this may cost me my job, PLRASE HELP!

[vanilla1969]

Been dealing with major panic and anxiety, not on any anti deppressants. Currently I have used 7 of my personal time off days cause somedays the anxiety is so bad that I don't get any sleep or I can't function at work. What medicines AD's seem to work best with anxiety or panic? Just need some insight here before I lose my job then I will really be in a pickle cause I'm a single mother. Please help!

[insights]

What medicines AD's seem to work best with anxiety or panic?

All antidepressants can be effective for anxiety/panic, but 1 or 2 will likely be better for you. Unfortunately, the only way of finding it/them is by trial and error. Celexa (citalopram) would be a good first choice as it is generally the best tolerated antidepressant.

Ian

[kmwondering]

Lexapro has helped me tremendously over the past few months.

[Jessicca123]

Each antidepressant is different for everyone. I would definitely though look at how you are whether your stimulated naturally or not because some of the antidepressants are stimulating and some are sedative.  You obviously wouldnt want to be overly stimulated because that would make you more anxious.  You always wouldnt want to be so sedative either.  I personally am very high strung to begin with so any antidepressant that is stimulating wouldnt work for me.  Prozac gave me a horrible reaction and it is the most stimulating.  Def do some research on the ad that your interested in before taking.

[1979rbb]

I think what the others are saying is true.  My issue has been that I've developed nasty side effects that have made me have to stop taking meds and try a different one.  Are you able to apply for FMLA intermittent leave?  My doctor helped me fill out the paperwork, and it's saved me.  I was able to take extended time away when I had to suddenly stop taking Prozac and deal wifh the withdrawal.  I developed nasty hand and face tremors from effexor, and I've again been able to take some days off since it was approved by human resources.  I didn't know this was an option until my doctor brought it up.  I guess trial-and-error is how this is done, b/c my psych wants me to try paxil.  I would ask your doctor about FMLA protection...

[vanilla1969]

HELLO UPDATE TO POST: shortly after this post I voluntarily checked myself into an inpatient hospital for mental health stayed only 4 days because my daughter was visiting for spring break and I had to hurry and get home because I have NO ONE to depend on to help me with my kids. The treating psychiatrics put me on wellbutrin and .25 mg of risperdal, had terrible muscle rigidty and my regulat psyc dpc told me to stop. I've been on STD since the hospitalization but they have me only approved so far until April the 15th and I am in no shape, form or fashion to go back. I am still a long way from feeling myself, honestly I feel worse since the hospitalization and have been having more than normal anxiety. I have been obsessing on being like the worse case scenarios in there and it was really a shock for me. I am currently on no more than 1 mg a day of lorazepam and 15 mg of remeron, I felt good when I first started taking it . For one day in the last 8-9 days I felt my normal self the rest has been hell. No hope and on edge all the time. I'm to the point if they told me I had cancer I really wouldn't care, its that bad. I took an online test for OCD and scored really high and it stated based on my answers I have a pretty high chance of having that, it said for most OCD patients they have to be on the highest dose of SSRI. Doc only started me low on remeron then he just wrote a script for lexapro cause the remeron doesn't seem to he helping and the lexapro is only 5mg.

[insights]

I think what the others are saying is true.  My issue has been that I've developed nasty side effects that have made me have to stop taking meds and try a different one.

What meds have you tried and what was the outcome for each? Also what is your dignosis?

Ian

[1979rbb]

I was diagnosed with GAD about 10 years ago and PTSD after surviving an assault a few years ago.  My initial doctor also thought that I may have OCD, as well.  I was on prozac and clonazapam for several years successfully enough.  The initial "starting off" period was awful, and I had a lot of stomach issues due to the prozac.  Once my body adjusted, I stayedon prozac 20 mg for a few years.  I went off of the prozac after a few years, b/c I was mostly doing well.

My GAD flared up majorly this year, b/c I was working in a stressful situation.  I asked my doctor to resume the prozac, b/c I thought it might help.  I was doing fine fora few weeks, but then I started having self-harm thoughts, which was not something I've ever had.  At first, my doc tried me on a lower dose, but the thoughts returned.  She advised me to stop the meds immediately, which was causing me all sorts of issues. 

I then began meeting with a pysch at my therapist's office.  He put me on a gradually increasing dose of effexor, which was not terribly pleasant.  I was having sore muscles and feeling lethargic with a slight tremor.  My dose was up to 150.  I was out of work on protected leave for about 2 months when I had to go back. 

The effexor caused a severe reaction at work where my hands were tremoring uncontrollably and I couldn't stop shivering (jaw movement).  I also developed trouble controlling my voice and facial movements.  The irony is that the meds have made me feel much less anxious (no racing thoughts, dread, panic), while wreaking havoc on my body.  Both of my doctors think that my body is sensitive to the meds, but my psych wants me to try 10 mg of paxil starting tomorrow.  The tremors are very likely effexor related, b/c I never had this sort of stress reaction even during the PTSD. 

Throughout all of this, I also take clonazapam, which helps me feel calm, but puts me to sleep.  Not exactly ideal for work.  I've heard paxil is generally tolerated better, and I'm hoping for a better outcome...

[insights]

I've heard paxil is generally tolerated better, and I'm hoping for a better outcome...

True, but as with all antidepressants you may get some initial side-effects. 10mg is a good starting dose, but if the side-effects are too severe ask your doctor to okay a drop to 5mg and up it after a week. Don't do it without asking as there may be reasons why she'd prefer the higher dose.

Ian

[vanilla1969]

@1979 Zoloft did me the exact same way, I hate I didn't tough it out. I'm still dragging my feet on the 5mg of lexapro don't want anything making me not want to sleep more than I already am.

[Ravin]

Check out the family medical leave act.  This entitles you to take a leave of absence from work for 12 weeks, with no pay, and they must keep your job for you.  Look up FMLA.

[vanilla1969]

I'm on short term disability, its no way I could take FMLA I would be homeless cause I live paycheck to paycheck. I just worry that they will let me take STD until I'm really ready to go back, I'm approved until next Monday then they will re-review my medical records to see if I still qualify for longer wish I hope cause mentally I'm not ready.