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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by creepy on September 29, 2010, at 8:46:23
In reply to Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 12:21:58
zoloft doesnt really hit dopamine until higher doses are used. But it does cause akathisia in a lot of people which is weird.
Ive tried to find info on why this happens more often with zoloft but havent found anything that explains it.
Posted by Phillipa on September 29, 2010, at 19:22:04
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 29, 2010, at 1:52:40
Michelle sounds like you have a really good plan and congrats on the difference the dose made and please keep us posted? Phillipa
Posted by michelle41A on September 30, 2010, at 12:45:09
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa? » michelle41A, posted by Phillipa on September 29, 2010, at 19:22:04
> Michelle sounds like you have a really good plan and congrats on the difference the dose made and please keep us posted? Phillipa
Hi Phillipa :)
I started back on the Zoloft Tuesday.. I feel much better! I think that I let my anxiety cause me to be afraid to stay on the zoloft.. I don't have any more severe panic attacks, but I still get headaches and my hot flashes have returned.. I assume that that the headaches and hot flashes are due to my body adjusting to the zoloft..
I am going to give the zoloft a few more weeks to work :) My pdoc suggested that I keep taking the klonopin (.25 in the morning, .25 in the evening) Hopefully that will ease any anxiety spikes.. I figure once I start feeling better again, I will raise the dose of Zoloft.
I also decided to stay with my Pdoc that has worked with me since 1999.
The new Pdoc I had an evaluation with tried to prescribe me lithium because she said I was bipolar.. I know for a fact that my condition is GAD and I was a bit suprised when she suggested that I was bipolar..
When I told my original Pdoc, he was shocked about her diagnosis and assured me that I only have GAD. My therapist who suggested that I see their inhouse Pdoc was shocked as well. My therapist did not agree that I was bipolar and told me I should stay with my original Pdoc because he has worked with me the longest and knows my mental health history. It just sucks that I have to pay out of pocket :(
Posted by michelle41A on September 30, 2010, at 16:39:05
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by linkadge on September 25, 2010, at 14:36:10
Ok, I am getting really concerned now. As some of you know, I have been on Zoloft since Sept 4th. I was feeling better until Sept 19th. That is when the daily headaches started and my anxiety slowly began to increase.. By Sept26, I was a mess! Anxiety was extreme! I had to up my klonopin from .50 ( .25 in the morning .25 in the evening) to .25 3x daily. Doc put me back on Zoloft on 9/28
Felt ok that evening. But now the anxiety is HORRIBLE! I had the worst migrane today! I am still having racing heart and panic as I write this.. I honestly don't know what to do.. Do I take my 12.5mg of Zoloft at 6pm tonight or not? I am so damn scared that this will get worse!! I am thinking of calling my doctor's answering service and asking him what to do! Right now I took another .125 of klonopin to calm me down. So far today I have took .125 at 8:30 am, .125 at 11:30 am .125 at 3pm and now at 5:30 I have took .125 klonopin. Maybe I should take .25 of klonopin instead? Sorry for the rambling folks, I am just really worried what the heck is going to happen next :(
Posted by michelle41A on September 30, 2010, at 17:08:03
In reply to 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!!, posted by michelle41A on September 30, 2010, at 16:39:05
I am wondering if I should just go with the .50mg 2x a day like my pdoc prescribed.. I have only been taking .5 klonopin once a day so maybe it is not enough to help with the anxiety that Zoloft can create when you first take it. Kinda scary that 12.5 mg of zoloft a day would cause that much anxiety though. Sorry again folks, just rambling :)
Posted by Phillipa on September 30, 2010, at 19:38:22
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!!, posted by michelle41A on September 30, 2010, at 17:08:03
Oh I agree with you. Why not give the doc a call? Phillipa
Posted by michelle41A on October 1, 2010, at 0:44:51
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!! » michelle41A, posted by Phillipa on September 30, 2010, at 19:38:22
> Oh I agree with you. Why not give the doc a call? Phillipa
If I get another migrane tomorrow morning (Friday) I am definitely going to give the doc a call.. I feel pretty good right now, I am hoping that this is just my body adjusting to the Zoloft..I know that it takes a good 4 weeks or more for the Zoloft to work so hopefully things will improve. If not, I guess I may have to try the celexa or lexapro..
My doc wanted me to move up to 25 mg in a week, but I think I will stay at 12.5 for now..I figure the Klonopin will help with the break thru anxiety issues..
