Run Run Away

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Robert, <snip Earlier this year, I had some symptoms, and before he even tested me, his exact words were, "You probably have esophageal cancer." </snip Waaaaahhh!  Did you report that bum?  What doctor would throw that term around loosely?  Cancer is one of the most devastating diseases in the world.  I think it is appalling for a doctor to even mention it as a possibility.  Something simple like, "why don’t we get tested so we can rule it out" is fine.   However, just stating that you probably have it is insane. My aunt recently died of cancer indirectly.  She was in her 70’s and could literally out pace me.  She had so much life in her.  She did battle breast cancer a number of years ago and beat it.  Less than a year ago she went for a test and the x-ray people at the hospital said it came back.  She was put on chemo and radiation.  She died a few weeks later from a heart attack caused by the chemo.  Two days after she died we found out that the cancer did NOT come back.  The x-ray person goofed : ( Jim

Jim, I didn’t report him, but I did have a "discussion" with him about it. I was pretty blunt. I know this doctor. Used to work in the same facility.  He’s well respected among other physicians, that’s why I chose him in the first place.. but the "probably" remark was not at all good practice.  It simply was not.. and I didn’t even realise that until after I had the tests done that said I didn’t have cancer. After I found out I didn’t.. it sank in that it was not handled correctly in the first place. Not only do anxiety sufferers tend to be hypochondriacs.. I had lost my Aunt that very month to lung cancer, and anytime someone close to you passes away, you are reminded of your own mortality.. so I was pretty vulnerable to a comment like that, anxiety or no anxiety.  I had several people tell me that their doctors did the same thing to them. It was like the day after the "probably" remark that I first threw up (coughed up???) blood.. so I was sure he was right.  Just goes to show you.. always wait for the tests. Never jump to any conclusion until you have had tests done to rule out things, Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Did your doc even listen to you? I think that after he hears "smoking," he doesn’t hear very much!  I think he believes all my problems are due to my tobacco use.

Tobacco does stress the body. How *much* it contributes to your anxiety level we don’t know. I smoked for eight or so years and had *zero* anxiety. I had anxiety disorders in college when I wasn’t smoking. Smoking and anxiety are *not* necessarily directly linked. During my last physical (last year), I told him that every time I try to quit smoking, the tension I feel inside is simply unbearable.

Smoking cessation may lead to higher levels of anxiety. How long that lasts depends on a lot of factors. I have been a smoker for 33 years, with about two of those years that I was "quit."   And, I think that each time I have quit, when I start smoking again, I smoke more than before.  It is like I am trying to make up for the ones I missed while I was "quit!"

