not sure what to tell Pdoc . . .

On my forth week of Viibryd , second week at 40mg . . . this is my second try of a new med with my new Pdoc . . . we are trying to ease my anxiety ( and grinding my teeth ) . . . tried prozac first with increased nervousness . . . now the Viibryd . . .

problem is I am not sure if it is having enough positive effect . . . it appears to be numbing me some , it has brought up some feelings of sui , and though it is hard I have been able to take less xanex lately . . . but I am still having the anxiety from work and also now at home . . . it seems everything has turned into a struggle . . . my blood pressure is up 25-30 points . . . and my head and neck muscles stay tight all the time . . .

it takes so long for these meds to have there full effect . . . I hate to keep trying new meds over and over but not sure if I will get much different results by continuing with the Viibryd . . .

I know everyone is different and reacts differently to meds and I know no one can give any real constructive advice . . . but I guess I just wanted to vent a little . . .

I see my Pdoc next wednesday . . . she seems quite nice but I do believe she does not have a lot of experience . . . and I really believe she would do whatever I asked . . . my issue . . . I don’t know what to tell her because I am not sure what I am really feeling myself . . .

like I said just a vent . . . Tigger .

I can see why that would be a frustrating situation. No joke, I actually told my pdoc once "I don't KNOW what I am feeling, that's what I am feeling" when asked how I felt on a medication. I knew something was up, but was confused as to what. I hope your pdoc can be helpful for you.

First of all, a hug.

I've just written on my own thread about starting Latuda, and posted an entry that is so similar to yours.

What frustrates me so immensely is the not knowing whether a med needs to be increased to be effective - or would decreasing it be more helpful? For example, I started Latuda about a week ago, at 40mg. Result hasn't been fabulous (flu-like symptoms, mostly, and something along the lines of very unpleasant feelings). But then, maybe I should have started the dose at only 20mg and eased up to 40mg over a couple of weeks? Or, am I having a rough time - having nothing to do with the Latuda - because of other events in my life?

When I was in my 20's and 30's I took a medication and within 3 days I knew that yes, it's working or no, it's not.

You said that "it seems everything has turned into a struggle." Is that feeling an aspect of anxiety for you? Because I feel exactly the same way and I'm never sure whether to attach that miserable feeling to anxiety or to depression.

Hi wiretwister. It seems like you are still struggling in significant ways. I hope you tell your pdoc about the sui and the physical symptoms you are experiencing. They should not be ignored.

Teeth grinding is something I have struggled with off and on (more on) for much of my life. I had a period when that was particularly severe. Unfortunately, my psychiatrist seemed to ignore my complaints about that, for the most part. When I'd talk to my dentist, all he'd recommend is a mouth guard. I don't know about you, but my main (or even only) teeth grinding was during the daytime. Not at night. I've worn some of my teeth down so much that an endodontist said my teeth look like those of a much older person. The reason I had to go to an endodontist was for two root canals (both of my front teeth) that were clearly related to my long-term tooth grinding. I don't mean to scare you with this, but it's obviously not something to be ignored by doctors. I don't have dental insurance. The root canals at the endodontist, plus fees from my dentist, cost altogether about $3,500 at that time. Marvelous, huh?

Knock on wood, I have not been grinding my teeth for a while. My anxiety levels have been comparatively low. I'm not sure if there are also other factors involved. Sometimes I believed the teeth grinding was like a comforting action.

Many years ago I discovered that I had bruxism during the night. Klonopin caused it to stop.

Based on your post it does seem that the Viibryd isn't helping, and may even be causing distressing symptoms like SI. If you could tell your pdoc what you have told us she might have some ideas on where to go from here. It can be so frustrating trying to find the right med for certain symptoms. It is not worth staying on a med that is not working (I am not saying that is the case here) just because you can't think of anything else to do. Some symptoms can take years, and many med changes to get under control. Well, that has been the case for me. The important thing is to keep working with your pdoc, and don't give up trying. Do you use non med related skills/activities to also help manage your anxiety? Hang in there Tigger.

Well Tig your maxed out dose wise and no real signs of any help , it of course is a 6-8 weeks for results blah blah blah

Please do be completely honest about how your feeling across the board.

Much love my friend

you hit her word for word . . . " we will give it a few more weeks " . . . I wanted to go back to doxipen that I have used for years she said to much of a heart risk and refused . . .
and on top of all that she said no futher med changes of any kind till I start back into therapy . . .

so I have started the fmla process at work . . . I quit therapy last year cause my manager wrote me up for going to the DR (therapy) so much . . . so hopefully corp HR will approve everything . . .

oh and just for fun my blood pressure on the Viibryd is up about 30-40 points but she says can't be because it is not listed as a side effect . . . quess I am imagening it . . .

Well I wish I was wrong

Doxipen does indeed carry the risk of long QT

I’m glad you got the ball rolling with HR for FMLA to kick in and do what it’s for.

Maybe just do what I call word vomit Therapy ... just dump it all out , everything and see if your T can find the best place to start, I’ve done it many times.

As for your Blood pressure ??? Swing by a pharmacy after work for 10-14 days , log your blood pressure each day.. if your still seeing the increase her “ it’s not listed as a side effect “ doesn’t much matter... you don’t need a heart attack or stroke. SHE needs not be aware and action must be taken.

Are you still on a prn?

My advice is stretch and jump through some of the hoops (T) and .. ugh... give it another several weeks.

I think once your back in Therapy it might really help you , meds can and will only do some much. I fully believe holding all emotions in might be part of your problems.

Hang in there, you have roughed out some times much harder, you got this my friend I’m always here for you

been logging my blood pressure for months . . . my md wanted to decrease my med because it was SO low . . . average 100 - 115 over 60 - 65 at pulse 60 - 65 at rest . . . since Viibryd it has been averging 150 - 145 over 85-90 and my pulse running 80 to over 100 tonight . . . at rest . . . I told my new pdoc that . . . she said " it can not be the Viibryd" . . .

I am debating having my md send her a letter . . .

traveled about 200 miles for work today and wound up next my family home place . . . so went by and visited the family cemetary . . . got quite sad and cried a little . . . just been such a wonderful week . . . .

Awww Tig ... sometimes it’s healthy to cry, reminds us of some good times and people we love whether they are still with us or not.

I’d defiantly get your MD to contact your Pdoc... your Blood pressure is just too damn high!!

How are you today ?? We’re you able to contact your GP about your blood pressure. I know it’s hard on a Friday to do much.

calmed down today . . . I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt . . . just going to be a good boy and do as I am told . . . blood presssure was much better today . . . there are rare times that it is almost normal . . . so not really sure what all is going on . . . I will message md next week . . . the cemetary was a good idea . . . hard to make an old man cry sometimes . . . and sometimes you just need too . . . . your a good friend Christina . . . thanks for being here . . .

I’m glad things have settled a bit. It’s a good sign