{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ Diblet }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Sorry I don't have any experience with any of this, and even more sorry
to hear that you are going through such a rough time!   Please know that
you are being thought of and prayed for and wished the very best in
finding a solution to get you out of the turmoil and emotional pain!

Donna G

I would think that for you to feel this way after that is almost normal.
None of us can say how we would react if it happened to us.

It is up to you and the doctors to find the underlying causes for the way
you feel and no one here can really help you with that.

Do you have anyone close to you that you can talk to when you need to.
Family,  neighbor, Pastor, friend, because nothing can help you more than
face to face.

You may or may not get many responses because nearly everyone (myself
included) want to say something to make you worse or set you off, so to
speak.    I can only tell you that you are cared for here and that God loves
you just as you are.   I have said a prayer for Diblet and God knows who
Diblet is and the pain she lives with each day.   I have almost been where
you are and my father did away with himself when this life became to painful
in his mind to meet tomorrow.  My point in saying this is to let you know
that I really do understand your pain ,,, your fears and your cry out for
help, which is a good sign,,, a positive step to make tomorrow better.
    I can only tell you that as my faith in the Lord became stronger, my
fear of life became less and I can only wish the same for you.
Harv

Private reply emailed.

(((((((((Diblet))))))))))))  I don't really know a lot about the meds, but I
wonder if maybe you need a combination of meds - an anti-anxiety med along
with the AD.  Also, I wonder if a consult with a neurologist might be in
order as you say that began after your mini-stroke.  Maybe a key area of the
brain was affected and that is part of the problem.  Just an idea.

hi diblet,

i'm sorry you're going through this, and i agree a consult with a
neurologist is in order.

i also have a non-medication suggestion. i was agoraphobic from the
time i was a kid until my mid twenties. i dropped out of college
because i couldn't sit in a classroom, couldn't drive highways, got
fired from a job because i had panic attacks and had to leave, etc,
etc. i read about a self-help group in ann landers one day and found a
meeting around the corner from my house. this was in 1973. at that
time, recovery's subtitle was "for former mental patients and nervous
people", so you know i was desperate! it was started in the 40's.

i was the youngest (by far) person at the meeting, and felt pretty
strange being there. the only anti-anxiety drugs at that time were
librium and valium, and i had both in my purse at all times. anyhow, to
make a long story short, recovery inc. (which has nothing to do with
12-step programs or drugs or alcohol)teaches very simple behavioral
techniques to deal with anxiety. within days of the first meeting, i
was back to work and within months, back in school. when i became a
therapist, i used some of the techniques i learned with my anxious
clients.

http://www.recovery-inc.com

so you might look into this. i don't know how vibrant the program is
after all these years. the books of examples were very dated even in
1973, and i fear they still use the same ones because the founder's
family had control over content, but the techniques are timeless.

i wish you all the best. anxiety is no fun.

diane

Diblet,
I am sorry that you are having such an emotional time in your life.
For me, the death of my father and the stress of having another family stay
with me and not being able to work anymore...Was just too much...I started
counseling. I had been on Celexa and then Lexapro...
Since I started counseling(Which has been a wonderful experience for me)I
was referred to a psychiatrist who takes care of prescribing my meds.
One of my problems is FMS...Which cause problems with sleep.
As every person is different....With different problems and different ways
of handling things...Meds are basically trial and error for each
person...Which is why it is very important to be monitered closely when
switching Anti depressants....
And even when you find something that is working...It might change..That is
how it has been for me.
Once I had my depression better... I was still having problems with anxiety.
My doctor prescribed ativan. I am on a very low dose and do not take it
every day... .05mg 2 x day...

Some of the anti depressants will cause more anxiety...
Please don't give up...Just make sure that your Psychiatrist is aware of any
different things going on when you start a new med...Like when you starte
Effexor for example...

And of course, I am praying that you feel better soon and God will give you
the comfort and relief you are looking for.
Hugs Cindy

Hi Diblet.  I know it can be difficult finding just the type of
anti-depressant that your body will tolerate.  I have been treated for
chemical depression for years now, and I can just share my own experiences.
Never took Effexor or Zoloft, but have tried Celexa (no good for me), Prozac
(made me too anxious after a few years), then was switched to Paxil, which
seems to be doing a good job for me.  Have you heard the treatment used by
many doctors that combine 2 different antidepressants?  In my case, Paxil
(an SSRI antidepressant) in the AM and Doxepin (tricyclic AD) in the PM.  I
was originally put on Doxepin for anxiety relief and better sleep.  It
sounds like you need a combination that will "calm" all your *insides* that
are causing knots, anxiety, and a feeling of "full steam ahead"!  The
Klonepin I can't speak for, having never tried it.

I guess my personal recommendation would be to at least ask your doctor if
combining an SSRI and a tricyclic antidepressant is feasible.  (not at the
same time of day, however)!  Hope you find some relief SOON!
Antidepressants take, on the average, 2-3 weeks until you even begin to feel
better.  Keep us posted.  Nanny

Hello, Diblet,
I've been reading all the responses and wanted to share my experiences
with you.  Back in 1990, I had a series of five surgeries in 18 months
where I went in feeling fine and came out hurting for awhile.  I
finally went to my doctor and said I couldn't handle it anymore.  I
had cryptococcal sinusitis and they had to put a catheter in for a six
week treatment of IV applied medication plus some humongous pills
every day.  Fortunately, I could do it at home.  Anyhow, the doctor
put me on Prozac.  Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, I hurt every place I had ever
bumped, cut, or bruised!  Since my basic problem was pain, obviously
that wouldn't work.  So, he changed me to Buspar.  Within three days,
my family said they could see a turnaround.  I did fine on it.  

So I agree with the rest of y'all. Have them try different ones.  You
may need a combination of some.  I am currently on Zoloft for
depression and Xanax for Essential Tremor.  Don't give up.

Good luck and keep us up to date.  We are here to whine to and
sometimes we even provide the cheese!

Loujean