Anxiety and SSRI's - Anyone better off without SSRI's?

[Big_Bluefish]

I have generalized anxiety disorder. My anxiety has been especially strong in the mornings for the past two years. I have tried to change medications twice (Paxil to Lexapro and then Paxil to Zoloft). Each time my anxiety got way worse!!! I'm still trying the switch to Zoloft and it is going poorly. Anyone else have such problems? Has anyone decided to come off SSRI's altogether only to discover they were no longer experiencing anxiety?

[Adamj]

I know I get really bad side effects from a lot of meds. Im on buspar and it seems to have minimal side effects if it’s working or if I’m learning to cope again with my anxiety idk. Im trying to give it a full two weeks. But I know when I was starting it and trying to start it my anxiety went through the roof it’s horrible. I did horrible with paxil is absolutely wrecked my stomach my doctor did a genesight test and paxil was one of the meds that said I probably shouldn’t take. In the end I think we need to try and give the med a shot of a couple weeks unless it’s causing bad side effects though I hate feeling fake on these meds and I keep getting really bad bouts of depersonalization/derealization. You can learn to cope without meds but it’s really hard maybe if you find a good therapist to help. I wish I didn’t have to take BUSPAR I also don’t take that this is the new me I ain’t gonna not feel real the rest of my life. When I was younger I tried so many different types of antidepressants and I really didn’t like any of them. But I’m the end talk with your doctors and see what they say

[Big_Bluefish in reply to Adamj]

Thanks for your feedback!!

[Dell12345]

I think it's natural to wonder if the medication is making things better or worse if the medication hasn't fully relieved the symptoms. Could it be that the dose you are taking isn't quite right?

Switching can be very hard, as your brain is used to the presence of the medication, and needs time to adjust to it not being there, and adjust to the new medication.

Sometimes other medications are added temporarily to help with this bridging. It might be worth talking to a psychiatrist about this, as they will have much more experience with it than a GP.

I hope you feel better soon xx

[Big_Bluefish in reply to Dell12345]

Thanks. I am working with psych. Zoloft definitely seems to be making things worse. It's just that Paxil didn't seem to be helping that much anymore. I am wondering if the SSRI"s are actually making things worse.

[Bboris]

I have tried all the ssri’s, buspar, effexor ….it just gave me MORE anxiety. And I gave it plenty of time. All that works is Klonopin, but you can’t take that every day. I just found out the cause of my anxiety…Parkinson’s. Go figure. I’ve done a lot better after exercising again…….it makes a big difference. Try it!

[Big_Bluefish in reply to Bboris]

Thank you. I hope you are doing well. I know exercise is important. It's funny, but especially when I am anxious, I have trouble getting up the will to exercise.

[lonewolfgirl in reply to Big_Bluefish]

One thing that truly helped was propanolol. Please ask your dr. About it.

[Big_Bluefish in reply to lonewolfgirl]

I do have it. Not sure I notice a difference with it. Going to keep trying. Thank you for the feedback.

[nkotbjoeymc]

I Take Clonazepam And Prozac.

[Blue_81]

Im still thinking about trying medication. My anxiety is really bad in the mornings. I dont really want to wake up and start the day. What has helped is go for a long walk. Sometimes I take a cold shower when my anxiety is running higher than normal. Once, I get over the morning it starts to ease off.

[Big_Bluefish in reply to Blue_81]

Walking or taking a cold shower seem like such good ideas. I kind of get stuck and can't get myself to take a walk. I feel anxious and I guess I am embarrassed or feel like someone will see me and will be able to tell I'm anxious. If I am going to work, I take a shower, which does seem to help a bit.

[Justp]

SSRIs seem to make my anxiety and health ten times worse. I felt much better after coming off them. Sadly, their after effects lasted for months. It takes an awesome support system to use them effectively. Most doctors do a piss poor job with this and most families do worse. You can beat it. It will be one of the hardest things you've done. The other side is far brighter, but expect to work at happiness and good health forever.

[Big_Bluefish in reply to Justp]

Can't thank you enough for the encouraging words. Really helping on a rough day! I have been on SSRI's for a long time, but they seemed to stop helping. I have therefore tried two different SSRI"s since then and it has gone really bad each time.

[daisyngo]

If you dont like taking meds, you may want to give Magnesium Glycinate Dr Best brand a shot (of course after checking with your doctor about this supplement). It helped me with anxiety and sleep, not so much help with depression but I am only day 3 on it. Found it helps right at first pill.

[Big_Bluefish in reply to daisyngo]

Thank you. Seems worth a try.

[abaca1234]

I take Celexa, keeps the panic attacks at bay, but I still have mild to medium anxiety, compared to high anxiety and overlapping panic attacks. Works good enough for me, no other side effects. Maybe a bit of weight gain

[Big_Bluefish]

Thanks for the feedback.

[Katie55]

I have a tablet container and load it up for 28 days at a time …Once I forgot to load my Sertraline into the box …After about a week my nerves were jangling and I felt absolutely dreadful I would Never Knowingly Stop my medication It is really important to get advice from your Gp and never just stop your drugs they must be decreased very gradually or you could have a bad reaction

[Big_Bluefish]

Thanks. Understood. The doctor and I are trying to slowly taper down the medication now.