IMO now is not the right time to quit cold turkey or even close to cold turkey. That will increase your anxiety levels. You’ve been smoking too long. IMO you need to get stabilized, then work at the stressors in your life gradually–nicotine, job, whatever. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Robert, I’m not condoning smoking, that would be silly and not at all bright. I am a smoker too, and I have found the same thing with my doctor. Everything in the world that happens to me happens because I smoke. Earlier this year, I had some symptoms, and before he even tested me, his exact words were, "You probably have esophageal cancer." – And I did have all of the symptoms, and I have the history of smoking and alcohol abuse (I am a recovering alcoholic).. but it was WRONG for him to even say anything, in hindsight.  He had me, and some people in this group pretty upset, I was sure I had it, since a doctor said I "probably" had it.. I’m just mad.  I think he jumped the gun thinking I had cancer because I smoke. I know that I COULD get it (I’ve lost 2 relatives in the past year and a half to lung cancer.) I KNOW it is possible.. but is it probable? Like today? The way I see it, and I may be rationalizing the fact that I don’t want to quit right now.. I’ve smoked for 30 years, and if I quit now, I’d be pissed as hell if I got lung cancer later, LOL. I know that’s not even rational, but that’s the way I feel. It is one very bad addiction. I may quit again someday. I’ve done it before.  I don’t care to now, and that’s how it is. Sally – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Did your doc even listen to you? I think that after he hears "smoking," he doesn’t hear very much!  I think he believes all my problems are due to my tobacco use.  During my last physical (last year), I told him that every time I try to quit smoking, the tension I feel inside is simply unbearable.  I told him that I have a LOT of tension in my life and it is making me a nervous wreck.  And, the added stress of being EXPECTED to quit smoking before my next appointment with him makes me feel even worse.  I also told him that I could feel this tension physically in my upper left chest area (a big stress in itself!).  I described the feeling as a vague pressure that comes and goes.  I added that I was sure it was muscle tension from my being so tense all of the time.  Well, he sent me for a cardiac stress test and cat scan of my chest as he was sure that there must be a heart problem of some kind, (because of my smoking!)  I passed both of these and the cardio doc told me that I was out of shape but that I had good blood flow  to my heart, and that I should start exercising regularly.  When I went to the GP for a follow up, he was kind of surprised that there were no cardiac or other problems shown by my tests.  He then told me that I must have irritable bowel syndrome and that I should starting eating more fiber! As for the whole stop smoking thing, deal with one thing at a time.  The last thing you need to deal with on top of the anxiety/OCD is withdraw from nicotine. These are my thoughts exactly!!!! Thanks Jim!  That is what I told the GP at this recent physical!  And, I told him very specifically along with the visual aids (self tests).  In the past year, I did a lot of research, self examination, and analysis to try and figure out why I feel the way I do.  Thus, I came to the conclusion that I have to get a grip on my mental health before I will be able to quit smoking. I stopped chewing tobacco this past January after 17+ years.  I still have days where I want nicotine. I hear you about those cravings!  It scares me to hear my mother say that she still gets the occasional craving even after 35 years of not smoking:~( How long have you smoked for? I have been a smoker for 33 years, with about two of those years that I was "quit."   And, I think that each time I have quit, when I start smoking again, I smoke more than before.  It is like I am trying to make up for the ones I missed while I was "quit!" Quitting is a great goal for you to tackle someday. I know I have to quit, and I will one day.  But, I have figured out that it won’t be while I am feeling the way I currently feel. Run away from that bone-head and see a pdoc. I have my running shoes on!  This last visit to my GP is likely the last time I will go to him.  It has become very apparent to me that he is not the kind of doctor I need!  I almost feel like I should write him a letter to explain why I am not coming to him anymore.  Maybe it could make things easier for another person who has to deal with him. So in addition to a pdoc, I will be looking for a new gp also.  This is very difficult for me as I really, really, hate any kind of changes! Your doc must be crazy to think that your body could adjust to wellbutrin after only 2 weeks and *then* quit smoking cold turkey! This whole episode makes me wonder how a doctor can be so un-informed about the drugs that he is prescribing!  It sounds pretty dangerous to me!  I hate people who can’t admit to not knowing something! Thanks for the input Jim! robert — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Earlier this year, I had some symptoms, and before he even tested me, his exact words were, "You probably have esophageal cancer." – And I did have all of the symptoms, and I have the history of smoking and alcohol abuse (I am a recovering alcoholic).. but it was WRONG for him to even say anything, in hindsight.

Wow Sally! Your doc sounds worse than mine. What an ass!  And if you are anything like me, you probably don’t need to hear things like that!  (I think I have a touch of hypochondria.) The way I see it, and I may be rationalizing the fact that I don’t want to quit right now.. I’ve smoked for 30 years, and if I quit now, I’d be pissed as hell if I got lung cancer later, LOL.

I agree! LOL! It did make me think a lot when Peter Jennings died of lung cancer after 20 years of not smoking.  What a raw deal that was. …. It is one very bad addiction…..

