No advice about meds, but...
Posted By: MT on 2008-05-20
In Reply to: Have any of you been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder? - Your expertise requested
if you are consuming caffeine, try cutting back. It helped me significantly. Even 1 cup of coffee was aggravating my anxiety. 
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Need advice on a good, adjustable chair for typing. Any advice? nm
nm
HIV meds
My best friend has had HIV since 1993 and is very healthy otherwise. He was taking many medications but about 3 years ago the doctors did his blood counts and said the disease was virtually undetectable. They advised him to quit taking the meds and see how it goes. They told him the meds lose efficacy after awhile and so did not want him using them until he actually needed them. After 3 years off meds, his counts are still doing great. I wouldn't worry as long as she is still having regular check ups with the doctor and otherwise maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
BP meds (sm)
When my husband started a medication for BP he started having strong muscle twitching he'd never had before. I think it was something odd, like his pec or abdominal muscles, but I can't remember. The MD had just started him on 3 new meds, one of them being a BP med. That's the one I suspected, and sure enough, muscle twitching was a possible side effect, especially if the patient exerted himself and perspired a lot. I think it could cause potassium depletion and that was the reason for the twitching.
I don't think the depression meds --sm
should be taken in conjunction with pot. Anger and anxiety issues were already present prior to father's death. He may be grieving on some level, as his own psyche will allow, but sounds more like an excuse to me. I have lived with these types in the past. His lack of ambition is probably due to the pot, as well. Thinking of the child, I feel that separation from the source of this frustration would be the best thing for the boy. Counseling rarely works for the spouse, but it would probably benefit you. Go with your gut reaction on this as to what is best. You live with the man, and you know more about him than what you can post here. Trust your instincts. Good luck to you.
Fibro meds
I was diagnosed in January of this year by a rheumatologist after having problems starting last August that began with a rash and my GP did a battery of tests - the rheumatologist started me on 1500 mg of Relafen (which has greatly diminished the tender areas like my hip areas), I also take 150 mg of Zoloft, 600 mg of neurontin, 50 mg of Tramadol every 4 hours as needed (which do me has not really helped the pain 100%, but it does lessen it a good bit) and I take a muscle relaxer at bedtime and sometimes during the time. These meds do not zap me and I feel more functional with them than before. I also take Halcion if I am unable to fall asleep, however, these days it seems that I am so exhausted that I have no problem sleeping as long as I am not hurting and the muscle relaxer at bedtime seems to help with that. Of course now that my inflammatory markers are at a near normal range I am walking 30 minutes a day and have begun stretching exercises 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes at night to help with the muscles. The rheumatologist has said that all of these will change as the fibro progresses and I age (I'm only 33) but he said if we stay on top of it it should be very tolerable for me from now on - I am thankful to my GP for the referral to this doctor because I have read of so many stories where the GP ignored the patient's complaints only putting them on powerful pain meds and not really getting to the source of the problem or telling them that there is nothing wrong or nothing they can do...I feel now that the pain is being managed, my biggest complaint is being tired at doing the simplest of things - like folding clothes - I feel that I need to rest after I do that - whereas before it was just a normal thing. My rheumatologist has stressed that sleep/rest is very important so he says when your body tells you to stop and rest - do it - whatever it is you have on your to do list can wait - otherwise you're gonna really feel bad and then nothing on your to do list will get done. I see my rheumatologist every 3 months right now and he says once I am doing okay on the meds and everything seems in check we'll go to every 6 months and then yearly until something goes out of whack and my treatment needs changing - he seems to really be on top of things.
What meds are you taking? Do you see a doctor on a regular basis?
Needing meds
I think just the opposite - it's the rest of you who could use the meds - or at least not be so judgemental - but I have found that this board - regardless of the subject has quite a few very rude, mean and just downright B***tchy women - sorry if you were offended, but it was my right to BF as long as I chose - and until you work hard enough to get a law passed against it - it's something you must deal with - I think that most of you are jealous of the fact that this is not something that you could do - or wanted to do - maybe you are feeling jealous because my kids are great - we have great relationships and maybe your kids don't even speak to you unless they need money - Most of you would give anything to have a family as close and functional as mine. However, it is something that you will never know. God has been very good to us - and thankfully I followed his Word and not yours.
