Exploring SSRI Treatment Options

[Gloria123]

Hi everyone,I'm obviously posting more than usual today! I'm looking into starting an SSRI, and am looking for the best experiences from all of you. What have you used? Has it helped? Did it increase either anxiety or twitching?I have used Lexapro in the past and I had many side effects so I'm not eager to start again, but feel like I should for my anxiety. I'm thinking something like Prozac or Zoloft. Lately my anxiety has all been health related (like serious hypochondria) which tends to be classified under OCD and I've heard those work the best.Any suggestions would be helpful as I talk to my doctor next week about this.Mitra

 

[Gloria123]

Hmm... I have never heard of Remeron. I'll definitely look into this. Thanks AZTwitchy!Mitra

 

[WindyCityGentleman]

Hard to suggest medication since our body chemistry is different, however I didnf have any side effects from Zoloft or celexa.

 

[Gloria123]

WindyCityGentleman - which helped you more? Lexapro was a nightmare for me in the initial stages especially and I couldn't sleep at all. Same with Buspar, which I had to quit after 5 months because I would only sleep 3-4 hours a night even while taking Lunesta. I'm considering Zoloft due to its effectiveness with anxiety.Mitra

 

[SecretAgent007]

Mitra,Rather than going back to the dark side with pharmaceuticals, have you considered natural herb supplements to help with anxiety? You've had so much success with the natural solutions so far, I'd hate to see you going back to the chemicals. Valerian Root is a good herbal supplement that gives temporary relief of anxiety and it doesn't come with all the nasty side effects that pharmaceuticals do.

 

[Gloria123]

I have not tried natural supplements yet, SAM. I might do that. I heard that Valerian Root could have the opposite affect on sleep though, and I'm afraid it might with me. I had a supplement with Valerian, Melatonin and something else in it, that did not help me sleep at all and made my sleep restless. I know melatonin alone doesn't do that.Any other natural supplements you could recommend?Mitra

 

[Gloria123]

Actually, I forgot that I take Kavinace almost every night and it's natural. It's supposed to reduce anxiety. It contains: Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCl & pyridoxal 5'-phosphate) 2 mgProrietary Blend: Taurine and 4-amino-3-phenylbutyric acid 950 mgand really helps me sleep (sometimes along with a melatonin).But, I'm looking for something that will really tackle my anxiety when it's at its peak. It's been debilitating lately (I've lost weight, had many days where I feel I can't breathe because of tightness in my chest/globus sensation, etc.).Trust me, the last thing I want to do is go on an SSRI, but I'm really kind of desperate right now to make things better.Mitra

 

[katiemichelle]

I am on Lexapro. I went on very very slowly. Started off with 1/4 of a pill and worked my way up to a full. That minimized most side effects. I will say that it took about 2.5 months on it before I felt completely "normal" and my sleep patterns regulated. I have been on it almost a year and feel fantastic and sleep great! I would just talk to your doc about which one to try and give it a go.

 

[WindyCityGentleman]

You could use 5-htp before you try actuall medication , I do take this supplement. I tried celexa only for 3 weeks and switched to Zoloft because I started to twitch.... So I only really experienced Zoloft for long term. It was a good medication it helpsed with anxiety.however, The withdrawal effect was bad but it only lasted for two weeks. From what I read people seem to favor lexapro which I never tried. At this moment I take low dose 30 mg of pamelor which I take for tension headaches and it also helps with anxiety, again no side effects.