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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 lrc on October 20, 2001, at 15:38:21
I am now seeing a Therapist, I go to a Pdoc in a couple of weeks to see if meds would help my situation. I was on Paxil for a year and had such a difficult time on it and getting off of it that I am now drug phobic or maybe just SSRI phobic. I am having some anxiety but mostly nervousness. I am currently taking .5 mg of Ativan (prn)which helps a whole lot. I hope that I get some say so as to which med that I will be on so I want to find out as much as I can as to which one would be best. My G.P. thinks that I need something for depression also but I seem to think that my nervousness is what makes me so depressed. I hate being this way and needing meds to get me through life. Anyway my GP thinks that an SSRI is the only thing that will help me. I think he is wrong and I don't want to take an SSRI because of the side effects and the way I felt on Paxil. Maybe they all aren't the same but from what I read here, all SSRI cause weight gain and sexual disfunction. I hate to put my relationship with my hubby on hold until I feel better. Effexor sounds just like Paxil from what I've read so I refused that. So what is next. Isn't there an old reliable med out there that would be good for my situation? I just need something that will calm me down not make me sleep or be difficult to get off of. Thanks to all that answered my previous posts, I've read them all but didn't feel like I was stating my case well enough so I thought I'd write my life history here, lol. There has to be something out there for someone that doesn't need a strong SSRI isn't there? lrc
Posted by tina on October 20, 2001, at 16:42:48
In reply to Trying to decide which med to take, posted by lrc on October 20, 2001, at 15:38:21
Years ago, when my anxiety induced depression was in it's infancy, I was given moclobemide. It's called aurorix in the US and Manerix in canada. It's and MAOI, not an SSRI. I too have terrible intolerance to ssri's but had no side effects whatsoever in taking the Manerix. It was coupled with clonazepam(klonopin in the US and Rivotril in canada)
Moclobemide is the kind of MAOI that doesn't require the strict dietary rules of the older maoi's like Parnate or Nardil.
It worked like a charm. I got my life back.
It does take some weeks before you notice a benefit but it's worth a try.
good luck
Tina
Posted by Mitch on October 20, 2001, at 17:07:49
In reply to Trying to decide which med to take, posted by lrc on October 20, 2001, at 15:38:21
> I am now seeing a Therapist, I go to a Pdoc in a couple of weeks to see if meds would help my situation. I was on Paxil for a year and had such a difficult time on it and getting off of it that I am now drug phobic or maybe just SSRI phobic. I am having some anxiety but mostly nervousness. I am currently taking .5 mg of Ativan (prn)which helps a whole lot. I hope that I get some say so as to which med that I will be on so I want to find out as much as I can as to which one would be best. My G.P. thinks that I need something for depression also but I seem to think that my nervousness is what makes me so depressed. I hate being this way and needing meds to get me through life. Anyway my GP thinks that an SSRI is the only thing that will help me. I think he is wrong and I don't want to take an SSRI because of the side effects and the way I felt on Paxil. Maybe they all aren't the same but from what I read here, all SSRI cause weight gain and sexual disfunction. I hate to put my relationship with my hubby on hold until I feel better. Effexor sounds just like Paxil from what I've read so I refused that. So what is next. Isn't there an old reliable med out there that would be good for my situation? I just need something that will calm me down not make me sleep or be difficult to get off of. Thanks to all that answered my previous posts, I've read them all but didn't feel like I was stating my case well enough so I thought I'd write my life history here, lol. There has to be something out there for someone that doesn't need a strong SSRI isn't there? lrc
You might consider a trial of Serzone at a low dose. If your troubles are primarily generalized anxiety and your docs feel you need a serotonergic antidepressant to treat it AND you don't want the troubles you had on Paxil, Serzone is about the only thing that comes to my mind. I tried it once and the best thing I found about it was its reduction of anticipatory anxiety (I found it a rather weak antidepressant). You might find it a *little* sedating, but maybe you can take the lowest dose and be ok.Mitch
Posted by susan C on October 20, 2001, at 20:24:25
In reply to Trying to decide which med to take, posted by lrc on October 20, 2001, at 15:38:21
Hi,
Now, you have done it, gone and ask babblers for their opinions...
My vote is to be sure and have a good thorough history of your symptoms, your concerns (I write them down, then take notes and check them off as they are covered) and that your Therapist and pdoc talk to each other and are, as they say 'on the same page'. And, not necessarily in this order, you like and trust both of them...I can not presume to know anything about meds, sometimes not to even keep track of when to take them, let alone make a suggestion to you here.
I just know, it is a balancing act, trial and error and informed decision making. I know I could not do this with out the help and consideration and observations of my significant other.
And the great support of the people here.
a serious mouse
susan C> I am now seeing a Therapist, I go to a Pdoc in a couple of weeks to see if meds would help my situation. I was on Paxil for a year and had such a difficult time on it and getting off of it that I am now drug phobic or maybe just SSRI phobic. I am having some anxiety but mostly nervousness. I am currently taking .5 mg of Ativan (prn)which helps a whole lot. I hope that I get some say so as to which med that I will be on so I want to find out as much as I can as to which one would be best. My G.P. thinks that I need something for depression also but I seem to think that my nervousness is what makes me so depressed. I hate being this way and needing meds to get me through life. Anyway my GP thinks that an SSRI is the only thing that will help me. I think he is wrong and I don't want to take an SSRI because of the side effects and the way I felt on Paxil. Maybe they all aren't the same but from what I read here, all SSRI cause weight gain and sexual disfunction. I hate to put my relationship with my hubby on hold until I feel better. Effexor sounds just like Paxil from what I've read so I refused that. So what is next. Isn't there an old reliable med out there that would be good for my situation? I just need something that will calm me down not make me sleep or be difficult to get off of. Thanks to all that answered my previous posts, I've read them all but didn't feel like I was stating my case well enough so I thought I'd write my life history here, lol. There has to be something out there for someone that doesn't need a strong SSRI isn't there? lrc
Posted by Gracie2 on October 21, 2001, at 13:00:16
In reply to Re: Trying to decide which med to take, posted by susan C on October 20, 2001, at 20:24:25
Maybe a low dose of Seroquel? You can take it at night if it makes you sleepy. I find it very effective for anxiety.
-Gracie
Posted by Gracie2 on October 21, 2001, at 13:14:08
In reply to Re: Trying to decide which med to take, posted by Gracie2 on October 21, 2001, at 13:00:16
If you are still reluctant to use medication, some people who are particularly sensitive to it have been successful dealing with their anxiety by giving up ALL caffeine and drinking green tea instead of coffee or soda. I wouldn't know myself as Starbucks is my second home.
-Gracie the Coffeehound
Posted by janejj on October 25, 2001, at 15:17:27
In reply to P.S., posted by Gracie2 on October 21, 2001, at 13:14:08
green tea has more caffiene in it than coffee !!!!!
This is the end of the thread.
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