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Posted 1/15/2008 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor started me on Wellbutrin, 150mg a day and it doesn't seem to be working. I also was given Toprol by a cardiologist to take daily, but now it seems that the panic attacks are back in full force. Does anyone have any experience with these meds? Am I on the wrong anti-depressant? My doctor is about done with me over all of this. He practically told me that if i didn't like the wellbutrin to find another doctor.
Posted 1/15/2008 10:53 PM (GMT 0)

I'd like to extend a warm welcome to you on your first visit to Healing Well! To help you get the most out of the A & P Forum please take the time to browse our threads.

It would help me to have a bit more information re what meds you have used in the past and why you feel your physician is ready to quit on you? Many of the AD meds will quit working for people after awhile but it is prety much an individual thing.

If you don't mind, a little more detail will give a more insite into the med issues.
Thank you so much. Again a Warm welcome.

Posted 1/16/2008 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
This anxiety just started in early November. Of course, I ran to the hospital because I thought I was having a heart attack. They kept me three days and basically told me that it was anxiety. My doctor gave me xanax, then klonipin (sp) then he told me to start on Zoloft which I couldn't handle, it made me very sick to my stomach. I ended up back at the ER and they gave me Ativan which worked really well but my doctor wanted me on something like Wellbutrin. So i started that about 6 days ago. Also, I went to a cadiologist because of my racing heart and after an echocardiogram (which was normal) he gave me Toprol which I have been taking about 4 days. I can't sleep at night and I'm not sure which meds are keeping me up. This is a really scarey condition and I have a hard time dealing with the symptoms. I am in counseling and we have just started working on coping.
Posted 1/16/2008 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hello there cherthom...welcome to healingwell. You have found an awesome place for information, and support, so I do hope you stick around. When you are saying doctor, do you mean your family doctor is saying Wellbutrin or nothing, or are you talking about a pdoc? The reason I ask is because I was first put on Lexapro and Xanax by my primary family doctor, and I told him I wasn't liking it. I was having some side effects from the Lexapro, and didn't love the idea of taking Xanax. He didn't want to deal with changing meds to find the right one...many medical doctors won't. They don't specialize in the psychiatric end of medicine the way a pdoc does. He then suggested I go to a pdoc, and that is when I got switched to Effexor XR, and Klonopin, and that is when I got my life back. Anti depressants can take up to 6 weeks to take full affect, and it seems as if you have been on this med for over 6 weeks, so it might be time to think about trying something else if you are not feeling better. If you do not have a pdoc, I would strongly suggest you get one. Again, welcome to healingwell, and I wish you all the best!
Posted 1/16/2008 7:25 AM (GMT 0)
My current pdoc has told me to swap from clonazepam to valium or he won't see me any more either. Some docs just need a kick in the backside and a bit of empathy for their patients. Can you find a new doc?

Posted 1/16/2008 1:08 PM (GMT 0)
I would also be thinking that you may need a new med this one may not be working foryou ....BUT it does work for some.........
I would also suggesst you get a pdoc if not already got one and you can go from there they will have more experience with the AD's and changing your meds ya know

Keep us posted please and Welcome to HW
Posted 1/16/2008 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice. My Primary Doc did suggest I see a Pdoc but I thought he was just being insulting. He had told me earlier to get a "grip" of myself and that wasn't dealing with this like I should. I was so embarrassed as I didn't know what was happening to me.
I will talk to my counselor and get a referral to a Pdoc and maybe then I can live!!!
This is so scary to go through especially when no one around you understands what you are going through. I feel like I'm losing my mind sometimes. I have put my life on hold for the last 2 1/2 months; and I'm tired of it. I want to get out there again and live and this forum has showed me that I can. Thanks guys you were just what I needed!
Posted 1/16/2008 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cherthom & All...

Cherthom, you have come to the right place here. I also had a/p come back strong as ever a few months ago. I have been doing this for a long time. But found long ago a pdoc just seems to handle a/p better and the meds.

