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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by JahL on August 10, 2004, at 17:28:46
In reply to Re: have i got social phobia? » JahL, posted by carriejane on August 10, 2004, at 5:51:03
> Hi J, I have made an appointment with doc on thursday, I am going to ask him about rivitrol clonazepam, because the anxiety is pretty constant, its stopping me doing the things i need to do.
Hi Carrie.
>You know that feeling of knowing you are capable of sooo much more yet the fear is too much to go through.
Uh huh. S phobia can restrict your every movement, w/o a shadow...
>Can you tell me what the other 2 medicines are and what they do please?
Will have a stab tomorrow. Am very stoned right now (registered smoker - cannot sleep or get through the day w/o it) and am having cognitive difficulties anyway.
> Thanks alot for helping.
> Oh by the way i do have a history of drug addiction, mainly heroin and crack, so doc may be put off by that.Interesting. I have imbibed vast amounts of virtually every drug bar the two you mention. I smoked crack once but I didn't have much of a choice at the time (looong story involving a big knife...).
Fortunately my pdoc used to run an alcoholism clinic and so isn't prejudiced against the likes of us. I've also seen a neurologist at The Priory who confirmed that drugs were not the cause of my problems (I knew that) - they were just a form of self medication for a confused lad.
I've always steered clear of heroin because *I just know* it would banish my pain and temporarily kill the depression. I would become hooked in an instant.
I know I'm opioid responsive because I have taken low dose Methadone (5ml daily for cognition and energy benefits) for a few years now (diverted source).
*(BTW if anyone from America is reading this and is lucky enough to be prescribed low dose Vicodin, and I know there's a few of you, I would give the earth to be put in contact with yr pdoc, via personal email so Dr B doesn't wipe the post and also for obvious reasons. I'm no crank; I've been here for years and my medical history is well documented on this site. Having tried in excess of over 50 drugs with only limited success, this could be my last throw of the dice. Literally. I have not abused drugs for over 7 years and have full references from my pdoc of 7 years. Anyone? Please? No?)*
>Although i know i used heroin to relieve my anxiety, not the right choice i know but i happened upon it and the relief was very seductive. Trouble was i grew a tolerance which lead to even darker places. Im clean from habit nearly 5 yrs now though.
I'm pleased for you. Maybe we'll talk about H sometime, if you're comfortable with it. It fascinates me. As you say, very seductive in a hedonistic kinda way. But very dangerous of course...
> Ive rambled lol x
I do the same.
J.
Posted by JahL on August 10, 2004, at 19:13:13
In reply to Paxil losing effect?, posted by Jbee on August 9, 2004, at 22:30:58
> I’ve been on paxil for a few years and I believe that it’s begging to lose it’s effect on my
> SAD. Have you ever heard of this? Could it be related to my switch to generic paxil?
> Info please?Hi Jbee.
Sounds like good old fashioned 'poop-out', where the medication simply ceases to work. It's a widely known phenomenon. I'm not sure what the consensus of how to proceed is exactly, but I think switching to another antidepressant is a popular move. Just how successful this approach is a matter of contention, but I think as with most medications, efficacy varies widely from person to person.
If it is poop-out you are experiencing, I am truly sorry. The only time I have ever felt normal was when briefly euthymic on a variety of SSRIs. I got about 2 months of normalcy before the dreaded poop-out kicked in. *ucker.
The switch to generics should theoretically make no difference; they are identical in chemical make-up to brand versions. If it was me, superstition would compel me to switch back to brand name, just to check that the loss of efficacy was not down to this. But then I'm a little paranoid. And desperate.
Best,
J.
Posted by Jbee on August 10, 2004, at 20:57:33
In reply to Re: Paxil losing effect? » Jbee, posted by JahL on August 10, 2004, at 19:13:13
Thanks J.
I am also paranoid about the generic thing. I think I will try going back to brand name
before deciding that its pure poop-out.
Posted by carriejane on August 11, 2004, at 7:46:05
In reply to Re: have i got social phobia/ opiate request » carriejane, posted by JahL on August 10, 2004, at 17:28:46
Its great to talk to you, and helpful. I supose the heroin is just a really strong painkiller, and it made me totally apathetic, as opposed to me feeling guilt about all the cruelty in the world.
