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Re: Panic attacks depression - Searching for drug

Posted by JohnL on October 6, 2000, at 1:36:01

In reply to Panic attacks depression - Searching for drug, posted by Miguy on September 27, 2000, at 15:13:04

> Hello all,
>
> I was diagnosed my an internist as having panic disorder with depression. Here's what he's tried on me:
>
> Tofranil - Helped a little - S.E.: made me sweat a *lot* and had headaches
>
> Celexa - Helped ok. S.E.: Anxiety, jaw soreness & headache.
>
> Paxil - Helped ok. S.E.: Anxiety, jaw soreness & headache.
>
> Zoloft - Helped ok. S.E.: Anxiety, jaw soreness, headache and bad insomnia.
>
> Serzone - Helped ok. S.E.: Lethargy, extreme drowsiness, felt hung-over tired and hard to get out of bed in a.m.
>
> Effexor XR - Helps a little. S.E.: Disoriented, sleepy, jaw soreness, moderate insomnia.
>
> What do I do? I've got enough left over samples to start a drug store! I've tried each of these meds for 1-4 weeks each before switching due to side effects. I was *way* below normal dose on each. (For example, I'm currently on Effexor w/ side effects at only 75 mg.)
>
> I'm reading about serotonin syndrome and starting to get concerned. Only other drugs I'm on are: multi-vitamin, B6, claritin & naprosyn - all prescribed by the same doc.
>
> I've had moderate help from the drugs; just barely enough to weather the side-effects. Anyone out there have any tips or first-hand experience?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Scott

Scott,
It would appear that your doctor seems preoccupied with serotonin medications. Why, I'm not sure. I think these may not be right for you. They could work if given more time. But due to your difficulty with the side effects and the fact that they work just 'OK', that tells me the meds are not targeting the underlying cause very closely.

There are other chemistries that could cause your symptoms. Elevated dopamine for example can cause panic, anxiety, and depression. A small dose antipsychotic can fix that. Something like Zyprexa, maybe Risperdal.

A deficient GABA system could too. That would be treated with a benzodiazapine like Xanax or Klonopin. These are the same class as Valium.

I have heard of people getting completely well from their depression+panic by trying Lithium. Also Depakote. Sometimes Tegretol. If someone gets better with one of these, that indicates they had a chemical or electrical instability as the cause. A little smoothing is all that was needed.

And believe it or not, I've heard of panic and anxiety being cured by taking a psychostimulant. Really! In that case, it would have indicated the chemistry of dopamine/norepinephrine failure, or low brain blood flow.

I know you don't want to add to your drug collection. But I really think you should nudge your doctor to get off the serotonin band wagon and explore some different chemistries and different meds. Your treatment has completely missed a lot of possible causes.

Oh, and one more. Beta blockers like Inderal or Pindolol. They are used on an as-needed basis to treat the panic attackes. Might not help much with the depression part of it though. Anyway, there are plenty of options. Hope something here helps.
John


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