SSRIs

Question:

Hi, About 3 months ago I felt totally SHIT! This began with my 16th birthday, that is like 7 years ago (I think it started earlier). It kept going worse every day. You know "It’s a long way down to nothing at all" (I love the new U2 album (not all tracks, though)). I didn’t like people around me, school kept getting worse, I didn’t know what to do. I was compulsive in a wanking way. Some of my familymembers are on paroxetine, and I saw they were feeling better. So I made an appointment with the dokter and got a prescription for fluoxetine (prozac). Now three months later, my mood is a lot better, I eat more and feel more "social". Have a nice life, SSRI-LOVER God is everywhere, god is everything, I’m a PART of God, you are a PART of God. I don’t mind homosexuals in this world (I have some good friends that live a gay lifestyle), because: more homosexuals equals more pussy for hetero guys like me. Better the world, begin with yourself. Ps. Did you know oxygen in high dosages is lethal? Be aware!

Response:

I used to until it quit working for me.  I was on it for 10 years and I started having breakthrough symptoms (crying all the time, not wanting to leave the house, not sleeping …) I’m glad that Prozac is working for you and I hope it works for a long time to come. schel

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, > About 3 months ago I felt totally SHIT! This began with my 16th birthday, that > is like 7 years ago (I think it started earlier). It kept going worse every day. > You know "It’s a long way down to nothing at all" (I love the new U2 album (not > all tracks, though)). I didn’t like people around me, school kept getting worse, > I didn’t know what to do. I was compulsive in a wanking way. > Some of my familymembers are on paroxetine, and I saw they were feeling better. > So I made an appointment with the dokter and got a prescription for fluoxetine > (prozac). > Now three months later, my mood is a lot better, I eat more and feel more > "social". > Have a nice life, > SSRI-LOVER > God is everywhere, god is everything, I’m a PART of God, you are a PART of God. > I don’t mind homosexuals in this world (I have some good friends that live a gay > lifestyle), because: more homosexuals equals more pussy for hetero guys like me. > Better the world, begin with yourself. > Ps. Did you know oxygen in high dosages is lethal? Be aware!

Response:

Question:

Is Effexor considered and SSRI type drug? What abt Lorazepam??

Response:

Effexor is an ssri, Lorazepam is a benzo. — x-no-archive: yes

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Is Effexor considered and SSRI type drug? > What abt Lorazepam??

Response:

> Is Effexor considered and SSRI type drug?

==>  Effexor is sort of in a class by itself.  It is inhibits the reuptake of seratonin and at higher dosages inhibits the reputake of norephinephrine and to a much smaller extent–at very high dosages–it can inhibit some reuptake of dopamine. > What abt Lorazepam??

==>  Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine–an anti-anxiety medication and a sedative/hypnotic–it is not an antidepressant.  Anxiety meds are often prescribed in conjunction with antidepressants for patients who experience difficulty sleeping or with social interactions. good luck, connemara — In Memory of Colette Cassavaugh ***8/13/99*** –who lost her will to live   to the external demons   charged with her care.   and then… –lost her life to internal demons. –REFORM MENTAL HEALTH CARE– Remove spam from email for response.

Response:

> Is Effexor considered and SSRI type drug?

It’s sometimes listed along with the SSRIs, although it also affects noradrenaline (and, to a lesser extent, dopamine)  It’s a bit of a grey area, though, at least in terms of terminology since paroxetine and fluoxetine also affect noradrenaline to a considerable extent.  Its classification is SNRI (serotonin/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor) > What abt Lorazepam??

It’s a sedative of the benzodiazepine class, related to diazepam (Valium) but stronger and shorter acting.  Can produce nasty withdrawal symptoms after prolonged use but is handy for nullifying panic attacks and/or acute anxiety. Chris.

Response:

I would say it’s an SSRI and a NERI (norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor)  But, if you ask which class of anti-depressants it belongs to, SSRI would be the answer without question. Phil

Response:

Oh I almost forgot, Lorazepam falls into the Benzodiazepine group. It’s an intermediate-acting agent very similiar to Klonopin but longer acting than Xanax, while shorter acting than Valium. The half life of Lorazepam is 15 (10-24). Also called Ativan. Phil

Response:

No, Effexor is an SNRI (serotonin/noradrenaline) reuptake inhibitor, and also has weak action on dopamine. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine (‘minor tranquiliser), not an antidepressant of any kind, but rather a sedative, anti-anxiety drug, and anticonvulsant. RL

Response:

>Yes, that is exactly correct. Effexor is in a class of antidepressants all by >itself.

It’s not quite alone…there’s also Meridia (sibutramine), a crappy weight loss drug but probably a fine antidepressant! -elizabeth

Response:

Sibutramine was in fact developed as an antidepressant, but then the manufacturer decided that the market was already too saturated with ADs, and phen/fen had just been pulled from the shelves, opening a nice marketing opportunity.  So sibutramine became a "diet pill." The difference between the reality of drug development and the popular conception of it is really astounding!  Everyone pictures scientists "targeting" this and that, "designing" molecules to do certain things, etc.  The truth is that pharmaceutical chemists just synthesize lots of different molecules either as imitations of existing drugs, or else totally at random, and then pharmacologists try to figure out what, if anything, they could be sold for. — ETF Sublimity depends upon unintelligibility.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Yes, that is exactly correct. Effexor is in a class of antidepressants all by >itself. > It’s not quite alone…there’s also Meridia (sibutramine), a crappy weight > loss drug but probably a fine antidepressant! > -elizabeth

Response:

Question:

Hi All, I am trying to weigh up the benefits / risks of taking diazepam and a SSRI, especially in regard to sexual function. I understand diazepam has an effect on libido, whereas SSRI’s can decrease sexual function (delayed ejaculation) Also after having taken both for 10 years now, what are the long term effects say 20 years from now if I keep taking them? My libido is not quite as strong as when I was 20 and ejaculations take more time and are not as strong but maybe this is because I am getting older? Thanx.

Response:

Does anyone know of a more reputable N/G? I’m a bit concerned as to how many replies are directed to irrelevant posts on the group here.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi All, > I am trying to weigh up the benefits / risks of taking diazepam and a SSRI, > especially in regard to sexual function. > I understand diazepam has an effect on libido, whereas SSRI’s can decrease > sexual function (delayed ejaculation) > Also after having taken both for 10 years now, what are the long term > effects say 20 years from now if I keep taking them? > My libido is not quite as strong as when I was 20 and ejaculations take more > time and are not as strong but maybe this is because I am getting older? > Thanx.

Response:

Thanks Peter, Finally getting some feedback, hopefully some people will get some more courage now to tell us what they think! I am currently taking 40mg Paroxetine and 5mg Diazepam each morning. This week I will be cutting back my Diazepam dosage by 25% and see how I fare. I’ll let the group know how I go!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> x-no-archive:yes >Hi All, >I am trying to weigh up the benefits / risks of taking diazepam and a SSRI, >especially in regard to sexual function. >I understand diazepam has an effect on libido, whereas SSRI’s can decrease >sexual function (delayed ejaculation) >Also after having taken both for 10 years now, what are the long term >effects say 20 years from now if I keep taking them? >My libido is not quite as strong as when I was 20 and ejaculations take more >time and are not as strong but maybe this is because I am getting older? >Thanx. > I found that taking Diazapam in conjunction with SSRI’s (Cipramil in > my case, known as Celexa in the USA) caused a greater reduction in my > libido & sexual performance (or lack of it!!) than did the SSRI on its > own. > Also, age definately is a contributing factor; I’m 45 and even when I > wasn’t on SSRI’s & Diazapam I was aware that my sexual function wasn’t > as powerful as it was when I was in my early 20’s. > Cheers, > Peter.

