Posted by worrier on December 28, 2002, at 17:44:01
In reply to Re: Starting Moclobemide - What to expect? » Jumpy, posted by Ritch on December 27, 2002, at 9:30:07
> > Funny .... I have never actually seen an SSRI and especially not Effexor effective at blocking panic attacks. The only meds I have seen prevent panic attacks are benzos. Also I have seen phenelzine/nardil work multiple time at extinguishing general anxiety and phobia and lessening panic attacks. I think MAOIs are believed to be the single most effective ADs for anxiety and severe depression. I just assumed all this about SSRIs/effexor being good at panic was hype pushed by the drug companies. But this is my personal experience and I could be completely wrong.
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> Jumpy, I haven't had any success with SSRI's/Effexor preventing panic attacks from ocurring either. However, they definitely reduced obsessiveness about future attacks and allowed me to be reasonably comfortable in situations that commonly triggered them. I was taking Prozac when I was going to college (no benzo, however), and had panic attacks sometimes daily for weeks and weeks. But, I still showed up for classes despite them. Klonopin is the only med that has successfully *prevented* the panic attacks. SSRI's probably reduce the frequency of the attacks for the average person. But having half as many doesn't cut it, if you are having problems with panic....
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>Just want to add a nod of agreement about the SSRI's. I've tried several and had horrible increases in the frequency and intensity of panic attacks. The last adventure (Paxil) sent me to the ER...I really felt like I was going to shatter into a million pieces, couldn't sit still for 5 minutes...literally had to be up pacing in order to keep any sense of sanity. My GP kept telling me to increase the dose because I was just experiencing "breakthrough anxiety". Funny how before the meds all I had were panic attacks at night when I tried to relax. Six months later I still have tons of anxiety but am functioning o.k. thanks to finding a psychiatrist who recognized the problem and isn't afraid of benzos. Xanax keeps the anxiety at bay and will stop an impemding panic attack in its tracks. Being phobic of meds, I have trouble making myself take enough to really feel normal, but this sure is tons better than anything else I've tried.
poster:worrier
thread:132264
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021223/msgs/133539.html