I agree for sure!!!  And, I think it is very difficult for someone who has never been addicted to imagine just what a tight grip tobacco can get on a person.  I can’t say for sure, but I would bet that my doctor has never been addicted to anything.  And while I am on the subject of quitting an addiction, why is it that insurance companies and governments will not pay anything toward helping a person fight their addiction to tobacco?  It makes me mad that I have payed these cigarette taxes for 30 plus years,  and when the government sued the tobacco industry and got all that money out of them (supposedly on my behalf), they will not so much as buy me a piece of nicotine gum or a nicotine patch!  All that I can see out of that settlement is that the lawyers got rich, and the smokers got a bunch of public service commercials berating them to quit smoking!  I don’t find them to be of much help!   robert — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Some times I think I should just switch to smoking.

I have never chewed tobacco so I can’t say much about it, but I would definately not take up smoking cigarettes as a replacement! I personally am not looking for quantity of life but quality.

Yes, if living without the things I enjoy will let me live an additional 10 years, what is the point? Now I find my mind can wander too easily.  I also think nicotine

help keep mild OCD issues away. I believe that the physical actions of lighting up, smoking, and butting a cigarette (or loading a chew) is an obsessive compulsion in itself, even if it weren’t for the addiction to the nicotine!  And when I have quit before, I could feel myself trying to replace these actions with other actions like eating, walking, house cleaning, ect.  I can’t tell if this is because of the lack of nicotine or the fact that I am not going through the "usual" actions. It is probably a mixture of the two. Maybe I will try a pipe?

I smoked a pipe for about 3 years.  It seemed better for me than the cigarettes, but I could not say for sure because I was inhaling that too.  It sure did taste good though!  The oral satisfaction of a pipe is great!  You really get the taste for the tobacco.  It is probably a lot like chewing in that way.  I gave it up mostly for dental reasons. It stains one’s teeth much worse than cigarettes, and I found myself doing a lot of chewing on the mouthpieces of my pipes.  I would chew these mouthpieces so hard that I would eventually chew them in half. When I began to chip my teeth, it was time to go back to the softness of the cigarettes!  And when I do decide to try and quit the cigarettes, I am going to try just puffing away on one of those mouthpieces.  They still have the taste of the tobacco in them and I am hoping that will ease the cravings.  I figure it can’t hurt to try! robert — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Earlier this year, I had some symptoms, and before he even tested me, his exact words were, "You probably have esophageal cancer." – And I did have all of the symptoms, and I have the history of smoking and alcohol abuse (I am a recovering alcoholic).. but it was WRONG for him to even say anything, in hindsight. Wow Sally! Your doc sounds worse than mine. What an ass!  And if you are anything like me, you probably don’t need to hear things like that!  (I think I have a touch of hypochondria.) The way I see it, and I may be rationalizing the fact that I don’t want to quit right now.. I’ve smoked for 30 years, and if I quit now, I’d be pissed as hell if I got lung cancer later, LOL. I agree! LOL! It did make me think a lot when Peter Jennings died of lung cancer after 20 years of not smoking.  What a raw deal that was. …. It is one very bad addiction….. I agree for sure!!!  And, I think it is very difficult for someone who has never been addicted to imagine just what a tight grip tobacco can get on a person.  I can’t say for sure, but I would bet that my doctor has never been addicted to anything.  And while I am on the subject of quitting an addiction, why is it that insurance companies and governments will not pay anything toward helping a person fight their addiction to tobacco?  It makes me mad that I have payed these cigarette taxes for 30 plus years,  and when the government sued the tobacco industry and got all that money out of them (supposedly on my behalf), they will not so much as buy me a piece of nicotine gum or a nicotine patch!  All that I can see out of that settlement is that the lawyers got rich, and the smokers got a bunch of public service commercials berating them to quit smoking!  I don’t find them to be of much help! robert

