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Discussion Topic: SSRI's - need info
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 nancy |
03-01-2004 @ 10:34 AM |
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Joined: Feb. 2004
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This is amazing. I was going to post a question today about Zoloft. My doctor (a new doc, first time I saw him) prescribed Zoloft for me on Friday. I have been too scared to start it. I feel like my anxiety is somewhat situational, and taking a daily medication freaks me out. Hah, anxiety about anxiety medication. I'm mostly afraid that I'll take it and it'll make me feel worse.
Is there anything that can be taken during a panic attack to lessen it, rather than a daily medication? I've heard of Xanax, but that's about it.
Also, for the people who are taking meds, do you combine this with therapy? My doctor didn't even suggest a referral to a therapist, which made me feel like he's just throwing drugs at me.
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| dCheryl |
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03-01-2004 @ 10:46 AM |
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Joined: Feb. 2004
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I would definelty ask for a referal to a therapist or counselor. Meds are great but they are basically suppose to be a short term thing while you learn other things to help you cope. They don't change your thinking behavior and from everything I learned, the key to beating panic is Cognitive Behavior Therapy which teaches you to make these changes.
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| JenK |
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03-01-2004 @ 2:08 PM |
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Joined: Dec. 2003
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hi there!
If I were you I would talk very seriously with your doctor about taking an SSRI. I know that they have saved my life when combined with CBT(cognative behavioural therapy) and meditation.
SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. In a nutshell, Serotonin in a chemical/hormone in your brain that is thought to have effect on moods and the presence of anxiety. I'm not 100% sure of the exact way this works but I think that people with anxiety and depressive disorders produce too much serotonin.
I'm not really sure how to explain this because i'm not quite clear on it myself, but SSRI's help to regulate serotonin levels.
This can help greatly with anxiety. 
I'm on a SNRI, which is SSRI taken one step further. It works with another chemical in the brain called norepinepherine, which is also thought to play a role in anxiety. I'm taking Effexor XR which works on serotonin and norepinepherine. I find it works very well with the combination of therapy and meditation/yoga.
Don't lean on just one treatment, make sure you do therapy and relaxation to help you on your way
Good luck!!!
Jen
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| stuff |
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03-01-2004 @ 3:17 PM |
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Joined: Feb. 2004
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Hi everyone,. I am so grateful for this site and for all of you sharing your stories. I wish we could all get together in person and have a group therapy session!!! What I am wondering is, is there anyone out there that is managing panic/anxiety without any meds at all? Is that even possible? I have been seeing a psychologist and working on the CBT for 3 months and the biggest thing that he taught me that has helped me is the controlled breathing or andominable breathing. That along with xanax helps when my anxiety level is extremely high to keep me from going into a full blown panic atttack (usually). I still just cannot kick the constant fear. Currently I am taking xanax and it helps to take the edge off but I am still too afraid to venture out of the house for anything other than what is absolutely necessary like work and groceries and even doing that is such a atruggle for me. I have big-time hyponchondria where my fear is that I am going to have a heart attack, a stroke or some other sudden on-set of some terrible illness while I am at work, driving, at the store, whatever. I am trying to learn "thought stopping" and eliminating "catastrophic thoughts" but I am having difficulty mastering that. When I have a really bad day is when I think about the SSRI's but to be honest, I am so afraid of those that when I have an "ok" day, I think I'll just try to continue to fight it out. Did anyone out there conquer this and resume a fairly normal life without meds? If so, how did you do it and how long did it take you? Maybe I am expecting too much in only 3 months??? What is the normal time frame for the CBT to really work well enough to feel more confident? Does anyone else out there have the hypochondria problem? Everyone, please continue to give your feedback! Thank you !!!!!!!
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| Melanie, Support Specialist |
03-01-2004 @ 4:59 PM |
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Administrator
Joined: Dec. 2001
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Hi Stuff,
It is known that CBI and medication is the best method of therapy. As for time frames, regular practice will make techniques easier to use. In some cases you may feel that you are going backwards instead of making progress. Keep on working and if you feel like you are having setbacks then please jump back on the site and we can work through them together.
