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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by myco on February 6, 2009, at 17:20:58
In reply to Re: No cure for Social Phobia ? » tepi, posted by jms600 on February 6, 2009, at 16:38:26
>I've got severe anxiety (GAD, panic disorder, social phobia) along with some depression.
> What medications are you on/tried??Hey jms600...you have a very similar diagnosis as me (i'm atypical depression, gad and social anxiety - basically anxiety is my root issue with depression as a "side effect" of that anxiety). If I can make a suggestion, trying to save you some time and possible aggrevation (forgive me though I dont want to mess up your treatment or bring you down a wrong path) but I found anxiety to go through the roof on effexor at higher doses (it has significant NE effect). Again sorry to butt in but...is your dr willing to try nardil (a maoi)? It's been brilliant for my anxiety (gad and social), both in mental and physical sense and less so for depression. Since you share similar symptomology as me I thought you might benefit from it more than effexor. Actually if you look up nardil (a lil research on your part) you will see it fits your symptoms very well, serious.
keep smilin,
mycoatypical depression, gad, social anxiety
75mg nardil
Posted by Sigismund on February 6, 2009, at 17:40:56
In reply to No cure for Social Phobia ?, posted by tepi on February 5, 2009, at 22:32:11
Hi Tep
Young people have a need to be around other young people.
SP makes this really difficult.When I was young a whole lot of troubled young people joined the radical movement and found others like themselves, so we had to pretend less than we otherwise would have.
I wonder if the things you should forget about are the things you want most....social events, girlfriends, times when you have to look as if you are having fun.
Do you think there are other things you could do?
Posted by Cseagraves on February 6, 2009, at 18:21:18
In reply to No cure for Social Phobia ?, posted by tepi on February 5, 2009, at 22:32:11
Tepi,
I don't know how much help I can be, but here goes. I have severe GAD, panic and agoraphobia, which has led to depression. Have been through every ssri and nothing has worked as I seem to be hypersensitive to just about everything.
List of everything I have tried:
zoloft
paxil
lexapro
wellbutrin
effexor
remeron
seroquel
valium
zanaxNot sure what meds you have tried, but I am now trying the maoi Marplan. (I started a post below about it) Have just started so I cannot give alot of feedback as of yet.
I do understand how you feel. I had a great life before all of this started and am still determined to have one. On days when I feel like all has failed and that I am hopelessly incurable, I have to step back and know I can beat this. I have a wonderful family who needs me, so just wanting to end it all is not an option.
I have read so many books on anxiety and depression. Here's one thing that stood out in one of the books I read. Quit trying to control this illness, because it does not define who you are. Instead of feeling like you have to fight it everytime you feel this way, just go with it. Dare it to do it's worse and instead of thinking that you have to "fight" it, which will only make it worse, think of the word "float".
I take slow, long, deep breaths (breathe through your stomach, not your chest) I picture myself floating among clouds or floating on water. Don't concentrate about the future, just concentrate on getting through each day, one at a time.
I used to constantly get more depressed when I would worry about having to live the rest of my life this way, which was really not living, just existing. I have to be able to except missing out on things with my husband and kids because I cannot go far from my house. I am learning that for right now, I have to take care of me and get better. I have to take things in small baby steps now instead of worrying about what I am not able to do as of yet.
My son plays in a band and he is having his first gig this weekend, which I will not be able to attend. It breaks my heart and I have cried all day, but I know that at some point I will get to see him play. I will get there and you will to.
Don't beat yourself down. You have to stop that. You are allowing this illness to take you over. Try to take the time just to step out of your door. Look at the things around you. The trees, the grass, the sky, the sun (it helps if you can let it shine down on you). Breathe in the air that our universe provides us and know that we are all intertwined in this. Look at the stars at night and how glorious they are and know whatever created all of that is what created all of us. Just feel yourself "FLOAT".
What I am trying to say is to quit worrying about the bigger picture right now, that just puts more stress on you. I know it sounds cleche, but it's the little things.
I know that it feels easier to want to give up because you feel that nothing will ever fix this and that you will be miserable the rest of your life. It's just not so. I promise, that with time and effort, you will find a way to get past this.
Also remember and remind yourself that there is no quick fix for this. It will take time and patience. You might go through a slew of meds before finding the right one that works for you. Everytime a med as failed me, I would get so upset and depressed, but then I look around at what I have to live for and that is "I need to live for me first" and then I can worry about everyone and everything else.
