![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 95. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 12:21:58
Hello!!
I was on prozac for my anxiety last year and it was way too stimulating.. Pdoc put me on Klonopin (.50 1x/day) and Zoloft (12.5mg to start) which I started taking Sept 4th. The Klonopin is great for the anxiety! I feel "normal" without being a zombie. I am concerned about the long term use of Klonopin as an anti anxiety med though :(
Unfortunately, when I take my Zoloft, I get a panic attack about 30min later. My hot flashes have returned as well ( I had hot flashes, heart palpations and missed periods on Prozac) I think that the Zoloft is too stimulating for me :(
I know that Zoloft works on dopamine as well and that may be what is causing the anxiety. I also was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure ( I am 41)
My question is, does Celexa work only on Seretonin? Would Celexa be a better choice for anxiety?
I am wondering if the zoloft is interfering with my hormones. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
I am going to a Reproductive Endocronologist on Oct 6th so hopefully I will get more info then :)
Thanks!
Michelle
Posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2010, at 12:48:30
In reply to Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 12:21:58
Welcome to babble could be some bioidentical hormones could help with flashes etc. I was always under the impression that zoloft was just serotonin also. Some say zoloft is stimulating others say no. I was also on both. Celexa just made me tired. Phillipa
Posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 14:15:53
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa? » michelle41A, posted by Phillipa on September 25, 2010, at 12:48:30
Thanks for the warm welcome, Phillipa :) I was prescribed Celexa in August, but I was dealing with extreme panic from being off prozac since march of 2010. ( I switched to prozac from zoloft in 2005 and stayed on it till nov 2008. I went off prozac in nov 2008 and then went back on it like a dummy in Oct 2009-march 2010)Prozac was way too stimulating for me :/
I really don't think I gave Celexa enough time to work ( I was on 2.5 mg for approx 3 weeks last month) I thought that going back on zoloft would work since it helped me before (I am a bit med phobic lol)
I had been on Zoloft for 5 years (2000-2005) but stopped because the dose I was at (50mg) made me a zombie.. That is why I switched to Prozac. I thought it might help with the weight gain I got from zoloft. I also thought it would help give my energy back.. But it made me way too anxious :(
I read somewhere that Celexa worked only on Serotonin so I was thinking if I give Celexa another try, it might not have the stimulating effect that Zoloft is doing to me..It feels almost as bad as being on Prozac :(
((HUGS))
Posted by linkadge on September 25, 2010, at 14:36:10
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 14:15:53
Some people just find SSRIs in general not good for anxiety. A low dose of trazodone or seroquel might be better if celexa doesn't work.
Linkadge
Posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 14:56:06
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by linkadge on September 25, 2010, at 14:36:10
> Some people just find SSRIs in general not good for anxiety. A low dose of trazodone or seroquel might be better if celexa doesn't work.
>
> LinkadgeThanks for the info, Linkadge! When I take my morning dose of Klonopin (.25) I notice that it does wonders for my anxiety! I don't feel sedated.. But I am afraid to use it long term :( My new pdoc says that klonopin is safe to use long term ( I don't have an addictive personality, so I guess that is why) I only take .5 divided in half (.25 in morning, .25 in evening) I have been on Klonopin for a month now..It was initally prescribed to help me get thru the start up of Celexa.. I have been taking it with the Zoloft that I switched to on Sept 4th.. Hopefully I can find the right med combo to keep me calm!
Posted by linkadge on September 25, 2010, at 15:37:27
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 14:56:06
I wouldn't be too worried about becoming addicted to it. This is a fairly low dose, and if you do notice tollerance you can re-evaluate the situation. I took clonazepam for over a year with continued effect on anxiety (I took 0.5 x 2). I was able to sucessfully stop when the stressor (in my case university) was over.
