Posted 7/5/2016 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
I have never posted to this forum, mostly active on UC forum.
My story: shortly after diagnosis and treatment (including prednisone) I began to suffer severe anxiety and depression. It became much worse after the pred taper, to the point of being afraid to leave my apartment, driving, going *anywhere* scared the dickens out of me.
Finally my M.D. suggested a SSRI. She explained that most serotonin is produced in the large intestine and it is very common for those suffering IBD to have depression and anxiety. I am an ex-zen nun, and have been in intensive training to learn how to actually cease thinking, so that convinced me it is indeed a physical problem.
OK so she started me on Paxil low dose, then up to 25 mg. Tremors so bad, couldn't write, fill out forms, etc. so I tapered of that.
Then we tried Zoloft 25 mg, felt better depression wise but not much lowered anxiety, maybe just a little, so she upped my dose to 50 mg. Tremors--big time. Anxiety and depression were much improved. But the tremors are bad and i notice involuntary flopping of hands and arms during sleep. She suggested we add a small dose of Lorazepram and that helped both the trembling and anxiety but completely zonks me out.
So I'm thinking 50 mg Zoloft is too much, so I'll taper to 25 and continue with occasional Lorazepram. I know it's common to try a number of different meds but I'm thinking I don't metabolize SSRI's well.
Thanks for listening!