Do you think that even if my doc wont prescribe klonopin for my anxiety, that if i get it online it will be safe enough as long as i check its the right packaging etc?
Posted by carriejane on August 11, 2004, at 7:48:12
In reply to Re: is effexor and klonopin safe mix?? » JahL, posted by carriejane on August 11, 2004, at 7:46:05
Has anyone had problems with this mix? Im not taking any other medication. Just effexor and contemplating klonopin. Thanks
Posted by JahL on August 11, 2004, at 11:04:52
In reply to Re: is effexor and klonopin safe mix?? » JahL, posted by carriejane on August 11, 2004, at 7:46:05
> Its great to talk to you, and helpful. I supose the heroin is just a really strong painkiller, and it made me totally apathetic, as opposed to me feeling guilt about all the cruelty in the world.
Some would say there's a fine line btwn psychogenic and physiological pain. Seems H and related compounds touch both.
> Do you think that even if my doc wont prescribe klonopin for my anxiety, that if i get it online it will be safe enough as long as i check its the right packaging etc?
Wow. Ordering online is definitely frowned upon here since Bob outlawed the discussion of med sources (this place used to be like the Drug Swap Shop). I'd better be careful, though I have to admit I've bought dozen of meds unavailable over here online. Dangerous business tho'.
I imagine you'd have great trouble sourcing a benzo - they're scheduled - and even if you found an obliging third world pharmacy, yr pdoc would probably run a mile. Self-medication is strongly disapproved of here in the UK, as you probably know.
Could you request a very short prescription to begin with? It would make it possible to trial the drug w/o abuse being an issue.
I dunno...tricky one.
J.
Posted by carriejane on August 11, 2004, at 11:37:03
In reply to Re: klonopin » carriejane, posted by JahL on August 11, 2004, at 11:04:52
oops sorry, i didnt realise what has gone down here before i found these pages. The truth is i have already ordered from a swiss company, anyway enough of that, i wont mention anything to do with sources again. Thanks for the advive J, tomorrow i see my doc and will ask for trial prescription.
Thanks again C
Posted by pinky on August 11, 2004, at 11:47:48
In reply to Re: klonopin » carriejane, posted by JahL on August 11, 2004, at 11:04:52
I wouldn't recommend a short trial of clonazepam. I'd say at least three months and make sure you titrate up slow and taper off slow. When you're trying to find an adequate dose, don't look for a "high" or being able to feel it. Instead, experiment with effectiveness of the drug my immersing yourself in situations which are usually stressful and see if you wigg out or not. I find that at first, the apprehension of a situation is still there, but when wigg out time comes, it just doesn't happen. You can actually feel your body about to freak out, but it just ... doesn't. Thats when you know that the clonazepam is working. Once you experience this, you'll recognize the effectiveness of the drug and you will begin to feel less apprehensive and way more confident.
If you start out using high doses until you feel totally chilled out, you'll build up a tolerance way too quickly and waste what could have been a very useful medication.
Keep the doses low and experiment in social situations. Just take your doses at regular intervals 2 or 3 times a day and once it builds up in your system, you'll find it very helpful. DON'T look for any intoxicating effect whatsoever. The "high" that clonezepam can give you anyway is pretty boring. Thats why I think its weird that docs are reluctant to prescribe it because I couldn't see it being a druggy's drug of choice.
Posted by pinky on August 11, 2004, at 11:50:22
In reply to Re: klonopin » JahL, posted by carriejane on August 11, 2004, at 11:37:03
Can you actually get this crap from online drugstores without a prescription? Is it way more expensive?
Posted by JahL on August 11, 2004, at 12:03:19
In reply to Re: klonopin » JahL, posted by carriejane on August 11, 2004, at 11:37:03
> The truth is i have already ordered from a swiss company, anyway enough of that.
Fair play.
Regarding another comment made, I wasn't actually suggesting that you give such a long-acting benzo a short trial. I just think that yr pdoc might feel more comfortable handing out a *succession* of short-lived prescriptions, as opposed to the usual month's supply. Would be much harder to overdose.
Good luck with yr appt!
