Why don’t anxiety meds work for me?

Posted by dorothy1914 @dorothy1914, Feb 13 5:13pm

In Sept. 2024 out of nowhere I developed extreme anxiety. Went to primary care doctor and was prescribed Effexor (which I had successfully taken previously). This time it didn’t provide any help. Dr. then prescribed Lexapro (which didn’t help) and then Celexa (which didn’t help). By this time, I lost 45 pounds by not being able to eat and constant diarrhea. Dr. then told me to find another practitioner as there was nothing more she could do for me. Since then I have seen 4 PNP and none of their prescribed meds have helped. What do I do?

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dorothy1914 | @dorothy1914 | 3 days ago

In reply to @jschwing "Hi Claudia: Any updates? Any changes?" + (show)

@schwing
Still feeling terrible. On top of my own anxiety producing issues, some “people” from either India, Pakistan or the Philippines have gotten into the habit of tormenting us multiple times a day about bullshit supposed Medicare plans. They are just evil people but they ask for me by name and have my birthdate. The phone number is always different and it says the call is from a realty company, a bank or some other legitimate business. When I politely asked them not to call here anymore, they told me to “F” myself and start laughing and are calling more frequently. We have to keep the phone unplugged most of the day and certainly the night. I really don’t need this added stress as I can barely make it through each day and the nights are even worse with my constant palpitations and incessant shaking. I saw a new psychiatrist on Thursday. Since I was on the Effexor long term before I stopped it resulting in a return of my extreme anxiety, he suggested I try to restart it. I have already tried to restart several times at the recommendation of nurse practitioners, but agreed to try one more time. We’ll see how it goes. He also prescribed 5 mg Valium 2x a day. I tried half a pill and it did nothing. He wanted to give me Klonopin but I deferred. Of course, he doesn’t take insurance — credit cards or cash only. This message is longer than what I had intended, hope you don’t mind.

Claudia

John1984 | @jschwing | 2 days ago

In reply to @dorothy1914 "@schwing Still feeling terrible. On top of my own anxiety producing issues, some “people” from either..." + (show)

Hi Claudia:

Sorry to hear you are still struggling and suffering so much.

I, like you, have been activated beyond compare lately during the day; early is worst. Nighttimes are a struggle as I have found no relief for sleep with the medications.

My doctor has me coming off the Paxil now since it is obviously not working to address this current situation. The Benzo option does not seem to be helping much either and He had me stop Trazadone at night because it also was not working well.

So, no medication plan but every day is a struggle with intense anxiety, tremors, and depression.

I have no real good options. The physical symptoms are so bad that I am sidelined the majority of the day.

I think with my case the long term SSRI Paxil use caused nervous system deregulation after the surgery 10 months back. Lots of therapy and other protocols, but nothing is sticking at the moment.

John

dorothy1914 | @dorothy1914 | 2 days ago

In reply to @jschwing "Hi Claudia: Sorry to hear you are still struggling and suffering so much. I, like you,..." + (show)

To @jschwing
I feel horrible today. After taking my Venlafaxine for the third day this morning at 7am, I went to the bedroom and collapsed into a heap on the bed. I finally got up at 11;30am but feel like I could sleep forever. Prior to this morning’s sleep, I hadn’t slept in months. It’s crazy what these medications can do. I don’t want to take any benzos either as they really don’t seem to help.
Claudia