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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 johnnyj on March 15, 2007, at 16:26:07
I tried some ssri's the last week (luvox and paxil). Gave me chest anxiety that I haven't had in 15 years. Started Klonopin and then switched to xanax and things got worse. Even ambien caused me to feel very strange.
My new pdoc said something about how my liver processes these drugs and that they are probably not for me. We are trying seroquel at low doses for sleep and anxiety. I was at the end of my rope.
Anybody go downhill in the anxiety department on ssri's and benzo's?
johnnyj
Posted by madeline on March 15, 2007, at 16:32:43
In reply to Ssri and benzo induced panic, posted by johnnyj on March 15, 2007, at 16:26:07
When I first started on Prozac I had fair amount of anxiety, but that went away after about two weeks on the drug.
Klonopin has been a life saver as an anxiolytic, but the benzos are not for everyone.
Posted by johnnyj on March 15, 2007, at 17:06:48
In reply to Re: Ssri and benzo induced panic » johnnyj, posted by madeline on March 15, 2007, at 16:32:43
I seemed to do well on benzo's for 10 years and then they made me depressed. I have tried klonopin and xanax and they both caused terrible problems and worse anxiety after they wore off. That is why I have started seroquel.
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 15, 2007, at 17:14:50
In reply to Ssri and benzo induced panic, posted by johnnyj on March 15, 2007, at 16:26:07
Johnny I think the ssris were the culprit when I had the ssri plus klono mix. I was on lexapro. For 2 years. Sept I went to the doc and said 'it gives me anxiety, and I'm dpressed'. So whats the point? Its supposed to alleviate those two symptoms. Doesnt make sense sometimes.
Posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2007, at 21:33:22
In reply to Re: Ssri and benzo induced panic, posted by TheMeanReds on March 15, 2007, at 17:14:50
Same problem here the SSRI's always created panic in me so I needed higher doses of benzos. Doesn't make any sense to me. Klonopin did depress me but xanax has a slight mood elevating effect for me. Love Phillipa
Posted by bassman on March 16, 2007, at 6:35:08
In reply to Re: Ssri and benzo induced panic » TheMeanReds, posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2007, at 21:33:22
Unfortunately, SSRI's do cause panic initially and when doses are increased in many people. I know, I have panic disorder and I can count on it whenever I start a new SSRI or increase the dose of an existing one. No such effect with Wellbutrin. I really don't think the benzos are causing you panic...they may jest have been at such a low dose that they didn't help the SSRI anxiety.
Best of luck,
Dave
Posted by Sandra62 on March 16, 2007, at 7:31:51
In reply to Re: Ssri and benzo induced panic, posted by bassman on March 16, 2007, at 6:35:08
I had anxiety on an antideppressant and benzo alone because I have Bipolar. I have to take Lamictal and an antipyschotic to keep the balance. I'm switching to Topamax next week instead of the antipyshotic Zyprexa because it is causing muscle rigidty and the weight gain is horrid. I'll be posting how Topamax goes.
Posted by valene on March 16, 2007, at 12:57:55
In reply to Re: Ssri and benzo induced panic, posted by bassman on March 16, 2007, at 6:35:08
Bassman, are you saying that wellbutrin did not give you panic, but other ssri's did? I am very interested as my pdoc has told me to start taking 37.5mg. wellbutrin starting Monday when she is back in her office. I am worried about it since I already take xanax for anxiety. My insurance refused to pay for effexor.
Thanks, Val
> Unfortunately, SSRI's do cause panic initially and when doses are increased in many people. I know, I have panic disorder and I can count on it whenever I start a new SSRI or increase the dose of an existing one. No such effect with Wellbutrin. I really don't think the benzos are causing you panic...they may jest have been at such a low dose that they didn't help the SSRI anxiety.
> Best of luck,
> Dave
Posted by bassman on March 16, 2007, at 14:49:47
In reply to Re: Ssri and benzo induced panic » bassman, posted by valene on March 16, 2007, at 12:57:55
Val,
I was surprised, too, since Wellbutrin has a reputation for being stimulating-and therefore, you'd think, be a lousy choice for panic. I've even seen some warning on the internet that basically say "if you have PD, don't take this med". But 150 mg XL is enough to keep away some depression without making me more nervous. 300 mg made me have periods of intense fearfulness-maybe a form of panic (?). But the SSRI's only produced panic for me for a short period after starting them or increasing the dose. It was increase the dose today, have a period of panic today or tomorrow, a few days later and the panic was no longer "induced", it just happened at about or lower than the frequency/intensity of before increasing the dose.I tried stop taking the Wellbutrin because I convinced myself it wasn't helping...wrong! So I take low dose Prozac (15 mg) plus the Wellbutrin plus some Klonopin to keep a lid on the whole thing. Hope that helps.
This is the end of the thread.
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