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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 15:56:31
It is literally a personal best for me: I developed tolerance to the max dose of Vistaril in a week. :((((
I am so dejected and frustrated. Ritalin is truly the only thing that can improve my depression, but always, after 2hrs of taking the IR form (and that's the only form that I can take) I get terrible anxiety, and the anxiety is actually worse than ever. The Vistaril helped so much and I was so hopeful, but now it's out.
I so need some advice on possible alternatives to control this anxiety I get so that Ritalin can continue to work for me instead of giving me this terrible anxiety after 2hrs.
My pdoc and I have tried many things. Benzos are out; I have permanent resistance to all of them. Same with trazadone. I develop tolerance to gabapentin very quickly; it is working again, but in no time it will give up on me again. Remeron turned on me and now gives me agitation. All the AAPs give me agitation. Tegretol make me truly suicidal. We are trying Lexapro, which used to help, but my stupid insurance co. will no longer cover the dose that works, 40mg/day, it will only cover 20mg/day. Nardil is out, it didn't help my anxiety at all the second time I tried it.
Any ideas??
Thanks,
Kat
Posted by Phillipa on February 8, 2013, at 18:32:25
In reply to Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 15:56:31
Pamelar literally knocked me out. Only 10mg too? Same as nortiptalline isn't it? Phillipa
Posted by schleprock on February 8, 2013, at 18:37:39
In reply to Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 15:56:31
> It is literally a personal best for me: I developed tolerance to the max dose of Vistaril in a week. :((((
>
> I am so dejected and frustrated. Ritalin is truly the only thing that can improve my depression, but always, after 2hrs of taking the IR form (and that's the only form that I can take) I get terrible anxiety, and the anxiety is actually worse than ever. The Vistaril helped so much and I was so hopeful, but now it's out.
>
> I so need some advice on possible alternatives to control this anxiety I get so that Ritalin can continue to work for me instead of giving me this terrible anxiety after 2hrs.
>
> My pdoc and I have tried many things. Benzos are out; I have permanent resistance to all of them. Same with trazadone. I develop tolerance to gabapentin very quickly; it is working again, but in no time it will give up on me again. Remeron turned on me and now gives me agitation. All the AAPs give me agitation. Tegretol make me truly suicidal. We are trying Lexapro, which used to help, but my stupid insurance co. will no longer cover the dose that works, 40mg/day, it will only cover 20mg/day. Nardil is out, it didn't help my anxiety at all the second time I tried it.
>
> Any ideas??
>
> Thanks,
> KatWhy haven't you tried beta-blockers?
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 19:22:06
In reply to Re: Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice! » ChicagoKat, posted by schleprock on February 8, 2013, at 18:37:39
> > It is literally a personal best for me: I developed tolerance to the max dose of Vistaril in a week. :((((
> >
> > I am so dejected and frustrated. Ritalin is truly the only thing that can improve my depression, but always, after 2hrs of taking the IR form (and that's the only form that I can take) I get terrible anxiety, and the anxiety is actually worse than ever. The Vistaril helped so much and I was so hopeful, but now it's out.
> >
> > I so need some advice on possible alternatives to control this anxiety I get so that Ritalin can continue to work for me instead of giving me this terrible anxiety after 2hrs.
> >
> > My pdoc and I have tried many things. Benzos are out; I have permanent resistance to all of them. Same with trazadone. I develop tolerance to gabapentin very quickly; it is working again, but in no time it will give up on me again. Remeron turned on me and now gives me agitation. All the AAPs give me agitation. Tegretol make me truly suicidal. We are trying Lexapro, which used to help, but my stupid insurance co. will no longer cover the dose that works, 40mg/day, it will only cover 20mg/day. Nardil is out, it didn't help my anxiety at all the second time I tried it.
> >
> > Any ideas??
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Kat
>
> Why haven't you tried beta-blockers?I'm on a beta-blocker. I take Atenolol.
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 19:26:58
In reply to Re: Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice! » ChicagoKat, posted by Phillipa on February 8, 2013, at 18:32:25
> Pamelar literally knocked me out. Only 10mg too? Same as nortiptalline isn't it? Phillipa
Yes, they are the same thing. I take Elavil to sleep, it's more sedating than even Nortriptyline.
Kat
Posted by polarbear206 on February 8, 2013, at 22:23:45
In reply to Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 15:56:31
Low dose Seroquel, lamictal, depakote. Add a low dose of AD if you are having residual depression. stay away from stimulants.
Posted by Phil on February 8, 2013, at 22:29:49
In reply to Re: Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by polarbear206 on February 8, 2013, at 22:23:45
AAP's make Kat agitated, no Seroquel. Why no stimulants?
