Posted by blueberry on June 27, 2006, at 19:30:22
In reply to Extremely Sensative to Meds and looking for Input, posted by Morhoun on June 27, 2006, at 17:25:01
I'm extremely sensitive to meds too.
Lexapro is probably the ssri most likely to work on anxiety, in my opinion. Paxil also, except that lexapro tends to have fewer side effects in the sexual department. Lexapro does increase anxiety to start with though, making it tough to get started. The antianxiety effect is pretty good in about 80% of people who try it, but it takes 1 to 4 weeks to kick in...and in the meantime anxiety is worse. I found that even just 2.5mg or 5mg were plenty. By cutting the pills into chunks, you can start real small and work up.
For short-term use to get started on an ssri for anxiety, maybe a different benzo. I found klonopin has good calming with less sedation than xanax, and it lasts longer. Another option might be to use small doses of the antipsychotic seroquel...maybe 12.5mg whenever needed. And once the ssri has kicked in, get off the antipsychotic. It's just my own opinion from using antipsychotics for years, I do not think they are safe for longterm use.
Anyway...lexapro as the big guns, but klonopin or valium or ativan or seroquel for short-term getting started.
poster:blueberry
thread:661899
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060623/msgs/661946.html