I need something for Anxiety

[IC/IBS Hopeful]

I need some help with my anxiety. I am under so much stress coming in so many directions. If I were to list them all it would take me forever. to make a long story short. Before I was diagnosed with IC I was on Prozac given to me back in 1995. At the time my 21month old baby was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This is the desease that killed my dad when I was 13 so you can imagine I took it very hard. Well after being on it for 11 years I didn't think I needed for depression anymore. So when my Dr. put me on elavil I came off of the prozac. well I am realizing I do need something to help me deal with the everyday stresses in my life. My PCP said I can't take anything with elavil. I notice lots of you are on elavil as well as something for anxiety & depression. I am taking 10mg of elavil in the am and 30mg at night. I am sensitive to feeling sleepy with meds. Elavil has made me gain about 20lbs.
I am having a hard time to take off any weight.

My Uro/gyno suggested decreasing the elavil to see if it makes a difference since I just had botox. He is the one that wanted me to stay on it. he said it does stuff in my pelvic floor to help it even if it doesn't help the bladder.

I know I need something all I want to do is bite peoples head off.
please send any suggestions.
Lynn

[Sarojini]

I don't take Elavil, but I do take a lot of other things -- including medication for bipolar disorder -- as well as Klonopin occasionally for major anxiety days. Klonopin (clonazepam) is in the same family as Valium and I find it works quite well.

You may want to ask for something that acts quickly like this to add to your antidepressant regimen. This is a very common prescription regimen.

I know that there are others on Elavil who do take this sort of thing.

[vm]

I am on 25mg of Elavil at night and take Lexapro as well, for generalized anxiety disorder and depression. I went to a psychiatrist rather than my GP for the antidepressant b/c I have a family history of bipolar (I do not have it) and I just wanted to make sure I was getting the right medication for sure in terms of all my other meds. He saw no problem with me taking Elavil and an antidepressant.

Would your doctor prescribe one if your Elavil dose was lower?

[ihurttoo]

I took 30 mg Cymbalta twice a day and 10mg of Elavil at bedtime. I took that combo for over a year. (My Dr. said it was such a low dose of Elavil that it was okay to take the Cymbalta too.)

I quit taking the Cymbalta about 8 mo ago b/c I dont think I am depressed anymore, since coming here. (Before the ICN, I was SO isolated and lonely, since I couldnt leave the house very often due to the pain.) But, now, I have so many friends here, that I am not lonely or isolated anymore. Plus, I have pain meds now that help some, so I can save them for when I get back and hurt from moving.

But, I also took Cymbalta and Atavan for a long time together too. Cymbalta is an antidepressant and Atavan is an antianxiey med. The combo worked well for me, but I got off the Atavan when I didnt need it anymore.

I hope you find something that helps you. I agree with the others that if your Dr. isnt comfortable r/xing these meds or is uncertain which ones can be combined, you might go to a Psychiatrist for a consultation. Then, if you want to continue to see him/her, of course you could, but if not, they could make recommendations for meds to your other Dr.

I hope you get to feeling better soon!

Hugs,
Amy

[amartaingirl]

try atarax

Hydroxzine / ATARAX..is used for both IC & Anxiety

http://www.ichelp.org/TreatmentAndSelfHelp/Hydoxyzine.html

(i just started yesterday...so i cant yet vouch for its effectiveness..but i quit elmiron & elavil..for hair loss..and became a nervous wreck. This one medication is supposed to help both of my problems)

there is side note
it says if combined w/ elavil...a lower dose of either med may be necessary

[IC/IBS Hopeful]

Thank you all for your experiences, I will keep them in mind as I speak with my Doctor. I e-mailed him yesterday and I await his answers. We will see what happens.
Thank you all
Lynn

[leelee88]

I take Cymbalta 60mg and Elavil 25mg at night.. They have helped with my pain and Anxiety and Depression..

[sbaker]

I don't take elavil, but my pcp, has me on Hydroxazyne for anxiety, I think its an antihistimine, but it works when I feel really stressed or something.

[neferte]

Need help trying to do a thread

[Just how do you send a new thread. i can reply but can't figure out the other.

Thanks :

[ICKIRSTI]

How ironic!

Isn't it Ironic? I JUST went to my psychiatrist TODAY, and had a full blown 30 minute panic attack when I left. I tried for the billionth time to stress to him that my life has been destroyed from my anxiety and panic. I don't think I.C. helps us much with that one, considering we go in full distress when we gotta go. Either way, he has never believed me enough to put me on anything other than EVERY ANTI-DEPRESSANT imagineable! Not that it ever helps. But Hes convinced I am anxious because I am depressed. I feel the complete opposite. He tried to inspire me and tell me I must learn to stop fearing, and that I must stop thinking negatively. That I must have faith and pride in myself. I appreciate it and all, but I'm loosing my mind. Have been for a while. Have lost plenty of people because of it. THat was my mission he said. I'm hoping my urologist will be more sympathetic when I see her tomorrow.
I know exactly how you feel and I am very worried that no one will ever believe me when I tell them how fearful I always am. I hope you stay strong and please know I am right there with you! Because I really am! Please be firm and stand your ground. Don't let them push you around like I have let them push me. Warmest regards. May you find nothing but the best!!!

[IC/IBS Hopeful]

I thank you all. I have an appt tomorrow with my PCP and I did e-mail my gyno/uro today and told him my feelings. I find working with different Dr. for different things hard. one puts you on one thing the other doesn't want to say anything about the other thing aaaaaahhhhhh. and will not start something else.
oh well I will see what happens tomorrow.
thanks
Lynn

[amartaingirl]

me too

I've always been a stressed out person. I worry about everything.

After having a breakdown last week due to the hair loss..some of the girls suggested i see a therapist.

i saw her monday..and guess what..she has ANOTHER patient w/ IC.
So i was fortunate there.

ive always been skeptical of those people...as the problem is NOT IN MY HEAD..but well see. Can't hurt I suppose.

Now I worry...I can never run for president...because it will come out..that I saw a therapist.

one worry or another i suppose..lol