Linkadge
Posted by Christ_empowered on September 25, 2010, at 18:04:38
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by linkadge on September 25, 2010, at 15:37:27
SSRI drugs can cause all kinds of problems while offering very little in the way of real benefits (for a lot of people, anyway). It sounds like the Klonopin helps your problems w/o causing any problems of its own, so...I'd personally recommend ditching the search for perfect ssri and sticking with the klonopin, like linkadge suggested.
Supplements can help anxiety, too, if you feel interested in pursuing that method of healing.
Posted by morgan miller on September 25, 2010, at 22:12:06
In reply to Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 12:21:58
What dose of Zoloft are you taking now? Does the panicky anxiety last throughout the day? You might want to give Zoloft another few weeks to see if the anxiety goes away. I don't think the dopamine reuptake inhibition occurs until you go over 100 mg, and even then it is fairly slight, so I think there is something else that Zoloft does that makes it stimulating. Even with Lexapro, people can experience quite a bit of anxiety starting out. This is typical of several SSRIs.
I would go with Lexapro over Celexa. I just think it's a far superior medication-more effective and less side effects. If you try Lexapro, start very low, maybe 2.5 mg. You may end up needing only 5 to 10 mg. With any SSRI it may take a good 8 weeks to realize full therapeutic benefit, and with Lexapro it could be longer.
Posted by michelle41A on September 26, 2010, at 10:17:42
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by morgan miller on September 25, 2010, at 22:12:06
> What dose of Zoloft are you taking now? Does the panicky anxiety last throughout the day? You might want to give Zoloft another few weeks to see if the anxiety goes away. I don't think the dopamine reuptake inhibition occurs until you go over 100 mg, and even then it is fairly slight, so I think there is something else that Zoloft does that makes it stimulating. Even with Lexapro, people can experience quite a bit of anxiety starting out. This is typical of several SSRIs.
>
> I would go with Lexapro over Celexa. I just think it's a far superior medication-more effective and less side effects. If you try Lexapro, start very low, maybe 2.5 mg. You may end up needing only 5 to 10 mg. With any SSRI it may take a good 8 weeks to realize full therapeutic benefit, and with Lexapro it could be longer.Hi Morgan :)
I have been on 12.5 mg Zoloft Since Sept 4th, 2010. I have also been on Klonopin .5 1x/day (.25 in the morning, .25 in the evening)
First week on Zoloft was ok, still had loose BM issues (sorry TMI) which I have had since tapering off Prozac in March 2010.
Week 2 of Zoloft: started to feel better, fears of eating gone. From Sept 15th-25 bowels became "normal" again.
Week 3 of Zoloft: After taking dose, I become anxious for about 3 hours unless I take .125 klonopin. Headaches started as well after taking zoloft. Hot flashes have started again (Had hot flashes up until May 2010, could be due to hormonal issues)
When I went back on Prozac in Oct 2009, I had a bad reaction.. Inner tremors, chest pains, panic attacks. I was on 20 mg. When I tapered off in March 2010, the majority of the side effects went away. I also have had a very stressful year ( Dad was really sick Jan-Mar, I got married in July)I also work a night job from 9pm -2:30am M-F cleaning a recreational center.
On July 22, 2010, I had a major physical/mental breakdown. I believe it had to do with what was going on in my life and my body decided it had enough. I had a complete CBC and metabolic profile bloodwork done as well. Everything came back normal.
Panic was extreme, barely ate food for about a month due to anxiety (went from 134 lbs to 115 lbs from july to now)
I started on Celexa in August (2.5mg because at the time my panic was extreme) and .5 klonopin 1x/day.
I was on Celexa for approx 2 weeks and decided to go to Zoloft because I had been on it before. I know Zoloft would help with my loose bowel issue, however, the Zoloft seems to be too stimulating like the prozac was the second time around.
I am thinking that I should have given Celexa more time to work.
