Depression/Muscle relaxer


Posted by MaryNY ® (Mary,MaryNY), Aug 19,2001,18:39   Archive
I was prescribed several different meds before I settled with Klonopin (clonazapine) which I have taken for several years. (.5 mg, 3x day) My GP had prescribed it for anxiety, and it turns out to be one of the common meds for BEB. The interesting thing. though, is that I have taken Zoloft also for several years. When I told the GP that I didn't think I needed it, he said he thought I still seemed a little depressed, and should continue to take it. My brain tries to tell me that it doesn't make sense to be treated for depression and anxiety at the same time, but it seems to work. I get Botox shots every 8 weeks, and am getting along pretty well. I can drive, read, etc. within limits, of course. I had a limited myectomy 2 yrs. ago. So, Anne, maybe if you took Zoloft (or a similar med along with the Klonopin, you would have similar results.....just a thought ! Mary



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Re: Depression/Muscle relaxer

Re : Depression/Muscle relaxer --- MaryNY
Posted by Mindy ® , Aug 20,2001,11:53 Top of Thread Archive
In hoping this might help someone, I would like to try to explain what I have learned about meds and BEB.
Our brain sends out messages(neurotransmitters) using chemicals (ie.dopamine,seritonin) These chemical messages bounce back, to make the
message complete. If the brain does not send out enough of one or more chemical, this is what is meant by the term chemical imbalance. The SSRI meds. that help this boost the needed chemical.
Dopamine for example comes from 3 different parts of the brain.
If someone with BEB is not making enough dopamine, sometimes one of the anti-depressants can help. Mary for instance said Zoloft helps her.
Zoloft was not good for me. After trying different meds. and combinations of meds. Wellbutrin and Celexa have been working very well.
This does not mean that everyone with BEB needs an anti-depressant.
If an anti-depressant helps, it doesn't mean you are depressed in
the sense of feeling depressed. I'm not sure how the anti-anxiety meds.work chemically. But they work to calm the muscle spasms as well as the pain the spasms cause. When your muscles are relaxed, it helps the other brain chemicals and signals to work properly. This is also
why stress-management is so beneficial. When your body muscles are
in spasm, that is stress on your body. Learning ways to relax those
tense muscles will allow a more balanced flow from your brain to your body. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds will not cure BEB.
But if the doctor told you Zoloft or Celexa was a BEB med. there would be less resistance in trying it.
About 5 yrs. ago the anti-depressant Pamelor helped enough for me
to return to work. Yet, I was too embarrased to tell my co-workers
that an anti-depressant was med. I was taking.
Again, it is not for everyone, and it is not a cure.
Mindy in NY



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Re: Depression/Muscle relaxer

Re : Re: Depression/Muscle relaxer --- Mindy
Posted by Ann Doyle ® , Aug 20,2001,19:20 Top of Thread Archive
Mindy, your explanation of drugs will really help me explain things to my husband. He just dosen't understand the need for anti-depressants. He has the Hollywood image of taking them because the man didn't come to clean the pool today. I printed it out to read to him. Ann Doyle



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Re: Depression/Muscle relaxer

Re : Re: Depression/Muscle relaxer --- Ann Doyle
Posted by Mindy ® , Aug 21,2001,20:54 Top of Thread Archive
Hi Ann,
Thank you, I appreciate your comments.
Mindy in NY



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Re: Depression/Muscle relaxer

Re : Depression/Muscle relaxer --- MaryNY
Posted by Ann Doyle ® , Aug 20,2001,19:09 Top of Thread Archive
Thanks Mary, I plan on trying that after my next Botox on Sept. 20. I have to get off Xanax gradually. It takes 2 1/2 to 3 weeks and it would be too hard without the botox working and no meds. A friend of mine has bleph /meige too and she takes klonopin and zoloft. Klonopin is also listed as a muscle relaxer but it did depress me so with the zoloft I should be OK because the klonopin definetly worked and is not as addictive as Xanax.



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