follow-up question to if need be.
> >
> > It means a lot to hear that someone else (you!) know what it is like to have thoughts racing so fast it is difficult to remember what was happening a few moments ago.
> >
> > Not only does this happen - constant, racing, INTRUSIVE thoughts that steer me away from being able to focus on even the simplest things (a tv program, reading a magazine, never mind trying to read medical info from the Net), but I have become absent-minded and forgetful, two things I NEVER am when I'm feeling *well* - I'm extremely organized, careful, methodical. It is very upsetting to have *lost* this (temporarily, I hope).
> >
> > To answer your question. Yes, I have started on the Depakote. I've been on it a whopping three days! My pdoc started me on 500mg/night of DepakoteER and it zonked me out for a couple of days and calmed the anxiety, but now I seem to be adjusting to it and I notice my anxiety level rising again.
> >
> > However, I am a coffee drinker and thought that drinking my usual just one cup a day might help with the fogginess and drowsiness that Depakote seems to be inducing but for some reason, I think the coffee is making things WORSE, which is strange because one cup NEVER affected me in terms of jitteriness or making me more anxious until recently - my nervous system is so screwed up now that it can't even handle one cup of coffee.
> >
> > So I'm STOPPING that to see just how the Depakote works with NO stimulants in me. Then at some point, I may try green tea (I hear it has quite a few medicinal benefits, not to mention that it contains caffeine!)
> >
> > The pdoc said I may well have to increase the dose of Depakote to hit an effective one ...
> >
> > Keep your fingers crossed for me that the Depakote will be the *answer* for my anxiety.
> >
> > Thanks so much for everything.
> > -Janelle
Posted by fachad on April 2, 2002, at 17:37:43
In reply to I'm ''back'' and explanation re my illness/meds, posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 15:39:39
Janelle wrote: By posing the questions on here, I was hoping to get concise, to-the-point, SHORT/BRIEF answers...
fachad replies (sighing): Well, I guess my answers haven't been much help then – the long winded, rambling, verbose treatises that they were. I try to be concise, really, I do...
Glad you're back,
fachad
> Because I've become "addicted" to this site, and also thanks to the encouragement and support of some kind souls (you know who you are), I'm "back" and would like to take this opportunity to explain something about my d@mn illness and the meds and how these relate to the questions I've been asking, (which I still feel leery to ask any more of) -- basically, my condition and perhaps the meds, but from past experience, I think it is the illness, has severely limited my cognitive functioning ... to the point where when it comes to reading I cannot concentrate on anything very long or detailed. I can't even read magazines or light fiction books without racing thoughts creeping in and forcing me to read the same passage over and over again. Also and primarily, with the high level of anxiety I have, I get a feeling of being overwhelmed by so much reading material that my head starts to swim, the anxiety builds and feeds on itself and I can't focus. Watching television is also a chore - I can't concentrate very long, I *zone out* and miss chunks of dialog then can't figure out what just happened.
>
> What I'm trying to illustrate with these is examples is that when it comes to doing RESEARCH on topics like those I've put into questions on here, I just can't sift and sort through copious amounts of reading material such as that found in response to an Internet Search.
>
> Also, I'm homebound so I can't even get out to a library or bookstore to do research there. T'wouldn't matter anyway, because as I said above, I'm unable to deal with a large amount of detailed reading material.
>
> By posing the questions on here, I was hoping to get concise, to-the-point, SHORT/BRIEF answers that I could manage to read through without feeling overwhelmed and having my head spin to the point where I couldn't focus or concentrate. And it worked - I could handle the answers I was getting on here and was able to ask follow-up questions if I didn't understand something.
>
> I hope this explains things!
Posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 17:38:47
In reply to Re: JOHNX2, thanks and more: » Janelle, posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 17:24:51
Hi John,
Well, from your lips to G-d's ears when you said that "it sounds like things are moving briskly in the right direction."
Depending on how it plays out with the Depakote, I sure will sure will ask about adding on some Neurontin if I still feel jittery.