This whole ordeal is very frustrating to me because I don't know if I need an SSRI to keep my bowels from becoming out of whack again or if the Klonopin alone will keep things calm. I had read that Celexa was less stimulating than Prozac and Zoloft so that is why I was considering going back on it. I am going back to my old Pdoc to see what he has to say about all of this. I had to switch docs recently because of insurance reasons :( Hopefully the endocrinologist appt will shed some light as to what the heck is going on! Sorry for the long post, I am just confused, scared and frustrated :/
I really appreciate all the info and support! You folks are awesome!!
Posted by michelle41A on September 26, 2010, at 10:22:18
In reply to I'd stick with the Klonopin, posted by Christ_empowered on September 25, 2010, at 18:04:38
> SSRI drugs can cause all kinds of problems while offering very little in the way of real benefits (for a lot of people, anyway). It sounds like the Klonopin helps your problems w/o causing any problems of its own, so...I'd personally recommend ditching the search for perfect ssri and sticking with the klonopin, like linkadge suggested.
>
>
> Supplements can help anxiety, too, if you feel interested in pursuing that method of healing.I agree :) My only concern is that I have been on SSRI's for so long (10 years) that my body has become used to them. I guess if things don't improve coming off the Zoloft (I have only been on it for 3 weeks) then I may have to try Celexa. I am defintely going to look into the supplements :) I am also trying meditation as a way to calm myself when I have anxiety :)
Thanks so much!
Posted by bulldog2 on September 26, 2010, at 14:37:59
In reply to Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 12:21:58
> Hello!!
> I was on prozac for my anxiety last year and it was way too stimulating.. Pdoc put me on Klonopin (.50 1x/day) and Zoloft (12.5mg to start) which I started taking Sept 4th. The Klonopin is great for the anxiety! I feel "normal" without being a zombie. I am concerned about the long term use of Klonopin as an anti anxiety med though :(
> Unfortunately, when I take my Zoloft, I get a panic attack about 30min later. My hot flashes have returned as well ( I had hot flashes, heart palpations and missed periods on Prozac) I think that the Zoloft is too stimulating for me :(
> I know that Zoloft works on dopamine as well and that may be what is causing the anxiety. I also was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure ( I am 41)
> My question is, does Celexa work only on Seretonin? Would Celexa be a better choice for anxiety?
> I am wondering if the zoloft is interfering with my hormones. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
> I am going to a Reproductive Endocronologist on Oct 6th so hopefully I will get more info then :)
> Thanks!
> MichelleLuvox is a unique ssri and may be good for anxiety. You can take it at bedtime and sleep.
Posted by michelle41A on September 26, 2010, at 14:58:13
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by bulldog2 on September 26, 2010, at 14:37:59
> > Hello!!
> > I was on prozac for my anxiety last year and it was way too stimulating.. Pdoc put me on Klonopin (.50 1x/day) and Zoloft (12.5mg to start) which I started taking Sept 4th. The Klonopin is great for the anxiety! I feel "normal" without being a zombie. I am concerned about the long term use of Klonopin as an anti anxiety med though :(
> > Unfortunately, when I take my Zoloft, I get a panic attack about 30min later. My hot flashes have returned as well ( I had hot flashes, heart palpations and missed periods on Prozac) I think that the Zoloft is too stimulating for me :(
> > I know that Zoloft works on dopamine as well and that may be what is causing the anxiety. I also was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure ( I am 41)
> > My question is, does Celexa work only on Seretonin? Would Celexa be a better choice for anxiety?
> > I am wondering if the zoloft is interfering with my hormones. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
> > I am going to a Reproductive Endocronologist on Oct 6th so hopefully I will get more info then :)
> > Thanks!
