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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 Michelle41 on February 23, 2010, at 12:31:18
Hello! I posted this on the withdrawal page, but it probably should have been posted here..
**FRUSTRATED WITH SSRI's**
I was on paxil for 1 year (evil drug LOL) Zoloft for about 8 years, Prozac for 2 years (added strattera to the prozac and that was not a good thing)
I stopped taking Prozac and strattera for almost a year but the anxiety came creeping back..
I just went back on Prozac 2 1/2 months ago and it is a nightmare! Since starting on prozac originally in 2006, I have had missed or no periods, hot flashes, heart palpitations w/chest tightness and pain, weird dull pains in my abdomen where my ovaries are.. Recently, just when I am about to fall asleep, I gasp for air and have a panic attack which keeps me up for hours :( By the way, I will be 41 next month so maybe my hormones are changing :(
I am so scared that I am going to fall asleep and never wake up due to my heart stopping!! I have tried dropping the dose from 10 mg a day (had chest pain every day at this dose since starting back on Prozac 2 mos ago) Now, I am down to less than 5mg every other day which has possibly triggered ssri withdrawals ( more heart palpitations, gasping for air before falling asleep, panic) Over the past few days, I went back up to 5mg from 2.5mg which seems to help the gasping issue.. Still struggling with heart issues after taking the meds ( usually happens within 20 min)
I did have my TSH checked a few months ago and it was "normal" However, my FSH and LH were way too high, almost double from normal range. I have also been lactating for years now since I have been on SSRI's.
I am so frustrated and sick of being on the SSRI crazy train!! I am going to make an appointment with an endocronologist to see if my thyroid is messed up. I never had a full thyroid screen, just the TSH.
I am tempted to switch to celexa or Lexapro to see if it calms the panic attacks but I am scared to go on it :(
I am afraid that once I start, I won't be able to stop taking it..
I truly think that these SSRI's were a bad choice for me.. But I was never able to really find the root cause of my anxiety due to no health insurance.. I swear this is a thyroid problem so I am hoping that a thyroid med will help me more than these nasty SSRI's have!!
Sorry for the long post, I am scared out of my mind with this heart issue :(
It seems that the only thing that Paxil, Zoloft and did for me was make me a fat zombie while still having anxiety at some level :( I have lost 15 lbs on Prozac, but I think it is because of the energizing effects. The SSRI's I have taken also killed my sex drive!!
Posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2010, at 12:42:06
In reply to My roller coaster ride with SSRI's, posted by Michelle41 on February 23, 2010, at 12:31:18
Weight loss and sweats sure it's not hyperthyroidism? Might want to give the doc a call now or visit emergency clinic? Goggle hyperthyroidism see it it fits. I don't like the chest pain? Need to get it checked out. Phillipa
Posted by conundrum on February 23, 2010, at 14:30:29
In reply to My roller coaster ride with SSRI's, posted by Michelle41 on February 23, 2010, at 12:31:18
How much prozac are you taking? I got palpitations at 30 and 40mgs but not at lower doses. 5mg can work, even lower actually.
Posted by bleauberry on February 23, 2010, at 18:50:34
In reply to My roller coaster ride with SSRI's, posted by Michelle41 on February 23, 2010, at 12:31:18
In the short term...when they work...ssris can save people. In the longrun, almost every story turns out like yours. With a whole array of bizarre biological changes that truly make the treatment worse than the initial disease. That's what I've seen anyway. The stories of longterm ssri usage that are still positive after many years are very few.
I can't help but think that it is all caused by such an imbalance of high serotonin from the drugs. Or maybe it is the reuptake blocking function itself that just screws up the whole natural flow of things. Or a combination of both. I don't know.
I think it has only been in the last couple years that reports like yours are showing up more and more often. We know it's happening, but I think the academics, pharmaceutical executives, FDA and physicians turn a blind eye to it. After all, it would make them look pretty bad after all these years of pushing them like candy. Better to ignore it and keep stories like yours hidden from view.
After about 12 years of paxil, prozac, zoloft, and lexapro, my story is similar to yours. I found the only way out was to abandon them and do something else that wasn't so imbalanced toward serotonin. The best I've found is Savella or Parnate or Amisulpride. I imagine a low dose of abilify stands a decent chance combined with just about any AD. My baseline without meds, after a torturous 3 month cleaning out, isn't really much worse than being on meds. Except for the good meds I mentioned, which actually do provide some life quality improvement.
I don't think your symptoms are all to blame on aging hormone changes or dosage changes.
If you are considering lexapro or celexa, I would say wrong move. They have no appreciable difference to anything you've already done. Believe it or not, a med strong on norepinephrine such as Savella, or a med strong on all the neuros, such as Parnate, can work a lot better on anxiety, panic, palpitations, than a pure ssri.