You have a life that is worthy as do all of us here. It's good to vent here, because the group of people here and their posts have helped me realize alot and they have helped to keep me strong.
It's not so much that you have to accept this life, just go with it until you get it fixed. I know its frustrating, but you can do this!!
You may not have family and friends to depend on(believe me, I have found out who my true friends are during this period) Thats when I started reaching out to web-sites and chat rooms. It helps to find and talk to other people who know what you are going through. Another site you might try is www.anxietytribe.com.
Don't give up, because we won't give up on you.
Courtney :-)
Posted by tepi on February 7, 2009, at 14:33:02
In reply to Re: No cure for Social Phobia ? » tepi, posted by Phillipa on February 5, 2009, at 23:36:13
> Tepi you never mentioned paranoid before. Have you seen a doc? Maybe you need to change to other meds? Love Phillipa
Hi Phillipa
Paranoid mmm the psychotic symptoms ,
this was worst in my first years , when I was 16 years , maybe now I cant diferentiate between SP and paranoia
Posted by jms600 on February 7, 2009, at 15:11:33
In reply to Re: No cure for Social Phobia ? » jms600, posted by myco on February 6, 2009, at 17:20:58
Hi Myco.
I have heard from several sources about the possible worsening of anxiety with high doses of Effexor. Remembering what mirtazpine did to me and my anxiety at higher doses, I will certainly bear this in mind when I start the Effexor.
I don't think I've got the slightest chance of being prescribed Nardil by my psychiatrist. He's leaving Lyrica as a last resort - and that's licensed for GAD! I've got no hope of trying Nardil.
> >I've got severe anxiety (GAD, panic disorder, social phobia) along with some depression.
> > What medications are you on/tried??
>
> Hey jms600...you have a very similar diagnosis as me (i'm atypical depression, gad and social anxiety - basically anxiety is my root issue with depression as a "side effect" of that anxiety). If I can make a suggestion, trying to save you some time and possible aggrevation (forgive me though I dont want to mess up your treatment or bring you down a wrong path) but I found anxiety to go through the roof on effexor at higher doses (it has significant NE effect). Again sorry to butt in but...is your dr willing to try nardil (a maoi)? It's been brilliant for my anxiety (gad and social), both in mental and physical sense and less so for depression. Since you share similar symptomology as me I thought you might benefit from it more than effexor. Actually if you look up nardil (a lil research on your part) you will see it fits your symptoms very well, serious.
>
> keep smilin,
> myco
>
> atypical depression, gad, social anxiety
> 75mg nardil
Posted by myco on February 7, 2009, at 15:24:50
In reply to Re: No cure for Social Phobia ? » myco, posted by jms600 on February 7, 2009, at 15:11:33
> I don't think I've got the slightest chance of being prescribed Nardil by my psychiatrist. He's leaving Lyrica as a last resort - and that's licensed for GAD! I've got no hope of trying Nardil.
>ok. this is a good board for advice on effexor...i'll give ya any advice I can on the effexor journey. cheers.
Posted by tepi on February 8, 2009, at 1:13:14
In reply to Re: No cure for Social Phobia ? » tepi, posted by HyperFocus on February 6, 2009, at 1:36:42
> I have SA too and yes it seems more like survival than living. SA makes even the smallest things seem impossible. Every day is a struggle to extract just the basics of existence from depression and anxiety. And as I get older it seems that state I'm living in becomes more accustomed to and the normal state I had as a child becomes more remote.
>
> The only things I can suggest you do are:
> 1. Recognize that you have a well-defined disease and it's not your personality or even previous traumatic experiences that is at fault - it's just a disease people develop
>
> 2. Recognize that many others have the same disease.
>
> 3. Recognize that the disease is treatable. It is only a matter of time before you find the right combination of meds.
>
> Sometimes maybe the fog clears and you have a glimpse of what 'normal' living. So know that you're curable
> but it is going to take time - you didn't get that way overnight.
>
> So hang in there.
What meds are you on?
>Thanks for helping me. Well I have been on Nardil
for 5 years . Its a good med ,I also take Xanax
I thiunk Im going off all meds in this moment.
I have two days without them and I have started to feel much better. This usually happens. Then after 6 or 7 day , I start to feel very bad and I restart the treatment and I feel very good for 2 weeks , I have done this some times. I Know its not the way out , but I need good days..