I think that is the best that you ask your counselor to get a referral. In fact I went to a couple pdoc before I found the one I like. Just remember it will take a few weeks on new meds to kick in. Would be nice if they would work with the 1st one we pop into our mouths.

Plus finding the med or meds that are right for you. There are a few out there I have to stay away from. Have to many side effects from them. But there are also some good ones out there. Some after awhile of taking on some people seem not to work as good and then will have to go to something different to take.

I get the heart thing as well. Can be very scary thing. In fact when it hits me and it does, I have this way of thinking the worst. That is something I need to try to control and the meds I am on are starting to help. Just wish they would kick in faster.. :)

I wish you the best of health and let us know how you are doing.

Take good care
Mia
Posted 1/16/2008 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
cherthom

Good Morning.  Toprol (Lopressor) is a beta blocker and is used for relief of temporary anxiety. I am not sure that is what you PCP prescribed it for as you were in the hospital for 3 days.  You may be using it for cardiac or BP issues.  It usually causes drowsiness and should not keep you awake.

IMHO you would benefit from a Pdoc prescribing your anxiety meds. Everyone is different and it sometimes takes more than one try to come up with the combination that works best for you.

Know we are here and we support you so please feel comfortable posting here. We undertand what your going through. Hugs to you.

Posted 1/17/2008 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
When I had panic attacks a few years ago, Zoloft ended them fast. If Zoloft makes you nauseated, you might try it again if nothing else works. I've had drugs make me sick the first time but not the second. Weird, huh?
Posted 1/17/2008 2:09 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Cherthom, warm welcomes to HW.  I'm sorry your doc is being so unsympathtic.  As aussie put it so succintly sometimes they need "a good kick in the pants".  I have been on about eight different AD's and in the end all they did was give me nasty side effects (this is just me though, I'm a bit odd with meds).  I now only take ant-anxiety meds, xanax, valium, ativan as needed (which usually isn't much) and I don't get any side effects except calm. (A lot of counselling has helped that too - vastly)

I think getting a second opinion is always good, never, ever, let a doc or anyone make you feel stupid for having anxiety/panic.  They would change their tune pretty quick if it happened to them! Please keep posting, we will support you not to feel so isolated or (god forbid) even the littlest bit stupid! Welcome again. xx

Posted 1/17/2008 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
I really appreciate all this good advice and support. I want to quit taking the wellbutrin...i just don't feel any better at all. I know it's only been 7 days but I think I feel worse for it all. Can I just stop taking it? Will I be okay? I know if I call my doc and ask he'll blow a fuse he is tired of me complaining about meds. I am getting a referral to see a Pdoc but I'm told it will be at least 2-3 months before I can get in so that would mean I would have to function with no meds at all. I just don't know what to do. Any advice?
I felt better when I had ativan to take when needed but the doc won't give me anymore..says it's addictive.
What a mess!
Posted 1/17/2008 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
is wellburtin prescribed only if you have panic attacks? as some of you know cause i posted before, i get really bad anxiety and it drives me, my family, and friends crazy. i know that if you feel depressed they can give you some anti-depressants, but if i told my doctor or therapist i have anxiety could they give me for that too??
Posted 1/17/2008 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Well, finally got the guts up to call my MD to ask if I could get off the wellbutrin and start the zoloft instead. It's hard to believe how nasty a doctor can be. I have never experienced anything like it. He was curt and rude and said go ahead and then see a Pdoc...which after all of your advice I got approval from insurance and will make an appointment today. I am hoping that these dang panic attacks will go away. They almost always hit me during the night which has caused me to not get much sleep. I have been using deep breathing to get through them...is that all I can do?
Must go get a CAT scan today..praying that a panic attack won't hit while I'm there...that'd be no fun.
Cherthom
Posted 1/17/2008 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Are there meds specific to anxiety that you can take long-term? I'm currently taking Zoloft, and while it seems to help with my depression (though I'm not sure how to really tell), it doesn't even touch my anxiety. I don't think I've ever had a panic attack (though when I'm extremely anxious I get uncontrollable shakes) and I'm pretty much anxious 24/7. I've read about anti-anxiety meds that you take as needed, but is there an alternative to SSRIs for long-term anxiety? Or is it just a matter of trying more types? (I've tried low doses of Paxil and Lexapro in the past with no real effect.)
Posted 1/17/2008 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Cherthom,

