Panic attack, anxiety & depression. Nothing seems to help. Got no one but my therapist and psychiatrist to talk about it. No one understands. Feels like you're dying, crying for no reason, the heartaches. It's terrible. The Zoloft or Trazodone is not helping and my MD will not prescribe Xanax. HELP.
I'm taking Zoloft for panic attacks but it's not helping. What do you suggest?
- Asked
- 10 Jul 2010 by migdaliarsd
- Updated
- 27 November 2017
- Topics
- xanax, zoloft, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, trazodone, anxiety and stress
Answers (31)
Inactive
10 Jul 2010
Well there is xanax,ativan and valium in my opinion ativan is the weaker of the 3 benzos xanax is the strongest and kicks ass when it comes to helping with the painc attacks. The best would be the xanax then the valium then the ativan. I dont know about zoloft ive never taken it doesnt sound so great. If your psych doc does not feel like prescribing these meds. Find someone that is comfortable with giving you this medication thats what i always did.
Votes:
+6
Inactive
10 Jul 2010
Seek your Health Care provider.They need to make these decisions
Best of luck my friend
Votes:
+2
migdaliarsd
10 Jul 2010
Thanks for your help & advise...
.
Inactive
10 Jul 2010
I agree with mrspage! You need to find another doctor. If memory serves, I believe zoloft affects the dopamine center of the brain, and can make panic attacks worse, and can make one quite irritable. Ask a doctor about Pamelor, it helped my panic attacks. Pamelor is considered to be the "gold standard" for people with panic disorder... if memory serves once again.
I am not taking any anti-depressants, but I take Xanax, and it works wonders!
Good luck to you, I sure hope you find a doctor that listens to you.
Votes:
+6
Inactive
10 Jul 2010
I agree that friends help friend by sharing information, which can save a life by helping take a better road.
Inactive
10 Jul 2010
amen, bucky1 !!
Inactive
10 Jul 2010
Thanx sweetlemon! and buck1. Yall are the bestest friends a gal could ever have!
migdaliarsd
11 Jul 2010
Thank you all, you have truly help me. Now at least I know that I'm not going crazy, I was afraid to go to the Hospital when I had the worse panic attack on Thrus. so I didn't call 911 and I kid you not I thought I was gonna die alone. Anyway, thanxs again, you're all great...
pain_42
11 Jul 2010
try pristiq (anti-depressant) and valium (anxiety) works really well as for as I'm concerned. Try it for awhile I'm sure you'll be pleased I really was... Good Luck
Votes:
+4
migdaliarsd
11 Jul 2010
Thanks, much appreciated. Stay safe...
juie
18 Jul 2010
Dear Migdaliarsd:
In my opinion, your doctor is being cruel. Nobody should feel the way that
you do for an extended period of time! If you have been on the Zoloft for over 3 weeks and at at least 100 mg. it is NOT working well for you, obviously.
I hope you are seeing a Board Certified Psychiatrist, not just and M.D.
This is ridiculous, and I have been through it. We want to live our lives, not just suffer through them!
See another doctor -- and at least get some paliative relief with a benzodiazapine such as diazepam (generic valium) or Ativan.
Problem with Xanix is its short 1/2 life, which makes it more addictive. It will work fast, but then leave fast, so beware of it! I know! Getting off is a pain.
If the SSRI's are not working, you can try Wellbutrin, which increases dopamine, or one of the SNRI's like Celexa.
Let us know how you do. Your situation is heartbreaking. All the best..
Judy
Currently on 20 mg. of diazepam daily (2 doses)
50 mg. Zoloft
150 mg. generic Wellbutrin
Votes:
+2
migdaliarsd
18 Jul 2010
Thanks so for your advised, is much appreciated. You take care of yourself..
Migdalia
Inactive
30 Jul 2010
Do not try Wellbutrin, it is the worst anti-D for anyone that suffers from anxiety!! I know this from personal experience, and the best shrink in my state told me that it only aggrivates anxiety. Perhaps an snri might help you.
(serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor)
Best o' luck to ye!
