Posted by Rocket Jackson on August 3, 2002, at 0:10:32
Hey Everybody,
I'm in need of some urgent advice about which med to request from my physician in my upcoming appointment to add to my pre-existing Klonopin regimen for social anxiety disorder. I tried Provigil along with it, but wasn't too impressed with the results. And because of side effects (I'm young and married, and the weight gain and sexual dysfunction are not desirable at this time), I refuse to try an MAOI or SSRI. Therefore, I'm primarily considering the following:
Wellbutrin - haven't seen much evidence of benefit from this for SAD, but its mechanism of action seems like it may prove to be a good adjunct along with Klonopin (Klonopin should curb the anxiety from the Wellbutrin hopefully)
Neurontin - the jury seems to be out on this one. I gather that some have benefited and some haven't. While the water retention may be bothersome, I still may be willing to give it a try.
Gabitril - again, I haven't seen much for anecdotal evidence of benefit for this in SAD treatment, but it may be a helpful med. During a recent CME conference in my Psychiatry rotation (I'm a fourth year med student), a leading researcher on the effects of Gabitril seemed to indicate that this drug may be far superior to similar GABA enhancing/potentiating meds for conditions such as anxiety. However, he stressed that the drug must be used in far lower doses than those used for seizure disorder (he suggested around 4-8mg, preferably before a meal). I spoke to him after the conference (difficult with the SAD :)), and though he still advocated an SSRI as first-line treatment for SAD, he admitted that Gabitril may indeed be of benefit.
Serzone - this seems to help some out there, but I'm a little worried about possible weight gain and sexual side effects.
Anyway, I'd really appreciate any advice on some of these meds. Though I've noticed some solid results from the Klonopin alone, I still feel I need some "baseline" treatment to supplement. Thanks for any advice anyone can offer!
Rocket
poster:Rocket Jackson
thread:115021
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020731/msgs/115021.html