Good to hear you are going to make an appointment with a Pdoc today and the you insurance gave the ok. Remember it takes time for the med/meds to work. So hang in there.

a/p also seems to like to creep up on me in the evenings or at night. I am having less or they dont last as long since I started back on my meds. I know it will take a while longer. I try to watch my breathing as well and focus on keeping it normal..Works and times and other times it does not. I also to the rubber band thing around my wrist. Just wear it and will snap it. But again sometime it helps and other times it does not. The best I have found is meds which I ended up sometime ago going off of. Big mistake on my part. Now I have to work it seems even harder this time around.

Good luck on you CAT Scan today.

Mia
Posted 1/17/2008 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Erin.....

Sounds like maybe it is a little panic thrown in there as well. Sometimes it is the right dose mg that work too or just having to try a few to see what is the best for you. Some have luck the 1st time around with a med while it takes others to go through a few meds or the dose raised. I would say to call your Dr and talk to him/her about how you feel and so on. Then take it from there on the med you might need. Maybe you just need to dose raised or another med. But to see for sure if you are having panic call you Dr and speak with them.

Wish you the best. Let us know how you are doing.

Mia
Posted 1/17/2008 5:20 PM (GMT 0)

Cherthom, Hey there, good for you for calling the Doc and perhaps you can make an appointment for your PCP at the pdocs when you make your own.  LOL.  I will send good vibes your way for your CT Scan.

Birunji, Some of the meds for depression work better for anxiety then others. Lexapro is usually a good one, Cymbalta is another that works well for some people.  Remember each person reacts differently to the meds.

Take care. Hugs to both of you.


 

Posted 1/17/2008 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Stkitt & mammaMia for all your help. I see the pdoc on the 28th so I guess I'll try the Zoloft for now...CAT scan went well. Just have some nodes in the chest they're watching. No wonder I'm anxious! I feel hopeful now that I'll see a Pdoc and I'm going to lose the primary doc and find another one. This guy I have now is mad every time I see him...don't think he likes being a doctor at all!
It's freezing here in Texas...in the 30's and windy. I love it!
Posted 1/17/2008 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

 This is so weird but the same thing is happening to me only with different meds. My anxiety was getting bad and I woke up with a racing heart in late November. I was taken by ambulance to my ER and was sent home and told to relax only to come back to my ER 3 days later. They told me I had an over active thyroid which I do not. I ended up staying one night in the cardiac unit and was sent home with metropolol which is the generic version of yours. It knocked me out and I could not even function. I then started taking the controlled release but that made my pulse and blood pressure go too low. I also recently started paxil CR 12.5 but I don;t feel that is helping and its been almost a month. Yesterday I was put on a heart monitor just to show me that I have tachycardia and nothing else wrong with my heart. It is hard to believe though because I am so obviously feeling symptoms of a racing and pounding heart, mostly when I stand. It has effected my whole life.

I will keep you posted on my progress with medications as I might be switching soon.

Good luck to you!

Posted 1/17/2008 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Cherthom

Great to hear you did not have panic when you had the Cat Scan.

Sound like a good move to drop your Dr...DANG!!! Sounds like he needs some med as well. I don`t know why some Drs are so nasty. I have had a couple like that and dropped them fast. Don`t need that at all. Is hard enough to go through what we do with out some Dr adding to it all.

I am just so happy about the Pdoc and that you are going to find a new primary DR. Let us know when you get set up with your Pdoc.