J.
Posted by carriejane on August 11, 2004, at 15:52:27
In reply to Re: klonopin, posted by pinky on August 11, 2004, at 11:50:22
Thanks for the advice pinky, I dont want the high i just want the anxiety gone. Yeh you can get it in most online chemists but most are v expensive apart from a european one which seems pretty reasonable. The american ones are always loadsa money!
Thanks again C
Posted by carriejane on August 11, 2004, at 15:54:44
In reply to Re: klonopin » carriejane, posted by JahL on August 11, 2004, at 12:03:19
Oh I see, I feel a bit nervous about seeing him in the morning lol, hes a new doctor only seen him once which was when he prescribed effexor. I keep thinking hes going to tell me off for asking for pills!
Thanks J
Posted by JahL on August 11, 2004, at 23:32:55
In reply to Re: have i got social phobia? » JahL, posted by carriejane on August 10, 2004, at 5:51:03
> Can you tell me what the other 2 medicines are and what they do please?
Hi CJ.
As promised, explanations of the two drugs I mentioned.
Put simply, Lamotrigene is an anti-convulsant, originally approved as an adjunctive treatment for epilepsy. However, in common with a number of anti-convulsants, Lamotrigene seems to be helpful with affective disorders, particularly Bipolar.
What distinguishes Lamotrigene from the others is that it seems to have particular effectiveness for BP depression, whereas the likes of Depakote are better known for their anti-manic properties. BP depression is notoriously difficult to treat. Technically speaking, Lamotrigene reduces glutamatergic neurotransmission.
Sulpiride is an old European anti-psychotic used originally for schizophrenia. Whilst these old style antipsychotics with their very unpleasant (sometimes longterm) side effects have been superceded by the apparently superior Atypicals, Sulpiride remains in use because it appears to help with dysthymia and social phobia where other agents might've already failed. It also seems to be, relatively speaking, remarkably side-effect free (at least in my case and with others I've spoken to).
Getting technical, it is a dopamine antagonist which blocks selected dopamine receptors (specifically D3 I think. Could be D2 though). It appears to work presynaptically at low doses, giving it (& Amisulpride) a unique mode of action.
Is that OK?
Hope 2day went OK.
J.
(P.S. bear in mind I'm stoned, cognitively retarded and haven't read anything for a couple of years. Not everything I say can be totally relied upon, as is the case here generally I suppose. YMMV and all that. Ta)
Posted by carriejane on August 12, 2004, at 2:15:14
In reply to Re: explanation » carriejane, posted by JahL on August 11, 2004, at 23:32:55
Lol! You are a funny one. Do you mean stoned from pot? When i smoked that stuff, god it made me feel so transparent, as though everyone could suddenly see how different i was. Then paranoid, even with my friends.
That was good info thanks J, I dont think i have bipolar, isnt that what they call manic depression where you have highs then extreme lows? I never get the highs, just always( apart from occasional days) on a bland low, often tipping into real darkness.
Ok, take care for now xx C
Posted by carriejane on August 12, 2004, at 6:22:25
In reply to Re: klonopin » JahL, posted by carriejane on August 11, 2004, at 15:54:44
Hi J, Im probably bugging you but anyway my gp had never heard of clonazepam, he looked it up and saw in HIS little book that it was prescribed for epilepsy or something, the word anxiety nowhere in sight, just my luck. Anyway he said go back in 2wks and by then hel have spoken to a psychiatrist to ask an opinion on klonopin. Meanwhile he prescribed a 2wk of inderal, but i told him ive tried beta blockers before and they did sod all. He was going to initially up my dose of effexor but didnt as he thought they were causing anxiety. I have a months worth and ive upped it myself, to 2 x 75xr
Maybe i should give them a proper chanceHey thanks again xxC
Posted by pinky on August 12, 2004, at 6:36:40
In reply to Re: klonopin-J, posted by carriejane on August 12, 2004, at 6:22:25
you should have given him the trade name Rivotril.
It is an epilepsy drug, but like xanax and valium, it is also prescribed to relieve anxiety.
Like many have said before, don't take it by itself. It will relieve your anxiety, but it will make you kind of socially boring.
