First of all I just want to say THANK YOU to GreenLydia and Nursegirl for making me realize that I have not been seeking the CORRECT treatment for 4 years. I thought I had it under control for most of the past 4 years... but looking back... I hadnt.
*This is just an opinion and in my personal experience, so if you are just seeing a regular MD and are happy with that. Way Good! Stick with it!*
I personally, in my situation... made the wrong mistake in seeing my personal regular MD... All my Dr. was doing was treating symptoms... not my anxiety issue. He had me taking ativan for 4 years. I started going through tolerance withdrawal about a week ago... and it was HELL.
I just wanted to vent some... after feeling HELPLESS b/c my Dr. didnt care how to wean me off the Ativan without serious withdrawal... I called a pharmasist who told me how I should wean, but he said it's still could be a rough ride if your Dr. doesnt do a crossover to another medicine while weaning, b/c you've been on it for so long.
I then was scared even about this taper. I was giving myself A TON of anxiety on TOP OF anxiety and other physical symptoms from my ativan tolerance withdrawal.
FINALLY, I found a psychologist... and HE IS NOW, GOING TO BE MY DR.!
I should have done this 4 years ago... and yes, Greenlydia and Nursegirl told me to. lol. But I didnt do it.
After an hour session with my psychologist... he said I def. have GAD. His remarks were (shaking his head).. I would NEVER give a patient like you Lexapro, or Paxil or even Lorazepam.
He made me feel so good. He said, he want's me on Remeron, and so far lastnight and today has been a TOTAL CHANGE! JUST LIKE THAT! He gave it to me b/c of my symptoms... I havent been eating for almost a month... no appetite. This medicine has STOPPED my nervous stomach and has allowed me to PIG OUT today like I have not done in years! lol.
It also isnt supposed to have sexual side effects! YES! LOL.
He has also agreed to taper me slowly off the ativan with using the Remeron, and in about 2 weeks crossing a tiny bit of klonopin in the mix to help with the w/drawal as well.
I'm SUPER excited! I FINALLY FEEL LIKE MY LIFE IS GOING TO CHANGE FOR GOOD!
I can already feel it! My mom and brother noticed today that I was like the GOOD OL' ME all over again.
My psychologist said, after I told him my story... that I will more than likely not have to be on ANY medications ever again! =) With hardcore CBT! =)
He said I could have corrected this a long time ago, instead I kept going to my MD, who I still do love, but all my MD was doing was putting a band-aid on me... that's it. A band-aid that I soon became tolerant too...
THANK YOU AGAIN GREENLYDIA AND NURSEGIRL!
I HAVE TAKEN THE HORSE DOWN TO THE WATER! AND IT IS NOW DRINKING!!! =)
My question about Remeron, has anyone else taken it?
My only experience with it my 1st night was, seeing FLASHING LIGHTS when my eyes were closed. The lights were in sync with my pulse in my head. Then I'd see strange textures, like carpet, tile, concrete etc. and I'd see those textures zooming up to me really really fast! I also had little bit of restless leg syndrome with it too.
Do you think this wears off some soon? It's not really disturbing bc this stuff knocks you out so fast you can't even worry about it. lol.
Also it does make me VERY groggy in the morning. And I feel like I could sleep 14 hours on it. lol. Which I probably could have today. ha.
PEACE AND LOVE! On the road to RECOVERY ONCE AGAIN.