The hard part for now is weathering the storm while you contemplate what to do, and weather it some more after you begin changing something. That's when temporary as-needed help can provide the stepping stones to get through it. Passionflower, valerian, xanax, lorazepam, and such.
It sucks getting old and it sucks being on ssris past their welcome.
Posted by Bob on February 23, 2010, at 19:15:20
In reply to Re: My roller coaster ride with SSRI's, posted by bleauberry on February 23, 2010, at 18:50:34
> In the short term...when they work...ssris can save people. In the longrun, almost every story turns out like yours. With a whole array of bizarre biological changes that truly make the treatment worse than the initial disease. That's what I've seen anyway. The stories of longterm ssri usage that are still positive after many years are very few.
>
> I can't help but think that it is all caused by such an imbalance of high serotonin from the drugs. Or maybe it is the reuptake blocking function itself that just screws up the whole natural flow of things. Or a combination of both. I don't know.
>
> I think it has only been in the last couple years that reports like yours are showing up more and more often. We know it's happening, but I think the academics, pharmaceutical executives, FDA and physicians turn a blind eye to it. After all, it would make them look pretty bad after all these years of pushing them like candy. Better to ignore it and keep stories like yours hidden from view.
>
> After about 12 years of paxil, prozac, zoloft, and lexapro, my story is similar to yours. I found the only way out was to abandon them and do something else that wasn't so imbalanced toward serotonin. The best I've found is Savella or Parnate or Amisulpride. I imagine a low dose of abilify stands a decent chance combined with just about any AD. My baseline without meds, after a torturous 3 month cleaning out, isn't really much worse than being on meds. Except for the good meds I mentioned, which actually do provide some life quality improvement.
>
> I don't think your symptoms are all to blame on aging hormone changes or dosage changes.
>
> If you are considering lexapro or celexa, I would say wrong move. They have no appreciable difference to anything you've already done. Believe it or not, a med strong on norepinephrine such as Savella, or a med strong on all the neuros, such as Parnate, can work a lot better on anxiety, panic, palpitations, than a pure ssri.
>
> The hard part for now is weathering the storm while you contemplate what to do, and weather it some more after you begin changing something. That's when temporary as-needed help can provide the stepping stones to get through it. Passionflower, valerian, xanax, lorazepam, and such.
>
> It sucks getting old and it sucks being on ssris past their welcome.
>
>
Once again Bleauberry, your insights are right on! I too have taken just about every SSRI known to man and have been chronically exposed to these drugs for more than 15 years now. I would have to say I wore out my welcome more than a decade ago, and so now every day is a struggle.The 'syndrome' Michelle41 has developed is quite familiar to me. I have had extreme somatic difficulties and also have experienced mysterious cardiac effects to which I have absolutely no answers. I've had my thyroid checked many times and even had a Holt Heart Monitor test because I was concerned about the breathing problems and chest pain. Nothing has ever showed up as out of normal ranges, and believe me, over the years I've had quite a few work-ups.
I wouldn't be surprised in the least if what you posted about these problems showing up more and more in long term SSRI users turns out to be the truth. It is only since the late eighties to early nineties that people have been taking them in earnest and now the first cases of chronic exposure of a long duration are starting to show up. One part of me hopes that you are wrong about this, but if it were true it would go a long way to explaining all the terrible problems I'm having.
Bob
Posted by Michelle41 on February 23, 2010, at 19:40:46
In reply to Re: My roller coaster ride with SSRI's, posted by bleauberry on February 23, 2010, at 18:50:34
> In the short term...when they work...ssris can save people. In the longrun, almost every story turns out like yours. With a whole array of bizarre biological changes that truly make the treatment worse than the initial disease. That's what I've seen anyway. The stories of longterm ssri usage that are still positive after many years are very few.
>
> I can't help but think that it is all caused by such an imbalance of high serotonin from the drugs. Or maybe it is the reuptake blocking function itself that just screws up the whole natural flow of things. Or a combination of both. I don't know.
>
> I think it has only been in the last couple years that reports like yours are showing up more and more often. We know it's happening, but I think the academics, pharmaceutical executives, FDA and physicians turn a blind eye to it. After all, it would make them look pretty bad after all these years of pushing them like candy. Better to ignore it and keep stories like yours hidden from view.
>
> After about 12 years of paxil, prozac, zoloft, and lexapro, my story is similar to yours. I found the only way out was to abandon them and do something else that wasn't so imbalanced toward serotonin. The best I've found is Savella or Parnate or Amisulpride. I imagine a low dose of abilify stands a decent chance combined with just about any AD. My baseline without meds, after a torturous 3 month cleaning out, isn't really much worse than being on meds. Except for the good meds I mentioned, which actually do provide some life quality improvement.
