So I went to a psychitatrist he gave me a choice between the lexapro and zoloft, I took the lexapro. I took one 2.5 (Normal dose for starting is 5 but as I am sensitive he had me take a lower dose). Had the worse anxiety, barely slept for almost 2 days. Felt like I was on speed, have not been able to eat either. Have not take another one. Took Xanax and did not even calm me down. Strange experience but somewhere in there it felt like it reduced some of my head anxiety and all went into my body. UGh

Also went to LA to my old apartment, felt so strange. The stoned feeling thing. Sat on the porch and could feel my whole body rocking back and fourth and the grass looked like it was moving and I thought, what a strange strange disorder this vestibular monster is.....free me free me:bouncing:

So now thinking about trying Zoloft? I realized that the anxiety with this is soooo great. Ugh But I don't know if I could go threw the speed thing again!

The Ventings of Jade :angel:

Hi Jade,

That is certainly a strong response to Lexapro....sorry to hear about the increased anxiety...I've been there...not fun. I wonder if things would be any different on Cipramil for you?...hard to imagine considering the active ingredient is the same...but it might be better. My advice is to stick with the SSRI thing and don't be discouraged...find the one that works for you. Definitely trial Zoloft and/or Cipramil I think. These types of drugs have different effects on everyone....unfortunately it can be a game of musical chairs until you hit the nail on the head. I'm surprised the Lex made you feel more anxious...that's what happened to me on Zoloft. Also make sure you take the brand name version and not a cheaper version. I was put on a generic brand (cheaper in price) of Cipramil back in February called Talohexal. The pill was made with a different "filler" and I reacted badly to it but had no idea why. Night anxiety was shocking. Then, by chance, a friend gave me an unused pack of Cipramil and everything was fab again. I soon realised it was the dodgy generic version that didn't agree with me - bizarre eh? Luckily I found out otherwise I would have been all over the place trying to find something that worked.

Keep me posted on how you are feeling...don't give up.

Best...Scott

Thanks Scott, interesting thing the dr told me about Lexapro, the company that makes celexa (I think that's it) also makes lexapro, I guess that celexa patent is going to go to generic soon so the company decided to market lexapro as the new cleaner version. He said though it is supposed to be similar he tried switching some of his patients and they did not like it as much, had bad side effects.

Ok, so I am going to take a few deep breaths and maybe try the zoloft. Can't decide if I should try before my trip which is next Tuesday.

You know Scott with the anxiety, you experience places in yourself you didn't know existed, that kind of fear, sometimes its hard to believe you'll have a day w/out those thoughts and fear. Kind of a loss of innocence. I keep reminding myself it's all part of the human experience.

Thanks for all your support!
Hope your doing well.
Jade :angel:

Hey again Jade,

Interesting about the probs with lex your doc mentioned. Jade, try Celexa (same as Cipramil) next....I have a feeling this might be OK. This is what I'm on. I'm also thinking it may not be such a good time to be trialling this at the moment with a trip coming up for you. You don't need that especially if you're having a tough time adjusting to it. Can you wait til after the trip? On the other hand the Celexa might make your trip all the better...hard to know.

Oh yeah...do I ever know what you mean about the loss of innocence and going places you never knew existed. Not sure if it's a good or bad thing to know in terms of a life experience but I think I'd rather have not known - ie, ignorance is bliss! It's pretty hideous stuff isn't it. I was shocked that I could feel so many rotten feelings. Thankyou labyrinthitis. NOT

Best...Scott :cool:

Hi Jade,

Im sorry you had a bad time with the Lexapro, at least you were braver than me, I still have my Cipramil sat here, keep looking at it and finding excuses not to take it. I hope you will try something else and have a better experience with it. I know what you mean about the thoughts and fears with this thing. Its like you cant get away from it for a minute - it takes you over. Think Im gonna give the meds a go later, nothing ventured and all that. Will let you know how I go,

Take care,

Chris x

I think trying an SSRI is my next step (seeing a doctor and the end of January) and it's scaring the hell out of me. I too had a bad experience. Three years ago - at the beginning of this 24/7 dizziness my doctor was sure that my condition was due to a chemical unbalance - I had experienced anxiety in the past, but I had gotten control over it - I was not convinced (because the anxiety was not the same and felt like my dizziness was due to my ears) but not knowing anything about SSRIs, I said I would give it a try. The first one I tried was Effexor, after 3 days I started having MAJOR anxiety. I felt like climbing the walls, digging a hole to hide myself in, my pupils were dilated etc. I stopped taking them and after a few weeks I tried "Celexa". After 2 days while watching TV I felt a wave of anxiety. I got so scared, I stopped taking them. (I had NO major anxiety before trying the SSRI's) My doctor was not very happy with me. Maybe I didn't give Celexa a chance, but I was not ready for this, it was hell and at the time I hadn't had a lot of testing done. Now three years later with nothing happening I think I should give it a try again. Not because I feel any anxiety but in case it's due to a chemical imbalance that is affecting my ears (probably grabbing at straws) I don't know wich one I should try, but one thing is for sure, I'll be cutting the pills in little pieces.