Response:

** Dear Group During my time on SSRI’s, valium and zopiclone I was obliged to cut sexual activity down to about three or four times a day. Fortunately, now I am clear of all medication, my normal appetites and satisfactions have returned. ;o)) Kind regards, John 5 months clear of all chemicals! Support Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Benzo-Rehab Website – Benzo-Rehab: www.benzos.net Support Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fitnwell Website – Fitness: www.fitnwell.net This forum is for support only.  The information posted to this List is for support purposes and is not intended to replace the examination, diagnosis and treatment of a licensed physician and no such claims are inferred. Please note that what you write here is public to those of us on the list. Something you write, may be copied by another member for his or her own purposes. **

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks Peter, > Finally getting some feedback, hopefully some people will get some more > courage now to tell us what they think! > I am currently taking 40mg Paroxetine and 5mg Diazepam each morning. > This week I will be cutting back my Diazepam dosage by 25% and see how I > fare. > I’ll let the group know how I go! > x-no-archive:yes > >Hi All, > >I am trying to weigh up the benefits / risks of taking diazepam and a > SSRI, > >especially in regard to sexual function. > >I understand diazepam has an effect on libido, whereas SSRI’s can > decrease > >sexual function (delayed ejaculation) > >Also after having taken both for 10 years now, what are the long term > >effects say 20 years from now if I keep taking them? > >My libido is not quite as strong as when I was 20 and ejaculations take > more > >time and are not as strong but maybe this is because I am getting older? > >Thanx. > I found that taking Diazapam in conjunction with SSRI’s (Cipramil in > my case, known as Celexa in the USA) caused a greater reduction in my > libido & sexual performance (or lack of it!!) than did the SSRI on its > own. > Also, age definately is a contributing factor; I’m 45 and even when I > wasn’t on SSRI’s & Diazapam I was aware that my sexual function wasn’t > as powerful as it was when I was in my early 20’s. > Cheers, > Peter.

Response:

ooooooook three of four times a day?  Since being on Zoloft I could care less about sex or showing any affection other then to my children.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> ** > Dear Group > During my time on SSRI’s, valium and zopiclone I was obliged to cut sexual > activity down to about three or four times a day. Fortunately, now I am > clear of all medication, my normal appetites and satisfactions have > returned. ;o)) > Kind regards, > John > 5 months clear of all chemicals! > Support Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Benzo-Rehab > Website – Benzo-Rehab: www.benzos.net > Support Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Fitnwell > Website – Fitness: www.fitnwell.net > This forum is for support only.  The information posted to this List is for > support purposes and is not intended to replace the examination, diagnosis > and treatment of a licensed physician and no such claims are inferred. > Please note that what you write here is public to those of us on the list. > Something you write, may be copied by another member for his or her own > purposes. > ** > Thanks Peter, > Finally getting some feedback, hopefully some people will get some more > courage now to tell us what they think! > I am currently taking 40mg Paroxetine and 5mg Diazepam each morning. > This week I will be cutting back my Diazepam dosage by 25% and see how I > fare. > I’ll let the group know how I go! > > x-no-archive:yes > > >Hi All, > > >I am trying to weigh up the benefits / risks of taking diazepam and a > SSRI, > > >especially in regard to sexual function. > > >I understand diazepam has an effect on libido, whereas SSRI’s can > decrease > > >sexual function (delayed ejaculation) > > >Also after having taken both for 10 years now, what are the long term > > >effects say 20 years from now if I keep taking them? > > >My libido is not quite as strong as when I was 20 and ejaculations take > more > > >time and are not as strong but maybe this is because I am getting > older? > > >Thanx. > > I found that taking Diazapam in conjunction with SSRI’s (Cipramil in > > my case, known as Celexa in the USA) caused a greater reduction in my > > libido & sexual performance (or lack of it!!) than did the SSRI on its > > own. > > Also, age definately is a contributing factor; I’m 45 and even when I > > wasn’t on SSRI’s & Diazapam I was aware that my sexual function wasn’t > > as powerful as it was when I was in my early 20’s. > > Cheers, > > Peter.

Response:

How old are you now? Is the diazepam for anxiety?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi All, > I am trying to weigh up the benefits / risks of taking diazepam and a SSRI, > especially in regard to sexual function. > I understand diazepam has an effect on libido, whereas SSRI’s can decrease > sexual function (delayed ejaculation) > Also after having taken both for 10 years now, what are the long term > effects say 20 years from now if I keep taking them? > My libido is not quite as strong as when I was 20 and ejaculations take more > time and are not as strong but maybe this is because I am getting older? > Thanx.

Response:

Diazepam has very little if any effect on libido; SSRIs are notorious for it, as in fact are any serotonergic drugs. The best thing to do is see a doctor who knows something about this: there are a good number of dopamine agonists on the market that have been used successfully for just this kind of problem: amantadine (Symmetrel) is probably the commonest. There are also Nitric Oxide inhibitors like Viagra. And yes, age is of course part of it. Other meds can interfere as well, e.g. antihypertensives, lipid-lowering drugs. There’s no evidence of permanent effect or damage that I’ve seen in the literature. RL> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I’m 29 now and yes the diazepam is for the anxiety caused by the SSRI ! Cheers, Loopy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> How old are you now? Is the diazepam for anxiety? > Hi All, > I am trying to weigh up the benefits / risks of taking diazepam and a > SSRI, > especially in regard to sexual function. > I understand diazepam has an effect on libido, whereas SSRI’s can decrease > sexual function (delayed ejaculation) > Also after having taken both for 10 years now, what are the long term > effects say 20 years from now if I keep taking them? > My libido is not quite as strong as when I was 20 and ejaculations take > more > time and are not as strong but maybe this is because I am getting older? > Thanx.

Response:

Thanks for that response RL. Very helpful. Cheers, Loopy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Diazepam has very little if any effect on libido; SSRIs are notorious for > it, as in fact are any serotonergic drugs. > The best thing to do is see a doctor who knows something about this: there > are a good number of dopamine agonists on the market that have been used > successfully for just this kind of problem: amantadine (Symmetrel) is > probably the commonest. There are also Nitric Oxide inhibitors like Viagra. > And yes, age is of course part of it. Other meds can interfere as well, e.g. > antihypertensives, lipid-lowering drugs. > There’s no evidence of permanent effect or damage that I’ve seen in the > literature. > RL>

Response:

Question:

Would anybody care to comment on this and its effect on new visitors and sensitive regulars? Or is it acceptable and not worth commenting on because it refers to Andrew? Andrew has been LYING ALL THE TIME!!!! He is actually ON both Prozac, Elavil, as WELL as Xanax!! He has BOTH major OCD, as well as psychosis, but DOESN’T take his Haldol, and his anxiety and psychosis is triggered by the A.D.’s!! I have also had hot homosexual encounters with him, as he has *pleaded* to me for hot anal sex. He enjoy’s taking up the *back door*, but I am going to dump *the bitch*, because he is getting WAYYY too ugly, and sick as well. He USED to be able to pay me for the hot anal sex, but has been cumming up with excuses. The guy has a poop-shoot WIDER then the Grand Canyon!! You can read his personal ad in alt.anal.homosexual.ssri. This jerk even makes the GAY community ashamed that he is one of us who bends for a friend. He didn’t notice the BIG ozzing gential wart I had last time I cornholed him, so maybe his herpes will calm him DOWN. He has ALSO had sex with MANY male church leaders in his community. I just wanted to warn anybody who Andy offers to have sex for money with, that he has NOOOO money, and is a lying bastard. Lot’s of love and sweet kisses…Timmy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I have had a rough few months plagued with anxiety attacks, visited my >doctor and was prescribed Celexa (Citalopram). >Unfortunately however it has rendered me totally impotent, unable to achieve >an erection or orgasm.  This effect is absolute and astonishing – I haven’t >come in a month, which is amazing to me since I used to come every day. At >first this didn’t really bother me, but as time has gone on it is more and >more frustrating, I hadn’t realised how important sexual function is to me >and now I have discontinued the medication. >I had a similar experience two years ago with Paroxetine (Paxil) – the >impotence was not quite as complete but in addition was very uncomfortable, >I felt as if my genitals had somehow been rewired in an unpleasant way. > Thank you for a good hand-job. > All faggots like me, and my AIDS-infected "partner"…

Response:

Yes bob, this is one of the occasional posts which are vulgar, distractive, and problematic. It is an example of  the "backlash" to the abuse which has driven people to vent their extreme anger and frustration which andy creates. Now, most all normal people feel this way and try to forget we read it. It would have served you better to not repost this vulgarity. An old saying, " This is like a bucket of shit, the more you stir it, the worse it stinks". Better to walk away from it quickly.  Another concept, this one from the legal arena bob, it is, "If not but for…."  This applies to establish causality for a libelous action. Well, it applies to ASDM as well. "If not but for the presence of the psychopath Andrew Chmilewsky, then we wouldn’t be having the "backlash effect" or this conversation."   FACT, PERIOD! So what’s your point?  You just opened yourself up for me to defeat the point you so annoyingly wanted to make, that being, that others are equally as disgusting as Andrew!  Well, when andy isn’t here, then we don’t have these vulgar "comeback" posts. You have just allowed me to reinforce our position, and weaken yours. You also posted with a misleading subject line, that being, abuse in asdm, which insults the efforts of those of us who spend countless hours trying to make this a sanctuary. It is your myopic perspective that makes it clear what your agenda is, which is, to help perpetuate the criminal behavior of andrew chmilewsky. The net result of your presence here thus far, has been to exacerbate the pain and confusion caused by the "a" troll. And you wonder why people think you’re a troll. Geees! (shaking head) Mark of the Forest

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Would anybody care to comment on this and its effect on new visitors and > sensitive regulars?