Posted by carriejane on August 12, 2004, at 8:45:55
In reply to Re: klonopin-J, posted by pinky on August 12, 2004, at 6:36:40
Hi there, i did tell him rivotril first then clonazepam. I dont think hes that good really, very old. Do you mean take it along with the effexor?
Posted by pinky on August 12, 2004, at 9:02:26
In reply to Re: klonopin-J » pinky, posted by carriejane on August 12, 2004, at 8:45:55
i've never even done effexor. screw all that crap. this is my first pharmaceutical "outing." I'm going for the benzo/stimulant combo and I think after reading everyones comments, that should be the first route to take. I havent got to the stimulant part yet but the benzo part had done its job well and all the initial side effects were gone in about 2 weeks (they were kind of funny anyway). Of course, I've never been a crack/heroin addict so I don't know what you're experience is going to be (no offence). I have had mild issues with cocaine and booze, but I don't think to the extent that you guys are talking about. I personally hate pot, so I can't really relate to mr. stoned. Thats the worst thing in the world for SP and anxiety.
Posted by carriejane on August 12, 2004, at 13:15:17
In reply to Re: klonopin-J, posted by pinky on August 12, 2004, at 9:02:26
yeh but what do you mean by stimulant??? Prescription speed? Fuck that too, that made me more depressed than any other drug ive known. I could have easily killed myself on that.
But hey goodluck babe xxx
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 12, 2004, at 23:30:09
In reply to Re: klonopin-J, posted by carriejane on August 12, 2004, at 13:15:17
> F[*]ck that too
Sorry to be such a prude, but please don't use language that could offend others.
Anyone who has questions about this or about posting policies in general, or who is interested in alternative ways of expressing themselves, should see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Also, follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by carriejane on August 13, 2004, at 3:39:20
In reply to Re: please be civil » carriejane, posted by Dr. Bob on August 12, 2004, at 23:30:09
Sorry, I wasnt directing it at anyone. Il watch my swearing x
Posted by Dr. Bob on August 13, 2004, at 8:53:14
In reply to Re: please be civil » Dr. Bob, posted by carriejane on August 13, 2004, at 3:39:20
Posted by Ken5440 on August 13, 2004, at 13:16:21
In reply to Re: klonopin-J, posted by pinky on August 12, 2004, at 6:36:40
I had a very interesting experience with Klonopin. I began taking it along with Wellbutrin. I should mention that I have depression and anxiety problems. Anyway, the clonazapam worked just great for a couple of months. I felt good and thought I had the ideal combo of meds.
Then one day, I got extremely depressed. It got worse each day, and after about a week I dropped the clonazapam since that was the last change I had made.
After the depression moderated, I began to think back on what I had been doing the past few months and realized that the two weeks I spent trying to contact Billy Joel in order to ask him to write a foreword for my book seemed out of character for me. In fact, many things I had done seemed a lot like mania. But, I am not bipolar.
It was interesting. I am sure that there are a number of reporters and TV news people whose help I tried to enlist who think I am absolutely insane.
Posted by J. Backer on August 16, 2004, at 9:20:12
In reply to Re: thanks! (nm) » carriejane, posted by Dr. Bob on August 13, 2004, at 8:53:14
hey CarrieJane,
i know i have been there before, i dont know any pdoc that would prescribe an x-heroin addict a benzo. (belive me, iv tried) anyway im actually kinda glad i didnt ever get one because i would be back using soon after. i assume any pdoc would think it would be a no question bad move, it just sounds bad.plus they can make one more deppresed and they defentaly effect moods. when i came off smack i needed stabillity. but i only know me and its just one addicts thoughts to another.
peace j
Posted by carriejane on August 17, 2004, at 5:03:09
In reply to carriejane, posted by J. Backer on August 16, 2004, at 9:20:12
Thanks J Backer, so how did you get rid of your anxiety? I feel that i wont abuse the benzos, as i never want to go back to that hell. I never was a pill popper, apart from ecstasy pre heroin, i used the heroin as medicine to relieve anxiety, depression. It was just too addictive. Since ive been in recovery, around 5 yrs, the anxiety, sp just doesnt shift, even doing counselling for long periods, hypnotherapy.
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