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Suggest Treatment For Anxiety Attacks Even After Escitalopram Usage
Question: Hello, this question is for a psychiatrist...thank you.
Hello, i have been diagnosed with GAD and a bit of OCD (mainly because of intrusive thoughts).
I have been taking celexa for 5 weeks, i started with 5 mg, then 10 mg and now i have been at 20 mg for 26 days.
The side effects, mainly nausea, seem to have gone away couple of days ago.
However, it has been couple of days that i wake up with bad anxiety, and it seems to last a long time. I was prescribed clonazepam to help me get through the hard days.
My doctor wanted me to go to 30 mg couple of weeks ago, but becaue of nausea and feeling sick, i didnt do it...i didnt want to make the side effects worst.
However, my anxiety seems to start up again, i never had bad morning anxiety until couple of days ago. I already took 0.5 clonazepam this morning at 7 am, and now, 5 hrs later, i am still very anxious.
What is your take on it? Should i go up to 30 mg today, or wait more time maybe i will settle at 20?
Im having a really hard day so far....i might have to take another 0.5 clonazepam soon.
Thank you so much for your answer!
Irina
Hello, i have been diagnosed with GAD and a bit of OCD (mainly because of intrusive thoughts).
I have been taking celexa for 5 weeks, i started with 5 mg, then 10 mg and now i have been at 20 mg for 26 days.
The side effects, mainly nausea, seem to have gone away couple of days ago.
However, it has been couple of days that i wake up with bad anxiety, and it seems to last a long time. I was prescribed clonazepam to help me get through the hard days.
My doctor wanted me to go to 30 mg couple of weeks ago, but becaue of nausea and feeling sick, i didnt do it...i didnt want to make the side effects worst.
However, my anxiety seems to start up again, i never had bad morning anxiety until couple of days ago. I already took 0.5 clonazepam this morning at 7 am, and now, 5 hrs later, i am still very anxious.
What is your take on it? Should i go up to 30 mg today, or wait more time maybe i will settle at 20?
Im having a really hard day so far....i might have to take another 0.5 clonazepam soon.
Thank you so much for your answer!
Irina
Brief Answer:
Go for another antidepressant with it
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
Maximum effective dose of escitalopram is 20 mg per day. If you still have anxiety at that dose, either you can take another antidepressant with it like venlafaxine or try some relaxation exercise like JPMR or deep breathing. That would help you to control dose as well as anxiety.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Go for another antidepressant with it
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.
Maximum effective dose of escitalopram is 20 mg per day. If you still have anxiety at that dose, either you can take another antidepressant with it like venlafaxine or try some relaxation exercise like JPMR or deep breathing. That would help you to control dose as well as anxiety.
In case, you need further help, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello, thank you for the answer...however, i'm not on escitalopram...i'm on citolapram (celexa), and i do take Klonopin (clonazepam) when i need it.
Its just that my anxiety is getting worst and not better.
Thanks again!
Its just that my anxiety is getting worst and not better.
Thanks again!
Brief Answer:
Try some relaxation exercise
Detailed Answer:
HI
You can take citalopram at same dose. If you are facing side effects at higher dose, then there is no need to increase it. You can try another antidepressant like venlafaxine with it. Along with that you can try some relaxation exercise like JPMR. It would keep dose and anxiety in control. You can take clonazepam on sos basis. There is nothing harm in taking it.
If you have further query, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Try some relaxation exercise
Detailed Answer:
HI
You can take citalopram at same dose. If you are facing side effects at higher dose, then there is no need to increase it. You can try another antidepressant like venlafaxine with it. Along with that you can try some relaxation exercise like JPMR. It would keep dose and anxiety in control. You can take clonazepam on sos basis. There is nothing harm in taking it.
If you have further query, you can ask.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks again...what is JMPR?
Brief Answer:
Jacobson muscle relaxation exercise
Detailed Answer:
Hi
JPMR is Jacobson muscle relaxation exercise. It is a relaxation exercise that would help to keep you relax. It has 13 steps and you need help of a psychologist to learn it. It would help to control somatic and psychological symptoms. with that, you can keep your dose in control.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Jacobson muscle relaxation exercise
Detailed Answer:
Hi
JPMR is Jacobson muscle relaxation exercise. It is a relaxation exercise that would help to keep you relax. It has 13 steps and you need help of a psychologist to learn it. It would help to control somatic and psychological symptoms. with that, you can keep your dose in control.
Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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