Thanks - have been seeing a psychiatrist for meds
After a couple of years or so on the same meds, they stop being as effective. That's why we're trying Cymbalta.
I am more cyclothymic than bipolar (rapidly cycling, less extreme mood swings). I tend toward the depressive end of the scale most of the time. The Cymbalta did trigger my hypomania - but I'm hoping once my body gets used to it, it will keep me on the higher end of the scale but not as far as hypomania.
I'm going to give it a while longer to see what happens. Many thanks to all who responded!
I was on three meds before finding the right one (sm)
Zoloft made me too sleepy, Effexor didn't do much but gave me strange buzzing sensations when stopping it. Prozac, low dose (10 mg a day) has helped a lot. I take it in the a.m. so it doesn't keep me up at night. But by the end of the day it helps me sleep. (I also take melatonin for sleep). At first you may have some palpitations when your body is getting used to the Prozac, not sure about the other meds with that symptom. I definitely think Prozac is the best.
cholesterol meds sm
I was given Tricor (expensive) and it gives me embarrassing gas, only take it when I'm going to be alone, so it wasn't powerful enough and they added simvastatin which they told me to take before bed because supposedly that's when the cholesterol is best treated by this. I found it kept me awake or ? psychological??? I tried to stick to it because I have a doc's appt. Mon. and was so tired and nauseous from taking both, I actually feel like I have the flu. I think I am going to express the desire to just try diet but know I'll catch He*l, as they seem to prefer you to take all this stuff. I never heard of statin shuffle, can't find it, that's awful! Last time my #s were down to normal and they were so excited, well, now I think it's my turn to start to live again. If you can take it with no side effects, then do it, but I'm sick of feeling sick. Both parents had and died of heart disease, so I'm scared. There has to be a better way!
There are some Club Meds that do not
admit anyone under a certain age. Not all are family friendly, some very adult themed.
noncovered meds
Yes... This has happened more in the last 2 years than it has in my other 40!
I asked for birth control about a year ago and chose "the patch". My insurance company didn't cover that, so I decided to go with Depo Provera. Guess what... they didn't pay for that either.... LOL
I commend you for that...I am on Rx pain meds
and on 4 per day or every 6 hours. After doing this for a couple of years, I feel it is time to stop even if it means having to have surgery down the road. If I take even 1 less pill a day I feel the anxiety you mention among many other very unpleasant symptoms if I take less than that (clammy, achy, etc.) How many pills were you taking? And how did you do it?
Can you name 3 meds that don't come with scary waringing?
x
Did you know that vaginal yeast meds
and many of the meds for jock itch, ring worm and athletes' foot are the same exact drug? Now the sprays and/or powders use different ones from some of the creams, but the some of the athlete's creams are just like some of the vaginal yeast creams. It's all for fungal infections, but the makers want you to buy 3 or more tubes please, LOL.
pre root canal meds
Hi, sorry you are feeling bad. I am too, same reason. Here, we have a waiting list for the endodontist and they call you if and when there is a cancellation. I take 2 Advil LiquiGels and 2 Extra-Strength Tylenol every six hours and it works for a while. Do you have antibiotics? Make sure that you check daily for abscess because that is an emergency and must be dealt with. I hope I get mine fixed before my liver falls out from Tylenol. I have had several and now am about to give up because I don't have another $12,000.00 These are all from fillings I had as a child that expanded and made micro-cracks in molars, that then led to this horrible toothache. Last time I had one I had trigeminal neuralgia for 8 months afterward from the injection. Now I know why some people are "suicidal" when they have trigeminal neuralgia. I can't even have cold air on my face or cold beverages or it feels like I am going to die. I am with Hayseed. There has to be a better way to apply fillings and a less expensive way to repair teeth. We are upper middle class and still can't afford all this. Our insurance is of the "very good" variety and only pays a minimal amount for root canals and crowns. Is this discrimination to those of us who have lived to be over 35?
