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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2014, at 9:47:28
Just thought I'd ask how everyone is doing. Haven't seen many posts here lately. At least any that deal with psych problems that don't require multiple meds. How are those that take an ad, anti-anxiety med and that is all? Gone to different sites or no need to post? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by vbs on May 10, 2014, at 9:55:35
In reply to How Is Everyone Doing?, posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2014, at 9:47:28
I've been doing OK. Still hear voices occasionally. I see the nurse Mon to get my Invega Sustenna injection. Hope you are well.
Cheers. :-)
Posted by Tomatheus on May 10, 2014, at 13:14:49
In reply to How Is Everyone Doing?, posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2014, at 9:47:28
Hi Phillipa,
I think that I can cautiously say that I'm feeling somewhat better at present, relative to how I had been feeling for some time. Compared to the levels that they were at when I was just taking Abilify, my energy and my concentration seem to be improved. Right now, I'm reading without too much difficulty, and I'm getting more done than I was getting done when I was just taking Abilify.
It's now about 3.5 months into my current vitamin D3 trial and about 1.5 months since my last dose increase. And as of late, it seems like I've been noticing a trend toward improvement, as opposed to the other way around, so I'm starting to think that I might be starting to see some long-term benefits from the D3. I should also note that I went through another 3.5-month long vitamin D3 trial previously before stopping the vitamin for about a month or so, so I think that some of the vitamin D3 that I took for that trial is likely having an impact on my current level of well being, given the amount of time it takes for vitamin D3 to clear from the body.
The "positive" psychotic symptoms that I usually contend with (mostly sound hallucinations and what I call auditory "pseudohallucinations") are still at about the same level that they tend to be at when I'm taking Abilify without any supplements. I get a low level of those symptoms still, but not with the strong ideas of reference that I used to get before I was taking Abilify. So, taking the vitamin D3 doesn't seem to be changing anything, as far as my "positive" symptoms are concerned, but at least the vitamin doesn't seem to be worsening those symptoms.
Well, that sums up how I've been doing. How have you been doing, Phillipa?
Tomatheus
Posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2014, at 20:11:43
In reply to Re: How Is Everyone Doing?, posted by Tomatheus on May 10, 2014, at 13:14:49
Dealing with a lot of problems. Same meds. Sometimes I get so over whelmed I don't feel I can carry on though. Philllipa
Posted by Tomatheus on May 10, 2014, at 22:25:46
In reply to Re: How Is Everyone Doing? » Tomatheus, posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2014, at 20:11:43
Phillipa,
It sounds like you're probably under a lot of stress. Perhaps it would be beneficial to do something extra for yourself? I'm not saying that doing this will necessarily solve your problems, but I think that doing something extra that you enjoy might give you a needed break and perhaps a chance to recharge.
Of course, you know yourself best, so you don't necessarily need to follow my suggestion if you don't think that doing so would be best. But making some sort of change does seem like it would likely be beneficial, at least from my perspective.
Tomatheus
Posted by gadchik on May 11, 2014, at 6:46:08
In reply to How Is Everyone Doing?, posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2014, at 9:47:28
Hi P! Im sorry to hear that u r struggling a bit. Try, as best u can, to carry on, take care of urself and do things that make u happy, if possible.R u still riding ur bike? Im down to 8.5mg valium from 10mg.Doing cut(.5mg) and hold(2-3weeks)until I get to 5mg, then slow it down a bit until Im at 0! No probs, so far. I went to Bermuda for a week 4/26, and the beauty of it astounded me. Ive visited b4, but I just love it there.
Posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2014, at 18:36:08
In reply to Re: How Is Everyone Doing?, posted by gadchik on May 11, 2014, at 6:46:08
G glad to hear from you. Yes still bike riding. Still the pain afterward. Contrats on getting down so low on the valium. Could you babblemail me and let me know how you got off the SRRI's as seems they also cause more harm than good. So good to hear from you. P
Posted by gadchik on May 12, 2014, at 9:56:15
In reply to Re: How Is Everyone Doing? » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on May 11, 2014, at 18:36:08
p, I don't do babblemail. Im so busy, I barely have time to do any fun stuff on computer! I will say about tapering ssris-or any psych med-u have to want it real bad. U have to be committed to doing it slowly, and be mentally ready to be off of the drug. I was on 25mg Zoloft, and boy did I want off, so I did 12.5mg for 2 weeks, had some symptoms, not too bad, I'd say dizziness the worst, but I was still on klonopin too, so that helped me. Then I just took 12.5mg every other day for a week or 2, then stopped, but if I felt weird I'd take a crumb of it every once in awhile until I finally was done. I think Scott got off of a benzo that way? Just took a crumb of it once he got down, when he had bad symptoms, then stopped. The number one thing is: u have to want it! Remember that, its important. I do not believe in taking ssris or benzos for yrs and yrs. I think ur right in wanting to taper off. Good luck, and I'd like u to let me know if u get started. Its worth it, to get free of these drugs, if ur able. There r some that do best just staying on them, but not me.
Posted by gadchik on May 12, 2014, at 10:34:06
In reply to Re: How Is Everyone Doing? » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on May 12, 2014, at 9:56:15
I will add that you have to accept some unknowns in tapering, such as the mental or physical symptoms that u may experience during withdrawal.
This is the end of the thread.
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