Response:

<Would anybody care to comment on this and its effect on new visitors and <sensitive regulars? <Or is it acceptable and not worth commenting on because it refers to Andrew? It is not acceptable, and the best way to deal with it is to ignore it, just as we tried to ignore Andy’s posts. The difference is that whoever posted this will stop when no attention is given to it, while Andy continues or escalate vulgar posts when ignored. So we are using the same methods to get rid of this as we have with Andy’s posts, it just didn’t work with Andy. (I call him that because it bugs him) You see Bob, I have copies of almost a thousand posts like this that Andy has produced of the last nine months. Within that period, I can show you where we all got together and "shunned" him, completely ignoring him, as if he did not exist, like the mormons do with members that do bad things. We kept this up for weeks and all it did was to infuriate Andy and make him double his abuse. So to answer your question, there is no difference between this abusive post and Andy’s abusive posts, the only difference is who is behind it and how they respond. Hopper

Response:

Oh bull pucky you people never got your act together and ignored him completely. you learn how to fix your little andrew problem before you start spewing your advice.. It was those darn rumour weeds!! Ralph V

Response:

Question:

That’s very white of you, Keith.  I’d say magnaminous, but I’d offered to send you .pdf files from several psychiatry journals over the past two years or so and you never expressed any interest.  Looks like Julez is in a "sharing" mood for a change. While you’re at it, why don’t you have dysphoric, retentive/explosive Agileflower send you what I sent her — the special Sept. 15 2000 _Biological Psychiatry_ issue on bipolar disorder.  I won’t post waste five minutes on feeding the dregzz *anything* from my extensive collection.  They’re unworthy – period. Viscount of ASDManic  ~~ Let them eat cake.. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry….catch up on your reading…your > doctor doesn’t have the time to keep up! > Alright, request your issues by the month and I’ll email the .pdf file > to you. If you don’t want to post your email then send your request to > Consult the table of contents below…I have July through November > available… > Keith sez knowledge should be free and thanks to those who made it so. > Volume 61 November 2000 Number 11 > Brainstorms > 813 The New Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s Disease, Part 2: > Illustrating Their Mechanisms of Action. Stephen M. Stahl > Original Articles > 815 Adverse Neuropsychiatric Reactions to Herbal and Over-the-Counter > "Antidepressants." Ronald Pies > 821 Treatment of Dysthymia With Sertraline: A Double-Blind, > Placebo-Controlled Trial in Dysthymic Patients Without Major > Depression. Arun V. Ravindran, Julien D. Guelfi, Roger M. Lane, and > Giovanni B. Cassano > 828 Paroxetine Levels in Postpartum Depressed Women, Breast Milk, and > Infant Serum. Shaila Misri, John Kim, K. Wayne Riggs, and Xanthoula > Kostaras > 833 Strategies for Switching From Conventional Antipsychotic Drugs or > Risperidone to Olanzapine. Bruce J. Kinon, Bruce R. Basson, Julie A. > Gilmore, Sandra Malcolm, and Virginia L. Stauffer > 841 A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Prophylaxis Study of > Lamotrigine in Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder. Joseph R. Calabrese, > Trisha Suppes, Charles L. Bowden, Gary S. Sachs, Alan C. Swann, Susan > L. McElroy, Vivek Kusumakar, John A. Ascher, Nancy L. Earl, Paul L. > Greene, and Eileen T. Monaghan, for the Lamictal 614 Study Group > 851 The Efficacy and Safety of a New Enteric-Coated Formulation of > Fluoxetine Given Once Weekly During the Continuation Treatment of > Major Depressive Disorder. Mark E. Schmidt, Maurizio Fava, James M. > Robinson, and Rajinder Judge > 858 Bupropion SR Reduces Periodic Limb Movements Associated With > Arousals From Sleep in Depressed Patients With Periodic Limb Movement > Disorder. Eric A. Nofzinger, Amy Fasiczka, Susan Berman, and Michael > E. Thase > 863 Fluoxetine Versus Sertraline and Paroxetine in Major Depressive > Disorder: Changes in Weight With Long-Term Treatment. Maurizio Fava, > Rajinder Judge, Sharon L. Hoog, Mary E. Nilsson, and Stephanie C. Koke > 868 Schizophrenia-Associated Idiopathic Unconjugated > Hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert’s Syndrome). Tsuyoshi Miyaoka, Haruo Seno, > Motoi Itoga, Masaaki Iijima, Takuji Inagaki,and Jun Horiguchi > CME Article 879 > 880 Differences in Quality of Life Domains and Psychopathologic and > Psychosocial Factors in Psychiatric Patients. Michael Ritsner, Ilan > Modai, Jean Endicott, Olga Rivkin, Yakov Nechamkin, Peretz Barak, > Vladimir Goldin, and Alexander Ponizovsky > Letters to the Editor > 872 Reboxetine Treatment of Depression in Parkinson’s Disease. > Matthias R. Lemke > 872 Olanzapine-Induced Neutropenia in Patients With History of > Clozapine Treatment: Two Case Reports From a State Psychiatric > Institution. Christian J. Teter, John J. Early, and Richard J. > Frachtling > 873 Venlafaxine Versus Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder. > Thomas N. Wise and Michael J. Sheridan > 874 Adverse Events of Fluoxetine: Postmarketing Compared With > Premarketing Clinical Trials. Mahmoud N. Musa and James M. Staneluis > 874 Diagnosing Melancholia. Iwona Chelminski, Mark Zimmerman, and Jill > I. Mattia > Volume 61 October 2000 Number 10 > Brainstorms > 710 The New Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s Disease, Part 1: > Their Similarities Are Different. Stephen M. Stahl > Original Articles > 712 How Fast Are Antidepressants? Alan J. Gelenberg and Chelsea L. > Chesen > 722 Efficacy, Adverse Events, and Treatment Discontinuations in > Fluoxetine Clinical Studies of Major Depression: A Meta-Analysis of > the 20-mg/day Dose.Charles M. Beasley, Jr., Mary E. Nilsson, Stephanie > C. Koke, and Jill S. Gonzales > 729 Prodromal Symptoms of Relapse in a Sample of Egyptian > Schizophrenic Patients. Ahmed Okasha, Zeinab Bishry, Mohamed Rifaat El > Fiki, Aida Seif El Dawla, and Amany Haroun El Rasheed > 737 Restlessness of Respiration as a Manifestation of Akathisia: Five > Case Reports of Respiratory Akathisia. Shigehiro Hirose > 742 Elevated Levels of Insulin, Leptin, and Blood Lipids in > Olanzapine-Treated Patients With Schizophrenia or Related Psychoses. > Kristina I. Melkersson, Anna-Lena Hulting, and Kerstin E. Brismar > 750 Treatment of Depression With Methylphenidate in Patients Difficult > to Wean From Mechanical Ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit. > Hans-Bernd Rothenhausler, Sigrid Ehrentraut, Georges von Degenfeld, > Michael Weis, Monika Tichy, Erich Kilger, Christian Stoll, Gustav > Schelling, and Hans-Peter Kapfhammer > 756 Genetic Studies of Panic Disorder: A Review. Odile A. van den > Heuvel, Ben J. M. van de Wetering, Dick J. Veltman, and David L. Pauls > 767 An Algorithm for the Treatment of Schizophrenia in the > Correctional Setting: The Forensic Algorithm Project. Charles A. > Buscema, Qamar A. Abbasi, David J. Barry, and Timothy H. Lauve > Academic Highlights > 791 Alzheimer’s Disease: Translating Neurochemical Insights Into > Clinical Benefits. > CME Article 803 > 804 Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder and the Effect of Antidepressants: A > Naturalistic Study. S. Nassir Ghaemi, Erica E. Boiman, and Frederick > K. Goodwin > Letters to the Editor > 784 EMDR for Treatment of PTSD. -Gary Peterson****-Nancy J. Smyth, > Ricky Greenwald, Ad de Jongh, and Christopher Lee > Reply by Edna B. Foa, Jonathan R. T. Davidson, and Allen Frances > 785 Further Discussion of EMDR for Treatment of PTSD. Charles R. > Figley, Andrew M. Leeds, Sandra A. TinkerWilson, and Bessel A. van der > Kolk > Reply by Edna B. Foa, Jonathan R. T. Davidson, and Allen Frances > 786 Omission of Bupropion as a Recommended Treatment for PTSD. Ralph > M. Reeves > Reply by Edna B. Foa, Jonathan R. T. Davidson, and Allen Frances > 787 Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for PTSD. -Jose A. Saporta****-Eric M. > Plakun and Edward R. Shapiro > Reply by Edna B. Foa, Jonathan R. T. Davidson, and Allen Frances > Book Reviews 789 > Volume 61 September 2000 Number 9 > Brainstorms > 628 Paying Attention to Your Acetylcholine, Part 2: The Function of > Nicotinic Receptors. Stephen M. Stahl > Original Articles > 630 The Implications of Genetic Studies of Major Mood Disorders for > Clinical Practice. Anne Duffy, Paul Grof, Carrie Robertson, and Martin > Alda > 638 A Naturalistic Comparison of Clozapine, Risperidone, and > Olanzapine in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder. Constance Guille, > Gary S. Sachs, and S. Nassir Ghaemi > 643 A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of > Moclobemide in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Ian B. Hickie, > Andrew J. Wilson, J. Murray Wright, Barbara K. Bennett, Denis > Wakefield, and Andrew R. Lloyd > 649 Possible Induction of Mania and Hypomania by Olanzapine or > Risperidone: A Critical Review of Reported Cases. Jean-Michel Aubry, > Andor E. Simon, and Gilles Bertschy > 656 Mirtazapine Compared With Paroxetine in Major Depression. Otto > Benkert, Armin Szegedi, and Ralf Kohnen > 664 Psychostimulant Augmentation During Treatment With Selective > Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Men With Paraphilias and > Paraphilia-Related Disorders: A Case Series. Martin P. Kafka and John > Hennen > 671 Clinical and Psychopharmacologic Factors Influencing Family Burden > in Refractory Schizophrenia. Robert Rosenheck, Joyce Cramer, George > Jurgis, Deborah Perlick, Weichun Xu, Jonathan Thomas, William > Henderson, and Dennis Charney, for the Department of Veterans Affairs > Cooperative Study Group on Clozapine in Refractory Schizophrenia > Academic Highlights > 686 Novel Antidepressant Strategies to Optimize Outcome. > CME Article 697 > 698 Psychiatric Care of Patients With Depression and Comorbid > Substance Use Disorders. Ivan D. Montoya, Dace Svikis, Steven C. > Marcus, Ana Suarez, Terri Tanielian, and Harold Alan Pincus > Letters to the Editor > 677 Association Between Premenstrual Syndrome and Depression. Claudio > N. Soares and Lee S. Cohen > Reply by Catherine A. Roca, Peter J. Schmidt, and David R. Rubinow > 678 Is Antipsychotic Drug-Induced Weight Gain Associated With a > Favorable Clinical Response? J. Steven Lamberti > Reply by Rohan Ganguli > 678 Polypharmacy of 2 Atypical Antipsychotics. Edward Rhoads > Reply by Stephen M. Stahl > 680 Clarification of Anticholinergic Effects of Quetiapine. Jeffrey M. > Goldstein and Martin Brecher > 680 Side Effect Profile of Enteric-Coated Divalproex Sodium Versus > Valproic Acid. Joseph Levine, K. N. Roy Chengappa, and Haranath > Parepally > 681 Correction. Gelenberg AJ, McGahuey C, Laukes C, Okayli G, Moreno > F, Zentner L, and Delgado P. Mirtazapine substitution in SSRI-induced > sexual dysfunction (J Clin Psychiatry 2000;61:356-360) > Book Reviews 682 > Volume 61 August 2000 Number 8 > Brainstorms > 547 Paying Attention to Your Acetylcholine, Part 1: Structural > Organization of Nicotinic Receptors. Stephen M. Stahl > Original

