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Dr. M: New post> spent day in E.R.--it was bound to happen!
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Yanksgirl posted:
Well, with all the anxiety and 'symptoms' I've had these last months and different meds and doses, as you know, I've had bad days--some days felt like I'd 'lose it' but after awhile, symptoms eased.

Today, I woke early--took the Xanax and after an hour still was feeling so jittery and then began to shake all over---making me think something bad was happening--I cried off and on---my husband wanted to head to E.R. right away.

Instead, I called my primary and he said take a 2nd Xanax and then to go to the E.R. right away.

By the time I got there I was still shaking but not as badly and by the time I left 5 1/2 hours later, I was pretty calm--just wiped out.
An EKG showed PAC's but no A-fib! That 's good. They did a thyroid blood test, and that turned out ok--also a urine sample no results yet on that. My b/p was up some but was coming down slowly by the time we left.

I expect to be ok. They asked if I felt 'suicidal'---of course not, but I did tell them I actually was dreading facing another day of this awful head pressure and symptoms of Meniere's and though I've had anxiety with it for awhile, today was the 'capper'.

They called my doctor--he said, since I'm on the low dose of Xanax, to take 1 and wait 1 hour, if not better take another 1, and I can do that (taking 2 at a time, 3 times a day) if needed.

I see him in a few days. Probably looking at another type of anti-depressant and/or seeing a therapist or psychiatrist.

Whatever it takes, I don't want to go through this again. My head right now is soooo light headed (probably the Xanax) and the stress of the day.

Can you believe it? My husband 'trusts' your advise and so I told him I'd write you. He thinks I get on 'forums--like the Meniere's one' and it makes me more depressed about all this. Actually--he doesn't like talking about his 'ills' and doesn't understand that it actually helps me to talk to someone who understands like those on the forum.

I told him if I was not 'medically knowledgeable, I would have problems looking at forums. As it is I am an educated 'layperson' , so feel I know how to discern good and bad comments and advise.

It's good to talk to those who understand what this condition is all about. Anyway, just wanted to start another post and bring you the 'latest'. Another 'saga' yanksgirl
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Dr. M: New post> spent day in E.R.--it was bound to happen!Well, with all the anxiety and 'symptoms' I've had these last months and different meds and doses, as you know, I've had bad days--some days felt like I'd 'lose it' but after awhile, symptoms eased. <br /><br />Today, I woke early--took the Xanax and after an hour still was feeling so jittery and then began to shake all over---making me think something bad was happening--I cried off and on---my husband wanted to head to E.R. right away.<br /><br /> Instead, I called my primary and he said take a 2nd Xanax and then to go to the E.R. right away.<br /><br /> By the time I got there I was still shaking but not as badly and by the time I left 5 1/2 hours later, I was pretty calm--just wiped out.<br /> An EKG showed PAC's but no A-fib! That 's good. They did a thyroid blood test, and that turned out ok--also a urine sample no results yet on that. My b/p was up some but was coming down slowly by the time we left. <br /><br />I expect to be ok. They asked if I felt 'suicidal'---of course not, but I did tell them I actually was dreading facing another day of this awful head pressure and symptoms of Meniere's and though I've had anxiety with it for awhile, today was the 'capper'.<br /><br /> They called my doctor--he said, since I'm on the low dose of Xanax, to take 1 and wait 1 hour, if not better take another 1, and I can do that (taking 2 at a time, 3 times a day) if needed.<br /><br /> I see him in a few days. Probably looking at another type of anti-depressant and/or seeing a therapist or psychiatrist.<br /><br /> Whatever it takes, I don't want to go through this again. My head right now is soooo light headed (probably the Xanax) and the stress of the day. <br /><br />Can you believe it? My husband 'trusts' your advise and so I told him I'd write you. He thinks I get on 'forums--like the Meniere's one' and it makes me more depressed about all this. Actually--he doesn't like talking about his 'ills' and doesn't understand that it actually helps me to talk to someone who understands like those on the forum.<br /><br /> I told him <u>if I was not 'medically knowledgeable</u>, I would have problems looking at forums. As it is <u>I am an educated 'layperson' , </u>so feel I know how to discern good and bad comments and advise.<br /><br /> It's good to talk to those who understand what this condition is all about. Anyway, just wanted to start another post and bring you the 'latest'. Another 'saga' <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> yanksgirl
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD responded:
No one wants to spend a day at the ER, but in your situation, that was the right thing to do. When we start second guessing our symptoms, assuming it is "just anxiety", would likely be the time when something major would happen...like a cardiac arrythmia.

