Panic and Anxiety Disorder Med change after 20 years causing problems

Hi,

As stated in the subject line I was successfully treated for panic and anxiety disorder on 150 mg daily of Effexor ex. In the last six months the dr has been suggesting that perhaps it's not working any more. Several years ago we tried to increase the dosage but it was not good for me causing more panic and side effects.

So finally at the end of February I agree to try something else. So dr had me drop from 150 to 75 mgs once a day for two days and then on the third day start on 50 mg Zoloft. As we all know this was an aggressive step down and it was rough to say the least! After a week on 50 mg of Zoloft Dr increased me to 100 mg. The side effects were bad and I was having deppressed periods that would last about and hour or so. Situation was not improving it was marginally worse, so on Tuesday of this week dr said we need to either go back to Effexor or try something else. I opted to try something else which he decided should be cipralex at 10 mgs so today is day four on cipralex and I am not doing well, panic attacks, nausea, anxiety and generally feeling horrible.

I am concerned about all of this change and it seems that this latest one isn't going to work either. After all this does it make sense to go back to Effexor?

Scaredey Cat,

Thanks the you supportive reply and suggestion, I have started to use some of the self help, and downloaded the book Panic Switch. Have done a lot of reading on panic over the years and really believe in Dr Claire Weekes philosophy, she did so much to raise awareness of this condition and how to get in front of it. Jeffery Hammes seems to embrace that thoughts and I am hoping he will have more tips that are helpful.

I do not have a psychiatrist at this point ( I moved 12 years ago so the one who worked with me when I was diagnosed is no longer close enough) GP has been prescribing meds as I haven't had issues. But admit that with this recent set back I have been thinking I may need to ask for a referral. I am also wondering if possibly I could give the medication up.... if the side effects from the drugs are so bad, maybe I could get through it this time with cbt...... My psychiatrist 20 years ago said I would always need meds because the combine panic and gad, but perhaps I could do it. I guess time will tell.

Hi

Welcome to the forum.

Changing meds is tough and it seems to be the norm for things to get worse before they get better Effexor is one of the hardest to discontinue and I would say that a much slower taper would of been better.

Cipralex is a good medication IMO so stick with it if you can when ever I have changed meds I have usefully found it takes about a month to settle back down again.

Keep us posted.

Hibee