I get depressed quite often and I am now thinking of seeing my doctor about getting anti-depressants. I am really shy and don’t like seeing the doctor unless I really need to.

I’d like to know how common sexual side effects (such as erectile dysfunction and lower se drive) occur with SSRI’s and whether changing from one anti-depressant to another would reduce side effects if they did occur.

This isn’t a porno question. My girlfreind has had 6 children due a previous relationship. I was just wondering if the vagina would be very loose or just slightly. Would I still get good sex?

So, my 17 year old daughter, who has been playing basketball for 10 years. She is 6’1" and about 200 lbs. She’s been having problems with her knees swelling and a lot of pain. Well, I took her up to U of M to see an orthopedic surgeon who requested an MRI for her knees. The next day she called to say that my daughter has arthritis and that nothing could be done about it. Can this be true? She really wants to continue playing basketball when she goes to college, but the pain is getting worse. Does anyone have any suggestions to help out an athlete?

Hello,
I have been suffering from chronic primary onset insomnia for more then 10 years. I’ve also recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I have taken several over the counter and prescription medications with varying results. I was at one time on the non-benzodiazepines like Sonata, Lunesta or Ambien. I found them to be rather effective. However when I moved I was unable to get my new Dr to prescribe any of them. One of my Dr’s told me she’d rather have me stare at the ceiling for 8 hrs a night then take those medications. So since I’ve moved I’ve been on all sorts of meds, non of which have proven to be as effective as the non-benzodiazepines. I’ve taken everything from tricyclic antidepressant to anti-convulsants and benzodiazepine. I’ve also had to start taking stimulants to counteract the daytime sleepiness caused by the sleep aids. It seems that it would just be easier, safer and more effective to simply prescribe the non-benzodiazepines, but I digress.
Anyway my main problem now is that I still suffer from Insomnia and now lack insurance. I have just run out of my meds and am now desperate for relief. I have tried many of the over the counter products. I am not a fan of the antihistamines which are found in OTC sleep aids like Unisom, Nytol etc as they are not very effective, not for long term use and cause undesired side effects. So I have also tried other "natural remedies" like Melatonin, Valerian, Chamomile, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), catnip, passionflower, and hops among other, with no success.
I simply cannot function. I am currently sleeping every other day and am desperate for a good nights sleep. I was laid off 6 weeks ago (thus uninsured, damn COBRA is too expensive @ ,200 month) and am looking for a job, right now I am barely functioning, there is no way I could go back to work like this.
I was up all last night and spend most of the night online searching for something, anything that might help.
Some of them look promising, but perhaps it’s the sleep deprivation talking…. So I figured I’d ask the Yahoo Answers Community for some guidance before I waste my limited resources.
I know it’s not the same for everyone and what works for one will not work for another, but I hope that someone with a similar condition may provide some guidance. Which my main problem is like I said chronic primary onset insomnia, which means that I have chronic trouble falling asleep, for me it seems I can’t relax, I can’t turn my mind off, I have tried meditation, yoga and relaxation and it doesn’t work. But once I am asleep I have absolutely no trouble staying asleep.
I’ve already wasted about on the "natural" remedies, so I’d prefer not to waste more.
So here are some thoughts.
First thing: Sirius Sound/Light Mind Machine

http://www.mindmodulations.com/prodsiriu.html

Seems rather sifi, new age, hocus pocus, but I was surprised at the reviews on amazon.com and other sites. People really said that it helped them reach a deep relaxed state and fall asleep. Even those, like me who have trouble relaxing on their own. So does anyone have any experience with this or similar products? It’s 0, so I’d like a little more info before I buy.

I don’t have a product, and can’t find the site again but users had rated sound machines second in effectiveness after Lunesta, it was even slightly higher rated then Sonata and Rozerem. But again, before I throw down my 0 or so, I’d like to hear from some others that may have used one.
Other things, light therapy(either morning or evening), dawn simulation, various sleep CD’s, this thing: http://www.amazon.com/NightWave-Sleep-Assistant-Light-Night/dp/B001C3H4FI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1251131091&sr=8-1 , and anything else you can conceive of, I’m desperate here….. Obviously.
Aromatherapy. I’ve read several reviews on high quality lavender oil. it’s cheap enough, , so I’ll give it a go, if it doesn’t work I’m only out . But it will make my bedroom smell nice anyway.
I have not seen any other OTC remedies that may work, well except I did find some interesting stuff on Magnesium deficiency, so again cheap enough so I’ll give that a go too.
So is there anything else? I am tempted to go to my Dr and pay the open rate and see if he’ll give me an Rx, hopefully I can talk him onto a non-benzodiazepines, although w/o insurance these can be an expensive option. I’ve done some reading on prescription sleep aids and I’ve read that Soma off-label has been rated highly effective and more cost effective then the Lunesta/Sonata and may also help with symptoms of fibromyalgia. Anyone try Soma?
And just to note I have also tried sleep hygiene, herbal tea, warm milk, warm shower 1 hour before bed, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, exercise, light snack before bed, avoiding food/beverages before bed and have tried to maintain regular sleep/wake cycles all with little or no success.
Love your answer sweetnfoxychick.
Although I am extremely intolerant to cannabis. I did read that it was very effective, but it makes me violently ill, so that’s a no go. But I like how you think.
And hell, I’m so desperate that I’ve even considered GHB. Yes it’s illegal, but I haven’t slept for 2 days, do you expect me to be thinking rationally? It’s marketed as Xrem and is highly effective, though while GHB is rather cheap Xyrem is upwards of ,000 a month, only in America will a pharmaceutical company find a way to make huge profits on the "date rape drug". But hell if it helps me get a good nights sleep……. lol
I am kidding people. Though I am desperate, I do intend on staying on this side of the law.

