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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by amyvalkyrja on August 1, 2008, at 6:14:24
Hey,
This is my first post though I have frequented this website for several years...
My doc prescribed me Klonopin two and a half years ago for my PTSD/SAD/GAD/Panic, etc...I believe I have almost all of the anxiety disorders. I'm on 3mg/day. Recently he prescribed me Prozac to deal with my Major Depression and inability to function (I'm on disability). I haven't taken the Prozac yet...I am scared that it will exacberate the extreme anxiety I have...
Need advise ASAP on which would be the best SSRI for me to take as I meet with him next Tuesday. The Klonopin barely holds me and I drink everyday to compensate. Its hard to do anything at all. I try to sleep but have major nightmares...waking moments are not much better.
Anyone out there with a similiar situation who has some advise on a proper SSRI? I do not want to gain weight as that will be more depressing and I want to be able to sleep more than 5 hours a night. I am willing to quit the alcohol if there is some med that could help with the depression...please go easy on me...I am very sensitive. Thanks in advance...
~ Aims
Posted by West on August 1, 2008, at 10:34:59
In reply to Anxiety + Major Depression...HELP!!!, posted by amyvalkyrja on August 1, 2008, at 6:14:24
> Hey,
>
> This is my first post though I have frequented this website for several years...
>
> My doc prescribed me Klonopin two and a half years ago for my PTSD/SAD/GAD/Panic, etc...I believe I have almost all of the anxiety disorders. I'm on 3mg/day. Recently he prescribed me Prozac to deal with my Major Depression and inability to function (I'm on disability). I haven't taken the Prozac yet...I am scared that it will exacberate the extreme anxiety I have...
>
> Need advise ASAP on which would be the best SSRI for me to take as I meet with him next Tuesday. The Klonopin barely holds me and I drink everyday to compensate. Its hard to do anything at all. I try to sleep but have major nightmares...waking moments are not much better.
>
> Anyone out there with a similiar situation who has some advise on a proper SSRI? I do not want to gain weight as that will be more depressing and I want to be able to sleep more than 5 hours a night. I am willing to quit the alcohol if there is some med that could help with the depression...please go easy on me...I am very sensitive. Thanks in advance...
>
> ~ AimsYou will almost indefinitely have some start up insomnia with any newer generation antidepressants barring mirtazapine and trazodone, and the former can cause increased appetite. Prozac is atypical of the SSRI class in that it is the most stimulating, especially in the beginning, whilst escitalopram (lexapro) although much cleaner and more selective than prozac can cause weigh gain over time. Sticking witht eh clonazepam will be a good idea to counter any start up anxiety you may have. From a side effects point of view you could try cymbalta, avoiding effexor, or possibly sertraline. Also the tricyclics can be more side effect free than the relatively potent SSRIs in low doses, with less associated insomnia. Many are already 'dual' action. Have a look at this http://www.preskorn.com/cgi-bin/sp.pl?words=clomipramine&wt=be&bl=an&IMAGE1.x=0&IMAGE1.y=0&d=/books/omd_s8.html
Posted by manic666 on August 1, 2008, at 11:42:44
In reply to Re: Anxiety + Major Depression...HELP!!!, posted by West on August 1, 2008, at 10:34:59
hey my friend prozac is the only med that really worked for me . it takes a while to kick in but when it does its welcome to wonderland , but if your drinking it aint gonna happen. manic666
Posted by manic666 on August 1, 2008, at 11:48:57
In reply to Re: Anxiety + Major Depression...HELP!!!, posted by manic666 on August 1, 2008, at 11:42:44
> hey my friend prozac is the only med that really worked for me . it takes a while to kick in but when it does its welcome to wonderland , but if your drinking it aint gonna happen. manic666. ps my wife only sleeps 4 hour every night an she has no illness.
Posted by Phillipa on August 1, 2008, at 12:26:10
In reply to Re: Anxiety + Major Depression...HELP!!!, posted by manic666 on August 1, 2008, at 11:48:57
My how does she do it? Wish I could. But back to the thread for stopping drinking after sober a week campral is a good med from what I hear. Good luck. Phillipa
Posted by Chris O on August 1, 2008, at 14:03:31
In reply to Anxiety + Major Depression...HELP!!!, posted by amyvalkyrja on August 1, 2008, at 6:14:24
Sorry about your situation. I can really empathize. I have almost all the anxiety disorders meshed into one too. A real pain.
Anyway, coincidentally, I'm currently taking 1mg of generic Klonopin (doesn't seem to do much) and 30mg generic Prozac. I've been on the Prozac for a couple of weeks. If anything, it's decreasing the anxiety, but only slightly. The whole generic thing is irritating too. I took regular Prozac eight years ago and it seemed to be stronger. But maybe my anxiety disorders are just worse now.
I also had luck with Celexa eight years ago for my anxiety disorder. It wasn't perfect, but it definitely worked.
