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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Phillipa on September 27, 2010, at 21:33:48
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by linkadge on September 27, 2010, at 20:09:00
I sure believe that. Phillipa
Posted by weatherfreak on September 28, 2010, at 5:29:29
In reply to Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 12:21:58
I personally found celexa way more stimulating than zoloft but everyone is different. I also found it gave me really bad anxiety after a week, BUT I react badly to all SSRI's/SNRI's
Posted by michelle41A on September 28, 2010, at 10:56:28
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by morgan miller on September 27, 2010, at 18:39:37
> Michelle, have you checked out the Alternative Board for some ideas on treating anxiety?
I will definitely check the alternative board :) I am working with a therapist on a weekly basis so hopefully he can give me advise on controlling the panic :)
Posted by michelle41A on September 28, 2010, at 11:11:36
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa? » michelle41a, posted by Phillipa on September 27, 2010, at 19:52:17
> Michelle if you have elevated levels of FSH most likely you are entering menopause don't your age but for some it starts early some in 30's and the hot flashes indicate that to me and the FSH do you know what the level is? I think anything over 30 indicates it. And seriously my anxiety was so horrible at that time. Phillipa
Hi Phillipa :)
My FSH was 157 and my LH was 54 back in Nov 2009..I was on Prozac at the time and it was very stimulating to my system. I was having chest pains,"tunnel vision", inner tremors, adrenaline rushes, anger, and hot flashes.. When I tapered off prozac in March 2010, all the symptoms started to fade.. The only issue that continued was the loose BM (sorry TMI)
I just had my FSH and LH tested in August and the levels dropped. My FSH now is 74 and my LH is 34. My Estrogen is at 80.
At the time of the blood tests, I was not on any meds..My hot flashes began to fade last june..But the anxiety stayed :(
I did notice that in week 2 of taking Zoloft everything started to calm down.. I actually started feeling better.. I am not sure why week 3 of taking zoloft triggered headaches for a week and the return of anxiety and hot flashes.. I will be asking the doctor today if maybe as the zoloft started to reach a steady state, my body reacted like it did when I re introduced the prozac.. I want to take the Celexa but I am so scared that the same thing will happen..
Posted by michelle41A on September 28, 2010, at 11:18:00
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa? » michelle41A, posted by weatherfreak on September 28, 2010, at 5:29:29
> I personally found celexa way more stimulating than zoloft but everyone is different. I also found it gave me really bad anxiety after a week, BUT I react badly to all SSRI's/SNRI's
Did you use for SSRI's for anxiety? The only two I have reacted badly to is Prozac and Zoloft.. When I look back at the 5 years I was on Zoloft,it seemed to make me a bit overstimulated but not to the point where it was making me sick..When I was at 50mg, I began to get the zombie like feelings..
Have you found a med to ease your symptoms?
Posted by michelle41A on September 28, 2010, at 11:26:33
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by linkadge on September 25, 2010, at 14:36:10
> Some people just find SSRIs in general not good for anxiety. A low dose of trazodone or seroquel might be better if celexa doesn't work.
>
> LinkadgeI will defintely discuss that option with my doc today.. I really am hoping that the celexa will not have the stimulating effect that prozac and zoloft have done to me.
Does Celexa work on only serotonin? The Klonopin works for now, but I have to make sure I take it every 5 hours or I get abdominal cramping.. When Zoloft was working for me in the past, my abdominal cramping/stomach tightness went away.. I am assuming that the serotonin helps the gut stay calm..
Posted by morgan miller on September 28, 2010, at 11:26:51
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa? » weatherfreak, posted by michelle41A on September 28, 2010, at 11:18:00
> > I personally found celexa way more stimulating than zoloft but everyone is different. I also found it gave me really bad anxiety after a week, BUT I react badly to all SSRI's/SNRI's
>
> Did you use for SSRI's for anxiety? The only two I have reacted badly to is Prozac and Zoloft.. When I look back at the 5 years I was on Zoloft,it seemed to make me a bit overstimulated but not to the point where it was making me sick..When I was at 50mg, I began to get the zombie like feelings..
