16 replies to this topic

[salesman]

Hey guys im going to get on a SSRI for my panic attacks. I was woundering if any of the members on this board would be willing to share about there views on which one is the best. I will most likely be taking Lexapro just because I used to take it and I didnt have any bad sides.

[salesman]

nevermind antidepressants i just picked up some 5htp by jarrow and i feel really mellow . I got it to help me fall asleep and help with anxiety. Ive noticed that the panic attacks come up on days that i have alot of anxiety. I just answered my own question.

[doug123]

Do you plan on self medicating or are under doctors' supervision?

[salesman]

Well im going to try this route first. After taking it for the first time last night i really like the mellow feeling, and immediate sleepiness. I also noticed that my thinking was much more positive after about 30 minutes after taking it. According to Wiki I am supposed to take Carbidopa along with 5Htp, is this a pharmacuetacal or do i get that at the health food store too? What are your thoughts on this matter?

[mewild]

Well im going to try this route first. After taking it for the first time last night i really like the mellow feeling, and immediate sleepiness. I also noticed that my thinking was much more positive after about 30 minutes after taking it. According to Wiki I am supposed to take Carbidopa along with 5Htp, is this a pharmacuetacal or do i get that at the health food store too? What are your thoughts on this matter?

Carbidopa is a prescription drug. I don't think you need it unless you are overdosing. I just started taking it though so I'm not an experienced user. I'm taking 300-400mg per day for about a week now and already feeling better. I plan to cut it to 200mg/day and also add SAM-e which is supposed to help with serotonin also.

[garethnelsonuk]

Taking an SSRI along with 5-HTP seems rather strange. I would ask a qualified psychiatrist or GP before doing this as you risk serotonin syndrome if you take an SSRI along with 5-HTP.

[kylyssa]

You are courting serotonin syndrome if you take 5-HTP with an SSRI.

[ikaros]

As this topic's already up, has anyone had experience with escitalopram (Cipralex, Lexapro)? How did you feel on it? I got it prescribed for OCD.

[garethnelsonuk]

If it's similar to Citalopram at all I was prescribed it quite a while ago for standard clinical depression. Main side effect was feeling sick and dizzy but I didn't feel depressed anymore. Eventually though I was moved onto another SSRI (went through a pile of them in fact) and then finally moved off meds completely.

[ikaros]

I've tried also most of them (SSRIs), but majority of them didn't work or produced agitation as a side-effect which made me to quit them. Escitalopram's the only one which I haven't tried yet, according to the anecdotal evidence it's suppose to be the most lightest of SSRIs. I'm mainly concerned of becoming foggy because of them. My work demands clearheaded thinking and I'm already having bouts of drowsiness due to the condition I have. Did it make your memory and concentration significantly worse or was it tolerable in that department?

[garethnelsonuk]

As I recall my memory and concentration was fine, putting aside the slight naseua. After taking them for a while the side effects tend to stabilise.

[kottke]

The main problem with Lexapro is the withdrawal effect. Its not as bad as effexor, but is certainly more noticable then the others from what i read. Im actually considering it myself if my next stack doesnt treat me right. Not trying to scare you just kind of a warning. Knowing you ikaros you probbaly already know this. The tianeptine didnt work out for you?

[garethnelsonuk]

All psychiatric medications have some kind of withdrawal effect, as do some nootropics. This is why it's generally recommended to lower the dose gradually over time.

[ikaros]

The tianeptine didnt work out for you?

Not that it didn't work, but it wasn't at the time the real thing I needed. Tianeptine is overall a stimulating drug, what I need is something which turns the heat down rather than up. Though I've had problems with hypersomnia, it was rather the consequence of my brain being overactive in certain activities and ending up with a burn out. Besides meanwhile I found out that tianeptine is not generally recommended for OCD cases - that was enough to plant a seed of doubt into trying it again.

The main problem with Lexapro is the withdrawal effect. Its not as bad as effexor, but is certainly more noticable then the others from what i read.

That's odd, my shrink assured me it's one of the most lightest SSRIs compared to the other side-effect bombs (like fluvoxamine). But then again shrinks tend to BS a lot.

[kottke]

Yea, thats right. Tianeptine sucks up serotonin which would cause OCD symptoms. Overall it strengthens the tone of the serotonin receptors/dentrites but i think while its in effect it certainly causes OCD like symptoms. I can vouche for that. On the SSRI i should've just kept my mouth shut. It is the weakest of the SSRIs i just dont want them to hook ya man

[xanadu]

Why not try salvia divinorum? It has a few mild side effects that are easily dealt with if used properly in the right dosage. Do a search including this site because there are some good discussions on the subject. Salvia works very well and the only side effect I notice is that I dream more. I don't even use it every day, just once in a while when it seems needed.

[mbrutis]

Lexapro supposedly is the second worst SSRI to come off of, as far as withdrawl syndromes go (second only to Paxil). I watched my wife go through three weeks of hell getting off Lexapro. Sexual sides and weight gain were unbearable to her while on it. She hated it, and I hated her being on it.