There is nothing wrong with seeing an expert, like a psychiatrist, to tweek your medications a bit, but you have to remind this person that you are sensitive to many types of medicines, so to "go lightly". Many psychiatrists, hoping to achieve an immediate response, will start "high" first, and then go lower. For you, it may be best to start light, sort of what you are doing now.

There are different types of patients. You are the "activated and involved patient"...my person favorite. Getting well is a team effort and when the patient is knowledgeable and participatory, it makes my job easier. I suspect your husband rarely goes to the doctors and when he does, he just follows orders and leaves the doctor in charge.
Report This| Share this:Dr. M: New post> spent day in E.R.--it was bound to happen!No one wants to spend a day at the ER, but in your situation, that was the right thing to do. When we start second guessing our symptoms, assuming it is "just anxiety", would likely be the time when something major would happen...like a cardiac arrythmia.<br /> <br />There is nothing wrong with seeing an expert, like a psychiatrist, to tweek your medications a bit, but you have to remind this person that you are sensitive to many types of medicines, so to "go lightly". Many psychiatrists, hoping to achieve an immediate response, will start "high" first, and then go lower. For you, it may be best to start light, sort of what you are doing now.<br /> <br />There are different types of patients. You are the "activated and involved patient"...my person favorite. Getting well is a team effort and when the patient is knowledgeable and participatory, it makes my job easier. I suspect your husband rarely goes to the doctors and when he does, he just follows orders and leaves the doctor in charge.
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Yanksgirl replied to Rod Moser, PA, PhD's response:
Called my primary care doctor today--starting on Prozac tomorrow and can take Xanax until it begins to 'kick in' and the start backing off Xanax and take only when really needed--hopefully not at all. Sure hope I can take this as I know others who have successfully, including one of my daughters--and she's done will with it for years. Today has been a better day--just knowing something is being addressed. Wanted to 'let you know'. I see him in a month! If I'm not better though in a couple of weeks, I'm considering a visit to a Psychiatrist--hope I don't have to, but if it's to get meds regulated and deal with all that's gone on for so long now, I'm 'ready to! However, hoping this newer less powerful drug will help me and that won't be the case. yanksgirl
Report This| Share this:Dr. M: New post> spent day in E.R.--it was bound to happen!Called my primary care doctor today--starting on Prozac tomorrow and can take Xanax until it begins to 'kick in' and the start backing off Xanax and take only when really needed--hopefully not at all. Sure hope I can take this as I know others who have successfully, including one of my daughters--and she's done will with it for years. Today has been a better day--just knowing something is being addressed. Wanted to 'let you know'. I see him in a month! If I'm not better though in a couple of weeks, I'm considering a visit to a Psychiatrist--hope I don't have to, but if it's to get meds regulated and deal with all that's gone on for so long now, I'm 'ready to! However, hoping this newer less powerful drug will help me and that won't be the case. yanksgirl <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
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Rod Moser, PA, PhD replied to Yanksgirl's response:
Prozac has a good reputation in the medical community as an effective medication -- it is usually the precription choice for people who must work effectively and function like they were not taking anything. Because you tend to be sensitive to medication, this was a good choice. The fact that your daughter took it without problems is an good example.
Report This| Share this:Dr. M: New post> spent day in E.R.--it was bound to happen!Prozac has a good reputation in the medical community as an effective medication -- it is usually the precription choice for people who must work effectively and function like they were not taking anything. Because you tend to be sensitive to medication, this was a good choice. The fact that your daughter took it without problems is an good example.
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