I want white strips. But I can’t afford 50+ for them.

I just learned that there are generic white strips, and I am wondering what the price difference is between the two.

Thanks.

I tend to have a lot of pain in my bones and even though I am 16, I think I might have arthritis…what do you think?

Especially when the diagnosis comes at 45 years of age, with no previous history of mental illness?

My apologies for the lengthy additional details, but this is important. Here is a brief summary of what has happened in the past 4 years:

Single mom with rheumatoid arthritis, a painful, crippling disease.

Widespread osteoarthritis, in need of two total knee replacements, various other joint reconstruction necessary.

No pain meds nor pain management prescribed by doctors.

Currently taking moderate, fluctuating doses of prednisone along with 20 mgs. of methotrexate (a cancer drug) weekly.

Feelings of guilt over how this disease has affected my family.

Inability to engage in many previously enjoyed activities. This has led to a sense of loss.

Mother has been ill during this time and has endured 5 surgeries.

In the past 90 days the following has occurred:

Found a breast lump with lymph node swelling in the nearest armpit.

Enlarged thyroid with thyroid lump.

Have entered menopause.

Monthly income has dropped by more than half, with total income per month at less than 0 dollars. Very real possibility of homelessness.

Strange medical and emotional symptoms include panic attacks, night sweats, extreme fatigue, insomnia, irritability, frequent crying, increased joint and muscle pain, etc.

Feeling depressed and overwhelmed, I sought counseling. My therapist felt I was simply overly anxious and depressed, and recommended that I speak with the clinic psychiatrist. She felt he may prescribe something to ease my symptoms.

After only one hour with me, during which he asked only 10-15 questions to which I was not allowed to elaborate in my answer, he slapped me with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, wrote a prescription for anti-convulsants and sent me from his office.

Needless to say, this has caused additional stress, and I will be seeking a second opinion.

My question is, considering all that I have endured these past 4 years, is it possible that the diagnosis is grossly inaccurate?

Might one in my position be expected to suffer anxiety and depression, and experience similar physical and emotional symptoms?

Thank you for taking the time to read that.
((((Kerilyn))))

Thank you so much. For the past two weeks — after receiving this diagnosis — I have been so much more anxious and depressed. That of course has led to me questioning my own sanity even more — I feel utterly dazed and confused.

Why don’t I take pain meds? My rheumy doesn’t prescribe them, so I sought out a GP in order that I may establish as a patient and be treated with pain meds or pain management through alternative methods such as hypnosis, acupuncture, biofeedback…

Of course, my first appointment with her came shortly after finding the breast lump. That was horrifying. — all I could think of was what would happen to my kids.

I admit, I probably had a mental breakdown. If it hasn’t yet happened, it’s imminent. I’m normally a calm person, but this is too much.

I also feel that menopause and it’s hormonal swings has only added to the distress. What a nightmare this has all been. Now I must find new doctors, tell my story again, keep seeking help. *sigh*
((((UP))))

((((Ambivalent))))

((((Poppy Seed))))

((((Mom 2-2))))

Thank you all so much.

(((((((Everyone))))))
Just an added note : The meds he prescribed? I refuse to take them.
((((bad tim))))
(((MiXxed)))

(((Sassy)))

(((Warrior)))

My boyfriend of 2 years and I had unprotected sex and we’re afraid of the precum. I’m suppose to have my period in about 3 days, so will the home pregnancy tests work?

Take Serzone for instance. Why is it unsafe but its generic equivalent of nefazodone is still available?

I’ve heard of cats having asthma. I have an 8 month old cat. We have a toy mouse for her, and she plays with it herself. After a while, she’ll breathe through her mouth. Does this mean she has asthma or just too much exercise? Has your cat ever done this before?