I have ADD and recently went back on to meds
My oldest child does as well.
I had a hard time medicating him until I found the right doc that listened to my son and how he felt and even asked for feedback from teachers and family.
We found a happy medium for him so that he could be himself and not feel drugged and be able to control his impulses as well as stay on task. Now at 21 his strong intelligent young man who no longer needs medication and makes his mommy so very proud of him.
Now on the other hand Mom now is back on medication because it seems with the big M looming on the horizon I need help to be able to stay on task and get my work done.
Don't rule anything out because its not what you want what is important is your child and how he feels. They have some new medicines out there now and Strattera is a good one that worked for my son however it didn't for me I take Adderall.
If I can be of help in any way feel free to contact me.
First off, don't be so quick to get meds. You just sound like a sm
disorganized person who finds it hard to concentrate. It's called stress. I think too many people are running to the doc for a cure all/fix all, when all they really need is peace of mind and a less hectic schedule. It can be done. As far as the disorganization, start one room at a time. One closet. One cupboard, etc. I had to do this. I was told I was "crazy," which is worse than someone saying ADD. I don't think I'm crazy.
Prayer and church is the one thing that helped me tremendously having never been to church growing up. I'm not throwing religion in your face, but something has to be said about these miraculous changes I've been through since "finding God." He's helped me in every single area of my life including the "craziness, disorganization, beating myself up for wandering when I should be working."
I think the meds suppress the actual symptoms. I've had to deal with much deeper issues and insecurities in my life - always chasing things I shouldn't be chasing after.
Anyways, the kids need me so I better run! I just don't like people telling you that you need meds. I've NEVER taken a medication for anything mental-related. Never. And I have never been happier and more accepting of my life - disorganized or not! The freedom it gives you to accept yourself the way you are is priceless!! it really is.
So they will finally deliver your meds
on Monday but the transcription equipment they have for you has to wait until the 2nd? How messed up is that, you would think they would do it all in 1 trip. Geesh.
I was diagnosed with GAD in 2005. I think everybody's different as far as meds go. SM
I am on Effexor XR 150 mg a day and it works wonderfully for me, although when I forget to take my pill, I do get that strange dizzy, buzzy feeling that someone below described. I also have Klonopin if I need it. It's not as strong as Xanax, but it takes the edge off and helps with sleep.
I'm curious what was the catalyst for you being diagnosed? I have always been a "worrier" ever since I can remember. I bite my nails, but it was always manageable worrying. Then in the fall of 2005, I had a full blown panic attack. It was the worst experience of my life and I hope that I never have to go through it again. I had a gallbladder attack. I new it was my gallblader. I knew I wasn't have a heart attack and yet it was like one half of my brain could not convince the other half. I started feeling lightheaded, dizzy, and like I was in a tunnel. I was at work and someone told me I should go to the employee health nurse. I did and my BP was through the roof, my pulse was 130, and the nurse just ripped that BP cuff off my arm and said you need to be seen in ER and made sit in a wheelchair and wheeled me down there!
The irony is the more urgent she acted, the worse my panic got. Finally, it was established that I was not having a heart attack, but still my body was freaking out. I could not calm down. Then I started crying and cried for two weeks straight. I couldn't sleep at night. I didn't want to be home alone. I didn't want to go out in public. I just basically sat in my house, on my couch for two weeks straight crying and fretting. My doctor tried me on several different medicines including Lexapro and Zoloft, both did nothing for me but make feel nauseous. Then he wanted to prescribe an antipsychotic which made me freak out even more. Being a medical Transcriptionist and knowing about drugs, side effects, etc. was NOT conducive to my anxiety disorder!
Finally, I found a female nurse practitioner who was wonderful. She new exactly what I was feeling. Told me her daughter had the same issues and started me on Effexor. I have been panic attack free going on three years. I get what I call mini panic attacks where I can feel myself starting to freak out, but I've taught myself relaxation and breath techniques that calm me down.