> Have you found a med to ease your symptoms?
>Did you ever go up to 100 mg on Zoloft? I never felt well on 50 mg, but I felt much much better on 100 mg.
Posted by michelle41A on September 28, 2010, at 11:35:39
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by morgan miller on September 28, 2010, at 11:26:51
> > > I personally found celexa way more stimulating than zoloft but everyone is different. I also found it gave me really bad anxiety after a week, BUT I react badly to all SSRI's/SNRI's
> >
> > Did you use for SSRI's for anxiety? The only two I have reacted badly to is Prozac and Zoloft.. When I look back at the 5 years I was on Zoloft,it seemed to make me a bit overstimulated but not to the point where it was making me sick..When I was at 50mg, I began to get the zombie like feelings..
> > Have you found a med to ease your symptoms?
> >
>
> Did you ever go up to 100 mg on Zoloft? I never felt well on 50 mg, but I felt much much better on 100 mg.No, I never did..At that point, I decided to switch to Prozac.. I guess what scared me about the zoloft that I have been taking the past 3 weeks was the anxiety that started after taking it..
Maybe I should just go back on the 12.5 again and ride it out? When I took the klonopin after the attack, the anxiety did subside.. What began to worry me is that the loose bm's (again sorry, TMI) started back up when only a week ago I was getting better with that.. I will discuss this with my doc today as well.. I guess I need to quit being so fearful of the meds.. All I want is to feel calm again :(
Posted by Phillipa on September 28, 2010, at 19:53:14
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 28, 2010, at 11:35:39
Michelle that's a high FSH I will check my records and see what my FSH was prior to and after starting bioidentical hormones doc prescribed. Phillipa ps how did you make out at the docs today?
Posted by weatherfreak on September 28, 2010, at 23:26:09
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa? » weatherfreak, posted by michelle41A on September 28, 2010, at 11:18:00
> > I personally found celexa way more stimulating than zoloft but everyone is different. I also found it gave me really bad anxiety after a week, BUT I react badly to all SSRI's/SNRI's
>
> Did you use for SSRI's for anxiety? The only two I have reacted badly to is Prozac and Zoloft.. When I look back at the 5 years I was on Zoloft,it seemed to make me a bit overstimulated but not to the point where it was making me sick..When I was at 50mg, I began to get the zombie like feelings..
> Have you found a med to ease your symptoms?No I haven't found anything that has lasted for me. A few meds along the years have helped at times but always pooped out on me. I'm still looking for something to help me when I go down.
>
Posted by michelle41A on September 29, 2010, at 1:52:40
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa? » michelle41A, posted by Phillipa on September 28, 2010, at 19:53:14
> Michelle that's a high FSH I will check my records and see what my FSH was prior to and after starting bioidentical hormones doc prescribed. Phillipa ps how did you make out at the docs today?
Hi Phillipa!
The Pdoc's appt went well! The appointment with the endo is on the 6th..I am going to ask him about bio identical hormone treatment(if he thinks I need it) I hope he checks my thyroid as well!
My Pdoc and I agreed that I should start taking the zoloft again.. He prescribed me 25mg of zoloft instead of the 50mg.
I was trying to cut down the 50mg pill in half to 25mg then to 12.5 Unfortunately, I was not getting an accurate dose.. I think that may have been a problem but I am not sure...
I took half of the 25 mg dose he prescribed me today and I had no panic or hot flashes.. I am going to stay on the 12.5 for a week or two and see how it goes.. If all goes well,I will go up to 25mg..
I also have had a rough week (My hours were cut at work again and my Husband may be getting laid off) we both work for the Canton township..The township is having budget issues so everyone is freaking out about losing their jobs.. I think that may have added to my stress this week :(
I will keep you posted on my progress with the Zoloft :) I am hoping that it works this time around! I am also hoping I can keep the dose low because I really hate to go above 25mg..
Thanks for your support!!
((HUGS))
Posted by creepy on September 29, 2010, at 8:46:23
In reply to Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 12:21:58
zoloft doesnt really hit dopamine until higher doses are used. But it does cause akathisia in a lot of people which is weird.