Robert, I have quit more things than most people ever start. The vices I have retained are cigarettes, coffee and cussing.  I won’t list everything I have quit, but it’s a long list. Nicotene is the worst addictive substance there is.  Nothing is harder to stop than smoking.  And you are right… you know, those patches and gum..they are VERY expensive.  Real bad expensive.  I guess they rationalize it by saying, "Well, if you spend your money on this , you will save money by not buying tobacco.".. which I’m sure is true.. that is, if you really do stop.  I had the patches. I found myself taking them off to smoke, LOL.. that’s not the way for me personally to quit. The way I quit before was cold turkey, and if I quit again, that is what I will do.  It only hurts for a few days. The cigarette tax makes me mad. How dare they pick on dying people, LOL. I mean, seriously..the government does it under the guise that they "care" about our health, and it’s an incentive to make people want to stop smoking. HA! They care about their wallet, and that is all they care about. It’s surely not about concern for our health.  No.. they are taking advantage of the fact that smokers are hooked.. and WILL pay whatever amount of tax they care to lay on us..if they cared, they would make sure patches, gum, hypnosis, LOL..all that stuff was totally free – but they don’t WANT us to quit.  Hell, the smokers are paying more taxes than 10 other people that don’t smoke. If everyone in the country that smokes suddenly stopped.. well, it would be pretty bad for our country.   It’s the last thing the government wants.. for us to stop. Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think that after he hears "smoking," he doesn’t hear very much!  I think he believes all my problems are due to my tobacco use.  During my last physical (last year), I told him that every time I try to quit smoking, the tension I feel inside is simply unbearable.  I told him that I have a LOT of tension in my life and it is making me a nervous wreck.  And, the added stress of being EXPECTED to quit smoking before my next appointment with him makes me feel even worse.  I also told him that I could feel this tension physically in my upper left chest area (a big stress in itself!).  I described the feeling as a vague pressure that comes and goes.  I added that I was sure it was muscle tension from my being so tense all of the time.  Well, he sent me for a cardiac stress test and cat scan of my chest as he was sure that there must be a heart problem of some kind, (because of my smoking!)  I passed both of these and the cardio doc told me that I was out of shape but that I had good blood flow  to my heart, and that I should start exercising regularly.  When I went to the GP for a follow up, he was kind of surprised that there were no cardiac or other problems shown by my tests.  He then told me that I must have irritable bowel syndrome and that I should starting eating more fiber!

Hmmm.  I am not a MD so I don’t know if this guy is out in left field or not.  :  ) Maybe Chip can take a stab at this other docs thought process.  Chip is an MD. These are my thoughts exactly!!!! Thanks Jim!  That is what I told the GP at this recent physical!  And, I told him very specifically along with the visual aids (self tests).  In the past year, I did a lot of research, self examination, and analysis to try and figure out why I feel the way I do.  Thus, I came to the conclusion that I have to get a grip on my mental health before I will be able to quit smoking.

Just remember that your doc cannot force you to quit if you are not ready.  Find another doctor if you feel he is pressuring you too much. It is silly to *try* to quit when you are not *mentally* prepared for it.  If you know you won’t make it you will only end up with the side effect that often happen when people stop smoking like weight gain.  So basically all that happens is that you go through the motions of quitting and gain some weight and start smoking within 2 weeks.  Now you have the extra bonus of extra weight to lose all because someone pressured you into making a token effort to quit. I hear you about those cravings!  It scares me to hear my mother say that she still gets the occasional craving even after 35 years of not smoking:~(

Some times I think I should just switch to smoking.  I personally am not looking for quantity of life but quality.  I would rather die at 60 with a fairly happy life than live to 100 with a pretty unhappy life.  The whole reason to stop smoking is because of health issues.  However, nicotine did have some positive benefits for me over the last 17 years.   My concentration is now crap and has been since January.  I am a computer programmer and use to be able to concentrate on a task like a champ.  Now I find my mind can wander too easily.  I also think nicotine help keep mild OCD issues away.  Oh well, I will hang in there until the 6 month mark.  If i don’t feel better by then, I think I will really consider using nicotine again.  I don’t think I want to chew again. That can really mess up your gums.  The only issue I have about smoking is that I have always felt like my lungs are healthy.  I don’t feel out of breath, etc.   Maybe I will try a pipe?  Who know.  One day at a time. : ) I have been a smoker for 33 years, with about two of those years that I was "quit."   And, I think that each time I have quit, when I start smoking again, I smoke more than before.  It is like I am trying to make up for the ones I missed while I was "quit!"

