Posted by jay on August 6, 2003, at 0:21:36
In reply to STILL SUFFERING BADLY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, posted by crazychickuk on August 5, 2003, at 15:10:14
Hi:
I know it feels like "hell" now and you are in a lot of pain. I am deeply sorry, as I remember those moments clearly for myself. (And that isn't that long ago!) I have a couple of suggestions based on what you have said so far. First, it seems like you have a hard time with Remeron and Reboxatine. Both of those meds work quite strongly on the brain chemical norepinephrine. After a recent psychiatric evaluation by a competent clinician, this person mentioned to me that some people have a very difficult time with medications that strongly affect norepinephrine. Effexor was the tough one for me, and Remeron and Reboxatine may be too difficult for you.
So, you may want to ask about a couple of things. One being switching to an SSRI which is more selective on serotonin. I have noticed many people with anxiety having a tough time with Paxil, as I did also, and from what I read it has some strong anti-cholinergic and norepinephrine-reuptake inhibition. Celexa is one of the more serotonin-selective meds, and you may want to consider this with possibly one of a smaller dose of Remeron or Reboxatine. But, I'd say a benzodiazepine is an excellent choice along with Celexa. If you find your anxiety very chronic and acute, along with those two meds, either a mood stabilizer like Neurontin or a small dose of an atypical antipsychotic may help. (Risperdal and Zyprexa seem to be the most popular choices, but sometimes folks have a hard time tolerating one or the other.) Also, I find this odd, but I absolutely cannot tolerate Paxil or Zoloft, but am fine with Prozac. (It took a bit of adjustment, though.)
Most of all, and this is something surprisingly that many of us don't do, and that is make sure to tell your doctor of *everything* you are feeling. I found writing it down to be of great help. Sometimes I think we want to 'please' our doctors with positive news, and we shy away from the more horrible truth. One med that will really help *right away* is benzos, so ask your doctor, and if you don't feel you are getting the best treatment, you have every right to go to another doctor.
Please hold on tight...for it may be awhile before you hit the 'right' combo of treatment. I am also going to be starting talk therapy within a week or so, and again if you are comfortable with that, ask your doctor about it.
I hope the best for you...and please keep posting questions, for we are all here to support each other.Best wishes,
Jay
poster:jay
thread:248308
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030802/msgs/248470.html