Michelle
Posted by michelle41A on October 1, 2010, at 11:03:11
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!!, posted by michelle41A on October 1, 2010, at 0:44:51
Well, no migrane so far.. Still having jittery feelings/anxiety GRR! Took .25 klonopin at 8:30am and now I may take another .25 right now with lunch (it is 12:00pm)
This roller coaster ride is not fun!!!
Thanks to Phillipa and everyone else for your support! I will post more updates soon..
((HUGS))
Michelle
Posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 0:52:15
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!!, posted by michelle41A on October 1, 2010, at 11:03:11
Zoloft may or may not be for you. The only way to know is to try to be patient and ride it out as long as you can. If things don't improve in 3 or 4 weeks, you should try Lexapro, NOT Celexa.
Hang in there
Posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 9:23:18
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!!, posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 0:52:15
> Zoloft may or may not be for you. The only way to know is to try to be patient and ride it out as long as you can. If things don't improve in 3 or 4 weeks, you should try Lexapro, NOT Celexa.
>
> Hang in thereThanks so much, Morgan :)
I am still at 12.5mg zoloft and I am not really sure if it is helping. I still get morning anxiety..I get anxious if I have to leave the house as well. I am taking the Klonopin .25 morning, .125 at lunch and .25 in the evening. I take 12.5 zololft at dinner. I am afraid to increae the zoloft dose :(
Is lexapro better than celexa? I wonder if it will be less stimulating than prozac.. I have noticed that after I take the zoloft, I get hot flashes like I did when I took prozac.. I suppose I should give the zoloft a couple more weeks..
Thanks so much for your info and support! These past couple months have been quite difficult for me :(
Posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 11:22:09
In reply to Re: 3rd day back on zoloft, Anxiety is AWFUL!!!! » morgan miller, posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 9:23:18
When I started 4 weeks ago on 12.5 zoloft, I noticed improvement within 2 weeks.. Problem is, the positive effects on zoloft only lasted a week.. Here is where I may have goofed up.. When I started feeling better, I took away .125 of klonopin. After I did this, my anxiety went thru the roof! I thought it was the zoloft and I stopped taking zoloft on 9/26. I went to my Pdoc and he suggested I go back on the Zoloft. So I went back on the 12.5 Z 9/28. I am still taking the klonopin (.25 in the morning and .25 in the evening) I sometimes take .125 around 5pm if needed..
I am wondering if the Klonopin was the culprit that increased my anxiety.. And now I wonder if my body needs more zoloft because my anxiety is still there but not as bad as it was in the beginning. I vaguely remember when I started taking zoloft in 2000, I had to increase the dose to calm the anxiety. I guess that I am still freaked out by what Prozac did to me..
Also, will taking away .0625 of klonopin daily cause any withdrawal symptoms? Sorry for all the questions, I have never took Klonopin before so I want to be sure I don't screw up the dosage :)
Again, thank you everyone for your info and support!
((HUGS))
Michelle
Posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 21:02:56
In reply to wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 11:22:09
Why again do you take Zoloft in the evening? I feel like it's something that should be taken first thing in the morning.
Posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 21:06:20
In reply to wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 11:22:09
I think at some point you should try increasing Zoloft and eventually go as high as 100 mg before you decide to try something else. This may take a few months so try to be patient.
If you start to feel better on Zoloft, I think it would be wise to try to start getting off klonopin. You are taking a very low dose so it should not be too difficult.
Are you taking any supplements or herbs to help with anxiety and depression?
Morgan
Posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 23:26:08
In reply to Re: wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 21:02:56
> Why again do you take Zoloft in the evening? I feel like it's something that should be taken first thing in the morning.
I have been taking the zoloft around 6 with dinner (my biggest meal of the day) in case I might get nausea.. But I have started taking it at lunch which seems to work out better :D
Posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 23:39:09
In reply to Re: wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 21:06:20
> I think at some point you should try increasing Zoloft and eventually go as high as 100 mg before you decide to try something else. This may take a few months so try to be patient.
>
> If you start to feel better on Zoloft, I think it would be wise to try to start getting off klonopin. You are taking a very low dose so it should not be too difficult.
>
> Are you taking any supplements or herbs to help with anxiety and depression?
>
> MorganHi Morgan :)
I am raising my zoloft dose this week (going up to 18.75 for a week or so then up to 25mg)I know I am going a bit slow with the zoloft, but I am med sensitive so I figured the slower the better..
I am going to start the weaning process of klonopin.. I have been searching for the correct tapering schedule for the klonopin because I defintely don't want any withdrawal issues :(
I am starting with vitamin d and calcium ( my bone density test showed early osteoporosis)
I am also looking for a good multivitamin as well..I want to be on as little prescription meds as possible..
