Question:
About six months ago I realized that I have all the classical signs of
clinical depression. I started seeing a pdoc for medications and
therapy. He orginally put me on Zoloft, but the side effects were way
too severe. Next I tried Remeron which seemed to work for a while. The
lastest one I've tried was Paxil, but again the side effects were too
severe. I'm thinking that perhaps SSRIs don't settle well with my body. I also have severe anxiety and panic attacks which have been getting
worse over time. He prescribed Xanax which works very very well. It
really takes the edge off, but he has recommended that I don't take it
unless I'm in an anxiety situation. The problem is that I feel anxious
almost every minute of the day. What has worked for other people with depression and anxiety? I've been
reading up on Serzone and Effexor and will talk with my pdoc about them
at my next session, but I wanted to see what has worked and hasn't
worked for others.
Answer:
If you have anxiety all day long every day (as I do) you need to take the
meds every day. Many PDocs are afraid of Xanax and Klonopin because they
are supposed to be addictive. Some people have no choice and must take them long term daily. Your doctor
could possible switch meds from time to time such as Xanax to Klonopin and
back every few months. Check out alt.support.anxiety-panic I am on Klonopin daily and Serzone daily. We are all still learning about
these interactions of anxiety and depression including doctors, so read as
much info as you can. I've found that anxiety was very dependent upon the medication I was
taking. Some meds made the anxiety much worse, others seem to soothe.
I was on Xanax long-term despite all the warnings. When it was time
to quit, I was able to do so over time (as is recomended) but I
understand that others have had more difficulty. My most recent
experience was with Serzone which I felt lowered my overall anxiety
level. In the long run, however I've had to come to terms with
anxiety at another level and have been succesful dealing with it
without medication. Be insistent -- your doctor wants to help, but
he needs to know when it is definitely not working for you. Likewise
you need to work every angle you can. Listen to him, seek out every
other resource you can. I can relate. Anxiety led to my depression although I seem to
have a slightly less severe case than you describe. I'm taking Klonopin
for anxiety and Luvox for depression. It works well for me. I've been on
both for six months and I've been very emotionally stable during that
period. I know the anxiety is still there, however, because when I
forget to take my twice-daily doseage, I begin to get nervous. Then I
take it and all is right with the world again. I have suffered from depression and anxiety for years and have also
taken meds for both for years. Some people needs meds only for a time
and can taper off them and stay OK but others can't, like me. Zoloft
works for me for depression and Depakote for the anxiety and as a mood
stabilizer. The combo adjusts my brain chemistry for me but I'm one of
those people who might have to take it for life. Keeping try meds,
you'll find one you can live with but treat the anxiety too and don't be
afraid to take and stay on meds. Do what you have to do to better your
life now and who knows what will happen long term.