And GMTA - funny you should mention the "room to play with the Effexor dose" because for the longest time I was unable to tolerate more than 75mg/day. I'm at 150mg/day and the pdoc DOES intend to reduce it, but she only wants to make one change in the cocktail at a time (e.g., this time adding Depakote) because if we did two things at once (e.g. add Depakote, cut down Effexor dose) we would not know which one was causing what kind of reactions in me! Meaning if we both added Depakote and reduced Effexor and I calmed down nicely, we wouldn't know if it was the Depakote and/or the reduced Effexor!
I have heard that Effexor can be quite be quite stimulating, been there done that last year when I had gone to 150 and was bouncing off the walls. She had cut back to 75 back then, but months later had me try once more to raise it again due to depression not lifting. At that second time at 150, I didn't bounce off the walls so I've remained there, but I have a hunch that 150 is playing a role in my inability to get a handle on this anxiety. I think the 150's effects in inducing anxiety are more subtle this time than last.
I'd rather decrease Effexor first, before I add in yet another med (Neurontin). I'm already on 4 things!
My QUESTION for you is - do you think the one cup of coffee I've been having each day could be inducing anxiety, almost counteracting any beneficial calming effects of the Depakote? It's hard to believe cuz I've drank coffee (one cup/day, two at most) for YEARS and YEARS and NO anxiety, jitters or shakes like I get now.
Finally, thanks ever so much for your comment that I'm a "touch person" that you can "see it" -- I feel the FARTHEST thing from tough, I gotta tell you!
And thanks for indicating that you "know" I will do well. Since you are so bright and intelligent, I will trust your perceptions and try to be optimistic that I am tough and I will do well!
Thanks as always for everything.
-Janelle
Posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 17:44:29
In reply to Re: I'm ''back'' and explanation re my illness/meds » Janelle, posted by fachad on April 2, 2002, at 17:37:43
Fachad,
YOU could be the cure to my depression - your witty sense of humor ALWAYS puts a smile on my face, sometimes even gets a laught out of me. Bless you, you are TRULY SPECIAL.
Contrary to what you may think, your answers ARE very helpful because they condense the material that is included in the links you sometimes provide. When I click on those links (and believe me, I try to read the material there), I get that immediate sensation in my body of tightening up, my heart races, I feel overwhelmed and anxious about the volume of material to read and I lose any ability to focus, concentrate and read the stuff in a way that I can comprehend it. All I can do is scan it, which only frustrates me and gets me more anxious. Argh!
Trust me, you ARE concise, you ARE very good and basic in your explanations to non-technical me. And I appreciate each and every word you post to me.
Posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 18:02:00
In reply to Hi John, response and small question here!, posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 17:38:47
> Hi John,
>
> Well, from your lips to G-d's ears when you said that "it sounds like things are moving briskly in the right direction."
>
> Depending on how it plays out with the Depakote, I sure will sure will ask about adding on some Neurontin if I still feel jittery.
>
> And GMTA - funny you should mention the "room to play with the Effexor dose" because for the longest time I was unable to tolerate more than 75mg/day. I'm at 150mg/day and the pdoc DOES intend to reduce it, but she only wants to make one change in the cocktail at a time (e.g., this time adding Depakote) because if we did two things at once (e.g. add Depakote, cut down Effexor dose) we would not know which one was causing what kind of reactions in me! Meaning if we both added Depakote and reduced Effexor and I calmed down nicely, we wouldn't know if it was the Depakote and/or the reduced Effexor!
>Frankly from a medicine prescribing standpoint I think your current pdoc is good. Its too bad that ?her? professional relationship fell apart not returning calls etc. She seems to follow good practice in regards to psychopharmacology.
A good pdoc will only try to change one variable at a time, but you should be able to make a change in between office appointments over the phone if necessary.
> I have heard that Effexor can be quite be quite stimulating, been there done that last year when I had gone to 150 and was bouncing off the walls. She had cut back to 75 back then, but months later had me try once more to raise it again due to depression not lifting. At that second time at 150, I didn't bounce off the walls so I've remained there, but I have a hunch that 150 is playing a role in my inability to get a handle on this anxiety. I think the 150's effects in inducing anxiety are more subtle this time than last.
>
> I'd rather decrease Effexor first, before I add in yet another med (Neurontin). I'm already on 4 things!
>
> My QUESTION for you is - do you think the one cup of coffee I've been having each day could be inducing anxiety, almost counteracting any beneficial calming effects of the Depakote? It's hard to believe cuz I've drank coffee (one cup/day, two at most) for YEARS and YEARS and NO anxiety, jitters or shakes like I get now.