Michelle
Posted by Phillipa on October 4, 2010, at 19:18:27
In reply to Re: wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 23:39:09
Michelle whatever you do do not take the biophosphinates for osteoporisis. Do some google searches. Lots of bad stuff on them. Good luck with zoloft and klonopin. Phillipa
Posted by morgan miller on October 4, 2010, at 19:52:03
In reply to Re: wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by michelle41a on October 3, 2010, at 23:39:09
You might want to look into Jarrow's Bone Up or Vitamin Code Raw Calcium and Bone Grow.
If you do each individual bone vit/mineral supplement on their own, you need to include magnesium-glycinate, citrate(will move your bowels), aspartate, or taurinate-and vitamin K2 in the form of MK7. You can take MK7 every other day as it stays in your system for a few days. Biosil(the liquid form) and Jarrowsil are very good for increasing bone density. When you take vitamin D3, you want the oil based gel capsule form as it may be better absorbed.
AOR Multi-Basics is one of the best multivitamins on the market. Megafood, a unique food state is pretty good as well. Less expensive multis that are also decent are Rainbow Lite and Super Nutrition, they are both food based.
I would also start resistance/weight training as it is one of the best things you can do for osteoporosis.
I think it's a good idea to take it slow when raising the dose of Zoloft and many other meds, especially if you are sensitive.
Good luck!
Posted by morgan miller on October 4, 2010, at 20:32:52
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 30, 2010, at 12:45:09
Michelle, if you feel you are stabilized and feeling well in a few months, I would just see your pdoc once every 3 months or so. There is no need to see your pdoc regularly if you are feeling better. I did very well for 7 years on Zoloft(only reason why I stopped doing well is because I stopped taking it) and only saw a pdoc 3 times in the first year I was on it.
Are you taking Omega 3s? What about Evening Primrose or Borage oil(superior to EPO IMO)? They may be good for female hormonal issues.
Posted by michelle41a on October 7, 2010, at 10:20:52
In reply to Re: wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by morgan miller on October 3, 2010, at 21:06:20
> I think at some point you should try increasing Zoloft and eventually go as high as 100 mg before you decide to try something else. This may take a few months so try to be patient.
>
> If you start to feel better on Zoloft, I think it would be wise to try to start getting off klonopin. You are taking a very low dose so it should not be too difficult.
>
Hi Morgan!
I started my zoloft increase (18.75mg) from 12.5mg..I have noticed more improvement in my anxiety :) I have also noticed some mild nausea and loose bm's (sorry tmi) from the increase, but I am going to stick it out.. I am still on .5 klonopin but I am going to start weaning when the zoloft side effects go away. I really do appreciate the info :)
Michelle
> Are you taking any supplements or herbs to help with anxiety and depression?
>
> Morgan
Posted by michelle41a on October 7, 2010, at 10:23:38
In reply to Re: wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help » michelle41a, posted by Phillipa on October 4, 2010, at 19:18:27
> Michelle whatever you do do not take the biophosphinates for osteoporisis. Do some google searches. Lots of bad stuff on them. Good luck with zoloft and klonopin. Phillipa
Thanks for the info, Phillipa :) I definitely do lots of research.. I will keep you updated :)
((HUGS))
Michelle
Posted by morgan miller on October 7, 2010, at 21:10:36
In reply to Re: wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by michelle41a on October 7, 2010, at 10:20:52
Glad to hear you are feeling better. The side effects should subside and maybe completely go away with time.
Good Luck!
Posted by michelle41a on October 8, 2010, at 11:28:09
In reply to Re: wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help » michelle41a, posted by morgan miller on October 7, 2010, at 21:10:36
> Glad to hear you are feeling better. The side effects should subside and maybe completely go away with time.
>
> Good Luck!Thanks so much, Morgan! The side effects are slowly subsiding, but I still have issues with feeling jittery and a weird dull pain in my jaw. I had mild jaw pain when I tapered off zoloft in 2005 so maybe it is a weird side effect.. I can't wait to feel "normal" again lol!
Posted by morgan miller on October 8, 2010, at 11:49:42
In reply to Re: wondering if increasing zoloft dose will help, posted by michelle41a on October 8, 2010, at 11:28:09
> > Glad to hear you are feeling better. The side effects should subside and maybe completely go away with time.
> >
> > Good Luck!
