Posted by Elizabeth on June 4, 2001, at 23:53:20
In reply to Cam, John L. or any med braniacs I need help, posted by gilbert on June 4, 2001, at 22:15:03
Have you tried combinations? Like Prozac + Buspar? Wellbutrin + propranolol (reverses tachycardia, can also help with some panic symptoms)? An AD plus a low-dose antipsychotic? etc.
How bad was the tachycardia from Wellbutrin, if you remember? (i.e., what was your pulse?) Wellbutrin isn't a great choice for you unless it was just to offset the sexual side effects of SSRIs: it tends to exacerbate anxiety symptoms and has been shown to be of no value for OCD or PAD. The same is true of stimulant drugs such as amphetamine, Ritalin (methylphenidate), and Cylert (pemoline).
What were the cardiac side effects you got on TCAs?
Which anti-anorgasmia tricks did you try?
Tachycardia from Ca++ blockers can sometimes be alleviated by drinking a lot of fluids. Hypertension is complicated to treat because of the ways your body tries to compensate for the effects of the drugs used to treat it -- one drug is quite often not sufficient. You might need to add a beta blocker (propranolol, which I mentioned above, is an example), ACE inhibitor, etc.
It sounds like you're supersensitive to side effects -- a common trait among people with anxiety disorders, especially those associated with somatic sensitivity, like panic disorder. You might need to use a complicated combination in order to offset these side effects and keep your blood pressure under control. Also, starting at very low doses is the way to go with most meds (especially SSRIs and TCAs) if you have extreme sensitivity to side effects.
Hope this helps.
-elizabeth
poster:Elizabeth
thread:65416
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010530/msgs/65439.html