… read more »

Response:

The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry….catch up on your reading…your doctor doesn’t have the time to keep up! Alright, request your issues by the month and I’ll email the .pdf file to you. If you don’t want to post your email then send your request to Consult the table of contents below…I have July through November available… Keith sez knowledge should be free and thanks to those who made it so. Volume 61 November 2000 Number 11 Brainstorms 813 The New Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s Disease, Part 2: Illustrating Their Mechanisms of Action. Stephen M. Stahl Original Articles 815 Adverse Neuropsychiatric Reactions to Herbal and Over-the-Counter "Antidepressants." Ronald Pies 821 Treatment of Dysthymia With Sertraline: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial in Dysthymic Patients Without Major Depression. Arun V. Ravindran, Julien D. Guelfi, Roger M. Lane, and Giovanni B. Cassano 828 Paroxetine Levels in Postpartum Depressed Women, Breast Milk, and Infant Serum. Shaila Misri, John Kim, K. Wayne Riggs, and Xanthoula Kostaras 833 Strategies for Switching From Conventional Antipsychotic Drugs or Risperidone to Olanzapine. Bruce J. Kinon, Bruce R. Basson, Julie A. Gilmore, Sandra Malcolm, and Virginia L. Stauffer 841 A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Prophylaxis Study of Lamotrigine in Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder. Joseph R. Calabrese, Trisha Suppes, Charles L. Bowden, Gary S. Sachs, Alan C. Swann, Susan L. McElroy, Vivek Kusumakar, John A. Ascher, Nancy L. Earl, Paul L. Greene, and Eileen T. Monaghan, for the Lamictal 614 Study Group 851 The Efficacy and Safety of a New Enteric-Coated Formulation of Fluoxetine Given Once Weekly During the Continuation Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. Mark E. Schmidt, Maurizio Fava, James M. Robinson, and Rajinder Judge 858 Bupropion SR Reduces Periodic Limb Movements Associated With Arousals From Sleep in Depressed Patients With Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. Eric A. Nofzinger, Amy Fasiczka, Susan Berman, and Michael E. Thase 863 Fluoxetine Versus Sertraline and Paroxetine in Major Depressive Disorder: Changes in Weight With Long-Term Treatment. Maurizio Fava, Rajinder Judge, Sharon L. Hoog, Mary E. Nilsson, and Stephanie C. Koke 868 Schizophrenia-Associated Idiopathic Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia (Gilbert’s Syndrome). Tsuyoshi Miyaoka, Haruo Seno, Motoi Itoga, Masaaki Iijima, Takuji Inagaki,and Jun Horiguchi CME Article 879 880 Differences in Quality of Life Domains and Psychopathologic and Psychosocial Factors in Psychiatric Patients. Michael Ritsner, Ilan Modai, Jean Endicott, Olga Rivkin, Yakov Nechamkin, Peretz Barak, Vladimir Goldin, and Alexander Ponizovsky Letters to the Editor 872 Reboxetine Treatment of Depression in Parkinson’s Disease. Matthias R. Lemke 872 Olanzapine-Induced Neutropenia in Patients With History of Clozapine Treatment: Two Case Reports From a State Psychiatric Institution. Christian J. Teter, John J. Early, and Richard J. Frachtling 873 Venlafaxine Versus Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder. Thomas N. Wise and Michael J. Sheridan 874 Adverse Events of Fluoxetine: Postmarketing Compared With Premarketing Clinical Trials. Mahmoud N. Musa and James M. Staneluis 874 Diagnosing Melancholia. Iwona Chelminski, Mark Zimmerman, and Jill I. Mattia Volume 61 October 2000 Number 10 Brainstorms 710 The New Cholinesterase Inhibitors for Alzheimer’s Disease, Part 1: Their Similarities Are Different. Stephen M. Stahl Original Articles 712 How Fast Are Antidepressants? Alan J. Gelenberg and Chelsea L. Chesen 722 Efficacy, Adverse Events, and Treatment Discontinuations in Fluoxetine Clinical Studies of Major Depression: A Meta-Analysis of the 20-mg/day Dose.Charles M. Beasley, Jr., Mary E. Nilsson, Stephanie C. Koke, and Jill S. Gonzales 729 Prodromal Symptoms of Relapse in a Sample of Egyptian Schizophrenic Patients. Ahmed Okasha, Zeinab Bishry, Mohamed Rifaat El Fiki, Aida Seif El Dawla, and Amany Haroun El Rasheed 737 Restlessness of Respiration as a Manifestation of Akathisia: Five Case Reports of Respiratory Akathisia. Shigehiro Hirose 742 Elevated Levels of Insulin, Leptin, and Blood Lipids in Olanzapine-Treated Patients With Schizophrenia or Related Psychoses. Kristina I. Melkersson, Anna-Lena Hulting, and Kerstin E. Brismar 750 Treatment of Depression With Methylphenidate in Patients Difficult to Wean From Mechanical Ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit. Hans-Bernd Rothenhausler, Sigrid Ehrentraut, Georges von Degenfeld, Michael Weis, Monika Tichy, Erich Kilger, Christian Stoll, Gustav Schelling, and Hans-Peter Kapfhammer 756 Genetic Studies of Panic Disorder: A Review. Odile A. van den Heuvel, Ben J. M. van de Wetering, Dick J. Veltman, and David L. Pauls 767 An Algorithm for the Treatment of Schizophrenia in the Correctional Setting: The Forensic Algorithm Project. Charles A. Buscema, Qamar A. Abbasi, David J. Barry, and Timothy H. Lauve Academic Highlights 791 Alzheimer’s Disease: Translating Neurochemical Insights Into Clinical Benefits. CME Article 803 804 Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder and the Effect of Antidepressants: A Naturalistic Study. S. Nassir Ghaemi, Erica E. Boiman, and Frederick K. Goodwin Letters to the Editor 784 EMDR for Treatment of PTSD. -Gary Peterson****-Nancy J. Smyth, Ricky Greenwald, Ad de Jongh, and Christopher Lee Reply by Edna B. Foa, Jonathan R. T. Davidson, and Allen Frances 785 Further Discussion of EMDR for Treatment of PTSD. Charles R. Figley, Andrew M. Leeds, Sandra A. TinkerWilson, and Bessel A. van der Kolk Reply by Edna B. Foa, Jonathan R. T. Davidson, and Allen Frances 786 Omission of Bupropion as a Recommended Treatment for PTSD. Ralph M. Reeves Reply by Edna B. Foa, Jonathan R. T. Davidson, and Allen Frances 787 Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for