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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wiggedout on October 31, 2003, at 23:18:57
Been put on Zoloft for panic attacks and Xanax so I can sleep because the Zoloft wires me. A friend said he did a lot of research when he started having panic attacks and tried just about everything. Said he got the best relief from Lexapro and Klonopin with much fewer side effects. Anyone feek similair?
Thanks,
John
Posted by Viridis on November 1, 2003, at 2:49:41
In reply to Lexapro and Klonopin better than Zoloft and Xanax?, posted by wiggedout on October 31, 2003, at 23:18:57
Klonopin can be extremely helpful even on its own for panic attacks (it was for me), and it has a much longer half-life than Xanax, so the effects generally are sustained throughout the day.
SSRIs cause me all sorts of problems (including severe anxiety), and I found Zoloft the worst. Many people do very well with these meds, but there are some who just can't tolerate this class of drugs. I haven't tried Lexapro, so can't comment there except to say that a lot of people on this board seem to find it helpful. But really, for anxiety, benzos like Klonopin are the most reliable meds, and can also be helpful in minimizing the side effects when you're transitioning onto a new antidepressant.
Posted by Interject79 on November 1, 2003, at 12:40:14
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Klonopin better than Zoloft and Xa » wiggedout, posted by Viridis on November 1, 2003, at 2:49:41
Lexapro has been helpful for me so far with few side effects, except sexual one...unfortunately.
Posted by sfmom on November 1, 2003, at 16:17:41
In reply to Lexapro and Klonopin better than Zoloft and Xanax?, posted by wiggedout on October 31, 2003, at 23:18:57
I'm on both Lexapro and Klonopin right now. Xanax just didn't cut it for my anxiety and panic attacks. The Klonopin seems to work well, but I can't take much of it if I need to function or drive. The side effects of Lexapro were pretty bad for a week or so. It can make you more anxious when starting out, but I haven't had a panic attack since I started! Now (about 10 days in) the only problems are nausea, which is manageable, slight insomnia, and the big one, anorgasmia. All in all, even with the SEs, I'm doing a hell of a lot better than I was two weeks ago, thanks mostly to the great people on this site. Good luck whatever you decide to do. We'll be here with you.
Posted by venus mcmars on November 1, 2003, at 17:47:27
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Klonopin better than Zoloft and Xa » wiggedout, posted by Viridis on November 1, 2003, at 2:49:41
Viridis...
Interested to know if you found anything that DID work after SSRIs did not.
Thanks.
Posted by wiggedout on November 1, 2003, at 20:43:59
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Klonopin better than Zoloft and Xanax?, posted by sfmom on November 1, 2003, at 16:17:41
Thanks to all who replied, it is heartening to find folks such as yourselves that take the time to offer their input and it is appreciated greatly! The Zoloft I have been on does absolutley nothing fo me and the Xanax is very short lived when I start to feel anxious. I understand from what I have read that the Klonopin has a longer lasting effect and it's good to hear about the Lexapro working well also. The only concern I have is the sexual se thing. My wife and I have been trying to have a baby (our first) and if she even thinks that I'm taking anything to jepoardize that, I'll have to find another house to live in :). Anyone had much luck with taking anything to counteract the se?
Thanks again and God bless all.
John
Posted by Viridis on November 1, 2003, at 22:35:58
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Klonopin better than Zoloft and Xa, posted by venus mcmars on November 1, 2003, at 17:47:27
Well, yes, I'm doing fairly well. I couldn't tolerate SSRIs, and Wellbutrin was a disaster. However, once I started on Klonopin (plus Xanax, occasionally) my anxiety levels went way down, and I had much less trouble with depression, insomnia etc. A large component of my depression seems to be anxiety-induced.
I still had some problems with depression, but with things much calmer, my pdoc suggested that I might also have ADD. I'd already been tentatively diagnosed with ADD several times (and had initially dismissed it as an overhyped condition), but finally realized that there might be something to it. Anyway, the short story is that I now take Adderall and Strattera along with Klonopin, and (in addition to concentration) they really seem to help with the remaining depression. Things aren't perfect, but they're much better.
The problem is that without an ADD diagnosis, it's unlikely that most people could get a prescription for Adderall or other amphetamines. Strattera should be pretty easy to get and does have antidepressant properties for some people (for me, it's not as good as Adderall, but seems to augment it well).
I should add that I tried Provigil (prior to Adderall and Strattera) as an ADD med, and it was good for energy and motivation without causing anxiety. It just didn't address the concentration issues well enough. But for someone with anxiety/depression in the absence of ADD, I could see Klonopin + Provigil working well, and some people here seem to benefit from this combination.
Posted by venus mcmars on November 2, 2003, at 14:00:33
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Klonopin better than Zoloft and Xa » venus mcmars, posted by Viridis on November 1, 2003, at 22:35:58
Thanks, that was very helpful. I think my husband might have ADD and was thinking that Adderal would be a good choice.
Glad to hear that you are feeling better!
Posted by wiggedout on November 5, 2003, at 0:26:59
In reply to Re: Lexapro and Klonopin better than Zoloft and Xa » Viridis, posted by venus mcmars on November 2, 2003, at 14:00:33
Update on my condition folks. One day on Celexa (20mg) and I feel better than after 15 days on Zoloft (50mg). I don't think it's psychological but, I may be mistaken. Not significantly better mind you but a noticeable difference. We'll see and I'll post again after about a week.
This is the end of the thread.
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