Inactive
6 Jun 2013
This is a great post..your physician is being cruel by at least not giving you Xanax until the Zoloft kicks in
Actually..Celexa is an SSRi..to be picky! Effexor acts like an SSNRi at high doses..Cymbalta is another SSNRi
Inactive
18 Jul 2010
HI Migdaliarsd, zoloft is an antidepresent that can help anxiety too. But it doesn't do much for the panic attacks alone. I'm on klonopin for anxiety and it works with panic attacks too. Ask for the klonopin, it is not so addictive as xanax as that is probably why he won't prescribe that drug, though I was gonna suggest it. 1 mg of klonopin should help a panic attack when it comes on.
Votes:
+3
migdaliarsd
18 Jul 2010
I know I'm on it for almost a year, and now my panic attacks are bad, My appt. is on the 27 of this month, so until then my md. prescribed at atarax. Said it takes over 2 wks to work. Aren't I lucky, lol
You take care and thanks.
Inactive
18 Jul 2010
oh please I hope you don't have the same reaction as I did. Atarax(Hydroxozine) actually made me worse. I had a reverse side effect to it.(as well as ativan... good for panic attacks) When I didnt have a psychiatrist my old medical doctor prescribed that to me too. It will take shorter than 2 weeks to kick in I don't know why he said that. Its just a strong antihistimine, yes its suppose to help with anxiety, but theres a difference between anxiety and panic attacks. I was on 2- 50mg at bedtime he was giving it to me to help me sleep and kept increasing it and I didn't realize it was the drug that was making me restless. Please let me know how you are in a week , ok.
CassandraG
30 Jul 2010
My doctor put me on Xanax. Mostly so I don't jump myself awake at night, but it seems to work very well for the daytime panic attacks. I usually only use it at night for sleep, but she said I could use it when the panic attacks are bad too.
Votes:
+3
shezza
30 Jul 2010
Have you tried cipralex or have a look on a site called "no more panic"
Votes:
+1
lindagail1965
30 Jul 2010
i know how you feel i have panic attacks bad There was a time in my life i couldnt even walk to my mail box or i would have an attack xanax valium an clonopin or all 3 good for panic attacks i am on disability for my attacks becaise i was pretty much home bound for alot of years i left it untreated because i couldnt find a doctor to help me my attacks turned into social phobia.Im taking valium now but in the past i have took xanax an clonopin you just have to find a doctor that will give you these meds i have been to so many doctors an they give you what THEY want to give you keep looking an you will find a good doctor who will listen an care about what you are going through. let me no what happens ... good luck ... there is help out there
Votes:
+2
dmfdjttor57
2 Aug 2010
I suggest you ask your Dr. to prescribe something to help you with anxiety that is going to work, ie. a tranquilizer of some kind, if you put it that way, the Dr. may give you a low dose of something like Ativan and see if it's enough to help. If you are seeing a psychiatrist, he/she should really be the one that is prescribing medication for anxiety for you. Zoloft is an anti depressant and will not have ANY immediate effect on anxiety and trazodone is also an anti-depressant that Dr.'s often prescribe for sleep, i find it to be awfully strong and not something anyone should take except at bedtime and for sleep. It's been around for many many years. Anyway, try speaking w/your psychiatrist, they are Dr.'s and can prescribe medication, and if no help there, then try asking your Dr.
what he/she recommends in the way of a mild tranquilizer to help your anxiety and panic attacks. No one should ever have to go through panic attacks, but asking for Xanax right off the bat might have been part of the reason you did not get it, although it's a great drug for bad anxiety, it's also one of the strongest and if you are not taking anything, it's unlikely a Dr. is going to start you off on the strongest of medications, especially a benzodiazapam that is an addictive drug. If neither psychiatrist or Dr. are willing to rx you something other than Zoloft or trazodone you had better look for another Dr., as neither of those medications are going to help with your anxiety or panic attacks. As far as anti-depressants go, Paxil is the one that is most helpful for long term anxiety, in my humble opinion, but even that is not going to give you the relief you are seeking. Do you have insomnia? If not, I would ask why you are taking trazodone? The only way that would help your anxiety is to knock you out for awhile. I don't think that's the best treatment. Good luck. Dede
Votes:
+2
dmfdjttor57
2 Aug 2010
You didn't mention you were already taking Clonazapam, it sounded as if you were not taking any kind of benzodiazapam. I take 2mg. and it has a long life, maybe you need your dosage adjusted. I am able to get a rx for Xanax if I want one and occasionally have, but for the most part, the Clonazapam works fine and I have already experienced withdrawls from Xanax 20 yrs. ago, so choose not to go that route unless really necessary. If you are taking 1 mg., see if you can up it to 2mg. and take more often than currently prescribed?
