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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tensor on June 29, 2009, at 22:30:13
Hi,
I'm wondering what meds to consider for my panic and general anxiety as well as for my depression. Benzos are not working well, and I'm actually weaning myself off clonazepam, which I been on for over eight years.
Recently I have taken reboxetine and milnacipran (for separate periods) for depression and anxiety. Both works well for anxiety but have little impact on my depression and fatigue, as opposed to sertraline which did nothing for my anxiety nor depression. Which is strange since SSRIs in general are supposed to be good for anxiety, including panic anxiety.
So my question is what to try next, I always take Remeron 15mg with my meds, it's like I can't function without it.
Noradrenergic meds seem to work best for my anxiety, but I have never tried SSRIs like cipralex or cipramil, is there any point, considering sertraline does nothing for me? Venlafaxine is a big no-no.
Posted by manic666 on June 30, 2009, at 3:00:08
In reply to Meds for anxiety and depression, posted by tensor on June 29, 2009, at 22:30:13
how long did you give sertraline. it took 4 months for me to get result ,an only when babblers told me to up the dose 150mg is minimum if your in a bad way . its no use tryin it for 4 weeks at 50mg an saying its no good , considering it has one of the least side effects of any med.its worth sticking it out . it rates in the top two ,so what can you say,no pain no gain. tell me how long an how much you took.
Posted by tensor on June 30, 2009, at 4:11:16
In reply to Re: Meds for anxiety and depression, posted by manic666 on June 30, 2009, at 3:00:08
This time about one and a half months. Last time I took it, a few years ago, it kicked in after two weeks. After four months, how can you be sure it's sertraline that is actually helping? Besides, I have problems with akathisia at doses of 100mg and beyond. Maybe escitalopram would be better for me? Anyway, my pdoc is gonna call me today.
Kind regards,
Mattias
Posted by Zyprexa on June 30, 2009, at 6:52:36
In reply to Meds for anxiety and depression, posted by tensor on June 29, 2009, at 22:30:13
Why not take both meds? The anxiety med and add wellbutrin sr for AD and energy. I don't think there are any meds that work for both AD and anxiety.
Posted by tensor on June 30, 2009, at 7:16:34
In reply to Re: Meds for anxiety and depression, posted by Zyprexa on June 30, 2009, at 6:52:36
I take modafinil for fatigue and poor concentration, it works as long as the depression is not too deep. However, if the anxiety is not under control I don't touch modafinil. So I need an anti-anxiety med that is also an antidepressant. I have been thinking of lexapro, but I don't know if it's different enough from zoloft to make any difference.
Posted by NickCave on June 30, 2009, at 7:48:28
In reply to Re: Meds for anxiety and depression » Zyprexa, posted by tensor on June 30, 2009, at 7:16:34
Lexapro is much better than zoloft imo. I've taken both and found lexapro to be more effective for both depression and anxiety without the akathesia I felt with zoloft.
Posted by Frustratedmama on June 30, 2009, at 8:31:44
In reply to Re: Meds for anxiety and depression, posted by NickCave on June 30, 2009, at 7:48:28
Currently taking gabapentin for anxiety and depression (read above posts). Also recently diagnosis changed to bipolar ll but was always anxiety,adhd,and depression before that..... I take adderall with the gabapentin (for adhd traits) and not sure I would do the gabapentin alone - but haven't tried. I think if you did well with reboxetine maybe try straterra..... just a thought! or one of the snri's: effexor, pristiq, or cymbalta.... or combining two of the meds that helped before (cocktails are always the best with dual diagnosis in my opionion). have you ever combined meds like nortiptlyline with zoloft?
Posted by tensor on June 30, 2009, at 9:17:17
In reply to Re: Meds for anxiety and depression, posted by NickCave on June 30, 2009, at 7:48:28
I'm a little inclined to try lexapro, together with remeron. It's going to be some sort of combination, my pdoc would call me today but seems like he has forgot, will call him tomorrow again. I stopped taking Ixel/milnacipran yesterday.
Posted by tensor on June 30, 2009, at 9:27:21
In reply to Re: Meds for anxiety and depression, posted by Frustratedmama on June 30, 2009, at 8:31:44
I have combined meds in many ways, not zoloft + nortrip, but remeron + nortrip. Worked great for awhile but stopped working after a year or so. I have always had ideas of "next med/combo" to try but I'm rather clueless now. Effexor gave me horrible side effects, but it's over ten years since I tried it.. If not my pdoc comes up with some ideas I think I will go for remeron+lexapro. Although that combo feels a little low on the noradrenaline side.
Posted by Phillipa on June 30, 2009, at 10:45:35
In reply to Re: Meds for anxiety and depression » Frustratedmama, posted by tensor on June 30, 2009, at 9:27:21
Only once did an ad work for me that was l0mg paxil with benzos and then beer. Never took an ad til thyroid went. Phillipa
Posted by tensor on July 2, 2009, at 5:16:27
In reply to Meds for anxiety and depression, posted by tensor on June 29, 2009, at 22:30:13
We decided to go for lexapro for my panic disorder/GAD and hopefully a little for my low energy. Never tried it before and many people are pleased with it. I will take 10mg along with 30mg of remeron. I was weaning myself of clonazepam but that's stopped, am now back at 2mg.
/Mattias
Posted by bearfan on July 7, 2009, at 2:19:50
In reply to Re: Meds for anxiety and depression, posted by tensor on July 2, 2009, at 5:16:27
I would advise against taking both Remereon and Lexapro if you could avoid it. I think Lexapro with a stimulant or Provigil would be better and safer.
Posted by tensor on July 7, 2009, at 4:54:08
In reply to Re: Meds for anxiety and depression, posted by bearfan on July 7, 2009, at 2:19:50
What? Why is that?
Posted by Zyprexa on July 7, 2009, at 18:08:48
In reply to Re: Meds for anxiety and depression » bearfan, posted by tensor on July 7, 2009, at 4:54:08
I think that remeron is more likely to provide anti-anxiety properties. I took celexa which is very similar to lexapro and it did nothing for anxiety. The remeron should also be good for depression.
This is the end of the thread.
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