PTSD. -Jose A. Saporta****-Eric M. Plakun and Edward R. Shapiro Reply by Edna B. Foa, Jonathan R. T. Davidson, and Allen Frances Book Reviews 789 Volume 61 September 2000 Number 9 Brainstorms 628 Paying Attention to Your Acetylcholine, Part 2: The Function of Nicotinic Receptors. Stephen M. Stahl Original Articles 630 The Implications of Genetic Studies of Major Mood Disorders for Clinical Practice. Anne Duffy, Paul Grof, Carrie Robertson, and Martin Alda 638 A Naturalistic Comparison of Clozapine, Risperidone, and Olanzapine in the Treatment of Bipolar Disorder. Constance Guille, Gary S. Sachs, and S. Nassir Ghaemi 643 A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Moclobemide in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Ian B. Hickie, Andrew J. Wilson, J. Murray Wright, Barbara K. Bennett, Denis Wakefield, and Andrew R. Lloyd 649 Possible Induction of Mania and Hypomania by Olanzapine or Risperidone: A Critical Review of Reported Cases. Jean-Michel Aubry, Andor E. Simon, and Gilles Bertschy 656 Mirtazapine Compared With Paroxetine in Major Depression. Otto Benkert, Armin Szegedi, and Ralf Kohnen 664 Psychostimulant Augmentation During Treatment With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Men With Paraphilias and Paraphilia-Related Disorders: A Case Series. Martin P. Kafka and John Hennen 671 Clinical and Psychopharmacologic Factors Influencing Family Burden in Refractory Schizophrenia. Robert Rosenheck, Joyce Cramer, George Jurgis, Deborah Perlick, Weichun Xu, Jonathan Thomas, William Henderson, and Dennis Charney, for the Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Study Group on Clozapine in Refractory Schizophrenia Academic Highlights 686 Novel Antidepressant Strategies to Optimize Outcome. CME Article 697 698 Psychiatric Care of Patients With Depression and Comorbid Substance Use Disorders. Ivan D. Montoya, Dace Svikis, Steven C. Marcus, Ana Suarez, Terri Tanielian, and Harold Alan Pincus Letters to the Editor 677 Association Between Premenstrual Syndrome and Depression. Claudio N. Soares and Lee S. Cohen Reply by Catherine A. Roca, Peter J. Schmidt, and David R. Rubinow 678 Is Antipsychotic Drug-Induced Weight Gain Associated With a Favorable Clinical Response? J. Steven Lamberti Reply by Rohan Ganguli 678 Polypharmacy of 2 Atypical Antipsychotics. Edward Rhoads Reply by Stephen M. Stahl 680 Clarification of Anticholinergic Effects of Quetiapine. Jeffrey M. Goldstein and Martin Brecher 680 Side Effect Profile of Enteric-Coated Divalproex Sodium Versus Valproic Acid. Joseph Levine, K. N. Roy Chengappa, and Haranath Parepally 681 Correction. Gelenberg AJ, McGahuey C, Laukes C, Okayli G, Moreno F, Zentner L, and Delgado P. Mirtazapine substitution in SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction (J Clin Psychiatry 2000;61:356-360) Book Reviews 682 Volume 61 August 2000 Number 8 Brainstorms 547 Paying Attention to Your Acetylcholine, Part 1: Structural Organization of Nicotinic Receptors. Stephen M. Stahl Original Articles 549 Clinical Factors Associated With Treatment Noncompliance in Euthymic Bipolar Patients. Francesc Colom, Eduard Vieta, Anabel Martinez-Aran, Maria Reinares, Antonio Benabarre, and Cristobal Gasto 556 Is Melatonin Treatment Effective for Tardive Dyskinesia? Eyal Shamir, Yoram Barak, Igor Plopsky, Nava Zisapel, Avner Elizur, and Abraham Weizman 559 A Double-Blind Comparison of Sertraline and Fluoxetine in Depressed Elderly Outpatients. Paul A. Newhouse, K. Ranga Rama Krishnan, P. Murali Doraiswamy, Ellen M. Richter, Evan D. Batzar, and Cathryn M. Clary 569 Pisa Syndrome (Pleurothotonus): Report of a Multicenter Drug Safety Surveillance Project. Susanne Stubner, Frank Padberg, Renate Grohmann, Harald Hampel, Matthias Hollweg, Hanns Hippius, Hans-Jurgen Moller, and Eckart Ruther 575 An Open-Label Trial of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Leslie vH. Taylor and Kenneth A. Kobak 579 Predictors of Response to Sertraline Treatment of Severe Premenstrual Syndromes. Ellen W. Freeman, Steven J. Sondheimer, … read more »

Response:

Question:

: I was on Paxil from over five months this year to treat a condition of : depression. Sometime around June, I became manic, more talkative, more : social, and started spending more money. I also began to lose sleep.  I had : never had this level of mania in my life before, and my family was very very : concerned. I came off of Paxil in mid July, but was still manic.<edited for brevity> Took Paxil for about a month, give or take, did not like side effects and it seemed to help little with depression. Not long after discontinuing Paxil, a change from lithium to depakote was done.  The combination of these actions resulted in a humdinger manic episode, that still has lingering effects over 3 years later.  I have surmised that Paxil may have set the stage, and the meds switch triggered this episode. Vern :

Response:

I am in the same position, and I was discouraged from seeking legal relief for one main reason….mis-diagnosis (unipolar for bipolar and the administration of ADs to treat unipolar) is not necessarily malpractice. It’s wrong, and too many people have needlessly suffered through AD triggered hypomania for it to be excusable… particularly when major academic and scientific bodies specifically inform pdocs to suspect bipolar illness first when doing a patient assessment (see the APA guidelines and the Stanley Center’s most current assessment guidelines.) The forces of the whole psychiatric drug industry are marshalled against any such suit as well…note the Bryn Hartman case (Zoloft plus cocaine abuse). But…all it will take is one successful suit and precedent will have been set. I would also think you have a much better ADA case and that you should at least talk seriously to a good lawyer about that…and let us know the name of the company so we can boycott them. Jim "…sick of living unwilling to die" Words scratched into a Riverside, CA library desk. Attributed to the Zodiac, 1967.

