Month: November 2009

I take fluoxetine/prozac and for the last few months…

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Patient: Hi– i take fluoxetine/prozac and for the last few months or so i have not taken it at all or i have taken it approx. 3 times –im supposed to take it everyday. i know that im not supposed to do that–ive just been really bad about taking it. i have been on it for approx 2 years but i dont think it really works, and i keep changing doctors because they keep leaving or are they are terrible, so i don’t really have a doctor i like or trust. anyway i have had severe headaches the last few days and im guessing its because i have stopped taking the fluoxetine. Should I just stop it all together? or should i start taking it again right away?not sure what to do…
thanks for any advice

Optional Information
Gender: Female
Age: 29

Doctor: Hi,
It is very difficult to be able to tell if the medication is working unless it is taken consistently as prescribed. I think you should take the medication as prescribed, but be sure to schedule an appointment with either a new psychiatrist or the one you have seen before. If you take this medication appropriately until you see your physician, you can determine whether it really is or isn’t working. You can discuss this with your doctor and hopefully receive assistance with alternate or additional medications. Hope this helps.

Mark

Patient: Hi Mark–thanks–
i dont care so much about if the meds work bec like i said i have been taking it for 2 years–and just recently have stopped taking it and i know they dont work. what im worried about is the headaches. so you think i should just get back on them and Continue reading I take fluoxetine/prozac and for the last few months…→

Is there any medicine to help avoid the withdrawals symptoms from getting off benzodiazepines?

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Patient: Hello, is there any medicine to help avoid the withdrawals symptoms from getting off benzodiazepines?

Optional Information
Gender: Male
Age: 34
Already Tried: 10 mgs. of valium daily to treat an anxiety disorder. For 4 years. Whenever I try to quit the medicine, even in small steps, strong withdrawal symptoms appear. Is there any treatmente to get off benzodiazepines?

Doctor: Hi, Yes there are treatments available. Many professionals and physicians prefer you to do this inpatient such as a t a rehab or hospital. The reason is the withdrawals are very severe and can cause seizures and other problems. You are probably experiencing these symptoms: tremors, headaches, anxiety, skin crawl, at times hallucinations, night sweats, nausea, or any other symptoms.

Some physicians will taper you off these over a period of time on an outpatient basis, but the taper is much longer than an inpatient facility. Please phone your physician before attempting to do this on your own. It can cause many problems for you.

Mark

I dont know if my question is beyond the expertise of some of the Dr on this board.

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Patient: I dont know if my question is beyond the expertise of some of the Dr on this board. If not I apologize. I was told yesterday that I am a carrier of the Alpha 1 tris gene. My phenotype is pi mz. I had the test due to elevated liver functions without any cause. numerous MRI ultrasounds and dozens of whacky blood tests. My Dr who is a pulmonary specialist and gp sent me to a liver specialist in mt sinai hospital nyc. Where I was tested. My gp Dr states that being a carrier is of no real risk to me, just that I should not smoke. He said that my body does produce enough AAT My range is 88 mg ref 82 to 169. I read that being a carrier can increase my chances of getting lung disease. I had the flu last week and still have a cough for about two weeks .My Dr says it can take sometime and the cough has nothing to due with my results. The liver specialist said in the report that he has seen in some cases increased fibosis in setting like mine. would the Mri and ultrsound showed this. My alt 93

Doctor:
Thank you.

Your gp is correct, as long as you don’t smoke your chances of developing COPD is not increased. Dr Seersholm wrote a 2004 article that addressed this specific topic. His research showed that people with pimz did not have an increase incidence of lung disease as long as they did not smoke. The reason is because a pimz still has, at a minimum 60% AAT. This is enough to stave of lung disease in someone with A1AT def. The cough, is a response that can last for weeks to even a month or longer. The reason is not the lungs (in this case) but the bronchi. The cough is often the very last thing to leave or get better. This is seen in almost all cases of any respiratory issue. Since your numbers are good I would not worry that all of a sudden you developed a lung disease. As for the liver, the MRI or ultrasound would have shown fibrosis of the liver. Your clotting factors would be out of whack. Your protein would be low. It doesn’t appear that this is the case. I would have to agree with your gp on the lung issue and would say that your hepatologist (liver doc) may have seen some cases of worsening, but I guarantee you this was the Continue reading I dont know if my question is beyond the expertise of some of the Dr on this board.→

I have old (2005) 25MG effexor and wish to use it,….is it safe?

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Patient: I have old (2005) 25MG effexor and wish to use it,….is it safe? does it change in composition or in strength?

Optional Information
Gender: Female
Age: 85
Already Tried: Using effexor to reduce hot flashes. Am currently using 80Gm CMPD Progesterone 5% and over the counter Estroven. used these for 30 days with no results, what period of time before I see a change? Very hard and repeat flashes throught the day and night. Any other recommendations? I have not used the effexor only once along with the progesterone. use the P cream twice /day. Hot flashes destroying my life. I can’t believe I am subject to hot flashes at the age of 83 though 85+1/2 HELP !!

Doctor: Hello,

Medications such as Effexor have an expiration date – and drugs from 2005 would now be expired. They lose their effectiveness – so they would not work. The strength decreases and it would do you no good.

If you used this effectively before, you can call your doctor and see if they would represcribe it – they will usually require an office visit, but if it helps – that’s worth it!

Patient: Yes,….the effexor did NOT work before, either, but I was willing to try it aain if it was still good. I have been told over many many yrs that old meds should be avoided.

I need help in finding a med that will help with these Hot Flashes that are destroying my everyday life !!! If you canot tell me an alternative or answer how long to take the progesterone before I get any relief,…you have not helped me a bit.The Dr seems at his wits end in his attempt to prescribe anything that will help.

Doctor: Regarding your hot flashes: treatment usually consists of Hormone Replacement Therapy. If you’ve tried both oral and transdermal patches and those have not worked – you may want to try the following:

Some research suggests that soy may have some benefit for reducing hotflashes and Continue reading I have old (2005) 25MG effexor and wish to use it,….is it safe?→