Wow!  That is how long I have been a live!  You can do it if you want. My grandmother smoked for 50 years or something like that.  She quit cold turkey many years ago.  However, smoking did take its toll on her.   She has emphysema and her health has steadily declined over the last 8-10 years.  If I was her, I would have just smoked until I hit the grave.  If she did keep smoking, she probably would not still be here. However, IMO these last 5 years have not been easy for her.  Me, I would rather be with my Maker. : ) I know I have to quit, and I will one day.  But, I have figured out that it won’t be while I am feeling the way I currently feel.

You don’t *have* to do anything in life besides sleep, eat and die.  If you want to smoke until your last day, so be it.  However, remember that it always has to be YOUR choice. I have my running shoes on!  This last visit to my GP is likely the last time I will go to him.  It has become very apparent to me that he is not the kind of doctor I need!  I almost feel like I should write him a letter to explain why I am not coming to him anymore.  Maybe it could make things easier for another person who has to deal with him. So in addition to a pdoc, I will be looking for a new gp also.  This is very difficult for me as I really, really, hate any kind of changes!

The letter probably won’t do any good.  Sadly, there are a lot of general practitioners ( Chip excluded ; ) that just don’t want to really listen.  Some have this really big head notion that "they are the ones who went to med school and don’t need a patient telling them what is wrong".  I just left my previous doc because this is exactly how she is.   She would not listen *to* me.  It was as if she just listened for a few medical-buzz-words and would stop me and say, oh well let’s try this then. This whole episode makes me wonder how a doctor can be so un-informed about the drugs that he is prescribing!  It sounds pretty dangerous to me!  I hate people who can’t admit to not knowing something!

Most docs like him go by the marketing of the big drug companies. The big companies are making billions!  There are good family docs out there.  They are the ones that know they are the first line of health-defense.  They should evaluate and if it appears to be an area where a specialist is needed, they ship you off to one.  However, too many family docs are real quick to hand out meds for mental health issues.  I guess most of them assume you just have the "bored house wife" syndrome and will get over it after 3 months of Prozac. Thanks for the input Jim!

Any time : ) robert

Jim — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Did your doc even listen to you?

I think that after he hears "smoking," he doesn’t hear very much!  I think he believes all my problems are due to my tobacco use.  During my last physical (last year), I told him that every time I try to quit smoking, the tension I feel inside is simply unbearable.  I told him that I have a LOT of tension in my life and it is making me a nervous wreck.  And, the added stress of being EXPECTED to quit smoking before my next appointment with him makes me feel even worse.  I also told him that I could feel this tension physically in my upper left chest area (a big stress in itself!).  I described the feeling as a vague pressure that comes and goes.  I added that I was sure it was muscle tension from my being so tense all of the time.  Well, he sent me for a cardiac stress test and cat scan of my chest as he was sure that there must be a heart problem of some kind, (because of my smoking!)  I passed both of these and the cardio doc told me that I was out of shape but that I had good blood flow  to my heart, and that I should start exercising regularly.  When I went to the GP for a follow up, he was kind of surprised that there were no cardiac or other problems shown by my tests.  He then told me that I must have irritable bowel syndrome and that I should starting eating more fiber! As for the whole stop smoking thing, deal with one thing at a time.  The

last thing you need to deal with on top of the anxiety/OCD is withdraw from nicotine. These are my thoughts exactly!!!! Thanks Jim!  That is what I told the GP at this recent physical!  And, I told him very specifically along with the visual aids (self tests).  In the past year, I did a lot of research, self examination, and analysis to try and figure out why I feel the way I do.  Thus, I came to the conclusion that I have to get a grip on my mental health before I will be able to quit smoking. I stopped chewing tobacco this past January after 17+ years.  I still have days where I want nicotine.

