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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JohnC2 on September 21, 2005, at 10:11:39
Hello,
I was on Lexapro at 40 mg for 6 months. It helped with some anxiety but not with depression. 6 weeks ago my doc had me wean down 10 Mg each week. I have been off Lexapro for a little over two weeks. I started Zoloft 5 weeks ago. Started at 25mg, then 50mg and then to 100mg a little over a 1-1/2 weekw ago.
I think my depression is a little better but I am having HIGH anxiety and panic attacks almost constantly that started around a week ago. Is this Lexapro withdrawal (I had many other withdrawal symptoms but this is the worst, or is this caused by starting the Zoloft? How long will this last? I am barely sleeping I am so wound up by anxiety. I have been taking some Klonazepam to try and help with the anxiety but it barely makes a dent in the anxiety. Please help me understand what is going on... will the anxiety settle down? Please help. The panic attacks just spiral me down into depression and now I have taken time off work because it is so hard to work from the anxiety. For twenty years I have suffered from depression and anxiety off and on but this is the worst and I near then end of my rope. If I knew this is Lexapro withdrawal I could more easily hang in and ride this out knowing there is an end in sight for the anxiety/panic. At this point I just feel like I am loosing it... but I am sure it is med related. I'm just worried the Zoloft is making me worse. I'm so confused. I do know that none of the panic/anxiety started until about a week after being off the lexapro and I had already started Zoloft several weeks before that.Thanks in advance for any help.
ThanksJohn
Posted by Phillipa on September 21, 2005, at 18:14:58
In reply to Panic Attacks - Lexapro withdrawal? Zoloft start?, posted by JohnC2 on September 21, 2005, at 10:11:39
Gee I'm not sure about withdrawal but if you post this on withdrawal you may get a better response. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by blueberry on September 22, 2005, at 17:57:32
In reply to Panic Attacks - Lexapro withdrawal? Zoloft start?, posted by JohnC2 on September 21, 2005, at 10:11:39
I can sure feel your pain. That anxiety, panic, or akathisia stuff is absolutely the hell of this earth. I'm there myself with that stuff, so at least know that someone else out there is experiencing the same hell as you. It's awful. The worst. I bet more people commit suicide from those things than just pure depression.
Where is it coming from? That's tough. I don't remember the exact doses that I read about, but I believe 40mg lexapro is about the same as 200mg to 300mg of zoloft.
Zoloft also has some dopamine reuptake inhibition to it. The increased dopamine could be it.
But no matter where it is coming from, I think you can find relief. Call your doc and ask if they can call in a prescription for you of 15mg remeron. Tell them it is urgent. Remeron is scored so cut one in half and try 7.5mg before bed. If it's not enough, then try 15mg. Remeron will block those receptors causing the anxiety and it will help you sleep. Its halflife is about a day, so it will help during the day as well. Remeron is tricky though...low doses good for sleep and anxiety by blocking only certain serotonin receptors responsible for anxiety...higher doses get more stimulating by increasing norepinephrine. With remeron in the mix, you can also get away with lower doses of the other med.
If remeron doesn't help, then that would be a strong clue it is a dopamine thing and not a serotonin thing. In which case a low dose of zyprexa 2.5mg can block the excess dopamine activity. Either way...remeron or zyprexa...both are likely to help your depression a lot...more than just zoloft or lexapro alone.
A benzo like xanax can help a lot too, but the problem then is that you may need it for a long time and not be able to go without it.
This is the end of the thread.
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