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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lepus on July 4, 2011, at 23:41:54
I have had two blights of extreme anxiety and agoraphobia in my life. The first time imiprimine brought me out of it. The second time Klonopin was my savior.
I am now in my third phase. Imiprimine didn't work although I think I might have been at too low a dose. I had a massive anxiety attack on it and my doctor pitched it. I still take Klonopin although it's effectiveness is waning.
So knowing which neurotransmitters these two drugs hit, what else might help? I tried gabapetin. It did not work. I have not tried Lyrica. Right now my doctor wants me on EMSAM.
Any thoughts?
Posted by Phillipa on July 5, 2011, at 10:35:23
In reply to Which drug might work, posted by Lepus on July 4, 2011, at 23:41:54
Doen't Emsam up anxiety? Thought you were on nardil? Phillipa
Posted by Lepus on July 5, 2011, at 11:20:09
In reply to Re: Which drug might work » Lepus, posted by Phillipa on July 5, 2011, at 10:35:23
I am on EMSAM and yes, it did increase my anxiety. I guess I should say that I'm supposed to be on EMSAM currently but after having a massive panic attack in it, I am waiting to talk to my doctor.
Posted by Phillipa on July 5, 2011, at 13:11:21
In reply to Re: Which drug might work, posted by Lepus on July 5, 2011, at 11:20:09
No benzos with it thought you were on nardil? Phillipa
Posted by lepus on July 5, 2011, at 15:52:29
In reply to Re: Which drug might work » Lepus, posted by Phillipa on July 5, 2011, at 13:11:21
Yes, I have two benzos: Klonopin and Ativan. Still had an 8 hour panic attack.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 5, 2011, at 17:54:46
In reply to Which drug might work, posted by Lepus on July 4, 2011, at 23:41:54
My gut instinct would be to try an antidepressant such as Effexor, Zoloft or Cymbalta (Effexor dose 150mg/day, Cymbalta dose 60mg/day, Zoloft dose 100mg/day)taken every day, and also have a benzodiazepine such as Klonopin, Xanax, Valium or Ativan to take in the first couple of weeks, while waiting for the antidepressant to work.
Even once the antidepressant kicks in, it can be very helpful to have a few tablets of a benzo tranquilizer on hand incase you experience a particularlty bad day..... in the same way that someone with arthritis might take an antiinflamatory every day, and also might occasionaly take a couple of Tylenol for breakthrough pain
Posted by lepus on July 5, 2011, at 18:39:13
In reply to Re: Which drug might work, posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 5, 2011, at 17:54:46
I've tried those drugs in the past. Do you think they are worth revisiting?
I've heard that once a drug fails it won't work again.
Posted by Phillipa on July 6, 2011, at 19:16:53
In reply to Re: Which drug might work, posted by lepus on July 5, 2011, at 18:39:13
Thought the same thing know an ex-babbler took maois and all the meds and today is back working on prozac. Who would have ever thought? Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on July 7, 2011, at 20:08:51
In reply to Which drug might work, posted by Lepus on July 4, 2011, at 23:41:54
If effexor and zoloft havent helped, it might be worth asking your doctor for a trial of clomipramine (dose 100 - 150mg/day, preferably taken at bedtime..... start at 25mg at night and increase over 2 weeks) along with Xanax to take as needed.
Rather than exacebating depression, Xanax actualy has a mild antidepressant effect
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