Posted by jasmineneroli on July 12, 2004, at 23:36:21
In reply to Re: can't choose between celexa, effexor, or paxil, posted by ravenstorm on July 12, 2004, at 23:10:05
Hello:
I have all of your symptoms (except the last..but I'll get to that in a minute) and I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The racing thoughts and overwhelmed feelings are definitely signs of anxiety (whether GAD or related to Bipolar). Af ter a while of being in this hyper-vigilant state, you feel exhausted and overwhelmed, tired, down, forgetful and confused easily. The feeling of being watched maybe due to that fact that your high-anxiety is making you hyper-vigilant (always aware of your surroundings and people and "scanning" for potential problems). Anyway, as others have mentioned, research, research, research and keep a diary of your feelings and behaviour/reactions to take back to your Doc, so you may obtain the correct diagnosis.
In regards to your drug question, I have been on Celexa and found it very helpful for about a year, when I suddenly became more depressed and anxious. It was fairly easy to discontinue. Everything I've read about Effexor(and everyone I know who was on it) makes me nervous. My husband has Dysthymia ( a chronic form of depression)and has been on Paxil for years. It has definitely helped his disorder.He has sexual side effects, but has lowered his dose to the minimal effective level and the S.E.'s have reduced. Trying to discontinue (to try a different drug)was problematic however, and he went back on it again. I would choose Celexa.
I have tried 6 different medications, the only one relieving my anxiety, on a continual basis, being the benzodiazepine, Klonopin. I still get the racing thoughts though.
I'm waiting for Pregabalin to come out in Canada.I have high hopes for it !!!!
Good luck to you and congratulations for taking control of managing your illness!
Jas.
poster:jasmineneroli
thread:364256
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040712/msgs/365526.html