I'm just jazzed to meet people who have the same "disorder" as me, ya know. When I've described my anxiety and panic attack to my family and friends, they just look at me like I should be committed and when I was going through it, my family didn't have a clue what to do with me or to say to me. They were afraid of me, really. My mom kept saying "you need to snap out of it." Yeah, ma. If only it were that easy!
Um, YES and YES?! Haha. Also some of those meds have been found sm
to cause prostate enlargement and I believe prostate cancer.
insurance not paying for meds
Insurance said I had to be on Medicare before they would pay for Celebrex even with rheumatologist asking for exemption.
Frontline: Kids on Meds
The medications that they put the kids on can cause permanent brain damage. Go to PBS.org and watch kids on medications by Frontline.
Good luck.
No, what comes next? Force feeding meds?
Example:
If I am depressed it is MY choice to take antidepressants or not. If I do not feel comfortable with them, no matter what the doctor says, I can stop it.
Antidepressants have a LOT of bad side effect and there are alternatives!
one should never take meds prescribedfto pets
and vice versa! It is even more dangerous for pets! One shouldn't even take meds prescribed to somebody else! This is plain crazy.
Thanks for the update! Hoping the meds work
for your pooch!
I agree with this. It can take time to find the right meds,
and you are being very affected by his difficulties, so I think you should go together. Men are very resistant to opening up, but you have a child, so that may help motivate you to try to see him through this. I know you have endured it for a long time, but he is going to need help to come out of this. See if Christian marriage counseling is available; you could actually see somebody alone to get support and insights into helping him in addition to going with him to see his therapist.
I'll pray you have the strength to endure and continue to be his soft place to land as he learns to stand up and manage his life like the household leader God wants him to be.
Does anyone use Program flea meds for their pets? sm
I have three dogs and a cat that I was using a topical flea med on. We got a new puppy last week and she had fleas. I washed her and got rid of them, but now have noticed a couple of fleas on the other dogs. Not a lot, but some. I have heard that the Program works better than the topical stuff and would like to try it, but it is rather expensive so I am looking for any input before I buy it. Thanks!!
While you wait, not wanting to give meds, he is
x
I know, I also feel so sorry for the nurse who administered the meds (nm)
x
My son had 3-month psychotic episode from meds sm
I posted about this a few months ago. He is 7 years old and was on Singulair, and it literally caused him to have severe psychiatric problems, to the point of saying he wished he had never been born, once that he was going to take a hatchet and chop off my toes, and generally being an extremely unhappy little boy. Kids as young as 2 years old are being put on this medication, and very few parents are aware that it can cause these kinds of side effects. I am not saying that this little girl is on it or if there is even a way to find out, but it is something to consider. Thankfully we figured out what was going on with my son, and he has been back to a normal happy loving 7-year-old boy ever since.
kids, meds, side effects
I would make sure that he was not having side effects from medication. Seven years is a long time to be on prescriptions and this is the age when most of the boys were taken off medication so they could grow normally through their puberty, as it was stunting growth in some boys that were my son's friends.
Beyond that, 6th grade is the grade when children are picked on the most. If your son has one friend at all, I would try to shore that up.
She should check with her doctors, there are other meds that might not cause diarrhea.
Such as Prevacid, Aciphex, Protonix, or Nexium. (The GI doctors I work for say that any of these should be taken one hour before breakfast.)
Or Zegerid can be taken at bedtime. H2 blockers such as Tagamet, Pepcid, or Zantac also might help, they can be taken at bedtime. Her doctor or a pharmacist would be able to tell her if there's a problem with any of these while taking tamoxifen.
Also, it's important to eat the last meal of the day early and not lie down for at least a few hours after eating.
She could elevate the head of the bed (just putting more pillows there doesn't help) or get a wedge mattress or possibly one of those wedges to put under her pillow(s).