Posted by tepi on February 8, 2009, at 1:19:37
In reply to Re: No cure for Social Phobia ? » tepi, posted by jms600 on February 6, 2009, at 16:38:26
>
> Sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. I've got severe anxiety (GAD, panic disorder, social phobia) along with some depression. I know what you mean by surviving rather than living.
>
> What medications are you on/tried??mmmm ,Let me think oh yes almost all the meds in the market , It would be easier to mention what I havent tried yet . Id taken ALl SSRIs ,all tryciclis , , all AP`s new generation , óld APS many of them, all Benzos , the "new stuf", stimulant only provigil ,the reversible MAO , IMAOS -only Nardil , which is the one Im taking in this moment and has work better
Posted by tepi on February 8, 2009, at 1:25:37
In reply to Re: No cure for Social Phobia ? » tepi, posted by Sigismund on February 6, 2009, at 17:40:56
> Hi Tep
>
> Young people have a need to be around other young people.
> SP makes this really difficult.
>
> When I was young a whole lot of troubled young people joined the radical movement and found others like themselves, so we had to pretend less than we otherwise would have.
>
> I wonder if the things you should forget about are the things you want most....social events, girlfriends, times when you have to look as if you are having fun.
>
> Do you think there are other things you could do?mmmn , nooo , I cant describe thissss , its like being in everywhere but here , Im like a zombie
, maybe some part of this is because the disease amd other because of the meds
I can stay in front of the PC many time. I can do everything where other people is not present , anyway I dont feel like enjoy doing it.
Im like posioned.
It amazing how a disease can destroy people life
right?
Posted by tepi on February 8, 2009, at 1:28:53
In reply to Re: No cure for Social Phobia ?, posted by Cseagraves on February 6, 2009, at 18:21:18
Posted by jms600 on February 8, 2009, at 14:50:14
In reply to Re: No cure for Social Phobia ? » jms600, posted by tepi on February 8, 2009, at 1:19:37
Have you considered pregabalin? Although this is licensed for GAD I believe it is also good for social phobia (although I haven't personally tried it yet). I also read somewhere that topiramate has also been shown to help social phobia. It may very well be worth considering these...
>
> >
> > Sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. I've got severe anxiety (GAD, panic disorder, social phobia) along with some depression. I know what you mean by surviving rather than living.
> >
> > What medications are you on/tried??
>
> mmmm ,Let me think oh yes almost all the meds in the market , It would be easier to mention what I havent tried yet . Id taken ALl SSRIs ,all tryciclis , , all AP`s new generation , óld APS many of them, all Benzos , the "new stuf", stimulant only provigil ,the reversible MAO , IMAOS -only Nardil , which is the one Im taking in this moment and has work better
>
>
Posted by tepi on February 8, 2009, at 22:46:59
In reply to Re: No cure for Social Phobia ? » tepi, posted by jms600 on February 8, 2009, at 14:50:14
No I havent take these jms600.
Do you know if topiramate can be taken with Nardil ? I never heard that med before , which is this one , is it like Pregabalin?
I tried EPIVAL , but it did not work....> Have you considered pregabalin? Although this is licensed for GAD I believe it is also good for social phobia (although I haven't personally tried it yet). I also read somewhere that topiramate has also been shown to help social phobia. It may very well be worth considering these...
>
>
>
> >
> > >
> > > Sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. I've got severe anxiety (GAD, panic disorder, social phobia) along with some depression. I know what you mean by surviving rather than living.
> > >
> > > What medications are you on/tried??
> >
> > mmmm ,Let me think oh yes almost all the meds in the market , It would be easier to mention what I havent tried yet . Id taken ALl SSRIs ,all tryciclis , , all AP`s new generation , óld APS many of them, all Benzos , the "new stuf", stimulant only provigil ,the reversible MAO , IMAOS -only Nardil , which is the one Im taking in this moment and has work better
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by tepi on February 8, 2009, at 22:56:09
In reply to Re: No cure for Social Phobia ? » jms600, posted by tepi on February 8, 2009, at 22:46:59
Do you think it woul be time to try another
MAOI ? Maybe Parnate....Ive been 2 days without meds , only Xanax . I was
better yesterday , Im no that good today
I started to feel strange , like a little depressed , anyway my mind is clearer.Im trying also to start going to therapy. Its not
CBT , its a phsycoanalysis group.
But honestly I dont believe in them.
