Posted by johnX2 on March 13, 2002, at 6:04:29
In reply to afraid to start zoloft, posted by searching on March 12, 2002, at 11:06:47
hi there,What kind of doctor are you seeing?
I hope you can get into see a psychiatrist/psychopharmacologist for these attacks.
People with panic disoder can be very sensitive to medicines, and the SSRI class of medicine (Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Prozac), can take weeks to ease panic symptoms. Sometimes SSRIs aren't the
best solution for a particular individual. (But many people do well on SSRIs).Because of people with panic disorders sensitivity
to medicine, usually the doctor needs to "titrate"
or increase the dose of the medicine more slowly
that for other patients. Otherwise the side effects can be extremely unbearable when you start the medicine.Can you list the medications you did not tolerate?
Was the issue that they made you more anxious when
you started them? This is not unusual for panic
disorder and is generally addressed by titrating the dose up more slowly.Also, have you ever had discussions with your doctor about taking medications that are not SSRIs? MAO inhibitor (Nardil sound familiar)?
Has a doctor ever had you take a benzodiazepine type medication like Xanax, Klonopin. These sound familiar?
I had very bad panic attacks for 1 week, and I understand how not getting it treated corretly can make someone agorophobic. So please hang in there. ok?
Sorry for all the questions.
hope to help you
john> Hi Everyone. I'm new to this site but you all seem very helpful and understanding.
>
> I've suffered with panic disorder for about 20 years now. Sometimes have been better than others, but now I never leave my house alone, I'm dependent on my family for just about everything, and I had the worst "episode" yesterday where I was certain it was a heart attack and I would die right then and there in my house. My heart was pounding and racing like never before, I was shaking uncontrollably, I couldn't think straight, and it was more frightening than any panic attack I've ever had, so I thought it had to be physical. I was taken to my doctor who said that I did not look like someone who just had a heart attack and that it was just the panic disorder. She wanted me to start Zoloft and was perturbed when I told her I've been unable to tolerate anti-depressants in the past. She seems to think I'm lying.
>
> Am I the only person who can't tolerate anti-depressants? I get strange symptoms like a tightening and a headache around my forehead, and my mind starts to race with thoughts. I don't "hear" voices, but my mind seems very busy and I can hear my thoughts. I can't sleep and I have nightmares. I get very anxious. My doctor tells me that few people have side effects, and that I will never get better if I don't take anti-depressants.
>
> She gave me a starter pack and I took one this morning because my sister (a nurse) wanted me to. But now I'm scared about all those symptoms and I've read many horror stories about trying to get off of Zoloft.
>
> I do so want to get better and I'd really do anything because I can't live this way anymore, but I feel like it's not my fault I can't tolerate these medicines. Is there any other alternative to anti-depressants for the treatment of panic disorder?
poster:johnX2
thread:97613
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/97759.html