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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 momlucyzoe on October 28, 2008, at 15:49:50
I suffer from GAD, social phobia and varying degrees of agoraphobia and panic. I stared taking Citalopram/Celexa for anxiety and depression and even though I haven't had a panic attack in years, i've started having them again! I can't stand it and I think I need to wean off the Citalopram.
I've been looking up some info on alternatives for anxiety such as 5Htp, Picamilon, L-theanine, L-glutamine. Does anyone have any experience with these supplements and which ones are best for anxiety??
thanks!
Posted by Phillipa on October 28, 2008, at 16:23:18
In reply to SSRI's making me more anxious!!, posted by momlucyzoe on October 28, 2008, at 15:49:50
Have you considered a benzo for start-up anxiety? Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on October 28, 2008, at 16:26:02
In reply to SSRI's making me more anxious!!, posted by momlucyzoe on October 28, 2008, at 15:49:50
Also see you're new to babble and wanted to welcome you great info here and also an alternative board might want to post there about alternatives to meds for your side effects. Phillipa
Posted by momlucyzoe on October 28, 2008, at 16:26:26
In reply to Re: SSRI's making me more anxious!! » momlucyzoe, posted by Phillipa on October 28, 2008, at 16:23:18
> Have you considered a benzo for start-up anxiety? Phillipa
no, when my psychiatrist told me how addictive they were, I was really hesitant to have her write the RX
Posted by momlucyzoe on October 28, 2008, at 16:27:23
In reply to Re: SSRI's making me more anxious!! » momlucyzoe, posted by Phillipa on October 28, 2008, at 16:26:02
> Also see you're new to babble and wanted to welcome you great info here and also an alternative board might want to post there about alternatives to meds for your side effects. Phillipa
thanks!
Posted by jms600 on October 28, 2008, at 17:57:21
In reply to Re: SSRI's making me more anxious!!, posted by momlucyzoe on October 28, 2008, at 16:26:26
I'd guess you have experienced the dreaded 'poop out'. For some reason SSRIs seem to stop working after a while (don't know why - maybe someone more knowledgeable here could advise).
I too suffer from fairly severe GAD, panic disorder, social phobia... I know how terrible they can be.
You could try Clomipramine. I believe this is a useful drug for anxiety based disorders - although I haven't yet tried it myself. The side effects can be a little more troublesome than the SSRIs though.
Certain antipsychotics are used for anxiety - both typicals and the newer atypicals. I guess the best person to speak to would be your psychiatrist.
Seroxat is another good anxiety drug - although it's side effects are a little more unpleasant and it can be a difficult drug to come off. Also, it's an SSRI and so you run the risk of 'poop out' again!
I'd agree with Phillipa - benzodiazepines are great for anxiety - but they aren't a regular long term treatment as I've unfortunately found out.
Personally, I haven't had any great responses from natural/alternative medicines. Saying that, we are all different and they may work really well for you. As long as you tell your psychiatrist - and it's OK to take them with your prescribed medications - then give them a go!
Good luck!
Posted by azalea on October 28, 2008, at 21:11:06
In reply to SSRI's making me more anxious!!, posted by momlucyzoe on October 28, 2008, at 15:49:50
How long ago did you start citalopram? What dose?
Increased anxiety and panic attacks can occur when starting an SSRI. Starting at a low dose and gradually increasing may decrease these symptoms.> I suffer from GAD, social phobia and varying degrees of agoraphobia and panic. I stared taking Citalopram/Celexa for anxiety and depression and even though I haven't had a panic attack in years, i've started having them again! I can't stand it and I think I need to wean off the Citalopram.
>
> I've been looking up some info on alternatives for anxiety such as 5Htp, Picamilon, L-theanine, L-glutamine. Does anyone have any experience with these supplements and which ones are best for anxiety??
>
> thanks!
Posted by momlucyzoe on October 28, 2008, at 22:39:45
In reply to Re: SSRI's making me more anxious!! » momlucyzoe, posted by azalea on October 28, 2008, at 21:11:06
> How long ago did you start citalopram? What dose?
> Increased anxiety and panic attacks can occur when starting an SSRI. Starting at a low dose and gradually increasing may decrease these symptoms.
>
Hi Azalea -
I started citalopram about 9 weeks ago at 20mg then increased it, per my psychiatrist to 40mg after 7 days. I stayed on the 40mg for a good 7 days but I felt much worse on the 40mg, consulted with her again and she told me to go back to 20mg for about 2 weeks then try 40 again. It was bad again at 40, so now i'm back to 20, but last night decided to wean on my own and i'm taking 10mg now per day.I feel like I've given it a good shot and I think by now it should be helping, but it's making my anxiety worse to the point where I don't want to drive my car because I have panic attacks in the car of all places!
Posted by azalea on October 28, 2008, at 22:43:03
In reply to Re: SSRI's making me more anxious!!, posted by momlucyzoe on October 28, 2008, at 22:39:45
You've definitely given it a fair trial. Sounds like it's not the right med for you. Not to worry though, many options available.
> > How long ago did you start citalopram? What dose?
> > Increased anxiety and panic attacks can occur when starting an SSRI. Starting at a low dose and gradually increasing may decrease these symptoms.
> >
> Hi Azalea -
> I started citalopram about 9 weeks ago at 20mg then increased it, per my psychiatrist to 40mg after 7 days. I stayed on the 40mg for a good 7 days but I felt much worse on the 40mg, consulted with her again and she told me to go back to 20mg for about 2 weeks then try 40 again. It was bad again at 40, so now i'm back to 20, but last night decided to wean on my own and i'm taking 10mg now per day.
>
> I feel like I've given it a good shot and I think by now it should be helping, but it's making my anxiety worse to the point where I don't want to drive my car because I have panic attacks in the car of all places!
Posted by copper on October 30, 2008, at 10:47:03
In reply to Re: SSRI's making me more anxious!! » momlucyzoe, posted by azalea on October 28, 2008, at 22:43:03
I too suffer from GAD, OCD and depression, Celexa did not work for me eithor. I had bad anxiety on it. What did work for 5 years was effexor and Clonazpam. Do not be afraid of the anti anxiety meds. They work great. I was afraid and would not take them for years. Finally back in 2001 I did, it changed my life.
Good luck
Copper
Posted by momlucyzoe on October 30, 2008, at 12:26:22
In reply to Re: SSRI's making me more anxious!!, posted by copper on October 30, 2008, at 10:47:03
> I too suffer from GAD, OCD and depression, Celexa did not work for me eithor. I had bad anxiety on it. What did work for 5 years was effexor and Clonazpam. Do not be afraid of the anti anxiety meds. They work great. I was afraid and would not take them for years. Finally back in 2001 I did, it changed my life.
>
>
> Good luck
> CopperCopper -
Are you still on Effexor or Clonazepam and if not, why did you stop? just curious.
thanks,
momlucyzoe
Posted by copper on October 31, 2008, at 16:55:06
In reply to Re: SSRI's making me more anxious!!, posted by momlucyzoe on October 30, 2008, at 12:26:22
I am still on clonazapem, but have weaned off the effexor. Last year it lost it's effect on me. Now I'm on a cocktail. Remeron, clonazapem, Pristiq, and Abilify.
I hoping to stop the Abilify, but for now it seems to work. Not as good as I use to feel, but better then my bad days. Does that make sense?
Copper
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