Cold in Texas is it. I have family that live there as well. Down past Brownsville. I am in Idaho. Chilly & windy here today. 20s today with wind chill of 17*. Saying snow again by Saturday.

Keep warm!

Mia :)
Posted 1/17/2008 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
Wow Kimbo, you and I are having identical problems. I was put on a heart monitor only to find out I have something similar to tachcardia. I am being treated like I'm nuts and I have had it with my primary doctor...he's a jerk.
I know just how you feel, it's so frustrating. I went to an endocrinologist and they cut back my thyroid meds and now tell me it's all normal. What a mess. It's odd how this thing can grab you and send you spiraling isn't it. One minute you feel fine and the next BAM! I've been to the hospital two more times after my 3 day stay. I never imagined having medical bills like I do now. I am looking forward to seeing the Pdoc though and hopeful that she will find the right meds. Starting tomorrow I am going to take Zoloft...maybe that will help. Keep thinking positive and keep posting here. I have never had so much understanding and support than I have had since I started posting. This is a great group of people!!
Hugs to you
cherthom
Posted 1/18/2008 9:40 AM (GMT 0)
 

     Kind of green to this forum. Should have been here a long time ago. I've had panic attacts for about 15 years. Ended up in ER more than twice and sent home . Said "your  having a panic attack not a heart attack. I was put on a monitor to find out I have white coat syndrome so once I get a Dr. wether good or bad . I stay put. My panic attacks usually happen at night. When no one is awake to talk to and help me get over it and I can't walk it off cuz it's to dark outside and now its to cold in the 30's almost all day today who knows what it like now.  Live in New Mexico.

 I was put on adavin to help with anxiety. Having a hard time sleeping these days (to many thing running through my head). Dr. put me on lexapro gave me samples for a few weeks but since it takes at least 6 weeks to take effect. I had to get a presc. for it and insurance would not cover it unless bla  bla bla. So I was given zoloft which did give me a very upset stomach for a while but  the upset stomach went away after about four days . Did not help me sleep.  Was thinking of stopping it but it did help my anxiety some so have decided to stay on it. Mean time I had been taking atavin for occational  anxiety .05mg. for about 15 years. Now that helps occational sleeplessness as well.

 Went to see a Phycio. he said I should stop taking atavin  because its addictive . Dont you think maybe I am . He just did't want me to take to take it  He's the one who brushed me off and said get over it . He  did'nt listen to me or pay attnention when I said I had an anxiety problem . I told my Dr. and he said he didn't understand, It wasen't as If he were giving me a .2 mg tab every 3 hours. And if it worked for me ?????? he said ive been prescribing it I would know how often you take it.  Anyway I won't go back to that pho. any more.

So enough nono of me. Have good day since its 2:30am here.  june

Posted 1/18/2008 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
NO ONE needs or deserves to be treated like anything less of a human because we have this DD
Anxiety and Panic are REAL and I would love for them ( the docs) to walk just one day in our shoes


nono


I have no use for a Doc that has no bedside manner nor empathy....
NEVER be ashamed of having this ...I am not ........have had it for well over 30 plus yrs ...

We all can fight the fight together.......

There are other meds as well for anxiety like Benzos for quick relief.........
Take care all
Try and have a good day knowing you are NOT alone

LYN

Posted 1/18/2008 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

You are so right on Lyn. No one has the right to treat someone like that. Plus, a Dr to act like that is so very wrong. I also would like to see a DR trade places for just a day to know how it feels and how hard many times it is to cope with. SHAME! on all the DRs that are this way.

You are so right never be ashamed, never!!!!! I also have had it for many many years. It is me the way I am, so I figure anymore if someone does not like it then they can leave me alone. Not going to worry about dealing and stressing about people like that. One reason I like this forum. People who understand and just being there is amazing to have and to know.

For many of us that cant sleep and are up all night we should start a late night chat, early morning chat. ...lol Hey ,better at times sitting alone while others sleep and our minds run wild.

Do take care.

Mia
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