Take care,
Melanie
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| Dave |
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08-30-2004 @ 12:06 AM |
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Joined: Aug. 2004
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The term "S.S.R.I" stands for "Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor". These are the new class of anti-depressants quite different from the tricyclics.
Serotonin functions in the brain by latching onto chemical receptors. A chemical message is passed down through the nerve until it reaches the synapse. At this point or "Gap", chemical messengers transfer the message from one nerve cell to the next. The extra serotonin that "Isn't" used in the transmission is usually reabsorbed. However the anti-depressant action of "S.S.R.I." inhibitors is to leave more serotonin in the brain available to the receptors.
Hope that helps you.
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| Khris |
08-30-2004 @ 12:42 AM |
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Joined: Aug. 2004
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Well, I started on Zoloft almost 2 years ago for GAD..but I actually GOT panic attacks after being on it for some time. Then my meds were changed to Lexapro daily and Xanax as needed when the panic does come. The Xanax kills the panic attack in its track. The Lexapro has definantly made a difference in the way I feel and the anxiety.
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| MichaelP |
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08-30-2004 @ 9:10 PM |
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Joined: Jul. 2004
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Everyone reacts differantly to treatment...some people do better on just benzos and most of those take higher dosages of benzo. Ive always done well with a low dose of prozac 5-10 mg and low dose of klonopin .25-.5mg, along with diet, excercise, etc... The prozac scared me at first as well and I do have trouble with meds....I cant tolerate a higher dose of prozac and thus still am not 100% but the low dosaage seems to help but you need to start out low and see how it goes....
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| rachele |
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08-31-2004 @ 8:23 PM |
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Joined: Aug. 2004
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Stuff, I have struggled with panic/anxiety for approximately 10 or 12 years now without medication. I have recently been considering it because I have just grown tired, physically and mentally, of coping with the tools I have. However, on a positive note it is possible to utilize only cognitive-behavioral tools to deal with panic. It DOES take more than three months... for a couple of reasons. First, your body/mind has to be trained to respond almost instantaneously to anxiety, this can only be done with practice, practice and more practice. Second, your nervous system needs to have time to rest. And third, you do become in a sense "used to" your panic and accepting of the fact it will go away when utilizing your coping tools, but this takes time. After all this time my anxiety/panic sort of comes and goes with long periods in between and I know that this is in large part due to the fact that I know how to take care of myself. There are times though that it can get the best of me when something very stressful is happening and it is because of these times that I have been considering medication. Maybe its a cop out, I don't know but I'm tired of doing the work and feeling the strain. Hhhhmmm, this isn't sounding very positive is it? I meant it to be, I know people who do perfectly well without meds aside from the rare xanax under extreme circumstances. You just have to be willing to do the work. Good luck whatever you decide. Rachele
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| heartbeat4u67 |
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09-02-2004 @ 3:35 AM |
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Joined: Sep. 2004
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Dear Stuff:
Just wanted to put in my 2 cents worth. I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder about 12 years ago, but only AFTER 2 years of going to the doctor for just about everything under the sun, only to have the doctor tell me nothing was wrong with me. He gave me Xanax, and told me to go home. I ended up thinking I must be "nuts" because I kept having all these "symptoms" and the doctor just kept telling me nothing was wrong. I was SERIOUSLY hypocondriac!!!! So I checked myself into the local mental health care facility. (No, I'm not joking!) I was supposed to spend 21 days there, however, after 3 days, the panel of doctors told me I needed to go home, this was not the place for me! (Actually, it's quite comical now to think about it) I was terrified to go home, because I was absolutely positive I was insane or something. It took me 5 years to get off the xanax, and to be honest, I wouldn't recommend xanax to anyone, since half my problem was because xanax is a short acting drug, and when my body would come down from the xanax, the deficit acts JUST LIKE ANXIETY!! So I never knew if it was because of the drug, or because I was anxious, the two are very similiar. However, I do take Paxil, and Clonazapam and I can honestly tell you, I feel much better.......without it I would not be able to function as well as I do. I am hoping this course is going to give me some cognitive tools so that I can start really living again. Jennifer
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| Posted By |
Discussion Topic: SSRI's - need info
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