>It seems as though you are experiencing some sort of mixed/agitated/dysphoric hypomania/panic with the racing thoughts and all. In this case caffeine will set you into "overdrive". Caffeine is a convulsive. It does this to me. So yes, cutting it out will help tremendously. You may ask to raise your klonopin dose, but your pdoc may be leary about this (because of dependance). This is where Neurontin is a good substitute. Its usually pretty benign to add on top of Depakote, and is non-addictive. But first see how you do on the Depakote.
> Finally, thanks ever so much for your comment that I'm a "touch person" that you can "see it" -- I feel the FARTHEST thing from tough, I gotta tell you!
>Shit, girl. Anyone who makes it through this crap and deals with flaky doctors and also learns alot and stays in the game has got some guts. You'll come out of this a much stronger person.
> And thanks for indicating that you "know" I will do well. Since you are so bright and intelligent, I will trust your perceptions and try to be optimistic that I am tough and I will do well!
>
> Thanks as always for everything.
> -JanelleI know you will do well because you keep coming back. ;)
John
Posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 18:31:40
In reply to Re: Hi John, response and small question here! » Janelle, posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 18:02:00
You are so right - from a medicine prescribing standpoint I also think my current pdoc (it's a SHE btw!) is good. And I have good news about the professional relationship problems regarding her not returning calls -- I had a talk with her (the second one I had to have over the course of a few months I'd say) and I think I finally REACHED her! I've had to call her a few times recently, and she has promptly returned each of my calls. I hope that telling you this doesn't jinx it; I don't want her to go back to her old ways!
It's good to hear someone as knowledgeable as you confirm my pdoc's practice of only try to change one variable at a time. She generally doesn't like adding or changing (meaning new prescriptions) actual meds without seeing the person in the office, but she will do dosage changes on an existing med over the phone.
Again GMTA - I have been thinking that I'm experiencing some kind of "mixed/agitated/dysphoric hypomania/panic with the racing thoughts and all, but who am I to be able to accurately assess my own situation!?!!
Thanks for letting me know that caffeine will set you into "overdrive". I know it is a stimulant but had no idea it is a "convulsive" - yipes!
Coffee aside, do you think that the EffexorXR 150mg dose may be too activating for me - even though I'm not bouncing off the walls like the last time I was on 150, could it be a subtle factor in my unusually hyper-anxious state?
Thanks again for your further comments about my having guts (I needed to hear what you said!) and also thanks for saying that you "know" I will do well because I keep coming back. Well, I'm nothing if not tenacious and persistent, apparently these traits don't fade away unless I'm in a deep clinical depression, which at this point, thankfully I'm NOT. When I go there, I don't do ANYTHING, no computer, no nothing. Just veg (usually in bed).
Posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 19:50:19
In reply to JohnX2: good news re pdoc, question, more! » JohnX2, posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 18:31:40
> You are so right - from a medicine prescribing standpoint I also think my current pdoc (it's a SHE btw!) is good. And I have good news about the professional relationship problems regarding her not returning calls -- I had a talk with her (the second one I had to have over the course of a few months I'd say) and I think I finally REACHED her! I've had to call her a few times recently, and she has promptly returned each of my calls. I hope that telling you this doesn't jinx it; I don't want her to go back to her old ways!
>
> It's good to hear someone as knowledgeable as you confirm my pdoc's practice of only try to change one variable at a time. She generally doesn't like adding or changing (meaning new prescriptions) actual meds without seeing the person in the office, but she will do dosage changes on an existing med over the phone.
>
> Again GMTA - I have been thinking that I'm experiencing some kind of "mixed/agitated/dysphoric hypomania/panic with the racing thoughts and all, but who am I to be able to accurately assess my own situation!?!!
>
> Thanks for letting me know that caffeine will set you into "overdrive". I know it is a stimulant but had no idea it is a "convulsive" - yipes!
>
> Coffee aside, do you think that the EffexorXR 150mg dose may be too activating for me - even though I'm not bouncing off the walls like the last time I was on 150, could it be a subtle factor in my unusually hyper-anxious state?