Response:

You wouldn’t get past a telephone consultation.  Take it to the bank kid, & get on with your sissy life. V-man – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->ubject: Re: Paxil induced Hypomania (lawsuits) >I am in the same position, and I was discouraged from seeking legal relief >for >one main reason….mis-diagnosis (unipolar for bipolar and the administration >of ADs to treat unipolar) is not necessarily malpractice. It’s wrong, and too >many people have needlessly suffered through AD triggered hypomania for it to >be excusable… particularly when major academic and scientific bodies >specifically inform pdocs to suspect bipolar illness first when doing a >patient >assessment (see the APA guidelines and the Stanley Center’s most current >assessment guidelines.) The forces of the whole psychiatric drug industry are >marshalled against any such suit as well…note the Bryn Hartman case (Zoloft >plus cocaine abuse). But…all it will take is one successful suit and >precedent will have been set. >I would also think you have a much better ADA case and that you should at >least >talk seriously to a good lawyer about that…and let us know the name of the >company so we can boycott them. >Jim >"…sick of living unwilling to die" >Words scratched into a Riverside, CA library desk. Attributed to the Zodiac, >1967.

Response:

Word of caution: since arriving at this newsgroup one month ago, I have witnessed Manic Obsession posting  information about his so called "lawsuits" against countless individuals within this newsgroup.  Although I don’t know the exact details (it would seem those indivuduals being threatened are also quite baffled), Manic Obsession seems to be obsessed with the idea that he is connected with the best lawers, doctors etc in the country. I am replying to this post because you seem to have a genuine concern, and I’d hate for you to have to waste your time with false leads from a delusional shit. Unfortunately, it is likely that a court case would take a great deal of time and would cost a great deal of money.  Before you decide to do anything you should speak with a lawyer to make sure you do have a case, and then determine if the cost both financially and time-wise is worth the effort.      An unfortunate reality of bipolar disorder is that it does disrupt the lives of sufferers.  I was initially diagnosed with bipolar illness while recieving treatment for clinical depression.  I was also taking Paxil (50mg) and receiving light therapy. Unfortunately, the episodes continued long after I stopped both treatments.  Thus far bipolar depression has cost me three (?) jobs, disrupted my education, and resulted in the general disarray of my life at present.  But it does get better, and once stable you shouldn’t have nearly as many problems at your next job. I wish you the best of luck, and caution you from taking any of the responses you recieve (including mine) all that seriously.  We’re all in the same boat here, trying to live our lives the best way we know how.  We all have problems and none of us can proclaim to know all of the answers (although some of us try). Take care, Joolie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Contact Michael Smerconish at: http://www.mastalk.com/Pract.html  OR: > James Beasley, Marsha Santangelo, and Paul Lauricella at: > http://www.tortlaw.com/ > Jim Beasley is probably the best attorney in the U.S. for your case. > ~e them a narrative. > Viscount > I was on Paxil from over five months this year to treat a condition of >depression. Sometime around June, I became manic, more talkative, more >social, and started spending more money. I also began to lose sleep.  I had >never had this level of mania in my life before, and my family was very very >concerned. I came off of Paxil in mid July, but was still manic. >I began having "problems " at work because my bosses felt I was too social, >too talkative, and too confrontational. I put it off to drinking too much >coffee (which I thought would element the mania; it didn’t). Sadly, I had a >jerk of a boss who kept hammering because of these behaviors; this is >because I do computer programming work and was expected to stay in my cube >like a nice little nerd and create thousands of lines of code and not speak >with anybody. >I finally disclosed my illness to this boss last Thursday, because he said >"from now on I’m playing hardball with you about your confrontational >behavior and your access socializing".  To make matters worse, this same >boss had caused numerous people to transfer or quit the company, yet his >behavior was tolerated because he made the company  money.  I finally had to >admit to him that I had been diagnosed as having a "Bi-Polar" disorder by my >psychiatrist and that I was in treatment. I let the Human Resource Staff >know that I had this mental condition, but expressed my desire to try and >stay with the company in another department. I stated that if I was harassed >or fired without cause, that I would sue them under ADA/EEOC guidelines, >etc. >I was all set to interview in another department this Monday at 11:00 A.M. >when my immediate boss (who had acted like my best friend for over two >months) fired me with the Human Resource person standing in his office. >I’d like to ask the group several questions: >1) Do I have a case of a lawsuit here? An employment lawyer I’m speaking to >next Tuesday says I don’t have much of a case.  Are there any lawyers in the >house? >2) I’ve spoken to other people who’ve been driven into mania by Paxil. They >now have a "Bi-Polar" label attached to them when before they had no prior >history of mania. Is anybody in this group aware of a class action lawsuit >against the makers of Paxil for inducing mania in selected patients (they >claim it is only 1%, but I think that it must be more).  Basically, I lost >my job, spend a huge amount of money, etc. because of this >HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE drug.

Response:

The official monograph on every bottle of Paxil says: Activation of Mania/Hypomania: During premarketing testing of immediate-release paroxetine HCl, hypomania or mania occurred in approximately 1.0% of paroxetine HCl-treated unipolar patients compared to 1.1% of active-control and 0.3% of placebo-treated unipolar patients.  As with all antidepressants, paroxetine HCl should be used cautiously in patients with a history of mania. (Aside):  Please save what’s left of your money for your loving and supportive family, who will get you through this crisis.  Let me know how you do. * Sent from AltaVista http://www.altavista.com Where you can also find related Web Pages, Images, Audios, Videos, News, and Shopping.  Smart is Beautiful

Response:

Contact Michael Smerconish at: http://www.mastalk.com/Pract.html  OR: James Beasley, Marsha Santangelo, and Paul Lauricella at: http://www.tortlaw.com/ Jim Beasley is probably the best attorney in the U.S. for your case. ~e them a narrative. Viscount – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I was on Paxil from over five months this year to treat a condition of >depression. Sometime around June, I became manic, more talkative, more >social, and started spending more money. I also began to lose sleep.  I had >never had this level of mania in my life before, and my family was very very >concerned. I came off of Paxil in mid July, but was still manic. >I began having "problems " at work because my bosses felt I was too social, >too talkative, and too confrontational. I put it off to drinking too much >coffee (which I thought would element the mania; it didn’t). Sadly, I had a >jerk of a boss who kept hammering because of these behaviors; this is >because I do computer programming work and was expected to stay in my cube >like a nice little nerd and create thousands of lines of code and not speak >with anybody. >I finally disclosed my illness to this boss last Thursday, because he said >"from now on I’m playing hardball with you about your confrontational >behavior and your access socializing".  To make matters worse, this same >boss had caused numerous people to transfer or quit the company, yet his >behavior was tolerated because he made the company  money.  I finally had to >admit to him that I had been diagnosed as having a "Bi-Polar" disorder by my >psychiatrist and that I was in treatment. I let the Human Resource Staff >know that I had this mental condition, but expressed my desire to try and >stay with the company in another department. I stated that if I was harassed >or fired without cause, that I would sue them under ADA/EEOC guidelines, >etc. >I was all set to interview in another department this Monday at 11:00 A.M. >when my immediate boss (who had acted like my best friend for over two >months) fired me with the Human Resource person standing in his office. >I’d like to ask the group several questions: >1) Do I have a case of a lawsuit here? An employment lawyer I’m speaking to >next Tuesday says I don’t have much of a case.  Are there any lawyers in the >house? >2) I’ve spoken to other people who’ve been driven into mania by Paxil. They >now have a "Bi-Polar" label attached to them when before they had no prior >history of mania. Is anybody in this group aware of a class action lawsuit >against the makers of Paxil for inducing mania in selected patients (they >claim it is only 1%, but I think that it must be more).  Basically, I lost >my job, spend a huge amount of money, etc. because of this >HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE drug.

