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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by angelicmouse on August 4, 2004, at 13:29:18
I have been on Lexapro, Wellbutrin XR, and most recently Zoloft. I started with 25mg dose of Zoloft and could only take it for 3 days. I suffer from severe anxiety, not depression. The Zoloft made my anxiety even worse and I couldn't stand it. I had to take myself off. The side effects of the SSRI's I have tried are terrible and I would rather have anxiety than take them, but then I have the attacks and I can't stand the attacks. It's kinda like which is the lesser of the 2 evils.
Someone suggested that I try a benzo, like Klonopin, Ativan, or Xanax because they are specifically for anxiety and don't have the SSRI side effects. Is this true? If so, why wouldn't my doc just prescribe them to me at the beginning since i do not have depression, just anxiety?
Posted by carriejane on August 4, 2004, at 13:50:37
In reply to No luck with SSRI's so far :-( HELP!, posted by angelicmouse on August 4, 2004, at 13:29:18
Hi, with what ive read on here the anti anxiety meds seem to be addictive. Maybe thats why docs dont prescribe them immediately. Ive been tempted myself to ask for them but im sure as i have a history of addiction that i wont have much luck.
Posted by angelicmouse on August 4, 2004, at 13:57:18
In reply to Re: No luck with SSRI's so far :-( HELP! » angelicmouse, posted by carriejane on August 4, 2004, at 13:50:37
> Hi, with what ive read on here the anti anxiety meds seem to be addictive. Maybe thats why docs dont prescribe them immediately. Ive been tempted myself to ask for them but im sure as i have a history of addiction that i wont have much luck.
I am sure with an addictive personality, if people find them addictive, then it might not be a good idea. I myself feel like I don't have an addictive personality. But maybe the addiction to the anxiety meds, if it cured the anxiety, wouldn't be bad.
Posted by linkadge on August 4, 2004, at 14:06:48
In reply to Re: No luck with SSRI's so far :-( HELP!, posted by angelicmouse on August 4, 2004, at 13:57:18
SSRi' are addictive too, and oftentimes create much more withdrawl symptoms than benzodazapines.
Benzodazapines, taken on a non-regular as needed basis, are not addictive.I wish I had been prescribed benzos to begin with. Because now I'm stuck on SSRi's and cant get off them for the life of me.
Linkadge
Posted by angelicmouse on August 4, 2004, at 14:09:41
In reply to Re: No luck with SSRI's so far :-( HELP!, posted by linkadge on August 4, 2004, at 14:06:48
> SSRi' are addictive too, and oftentimes create much more withdrawl symptoms than benzodazapines.
> Benzodazapines, taken on a non-regular as needed basis, are not addictive.
>
> I wish I had been prescribed benzos to begin with. Because now I'm stuck on SSRi's and cant get off them for the life of me.
>
> LinkadgeLinkage, can the doctor not ween you off of the SSRI and put you on something different? I know when I stopped Lexapro cold turkey, I went into seizures.
Posted by cpallen79 on August 4, 2004, at 23:23:18
In reply to Re: No luck with SSRI's so far :-( HELP!, posted by angelicmouse on August 4, 2004, at 13:57:18
Angelic Mouse
SSRIs take 6-8 weeks to work(if not longer)... Initially the side effects can be unbearable. Many report severe increases in anxiety. Eventually that goes away for most people as the receptors downregulate. Perhaps take a benzo as needed while you get used to the SSRI, but using a benzo alone as your treatment?? I'd personally say that's a no-no, but I'm not a doctor. Perhaps a more sedating SSRI would help. When we feel like garbage, it's tempting to want to grab whatever we can to alleviate those symptoms (I know, I've been there!) But we absolutely have to think about it in the long run. Are SSRis addictive? I don't know... I've withdrawn from SSRIs before and yes it feels icky. I've also taken Benzos before... it was so long ago that I cannot remember how the w/d benzo was, but based on what I've READ, I'll take SSRI w/d over a benzo W/D anytime. This is my personal opinion, but wanted to pass it on to you.
> > Hi, with what ive read on here the anti anxiety meds seem to be addictive. Maybe thats why docs dont prescribe them immediately. Ive been tempted myself to ask for them but im sure as i have a history of addiction that i wont have much luck.
>
> I am sure with an addictive personality, if people find them addictive, then it might not be a good idea. I myself feel like I don't have an addictive personality. But maybe the addiction to the anxiety meds, if it cured the anxiety, wouldn't be bad.
>
Posted by crazychickuk on August 5, 2004, at 6:45:03
In reply to Re: No luck with SSRI's so far :-( HELP! » angelicmouse, posted by cpallen79 on August 4, 2004, at 23:23:18
It is when you are addicted to something and can not get of it right? well benzos and s sri's and tcas etc all do the same eh? doctors make me so mad most people make me mad, we can not give you benzo's cus they are addicting and hard to come of? wtf? its the same with all other physciatric medications init? you start them and come of them they are hard to get of, you reply on them to work etc.. anyone follow?
Posted by linkadge on August 5, 2004, at 7:29:36
In reply to Re: what exactly is addiction ?, posted by crazychickuk on August 5, 2004, at 6:45:03
And the stupid thing is that, many people do *not* need an ever increasing dose of benzos to achieve a theraputic effect. Doctors themselves are very dumb and paranoid. They feel if they follow what they were taught then they can't be blamed for anything. Every now and again you get a doc who knows the truth and says "lets just give people what works best"
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on August 5, 2004, at 7:34:22
In reply to Re: No luck with SSRI's so far :-( HELP! » linkadge, posted by angelicmouse on August 4, 2004, at 14:09:41
Even tapering. I am only 21 years old and had been taking SSRI's since I was 17. These drugs were in my system for perhaps the most crucial part of my brain developement. I have tried every single way to taper them but I become so very depressed.
Linkadge
Posted by crazychickuk on August 5, 2004, at 7:41:21
In reply to Re: No luck with SSRI's so far :-( HELP!, posted by linkadge on August 5, 2004, at 7:34:22
they do though, more harm then good, myself and linkage is living proof and i am sure many others are, i have not met anyone who have taken meds for their mental illness then came of them and feel alot better? its a vicious cycle all right, i w as fine till i took effexor, other meds when i come of them causes me some strange symptoms and reactions and then i panick etc and i freak out for ages and ages and i am sure the same thing happens to others.. there needs to be more research, but i am also discusted that they research on poor defensless animals :-(
Posted by Bill LL on August 5, 2004, at 8:56:02
In reply to No luck with SSRI's so far :-( HELP!, posted by angelicmouse on August 4, 2004, at 13:29:18
Another option is Remeron. It can be good for anxiety with some people.
Posted by fires on August 10, 2004, at 22:23:56
In reply to Re: more harm than good SOMETIMES !!, posted by crazychickuk on August 5, 2004, at 7:41:21
> they do though, more harm then good, myself and linkage is living proof and i am sure many others are, i have not met anyone who have taken meds for their mental illness then came of them and feel alot better? its a vicious cycle all right, i w as fine till i took effexor, other meds when i come of them causes me some strange symptoms and reactions and then i panick etc and i freak out for ages and ages and i am sure the same thing happens to others.. there needs to be more research, but i am also discusted that they research on poor defensless animals :-(
I was on Parnate for ~14 years and didn't have a recurrence of MDD until I stopped it for the wrong reason. Many, according to recent research need to be on meds for life.
bye
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