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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janice on May 4, 2000, at 16:34:52
I have these incredible feelings that wash over my entire body. They are feelings more so than thoughts.Often it is about the same thing. all of a sudden…
•I feel like everyone I know hates me.
•That everyone I've ever known has betrayed me.
•That I have forgotten something very important--if only I could remember what it was.Thanks for helping me make sense out of the nonsense, Janice
Posted by Mark H. on May 4, 2000, at 19:57:19
In reply to is this anxiety?, posted by Janice on May 4, 2000, at 16:34:52
Hi Janice,
I experience all that as part of my bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, for those days that I just need something extra to get through the day, my doc let's me keep 4 types of benzodiazepines on hand: generic versions of Xanax, Ativan, Valium (and for sleep movement disorder:), clonazepam (is that the same as Klonopin?).
Sometimes, the Xanax or Valium can make me MORE depressed, at other times they can cheer me up.
So far, the Ativan is the most cheerful, but also the most addictive. I'm also very careful with Valium and Xanax, almost never taking them (or the Ativan) two days in a row, for instance. I also should mention that I might not take any of them (except the clonazepam) for months, then hit a month when I need four or five days of special relief. However, on average, my usage is miniscule -- a supply of 30 usually expires before I use them up. Truth is, just having them on hand reduces my need for them -- I know I can always just apologize and put myself to bed if things get too bad -- and some days that gives me the back-up assurance to go ahead and push through the day at work.
I took clonazepam every night for a year, then quit. Withdrawal was limited to a little jitteriness for about 36 hours -- nothing! When being off of it didn't seem to help my hypersomnia, I went back on. Keeps me from flopping around and crying out in my sleep -- I sleep better and Sue does too.
Clonazepam has the advantage of being really easy to get off of, fairly slow onset, few side effects, good sleep, and no morning hangover. It's the drug of choice for all sorts of otherwise unexplained sleep disorders, because it is so benign relative to the other benzodiazepines and available sedatives. However, everyone's chemistry is a little different. I tke 0.25mg a night (half of a scored yellow tablet). Highly recommended.
When I've had anxiety, it's a tightness, a worry, a strong sense that something is physically about to break or tear apart in my chest. It's different from the "everyone hates me, betrays me, and I probably murdered someone and suppressed it" feeling that I get with bipolar depression. Nevertheless, the anti-anxiety drugs mentioned above certainly help me through the worst days and keep me from hurting myself.
Does this help?
Much love,
Mark
Posted by CraigF on May 5, 2000, at 15:35:52
In reply to Re: is this anxiety?, posted by Mark H. on May 4, 2000, at 19:57:19
That's a bit spooky to hear, because those are sypmtoms I've always attributed to my anxiety and maybe paranoia. My father is bipolar and I am being treated for anxiety and depression. I worry about bipolar but my family says I don't exhibit any signs of my father's condition.
Are you (Janice) currently being treated for anxiety and/or depression?
Posted by Janice on May 5, 2000, at 15:52:04
In reply to Re: is this anxiety?, posted by Mark H. on May 4, 2000, at 19:57:19
Hi Mark,
Maybe I will try one of those medications. I did use a couple of them with success earlier in my illness for anxiety, and they worked so well I don't feel a need to use them anymore. Maybe I will try one for these feelings. These feelings kind of like SWOoooooosh through my body. It's good to know someone else has them too. Maybe it's a much milder form of having the bottom of my life fall out from me.
Thanks mark, you did help,
Janice
Posted by Janice on May 5, 2000, at 16:04:36
In reply to Re: is this anxiety?, posted by CraigF on May 5, 2000, at 15:35:52
Hi Craig,
I'm being treated mostly for bipolar and ADD. I also have some other things, trichotillomania, and then anxiety, OCD, eating disorders and hyperchondria in the past.Craig, I wouldn't worry that much because many symptoms overlap different disorders. I have also been very paranoid in the past, but don't really know why or to which disorder it was due to.
Anti-depressants can take the brakes off--as Cam W told me--bipolar disorder. And cycling can begin or increase.
If you haven't taken ADs and believe you are bipolar, I would be very hesitant to do them. If you have taken them, I'd look for cycling moods.
Hope I've helped at all Craig,
Feel free to ask me anymore questions,
Your friend in paranoia,
Janice
This is the end of the thread.
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