>
> I don't think your symptoms are all to blame on aging hormone changes or dosage changes.
>
> If you are considering lexapro or celexa, I would say wrong move. They have no appreciable difference to anything you've already done. Believe it or not, a med strong on norepinephrine such as Savella, or a med strong on all the neuros, such as Parnate, can work a lot better on anxiety, panic, palpitations, than a pure ssri.
>
> The hard part for now is weathering the storm while you contemplate what to do, and weather it some more after you begin changing something. That's when temporary as-needed help can provide the stepping stones to get through it. Passionflower, valerian, xanax, lorazepam, and such.
>
> It sucks getting old and it sucks being on ssris past their welcome.
>
>I totally agree with you, bleauberry :) I think what has happened to me is that my brain has had way too much serotonin! I am going to see my Pdoc next Wednesday so hopefully he will agree to try norepinephrine med to alleviate the panic symptoms I am having.. And hopefully more xanax!
I am also going to make an appt with an endocrinologist soon to address the lactating and no periods.. I think my thyroid or adrenals may have issues..
I think I will keep tapering off the prozac and see if I get better.. I went off of it in November of 09 so hopefully I can stay off of it for good! The only reason I went back on was due to increased anxiety.. That started to happen in September. The reason I believe my anxiety was triggered was due to taking on a full time job (only had part time jobs before) And there was an issue with one of my co workers ( she went off the deep end and threatened to kill people at work, she was fired for that)There was a big investigation and I had to go in front of HR and the police to tell them what she did/said to me and my co workers..
I do have xanax which I take very sparingly ( a small bit does wonders!) I am worried that I would become dependent on them though :(
I really appreciate all the help from you and everyone else here! I am having a hard time dealing with this right now :( It is comforting to know that there are others who can relate to my situation :D
Posted by michelle41 on February 23, 2010, at 23:13:59
In reply to Re: My roller coaster ride with SSRI's » Michelle41, posted by conundrum on February 23, 2010, at 14:30:29
> How much prozac are you taking? I got palpitations at 30 and 40mgs but not at lower doses. 5mg can work, even lower actually.
When I started back on prozac 3 months ago, I was at 10mg..About 2 weeks later, the chest pain,flushing and palpitations began.. I dropped it down to 5mg which seemed to help but then the symptoms started again. I have been trying to take 5 mg every other day.It helps with reducing the flushing (I had to stop eating chocolate as well, that seems allievate the flushing) the panic comes back along with continued chest pain and heart palpitations..
Posted by michelle41 on February 23, 2010, at 23:18:51
In reply to Re: My roller coaster ride with SSRI's » Michelle41, posted by Phillipa on February 23, 2010, at 12:42:06
> Weight loss and sweats sure it's not hyperthyroidism? Might want to give the doc a call now or visit emergency clinic? Goggle hyperthyroidism see it it fits. I don't like the chest pain? Need to get it checked out. Phillipa
I have an appointment with my pdoc next wednesday so hopefully he can help me get relief from these symptoms.. I have been taking small doses of xanax which helps almost instantly with the anxiety and chest pain.. But when the xanax wears off, the symptoms come back :(
I am looking for a good endo doc to see if they can check for thyroid/ adrenal issues.. I will post updates :D
Posted by bearfan on March 2, 2010, at 13:00:14
In reply to Re: My roller coaster ride with SSRI's, posted by Michelle41 on February 23, 2010, at 19:40:46
Sometimes the more activating SSRIs will take several weeks before any perceivable effect on anxiety is noticed; especially during acute episodes of anxiety.
Posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2010, at 15:05:20
In reply to Re: My roller coaster ride with SSRI's, posted by bearfan on March 2, 2010, at 13:00:14
No benzo for at least a short time? Phillipa
Posted by Beebee on March 12, 2010, at 19:33:08
In reply to My roller coaster ride with SSRI's, posted by Michelle41 on February 23, 2010, at 12:31:18
aside from lactation, I am having the same problems as you. Celexa 10 mg. I hate this stuff. sick of it.
Posted by Deneb on March 20, 2010, at 15:19:44
In reply to Re: My roller coaster ride with SSRI's, posted by Beebee on March 12, 2010, at 19:33:08
Hello Beebee!
Welcome to Psycho-Babble! Sorry for the late welcome.
Sorry to hear about your side effects. It's amazing how different people react to medications. 10 mg Celexa is like nothing for me!
Deneb
This is the end of the thread.
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