Anxiety after starting SSRI?

cathmg

Hello ladies,

man, I am having such a hard time. Many of  you already know  I went through a deep depression at diagnosis and chemo. I took celexa at that time, and it helped. I was able to wean off and be off it for awhile. Now, I have found myself with anxiety and depression creeping in after:

starting a stressful job, leaving that stressful job for the unknown, losing my kitty of 17 years, having teenagers, and trying to figure out my "career."

I exercise, do yoga, have a good social support-so the non-med things are covered. I went to my doc to take a small dose of celexa again-and I started having physical anxiety symptoms the first day: tight, burning sensation in chest, etc. off and on.

I talked to the doc and pharmacist, and they said they hadn't heard of this, but it could possibly be a side effect. And so I turn to you ladies, as I often do, for information and support.

Has this happened to you??

Catherine

1Athena1

cathmg,

First, I am sorry to read about all the stressful events you have gone through. They are enough to throw anyone off kilter.

My answer to your question is no. BUT it is not unusual for a med to strike a person a different way one time than the other. Your neurochemistry may have changed as your body continues to go through the aftermaths of treatment. In addition, anti-depressants like SSRIs can have the effect of making a person agitated and this sometimes feels like anxiety. The reason for this is usually because the medication takes the person from being in a semi-zombie stage of pure melancholy to a heightened, more active state, but without resolving the depression.

You have several options to consider. You can discuss increasing the dose and/or adding an anti-anxiety medication like a benzodiazapene or buspirone. Or you could try other SSRIs that are also shown to be good against anxiety for many people. Two that come to mind are Paxil and Lexapro (which is an isomer, or very similar drug, to Celexa).

One tip: Never assume that what works for someone else will work for you. That is sometimes a huge mistake. We have unique genes, brain chemistry and environments so take all advice about "what worked for me, you, her" with a grain of salt. A huge one. 

Therapy may also help for the anxiety. God knows, you certainly have plenty of legitimate complaints. Therapy might help you deal with anxiety and can sometimes reveal to a person whether the problem can be tackled with medication or whether it needs to be worked through psychologically - or both.

Good luck.  

cathmg

Thanks for sharing Athena1. I am able to think more clearly today, and I do believe I was going through was agitation-I read that about 5% of people starting Celexa will have that side effect (although the pharmacist didn't seem to know that). Therapy DOES help. I almost always feel much calmer and clearer after talking to my therapist.  I talk to my doc Tues. She is into integrative medicine, so I will exploring that with her.

vlnrph

Wanted to caution anyone reading this that Paxil, generic name paroxetine, is not good to take with tamoxifen due to enzyme/metabolism interaction.

Wonder if Cathmg was getting an excess of serotonin when Celexa (citalopram) was resumed. That could explain some of the physical symptoms. Maybe an even lower dose would have been better tolerated. Other possibilities might have been, like Athena mentioned, the s-isomer escitalopram=Lexapro or having a prn benzo such as lorazepam available.

Decent sleep can be hard to come by during times like these so don't be afraid to take advantage of reasonable prescription drug regimens.

Hopefully, the doctor had a workable idea Catherine is putting into place and things are looking up. I always want my ILC sisters to do well!

 

cathmg

Hi vlnrph,

things are getting better. One key element: I stopped drinking coffee and my onc is giving me a 2 month Tamoxifen break. I slept really well last night. I have TONS of support, of which I am deeply grateful-including BCO.

have a great day,

Cat

DivineMrsM

I too am having a hard time dealing with anxiety.  It cropped up suddenly.  I had chemo prior to surgery and all was fine.  Then the anxiety hit me.  I am going thru many changes now, only child leaving for college next month, brother not doing well after heart surgery, dealing with bc dx.

I had tried prozac but it left me feeling too "out there".  I had more anxiety and only wanted to sit on the sofa and do nothing.  So I got a perscription for Zoloft.  It is leaving me feeling anxious and I have panic attacks.  Never had this before.  My whole summer has been trying to deal with these symptoms.  I just want to be able to function and feel normal during the day. 

dsub

I was on effexor first, it helped in the begining but wasnt later. weaned myself off. Don't advise anyone do that. you only thought you were crazy. That makes you crazy. I'm on Pristiq, Xanax when needed, restoril for sleep, as i cant stay asleep once i finally go to sleep. I feel much better! I still have bad days no where as many, Still have anxiety attacks out of the blue but better

renab

Having been in the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Hospital I can say finding the right med combo IS difficult. One mmed I tried gave me OCD, others made gain 20 pounds another made me sleep all the time. Meds are trial and error but stick it out! There are so many diffrent types that you are bound to find one.

I am on Effexor (300mg) and Seroquel (100mg) and still have not found peace! But it will come! and i hope it comes to all of you!