craftymom82
3 Aug 2010
honestly I have Bi Polar and I have had it for years and Zoloft is for depression. I have been on Ativan and Xanax but non of them worked as good as Vistaril, which was shocking to me because its like benadryl but they now use it for anxiety and it really help with the pain in my chest panic attacks. A little bit goes a long way. Good luck and keep up with it. As for the rest of your moods maybe if you get the panic attacks under control it will help but I liked Zyprexa when I was on it but ended up with weight gain. the Dr. is now giving me risperidone and it is really helping. We are our own advicits and if we don't speak up for ourselves than we won't get anywhere. Tell them the medicine isn't helping and that you need to get off of it and try something else. If it makes you suicidal plus go to your neares ER. Zoloft can do that at times. Good luck and if you ever need to talk I am here for you.i will pray for you to get threw this.
Votes:
+1
wildbrat
12 Aug 2010
migdaliasd, First of all you are seeing the wrong kinda of Dr. for panic attacks, Regular MD's are not quaulified in this field. Go see a physciatrist, he will better be able to help you, there are several things he could put you on, but make them listen to you about what you go thru and you have to have good communication and if they won't listen. MAKE THEM. panic attacks are not fun but xanx is the best but very addicting and you yourself have to take them exactly as perscribde or you will run out and be back where you started. i hope i have helped in some way. remember to be open and make them listen to you.
Votes:
+1
brezzzy
15 Aug 2010
xanax is the best thing u need to convince him/or her tell him tryed and it seemed to work ask for a chance to see if it helps ive been on them for 15 years for panic attacks and it dose work... see if hell compromise and itleast let u try for a month... good luck
Votes:
+2
dmfdjttor57
11 Sep 2010
i think 15 yrs of panic attacks means there is an underlying disorder that needs to be addressed, but then of course you don't have them anymore because of the Xanax. This is the reason i have problems with drugs that are so very addicting, and i myself am taking one, so not pointing fingers, it just sounds odd when someone says they have been on a med that is for short term use for 15 yrs. and i shudder to think what would occur if you had to get off. I know, as i decided not to be a slave to Xanax after 3 yrs. and that was 20 yrs. ago and i went through hell until i finally got off the correct way. But it's as addicting as heroin, so i do not recommend to anyone unless it's for short term and i mean REALLY short term. Can you see the irony in your answer?
shocker1976
18 Aug 2010
I recommend many different opinions and trying new things. i have a lot of anxiety and depression and possible bipolar. It feels wierd as only 4 years ago i used to be different. i have a friend who has GAD and takes 100mg of zolaft and it helps her. I know that not all medications will work the same. Get more opionions from different professionals if you are in doubt. I once voluntarily committed myself because of alcohol dependency and they found out i was on the wrong anti depressant called ciprimil (citalophram). I was on it for 3 years longer than i should of been. They have me on prozac now, not that it's doing any better. I feel so disconnected to the world. I exercise, which is my past pleasure to keep me sane from anxiety. I try to stay busy reading, or socialising. I have a irrational attitude. i actually believe life is tough enough without having to work full time, buy a house and start a family.
i do want these things but i doubt i will ever have them now because of how i have changed. A good thing to look up is Cognitive behavioural therapy. My psychologist uses it on me, and i also have been to psychology as uni (unfinished and deferred for 9 years), so i am familiar with it. I did obtain a diploma in counselling later on cause i wanted to help people. So i hope something i have mentioned might spark some new ideas. In times of feeling trapped i know personally you need something new to try. good luck
R.J
Votes:
+3
midwestma
18 Aug 2010
I can sure relate you your dilema, I've gone throught the same thing, I also have severe muscle spasms, when my doctor added Valium, this also helped my Zoloft, and now my problems with the zoloft is better and also working much better for me, althought they have a plethora of medications that they can add with zoloft to help balance you out. I wish you all the luck in the world. My ((hugs)) to you my dear. I hope you find the help you so deserately need. bless you
Votes:
+3
Inactive
18 Aug 2010
midwestma, you are so very kind! You give great advice too.