How can I feel good one day and then bad the next one.. all this stuff is a chemical issue
What can therapy help in chemical brain issues??What would you do friends ?
Posted by SLS on February 9, 2009, at 6:09:17
In reply to time for another MAOI ?, posted by tepi on February 8, 2009, at 22:56:09
Hi Tepi.
Can you refresh my memory as to what you suffer from and which drug you found at least partially helpful in the past?
- Scott
Posted by tepi on February 9, 2009, at 22:28:18
In reply to Re: time for another MAOI ? » tepi, posted by SLS on February 9, 2009, at 6:09:17
> Hi Tepi.
>
> Can you refresh my memory as to what you suffer from and which drug you found at least partially helpful in the past?
>
>
> - ScottI really dont know what I suffer of. No doctor can tell me what I really have. Schizoaffective disorder maybe tell me ... I have big depression , big social phobia , maybe still psychosis
The first drug that helped me was Zyprexa and Seroquel. Nardil is the one that has help me the most Scott
Posted by tepi on February 9, 2009, at 23:02:23
In reply to Re: time for another MAOI ? » SLS, posted by tepi on February 9, 2009, at 22:28:18
Please Tell me something ! Im going off my meds
Dont know what to do anymore
Posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2009, at 23:33:33
In reply to Please Answer me babblers, posted by tepi on February 9, 2009, at 23:02:23
Tepi sweetie I'm here but you know I don't know MAOI's and I think Scott is sleeping now. Don't go off your meds give him some time to answer please? Love Phillipa
Posted by SLS on February 10, 2009, at 6:27:31
In reply to Re: time for another MAOI ? » SLS, posted by tepi on February 9, 2009, at 22:28:18
> > Hi Tepi.
> >
> > Can you refresh my memory as to what you suffer from and which drug you found at least partially helpful in the past?
> >
> >
> > - Scott
>
> I really dont know what I suffer of. No doctor can tell me what I really have. Schizoaffective disorder maybe tell me ... I have big depression , big social phobia , maybe still psychosis
>
> The first drug that helped me was Zyprexa and Seroquel. Nardil is the one that has help me the most ScottI don't know how much help I can be. I am really not sure what to suggest. If Nardil was that much of a help to you, you might want to go ahead and combine it with one of the atypical neuroleptics. Zyprexa would probably be the most helpful, but if weight becomes an issue, perhaps you can switch over to Abilify. Even Seroquel, if that was good for you. I don't know for sure, but adding Klonopin to Nardil may serve some purpose if the social phobia does not resolve completely. Sometimes Neurontin is helpful for SP.
What sorts of things has your doctor mentioned?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on February 10, 2009, at 6:29:51
In reply to Please Answer me babblers, posted by tepi on February 9, 2009, at 23:02:23
>
> Please Tell me something ! Im going off my meds
> Dont know what to do anymoreWhen was the last time you did that? What were the results?
Sometimes, a new doctor will want to see what the patient is like without medication to get a better handle on symptoms and diagnosis. He can then build an entirely new regime.
- Scott
Posted by tepi on February 10, 2009, at 23:37:19
In reply to Re: time for another MAOI ? » tepi, posted by SLS on February 10, 2009, at 6:27:31
> >
> > I really dont know what I suffer of. No doctor can tell me what I really have. Schizoaffective disorder maybe tell me ... I have big depression , big social phobia , maybe still psychosis
> >
> > The first drug that helped me was Zyprexa and Seroquel. Nardil is the one that has help me the most Scott
>
> I don't know how much help I can be. I am really not sure what to suggest. If Nardil was that much of a help to you, you might want to go ahead and combine it with one of the atypical neuroleptics. Zyprexa would probably be the most helpful, but if weight becomes an issue, perhaps you can switch over to Abilify. Even Seroquel, if that was good for you. I don't know for sure, but adding Klonopin to Nardil may serve some purpose if the social phobia does not resolve completely. Sometimes Neurontin is helpful for SP.I combined Nardil with a bit of Seroquel . 50mg
but did not feel a change. I also used the klonopin and did not helped me. Xanax help me most
Scott>
> What sorts of things has your doctor mentioned?
>
>I dont have a Doctor anymore ! They dont know what to do with MAOI medication. They get afraid , some even dont know what a MAOI is
All the drugs I have added to Nardil has been suggested by me . I have once a Doc that wanted to give me and SSRI with Nardil , also SAM-E.