Response:

 I was on Paxil from over five months this year to treat a condition of depression. Sometime around June, I became manic, more talkative, more social, and started spending more money. I also began to lose sleep.  I had never had this level of mania in my life before, and my family was very very concerned. I came off of Paxil in mid July, but was still manic. I began having "problems " at work because my bosses felt I was too social, too talkative, and too confrontational. I put it off to drinking too much coffee (which I thought would element the mania; it didn’t). Sadly, I had a jerk of a boss who kept hammering because of these behaviors; this is because I do computer programming work and was expected to stay in my cube like a nice little nerd and create thousands of lines of code and not speak with anybody. I finally disclosed my illness to this boss last Thursday, because he said "from now on I’m playing hardball with you about your confrontational behavior and your access socializing".  To make matters worse, this same boss had caused numerous people to transfer or quit the company, yet his behavior was tolerated because he made the company  money.  I finally had to admit to him that I had been diagnosed as having a "Bi-Polar" disorder by my psychiatrist and that I was in treatment. I let the Human Resource Staff know that I had this mental condition, but expressed my desire to try and stay with the company in another department. I stated that if I was harassed or fired without cause, that I would sue them under ADA/EEOC guidelines, etc. I was all set to interview in another department this Monday at 11:00 A.M. when my immediate boss (who had acted like my best friend for over two months) fired me with the Human Resource person standing in his office. I’d like to ask the group several questions: 1) Do I have a case of a lawsuit here? An employment lawyer I’m speaking to next Tuesday says I don’t have much of a case.  Are there any lawyers in the house? 2) I’ve spoken to other people who’ve been driven into mania by Paxil. They now have a "Bi-Polar" label attached to them when before they had no prior history of mania. Is anybody in this group aware of a class action lawsuit against the makers of Paxil for inducing mania in selected patients (they claim it is only 1%, but I think that it must be more).  Basically, I lost my job, spend a huge amount of money, etc. because of this HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE drug.

Response:

Question:

I don’t know about you but my wife is having a pretty difficult time with coming to terms that I have arthritis at the age of 35! I am currently off work, infact I have been for the last four years. My daily role is walking my youngest son to school and tidying up the house while my wife goes to work. More recently I have been sleeping a lot in the day, something my wife cannot get to grips with. I am also on anti-depressants (Paroxetine) because of my employment situation and my arthritis. I recently found out that my wife had been ringing some guy she met at a food and drink show way back in November. Although she has explained to me that there is nothing going on and she just needed an ‘outsider’ to talk to. I am not a jealous type of person and I understand that you can have a relationship with someone of the opposite sex. However, this guy is some years younger than me and a lot less fitter! Initially I flew off the handle when I heard about this ’secret’ relationship but have since wrote to the guy and apologised for getting the wrong end of the stick. I still can’t help but feel a slight sense of betrayal and put a lot of it down to me having too much time on my own during the day. Admittedly, I don’t do too much around the house – peeling potatoes is a pretty hard task. Anyway, how have your partners come to grips with your impairments? Have they been supportive? Have any relationships broken down because of your impairments? I just need to know that I’m not alone on this one. Bob

Response:

(Snipped) > I don’t know about you but my wife is having a pretty difficult time with > coming to terms that I have arthritis at the age of 35! > I recently found out that my wife had been ringing some guy she met at a > food and drink show way back in November. Although she has explained to me > that there is nothing going on and she just needed an ‘outsider’ to talk to. > I still can’t help but feel a slight sense of betrayal and put a lot of it > down to me having too much time on my own during the day. Admittedly, I > don’t do too much around the house – peeling potatoes is a pretty hard task.

Hmmmm. I don’t like the sound of that, Bob. I’m sure it is all quite innocent, but the truth is, it hurts you. I don’t think you need to bend over backwards to accommodate your wife’s new friendship. I’d let her know that, even though you understand it is platonic, you still feel left out. (I assume she’s spending more time on this new friendship than is comfortable for you.) Does she spend less time talking to you? If so, then her new relationship isn’t helping your marriage, IMHO. Can you see a counselor? Maybe marriage counseling would help, not only with this problem but it might help your wife come to grips with your arthritis. I hope she will be considerate of your feelings. Love and hugs, Cat

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I don’t know about you but my wife is having a pretty difficult time with > coming to terms that I have arthritis at the age of 35! > I am currently off work, infact I have been for the last four years. My daily > role is walking my youngest son to school and tidying up the house while my > wife goes to work. > More recently I have been sleeping a lot in the day, something my wife cannot > get to grips with. I am also on anti-depressants (Paroxetine) because of my > employment situation and my arthritis. > I recently found out that my wife had been ringing some guy she met at a food > and drink show way back in November. Although she has explained to me that > there is nothing going on and she just needed an ‘outsider’ to talk to. > I am not a jealous type of person and I understand that you can have a > relationship with someone of the opposite sex. However, this guy is some years > younger than me and a lot less fitter! > Initially I flew off the handle when I heard about this ’secret’ relationship > but have since wrote to the guy and apologised for getting the wrong end of > the stick. > I still can’t help but feel a slight sense of betrayal and put a lot of it > down to me having too much time on my own during the day. Admittedly, I don’t > do too much around the house – peeling potatoes is a pretty hard task. > Anyway, how have your partners come to grips with your impairments? Have they > been supportive? Have any relationships broken down because of your > impairments? > I just need to know that I’m not alone on this one. > Bob

Marriage is a partnership… and if she’s keeping the relationship a secret and not including you in their activities, then she’s not being a very good partner. Not to say anything wrong is going on… just that she should be putting you first in her life and be more considerate of your feelings… since she made a few vows to do just that. I wonder how she would feel if you started hanging out with another women and didn’t tell her or include her??? Will

Response:

Question:

Just wondering how long Lamictal takes to work?  I have heard 48 hours, or 6-8 weeks, not sure which one to believe.  Is this from start or maximum dose? What is the dosage for BP?  I was told 100 – 200 mg.  I have been taking 100 mgs for about a week, after having ramped up from 25 mg, and don’t really notice much difference (on anxiety at least). Does it work for anxiety at all?  That is the effect I’m hoping for. To what degree does it work on anxiety?  I suppose not as well as Neurontin… Will I not need benzos after I’ve found a sufficient dose? I am taking Paxil/Seroxat/Paroxetine, valium and Lamictal.  Hoping to get off the paxil and valium. Thanks dudes

Response:

A_Customer_at_an_easyEverything_Cybercafe

Hi and Welcome to ASDM, > Just wondering how long Lamictal takes to work?  I have heard 48 > hours, or 6-8 weeks, not sure which one to believe.  Is this from > start or maximum dose?

Therapeutic level of many meds take around 4- 6 weeks, although one may exxperience a benefit sooner. > What is the dosage for BP?  I was told 100 – 200 mg.  I have been > taking 100 mgs for about a week, after having ramped up from 25 mg, > and don’t really notice much difference (on anxiety at least).

That is variable and depends on the peson’s body weight, liver functioning, and response to each dosage increase. > Does it work for anxiety at all?  That is the effect I’m hoping for. > To what degree does it work on anxiety?  I suppose not as well as > Neurontin… > Will I not need benzos after I’ve found a sufficient dose?

If anxiety pesists you may. > I am taking Paxil/Seroxat/Paroxetine, valium and Lamictal.  Hoping to > get off the paxil and valium.