>Effexor is a SNRI (Serotonin/Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor). Less than 150 mg, it mostly works on the serotonin system. As you push the dose over that 150 marker, it starts to go after the norepinephrine. This is where the medicine can be more "activating". Personally I found Effexor to make me very anxious, but this was jus me. A lot of people find that effexor eases anxiety. Sometimes it is dose dependant. At the lower doses, with just the serotonin mechanism, maybe good for anxiety. At the higher doses, with more norepinephrine, maybe good for lack of energy, interest, etc. Maybe for your purpose, the lower dose is fine and the higher dose just adds agitation. Or maybe the higher dose helps, but you need some mood stabilizer to relieve the agitation?
> Thanks again for your further comments about my having guts (I needed to hear what you said!) and also thanks for saying that you "know" I will do well because I keep coming back. Well, I'm nothing if not tenacious and persistent, apparently these traits don't fade away unless I'm in a deep clinical depression, which at this point, thankfully I'm NOT. When I go there, I don't do ANYTHING, no computer, no nothing. Just veg (usually in bed).I'm glad you are able to get up and do some things. It always puts a smile on my face to see your posts on pbabble. :=)
PS. Do you want to see if we can get a redirect from Dr. Bob? You seemed interested in that topic on the admin page? We just need to do something that is not "civil". LOL
John
Posted by beardedlady on April 2, 2002, at 20:18:55
In reply to JOHNX2, thanks and more:, posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 17:12:51
Janelle:
The amount you'd have to drink to get any medicinal benefits is huge--several cups a day (eight?). (I write a newsletter for a company that does coffee and tea vending, so I do a lot of research about this stuff.) Frankly, I wouldn't bother with it. If you want the caffeine, get a good cup o' joe. If you want antioxidants, drink V-8 and eat chocolate.
I do have a question about your thoughts and difficulty reading. Some of your posts are very long and seem to require much concentration. You do a very good job of writing and making your concerns clear. And there are so many posts for you to read, even though they are somewhat short. I bet you'll find a lot of internet information that's short and easy to navigate. So don't count it out. You could certainly get some more expert explanation.
Finally, if you're interested in cognitive improvement with behavior modification (I guess that's what this would be), try to meditate. Practice meditation. No, really. I have had some thought-stopping problems, and many times, you can get yourself under control by practicing concentrating. (This is painfully hard to do for those who DON'T have problems with intrusive thoughts.) Exercise also works for me, and the two in combination are brilliant. But as I said, they take practice even for those without problems. It is difficult to think of nothing or to concentrate on nothing but your breathing. But it's doable.
What meditation does for you is amazing. Just the practice of concentration helps you to concentrate on everything you do--projects, work, reading, even watching television!
As I said, I know all of this can be difficult. If you feel helped by your meds to the point that you are able to stop your thoughts, then it is all the more reason you should practice meditating. Although it is really not right for everyone, it also really is. (Does that make sense?) It may not be your style, your bag, your thing. But like everything else, practice makes you better.
Hmmm...sounds like I'm an expert meditator. Actually, I don't do it as often as I should because it's not my bag. But I have learned to meditate in other ways--by concentrating on everything I do.
Take care.
beardy : )>
Posted by fachad on April 2, 2002, at 20:22:16
In reply to Re: JohnX2: good news re pdoc, question, more! » Janelle, posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 19:50:19
> PS. Do you want to see if we can get a redirect from Dr. Bob? You seemed interested in that topic on the admin page? We just need to do something that is not "civil".
Umm, no need to be uncivil. There is a kinder, gentler way to get redirected. Just talk about something other than drugs. It works here just like it did back in high school.
I got "redirected" quite a bit in those days...
Posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 21:00:36
In reply to Re: JohnX2: good news re pdoc, question, more! » Janelle, posted by JohnX2 on April 2, 2002, at 19:50:19
You wrote to me within this thread: "You seemed interested in that topic on the admin page ...
WHAT TOPIC did I seem interested in on the admin page? I'm not getting something here about the purpose of a redirection ... what the heck topic was I posting about on the admin page?!! (LOL, I'm so confused!)
Posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 21:01:57
In reply to JohnX2: question about redirect (huh?!!) » JohnX2, posted by Janelle on April 2, 2002, at 21:00:36
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.