> > Michelle
>
> Luvox is a unique ssri and may be good for anxiety. You can take it at bedtime and sleep.I will ask my Pdoc about Luvox this week :) Thanks for the info
((HUGS))
Posted by Phillipa on September 26, 2010, at 19:33:42
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 26, 2010, at 14:58:13
I take luvox know as fluvoxamine now as only generic available in short acting but now they have a long acting luvox. I've been on it for years. My body doesn't want me off it. I also take benzos for anxiety. But when first took luvox got up to 250mg and no side effects at all. Did take ativan with it. Phillipa
Posted by morgan miller on September 26, 2010, at 20:15:31
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 26, 2010, at 10:17:42
I'm wondering a dependency on klonopin isn't making your anxiety worse than it was before starting klonopin. There are some psychiatrists that believe benzos may interfere with the efficacy of SSRIs as they are CNS depressants, similar to the way alcohol may also interfere with SSRI efficacy. I'm just always curious to know how someone might have reacted to an SSRI after a few months if they had never been on a benzo from the get go.
It's possible that you may feel less anxiety if start raising the dose of Zoloft. I felt much better on 100 mg than I did on 50 mg.
I would seriously consider trying Lexapro instead of Celexa, if you are going to switch to another SSRI.
Morgan
Posted by michelle41a on September 26, 2010, at 22:55:08
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by morgan miller on September 26, 2010, at 20:15:31
> I'm wondering a dependency on klonopin isn't making your anxiety worse than it was before starting klonopin. There are some psychiatrists that believe benzos may interfere with the efficacy of SSRIs as they are CNS depressants, similar to the way alcohol may also interfere with SSRI efficacy. I'm just always curious to know how someone might have reacted to an SSRI after a few months if they had never been on a benzo from the get go.
>
> It's possible that you may feel less anxiety if start raising the dose of Zoloft. I felt much better on 100 mg than I did on 50 mg.
>
> I would seriously consider trying Lexapro instead of Celexa, if you are going to switch to another SSRI.
>
> MorganI have had increased anxiety and hot flashes on just 12.5 of zoloft over the past week :(
I did try to increase the dose but the anxiety was worse. The zoloft seems to be reacting in the same way that prozac did when I tried it for the second time back in Oct 2010..
That is why I decided to stop the zoloft and keep taking the klonopin.. I am afraid that if I try to go to 25mg zoloft, the anxiety would be too much :(
When I switched from 50mg zoloft to 20mg prozac (jan 2006) everything was ok for a while on the prozac. Prozac seemed to be helping, but I felt more agitated on it. Also, I started getting hot flashes (mild)
Pdoc started me on Strattera (he thought I may have had add with anxiety), not too sure how long I was on it(Maybe a few months) but I stopped cold turkey in Feb 2007 (it was making me more anxious). The day after I stopped strattera,I had 30 hot flashes in one day! Hot flashes continued daily for the rest of 2007. I still was not having periods but would get PMS for 2 weeks every month.
Found out that Prozac and Strattera are chemical cousins and don't react well together, causing side effects.
May 2008 started having heart flutters, no anxiety attacks. They would happen when I was completely calm. Horrible insonmia
June 2008 began slow taper to 10 mg of Prozac to ease heart and hot flash issues. Seemed to help. Heart flutters were infrequent over the following months. Went off prozac completely in nov 2008.
This is the first time I have been on Klonopin and it helps a lot with anxiety, more so than prozac. I think what has happened is that the zoloft is as stimulating as the prozac. Maybe it took 2 weeks for the zoloft to reach a steady state in my body which could explain the hot flashes and anxiety after taking the zoloft..
I do have elevated levels of FSH and LH hormones which may be contributing to my anxiety.. I have the appointment with the endocrinologist on 10/6 so hopefully he can help figure this out.
I will be calling my pdoc Monday morning to see if I should start celexa again or lexapro. This anxiety relapse is scaring me but hopefully I will get answers soon! I also have an appt with my therapist this wednesday as well :)
Posted by morgan miller on September 26, 2010, at 23:05:04
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41a on September 26, 2010, at 22:55:08
That really sucks michelle. Hope you get things figured out soon. Good luck!
Morgan
Posted by michelle41a on September 26, 2010, at 23:27:37
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa? » michelle41a, posted by morgan miller on September 26, 2010, at 23:05:04
> That really sucks michelle. Hope you get things figured out soon. Good luck!
