Posted by Racer on July 7, 2005, at 18:02:58
In reply to Re: Anxiety/Feel like constant crap/Can't keep a j, posted by StressedandDepressed on July 7, 2005, at 13:06:06
> Wow, thanks Racer.
>No problem. I'm glad when I can offer something to others. This is a great place, where most everyone is very, very generous of their time and expertise.
> Here are the medications I have tried...
> #1. Paxil - Made my panic attacks more frequent
> #2. Buspar- I remember sleeping for 3 days str8.
> #3. Serzone- Worked pretty good, but when I went to a new doc, he took me off right away, said that it was bad bad bad bad.
> #4. Zoloft- HAHAHAHA, please see #1.
> #5. Remeron- I love this stuff man, it helps me sleep, it takes away all my anxiety (temporarily) but put on 50 lbs and was very bitchy all the time and aggravated and tired constantly.
> #6. Prosac- see #1 and #4
> #7. Lexapro- seems to work OK.Hmmm...
OK, here's what I'd suggest:
Treat the depression and the anxiety separately. Trying to find one medication that treats both at once is going to do that generalist thing: not great at treating either one. Obviously, you're sensitive to the stimulating effects of SSRIs, but here's a question about that: how long did you stay on any of them? Especially Paxil, how long did you take that? The emerging side effects -- those that come out after you've been on it for a while -- can be very different from what you experience at first.
Also, all the more sedating ADs are likely to cause weight gain. Sad, but true...
As for what meds I'd think about trying, I guess the first that comes to mind is desipramine. I can't take it, so I don't know first hand, but a lot of people here have had good rides with it.
Second would be Wellbutrin, just because it happens to be the Magic Bullet for me. Yes, it can be activating, but if you can get the anxiety treated separately, you can probably improve your experience with it.
It does sound as though your Lexapro is not working, though, so I would consider doing SOMETHING now -- before you end up risking your dream job, you know? Even if it's a big chunk'o'change, seeing a good psychopharmacologist now would likely be a great investment in your future. If you look at it that way, maybe you can find your way to spending the money and ending this cycle?
Also, what are your anxiety symptoms like? Does it start with physical, or with mental? Are you thinking scary things, to set it off? Or are you getting way tense and then thinking something that fits into that feeling? I ask, because what helped me most with anxiety -- so much so that i realized how anxious I'd been for so long! -- was a beta blocker. Those are blood pressure drugs, and in my case, I relaxed so much within an hour of taking that first pill -- oh, just like heaven! If something like that would help you, it might be a great solution -- especially since it's generic and cheap.
Good luck to you, and I hope you stick around.
poster:Racer
thread:524465
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050702/msgs/524694.html