I told him this was not very safe and he just told me to left the MAOI , that it was my mind that was thinking that Nardilis the only med that can help me
I follow his advice and started to try new crap again . After 1 month I had a gun near my mouthI called and old doctor and he told me to take Risperdione ASAP , I suppose he wanted to sedate me , but I did not follow his instructions
he also told me to return Nardil and so I didSince then I have no attempted to leave Nardil again , and all the doctors here tell me to do that.
Its a little bit complicated to take this drugs here =(
Posted by tepi on February 10, 2009, at 23:50:51
In reply to Re: Please Answer me babblers » tepi, posted by SLS on February 10, 2009, at 6:29:51
> >
> > Please Tell me something ! Im going off my meds
> > Dont know what to do anymore
>
> When was the last time you did that? What were the results?
>
I have done it few times . The first time I did , I could stay with no med during 2 months !! wow
I thought I was cured but then everything returnOn the next trial I only last 15 days
>
> Sometimes, a new doctor will want to see what the patient is like without medication to get a better handle on symptoms and diagnosis. He can then build an entirely new regime.
>
>
> - ScottI have been 4 days with no med ( only a little bit of Xanax ) and I feel more normal . My mind is clearer ,no fear , no fog in my mind, not depressed
I know that when I start to feel bad Im gonna have to return Nardil and in this proces its when I feel very good again , but this lasts like 7 days .
would be the dopamine boost? ,rare dont you think Scott?
Im calm in this moment , just worried about next plans.
Dont feel pressured by me , just wanna hear
your opinion and from all the boardThank you
Posted by Phillipa on February 11, 2009, at 0:27:03
In reply to Re: Please Answer me babblers » SLS, posted by tepi on February 10, 2009, at 23:50:51
Tepi right now you're not on an ad? And you're calm? But you say could return in a few day? Am I right? Is this a pattern. If so could you be bipolar? Just a thought til Scott gets back to you as he's so good with meds. Love Phillipa
Posted by SLS on February 11, 2009, at 7:10:30
In reply to Re: Please Answer me babblers » SLS, posted by tepi on February 10, 2009, at 23:50:51
Hi Tepi.
Your experience with coming off of Nardil and feeling better is not rare. It is called a rebound improvement. It can last 1-3 weeks. Some people actually become manic during this time for whom mania is not a regular feature of their disorder. I had this reaction myself.
The next time you come off of Nardil, try staying at 30mg and see what happens. You probably won't feel perfect, but you may retain enough of a partial improvement to justify continuing with it.
What's the deal with Parnate? How did you react to it?
Nardil + Zyprexa felt pretty good to me. I later changed over to Abilify, and felt even better. While it is true that Abilify can produce anxiety and insomnia in the beginning, these things can often disappear within 2 weeks. Now, I have no anxiety, no feelings of doom, and no suicidality.
Low-dose 25-100mg per day of Seroquel helps people with anxiety as taken 25mg PRN. If you take more than 100mg per day, you can become dysphoric and possibly have your anxiety get worse.
I saw a guy with tremendous anxiety react better to a drug called Phenergan (promethazine)than to Zyprexa.
- Scott
Posted by tepi on February 12, 2009, at 21:14:19
In reply to Re: Please Answer me babblers » tepi, posted by SLS on February 11, 2009, at 7:10:30
> Hi Tepi.
>
> Your experience with coming off of Nardil and feeling better is not rare. It is called a rebound improvement. It can last 1-3 weeks. Some people actually become manic during this time for whom mania is not a regular feature of their disorder. I had this reaction myself.
>Yes Yes , thats it !
> The next time you come off of Nardi
l, try staying at 30mg and see what happens. You probably won't feel perfect, but you may retain enough of a partial improvement to justify continuing with it.
>
mmm I already tryed this scott , but it did not worked =(
> What's the deal with Parnate? How did you react to it?
>
I havent tried Parnate ,Scot , ,I say so because I only took it for 3 days
>
>
> - Scott
>The good feeling is gone, I have started to get depressed and sacary, so this time the boost lasted only 7 days.
I dont care I gonna see what happen tomorrow.
Oh god when is this gonna finish
Posted by Phillipa on February 13, 2009, at 0:12:48
In reply to Re: Please Answer me babblers - Effect is gone, posted by tepi on February 12, 2009, at 21:14:19
Tepi we're here. Late on East Coast. You will make it. Love Phillipa
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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