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Constant Panic Attack, Stress. On Medication For AVNRT. Weight Gain, Low Sex Drive, Restless After Taking Lexapro And Klonopin. Brain Fog When On Viibryd. Help
I am 52 and have GAD and constant panic attacks all my life. I have been on meds off and on throughout the years and have been under a tremondous amount of stress for the last year. I take very low doses of everything as I'm med sensitive. I have AVNRT and take a low dose of Sotalol AF for that. The psych doc put me on 10mg Lexapro in December along with .5 mg Klonopin for sleep and to calm the rolling panic attacks. Worked well for about 3-4 months, then I suddenly started gaining weight like crazy (always been skinny), and had no sex drive whatsoever (almost the thought makes me ill). I had a hormone workup that showed everything as normal, just needed a little progesterone. The panic subsided for awhile with the meds. In the last month or so now it's as though my eyes and brain want to sleep 24/7 but I cannot stay still; I'm very restless. I can't think straight. He titrated me down to start on Viibryd last week. I only took 2.5mg of the viibryd one day (his orders) and couldn't stand it. Two days later I still feel 'off'! The brain fog is terrible! Can you recommend something else that I may inquire about at my next visit?
Fri, 19 Jul 2013
User's Response
Dr. Balaji Bharadwaj,
Psychiatrist's Response
Psychiatrist's Response
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is often a long standing condition, as you say 'all your life' you have faced it.
Medications like Buspirone, Escitalopram may be helpful in your case. You also have a lot of side-effects with medications. This is partly because people with anxiety disorder are sensitive to side-effects of all medications in general. They are more alert and aware and even the slightest side-effect causes more anxiety. It is understandable.
You may ask your psychiatrist if you can be given benzodiazepines like diazepam for the initial few weeks or months till such time as the other medications can work. You have been on clonazepam (Klonopin) and it worked. However, it is not preferred for the long term.
You may also consider Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in addition to medications.
Medications like Buspirone, Escitalopram may be helpful in your case. You also have a lot of side-effects with medications. This is partly because people with anxiety disorder are sensitive to side-effects of all medications in general. They are more alert and aware and even the slightest side-effect causes more anxiety. It is understandable.
You may ask your psychiatrist if you can be given benzodiazepines like diazepam for the initial few weeks or months till such time as the other medications can work. You have been on clonazepam (Klonopin) and it worked. However, it is not preferred for the long term.
You may also consider Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in addition to medications.
I find this answer helpful
Hello.You suffers from Chronic anxiety disorder.
You need to take antidepressant and anxiolytic specific to the disorder.
Escitalopram is an antidepressant indicated for panic attacks.
Sertraline is too effective drug with fewer adverse effects than escitalopram (less weight gain and less decrease sex drive)
About the anxiolytic drug, plus clonazepam 0.5 mg at night, alprazolam morning and afternoon is widely used in the treatment and prevention of panic attacks.
In short, Sertraline 50 mg per day + Alprazolam 0.5 mg twice a day + Clonazepam 0.5 mg at night can be taken for treating your panic attacks.
Please consult your local doctor for a prescription.
I wish you good health.
(In case the answer would have been useful please indicate this)
You need to take antidepressant and anxiolytic specific to the disorder.
Escitalopram is an antidepressant indicated for panic attacks.
Sertraline is too effective drug with fewer adverse effects than escitalopram (less weight gain and less decrease sex drive)
About the anxiolytic drug, plus clonazepam 0.5 mg at night, alprazolam morning and afternoon is widely used in the treatment and prevention of panic attacks.
In short, Sertraline 50 mg per day + Alprazolam 0.5 mg twice a day + Clonazepam 0.5 mg at night can be taken for treating your panic attacks.
Please consult your local doctor for a prescription.
I wish you good health.
(In case the answer would have been useful please indicate this)
I find this answer helpful
1 user finds this helpful
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