Re: stress & depression

[Guest guest]

G. and others,

I have been taking Xanax (the lowest dose) morning and night. It's a mild

sedative prescribed to help calm down the little muscle in my throat that

makes me want to cough incessantly and that leads to respiratory distress

due to my floppy, collapsing airways. I don't feel sedated or drowsy, but

it may be just enough to take the edge off of any anxiety I was beginning to

feel due to having two of the weirdest diseases at the same time. My

pulmonologist is Korean and doesn't prescribe Eastern medicine, but we do

discuss my interest in alternative treatments. He got me started on Yoga

and Power Yoga and other body-mind techniques from which I find great

benefits. He even provided me with a documented prescription for our hot

tub due to my " serious pulmonary disease and anxiety " , and we're going to

file for a medical deduction on our taxes for 2001. Now we just have to

wait and see what the IRS says!

Seems like there are five aspects involved in dealing with a chronic disease

for which there is no cure: medical, physical, nutritional, emotional and

spiritual. Most of my doctors seem to pay attention to the medical needs

only. I think that's so sad. But the other four are important enough to me

that I try not to let them get out of focus. Stress takes so much energy.

And energy is something I don't have too much of and must conserve wisely.

I'm sure you all know exactly what I mean. It just so nice to get a lot of

my emotional and spiritual needs met from this group of fantastic people.

Thank you all so much. My emotional and spiritual bank accounts are full

with the wisdom, encouragement and kindness that each of you spend on me.

Please know that I feel blessed to be a part of this support group.

stress & depression

> to Susiecue and others -- I'm surprised that so one seems to

> mention psychotherapy as a help with this miserable disease. I found

> that one-on-one therapy on dealing with chronic illness has been very

> helpful. I also did some biofeedback and that got rid of

> a lot of the pain. At my doctor's insistence I signed on to a

> therapy group on chronic illness. I ended up so depressed because

> people were whining about their bad medical news! So I left that

> after three sessions but others may find such an approach helpful.

> The doctor also prescribed a tiny dose of antidepressant and anti-

> anxiety medication [can't take larger doses because of side effects].

> Hope this helps...

> G

>

>

>

> DISCLAIMER!!

> WE ARE NOT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THEREFORE ANY INFORMATION THAT IS

RECEIVED HERE IS FROM EXPERIENCE ONLY. PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR

BEFORE TRYING ANYTHING THAT IS SUGGESTED. WE ARE NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR

PHYSICIAN AND ARE NOT TRYING TO BE. REMEMBER EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND

TREATMENT MAYBE DIFFERENT FOR MANY OF US. THANK YOU

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/27/02 7:05:14 PM Pacific Standard Time,

Bostonlizz@... writes:

<< Susiecue and others -- I'm surprised that so one seems to

mention psychotherapy as a help with this miserable disease. I found

that one-on-one therapy on dealing with chronic illness has been very

helpful. I also did some biofeedback and that got rid of

a lot of the pain. >>

, thank you for the suggestions. Yes I too believe that it helps to

talk one on one with a professional. Thanks for the suggestions that is one

we might not have thought about.

hugs

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/27/02 7:42:33 PM Pacific Standard Time,

katdavis@... writes:

<< I have been taking Xanax >>

, I take Xanax too and have great results. It does not effect me in

any way and helps alot. I started taking Tai Chi and it has helped too. We

do need some kind of energy to keep these muscles going. I have to go at a

slow pace, but it does wonders for the stress.

I couldn't agree more about this wonderful group filling my emotional and

spirtual needs. There have been days when I don't know what I would have

done without you all. And we just keep growing and growing. Thanks to you

all.

hugs

[Guest guest]

I have to write this and hope you understand.

Xanax is a Bad Drug!!!!!

It is very addicting and if you ever go off it you

have to wean off it slowly as you can have convulsions

otherwise.

My mother was so addicted to it and her personality

changed alot from being on it. She also slept alot.

Thats all she really wanted to do when she was on

that.

She finally got off it and I couldnt believe the

difference in her. She was My old Mom again.

She since has died but Whenever I hear that drug Xanax

I just have to inform people incase they are unaware

of this.