Ive tried to find info on why this happens more often with zoloft but havent found anything that explains it.
Posted by Phillipa on September 29, 2010, at 19:22:04
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 29, 2010, at 1:52:40
Michelle sounds like you have a really good plan and congrats on the difference the dose made and please keep us posted? Phillipa
Posted by michelle41A on September 30, 2010, at 12:45:09
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa? » michelle41A, posted by Phillipa on September 29, 2010, at 19:22:04
> Michelle sounds like you have a really good plan and congrats on the difference the dose made and please keep us posted? Phillipa
Hi Phillipa :)
I started back on the Zoloft Tuesday.. I feel much better! I think that I let my anxiety cause me to be afraid to stay on the zoloft.. I don't have any more severe panic attacks, but I still get headaches and my hot flashes have returned.. I assume that that the headaches and hot flashes are due to my body adjusting to the zoloft..
I am going to give the zoloft a few more weeks to work :) My pdoc suggested that I keep taking the klonopin (.25 in the morning, .25 in the evening) Hopefully that will ease any anxiety spikes.. I figure once I start feeling better again, I will raise the dose of Zoloft.
I also decided to stay with my Pdoc that has worked with me since 1999.
The new Pdoc I had an evaluation with tried to prescribe me lithium because she said I was bipolar.. I know for a fact that my condition is GAD and I was a bit suprised when she suggested that I was bipolar..
When I told my original Pdoc, he was shocked about her diagnosis and assured me that I only have GAD. My therapist who suggested that I see their inhouse Pdoc was shocked as well. My therapist did not agree that I was bipolar and told me I should stay with my original Pdoc because he has worked with me the longest and knows my mental health history. It just sucks that I have to pay out of pocket :(
Posted by michelle41A on September 30, 2010, at 16:39:05
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by linkadge on September 25, 2010, at 14:36:10
Ok, I am getting really concerned now. As some of you know, I have been on Zoloft since Sept 4th. I was feeling better until Sept 19th. That is when the daily headaches started and my anxiety slowly began to increase.. By Sept26, I was a mess! Anxiety was extreme! I had to up my klonopin from .50 ( .25 in the morning .25 in the evening) to .25 3x daily. Doc put me back on Zoloft on 9/28
Felt ok that evening. But now the anxiety is HORRIBLE! I had the worst migrane today! I am still having racing heart and panic as I write this.. I honestly don't know what to do.. Do I take my 12.5mg of Zoloft at 6pm tonight or not? I am so damn scared that this will get worse!! I am thinking of calling my doctor's answering service and asking him what to do! Right now I took another .125 of klonopin to calm me down. So far today I have took .125 at 8:30 am, .125 at 11:30 am .125 at 3pm and now at 5:30 I have took .125 klonopin. Maybe I should take .25 of klonopin instead? Sorry for the rambling folks, I am just really worried what the heck is going to happen next :(
Posted by michelle41A on September 30, 2010, at 17:08:03
In reply to 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!!, posted by michelle41A on September 30, 2010, at 16:39:05
I am wondering if I should just go with the .50mg 2x a day like my pdoc prescribed.. I have only been taking .5 klonopin once a day so maybe it is not enough to help with the anxiety that Zoloft can create when you first take it. Kinda scary that 12.5 mg of zoloft a day would cause that much anxiety though. Sorry again folks, just rambling :)
Posted by Phillipa on September 30, 2010, at 19:38:22
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!!, posted by michelle41A on September 30, 2010, at 17:08:03
Oh I agree with you. Why not give the doc a call? Phillipa
Posted by michelle41A on October 1, 2010, at 0:44:51
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!! » michelle41A, posted by Phillipa on September 30, 2010, at 19:38:22
> Oh I agree with you. Why not give the doc a call? Phillipa
If I get another migrane tomorrow morning (Friday) I am definitely going to give the doc a call.. I feel pretty good right now, I am hoping that this is just my body adjusting to the Zoloft..I know that it takes a good 4 weeks or more for the Zoloft to work so hopefully things will improve. If not, I guess I may have to try the celexa or lexapro..
