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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Beckett on July 7, 2014, at 16:01:24
Anyone else?
Maybe she is traveling.
Posted by Phillipa on July 7, 2014, at 18:01:19
In reply to I miss gadchik, posted by Beckett on July 7, 2014, at 16:01:24
Yup must be totally off the klonopin, valium taper finished and hiking, working, beach?
Posted by gadchik on July 10, 2014, at 11:38:30
In reply to I miss gadchik, posted by Beckett on July 7, 2014, at 16:01:24
Thanks for thinking of me, Beckett! Ive missed u b4 too on here! I have been hanging out on benzobuddies, just b/c Im still tapering valium, it will be a while b4 Im done...and that site is just about benzos and tapering. We're all obsessed with our tapers there!!
Posted by gadchik on July 10, 2014, at 11:42:50
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » Beckett, posted by Phillipa on July 7, 2014, at 18:01:19
Hi P! I thank u for wondering what Im up to! Ive been hanging out at benzobuddies. Ive a long way to go on my valium taper. Im just now at 7mg...I do a cut of .5mg every 14 days, but this last cut from 8mg to 7.5mg sent me into vertigo, and I had to updose, hold, then come back down. It worked, didnt get vertigo. I like valium better than klonopin. Wouldnt mind to stay on it...but u know me, I want to end up med free! Im still hiking daily for miles. Hope u can get out there and bike! : )
Posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2014, at 22:43:00
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on July 10, 2014, at 11:42:50
Still doing some biking. I've never been to benzo buddies either. P
Posted by Beckett on July 21, 2014, at 13:38:29
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » Beckett, posted by gadchik on July 10, 2014, at 11:38:30
gadchik, how long were you on zoloft? Do you feel it altered your sleep adversely?
Posted by gadchik on July 21, 2014, at 18:32:26
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » gadchik, posted by Beckett on July 21, 2014, at 13:38:29
Hi Beckett, the whole time I was on Zoloft only 25mg, I was also on .5mg klonopin, and some of the time, 7.5mg Remeron. So, I dont know if all that together just worked or what, but I slept gr8 on that combo. I slept well, ate well. I will also say hubby is on 50mg Zoloft and sleeps very well(he does smoke weed b4 bed!, I dont), also his mother is on 50mg of Zoloft, shes 67 and sleeps good, feels good. She's been on it for yrs and that's all she takes. What are ur thoughts on this? Are you considering it? I like Zoloft, myself and will go on it again, if I need to.
Posted by Beckett on July 21, 2014, at 19:13:10
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » Beckett, posted by gadchik on July 21, 2014, at 18:32:26
I'm not sure what to think. I wrote my doc that I wasn't going to take the lexapro he prescribed. I have periods in the day that I feel relatively o.k. and think I don't need anything, but most of the day my mood is very low. I am not as bad as I have been in the past but am thinking I need to be preemptive. I might be wrong about the sleep issue, at least in the short term, so thank you for the information about your husband and MIL.
How long did you feel you needed zoloft, and how long did you take to taper?
I'm afraid of taking it and getting stuck on Lexapro.
Posted by gadchik on July 21, 2014, at 19:48:50
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » gadchik, posted by Beckett on July 21, 2014, at 19:13:10
I took Zoloft for 2 1/2 yrs. it wasn't hard to taper. I just cut it in 1/2 for 2 weeks, then took that for 2 weeks, then every few days & stopped. I was on klon while doing it. U can also take a small dose of Prozac for 2 weeks or so to get off of most ssris if ur having trouble. It leaves ur system so slowly, that it helps a lot. My personal life has to be going very well for me to feel ok so if any major changes happen (bad) I have to be preemptive too & immediately start meds. I can fall quickly into major anxiety, then no sleep, no apetite & on to major depression &/or psychosis. So I def understand ur wanting to prepare.
Posted by Beckett on July 22, 2014, at 14:53:36
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » Beckett, posted by gadchik on July 21, 2014, at 19:48:50
I took 5mg lexapro yesterday and 5mg today. Was your start up rough? (I recall how intense the depression was for you.) I experienced yet another panic attack about 6 hours after the first 5mg. Last week I had one I think related to Fetzima. At least I was home with my husband for this one and my son was away.
The inner sense of restlessness is so great right now! It's tough to take. I don't recall all these negative sides the last time. I am seeing if a rTMS center in my area takes my insurance.
I have a friend who took 2.5mg lexapro for 6-8 weeks, but her episodes was not as severe. But if 5mg is this strong, maybe I can lessen the doseage.
Thanks gadchik. I am pleased to hear things are going so well. May I ask how your son likes school? Mine is away at camp--the first time!
Posted by gadchik on July 22, 2014, at 16:09:19
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik, posted by Beckett on July 22, 2014, at 14:53:36
I couldn't tolerate 5mg lexapro-had panic attacks. Maybe try 1/2 that. I tolerated 12.5mg Zoloft well but not 25mg, had to start low, most w/anxiety have to start very low & work up to higher dose. Also, I think the Remeron & klon helped w/start up.
Thanks for asking, my son was born for university-he loves it all! Loves writing papers, presenting power points, interacting with professors!! Of course, this thrills me! He didn't do well in public schools & I had to home school him sev yrs. One teacher in high school properly predicted that he would blossom in college!!