Posted by schleprock on February 8, 2013, at 23:30:53
In reply to Re: Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice! » polarbear206, posted by Phil on February 8, 2013, at 22:29:49
> AAP's make Kat agitated, no Seroquel. Why no stimulants?
Stimulants would worsen anxiety. I personally stay away from all forms of concentrated caffeine. In fact, that's how my problems started.
Posted by polarbear206 on February 9, 2013, at 0:13:42
In reply to Re: Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice! » polarbear206, posted by Phil on February 8, 2013, at 22:29:49
Was the AAP given in conjunction with other mediction? If so it would not be considered a fair trial to eval for effectiveness.
Stimulants are destabilizing, esp. when anxiety is a major syx.
Posted by gadchik on February 9, 2013, at 6:57:56
In reply to Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 15:56:31
Kat, so sorry to hear this. I was able to take 7.5mg remeron w/o the agitation/restless legs,but I couldnt take 15mg. Have you tried just a small dose of it? I am giving you a link, very comprehensive info on treating panic disorder. Its anxiety at its worst, I think. Anyway,Ive posted this link sev times,a former poster here originally posted it,and I have read it thoroughly. There may be something in this article for you:)
http://panic411.com/
Posted by Phil on February 9, 2013, at 9:54:03
In reply to Re: Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by polarbear206 on February 9, 2013, at 0:13:42
True..thanks.
Posted by brynb on February 9, 2013, at 11:50:13
In reply to Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 15:56:31
Kat,
:(. Sorry. Yuck.
Maybe you can add an SRI to your current meds--like Lexapro. It doesn't annihilate my anxiety, but it does help a lot.
-b
Posted by brynb on February 9, 2013, at 13:05:40
In reply to Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 15:56:31
We are trying Lexapro, which used to help, but my stupid insurance co. will no longer cover the dose that works, 40mg/day, it will only cover 20mg/day. Nardil is out, it didn't help my anxiety at all the second time I tried it.
>OOPS! Ignore my previous post--I just saw this now. I do think the Lexapro will help.
What about prazosin? Didn't Scott say it helped anxiety AND depression?
Keep me posted--sending good vibes your way!
-b
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 9, 2013, at 20:18:36
In reply to Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 15:56:31
Can I suggest you try doxepin, 75mg at bedtime, it will both help you sleep and assist with daytime anxiety
The dose can be pushed to 150mg at night if need be.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 9, 2013, at 20:22:20
In reply to Re: Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice! » ChicagoKat, posted by brynb on February 9, 2013, at 13:05:40
I'd suggest dropping the amitriptyline, and substituting doxepin, and keeping up the Lexapro.
Start the doxepin at 25mg qhs and increase until you get relief or the sideeffects become a problem.
if you hit 150mg qhs and it isnt working,then it isnt going to.
Posted by SLS on February 10, 2013, at 0:01:57
In reply to Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 15:56:31
> Any ideas??
My first inclination was to recommend Doxepin, but I see that Jono beat me to it.
- Scott
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 10, 2013, at 0:02:41
In reply to Re: Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by jono_in_adelaide on February 9, 2013, at 20:22:20
Oh, another idea, could you rotate meds.... take valium/Ativan?klonopin/Xanax for 3-4 days, then take Atarax/Vistaril for 3-4 days etc, to get around your body becoming tolorant to any one med?
Posted by brynb on February 11, 2013, at 5:01:11
In reply to Vistaril no longer rocks...need advice!, posted by ChicagoKat on February 8, 2013, at 15:56:31
How are you doing, friend?
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 11, 2013, at 9:27:15
In reply to @ Kat, posted by brynb on February 11, 2013, at 5:01:11
> How are you doing, friend?
Not doing so great my friend, but thanks for asking. I pretty much have two choices right now: 1. Take my Ritalin and experience a decrease in my depression, but get severe anxiety, or 2. Don't take my Ritalin, experience a decrease in my anxiety, but get severe depression. :(
Kat
Posted by schleprock on February 11, 2013, at 18:47:42
In reply to Re: @ Kat » brynb, posted by ChicagoKat on February 11, 2013, at 9:27:15
Kat, would you be willing to discuss what alpha/beta-blockers you have tried, and your experiences on them?
Posted by ChicagoKat on February 11, 2013, at 20:12:08
In reply to Re: @ Kat, posted by schleprock on February 11, 2013, at 18:47:42
> Kat, would you be willing to discuss what alpha/beta-blockers you have tried, and your experiences on them?
As far as beta-blockers go, I've been on Metoprolol, but it worsened my depression a bit, so we switched to Atenolol, which is the least likely beta-blocker to cause psych side effects, so that is what I am on now.
I've never tried alpha-blockers, and that is something I'm considering.
Kat
This is the end of the thread.
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