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#1
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I saw a GP about a year ago regarding my extreme anxiety, panic, and depression. She didn't make a big deal out of it and gave me Zoloft. That did NOTHING for me except give me awful side effects, it only helped with the depression a little bit. I then tried Lexapro and it did nothing. Has anyone else experienced this with these "SSRI" drugs? They do not phase me at all when it comes to anxiety. My anxiety is way worse than the depression. The only thing I can think of is that the 'anxiety' part in them isn't for severe anxiety and almost daily panic attacks, more of a 'bonus.' I was told that I needed to see a psychiatrist and was sent on my way, like I wasn't letting the drugs work. Not a great doctor.
People talk like antidepressants such as Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, etc etc are miracle drugs and they feel perfect on them. Does anyone else out there get no benefit from the anti-anxiety qualities of these drugs? Depression isn't going to improve much if your anxiety is up to the roof. My mom takes Paxil but has taken Xanax in a low dose along with it for years because the Paxil doesn't do much for her anxiety (she isn't quite as high-strung as I am) but is great for depression. She says I may need an anti-anxiety medication to go on top of an anti-depressant, her psychiatrist says that is common. Still haven't gotten my nerve up to go to a psychiatrist but I want to go to college next year so I'll have to ![]() I hope I put this in the right section. Last edited by clj2; Oct 05, 2009 at 03:22 PM. |
#2
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{{{Clj2}}} I am sorry you are having a time trying to find relief!
![]() There are a couple of schools of thought on medication. ![]() Just to give you an idea about how long it took me to find the right medication: I had issues with Clinical Depression and Anxiety Disorder since puberty, not diagnosed until 16. 9 Years ago (I am 34 now) I found my current psych doctor. I am lucky in finding someone who is personable, listens to me and makes me a partner in my medication decisions. It isn't an exact science. There is a lot of trial and error and ANY anti-depressant will take anywhere from 6-8 weeks to build enough in your system to feel any relief! Not helpful when you want it to stop NOW! ![]() It would be good to see a psych dr about this. While GPs are good for a crisis situation, a psych will have more information. I ended up on Paxil CR and Klonopin. I was recently diagnosed ADHD, and while the Adderall has helped calm me down, I have found out the hard way I have to slow down my decrease in Paxil. It has worked for me, when my mom's old (and I mean OLD SCHOOL) anti-depressant quit working for her, she also went on Paxil. That doesn't mean that is what will work for you, but what I have found in dealing with this over half my life is this: When a medication works, it works; however, ANY medication works better with behavioral/talk therapy. Not only do you have the medication helping, but you are learning other coping skills. ![]() Hope this helps! ![]()
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I am not a medical or mental health professional, nor do I play one on TV, I just talk kinda like one! ![]() They say I have A.D.D. but I think they are full off... ![]() Oh look! A CHICKEN! Be careful how you look at the world, it may look back! ![]() ![]() |
#3
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So far I haven't had any luck with SSRI's either. I definitely recommend seeing a psychiatrist, they have a lot more knowledge than a general practice doctor about these meds.
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#4
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Quote:
![]() I took the Lexapro long enough for it to "set in", and I think it almost made my anxiety worse, and it wasn't helping enough to warrant taking it I didn't think. Depression improved by a hair only. The Zoloft I had to stop in less than 2 weeks because the side effects were unbearable. I'll take anything a doctor gives me, except for the Zoloft (side effects), and Prozac(never tried it). I am so similar to my mom with my mental problems. I have witnessed her on Prozac and it was awful. Have never seen anyone strung so high and miserable, she went 2 weeks and couldn't sleep and could barely eat from it, even taking it a few days. I refuse to take that, the thought terrifies me. I would be willing to try Paxil, and thanks for mentioning the Klonopin, I've heard about that but would be a little hesitant just asking about it from a doctor because I don't want to sound like a drug addict just wanting to get high or something off of benzo. drugs if I really need them. I'm probably going to have to have something like that, at least for now because I have a lot of stress and strain coming up in the next couple of years that will likely make my anxiety worse if not treated. My anxiety is so bad I had to have Valium to go to the dentist. He prescribed 10mg last time and it helped my anxiety, but made me feel bad the rest of the day. The amount of time I felt bad from it was worse than the time it helped me, lol. It's not for me, but that's what he gives. Sorry for writing so much!! It's obvious I don't talk to a lot of people. ![]() Gimmieice: thanks for your response. Sorry you haven't had much luck either, I know how it feels. I'm going to try to see a psychiatrist if I can get my nerve up. ![]() |
#5
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Hi clj2,
So sorry you are having a frustrating time. I have been treated for depression for over 30 years. There was severe anxiety mixed in with it plus a panic disorder which came from some PTSD and actually we discovered five years ago that my true diagnosis is bipolar. After all of this plus having researched mental illnesses myself for years and years, I will share with you some things that I have learned that I think will help you along. (1) You said that you will be starting college. Does this mean that you are just turning 18? The reason I ask is because prescribing antidepressants for people under 18 is a very tricky thing. All antidepressants except for one, Welbutrin (which doesn't work real well) carries a warning about prescribing to persons under 18. I do not think that there is a problem prescribing to you. Please understand this, because you are just on that border of 18. But did want you to know that this may have been in your doctor's mind. (2) You really, really need to go to a psychiatrist for your medications. Over the years, I have learned that regular general practitioners do not know enough about psychiatric medications to prescribe them well. They are very specialized meds. It really takes a psychiatrist to prescribe them accurately and to get the best results. Also, some antidepressants work better on anxiety than others. Lexapro, Zoloft, not too sure about Paxil....some of the SSRI's do not work as well on anxiety as others. The AD I take, Effexor XR, works very well on anxiety. But, it is not an SSRI, it is an SSRNI. It not only works on seratonin, but it also works on norepinephrine, hence the "N" in the abbreviation. (3) If your anxiety is too much for an antidepressant to help with it, the psychiatrist might prescribe an additional medication like theotterone talked about, like Klonopin. There are also meds like Valium, Ativan, and Xanax. Those are pretty heavy duty. But, I cannot recommend strong enough that you see a psychiatrist because that is the best bet you have of getting the right medication for you in the first visit. There really is no stigma attached to seeing a psychiatrist. It is just like seeing any other specialist, like a chiropractor or a gynecologist. I wish you the best of luck. Take care of yourself. ![]()
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#6
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Clj2, I also take paxil. I did have side effects when I first started taking the meds. I had to go see my pdoc every week to let her know that I felt high from the paxil. She told me that it was a side effect, and it will go away. It did. You know you might even like a pdoc more than a gp. My pdoc is one of the best Dr.'s that I have ever had. When I'm not comfy with something, she always explains to me the situation. If I were you, I would be getting that appt. soon. Panic attacks can really take a lot of things out of anyone's life. I hope that you feel better soon.
