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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BRC on October 26, 2004, at 17:35:42
Hi, I am desperate. I have been tried on everyting. I just want my old self back. I have constant racing thoughts all day long--(I am not Bi-Polar). My mind seems like it is in overdrive all the time. Can't think straight or rational. Can't sit still because I try to distract myself with doing things to interrupt the thoughts. Nothing seems to work.
I have a psychiartist, a neurologist, and a family doctor. They all know the problem. I have tried therapy everything. But with the racing thoughts all the time I can't remember or put things into practice.
What medications help with slowing down thoughts. I currently take 50mg of Lexapro, 30mg of Remeron, 4mg of Klonopin, and 1,200mg of Trileptal. I have even protested to my doctors that the medication could be the cause. But they all insist it is not. If these medications don't slow down thoughts. What do?
I have never drank alcohol in my life or done drugs. But I am seriously considering getting me a six pack of beer and see if it works.
Any ideas, comments, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. THANKS
Posted by SLS on October 26, 2004, at 17:59:19
In reply to Someone PLEASE. Need something for racing thoughts, posted by BRC on October 26, 2004, at 17:35:42
> Hi, I am desperate. I have been tried on everyting. I just want my old self back. I have constant racing thoughts all day long--(I am not Bi-Polar). My mind seems like it is in overdrive all the time. Can't think straight or rational. Can't sit still because I try to distract myself with doing things to interrupt the thoughts. Nothing seems to work.
>
> I have a psychiartist, a neurologist, and a family doctor. They all know the problem. I have tried therapy everything. But with the racing thoughts all the time I can't remember or put things into practice.
>
> What medications help with slowing down thoughts. I currently take 50mg of Lexapro, 30mg of Remeron, 4mg of Klonopin, and 1,200mg of Trileptal. I have even protested to my doctors that the medication could be the cause. But they all insist it is not. If these medications don't slow down thoughts. What do?
>
> I have never drank alcohol in my life or done drugs. But I am seriously considering getting me a six pack of beer and see if it works.
>
> Any ideas, comments, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. THANKS
Could you describe in more detail what you experience as racing thoughts? Is there anxiety? When did this start in relation to the Lexapro or any of the other drugs? Has this ever happened to you before?This is sort of a cop-out, but when it comes to psychotropic medications, almost anything is possible. Lexapro can cause anxiety. Perhaps it can cause manic-like racing thoughts if you are vulnerable to a manic reaction. It might not be a bad idea to investigate this first. I guess it depends on your history.
You might need an antipsychotic to address your racing or ruminating thoughts. I would recommend doing this right now if you consider your condition intolerable. Risperdal might be a good first choice.
- Scott
Posted by BRC on October 26, 2004, at 20:23:28
In reply to Re: Someone PLEASE. Need something for racing thoughts, posted by SLS on October 26, 2004, at 17:59:19
> > Hi, I am desperate. I have been tried on everyting. I just want my old self back. I have constant racing thoughts all day long--(I am not Bi-Polar). My mind seems like it is in overdrive all the time. Can't think straight or rational. Can't sit still because I try to distract myself with doing things to interrupt the thoughts. Nothing seems to work.
> >
> > I have a psychiartist, a neurologist, and a family doctor. They all know the problem. I have tried therapy everything. But with the racing thoughts all the time I can't remember or put things into practice.
> >
> > What medications help with slowing down thoughts. I currently take 50mg of Lexapro, 30mg of Remeron, 4mg of Klonopin, and 1,200mg of Trileptal. I have even protested to my doctors that the medication could be the cause. But they all insist it is not. If these medications don't slow down thoughts. What do?
> >
> > I have never drank alcohol in my life or done drugs. But I am seriously considering getting me a six pack of beer and see if it works.
> >
> > Any ideas, comments, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. THANKS
>
>
> Could you describe in more detail what you experience as racing thoughts? Is there anxiety? When did this start in relation to the Lexapro or any of the other drugs? Has this ever happened to you before?
>
> This is sort of a cop-out, but when it comes to psychotropic medications, almost anything is possible. Lexapro can cause anxiety. Perhaps it can cause manic-like racing thoughts if you are vulnerable to a manic reaction. It might not be a bad idea to investigate this first. I guess it depends on your history.
>
> You might need an antipsychotic to address your racing or ruminating thoughts. I would recommend doing this right now if you consider your condition intolerable. Risperdal might be a good first choice.
>
>
> - ScottHi, Scott thanks for your response. I have Genaralized Anxiety Disorder and OCD. I was a perfectly fine 23 year old male, but five years ago I had my first panic attack. Didn't know what it was at first so all the weird symptoms I was experiencing were treated a medical or biological disorders and not anxiety.
Two years later and alot of doctors, specialists, and hospitals. It was ruled that it was panic disorder and OCD. When I say my mind races. It races about anxious, uncontrollable thoughts that create mental and physical anxiety. Just can't shake the constant worrysome thoughts. I am 28 now and in worse shape now than when this started.
I've done everthing under the sun to combat this but I can't find any relief.I asked my pdoc about an antipsychotic because during my research I found that it helped with thought disorders. But he said unless I was hearing voices, hallucinating, etc. The side effects of the drug would far out weigh the benefits. My doc. is supposed to be one of the best in my state.
The thoughts give me no peace, no rest, and no enjoyment in life. I always think something bad is going to happen and I can't control it. They race out of control all day long everyday.
About the medication. I've tried everything to help stop the thoughts. The only meds that even make a dent in the problem are the meds that create sedation such as Remeron. But I want to be able to function. Not be sedated.
Thanks for the response. Hope to hear from you soon.
