Anyone see the report on 60 minutes today Sunday Feb. 17th, 2012? I am scared of trying to go on a antidepressant as I have had horrible luck with Effexor. I am on Verapamil 180 for 2 months and I think it is starting to actually work. I feel less dizzy, less symptoms and if I have a dizzy surge I have my little pieces of Xanax. So, what to do when I go see Dr Hain on Mar 23rd??? He loves effexor. uh oh.!!! I am wondering if I could get getter with time and my Verapamil and no other drugs. I think listening to that show and you can get it on line by typing in “60 minutes overtime”. Just wondering what you think of a one drug program?
speaking of tv, there was a news program on whitney houston’s death investigation and there’s speculation about her drug overdosing with xanax, valium and ativan. there was some top notch doctor on there saying, “what kind of doctor was prescribing all three of these medications? this is absolutely ridiculous!” i was sitting there thinking that obviously he doesn’t know anything about mav because i’m sure 1/2 of us on here have at least 2 our of there of those meds if not all 3 for those emergency moments!
Be very careful when you hear these things - “studies have shown” are 3 of the most dangerous words in the English language!
I didn’t hear the broadcast but read what was said in the interview. The guy who makes this claim AGREES that antidepressants work better than placebo for severe depression.
His study had to do with mild and moderate depression. It’s probably a good idea for people with mild or moderate depression to try other ways to deal with their depression first - get assessed by a doctor or mental health professional and start talk therapy with an individualized treatment plan, where some will benefit by exercise, some by socializing, etc.
I saw that program. They basically said that people with mild to moderate depression should rely on healthier lifestyles with exercise to feel better. I definitely agree because people should make those positive changes in their life anyway, regardless of having depression.
But this does not necessarily mean the same thing for everyone with MAV, the majority of us need a medication to regain normalcy. Dont be afraid of all antidepressants because of a bad reaction to Effexor. I tried 12.5mg Effexor and had dry heaving for 48 hours after the first dose, I hated Effexor. I have been on 10mg Nortriptyline for nearly two weeks and it has been VERY easy to tolerate, I only have mild drymouth, and I actually feel it helping a tiny bit.
— Begin quote from “ilovesalem”
There was a news program on Whitney Houston’s death investigation and there’s speculation about her drug overdosing with Xanax, Valium and Ativan.
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My understanding is that it is not possible to OD on a benzo in isolation – even if you mix them up. You’d just pass out and might sleep for 35 years. However, add alcohol to the cocktail and that’s when the shit hits the fan. The combo can shut down your breathing … so the autonomic breathing mechanism is switched off and you just die. This was what killed Heath Ledger.
Some are speculating the WH had a heart attack in the tub. I’m not sure how that could have happened but I guess we’ll know soon enough.
S
— Begin quote from “scott”
— Begin quote from “ilovesalem”
There was a news program on Whitney Houston’s death investigation and there’s speculation about her drug overdosing with Xanax, Valium and Ativan.
— End quote
My understanding is that it is not possible to OD on a benzo in isolation – even if you mix them up. You’d just pass out and might sleep for 35 years. S
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According to my friend the pysch nurse, that is correct. She tells me some of her patients are on 150mg of Valium. Can you believe it - 150mg!!! If I remember right that’s usually from people suffering alcohol withdrawal, but still - that is a TRUCK LOAD of Valium. Imagine how chilled out they’d be… 
Heart attack is possible, especially if past drug use included cocaine. Sadly, alcohol plus benzo is very possible too.
Back to your concern, spinning lady - don’t be afraid of an antidepressant. And don’t worry about what Hain may advise. You don’t have to DO what he advises! If Verapamil has taken care of your dizziness by the time you see him, great! If you’re not entirely sure that it has, tell him you’re not sure you’re ready to abandon it yet but you think you might have to give up on it if you eventually come to the conclusion it doesn’t work, and then he might give you a script you could fill in a couple of months that you could use once you’ve given it more time.
— Begin quote from “maryalice”
Heart attack is possible, especially if past drug use included cocaine.
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I think you’ve hit the nail right there. Over a decade of crack and cocaine probably left her heart in no shape to deal with a truck load of benzo and alcohol … or maybe there was coke that has not yet been reported.
Spinning lady – don’t let a bad expereince with Effexor put you off. These sorts of meds all affect people differently. You may do very well on Celexa for example, or Zoloft.
S
BTW, in 2012 it’s Friday 2/7 or Monday 2/20. Just saying.