![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Angelskye on February 1, 2009, at 9:43:36
Hi:)
Three months ago I was started on antivan for what they called episodic anxiety; boy..that doesn't account for the previous 51 years? I found that although it worked, I tended to take more and more to get the same effect (the dissapation of the basketball of anxiety I woke up with each morning in the pit of my stomach..) I tried to go off this drug as I returned to college at the beginning of January. The ativan maded me "teflon brained" and I didn't seem to be absorbing the information for school at all. Had I not been doing this, I would have continued on it as it did make a difference. After going through assessment testing at a nearby college in december, I was diagnoised with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Considering that I'd been diagnoised with ADD 12 years ago, and and these tests negated that, I was shocked (but not really..) Ritalin was the worst thing I could have been taking, as it turned out. After a visit this week to my dr., report in hand, it was as if they finally believed me. Why does one have to go through 1000.00 worth of test before you are believed that anxiety is real? Thank God for my best friend who pushed me to do this test!! Anyway, four days ago he put me on 10mg of Buspar, 2x's daily with Restoril 30mg at night to sleep if I need it(and I haven't felt like I "needed" it for two nights; and I was sleeping 3-4 hrs night and desperately needed to sleep more. I just couldn't turn my brain off at night). Just typing this makes me well up with tears, but instead of it because I am overwhelmed by something, anything, everything..it's because for the first time ever I've found something that works. I am not high. I am not low. I am not hungry. I am not anything but what feels like "normal". Please understand that I have been self-medicating myself with anything I could; well almost..weed, food, sex, OTH anything that might make me relax, for all of my adult life) Thank God alcohol never appealed to me. Over the years doctors have tried (w/dr.s RX-)zoloft, prozac, celexa, wellbutrin. Why is it so hard for Dr.'s to believe that someone could actually be anxiety ridden w/o being depressed? I think back on all the money I've wasted.. Anyone who's experienced anxiety to such a level on a daily basis knows what I'm talking about and what a miracle this is. The doctor kept asking me if I am depressed. In a word, no no no no no. I am the happiest I've been in a long time, aside from the drug. I've lost a 100lbs by hard work,not surgery. My last child has gone off to school and I am back in school. I am in a good relationship. And now, for the first time, I am actually enjoying it. No one who has never experienced this knows what it's like to live with this level of anxiety. Thank you, Universe, for this tiny little drug that so far, has made such a subtle but incredible inpact in my life. I wish someone had believed me sooner. xox to those who still are searching for that what works for them. I feel very blessed.
Posted by Phillipa on February 1, 2009, at 10:58:09
In reply to Buspar, Assessment test, Anxiety, posted by Angelskye on February 1, 2009, at 9:43:36
Welcome to babble. See you're new. So what you're saying is ativan didn't work but buspar and restoril is working well. And the ad's didn't work is that correct? Phillipa
Posted by Angelskye on February 1, 2009, at 11:15:49
In reply to Re: Buspar, Assessment test, Anxiety » Angelskye, posted by Phillipa on February 1, 2009, at 10:58:09
Ativan worked great except I had to constantly take it, it made me feel way too loaded and I was unable to retain information that I am studying. I have gone back to school after 31 years and with ativan, I couldn't retain information that I had studied over and over.
So far, the buspar is like a miracle drug. I hope this isn't just a honeymoon and that I contiue to feel this way. God knows what "normal" really is, but this is the closest I've come to feeling that way in years. I don't feel "relaxed" in an intoxicated way, just not like I am so agitated thta I want to do anything to make that feeling lessen. He gave me the Restoril to help me sleep, but I'm finding if I'm tired enough from the day, it's not necessarily necessary. It's nice to know it's sitting in my bedroom if I really need it. Nice to feel like I have a choice. I have been a surrepticious weed smoker since I was prolly 18 years old; I turned 52 last October. Not so easy to do living in the mid-west and folks just think you are a soccer mom. I see my mom dealing with anxiety and now my 19 year old daughter who is struggling so hard to get through University right now. My intentions are to get her tested too as maybe I can save her 30 years of heartache. It just amazes me that people think that anxiety is just no big deal. Even my best friend of 40 years told me "you should just stop thinking so much; get out of your head". Yeah, right. Like I could click my heels and make it go away? I wish.
Thank you for your greeting. Nice to meet a nice person! Are you dealing with this too?
Posted by Phillipa on February 1, 2009, at 12:30:59
In reply to Re: Buspar, Assessment test, Anxiety, posted by Angelskye on February 1, 2009, at 11:15:49
Angel first panic attack age 24 benzos were miracles for me to get over it and even took miltown with it so you can imagine how bad it was. Then got involved in running, aerobic dance, the nursing school and cut doses way down didn't need them my mind and body were occupied. Age 38 graduated as RN worked many years now at 62 still take small doses of benzos going lower as make me tired. Also lowering luvox as it potentiates the benzos. And try to keep busy as not working any more. So the answer is a big yes. There have been many years when took no benzos didn't need them. But ended back on them when medical problems appeared. Wonderful that you've found a med that works so well for you. Phillipa
Posted by jms600 on February 1, 2009, at 14:32:18
In reply to Re: Buspar, Assessment test, Anxiety, posted by Angelskye on February 1, 2009, at 11:15:49
Now that you have found something that works - stick to it!! Don't stupidly do what I have done (twice) and stop a drug because it's working and you feel better!!
When I next find the drug combination that works (hopefully), I'm sticking to it - for life.
Posted by fayeroe on February 1, 2009, at 17:35:03
In reply to Buspar, Assessment test, Anxiety, posted by Angelskye on February 1, 2009, at 9:43:36
Hi, Angelskye.
I have just started Buspar and it changed my life. My anxiety is way down. I have had chronic pain which would get worse if I got tense. The Buspar has also worked a bit as an AD for me.
I love it...hopefully it will work for the rest of our lives!
Pat
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.