>
> Thanks so much, Morgan! The side effects are slowly subsiding, but I still have issues with feeling jittery and a weird dull pain in my jaw. I had mild jaw pain when I tapered off zoloft in 2005 so maybe it is a weird side effect.. I can't wait to feel "normal" again lol!Maybe a little TMJ? It could just be your body adjusting and there being some extra tension that is causing your jaw to tighten up a bit. Where is it tight?
Posted by zatar on October 9, 2010, at 14:54:05
In reply to Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by michelle41A on September 25, 2010, at 12:21:58
Personally, I can't tolerate SSRIs at any dose - Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft, plus anything that has an SSRI component to it - Effexor, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, etc. Haven't tried Savella, but don't want to. Prozac was the worst since it has such a long half life that it took a month to get out of my system.
There are just some people who are SSRI intolerant, not to be confused with SSRI-resistant. To assume that depression or anxiety is garden variety in everyone and that they should respond to the same meds is just nonsense. If I hear one more time that I just need to try this SSRI, or increase the dose slowly, or give it more time, I will scream. I've done all those things over 10 years and it doesn't work.
I found Neurontin and Lyrica to have some anti-anxiety effect, but they poop out on me rather quickly and increasing the dose gives me spaciness and other side effects I can't live with.
Right now I just take Valium prn, when my anxiety gets bad or I have a panic attack. Klonopin worked at 2mg, too, but above that dose it was depressogenic. :-(
When anxiety acts up, scrupulously avoiding caffeine, chocolate, alcohol and getting enough sleep is a must for me. When things quiet down, I can misbehave a bit and it's OK. It's also interesting that when I take too much FolaPro(L-5-methyl tetrahydrofolate, the active form of folic acid because I'm 5-MTHF homozygous), it stimulates me too much. I try to limit it to no more than 400 mcg per day. And the taurate form of magnesium also stimulates me too much, while other forms of magnesium do not.
Genetic variation in receptors rather than drug metabolizing enzymes seem to be involved. Remeron (mirtazpine)can be tried for SSRI intolerance because it doesn't affect the HTR2A 102 T/C genotype.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14514498
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11465517-ZATAR
> 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 michelle41a on October 10, 2010, at 10:41:01
In reply to Re: Zoloft too stimulating, Should I try Celexa?, posted by zatar on October 9, 2010, at 14:54:05
> Personally, I can't tolerate SSRIs at any dose - Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, Zoloft, plus anything that has an SSRI component to it - Effexor, Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, etc. Haven't tried Savella, but don't want to. Prozac was the worst since it has such a long half life that it took a month to get out of my system.
>
> There are just some people who are SSRI intolerant, not to be confused with SSRI-resistant. To assume that depression or anxiety is garden variety in everyone and that they should respond to the same meds is just nonsense. If I hear one more time that I just need to try this SSRI, or increase the dose slowly, or give it more time, I will scream. I've done all those things over 10 years and it doesn't work.
>
> I found Neurontin and Lyrica to have some anti-anxiety effect, but they poop out on me rather quickly and increasing the dose gives me spaciness and other side effects I can't live with.
>
> Right now I just take Valium prn, when my anxiety gets bad or I have a panic attack. Klonopin worked at 2mg, too, but above that dose it was depressogenic. :-(
>
> When anxiety acts up, scrupulously avoiding caffeine, chocolate, alcohol and getting enough sleep is a must for me. When things quiet down, I can misbehave a bit and it's OK. It's also interesting that when I take too much FolaPro(L-5-methyl tetrahydrofolate, the active form of folic acid because I'm 5-MTHF homozygous), it stimulates me too much. I try to limit it to no more than 400 mcg per day. And the taurate form of magnesium also stimulates me too much, while other forms of magnesium do not.
>
> Genetic variation in receptors rather than drug metabolizing enzymes seem to be involved. Remeron (mirtazpine)can be tried for SSRI intolerance because it doesn't affect the HTR2A 102 T/C genotype.
>
> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14514498
> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11465517
>
> -ZATAR
>
>
>
>
>
>Hi Zatar :)
Thanks so much for the info! I just increased my zoloft dose from 12.5 to 18.75 on Oct 3rd.. I also am taking .5 klonopin 1x/day which seems to help with the anxiety.. I do feel like I am getting better, I am defintely feeling much better that I felt back in July when my anxiety was horrible :( Before I started the zoloft, I was having full blown panic attacks every day..
I have only been on the Zoloft for about a month, so I guess I will give it some more time.. I will defintely keep the Remeron in mind if the Zoloft doesn't work..
Michelle
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