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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Angielala on January 5, 2004, at 11:19:28
I'm withdrawing... and I'm going a little loopy and I'm scared and I'm very anxious right now.
I have been off Depakote for 5 days now after being on it over a year (and having it not activate). I'm still on Paxil, which will probably be changed to Wellbutrin in February.
Are there any tricks to ease withdrawl? Anything I can do to quiet my inner thoughts of fearing that I'm going to go crazy?
I have been quite depressed for several months now with no mania, hence feeling that the depakote was keeping my depression from lifting.
I'm at work and can hardly do anything. No one likes me at work... who would... I'm the girl who can't get into work on time and the girl who has anxiety attacks for no reason at random times.
I'm really lost right now.
Posted by Angielala on January 5, 2004, at 13:34:30
In reply to Offically off of Depakote... and now into a fog..., posted by Angielala on January 5, 2004, at 11:19:28
I forgot to mention that I'm having really bad nightmares (I believe I even had a night tremor two nights ago). I also had a few hours of dillusion where I thought I was talking to my grandfather (who passed away a few years ago)
(I was scared to post that earlier)
> I'm withdrawing... and I'm going a little loopy and I'm scared and I'm very anxious right now.
>
> I have been off Depakote for 5 days now after being on it over a year (and having it not activate). I'm still on Paxil, which will probably be changed to Wellbutrin in February.
>
> Are there any tricks to ease withdrawl? Anything I can do to quiet my inner thoughts of fearing that I'm going to go crazy?
>
> I have been quite depressed for several months now with no mania, hence feeling that the depakote was keeping my depression from lifting.
>
> I'm at work and can hardly do anything. No one likes me at work... who would... I'm the girl who can't get into work on time and the girl who has anxiety attacks for no reason at random times.
>
> I'm really lost right now.
Posted by Karen_kay on January 5, 2004, at 15:02:09
In reply to Re: Offically off of Depakote... and now into a fog..., posted by Angielala on January 5, 2004, at 13:34:30
I'm sorry to hear about your struggle. Have you spoken to your doctor? Maybe there is something that s/he can give you to help ease the anxiety/nightmares and other symptoms that are coming from the discontinuation of Depakote. Also, your Pdoc may be able to tell you how long you can expect this to last.
Are you expecting to try a different MS? It is rough when they stop working. And the period when you have to stop and try a different one is rough as well. I'd speak to my Pdoc and see what s/he can do to make this as bearable as possible. I was on Depakote, but only for a short amount of time (I think for maybe a week), so I didn't go through withdrawl when I discontinued. I wish I could say more to help you. But, I do know that when I was on a combination of Lithium, Lamictal, Lexapro, Klonopin I was hallucinating and dellusional. I wa also severely depressed at the time and unable to leave my house. You'll pull through hun. Call your Pdoc and see what suggestions s/he has.
Posted by Karen_kay on January 5, 2004, at 15:06:36
In reply to Offically off of Depakote... and now into a fog..., posted by Angielala on January 5, 2004, at 11:19:28
When I was severely depressed I also saw my dead father often. Quite often. He would visit me and talk to me and say things like, "We'll be togehter soon," and other things like that. I now attribute that to the depression. I know it is quite scary and you really feel like you are losing your mind, but hang in there! Sometimes it just helps to know that this has happened to others. (At least I hope it helps to know that?)
Posted by Angielala on January 5, 2004, at 16:31:19
In reply to One more thing.., posted by Karen_kay on January 5, 2004, at 15:06:36
You don't know how much better you made me feel. I really freaked out when I started having this "conversation" with my Papa... I was so scared when it was happening- I thought "Am I officially crazy?"
I'm definitely going to talk to my Pdoc.
As of right now, I'm not going on another MS. The plan is to have me stabilize off of the Depakote, and then slowly ween off the Paxil and then get on Wellbutrin. I have ADHD as well as OCD and BPII- I'm going to see if the Wellbutrin will activate without sending me into a hypomania. It's a bold step for me, but it's long overdue for a change, I wasn't getting any better. I was so afraid to get off what I have been on because I thought I'd go crazy... I don't know where that idea came from. i guess that's just burned into my brain- that I'm only inches away from being "crazy" I have to work on this stigma thing, I know...
Thank you so much for your post. thank you for listening and making me realize I'm not alone!
> When I was severely depressed I also saw my dead father often. Quite often. He would visit me and talk to me and say things like, "We'll be togehter soon," and other things like that. I now attribute that to the depression. I know it is quite scary and you really feel like you are losing your mind, but hang in there! Sometimes it just helps to know that this has happened to others. (At least I hope it helps to know that?)
Posted by Karen_kay on January 5, 2004, at 16:38:09
In reply to Re: One more thing.., posted by Angielala on January 5, 2004, at 16:31:19
Posted by Angielala on January 6, 2004, at 10:21:29
In reply to One more thing.., posted by Karen_kay on January 5, 2004, at 15:06:36
Just a little update....
I took some Xanax today and I feel much better than yesterday. I usually only use the Xanax when I'm dying in a store line or something like that, but it's actually biffering the withdrawal effects (or it's a placebo effect) but I'm feeling much better today- no fog, feeling good.
:)
> When I was severely depressed I also saw my dead father often. Quite often. He would visit me and talk to me and say things like, "We'll be togehter soon," and other things like that. I now attribute that to the depression. I know it is quite scary and you really feel like you are losing your mind, but hang in there! Sometimes it just helps to know that this has happened to others. (At least I hope it helps to know that?)