Because meds and utilities are going sky high and no one will hire them nm
....
anyone have an aging dog on meds for arthritis pain??? sm
my bassett is 13 years old and has arthritis in her hips and probably other joints. the vet put her on Carprofen and the first few days she did great! then she started having diarrhea and acting like she's hurting again (shaking, panting, a little whining). I told vet, she said to stop meds until she is over her "sour belly". she tested her diarrhea and it was fine, no blood or parasites. she went without her medicine for a day and a half and it showed, as she couldn't walk as well (which before she went on this medicine she couldn't use her back legs). so i started giving her medicine again. vet said the carprofen was going to be temporary. i was reading some bad side effects for this medicine. i think this medicine is making her have the diarrhea. she's only been on the medicine for about a week and a half at the most.
just wondered if anyone else had pets with arthritis problems and what you used to help. i'm not sure if i should try something alternative. or maybe even Dr. Frank's spray.
thanks
I agree also, change vets...ours put our dog on meds immediately. nm
nm
you have a valid point here, one has always to consider side effects of meds..nm
nm
Maybe joint counseling with his therapist for starters since his meds don't seem to be working. A
s
In his defense, on any of these meds, it's easy to forget if you've taken one yet that morning
xxx
Many meds for depression and mental retardation make people very SM
heavy. My friend has gained probably 75 pounds or more since being on some of the meds. Don't know quite why they contribute to weight loss, but one commercial some years ago said that it does something to the part of the brain that senses when you are full. . . . .
My mom noticed this when she started glaucoma meds a couple years ago - sm
Her lashes are so long now that they actually hit the inside of her glasses lenses! Amazing.
It's not just being alone, but access to meds., alchohol, sex role play, abuse of the younger
s
Re: Advice
I am a new mom to a beautiful baby girl. I didn't think I would mind going to work part-time. Well, I've been crying my self to sleep every night. I have my B.A. in Business Administration and have been in the banking industry for 6 years. I have been searching all over for a legitimate work at home opportunity. It seems like medical transcription is a great opportunity. I'd like advice from people who do this from home. I'd like to know where you got the training and what your first job was (since that seems to be a big issue). Also, will my B.A. help at all? I know employers like people with MT experience but I accquired other skills such as meticulous attention to detail that I know is needed. Any and all information is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Please see Main board for all transcription-related topics. This message has been moved to Main.
advice
I do have to say that unless you already have an "in" it is difficult to find a job. Most places won't hire you if you don't have at least two years experience but you can't get experience unless someone hires you. You don't necessarily have to get certified right away just take an accredited program that is specifically for medical transcription. Once your done with school just keep trying, don't give up and try to take your time and ace the preemployment tests. If you do really well some places will give you an offer even if you don't have experience. Take the first job you can get because even if it doesn't pay well you are still gaining experience and it will make it easier for you to get a new job.
Cat advice please....
I have a kitten who is appx. 7 months old. He refuses to eat any kind of cat food, canned, dry, dry mixed with canned, dry mixed with water, cat treats, etc. I have tried baby food, dog food, etc. He will only eat KMR weaning powder, which I mix with water. Have tried to mix food into it but he will not eat it. He tries to cover everything up like it should be in the cat box! No vet seems to concerned about this...he likes to eat chicken, people food chicken that is, and turkey. I am stumped.
This cat MUST learn to eat before May because I am going on vacation for 3-1/2 weeks...any suggestions for this problem? 
Thanks for the advice....sm
I will give each a try! I hate to leave him while on vacation, but have no other choice. And the only reason it is for so long is because I don't fly and my DH and I are driving cross country to see family...I'm sure he will be fine, but no kids at home anymore so they are my babies! It's nice to have people to bounce ideas off of!
I thank you all for your advice - I am
an animal lover, have 2 cats, 2 dogs. Love feeding the birds outside. I can't help feeling betrayed by these outside creatures that probably fill their bellies at my bird feeders and have now started war on my house. I guess I will start off with putting some Dcon in the attic - as much as I hate to kill them, I don't want my house chewed apart either. I just hope they don't die and rot someplace where I can smell them.
