Meds

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
Meds
10
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 1:26pm

Hi everyone;

I'm having a relapse after years of having my anxiety under control and I'm trying to make a tough decision. I'm hoping some of you can help.

For those of you on SSRIs, do you still have anxiety and panic attacks even with the pills? That's what I keep hearing. I've been on xanax on an as needed basis for about 17 years - somedays not needing any, somedays only .25 and recently with my recurrence about .75 throughout the day. Its still helping me stay in control but the anxiety/panic doesn't go away quite like it used to. I'm thinking its because I'm under such extra stress right now.

My doc wants me to start prozac or another SSRI which terrifies me. I know they say they aren't addictive but when you read the facts you can see its not true. And the xanax gives me no side effects at all while those others sound like they will.

My problem is, do I go ahead and add the SSRI? I don't have depression, just GAD. I've fought back from relapses twice before which weren't quite as bad as this without changing from the xanax.

What do you all think? What would you do? Sometimes these doctors like to just recommend their favorite pills or the ones the pharmas are currently pushing so I don't completely trust them (learned from past experience). Sorry to write a book. :)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: wtbsgirl
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 2:06pm

I was on Prozac for postpartum depression and I was able to get off it without big problems. I tried after 9 months but it turned out I just wasn't at a place in my life where I felt I was ready to do it. After about 16 months I was ready and weaned off. I had a few teary days but nothing major. It was around 9/11/01 so I figured if I could do it then I was certainly ready!

I am on Lexapro for GAD/panic disorder. I was taking Xanax too but now I'm trying Klonopin. Honestly I am way more worried about getting addicted to Xanax than the SSRI. I have had some panic attacks since starting the SSRI but they are fewer and farther between. And they are not nearly as bad as they used to be. I'm able to intellectualize it more and not react so emotionally.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: wtbsgirl
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 4:06pm

SSRI's are

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 08-22-2006
In reply to: wtbsgirl
Thu, 11-30-2006 - 7:16pm

wtbsgirl - I had a very similar experience. I was pretty much anxiety free for years and about 6 months ago started getting really anxious, having obsessive thoughts, and making myself sick about it all. I finally sought help. I was on Xanax briefly (to help me sleep since I really wasn't at the time) and then started on Paxil, which I had been on years ago. I started on 10 mg and by the end of the third week felt SOOO much better. I haven't had a Xanax since. I truly believe there are points in my life where my seratonin level is out of whack. For me, I had just started a new birth control pill too, so my hormones were crazy too. I was having a ton of physical symptoms (dry mouth, sweaty feet, spacey feelings) Got off the BCP and onto Paxil and really feel pretty good most of the time. Do I still have anxiety? Sure. But it's "normal" anxiety like being nervous before an interview (which I have tomorrow) or stressed about the holidays. I just tell myself that it's just everyday anxiety and I'm able to talk myself down much easier than before.

I was scared to go back on an SSRI too. But I knew I had to do something to regain control over my life. I'm actually still just on 10 mg a day. My Dr. said I could jump up to 20 but I feel good at this low dosage.

Good luck to you!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
In reply to: wtbsgirl
Fri, 12-01-2006 - 9:44am

Thanks, it really helps to hear someone else has had the same problem. I see the doc again today and I'm going to ask about the SSRIs.

Mary

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
In reply to: wtbsgirl
Fri, 12-01-2006 - 8:10pm

Mary, I was wondering how things went at your appointment!


Sheri Ann

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
In reply to: wtbsgirl
Mon, 12-04-2006 - 10:50am

My doctor visit actually went well, in one way. He discovered my blood pressure was quite high so he did blood tests. Came back with 2 out of 3 thyroid tests showing hyperthyroid so he put me on betablockers to control the heart racing. He thinks most of what is happening to me is because I'm hyperthyroid and my heart racing leads to the anxiety attacks. I'm trying to get set up with a specialist soon. No SSRI's needed.

Just goes to show you, sometimes its really not in your head and there's a physical reason other than seratonin levels setting things off again. No wonder I've been relapsing so badly. Now I'm just terrified of what will happened with the hyperthyroid thing. It never ends.

Mary

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
In reply to: wtbsgirl
Tue, 12-05-2006 - 10:14am

Wow, Mary, thanks for sharing!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: wtbsgirl
Tue, 12-05-2006 - 2:11pm

I'm glad you got this checked out, Mary. I have taken beta blockers for many years because of sinus tachycardia (fast heart rate.) Like Sheri Ann, I was way too aware of it & it scared me. The beta blockers are safe & effective.


Let us know about the thyroid condition. This is one of the conditions that can cause anxiety/panic symptoms. It is so important to have a thorough physical exam to rule out a medical problem. Good luck! Our community is here in the event that you need support. (((hugs))) jan

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2003
In reply to: wtbsgirl
Fri, 12-08-2006 - 11:16am

Thanks for all the encouraging words. I'm back again with more info. I saw the endocrinologist and he doesn't think I am hyperthyroid. He says the initial tests show that my thyroid levels may be elevated but he thinks its from the birth control I take - yasmin. He is running more blood tests to find out for sure but this is his feeling. I'll know his definitive result on Monday.

So, being too anxious to wait, I am off to the gyn today to see what she says about the yasmin possibly causing the heart to race and the anxiety that's been killing me. The weird thing to me is I've been taking the yasmin for about a year and half now, only stopping when I had the pancreatitis and gall bladder removed in Sept. I'm about 45 days back into it. Why would it bother me now? I read somewhere that the pancreatitis could reset your entire endocrine system and throw everything off. Does that make senses to anyone?

Has anyone else had high anxiety levels and panic attacks from birth control?

Mary

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: wtbsgirl
Fri, 12-08-2006 - 11:33am

Hi, Mary! I know that we have had discussions about BCP & anxiety in the past. For some reason, I can't get the advanced search to work this morning. I did find these 2 threads that might help. Hopefully others will be along to share their thoughts.


As for the pancreatitis, the endocrine system is pretty sensitive in some people. Maybe you are one of them.