Posted by Karen_kay on January 6, 2004, at 15:29:52
In reply to Re: One more thing.., posted by Angielala on January 6, 2004, at 10:21:29
Glad you're feeling better! I'm relaxing, listening to Tori Amos (I love her more than life!!!) I actually had to get a script of Neurontin filled today to help cope with anxiety that I've been facing for about 3 weeks. It's actually helping too, go figure!
I'm really glad that you're feeling better :) It does help to know that you're not "crazy." I thought at the time that I was psychic. Honestly! I just thought that I could see my dad. But, I was 19 at the time and didn't know much about mental illness. Now that I'm more informed, I know more about symptoms and I realize that I'm not "crazy" and that hallucinations are symptoms of depression, mania, psychosis, ect. But, it helps to hear that others have gone through the same thing. I'm glad that I could help you out... Try to relax and take it easy while yor body gets used to things!!! Good luck and keep me informed! I hope your new choice of meds works for you, I REALLY do!
This toast's for you
*Lifting my coffee* "Here's to supporting each other and making this year the best it can be! And no more hallucinations (or mood swings)!!!!"
Posted by Angielala on January 7, 2004, at 7:58:31
In reply to Re: One more thing.. » Angielala, posted by Karen_kay on January 6, 2004, at 15:29:52
I'm toasting you back <lifts coffee>
I absolutely love Tori Amos as well! I want to find a collection of her videos....
Another good morning.... not as energized as yesterday, but feel very rested for once. Ahhh... I feel asleep on the couch around, oh 7pm.... it's the Xanax I took after work... very relaxing.
I remember being in high school and thinking that I was some hippy psychic- it was hilarious. Then, when I went to college and began studying pysch, I realized what the heck was going on with me... in a way, I wish I was just a crazy hippy psychic (haha)
It's definitely the saving grace- knowing that you and others have gone through the same things and that we aren't insane.
Ahhh... coffee... I haven't been drinking much coffee lately because it gets me all worked up, but I felt like rewarding myself today.
Now I have Tori in my head- I wish i had her cds at work with me.... hmmm...
> Glad you're feeling better! I'm relaxing, listening to Tori Amos (I love her more than life!!!) I actually had to get a script of Neurontin filled today to help cope with anxiety that I've been facing for about 3 weeks. It's actually helping too, go figure!
>
> I'm really glad that you're feeling better :) It does help to know that you're not "crazy." I thought at the time that I was psychic. Honestly! I just thought that I could see my dad. But, I was 19 at the time and didn't know much about mental illness. Now that I'm more informed, I know more about symptoms and I realize that I'm not "crazy" and that hallucinations are symptoms of depression, mania, psychosis, ect. But, it helps to hear that others have gone through the same thing. I'm glad that I could help you out... Try to relax and take it easy while yor body gets used to things!!! Good luck and keep me informed! I hope your new choice of meds works for you, I REALLY do!
> This toast's for you
> *Lifting my coffee* "Here's to supporting each other and making this year the best it can be! And no more hallucinations (or mood swings)!!!!"
>
>
Posted by Karen_kay on January 7, 2004, at 9:35:47
In reply to Re: One more thing.., posted by Angielala on January 7, 2004, at 7:58:31
Ah Ha, I have a collection of her videos. Or had actually. My sister took it from me :( But, my best friend bought me the cd "Tales of a Librarian" which also has a DVD of some videos, Pretty Good Year, honey, Northern Lad (one of her best songs I think), Putting the damage on, and Mr Zebra. I haven't watched it yet but I can't wait to!!! She also bought me her newer cd, Scarlet's Walk... I just love Tori!! She's fabulous.. Just watching her perform makes me cry!!!
Wow, you fell alseep at 7pm? That must be relaxing for you. I love it when I fall asleep like that and sleep the whole night through. It's great! Maybe you can drink a small amount of coffee for a little burst of energy? Will that help? I don't like going to sleep that early when I take anxiety meds, just because it wastes the buzz >) I don't take them for the buzz, it's an added bonus though!
<<I remember being in high school and thinking that I was some hippy psychic- it was hilarious. Then, when I went to college and began studying pysch, I realized what the heck was going on with me... in a way, I wish I was just a crazy hippy psychic (haha)
***Oh, I hear that!!! I used to hallucinate quite a bit! I'd see the "devil" in my mirror, and see skeletons walking on the side of the road, but I'd also see "nice" things too like bunny rabbits :) But, at the time, I really honestly thought I was psychic! But in high school, I was more of a punk psychic. Once, I was driving home late at night and I swear I thought I hit somethng. I woke my parents up and they went to investigate. I didn't have a scratch on my car or anything, but I saw a "head" roll off the front of my car. I don't understand why they didn't seek help for me. I was Self injuring at the time as well and they caught me. When they confronted me, I laughed. Hmmm... Odd reaction looking back. But, I'm with you. I wish I were psychic instead!
It's definitely the saving grace- knowing that you and others have gone through the same things and that we aren't insane.
*I agree with that. They are just symptoms. It happenes to me when I am severly depressed, manic, stressed or anxious. I've just learned now to recognize my own body and the times when I'm likely to start hallucinating. I know tht when I start feeling VERY anxious, there's a chance I could start hallucinating. So, I call my Pdoc to start back on an antipsychotic. (I'm not suggesting one for you at all, since this doesn't happen to you frequently) But, it does for me. And since it does, I sometimes need to be on an antipsychotic, though I don't like to take any unnecessary meds. Currently, I'm only on my MS, though I did call and get a script for anxiety meds, I just couldn't take it any longer.
We aren't insane at all!! I'm just glad you're feeling better :)
Cornflake Girl is on now! I like that song a lot!
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