My doc wanted me to move up to 25 mg in a week, but I think I will stay at 12.5 for now..I figure the Klonopin will help with the break thru anxiety issues..
Michelle
Posted by michelle41A on October 1, 2010, at 11:03:11
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!!, posted by michelle41A on October 1, 2010, at 0:44:51
Well, no migrane so far.. Still having jittery feelings/anxiety GRR! Took .25 klonopin at 8:30am and now I may take another .25 right now with lunch (it is 12:00pm)
This roller coaster ride is not fun!!!
Thanks to Phillipa and everyone else for your support! I will post more updates soon..
((HUGS))
Michelle
Posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 0:52:15
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!!, posted by michelle41A on October 1, 2010, at 11:03:11
Zoloft may or may not be for you. The only way to know is to try to be patient and ride it out as long as you can. If things don't improve in 3 or 4 weeks, you should try Lexapro, NOT Celexa.
Hang in there
Posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 9:23:18
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!!, posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 0:52:15
> Zoloft may or may not be for you. The only way to know is to try to be patient and ride it out as long as you can. If things don't improve in 3 or 4 weeks, you should try Lexapro, NOT Celexa.
>
> Hang in thereThanks so much, Morgan :)
I am still at 12.5mg zoloft and I am not really sure if it is helping. I still get morning anxiety..I get anxious if I have to leave the house as well. I am taking the Klonopin .25 morning, .125 at lunch and .25 in the evening. I take 12.5 zololft at dinner. I am afraid to increae the zoloft dose :(
Is lexapro better than celexa? I wonder if it will be less stimulating than prozac.. I have noticed that after I take the zoloft, I get hot flashes like I did when I took prozac.. I suppose I should give the zoloft a couple more weeks..
Thanks so much for your info and support! These past couple months have been quite difficult for me :(
Posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 11:22:09
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!! » morgan miller, posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 9:23:18
When I started 4 weeks ago on 12.5 zoloft, I noticed improvement within 2 weeks.. Problem is, the positive effects on zoloft only lasted a week.. Here is where I may have goofed up.. When I started feeling better, I took away .125 of klonopin. After I did this, my anxiety went thru the roof! I thought it was the zoloft and I stopped taking zoloft on 9/26. I went to my Pdoc and he suggested I go back on the Zoloft. So I went back on the 12.5 Z 9/28. I am still taking the klonopin (.25 in the morning and .25 in the evening) I sometimes take .125 around 5pm if needed..
I am wondering if the Klonopin was the culprit that increased my anxiety.. And now I wonder if my body needs more zoloft because my anxiety is still there but not as bad as it was in the beginning. I vaguely remember when I started taking zoloft in 2000, I had to increase the dose to calm the anxiety. I guess that I am still freaked out by what Prozac did to me..
Also, will taking away .0625 of klonopin daily cause any withdrawal symptoms? Sorry for all the questions, I have never took Klonopin before so I want to be sure I don't screw up the dosage :)
Again, thank you everyone for your info and support!
((HUGS))
Michelle
Posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 21:02:56
In reply to wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 11:22:09
Why again do you take Zoloft in the evening? I feel like it's something that should be taken first thing in the morning.
Posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 21:06:20
In reply to wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 11:22:09
I think at some point you should try increasing Zoloft and eventually go as high as 100 mg before you decide to try something else. This may take a few months so try to be patient.
If you start to feel better on Zoloft, I think it would be wise to try to start getting off klonopin. You are taking a very low dose so it should not be too difficult.
Are you taking any supplements or herbs to help with anxiety and depression?
Morgan
Posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 23:26:08
In reply to Re: wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 21:02:56
> Why again do you take Zoloft in the evening? I feel like it's something that should be taken first thing in the morning.
I have been taking the zoloft around 6 with dinner (my biggest meal of the day) in case I might get nausea.. But I have started taking it at lunch which seems to work out better :D
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