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If one SSRI doesn't work, what next?

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Posted 9/4/2016 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you SC....I stayed hot for a little while then it went away; I tend to get nervous if I look at my bp but I will try and monitor it.
Posted 9/4/2016 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi KC. I know I haven't added much lately, I don't know much about buspar. Still thinking about you and praying for your relief.
Posted 9/4/2016 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Rspwed...I appreciate it
Posted 9/21/2016 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Not sure if anyone is still following this but I'm still enduring hades. After staying up on the 40mg Escitalopram, I had about all I could take-it failed to work. I went to a psych who prescribed the Buspar twice per day along with Clonazepam and only 10mg Escitalopram. Initially I had some successes with this, feeling clearer then about two days ago, it's like the flood gates opened and I began crying again without cause, feeling "off" and foggy. I checked with psych who told me to leave off Escitalopram for a week...I just feel like nothing is ever going to work for me....have never felt so strange and unlike myself in my life. Is it normal to feel a little "off" after discontinuing an ssri and how long does it take to get out of the system? Will it upset the balance of the other meds...I'm just utterly frustrated, sick and hopeless.
Posted 9/21/2016 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi kc,

I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time. I don't know if I have an specific advice for you, but wanted to send you strength.

Have you seen a therapist/counselor?

Stay strong! You'll get this figured out!
Posted 9/21/2016 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
KC,

You have had a lot of adjustments and changes along this journey. Things are bound to be in flux.

How long have you been seeing the P-doc now? (how many sessions/appointments?

S.C.
Posted 9/21/2016 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you supapfunk and SC....SC, I've been to two appointments; the first was the initial where he placed me on the Buspar and lowered the Escitalopram...The second I felt I was better so gave a positive report and he made no changes then like maybe two to three days later, began having these roller coaster emotions again and flatness...feeling "off"...I just can't figure it out and am at my wits end....
Posted 9/21/2016 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
Okay...I would give it another few days. ..

...this could just be random breakthrough anxiety, which is temporary.

...or like I said...just some turbulence from all the changes.

Put in a call to him if you don't feel better by the end if the week.

S.C.
Posted 9/21/2016 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you...I appreciate it!
Posted 9/21/2016 10:15 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry kc. I had hoped your absence meant you were feeling better. I hope you find relief soon, and that this latest episode is short.
Posted 9/21/2016 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Rspwed...no, still having troubles unfortunately
Posted 9/21/2016 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
It's pretty bad when your doctor refuses to help...I'm seeing a psych over telemedicine and have emailed him recently; they provide a portal for correspondence....Here was his response:


Follow the plan from the last office visit. I think your mother wrote it all down. Please stop emailing daily with updates as this does neither of us any good. If you would like to stop Lexapro please feel free to try for several days. Medication changes take 4 weeks or so to make a big difference. If you have an emergency or feel suicidal please visit the ER. Please seek counseling.


*Some help...I had emailed him to let him know how I was feeling on the meds; I just don't believe there is any doctor who truly cares about helping someone who before this episode, was a normally functioning person...it isn't right.
Posted 9/21/2016 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Yikes...I'm sorry.:/

While what he said isn't wrong...the way he went about saying it was.

You have a couple of options:

You can stay the course (not e-mailing him anymore between appointments)...and evaluate his demeanor at your next meeting/correspondence, seeing if it has improved. Maybe this was an isolated incidence of rudeness. (everybody has bad moments)

...or, you could fire him!

You don't need to settle for less than great care.

Think it through and see what decision your gut points you toward.:)

S.C.
Posted 9/21/2016 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you and I probably did bother him to death but I am so stuck in this "not normal" frame of being...just not myself still; not as bad as in the summer but still bad. I just figured doctors would like to know when something is awry...I've had this type of response from my PCP too....very discouraging that someone who had no problems but occasional panic before this, is in such an odd state that I can't work, drive or ever feel at ease. I'm afraid to start over with others too for fear they'll add something else to mess with my brain chemistry...feeling totally drained and without hope.
Posted 9/21/2016 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I believe doctors often lack empathy...especially since they should understand what a person with anxiety is going through! :/

Work your coping skills....really committing time and effort to them in the next few weeks. I went to the library and checked out all the books on anxiety/panic I could find. ..and used the applicable material for me...essentially creating my own self help program.

Do all you can to get into therapy as well...

...and see what the next couple of weeks brings.

We are cheering you on!

S.C.
Posted 9/21/2016 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you SC but I think I'm at my rope's end...I've held on all summer, feeling horrible...I don't know that it's even anxiety anymore...it's just a fluctuation of my moods; terrible lows...no highs so I'm not bipolar...Just an odd "not there" feeling...nothing feels right...I just can't explain it...
Posted 9/21/2016 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
I know...it is hard. :(

Please make use of our Resources and go to the library for A/P books, and trust me when I say self help will make a difference if you try!

S.C.
Posted 9/21/2016 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you SC
Posted 9/21/2016 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
For sure try to get in to some therapy. I think that can do a world of good.

I visited my therapist today and one thing she said is that constantly trying to figure out "WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THIS!" can be very detrimental to healing. Obviously you need to continue to explore if this medication is working for you, but maybe try not to look so much in to the ups and downs of every day. Take the long look - how do I feel now that I've been on this medication for 6 weeks - better or worse? For the day to day ups and downs, say, "yes, I am anxious, I do not feel well. I am on a path to figuring this out." and don't spend so much energy trying to see if each day's feelings is related to the medication.

Bug hugs to you.
Posted 9/21/2016 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you supapfunk....my mother tells me the same; it's just so frustrating b/c the feelings are very unusual and debilitating....mood swings and I'm not bipolar...having to rely on my mom for everything who is great but elderly; have a son I can't even interact with b/c I feel so distant-crying and "off"....Before this, I was fine...I just can't understand.
Posted 9/22/2016 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Aww KC. I'm so sorry. Please believe me, this is not permanent. We are all pulling for you. I did alot of reading. Checked out books at the library, downloaded free books from Amazon, bought a few.
I found that reading about it helped. As S.C. said, you can pick and choose what seems helpful to you. Just reading about it and learning all I could really helped.
Posted 9/22/2016 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Rspwed...I would like to do that but I honestly feel like something is "off" with me since taking these...I was fine before...now, I don't even feel remotely like myself.
Posted 9/22/2016 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry kc. I do think there are things that we can't always understand. It's really frustrating. Try to remember that being frustrated about it wont fix it. I'm impressed with your endurance and attention to healing. Very admirable. But don't drive yourself nuts trying to figure out why. Try to focus on anything that makes you feel good. You are doing it. (hugs)
Posted 9/22/2016 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you supapfunk....I'll try...it's just an odd feeling I can't shake.
Posted 10/1/2016 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Would anyone happen to know why I would be experiencing what I am? I discontinued the Escitalopram on 9/19/16 per doctor due to it not working; They brought me down rather quickly from 40, to 30 to 10 to nothing. I then discontinued Buspar as I believed it to be making tachycardia-ended up in ER. Now, two weeks post cessation of Escitalopram, I'm having extreme weakness, some tachycardia, light-headed feelings...I feel better mentally now but darn if the physical is poor. I'm still taking Clonazepam...just needing some guidance. I've discussed the weakness with my doctor and I'm not sure he knows. He did bloodwork which came out okay but for my blood sugar...
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