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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tommy H on June 1, 2002, at 13:09:37
Has anyone have any information for Effexor used for someone constant worrying(general anxiety disorder),anxiety attacks + low self worth,esteem + confidence(social anxiety)..I've been taking Celexa for 4 months with no luck..Doc wants to put me on Effexor or Zoloft..She said is my choice which one..I appreciate any help..Thanks
Posted by JohnX2 on June 1, 2002, at 19:47:27
In reply to Looking for help on constant worrying, posted by Tommy H on June 1, 2002, at 13:09:37
> Has anyone have any information for Effexor used for someone constant worrying(general anxiety disorder),anxiety attacks + low self worth,esteem + confidence(social anxiety)..I've been taking Celexa for 4 months with no luck..Doc wants to put me on Effexor or Zoloft..She said is my choice which one..I appreciate any help..Thanks
Question: We're you suffering from clinical depression during this
time, or mainly the above symptoms?Just wondering, were your "anxiety attacks"
what are known as full blown "panic attacks" (kinda feels like a fake heart attack, etc)?Also, Can you tell us what you did / didn't like about Celexa?
Bad side effects / any good effects , etc?That may help to answer you question a bit better.
John
Posted by JohnX2 on June 1, 2002, at 19:52:12
In reply to Re: Looking for help on constant worrying » Tommy H, posted by JohnX2 on June 1, 2002, at 19:47:27
> > Has anyone have any information for Effexor used for someone constant worrying(general anxiety disorder),anxiety attacks + low self worth,esteem + confidence(social anxiety)..I've been taking Celexa for 4 months with no luck..Doc wants to put me on Effexor or Zoloft..She said is my choice which one..I appreciate any help..Thanks
>
> Question: We're you suffering from clinical depression during this
> time, or mainly the above symptoms?
>
> Just wondering, were your "anxiety attacks"
> what are known as full blown "panic attacks" (kinda feels like a fake heart attack, etc)?
>
> Also, Can you tell us what you did / didn't like about Celexa?
> Bad side effects / any good effects , etc?
>
> That may help to answer you question a bit better.
>
> JohnAlso, are you working with a psychiatrist are general practitioner?
There are a lot of other treatment options beyond
Effexor and Zoloft. Some of them are quick acting with
fewer side effects.John
Posted by Tommy H on June 2, 2002, at 10:10:14
In reply to Re: Looking for help on constant worrying » Tommy H, posted by JohnX2 on June 1, 2002, at 19:47:27
John..The doctor I'm dealing with is a psychiatrist. She told me I have a mild case of depression. Most of my situation is anxiety related with the constant worrying + self esteem problems.The anxiety attacks are only centered around buisness meetings with people either one on one or group meetings. I'm in sales so this poses many problems. I did have some side affects with Celexa but nothing severe. Some headaches that went away, dry mouth +some sexual deficiences. You mentioned some possibilities of short term relief..Let me know..Thanks
Posted by JohnX2 on June 2, 2002, at 14:27:05
In reply to Re: Looking for help on constant worrying » JohnX2, posted by Tommy H on June 2, 2002, at 10:10:14
> John..The doctor I'm dealing with is a psychiatrist. She told me I have a mild case of depression. Most of my situation is anxiety related with the constant worrying + self esteem problems.The anxiety attacks are only centered around buisness meetings with people either one on one or group meetings. I'm in sales so this poses many problems. I did have some side affects with Celexa but nothing severe. Some headaches that went away, dry mouth +some sexual deficiences. You mentioned some possibilities of short term relief..Let me know..Thanks
Tom,Here are a few suggestions.
There's a good chance you may have success with either
Zoloft or Effexor. I wouldn't want to venture a guess as to which
one may be more likely to hit the mark.Effexor is a bit different from Zoloft. It has the ability to work on
two chemicals in the brain (serotonin and norepineprine), whereas Zoloft works
on one (serotonin).Zoloft is in the same class of medicines as Celexa:
SSRI- Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor.Effexor is a SNRI (Serotonin & Norepinepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor).
(In my viewpoint) The fact that Effexor works on more chemicals doesn't necessarily give it
an edge over Zoloft for the symptoms you are trying to tackle. Some people believe this may
be helpful for deep depressions.Zoloft in terms of side effects trends to be energizing (can vary from individual to individual),
so if you feel agitated and wired already you may want to lean towards Effexor
(Effexor can be energezing too, but its more of a wild card and dose dependant).For most pure anxiety problems, the docs lean towards the serotonin meds. At the lower
doses Effexor specifically works on Serotonin and not Norepinephrine. At higher doses
Norepinephrine kicks in. (Some docs like this dual property).(In my viewpoint) Anyways, for everyone who likes Zoloft and not Effexor, you'll probably find someone
who likes Effexor and not Zoloft.As far as other med choices go, here are quick acting meds:
-Benzodiazepines
"Xanax","Klonopin", etc.
preferably "Klonopin" (Gold Standard).
These medicines work on the "Gaba" system and very quickly relieve stress and anxiety.
Klonopin is the preffered medicine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder as
it has a long 1/2 life (lasts in the body for a long while, so no bumps).
The downside here is the potential for the medicines to be habit forming.
A lot of pdocs like to try the Antidepressants before going this route.
Prescribing a benzodiazepine can be controversial to some, but A LOT of people with anxiety
disorders rely on these medicines.- APs (Atypical antipsychotics)
Dont let the name scare you.
At the very low doses these medicines generally aren't antipsychotics, they exert antianxiety and for many antidepressant properties.
They also help many with obsessive thoughts. Very heavily prescribed
These medicines work very quickly (same day, couple days), and don't cause sexual dysfunction. Not habit forming."Zyprexa" (others include "Seroquel", "Geodon", "Risperdal").
- Anticonvulsant
"Neurontin" - This is an antiseizure medicine that many take to help with anxiety. Quick acting, low side effect profile. Not habit forming.
Just a few thoughts.
Any of the medicines I listed after the antidepressants may be taken as adjunctive medicines
to the antidepressants. They are quicker acting and as such you can quickly bail on them if you don't like them.Good luck,
John
Posted by Tommy H on June 3, 2002, at 12:07:45
In reply to Re: Looking for help on constant worrying, posted by JohnX2 on June 2, 2002, at 14:27:05
Johnx2..Thanks for info..Very helpful..Talked to Doc..Reason she wants to stay on SSRI'S is because of my self esteem,low self confidence + I'm very hard on myself..She wants me to stay on SSRI to try to tackle anxiety + depression + maybe can supplement with anxiety medication like Klonopin later..Do you have any info to help with self esteem, confidence + not be so hard on myself..Thanks..Tom
Posted by JohnX2 on June 3, 2002, at 18:18:50
In reply to Re: Looking for help on constant worrying » JohnX2, posted by Tommy H on June 3, 2002, at 12:07:45
> Johnx2..Thanks for info..Very helpful..Talked to Doc..Reason she wants to stay on SSRI'S is because of my self esteem,low self confidence + I'm very hard on myself..She wants me to stay on SSRI to try to tackle anxiety + depression + maybe can supplement with anxiety medication like Klonopin later..Do you have any info to help with self esteem, confidence + not be so hard on myself..Thanks..Tom
Hi Tommy,
Does this information strike a cord (I don't
know if this pertains to you, but you describe
some symptoms)?http://www.nmha.org/pbedu/anxiety/social.cfm
(This one implies cognitive therapy is the only
answer, which is wrong, but it gives a lot of
situational examples)http://www.socialphobia.org/whatis.html#whatis1
Regards,
John
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