I hear you about those cravings!  It scares me to hear my mother say that she still gets the occasional craving even after 35 years of not smoking:~( How long have you smoked for?

I have been a smoker for 33 years, with about two of those years that I was "quit."   And, I think that each time I have quit, when I start smoking again, I smoke more than before.  It is like I am trying to make up for the ones I missed while I was "quit!" Quitting is a great goal for you to tackle someday.

I know I have to quit, and I will one day.  But, I have figured out that it won’t be while I am feeling the way I currently feel. Run away from that bone-head and see a pdoc.

I have my running shoes on!  This last visit to my GP is likely the last time I will go to him.  It has become very apparent to me that he is not the kind of doctor I need!  I almost feel like I should write him a letter to explain why I am not coming to him anymore.  Maybe it could make things easier for another person who has to deal with him. So in addition to a pdoc, I will be looking for a new gp also.  This is very difficult for me as I really, really, hate any kind of changes! Your doc must be crazy to think that your body could

adjust to wellbutrin after only 2 weeks and *then* quit smoking cold turkey! This whole episode makes me wonder how a doctor can be so un-informed about the drugs that he is prescribing!  It sounds pretty dangerous to me!  I hate people who can’t admit to not knowing something! Thanks for the input Jim! robert — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Robert,

<snip Earlier this year, I had some symptoms, and before he even tested me, his exact words were, "You probably have esophageal cancer."

</snip Waaaaahhh!  Did you report that bum?  What doctor would throw that term around loosely?  Cancer is one of the most devastating diseases in the world.  I think it is appalling for a doctor to even mention it as a possibility.  Something simple like, "why don’t we get tested so we can rule it out" is fine.   However, just stating that you probably have it is insane. My aunt recently died of cancer indirectly.  She was in her 70’s and could literally out pace me.  She had so much life in her.  She did battle breast cancer a number of years ago and beat it.  Less than a year ago she went for a test and the x-ray people at the hospital said it came back.  She was put on chemo and radiation.  She died a few weeks later from a heart attack caused by the chemo.  Two days after she died we found out that the cancer did NOT come back.  The x-ray person goofed : ( Jim — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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Hi group, I have been suffering with GAD and OCD for several years and recently, my anxiety began to get worse.  After much stress, I was finally able to work up the nerve to discuss it with my doctor (GP). I showed him the self tests that I printed off of an anxiety website.  To my surprise, he prescribed Wellbutrin SR. I asked him if that was a drug for depression, and he told me that it was but it was also used to treat anxiety.  I pointed out to him that I am mainly troubled by excessive worry and some OCD problems and that I didn’t have much trouble with depression. He assured me that this drug was effective for GAD and OCD, and that it would also help me quit smoking, which seems to be HIS biggest worry.

Did your doc even listen to you?  My advice is to go and see a psychiatrist who is trained in mental health issues.  Wellbutrin is great if you are depressed with little to no anxiety. As for the whole stop smoking thing, deal with one thing at a time.  The last thing you need to deal with on top of the anxiety/OCD is withdraw from nicotine.  I stopped chewing tobacco this past January after 17+ years.  I still have days where I want nicotine.  I am not sure if it was the right decision or not.  However it has been so long I keep telling my self to go a few more weeks.  Nicotine actually helps with OCD and since I quit, I have had some OCD issues come up.  I have never really had to deal much with OCD over the last 11 years.  Mostly anxiety, panic and depression.  How long have you smoked for?  I have chewed for about 17 years.  Nicotine stays in your system for a while.  Basically I have functioned with nicotine in my blood (and in my brain) for 17+ years and now all of a sudden I ripped that away.  It is a lot to adjust to. Quitting is a great goal for you to tackle someday.  However, IMO go for feeling better mentally first.  Once you get stable for a while, your confidence will build up and then you will have the will power to quit. He gave me the prescription and said that after you are on this for two weeks, I want you to quit smoking, cold turkey!

