I have had panic disorder for 7 years now, and have had it managed well for the majority of the time (I have been through counseling and have been on medication). I forst took Paxil, which did well for me. I then switched to Prozac (the generic) when I was planning my pregnancies, because my OB was concerned that the Paxil was not as safe as he'd like for pregnancy. I've taken 30mg of Prozac every day since, and have been great. THEN, it just seemes to hit me a few weeks ago, and I now feel as though my Prozac isn't working anymore(?). I have been up all night without sleeping, so tense that I can't seem to relax, and my attacks have been back. I saw a Psych today that recommended I switch to Cymbalta, but after doing reasarch on its side effects, I don't feel comfortable with it. My primary care physician recommends increasing the Prozac dosage. Have any of you had similar experiences? Any experience with these meds for Anxiety? Advice from those who have tried these would be appreciated!
I would go back to the Paxil. It gets in your system fast. I have been on it for a long time for migraines. I don't have many side effects at all.
Hi. I work for a psych. While I am NOT a dr or even a nurse, I can tell you what I see all day. Everyone is different and sometimes meds need tweaking. IF prozac has done well in the past, they may want to increase to 40mg. You may also consider trying Paxil again, there is a new CR which is approved on most insurance. If you think this is all situational, they may try xanax or klonopin to help with the sudden attacks on an as needed basis. Cymbalta works well for some people and others not so much; your uneasiness about that med should be brought up to your dr. My dr likes Lexapro becuase it is the purist SSRI. Just realize that ALL Meds have side effects. There are so many new studies that there is a world of options. Just remeber, that sometimes you have to go through several things that dont work before you find what does work. Good luck with this. I wish you all the best
Hi! I take Cymbalta, and it has saved my life. I actually thought i was going crazy from anxiety. Every person is different, and just because it does one thing to someone, doesn't mean it will do the same to you. It has not raised my BP, but I take BP meds anyway, I started having issues when I was 23 (runs in the family.) Anyway, I will say that I think it's made me not be able to lose a few extra pounds I'd like to. It's really been awesome for me when Zoloft and Lexapro wouldn't help at all. I had brain zaps with Lexapro, scariest thing ever! My neurologist recommended Cymbalta, so I've been on it for maybe 2 years now. Please don't be scared of a med, when you can change it if it doesn't end up working, cuz you never know, you might get some greatly needed relief. Feel free to PM me. Take care.
I manage my anxiety and depression with Zoloft. I even took it while pregnant with my daughter with no complications. It seems that what works for one person, may not work for another. You will probably need to experiment with a few different meds. and doses of those meds before finding the combination that works. Height, weight, diet and other factors affect those medicines strengths as well.
Many people think this stuff is just stress, but I beg to differ. Stress can make it worse, but the best relief I have found is finding the right med. and dose that works for my body. People that think counseling alone cures all of this have never truly experienced true panic and anxiety.
I pray you wil get the correct medicine to alleviate this. It will get better!!! I also used Klonopin for the panic disorder until I got pregnant. I never went back on it after delivery though. It does alleviate the panic, but makes you sleepy, so I took at night time. Hope this helps! Keep me posted..A.
I am a relatively healthy 30 yr old. I started taking Cymbalta a year ago and it's great!! I didn't have any negative side effects. If anything, in addition to improving my emotional state, it also helped me lose weight. (I eat when I'm depressed). It made me feel "full" so I didn't scarf down so much food. I also take Xanax for anxiety. I only take it at night to help me fall asleep.
When I was pregnant I switched from Cymbalta to Effexor and I'm still on it now (my baby is 7 months) and I love the Effexor! It is one of the safest for while you're pregnant and it works! I never feel like I should switch to something else. Only annoying side effect is that if I forget to take it one day, I get so so dizzy!
Stay away from the Cymbalta for sure! It honestly made my moms blood pressure go up so much that she had to start taking BP meds. Then when she decided to go off of it, even at the slow rate the dr. recommended, she was MISERABLE!! It was unbelievable, and her BP has never really returned to normal. They know for certain it was the cymbalta too, because her BP was actually low the day she got the prescription from the dr, and a month later, it was time for BP meds! (She is like me and has had low BP her whole life!) It has been such a nightmare for her, I would not wish that on anyone! Best of luck to you! ~A.~
