Topic Title: switching meds?
| |  "switching meds?"
, Wed 7 Sep 06:31:
Hi, I am totally new to this forum and was wondering if anyone could offer me any help or advice, or has had any similar dilemmas?
I will tell you a little of my history - I got a flu like virus which was horrible and lasted two weeks back in about May of this year. Once it finally subsided i was left with a horrible Globus (lump) type sensation in my throat which started to trouble me (eating and drinking no problem). It would constantly play on my mind and i started worrying that it may be throat cancer (i am 31 but smoked between the ages of 16-29). Anyway, i lay watching TV one evening and was really conscious of the throat problem and came over all strange, dizzy, sick, shaky etc. and took myself off to A&E as i was convinced i was going to die! They took a chest x-ray and bloods and they all came back ok. Upon visiting my GP the next day, terrified, he told me i was suffering from anxiety and prescribed Fluoxitine (SSRI) which i began taking (20mg) until bang! the side effects kicked in and i felt 110% worse than when i was on nothing at all! I persevered for 2 weeks and after one final massive frightening anxiety attack i re-visited my GP and was switched to a Amitryptiline which in fairness didn't give me any major side effects but towards the end of 4 weeks taking them the anxiety seemed to be returning. My GP then (2 days ago) switched me to ANOTHER SSRI, Citalopram, which even after the first tablet has given me the same death like feelings the Fluoxitine did! I just cannot cope or even function like this as i am a Mum alone with two small children.
I went without any meds yesterday as was terrified to take another one but i know that this too is not recommended but i couldn't get in to see my GP till this afternoon.
I am now worse than i was when this was first diagnosed, my throat is bad too which i 'know' is happening because of my hightened anxiety, and i am now depressed as well as just anxious.
I am so terrified of these side effects that i am considering switching to St. Johns Wort. Does anyone have any advice?
SORRY FOR THE LONG POST AND THANK YOU FOR READING IT.
[this message was edited by esselle on Wed 7 Sep 06:33]
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Wed 7 Sep 2005 6:3 |
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| | "Re(1):switching meds?" , Fri 9 Sep 09:41
I was diagnosed with post viral depression and anxiety last winter after a virus. Apparently its quite common! My doctor wouldnt give me anti depressants at first but evenually put me on citalopram for the depression and propranolol for anxiety. Its a beta-blocker and i found it really quick and efective at taking away the crippling anxiety and the big lump in the throat feeling. Maybe you should ask your doctor about whether a beta blocker would help you. I felt alot calmer after taking the first one! Hope you feel better soon.
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Wed 9 Mar 2005 10:33 |
| | | "Re(2):switching meds?" , Fri 9 Sep 10:02
Thank you for that geebee.
Did you also have a globus sensation in your throat then? It's hard to imagine that something that you can really feel could be all in the mind isn't it, i'm still fighting the thoughts that i must have throat cancer!
I've now been on my new meds for 2 days and already i am alot calmer but just can't get rid of this globus! if that is really what it is.
Posts: 2 | | Registered: Wed 7 Sep 2005 6:3 |
| | | "Re(3):switching meds?" , Fri 9 Sep 13:07
I was wondering if your doctor checked your thyroid? Also wondered if you have any allergies? That might cause a sensation in your throat....
Posts: 185 | | Registered: Sat 29 Sep 2001 10:2 |
| | | "Re(4):switching meds?" , Fri 9 Sep 13:23
Yes, mmf, my thyroid levels were one of the first things they checked, twice by way of blood tests and they were both normal.
No known allergies.
Posts: 3 | | Registered: Wed 7 Sep 2005 6:3 |
| | "Re(1):switching meds?" , Thu 8 Sep 09:51
Could I ask what dosage of Amitriptyline you were taking? If the dosage was too low than maybe that's why your anxiety came back, because tricyclics seem to be good for anxiety as they sedate you. I am not surprised you had that reaction with fluxotine or any of the SSRIs as they generally tend to stimulate the nervous system making you more anxious. I would recommend Kira SJW, this is good for anxiety as well as depression because it is standerdized to hypercin rather than hyperforin which is more stimulating. Try a good quality brand standerdized to hypercin like kira, as this may be better for anxiety than SSRIs.
Posts: 60 | | Registered: Fri 8 Oct 2004 2:44 |
| | | "Re(2):switching meds?" , Thu 8 Sep 10:01
I was only on 10mg of Amitryptiline taken in the evening.
I took the SSRIs back to the Doctor and he gave me another of the Tryciclic group, Dosulepin, which my chemist said is a more modern, more improved version of the Ami. My chemist however did say that they may make me sleepy which my GP didn't!
He said to take two 25mg tablets either both before bed or once in the day and once in the evening - this seemed a lot to me compared to my 10mg dose of Ami (even though the 'normal' starting dose is 75mg per day?
I have to confess that i only took half of the dose he recommended as i am terrified of the side effects!
Thanks for taking the time to read my post.
Posts: 1 | | Registered: Wed 7 Sep 2005 6:3 |
| | | "Re(3):switching meds?" , Sat 10 Sep 06:27
10 mg is a very small dose which is why it probably didn't work. I started off on 25mg of Amitriptyline, and that didn't work, then the doctor suggested I take 50mg and then increase to 75mg which is what I'm on now. I was also scared of the side effects, but they were not bad, I only got drowsiness at bedtime and was fine the next day. It is worth taking the higer dose as your body gets used to the drug and any side effects usually disappear within 3 days. There is a better chance of it working if you take a higher dose.
Posts: 61 | | Registered: Fri 8 Oct 2004 2:44 |
| | | "Re(4):switching meds?" , Sat 10 Sep 06:37
Thanks for that word72.
I came off the SSRI medication as i cannot tolerate them and my GP put me back on one of the Tryciclic group, Dosulepin, which is apparently a more modern version of the Amitryptiline.
He put me on a starting dose of 50mg, but i have to confess that i am only taking 25mg before bed at the moment as the bad experience i have have with the SSRI side effects really knocked me back and scared me.
I have to say that upon switching back to the Tryciclics, the bad side effects have gone and all i feel now is a little sleepy sometimes and my anxiety is less although obviously not totally gone yet.
Thanks for your time.
Posts: 4 | | Registered: Wed 7 Sep 2005 6:3 |
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