Run away from that bone-head and see a pdoc.  These meds can take weeks to *start* working.  2 weeks is just not enough time to see if wellbutrin would even work for you.  I have been trying for the last 4 months to find the right medication to help me since Lexapro popped out on me after 3 good years with it.  I recently stopped Zoloft after trying it for 4 weeks.  It took that long for my body to start to adjust and for me to see the side effects.  Your doc must be crazy to think that your body could adjust to wellbutrin after only 2 weeks and *then* quit smoking cold turkey!  His plan might work for a bored house wife that is feeling a little blue, but certainly not for someone with strong GAD/OCD. There are a lot of SSRI’s out there that have a good track record for helping with GAD, anxiety, panic, OCD, etc.  Zoloft has ben shown to work well and so has Luvox.  Zoloft gave me 7+ good years until I switched Lexapro.  I am currently trying Luvox now. Keep us posted, Jim — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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now you have made the big leap and told someome of your problem ,get a second opnion and a third if necessary.Some doctors are good some are not.They need to discuss the problem with you not just throw drugs at you. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi group, I have been suffering with GAD and OCD for several years and recently, my anxiety began to get worse.  After much stress, I was finally able to work up the nerve to discuss it with my doctor (GP). I showed him the self tests that I printed off of an anxiety website.  To my surprise, he prescribed Wellbutrin SR. I asked him if that was a drug for depression, and he told me that it was but it was also used to treat anxiety.  I pointed out to him that I am mainly troubled by excessive worry and some OCD problems and that I didn’t have much trouble with depression. He assured me that this drug was effective for GAD and OCD, and that it would also help me quit smoking, which seems to be HIS biggest worry. He gave me the prescription and said that after you are on this for two weeks, I want you to quit smoking, cold turkey! I was a bit taken back by this as I have been such a bundle of nerves with the GAD/OCD problems, that the thought of giving up the tobacco has been a bit out of the question. Currently, the cigarettes are the main relief from stress that I have. So now, I feel that the doctor is more concerned about my smoking than about my mental issues. I went to the manufacturer’s website only to discover that Wellbutrin isn’t even listed as an anti-anxiety drug. And, I can’t seem to find much information in support of my doctor’s stance that the Wellbutrin SR will help with my anxiety and OCD. In fact, most of what I have found says that most people actually experience an increase their levels of anxiety. I am afraid to even try this stuff because I don’t know if I could handle a sudden increase in my anxiety level. I don’t know if I should ask him for something else, or if I shoud try a different doctor. One thing is certain, and that is that I have to do something! I would welcome any input or suggestions from any of you in here!  Thanks, robert

Hi Robert, People with anxiety disorders don’t do well on Wellbutrin. It makes them even more anxious. I wouldn’t take it. Good meds for OCD and GAD would be an SSRI, like Lexapro, and a benzodiazepine, like Klonopin, Ativan, or Xanax. Best to see a psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment. They know the most about how to prescribe psych meds. Since that’s all they do all day long. Chip — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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Thanks everyone!  I guess I just needed a little reassurance that I was correct in thinking that my doctor was making a mistake.  I am very thankfull for the internet and to groups like this for making it possible to gather this kind of information.  I don’t think there is any substitute for the information gained from the experiences of others!  It really pays to check up on the information one gets from the medical community rather than just blindly following their advice! Again, thanks all! robert — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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People with anxiety disorders don’t do well on Wellbutrin. It makes them even more anxious. I wouldn’t take it. Good meds for OCD and GAD would be an SSRI, like Lexapro, and a benzodiazepine, like Klonopin, Ativan, or Xanax. Best to see a psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment. They know the most about how to prescribe psych meds. Since that’s all they do all day long.