My cats were going crazy last night and spent much of the night gazing up at the ceiling in my bedroom with their mouths watering. I hope at least tonight the invader picks another part of the house to snack and dig so I can get some sleep.
Thanks again for the advice.
And Hayseed - I agree that Indian is a little un-PC, so are some of the ones with the smiley faces shooting at each other, but they're pretty funny (I guess unless you're Indian)!
Re: Looking for advice
Thanks, that was very helpful! I'm sorry about the info overload, I guess I just wasn't sure exactly where to begin asking. I think I'll just get the basic foot pedal, upgraded computer, headphones etc. and get some finanicing for the "extras" that may come up and take the plunge.
My advice to you is
Get yourself the book - think it is called Co-Dependent No More and get yourself to a support group ASAP - not sure what they are called - but if someone here does not tell you then call AA yourself and find out the name of the support group for spouses, family, etc. AND if you don't find a supportive support group - hunt around until you do - DO NOT GIVE UP. Help yourself to understand this disease/disorder and get help for yourself and then you can help him through this process also. Thank goodness you do not have children and good for you for asking for help. E-mail me if you want - lots of alcoholics in my family and would be glad to help you!! Take care. Will be praying for you.
This is THE best advice yet. I always will take on sm
10-year-old son's friends, especially when they say rude things. I'll say, "excuse me, what did you just say? Well, we do not talk like that in this house." And I promise you, they either stop coming around or they are VERY polite around me. If they do slip and say something rude they will immediately cover their mouths and say I'm sorry while looking at me. I do scare them a bit, I suppose. But I show them my authority and that I will not stand for that kind of nonsense and then they stop.
If they did that to me I would have immediately turned around and said, "what did you just say?" And then I'd tell a little white lie and say, "I know exactly who you 2 are" (and I'd say it so convincingly) and then say, "It looks like a call into your mother and father is in order today." Have a nice day, guys."
Thanks for the advice
I am assuming he did it sometime on Sunday. He came limping to the house on Monday morning and there was no sign of blood, no fresh blood or no old blood. It doesn't appear to be infected at all. Now that the flap is gone, I don't see any open areas at all. No swelling or redness and it is not touchy at all. He lets me manipulate it and even squeeze his paw so I don't think there is any infection there. I guess we are really bad - but no vets bills unless absolutely no other alternative!
Need advice about how to get what I want done
Okay here goes I can handle a department but when it comes to cleaning my home I have problems getting across what I want or maybe I am too nice. Tell me what you think please!!!
My home is 1st /2nd floor with a basement (laundry /storage). I want them to thoroughly clean the kitchen (any dishes, counters, stove, fridge sweep mop etc) clean all three bathrooms(completely), dust living room, dining room, and hallways. Tidy guest bedroom (you know dust vacuum). I do not want them to clean anyof the childrens rooms or mine or touch my office. I want all door sills wiped/dusted and ceiling fans and lamps cleaned and about the windows divided out so that they are cleaned at least once a month my kids have to clean theirs weekly. I am prepared to pay $100 to $120 a visit and want them in one a week or every other week which ever works better for them so that it stays decent and can be completed within a 3-5 hour time range. I have to be home when they do it because my dog will not allow it otherwise.
My problem is this I was told what I was asking was not over and above and that I was paying an extremely fair wage since the area they are actually cleaning is less than have the square footage. No work in the basement, only hallway and to small bathrooms on the second floor and all of the first floor. A couple of companies I tried were horrible right off the bat and were not asked back. The individuals seemed to work the best but after a month or two the work was being half done and I would have to go behind them checking. I do not have time for this and I do tip usually about $20 a visit. How do you get them to do everything you want. Should I be totally anal and make a check list and if it is not done subtract from their next visit???(husbands suggestion). I just want it done right I am willing to pay good money so that I can spend my free time with my kids and my husband not scrubing toilets and windows.
Thanks I appreciate any advice
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