Please keep us posted. I have sent you a copy of the FAQs for the ngs. Peace, > Thanks dudes

– Lynda

Response:

Question:

Hi Michael I’m just recently diagnosed, not qualified to give medical advice, and this should not be taken as medical advice, etc. Have you been on Paroxetine (Paxil, I think) for some time now? Is it working OK? Have you tried other drugs,too? If you’re lucky, you’re just really happy sometimes. Are you happy being ‘happy’? Or are you TOO happy, eventually becomming, annoying, impulsive, angry? If you’re just happy sometimes, I would be happy! Don’t worry about it. Could be, the Paroxetine is working!! But if the ‘happy times’ are also associated with self-destructive (destructive to your relationships, work, profession, or physical health) behavior, then see a doctor. (Or a specialist if necessary) Be careful to not self-diagnose. Otherwise, you can become ‘hypochondriac’. If there’s a web page about the disease, you might think you have that disease, when all you needed to do is sleep on your other side (Referring to the recent Dr.Koop article) There are many good resouces on the web, like http://home.att.net/~mercurial-mind/ (Has a links section) around. (With more experience than me!!) See your doctor if you’re still concerned. – Rob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > i think i might be bipolar. i’m on Parotexite 40mg for depression, but > sometimes i can be really happy, almost hyperactive. how can i find out if > i’m bipolar? > Perhaps you’re not just depressed. > By this I mean, Like perhaps there are other problems as well, not just > depression. > I have been Dx with depression (‘persistent’ and ‘major’) by my GP, and > on AD’s for 1+1/2 years. (No, not that long, compared to some!) > First Prozac, then Effexor. Both gave the famous ‘poop-out’, etc., like > many people complain about. > Kept increasing the dosage, again & again… > So my GP recommends that I see a specialist (genuine p-doc!), since I’m > not responsing to the simple > treatment. > So he (p-doc) says Dx ‘manic-depressive’ or ‘bipolar’, (but mostly on > the depressed side.) > I think the higher doses of Effexor (225mg) had started to make some > ‘rapid cycling’, it was gettng really annoying, so I stopped the Effexor > (gradually!!, still lots of fun!), and talked to my GP, then he gave me > the referral. > It was bad enough to cause real chaos at work, and my manager was woried > about me, and is concerned that he never knows which one of me is > showing up for work each morning! > My GP recommended to find a p-doc with practice in one of the expensive > nicer towns here, turns out that’s where most practices are anyway near > here. > First visit (so far) with p-doc, he seems like a nice guy. > He mentioned ‘cycling below the line’ and ‘kindling’ (kindling like the > little sticks you use to set a fire) > Perhaps the brain-state when ‘high’ (though brief!) does damage which > causes the persistent ‘low’. > He said that ‘many’ people who are [long-term, major, persistent...], > depressed actually do better on a mood-stabilizer then an > antidepressant. (perhaps adding lower dosage A/D later) > I guess rather than feeling absolutelely horrible, then just really bad, > then incredibly horribly nasty, it smooths it out. > I was on a rollercoaster since the prozac (Effexor too), and sometimes > it really felt good, but mostly it was horrible. > I’m not saying A/D’s (like Prozac) are bad and evil, just maybe you > might consider you’re not purely depressed. > So I guess we’ll see where we (I!) go from here > brand new Rx for Depakote > p-doc says lithium is usually indicated for cases with extreme ‘high’s, > and probably ineffective for me. > I keep hoping for some hope! > Thoughts, comments appreciated. > (Please ‘reply to sender [email] and to newsgroup, as appropriate) > – Rob

Response:

Hi Michael, Welcome to ASDM. > i think i might be bipolar. i’m on Parotexite 40mg for depression, but > sometimes i can be really happy, almost hyperactive. how can i find out if > i’m bipolar?

By a thorough evaluation by a pdoc who is experiened in treating BP Disorde. They rely heavily on historical info. Do you experience mood swings…highs vacillating with lows? How often do these occur? http://mentalhelp.net/bipolar/wcg_bipolar5.htm HOW IS BIPOLAR DISORDER DIAGNOSED? If the initial symptoms of bipolar disorder are limited to depression, the condition is often diagnosed as depression; indeed about 16% of people with bipolar disorder do not have a manic episode until they have experienced three or more depressive episodes. An accurate diagnosis is important, particularly in light of a study that reported a higher incidence of rehospitalization in bipolar patients who were inappropriately medicated with antidepressants. A family history of manic-depressive illness may make a physician suspicious, but a diagnosis of bipolar disorder cannot be established until a manic episode has occurred. The American Psychiatric Association has established the following criteria for recognizing this phase of bipolar disorder: *       A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood. *       During the mood disturbance, at least three of the following symptoms (four, if the primary mood disturbance is irritability): *       Inflated self-esteem, grandiosity; *       Decreased need for sleep; *       Excessive talking; *       Flight of ideas or racing thoughts; *       Distractibility when confronted by unimportant or irrelevant stimuli; *       Increased goal-directed activity (social, sexual, work or school); *       Excessive involvement in high-risk activities–e.g., unrestrained shopping, promiscuity. *       Mood disturbance severe enough to damage ones job or social functioning or relationships with others, or which requires hospitalization to prevent harm to others or self. *       Hallucinations or delusions absent for two weeks or more during normal periods (this would rule-out schizophrenia). This information is brought to you by Well Connected. You may order this complete guide or choose to subscribe to the complete library covering over 90 health and mental health problems.  Find a book: When making a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, it is important that the physician rule out other conditions that may be causing symptoms of mania. Hypomania, the less severe variant of mania, may be difficult to distinguish from normal joy or euphoria, but it can be differentiated by its persistence for more than a day. In addition, most hypomanic patients are easily distracted, overly talkative, and not functioning very well. Severe manic episodes with delusions and hallucinations may be easily confused with schizophrenia. (African American men, for instance, are more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than with bipolar disorder.) Thyroid disorders may cause mood swings, as can adrenal disorders (e.g., Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome), vitamin B12 deficiency, certain neurologic disorders (e.g., Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, brain tumors, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis), and various medications, including some drugs used to treat anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. Alcoholism and substance abuse occur often in bipolar patients, sometimes as a way of self medication. Both diagnosis and treatment are difficult in such cases, particularly since withdrawal from opiates or alcohol can cause symptoms of mania or severe depression. Children or adolescents with manic-depressive illness may be inappropriately diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; in some cases, however, ADHD may be a marker for an emerging bipolar disorder. Current research is seeking to discover factors in the blood that might help diagnose bipolar disorder and determine the effectiveness of treatment. Such tests would be particularly helpful in differentiating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder from bipolar disorder in young people. High levels of factors known as G proteins have been detected in both types I and type II bipolar patients, but studies have been contradictory, and there is no evidence yet that can be reliably used for diagnostic purposes. Some experts believe that bipolar disorder is only one link on a chain of psychiatric disorders ranging from schizophrenia to major depression, differing in expression and severity but sharing a common biologic cause. However, studies suggest that these conditions, including bipolar disorder, are distinct and caused by different mechanisms. For instance, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of brains of bipolar patients have revealed structural abnormalities in the hippocampus. This brain territory also shows abnormalities in the brains of people with schizophrenia. In one study of people with bipolar disorder, the left side of the hippocampus was significantly larger than the right, while in patients with schizophrenia the hippocampus volume was decreased. In both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder the pathways of the neurotransmitter dopamine appear to be important. (A neurotransmitter acts as a chemical messenger between nerve cells.) Dopamine has been a target of scientific investigation since researchers first observed that certain drugs that reduce the action of dopamine in the brain also reduce psychotic symptoms.

Question:

: : : : California is <really> out there?  this all gets rather abstract at times ….. :   or was it acute, yes acute, acute brit named anne. ttfn : : : : : — : Anne Marshall : : : :

Response:

. . . Never   again to   speak            freely to   speak     at       all Never   again     to       speak to him  . . . Safe at last . . . — Anne Marshall          

Response:

Anne (with the perfect name): I haven’t the slightest idea what your post means, the significance is yours alone to embrace, I do feel it is important to you that you sent it across the Atlantic to land here in California, and many other places.  Whats up Anne with the perfect name, I bet Mr. Marshall was blessed with less than a perfect name, but nevermind he was rewarded with Anne, I have fallen in love with a name, is this in the DSMlV I wonder? ;-o) Regards, Vern

Response:

> Anne (with the perfect name): > I haven’t the slightest idea what your post means, the significance > is yours alone to embrace, I do feel it is important to you that > you sent it across the Atlantic to land here in California, and many > other places.  Whats up Anne with the perfect name, I bet Mr. > Marshall was blessed with less than a perfect name, but nevermind > he was rewarded with Anne, I have fallen in love with a name, is > this in the DSMlV I wonder? ;-o) > Regards, > Vern

Pobody’s nerfect, as they say Vern ….. Toying with verse at the wrong time of day, tired of having my head bitten off for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time (? to the wrong person) …. figuring if I say nothing then there will be <no> cause for the anger (that I can’t cope with) –  just feel like I should disappear. I don’t think this has <anything> to do with <any> diagnosis….. wierd.       He is on meds that he forgets to take and I need to be nursey to "remind" him to take (the paroxetine) …. if I <don’t> nurse him I get the payback . <I> am on no meds and haven’t been since xmas ….  surviving …… but sometimes it seems only just …. California is <really> out there?  this all gets rather abstract at times ….. — Anne Marshall      

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