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#7
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![]() My anxiety can be really bad some days, maybe this will be a good example. I really have some horrible days; for example, eating out in public, getting my hair cut or any thing like that kills me. The best word that can describe my anxiety is "crippling" I think. I do good to finish classes some days. When I eat out I always feel nauseous. Some days even just at home I can only eat crackers, bread, water, something like that without feeling sick. But some days I don't feel nervous for some reason and I feel fine. This is the area I saw that the Lexapro made no improvement (which it was supposed to), even after I had been taking it long enough. The side effects (unbearable nausea, restlessness and more attacks) of the Zoloft were too bad - doc said to discontinue it. One thing with my problem is the fact that I don't have excellent insurance, so I can't take stuff that is very expensive. I am glad to know there are 'extras' you can take if one drug doesn't work enough. jerrymichele, thanks. When I go to the doctor I may ask about Paxil. It seems to be the one I've heard the most good things about. The thing I dread is probably having to take drugs all over again that I have already tried from another doctor. It would be pointless so I guess I could just decline them and ask for something else. Thanks again for all of your responses!! |
#8
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The trick with a pdoc is (WARNING, THIS IS HARD!) is being painfully honest with them. The first medication isn't necessarily going to be the one that works for you. I can't name, let alone count, which meds I have tried. Once you find something that works, you tend to stick with it.
The other thing is DON'T GIVE UP! You will find the right combination of medication and therapy. I know it is hard when it hurts and all you want is to feel better NOW, but it will pay off! (I'm proof of it!) ![]()
__________________
I am not a medical or mental health professional, nor do I play one on TV, I just talk kinda like one! ![]() They say I have A.D.D. but I think they are full off... ![]() Oh look! A CHICKEN! Be careful how you look at the world, it may look back! ![]() ![]() |
#9
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***The only thing I can think of is that the 'anxiety' part in them isn't for severe anxiety and almost daily panic attacks, more of a 'bonus.' I was told that I needed to see a psychiatrist and was sent on my way, like I wasn't letting the drugs work. Not a great doctor.
I had a simular situation and my primary doctor explained that she does not perscribe mental health medication, and refered me to another to psychiatry. I wouldn't take it too personal that they did that, only because a lot of Primary care DR.s will do that or just perscribe a low dose. Med management is tricky with mental health and the best qualified person to help you get the right medication (s) is a psychiatrist. It may take several combinations of meds to relieve your anxiety, be patient. |
#10
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***The only thing I can think of is that the 'anxiety' part in them isn't for severe anxiety and almost daily panic attacks, more of a 'bonus.' I was told that I needed to see a psychiatrist and was sent on my way, like I wasn't letting the drugs work. Not a great doctor.
I had a simular situation and my primary doctor explained that she does not perscribe mental health medication, and refered me to another to psychiatry. I wouldn't take it too personal that they did that, only because a lot of Primary care DR.s will do that or just perscribe a low dose. Med management is tricky with mental health and the best qualified person to help you get the right medication (s) is a psychiatrist. It may take several combinations of meds to relieve your anxiety, be patient. |
![]() clj2
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#11
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Thanks!! I'm going to look in to therapy and medical treatment soon I hope. I spoke to a family member who also has similar problems and a psychiatrist has helped and gotten her on sleeping med, a good antidepressant (Paxil, says it works great for her depression and some with anxiety), and panic attack/anti-anxiety medication. So I really can't wait to see a psychiatrist and hopefully get some relief. Good to know I have a few 'real life' people to discuss psychiatrists, etc with also.
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#12
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I have found that the SSRI's do not work as well as the "old school" Tofranil PM which I became allergic to after many years of successfully taking it. Certainly SSRI's do not work for my anxiety. I may be wrong, since I cannot know your particular situation, but it seems like it would be good for you to go the same psychiatrist that your Mom does, since your problems are so similar. I take Effexor XR at a high dosage, but that is supplemented with Klonopin for anxiety. Klonopin is not quite so addictive as Xanax, but if you do not have a problem with dependency issues, it would not matter which, I am thinking. Just a thought ~ billieJ
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