SSRIs

sasmith601 · Post by **sasmith601** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:58 pm

I have been having panic and anxiety attacks and post pardum depression for about 18 months. I feel like I am doing everything. I use the CDs, relaxation/meditation tapes, visit with a psychologist, see a PCP and psychiatric nurse practitioner for medication managment, exercise, no caffeine,natural supplements from chiropractor (mostly vits B,C omegas, adrenals etc). I take Klonopin .5mg 2 times per day and have for about 6 weeks. And I use lorazepam for break through panic - although I have taken only or so in the past 6 weeks. All my advisors feel that I need an SSRI - I have tried 3 celexa, paxil and now lexapro. Each and every time I try them I get viciously ill by the 4th day. I am trying .25 mg of lexapro now and today I woke in total panic and anxiety. I am getting to where I can handle the stomach IBS issues but I just cant get the anxiety and panic under control when I try to start an SSRI. Has anyone else had trouble tolerating SSRIs? What did you do? Did you try another line of meds - effexor or pristique? I am just so frustrated and everyone keeps telling me I need these to heal my brain but I just cant seem to get started on the SSRI. I dont know what to do know or what med to turn to. I would appreciate anyone's comments who have also had trouble getting started with the meds.
Thanks
SAS

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:07 pm

I meant that I am taking 2.5 mg - sorry!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:12 pm

I should read better before posting! I have had only 5 or 6 lorazepam for break through panic the past 6 weeks .

vwellen · Post by **vwellen** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 2:17 pm

I too am sensitive to meds, I thought I would die after trying paxil, celexa gave me an instant headache. I am now slowly tapering up zoloft I started at 12.5 and now up to 25 my. It's the only one I know I can tolerate. A little anxiety in the beginning not too bad, loss of apetote and loose stools were the most of it. I do think it's starting to help it's been almost 2 weeks. Side effects have stopped mostly, some ibs now and then. The program is helping too...it helps you to see that you are causing this any can't be afraid of it anymore. I'm still struggling day to day but I do feel like I'm accomplishing something. Good luck, God bless and keep in touch.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 5:18 pm

It is reassuring to know that others are sensitive to meds as well.I have never had to take any meds before in my life and this is just so hard. I am finding the program to be wonderful and helpful. I just hope that whole combination begins to work and I get to feeling better . I too thought that paxil was going to kill me - I was so so so out of it - very scary. I just had IBS stuff and severe anxiety with celexa. I am still deciding about the lexipro- we will see. Thanks for your thoughts. God bless you and hang in there during your recovery.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:58 am

I tried citalopram (which is the generic for Celexa) a couple of years ago and it caused a major panic attack within hours after taking it. About six weeks ago I called my doc to tell her I was ready to try meds again because the panic attacks had gotten unbearable. She suggested that I try Citalopram again. I of course was hesitant but she told me that the last time I tried it it was a 20mg pill but this time she was going to put me on a 10mg pill and she wanted me to cut them in half at first and then work up to the whole thing. Well, it worked like a charm. I am still only taking the 10mg and I feel much better than I did before. I can't say that I have no anxiety now but it has taken the edge off enough that I can function.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:04 pm

Hello Everyone,
I suffered from agoraphobia, panic attacks and depression for 21 years of my life!!!

I never could take any type of antidepressant!!!
Everyone that I would try would make me very anxious!!! They actually increased my anxiety!!!

I am no doctor, but, I do believe that if some medication is worsening those anxiety symptoms, then, it sure isn't for you!!!

My thing is...If it works for you, then, do it!!! If it doesn't work for you, then do not do it!!!

Those anti-depressants never worked for me in all those 21 years, so, I refused to take them...Period!!!

We are all different!!! I just felt the need to give my input on this one!!!

God Bless Each of You is My Prayer!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:16 pm

I am not doing well with Citalopram - it either increased my muscle twitches or caused them. I am slowly going of of it because this is a drug you can't go off fast. It gives me a headache and fatigue. Sorry - I am anxious to get off of it and saw no benefits at all for depression.