If one SSRI doesn't work, what next?

Thank you....I've been on the 30 about a week and feel a lot better; in the past, I believe I took it for three years or so; maybe not that long. I pray it's the right one b/c I definitely don't want to change. Best wishes at your psych appt. I decided against continuing to see the one I did; he didn't have the best bedside manner and that's an important factor for me. Best wishes to you too!

Hey kcsmith,

How are you feeling now?

I too am on lexapro and I have taken lex before in the past always short term need and it has always worked for me the same. I'm on it again 4th time and I was feeling okay the first 3 weeks and now I'm going on 5-6 weeks and half of last week and this week it's been pretty rough. I've had morning anxiety and the racing mind. Last week was also my menstrual week so I know that just triggered the anxiety too. But I did say in one of my posts that i read a post of mine from years ago when I was on lex and I had this same exact situation happen to me and I was concerned about why I was having anxiety again after feeling ok but I stuck it out and it subsided.

So I'm praying this is just another bump in the road and I'll be good again. I will be praying for you.

Thank you Roxy and Rspwed...it's weird but I felt okay for a few days then back down again, tearful, brain foggy/dp/dr....I'm not sure it's right for me. The only good things I've experienced is good sleep, but non-functional. I appreciate your well wishes....I don't know how I'm going to get through this but there has to be a plateau-something that helps.

Thank you...I appreciate the prayers more than you know..I was doing great previous to April...I had been attending graduate school and was one semester from graduating when I had a panic attack. My pcp prescribed Clonazepam which at the time I didn't realize was a benzo. I never wanted to get on something addictive so I asked for Lexapro as I'd taken it in the past with success. When I first took it, experienced a horrible week and my doctor dc'd it. I then began to take myself down from the Clonazepam not realizing you couldn't do it in a chunk which I feel triggered brain fog. Then I went for a week or so with no sleep, increased anxiety. I changed doctors; back to a previous one who again prescribed Lexapro and wanted me up to 40 so we could begin taking off the benzo. I had a hard time from the beginning; 10mg nausea for weeks and brain foggy but sleep; 20mg continued brain fog; 30mg a little better but not functioning completely; 40 a mess-hysterical crying; back down to 30 where I sit with more tearfulness, panic, fog.

Thank you...I sincerely appreciate it. Nothing seems to help the anxiety and I've developed this crazy fog but I'm prayerful it will get better-it has to; I have a teenage son to support.

Thanks SC and roxy. Roxy, before I was on the highest dosage-40mg...It worked years ago but now, horrible. I haven't taken the Clonazepam down any further b/c I'm afraid it will make more cognitive problems...I think that's what did it initially; I took myself down from 1 1/2mg to .5 in a relatively short time....I need medical supervision to do it....It's the only calming agent I have right now and my anxiety is high.

Thank you so much. I'm on week 2 of 30 and just feel worse; had a few days of "okay"; tonight tearful and went outside; felt odd-had to go back in...think I've developed some agoraphobia..I appreciate the prayers..

buspar is gentle and hasnt given me any bad side effects. its also non addictive. if it works for you its a wise move. its no where near as strong as klonopin but lets hope its strong enough for you. it works on me except for my worst attacks that require a benzo

KC,

Buspar is in a completely different med family...it is not an SSRI...

...and the most complaint I have heard about it is that it is does not provide as full of coverage as some meds...but the s/e's are minimal...so there is the trade off.

Perhaps the combination of therapy and your Buspar...will be the successful plan you need! :) It is certainly worth a try and hoping for!

Cheering you on!

S.C.

He probably figures you don't want to try another SSRI, or SNRI...which can all have a tendency towards s/e's...

Buspar is an older med, and different in how it works in the brain...and is lesser known for undesired effects.

I think it's a good move and worth seeing how you do!

S.C.

i will second what scat said. of all the phych meds i have tried -buspar is the most gentle easy to take and less side effects -none in my case. i urge you to try it . no need to be wary of buspar-i promise.

good show , yes you may feel slightly light headed but by that you know its working.

KC,

I looked this up and there are conflicting reports. As with any other symptoms...it seems to be different for different people.

Some reported an increase in BP, while others noted theirs had lowered.

If you have high blood pressure, you might want to monitor it, just to be safe...but if not...then I don't think you have anything to worry about.:)

I get flushed sometimes and it is not connected to my blood pressure.

S.C.