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

To @jschwing
Things are not good. I can’t eat very much. I tried to walk around the block but I had to come right home as I am very weak.
Thank you for your prayers.

dorothy1914 | @dorothy1914 | 3 days ago

In reply to @jschwing "Claudia: I hope things are stabilizing for you. I am thinking about you and praying for..." + (show)

@jschwing
I tried again to walk around the block. I made it this time but my heart is palpitating crazily which is the last thing I wanted.

Claudia

dorothy1914 | @dorothy1914 | 3 days ago

In reply to @dorothy1914 "I chose the Prozac. I have attempted to restart the Effexor but was unsuccessful." + (show)

@halloweengirl78
Effexor makes me feel terrible. I am out of options. Prozac is terrible too.
Claudia

John1984 | @jschwing | 3 days ago

In reply to @dorothy1914 "@jschwing I tried again to walk around the block. I made it this time but my..." + (show)

Hi Claudia:

I am sorry to hear of your struggle. Are you dealing with a cardiac issue now? Personally, my intense anxiety and activation have brought on AFIB. None of the SSRI or SNRI options that were recommended by the doctor worked for me; they caused further activation and anxiety along with worsening bouts of depression. My doctor prescribed Lamictal but I have been reluctant to start on that. My doctor also referred me for Ketamine therapy , but now, with the cardiac issue, that is now out. Are you going to try to stay on The Effexor, or are you stopping that now?

dorothy1914 | @dorothy1914 | 3 days ago

@jschwing
I looked up what your doctor is prescribing. Lamictal seems to be used for seizures. My husband is desperate and suggested I try Ketamine therapy but it frightens me. I don’t know what to do about the Effexor. It’s too soon to see results but I don’t think I can feel like this much longer. I don’t have Afib but I have constant heart palpitations.
Claudia

John1984 | @jschwing | 3 days ago

In reply to @dorothy1914 "@jschwing I looked up what your doctor is prescribing. Lamictal seems to be used for seizures...." + (show)

He prescribed Lamictal because of the anxiety, and some have seen relief with anxiety and depression caused by anxiety. It is an anticonvulsant but has been prescribed off label for high levels of activation and anxiety. I have not tried it yet. Right now I am trying to wean off all SSRI including Paxil which I have taken for over 17 years and obviously is not working for this particular trial.

This is very very scary and difficult with the level of nervous system deregulation right now. Since I am struggling so much right now, the decision was made that we might as well get off of the Paxil. Unfortunately, it is 12.5 CR and The Doctor recommended every other day right now as part of the weaning. I have no idea how this will look or the plan a month from now.
Claudia, at this point, had it not been for the cardiac issues, I believe I would have gone through The Ketamine treatment by now.

John1984 | @jschwing | 3 days ago

In reply to @dorothy1914 "@jschwing I looked up what your doctor is prescribing. Lamictal seems to be used for seizures...." + (show)

I get it. If the Effexor is making the anxiety worse in this state, it is difficult to stay on the treatment.

daveshaw | @daveshaw | 2 days ago

In reply to @dorothy1914 "@jschwing Terrible day today. Talked to provider on the phone and I switched from the Prozac..." + (show)

Please anyone on this post don’t stop taking your medications.
SSRI’s have been a major improvement over previous antidepressants.
Depression and.anxiety is genetic and runs in families.
Talk therapy won’t cure it and is a waste of time. It is like seeing a chiropractor. Once you go the first time they have a client for life.
People that truly suffer from depression should be on medications.
Just find the right balance and stick with it. You will be on it for life but you will finally get off the roller coaster.
I am turning 74 soon and I take Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Buspar along with clonazepam. Just realize just like alcoholism you are an alcoholic all your life. By going to meetings and having a sponsor you make the decision not to drink.
By making the decision to take appropriate medications you can live a normal productive life.
Good luck to all of you and get off that roller coaster. There is a better way to live your life.

John1984 | @jschwing | 1 day ago

Dave:

I totally agree. If you have found a protocol and or combination that works for you, by all means, stay on those medications.

The problem is when the medications do not work properly, in my case rash and allergic reactions to SNRI , and worsening depression after weeks and weeks on Zoloft,

My psychiatrist has recommended that I get off all of the medications including, the 12.5 CR Paxil for a complete washout period.