I know that Paxil and Remron are also reported to be good for anxiety symptoms, but then you get the dreaded weight gain factor.
I really hope you get the right SSRI to manage your symptoms. I'm right there with you. Hang in there. Hopefully, in time, you'll get the right drug or drug combo to deal with your situation.
Chris
Posted by Hygieia's Bowl on August 1, 2008, at 16:26:40
In reply to Anxiety + Major Depression...HELP!!!, posted by amyvalkyrja on August 1, 2008, at 6:14:24
My primary presenting symptoms have always been anxiety based - name it, I've probably had it and had it again and again and again....
I used a benzo alone for quite awhile with results that began robust, faded over time and just didn't cover the whole of what I needed to get the life/the functioning/the ablity to stand my own self much less anyone else stand me, etc. I desired.
Lexapro has been a wonderful, I'll restate, wonderful treatment for me. Full effects did take time and the startup was rough and downright scary - hindsight making it all so clear, it all was well worth it. I haven't used a benzo in over two years. SSRI's sometimes get a big "boo hiss" in discussions and they are neither effective nor tolerable for everyone, but for me, it's worked out splendidly... for years now.
Posted by ricker on August 1, 2008, at 18:54:56
In reply to Anxiety + Major Depression...HELP!!!, posted by amyvalkyrja on August 1, 2008, at 6:14:24
Hello Aims,
Allways remember you are not alone when it comes to depression/anxiety. Millions of people suffer with this and there are hundreds of different med. combinations available.
Sometimes, it takes a trial and error approach before you find the right drug.
I've been taking rivitrol since 1987 to help control my anxiety. I used to take 2mg - 4x/day.
I now take 0.5mg - 3x/day.I look at it as my daily vitamin that I may need for the rest of my life just as diabetics with insulin.
I have stopped it several times over the years just to see how I would do .... gradual reduction and I really didn't suffer much in the way of withdrawl.
As far as antidepressants, I found paxil to be quite effective for mild depression and anxiety.
I had to stop taking it due to chronic nausea but you may do great on it. Just remember everyone responds different to certain drugs.I've never tried prozac as I to have a severe anxiety/social disorder so I have been a bit leary with the more stimulating a/d's.
Lexapro and zoloft are quite good for treating depression with anxitey. I would not hesitae in taking the rivitrol along with the med you decide on. I believe it helps curb the jittery feelings I get during a new drug startup.
I hope you do well. Keep positive, you will feel happy again, just remember to have some patience.
I know it's easier said than done, but it will get better.Regards, Rick
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 1, 2008, at 21:30:59
In reply to Re: Anxiety + Major Depression...HELP!!!, posted by ricker on August 1, 2008, at 18:54:56
You might want to consider something other than an SSRI. It sounds like you have been at this a while. I have both GAD and Major Depression and have found abilify to be my miracle drug. It has really helped both anxiety and depression. It is an antipsychotic, which can be off-putting at first, but I have found it to be low in side-effects. It is becoming much more widely used for those disorders. I know there are others on these boards who have similar positive experiences.
Good luck!
Best,
EE
Posted by Jennilee on August 2, 2008, at 16:11:49
In reply to Anxiety + Major Depression...HELP!!!, posted by amyvalkyrja on August 1, 2008, at 6:14:24
This Zypreza seems to help my anxiety some.I'm having feirce anxiety from prozac/celexa withdrawal. Celexa seemed to help my anxiety when I took the 20 mg. Effexor made me feel good, but gave me anxiety. Hope you find the right one.
Posted by copper on August 2, 2008, at 19:43:55
In reply to Re: Anxiety + Major Depression...HELP!!!, posted by Jennilee on August 2, 2008, at 16:11:49
I too have GAD and depression. I took effexor for many years and it worked well, and then it slowly started to stop. Clonzapam 3mg also, but I feel I need more of this as you get use to it.
I have been on Remeron 45mg for the last couple of month and this has help some.
Copper
Posted by blueboy on August 7, 2008, at 11:47:30
In reply to Anxiety + Major Depression...HELP!!!, posted by amyvalkyrja on August 1, 2008, at 6:14:24
Hi Aims,
Your mention of alcohol worries me. If you are or become alcohol dependent, it makes life very difficult. If you do have a problem (and I don't know if you do or not), it is also very hard to be honest with yourself about it.
You may not have a problem with it. Only you can decide that. When I decided I might have a problem, somehow I got to an AA meeting. The realization that I was, in fact, an alcoholic was very painful and left me in tears. It was a decision I made, btw -- nobody told me one way or the other.
The problem is that the depression and anxiety are SO painful, and alcohol provides such good short-term relief. However, over the longer term, if you drink too much, your problems get greater and greater, until it starts destroying your brain and body.
If you are drinking a lot and find that you cannot stop, I hope that you will find the strength to seek help. My experience has been that the people at AA are very helpful, very nice, and not critical. For sure, they have enormous collective expertise on the subject.
This is the end of the thread.
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