>
> MorganThanks, Morgan! Sorry for my long posts, the past few days have been a bit trying for me :(
I really do appreciate all your advise and info! I will post progress updates in the upcoming weeks :) I am determined to not let anxiety rule my life!
I have been on other anxiety forums and I must say that this one has the most compassionate and knowledgeable people!
((HUGS))
Posted by morgan miller on September 27, 2010, at 18:39:37
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41a on September 26, 2010, at 23:27:37
Michelle, have you checked out the Alternative Board for some ideas on treating anxiety?
Posted by Phillipa on September 27, 2010, at 19:52:17
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41a on September 26, 2010, at 22:55:08
Michelle if you have elevated levels of FSH most likely you are entering menopause don't your age but for some it starts early some in 30's and the hot flashes indicate that to me and the FSH do you know what the level is? I think anything over 30 indicates it. And seriously my anxiety was so horrible at that time. Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on September 27, 2010, at 20:09:00
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by morgan miller on September 26, 2010, at 20:15:31
Some studies have found benzodizapine maintainance prevents relapse over SSRI alone.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on September 27, 2010, at 21:33:48
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by linkadge on September 27, 2010, at 20:09:00
I sure believe that. Phillipa
Posted by weatherfreak on September 28, 2010, at 5:29:29
In reply to Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 12:21:58
I personally found celexa way more stimulating than zoloft but everyone is different. I also found it gave me really bad anxiety after a week, BUT I react badly to all SSRI's/SNRI's
Posted by michelle41A on September 28, 2010, at 10:56:28
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by morgan miller on September 27, 2010, at 18:39:37
> Michelle, have you checked out the Alternative Board for some ideas on treating anxiety?
I will definitely check the alternative board :) I am working with a therapist on a weekly basis so hopefully he can give me advise on controlling the panic :)
Posted by michelle41A on September 28, 2010, at 11:11:36
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa? » michelle41a, posted by Phillipa on September 27, 2010, at 19:52:17
> Michelle if you have elevated levels of FSH most likely you are entering menopause don't your age but for some it starts early some in 30's and the hot flashes indicate that to me and the FSH do you know what the level is? I think anything over 30 indicates it. And seriously my anxiety was so horrible at that time. Phillipa
Hi Phillipa :)
My FSH was 157 and my LH was 54 back in Nov 2009..I was on Prozac at the time and it was very stimulating to my system. I was having chest pains,"tunnel vision", inner tremors, adrenaline rushes, anger, and hot flashes.. When I tapered off prozac in March 2010, all the symptoms started to fade.. The only issue that continued was the loose BM (sorry TMI)
I just had my FSH and LH tested in August and the levels dropped. My FSH now is 74 and my LH is 34. My Estrogen is at 80.
At the time of the blood tests, I was not on any meds..My hot flashes began to fade last june..But the anxiety stayed :(
I did notice that in week 2 of taking Zoloft everything started to calm down.. I actually started feeling better.. I am not sure why week 3 of taking zoloft triggered headaches for a week and the return of anxiety and hot flashes.. I will be asking the doctor today if maybe as the zoloft started to reach a steady state, my body reacted like it did when I re introduced the prozac.. I want to take the Celexa but I am so scared that the same thing will happen..
Posted by michelle41A on September 28, 2010, at 11:18:00
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa? » michelle41A, posted by weatherfreak on September 28, 2010, at 5:29:29
> I personally found celexa way more stimulating than zoloft but everyone is different. I also found it gave me really bad anxiety after a week, BUT I react badly to all SSRI's/SNRI's
Did you use for SSRI's for anxiety? The only two I have reacted badly to is Prozac and Zoloft.. When I look back at the 5 years I was on Zoloft,it seemed to make me a bit overstimulated but not to the point where it was making me sick..When I was at 50mg, I began to get the zombie like feelings..
Have you found a med to ease your symptoms?
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.