Author Archives: Dr. Mark

been taking 50 mg,of zoloft for 2 years for depression

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Patient: been taking 50 mg,of zoloft for 2 years for depression,stop taking the meds 3 days ago.now experiencing some headaches,light headiness.,my doctor never put me on a wean off process,any suggestions to speed up this process of recovery?

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Gender: Male
Age: 52

Doctor: It is strange that your doctor did not taper you off of the medications. Coming off of SSRIs fast like this can lead to withdrawal symptoms – ex upset stomach, headaches, anxiety, etc. I would suggest to consult with the prescribing physician and definitely report your symptoms.

Here is a link to a Traditional Chinese medicine interpretation of the process (yet, I would stick with the Western view on this one-hence the need to taper off of the medication appropriately and monitoring by a physician)
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/ssri.htm

Patient: I guess i need a new doctor,i have called the md,a couple of times,as has the pharmacy,to renew,the meds. No response.already 4 days without the zoloft,and my question is,we have talked about me discontinuing these.if this is Continue reading been taking 50 mg,of zoloft for 2 years for depression→

What are the withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking diazepam?

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Patient: What are the withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking diazepam

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Age: 67

Doctor:Hi,
Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, tremors, shaking, diarrhea, flu-like feelings, panic attacks, paranois, headaches, sweating, seizure activity, etc. This drug effects people differently and it can also depend on how long you have bee taking it.

Hope this helps.

I have been having some rather serious anxiety for no reason

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Patient: Hello I have been having some rather serious anxiety for no reason combined with aggravating depression for about 3 months solid. It comes in waves – I feel nromal about 20% of the time and then revert back to teh high anxiety and depression feeling the rest of the time. I noticed that these symptoms all started in June when they put me on high blood pressure meds (Lisonopril 20-30mg). I talked to the doctor already about ity and he shrugged it off. Some days I think I need to just drive down and check myself in to a mengtal hospital it gets that bad.

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Gender: Male
Age: 50
Already Tried: I tried talking to my Doctor – he shrugs it off. I contacted a family friend who is a Phd Psychology professor to ask him for a referral – he blew me off like I was bothering him. No help. No answers. Just reading on the internet.

Doctor: Greetings and welcome to Health.is.edu ,

Do you have memory impairment, fatigue, dizziness, headache?

what are the other drugs you are taking?

Patient: All of the above – not too many headaches but just one this morning when I woke up.
Other drugs are for Diabetes – Insukin N and Insulin R 50u ea 1x daily

Doctor: Thank you for the information,

The depression, stress, anxiety , woory and other psychological causes may cause such symptoms in you.The other possibility could be the sid effect of the drug lisinopril.

The drug lisinopril may cause the CNS symptoms like dizziness, headache, ataxia, memory impairment, tremor, peripheral neuropathy, confusion, insomnia, somnolence, hypersomnia, irritability, and Continue reading I have been having some rather serious anxiety for no reason→

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

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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…→