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Thanks a lot, sometimes I feel like no one undestands me. But you can relate, thanks again...
No problem glad i could help out you just cant even imagine how much i can relate with you. Benzos rock they are the best medicine a person can take for anxiety and i i have it bad.
Me 2, but my boyfriend just doesn't understands, at all he makes me feel worse than I'm already feeling. But all of u have help. Thanks a whole bunch...
I don't agree with starting with a strong highly addictive benzo, such as xanax. I understand and have had the symptoms she described and can honestly say that, meditation and intense cognitive behavioral therapy should be the first line of defense before loading ones self up on damaging benzos. Should you choose benzos, remember when taking any benzo, they can be highly addictive and in a lot of cases worsen the depression (drastically in most cases) that was mentioned by this person. Also, never ever stop taking this medication "cold turkey" as it can lead to seizures and death. This is not an easy medication to get off of once you start. Some say it is harder to kick than heroin. Think twice and maybe 3 times, really consider the alternatives mentioned above. Also, these benzos are not usually easy to get from doctors, they don't like prescribing them if you have not first tried the therapy techniques I mentioned above. Be very careful, I learned the hard way. I hope this helps, Best of luck!
I do agree with you mrspage82.. ive used xanax and it absolutely worked wonders for my Anxiety.. I to have severe Anxiety !! xanax works real good !!
But are you not concerned of the long term effects that Benzo's will have? Have you ever tried Seroquel?
have you tried cipralex?
Don't try Seroquil or Hydroxyzine. They are both worthless (in my opinion anyway)
I would try something like xanax,ativan,clonazpam,or restoril.They are in a type of medicine catagory called benzodiazepines and are quicker acting than Anti-Depressants.Which tend to work really well for alot of people but who knows everyone is different.I wish you the best of luck!!! :)
i have been dealing with anxiety for about 3 years now, and anti depressants did not help at all. i was prescribed low doses of valium to take before bed as needed and it works wonders. i have now gone 3 months without an anxiety attack and i haven't taken a valium in three months either.
I take klonipin, Panic & anxiety can make you feel like your having a heart attack. zoloft is ok for depression, but it made me more anxious.
I have had to get the bus driver to stop and let me off. I feel enclosed all of a sudden, my heart is going to stop because it's beating so hard and then the shame an humiliation... I'' with mrspage82: you need a doc that will help usually one that is into chronic pain
there are a lot of good people on this site, I try to be among those good ones that I speak of who are caring and supportive, I can be honest enough to tell you when I had my first panic attack I thought it would finish me off as I've told you in a previous note I also have Chronic pain as well as other things but one thing I am willing to do and that is listen and try amd make things as good as they can be, as I said before I have never had any experience taking Klonopin but just maybe it might be of some help to you if the doctor won't prescribe Xanax, whatever you take it also takes effort to come through this I think the medications are of help and give you the added strength to work on improving I wish you the best and I do care caringsonbj (Billy)
I started having panic attacks when I didn't have a clue what a panic attack was, I thought for sure that I was going to loose it, that was back when Valium was on the market but the doctor chose to give me a drug called Librium 25mg, he started out with 5 mg. then 10mg and finally things got rough enough until he went to 25mg. I believe that as I've posted before the Benzodiazepine group of medications are good medicines and sometimes when you've tried other avenues then I wanted just enough of something to help me help myself, I am on medication (other than for Chronic pain) I don't take the amount that I can take because I want to fight this as much as possible, but by the same token I don't think it's right for a person to suffer until they are almost non-functional, when panic gets so bad that you are afraid to get out of the house you have a real fight on your hands, I just hope that by going through this I can give strength and support to those who suffer, I understand and believe me I want to help in any way I can
^ You are so right caringsonbj! And you do a great job helping me and others that suffer this illness also! Thnx again :)
You can try Clonazipam, or even Lithum AFTER you discuss with your Dr. (*_*)