What kind of camp is urs at? Has he talked to u? Enjoying it, I bet?!
Some with anxiety just cannot tolerate the ssris at all. Be careful/cautious with it. Keep me posted!
Posted by gadchik on July 22, 2014, at 17:35:25
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik, posted by Beckett on July 22, 2014, at 14:53:36
I'm so pleased with my son's social ease at college! I tried college & couldn't do it, had extreme anxiety in class & outside of class, drank alcohol like a fish. I disappointed myself sooo many times in life, but I'm sooo very proud of my son! : )
Posted by Beckett on July 22, 2014, at 17:44:21
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » Beckett, posted by gadchik on July 22, 2014, at 17:35:25
Hi! Good news regarding your son : )
I didn't start college until 30. Couldn't do it before. Couldn't focus and too moody. When I went, did well, and had a great time. Part of what I have been ruminating on is my private dissapointments. Difficult to put that aside. I think I am a decade plus older than you. 40's can be a wonderful time for women. So glad you are enjoying yourself!
The panic attack s*cked. Zoloft was my first AD. My doc would kill me if I asked to switched but so what? Do you think zoloft is inherently milder? As I age can tolerate less medications or supplements.
Posted by gadchik on July 22, 2014, at 18:06:32
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik, posted by Beckett on July 22, 2014, at 17:44:21
I did find Zoloft milder but still had to start low & go slow. No way could I have started at 25mg!
I'm 50! No menopause sxs yet, still hiking miles every day!
Yes, I know about disappointments in life. Hasn't it rushed by tho? I'm gaining wisdom with age. : )
Posted by Phillipa on July 22, 2014, at 21:23:01
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik, posted by Beckett on July 22, 2014, at 17:44:21
Add another decade and I also have noticed the same can tolerate less meds. I wonder if the body is saying no more to meds? Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on July 23, 2014, at 5:00:15
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » Beckett, posted by Phillipa on July 22, 2014, at 21:23:01
P, that's precisely why Im trying to taper off valium, then be med free, for the most part. I just dont feel that I want to take psych meds in my 60s unless it's absolutely necessary. Usually, as long as Im getting good sleep,exercising,eating properly-Im ok mentally. But I need to learn to deal with changes better, b/c that's when my anxiety ramps up.
Posted by Beckett on July 28, 2014, at 17:10:29
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » Beckett, posted by gadchik on July 22, 2014, at 18:06:32
Yes, life does seem to rush by. I noticed this after I turned 50 and in retrospect. As a child/young adult I thought it would never end. I miss the obliviousness of youth.
Guess I miscalculated your age. Must be your youthful attitude :-)
Six days on lexapro and I am sleeping fine. I take it in the evening because I get drowsy. Still, abdominal discomfort and not able to eat much. Did you experience this and for how long? Also there is a flu-like feeling. There was a brightening effect for a few days, now I feel like I am falling backwards, especially regarding real life challenges. I am arranging a new therapy--CBT/ERP to get at ruminations.
Do you recall any startup symptoms?
Posted by gadchik on July 30, 2014, at 10:24:24
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik, posted by Beckett on July 28, 2014, at 17:10:29
Yes, had fluish feelings at start up,but mild since I kept the starting dose low, and gradually increased.Some stomach issues, tho mild.I do not remember how long this took to work itself out. That's the thing with these ssris. You gotta give them time to work or not to work(which I hope is NOT the case)And the cbt, excellent. If I didnt have a child in college at the moment, I'd be in cbt. I loved the sessions that I had. Gr8 for rumination issues.
Youthful attitude? I like that,Thanks! : )
Posted by Beckett on August 2, 2014, at 8:04:24
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » Beckett, posted by gadchik on July 30, 2014, at 10:24:24
O.K., so I sound on the mark, then? Any insurance to cover a CBT group? I did that once for social anxiety. The experience veered between tears and a party. Similar to you, I experience much rumination too. Found a therapist that might really work out. She practices something called ERP in addition to CBT:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_and_response_prevention.We were out on the water whale watching. Asked beforehand I thought I would get sick. Once on, had a great time. Whales breaching! Could hear the varying tones of their spume.
Do you use Audible? I am listening to "Jarhead," an Icelandic mystery. I go between Nordic mysteries and history. There's all sorts of titles. But beware the narrators! Preview them thoroughly.
Happy weekend :-)
Posted by gadchik on August 4, 2014, at 9:56:55
In reply to Re: I miss gadchik » gadchik, posted by Beckett on August 2, 2014, at 8:04:24
Wow. Whale watching,nice! Ive tried that b4, but alas, we saw nor heard any whales. I do read alot, no audibles tho. I have always enjoyed losing myself in a book. I have been listening to ASMR on Youtube to relax. I like Ilse waterwhispers and gentlewhispering. They each have all these videos that supposedly give "brain tingles". They put me in a trance like state, and then I sleep!
I do have ins now. I havent checked on the cbt coverage. I should. Ive been pretty good, mentally for awhile now and physically. Just enjoying life!"I learned patience, perseverance, and dedication. Now I really know myself, and I know my voice. It's a voice of pain and victory."-
Anthony HamiltonIve gained some wisdom thru the hurt and over the years. I wish the same for you. : )
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