I also have OCD/Gad and Depression, but I’ve never heard of Wellbutrin being prescribed for someone with anxiety without depression. My naturopath had a bout of depression with *no anxiety* and was given Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin may work for folks with depression and no anxiety. I seriously question why it would be prescribed for a person with anxiety. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi group, I have been suffering with GAD and OCD for several years and recently, my anxiety began to get worse.  After much stress, I was finally able to work up the nerve to discuss it with my doctor (GP). I showed him the self tests that I printed off of an anxiety website.  To my surprise, he prescribed Wellbutrin SR. I asked him if that was a drug for depression, and he told me that it was but it was also used to treat anxiety.  I pointed out to him that I am mainly troubled by excessive worry and some OCD problems and that I didn’t have much trouble with depression. He assured me that this drug was effective for GAD and OCD, and that it would also help me quit smoking, which seems to be HIS biggest worry. He gave me the prescription and said that after you are on this for two weeks, I want you to quit smoking, cold turkey! I was a bit taken back by this as I have been such a bundle of nerves with the GAD/OCD problems, that the thought of giving up the tobacco has been a bit out of the question. Currently, the cigarettes are the main relief from stress that I have. So now, I feel that the doctor is more concerned about my smoking than about my mental issues. I went to the manufacturer’s website only to discover that Wellbutrin isn’t even listed as an anti-anxiety drug. And, I can’t seem to find much information in support of my doctor’s stance that the Wellbutrin SR will help with my anxiety and OCD. In fact, most of what I have found says that most people actually experience an increase their levels of anxiety. I am afraid to even try this stuff because I don’t know if I could handle a sudden increase in my anxiety level. I don’t know if I should ask him for something else, or if I shoud try a different doctor. One thing is certain, and that is that I have to do something! I would welcome any input or suggestions from any of you in here!  Thanks, robert

Hi Robert, Welcome to ASAPM.  We are glad you are here. Welbutrin made me nervous.  I was taking it for depression BEFORE I developed an anxiety disorder.  It DID make me feel as though I could quit smoking, but I couldn’t take it. I would make an appointment with a psychiatrist that understands anxiety disorders.. GP’s aren’t sufficiently trained to treat you.  I have had to educate my GP re: anesthesia and patients with GAD and panic disorder, who are also used to taking a benzo on a daily basis. GP’s just don’t understand.  Get thee to a pdoc  immediately. Again, welcome. Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

Response:

Hi group, I have been suffering with GAD and OCD for several years and recently, my anxiety began to get worse.  After much stress, I was finally able to work up the nerve to discuss it with my doctor (GP). I showed him the self tests that I printed off of an anxiety website.  To my surprise, he prescribed Wellbutrin SR. I asked him if that was a drug for depression, and he told me that it was but it was also used to treat anxiety.  I pointed out to him that I am mainly troubled by excessive worry and some OCD problems and that I didn’t have much trouble with depression. He assured me that this drug was effective for GAD and OCD, and that it would also help me quit smoking, which seems to be HIS biggest worry. He gave me the prescription and said that after you are on this for two weeks, I want you to quit smoking, cold turkey! I was a bit taken back by this as I have been such a bundle of nerves with the GAD/OCD problems, that the thought of giving up the tobacco has been a bit out of the question. Currently, the cigarettes are the main relief from stress that I have. So now, I feel that the doctor is more concerned about my smoking than about my mental issues. I went to the manufacturer’s website only to discover that Wellbutrin isn’t even listed as an anti-anxiety drug. And, I can’t seem to find much information in support of my doctor’s stance that the Wellbutrin SR will help with my anxiety and OCD. In fact, most of what I have found says that most people actually experience an increase their levels of anxiety. I am afraid to even try this stuff because I don’t know if I could handle a sudden increase in my anxiety level. I don’t know if I should ask him for something else, or if I shoud try a different doctor. One thing is certain, and that is that I have to do something! I would welcome any input or suggestions from any of you in here!  Thanks, robert — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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