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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Donna Louise on November 24, 2002, at 21:10:00
I have been wondering for some time if depression/anxiety is a progressive illness. I seem to be worse now than when I began AD's in 1989. At that time I was mostly just crying all the time and having panic attacks about leaving the house. 20mg of Prozac did the trick and I had NO side effects! Not knowing the beast that I would be dealing with, I stopped taking it after 2 years. Since then, I have tried many differend AD's, none having the great success of the first go around (the prozac pooped out when I returned to it). Everytime I stop an AD to try something new (SJW, Sam-e, homeopathy, ect.) I have more symptoms than the last time. So, I am just wondering if this illness is progressing or if the meds have caused some neuronal malfunction that is producing the increase in symptoms. The question is academic since I have long given up any hope that I can live without an AD. Any thoughts about this out there?
Thanks,
Donna Louise
Posted by Krysti on November 25, 2002, at 7:49:52
In reply to progression or medication, posted by Donna Louise on November 24, 2002, at 21:10:00
Hi Donna,
I don't really know the answer to your question, but I've heard about this a lot from other people. Once they stop taking an AD, then try to go back to it later, it doesn't work. Usually, they find a different one that does work though. You're lucky that you found one to work before on the first try - there's a lot of people who don't. Have you talked to your doctor about this? I'd be curious to hear what a professional says about it. Also, from what I've read - anxiety/panic attacks seem to be a chemical imbalance which is why it responds to the medication. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is supposed to help too. Were you going to therapy along with taking the medication?
Krysti
Posted by Donna Louise on November 25, 2002, at 19:37:23
In reply to Re: progression or medication, posted by Krysti on November 25, 2002, at 7:49:52
> Hi Donna,
>
> I don't really know the answer to your question, but I've heard about this a lot from other people. Once they stop taking an AD, then try to go back to it later, it doesn't work. Usually, they find a different one that does work though. You're lucky that you found one to work before on the first try - there's a lot of people who don't. Have you talked to your doctor about this? I'd be curious to hear what a professional says about it. Also, from what I've read - anxiety/panic attacks seem to be a chemical imbalance which is why it responds to the medication. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is supposed to help too. Were you going to therapy along with taking the medication?
>
> KrystiHi Krysti, thanks for responding. And yes, I have had a few years on the old couch and 18 years in 12 step programs. I have benefited greatly from "talk therapy" and the 12 steps, but it does not give me the ability to control my brain! I need meds too, I resigned myself to that some years ago after trying my hardest to control the depression and anxiety. It is beyond my control. And I am truly greatful that I do respond well to AD's and am not tx resistant! Although I know what it is like to fear that. I was just wondering if the progression is medical or medicinal. I do plan to ask the pdoc in a couple of weeks. My guess is no one knows, we are all scrambling in the dark here, we are fortunate that when we threw a dart it hit something!!
Donna Louise
This is the end of the thread.
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