BRC
Posted by SLS on October 26, 2004, at 20:33:33
In reply to Re: Someone PLEASE. Need something for racing thoughts, posted by BRC on October 26, 2004, at 20:23:28
Dear BRC,
I feel very strongly that you should investigate antipsychotics. The sooner, the better. Risperdal is used for thought disorders and anxiety, but also for stubborn cases of OCD. Any of the others are worth a try, but Risperdal sounds about right. There is also Zyprexa, which would be my second choice. Hopefully, you'll get some feedback from others as to which APs would best address your symptoms.
Risperdal 2-3mg
Zyprexa 10-20mg
Seroquel 300-600mg
Geodon 60-120mg
Abilify 10-20mg
- Scott
Posted by banga on October 26, 2004, at 20:44:15
In reply to Re: Someone PLEASE. Need something for racing thoughts, posted by BRC on October 26, 2004, at 20:23:28
Hi, I'm no expert whatsoever, but it surprises me that your doc said no to antipsychotics. The newer atypical ones are often prescribed for depression, and some on this board, including myself, have reported help with persistent rumination and anxiety. I have never had hallucinations or psychosis, yet my doc was very willing to give it a try with me. I've had little in the way of side effects. For me it really seemed to help with rumination....I take the antipsychotic Geodon. This isn't a suggestion, I am not qualified to give one, just sharing my experience as info. Have you gotten other (second) opinions?
Posted by Lazarus on October 26, 2004, at 21:23:55
In reply to Someone PLEASE. Need something for racing thoughts, posted by BRC on October 26, 2004, at 17:35:42
I agree with SLS (Scott). Give the atypical antipsychotics a try. I ruminate terribly. I take Abilify, Seroquel and Zyprexa in varying doses, and they minimize, though do not totally eliminate, the rumination.
Lazarus
Posted by Keko on October 26, 2004, at 23:45:46
In reply to Re: Someone PLEASE. Need something for racing thoughts, posted by Lazarus on October 26, 2004, at 21:23:55
Did this worsen once you went on Lexapro? Everyone is different (a favorite saying here, but it's true), but even the smallest amount of Lexapro is too activating for me (and for many others). I've never had problems with other SSRIs, but I'm down to 2.5 mg Lexapro (yes, that's only l/4 of the 10mg tablet), and I'm still having problems. I get a bit hypomanic and/or irritable within hours after I take the Lex. The most I ever took was 10mg as a split dose (5mg twice a day), and I couldn't stand myself. I also have anxiety and OCD, as well as depression. Have you tried any of the other SSRIs? I do think most docs agree that you have to be on a higher dose (20mg or more) of Lexapro to help with OCD, but trust me, I am going nuts on this stuff. Did it get worse with each dosage increase? I am now keeping a daily journal (just short notes) of my meds, dosage, changes in moods, and times those changes take effect post-dosage.
Posted by Jasmineneroli on October 27, 2004, at 0:16:27
In reply to Re: Someone PLEASE. Need something for racing thoughts, posted by Keko on October 26, 2004, at 23:45:46
Hi BRC:
Sorry to read that your incessant worrying is getting worse.
I have posted lots of times about my GAD and anticipatory anxiety and constant thinking that never shuts off..even when I was asleep, I'm sure!! It's really awful, totally interferes with everything. You almost feel incapable of acting on anything, because another thought comes up and memory just disappears. Brain gets very scattered.I agree with what Scott and others say about the atypical anti-psychotics. When you have OCD too, your thinking patterns just seem to get "stuck" like a scratched record, AP's really help to "unstuck". I've seen it many times with the OCD adolescents I worked with.
Also, it's worth investigating the Lexapro effect.Lots of people find it CAUSES those symptoms. I take Celexa, in a very low dose (10mg), in combination with Klonopin, and I've improved dramatically. Maybe Celexa could be substituted for Lex??
Keep searching for answers!
Take care
Jas
Posted by BRC on October 27, 2004, at 7:49:51
In reply to Re: Someone PLEASE. Need something for racing thoughts » BRC, posted by SLS on October 26, 2004, at 20:33:33
Hi, thanks for the response and the info. I don't know why my doc. is hesitant to prescribe an antypical. I even asked for a low dose of Risperdal at one of our visits.
But the only thing I can think is that he wants to see if the current medication kicks in. But for $115.00 for 20 minutes I want relief :). I have researched this problem alot and your posts and everyone elses backs up my research.
My doc. is worried about the long term nuerological effects of the atyipicals. Even though they are low compared to the conventiaonal antipsychotics.
Posted by BRC on October 27, 2004, at 7:51:25
In reply to Re: Someone PLEASE. Need something for racing thoughts, posted by banga on October 26, 2004, at 20:44:15
Thanks for the reply. Believe or not this doctor is my second opionion.
Posted by BRC on October 27, 2004, at 7:54:10
In reply to Re: Someone PLEASE. Need something for racing thoughts, posted by Jasmineneroli on October 27, 2004, at 0:16:27
Your symptoms are exactly like mine. I thought Lexapro was a better version of Celexa? Thanks again for taking the time to answer my post.
Posted by NeverGiveUp on October 27, 2004, at 14:49:32
In reply to Someone PLEASE. Need something for racing thoughts, posted by BRC on October 26, 2004, at 17:35:42
Are you taking these drugs for the anxiety and racing thoughts or has that happened secondarily (maybe you started out with just depression or something else? It is not that hard for us on these meds to forget, maybe we were never anxious before we started them). Has it gotten worse or just not better? My meds caused anxiety (effexor/ritalin), it seems many can. I would suggest to pinpoint when the problem started and try to make sure it is not a side effect/interaction of one of the drugs, before you take more drugs. It may get quite confusing otherwise. If you suspect a drug side effect try to cut back on one if feasible, with your docs approval, and see how you do.
Best wishes, Dan
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