Hi Mica,

Sorry to hear about your crappy experience years back. AFAIK, the first week on these things is not a joy ride for some people but it soon stops and you have to sort of tough it out at first while your body adjusts to it. Having said that, I know how Zoloft sent me off the rails for a solid 6 days. I really stuck it out but it just got unbearable and knew that it was more than just "adjusting to it". So against the advice of a shrink at the university I changed to something else and it worked. She did say that most people will feel more anxious in week 1 and then it stops. Another doc said these sorts of side-effects may actually stop when you take a therapeutic dose rather than small amounts. In other words, I'm not sure I would start on anything less than a half tablet otherwise you'll never get a good result, just the initial uncomfortable feelings.

I think I wasn't so scared of the feelings brought on by the Zoloft because I had already been there with the labyrinthitis anyway. I knew it wouldn't hurt me and so was able to go with it. If you try it again, try and persevere through the first week or just keep trying other SSRIs until you find one that suits you.

Cheers...Scott

Hey Scott
Talked to my psych guy and he won't try another SSRI with me other then Paxil due to my strong reaction. Know anything about that one? He said that if the Paxil does not work then that pretty much excludes the class of SSRIs.And would try somehting like Remeron.It was interesting when the lexapro ran out of my body I experienced more calm then I had in a while I think just from getting threw it.

Currently am on Kava, Cactus Grandiflores feel like I am compensating a little more. When I look down my dizziness gets worse. I have decided to expose myself to a lot of stimulus this week before my travels and see how I faire.

I have been meditating breathing into my belly counting to 100, and actually found some peace there the other day. Felt good to bring myself dwon out of my head.

How are your reductions going?
Jade :angel:

Jade

Hi Jade,

Well I guess I can't argue with your psych. I seem to hear different stories on this all the time. Some say to hang in there and it will be OK on another SSRI (which was true for me) and others to forget it altogether. I wonder why he thinks Paxil is the only alternative for you? I sound like a hypocrit saying this but there's so much bad press attached to that drug I think even I'd be afraid to go near it. Of all the SSRIs, Paxil is apparently the toughest to get free of - but like everything on the internet like this, you have to take it with a grain of salt. I do know someone who came off Paxil with ease. It's easy to be spooked by these stories. Best to go by your psych's advice...he must have seen many different cases come and go and must have some intuition about what's best for you.

eeerm...well, my reductions aren't going anywhere at the present. I'm sort of taking 2/3 for two days and then a half the next. With the holidays coming, i just don't want any weird feelings particularly after the Christmas from hell I had last year. It was terrible and I'm determined to set a new precedent this year.

Keep me posted on your hunt for the right med. I'm really interested in how things pan out for you.

Cheers...Scott

Thanks Scott, I'll keep your advice in mind.

Hi Jade,

I've been reading some stuff in various online forums about SSRIs and how people react to them. I found one where many people found Celexa to be the easiest and in some cases the only one they could tolerate after having tried all of them. Still think it's worth a go even though the psych was suggesting Paxil.

"....Celexa is the only SSRI that I can tolerate and I have taken them all with Prozac being the one that I was on the longest (besides the Celexa)..."

It really is individual. I don't think any medical type, no matter how experienced, can predict how you will react on these things unless he could screen your DNA and clearly we're still years away from that.

Scott :cool:

Hi Scott

Thanks so much or the info. I am going to hold of until after my trip and see how I feel. The depression has not been as bad, but the anxiety is still my challenge. I have the Xanax for now and the herbs, I will keep waht you said about the celexa in mind.

Interesting the different respons people have on the SSRI. My friend is on lexapro right now and having a tuff time. He is not dealing with inner ear but depression and emotional stuff. Has same complaint of not knowing what normal feels like as he went on when very depressed, not he is anxious and anyway my point is it all gets very confusing.

Thanks Again
Jade :angel: