Back from my Pdoc...AND...

Well guys, here's how things went. I was nervous, but all went well.  I made it through.  She took me off the Xanax all together, and put me on Klonopin .5 mg 2 times daily.  She took me from 20 mg of Lexapro to 10 mg of Lexapro for 2 weeks.  On the 15th I go back, and she wants to look into Effexor XR. Anyone have thoughts on their experiences with either drug??? She says she feels I have some depression, OCD, panic attacks, and anxiety disorder.  She also says she would like to keep the thought of me being bipolar in the  back of her mind, as some of what we talked about makes her think I could be bipolar, especially with the family history.  That all sounds overwhelming to me. So, I guess I am starting the Klonopin today, and we will go from here. Anyone with any thoughts will be appriciated.  THANKS GUYS FOR EVERYTHING!

Thanks so much Kitt!!! As usual, kind words, and I appriciate it greatly!

Tammy: I take Klonopin (.5 mg) as needed. I usually take it once or twice every 10 days or so--when I feel anxious. It does make me sleepy--and when I take it---BOY DO I SLEEP GOOD! :) and, then, the next day after taking it---I feel really good---so......just see how you feel----and let your Pdoc know if the combo of Lexapro and Klonopin is working--or not!

I am the same about switching meds--and feeling confused/nervous! You should see all of the meds I have in my "locked basket" in my room for the past 6 months alone! But----if the combination doesn't work---you need to review it with your doctor!

I will be away until next Wednesday---but, hang in there-and I will check next week to see how you are feeling! ;)
Take care!

Laurel

Hey Tammy_

Like everyone is saying, switching drugs is scary and you are doing great. You can hear it in your first post. Even though its distressing, you're optimistic, so that's awesome. My doc says the same thing about bipolar to me. She says it can take up to 7 years to diagnose someone with bipolar 2!!!. I know its overwhelming, but the reality of all this is great. It means you're moving forward in your recovery. If she feels you're bipolar 2 then she might (in the future) add a mood stabilizer. I think the theory is that SSRI/ SSNIs can cause bipolar tendencies to come out -- make things worse for you. So what my doc says they do is lower the SSRI (enough to cover the depression) and add a mood stabilizer (one docs opinion). Its actually no better or worse than what is already going on. Remember, you will feel same, no matter what "they" label it as. And i think that most docs keep it in the back of the heads with pretty much everyone that has panic and anxiety... Especially if SSRIs arent helping much.

Anyways, i think you are doing great. Don't let those darn names scare you! I know it scared me when i first heard the exact same thing, then i came to the realization " hey, label it whatever you want... If something is going to help me, i dont care what its called"...

You rock. Hang in there.
dan

When i was at 100mg of zoloft and still having panic my doc want to go up higher i said no way. I want to go down. So we went down and each step (after the withdrawals were done) I felt better too...

:D

Thanks for your input liquid! I appriciate your insight, and will let everyone know what I think of it when the time comes. THANK YOU