If you are taking it please be careful.

Carol

--- RCColloran@... wrote:

> In a message dated 1/27/02 7:42:33 PM Pacific

> Standard Time,

> katdavis@... writes:

>

> << I have been taking Xanax >>

>

> , I take Xanax too and have great results.

> It does not effect me in

> any way and helps alot. I started taking Tai Chi

> and it has helped too. We

> do need some kind of energy to keep these muscles

> going. I have to go at a

> slow pace, but it does wonders for the stress.

>

> I couldn't agree more about this wonderful group

> filling my emotional and

> spirtual needs. There have been days when I don't

> know what I would have

> done without you all. And we just keep growing and

> growing. Thanks to you

> all.

>

> hugs

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Carol,

I certainly share your concern about Xanax. Many, many years ago my mother

was given Valium while going through menopause. (Xanax is part of that

family). It sedated her so that she sometimes acted inebriated. When I was

hospitalized last July for respiratory distress due to stirred-up

inflammation from a bronchoscopy, the doctors were giving me Xanax and

Ativan plus a pretty strong cough syrup cocktail! I slept for about 9 days!

After my release, I told the doctors " No thanks " to their sedatives. They

assured me that they were the lowest dose and were now being given to

emphysema patients to calm down the little muscle that makes you cough. I

now take Xanax only when I get too busy, excited or so active that I start

breathing so fast that I can't get my breathing under control. (Thank

goodness for pursed-lipped breathing!)

But it was almost like the doctors were saying, " Go ahead, take all you

want. We understand what you're going through. " I, however, took this to

mean that they didn't have any faith in my ability to get better. So, I

just take them if/when I need them.

It's really disappointing when I am so motivated to get better that I walk 3

miles a day, lift weights, do power yoga, etc.and some doctors show such a

lack of faith...maybe it's too much compassion. But I switched doctors

because of it and will again. All I ask is that the doctors try to help me

get better and have some faith in me.

Thanks for sharing your concern. I don't want to go there!

Re: stress & depression

> I have to write this and hope you understand.

> Xanax is a Bad Drug!!!!!

> It is very addicting and if you ever go off it you

> have to wean off it slowly as you can have convulsions

> otherwise.

> My mother was so addicted to it and her personality

> changed alot from being on it. She also slept alot.

> Thats all she really wanted to do when she was on

> that.

> She finally got off it and I couldnt believe the

> difference in her. She was My old Mom again.

> She since has died but Whenever I hear that drug Xanax

> I just have to inform people incase they are unaware

> of this.

> If you are taking it please be careful.

> Carol

> --- RCColloran@... wrote:

> > In a message dated 1/27/02 7:42:33 PM Pacific

> > Standard Time,

> > katdavis@... writes:

> >

> > << I have been taking Xanax >>

> >

> > , I take Xanax too and have great results.

> > It does not effect me in

> > any way and helps alot. I started taking Tai Chi

> > and it has helped too. We

> > do need some kind of energy to keep these muscles

> > going. I have to go at a

> > slow pace, but it does wonders for the stress.

> >

> > I couldn't agree more about this wonderful group

> > filling my emotional and

> > spirtual needs. There have been days when I don't

> > know what I would have

> > done without you all. And we just keep growing and

> > growing. Thanks to you

> > all.

> >

> > hugs

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Carol thanks for the info on the xanax. I know it is addicting from

experience. I have taken it at bedtime for over 9 years. I have never

increased the dose. I can't sleep at all without it. My dr wanted me to try

Ambien. So I went directly from xanax to Ambien. No one told me to wean off

the xanax. BOY. did I ever have withdrawls. I called and told the dr and he

put me back on it and weaned me off slowly.

The bad news was I was back to not sleeping at all. No other medicine (and

I've tried them all) works to let me sleep. I have an unknown sleep

disorder. So......Xanax gives me at least 3 hours sleep a night and for that

I am thankful.

But Drs. are so unaware of how the change your meds. I usually ask, but

didn't that time. You can believe me, I will always ask NOW about going on

or off a drug.

Thanks