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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TexasChic on February 17, 2004, at 16:17:32
I suffer from depression and anxiety and am currently taking Lexapro 20mg (4 months now) and began Wellbutrin XL 150mg this week. I used to take Prozac which worked great, but I started having anxiety attacks due to some circumstances in my life, so my doc suggested Lexapro. One thing I have noticed since the med change is an increase in paranoia. I used to have a problem with paranoia before I started taking medication – it seems to be part of my depression. So I'm wondering if maybe Prozac did something Lexapro isn't, or if its just all in my mind. When I talk about paranoia I mean things such as: being afraid people are mad at me or talking about me, thinking my boss is talking about me and worrying that I'm about to lose my job, thinking my friends don't really like me or are just putting up with me etc. One example would be this new friend I've made at work. During the week she can sometimes be very cold and indifferent. Later she's ready to go out and have fun as if she never acted weird before. I've asked her over and over if she's mad at me during these times, and she always assures me 'no'. But I still can't stop worrying at least once a week that she's mad at me. Others in the office have commented on her moodiness, which should make me stop worrying. I can't help but wonder if I was still on Prozac, would I be feeling this way? I have to admit I'm not as happy as I was on Prozac, but that could be my present circumstances, so I don't know. Does anyone else have problems with paranoia like this? And has anyone found one med to be better than others for treating it? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by KathrynLex on February 17, 2004, at 16:47:18
In reply to Paranoia, posted by TexasChic on February 17, 2004, at 16:17:32
Hi Texas Chic,
I also suffer from anxiety and depression. I've been taking Lexapro for about 9 weeks and haven't had a single panic attack since increasing to 15 mg 2 1/2 weeks ago.
I'm surprised to hear that your doctor took you off of Prozac. When I first went to see a pdoc (psychiatrist) about meds he suggested Prozac. (I've taken it in the past and loved it, but Prozac didn't work for me after I went off it and tried to go back on.)
You might try going back on Prozac and take a benzo such as Xanax or Lorazepam on an as needed basis. Both meds are good for anxiety/panic attacks and combine fairly well with SSRI's such as Prozac and Lexapro. I've hear that Antivan also works for panic attacks but I've never tried it.
What you're describing sounds more like negative thought patterns that could be caused by low self esteem. (Although, I'm not a doctor so it very well could be paranoia.) I do know that both Lexapro and Prozac are used to combat negative thought patterns like worrying about whether or not your friends like you. For you, Prozac was probably more effective in helping you combat those negativ/paranoid thoughts.
Like I said, I suggest that you talk with your pdoc about getting back on Prozac and combining it with one of the other meds I mentioned. But before you give up on Lexapro entirely, please give the Wellbutrin a couple of weeks to kick in. It might be the perfect combo for you once it starts taking effect.
Good luck to you, and I hope you find the right medication soon.
K.
Posted by jimmygold70 on February 17, 2004, at 18:22:24
In reply to Paranoia, posted by TexasChic on February 17, 2004, at 16:17:32
This is not paranoia but hypersensitivity to rejection. I think Effexor might do a better job - you might like to switch.
A small dose of Risperdal (i.e. 0.5mg) added might do as well.
Jimmy
> I suffer from depression and anxiety and am currently taking Lexapro 20mg (4 months now) and began Wellbutrin XL 150mg this week. I used to take Prozac which worked great, but I started having anxiety attacks due to some circumstances in my life, so my doc suggested Lexapro. One thing I have noticed since the med change is an increase in paranoia. I used to have a problem with paranoia before I started taking medication – it seems to be part of my depression. So I'm wondering if maybe Prozac did something Lexapro isn't, or if its just all in my mind. When I talk about paranoia I mean things such as: being afraid people are mad at me or talking about me, thinking my boss is talking about me and worrying that I'm about to lose my job, thinking my friends don't really like me or are just putting up with me etc. One example would be this new friend I've made at work. During the week she can sometimes be very cold and indifferent. Later she's ready to go out and have fun as if she never acted weird before. I've asked her over and over if she's mad at me during these times, and she always assures me 'no'. But I still can't stop worrying at least once a week that she's mad at me. Others in the office have commented on her moodiness, which should make me stop worrying. I can't help but wonder if I was still on Prozac, would I be feeling this way? I have to admit I'm not as happy as I was on Prozac, but that could be my present circumstances, so I don't know. Does anyone else have problems with paranoia like this? And has anyone found one med to be better than others for treating it? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by Smiley on February 18, 2004, at 0:14:35
In reply to Paranoia, posted by TexasChic on February 17, 2004, at 16:17:32
I really liked how the other people responded to your posting regarding paranoia.
I have had extreme issues with paranoia a few times since I started AD's (beginning with Tofranil almost a year ago). Before that, I had thots similar along your lines. Which seem pretty normal to me. Sometimes we cannot take things that other people do, so personally. They could just be having a bad day, or something could be going on in their life. I had to learn that along time ago. And it was something that really helped me along in life...for awhile anyway.
One question I have had, and I do not know if you will experience this or not. The feelings of paranoia were slight and almost insignificant in the beginning...prior to taking any medications.
But by the time I stopped taking both Tofranil and Zoloft...my paranoia got very extreme. Including regarding headlights and the air that I breathe.
My paranoia prior to that had always been focused on something outside of myself, tangible, that I could prove to be true.
But once it went inside of myself, it was a very scary thing that happened to me. And I do not know if was me, or the medicine that caused these feelings.
My point being, if you ever get as bad as I did. Please ask again, or get help...It is a very hard thing to go through.
I hope I worded this ok...I'm not doing very well right now...
Posted by TexasChic on February 18, 2004, at 8:18:36
In reply to Re: Paranoia TexasChic, posted by Smiley on February 18, 2004, at 0:14:35
You worded it fine Smiley, and I really appreciate that you responded to my problem when you aren't doing well yourself. Your experiences with paranoia helped me to put mine into perspective. Actually, all the posts did and I really appreciate the advice. I'm going to wait and see how the Wellbutrin works – I'm feeling pretty good so far. I believe the other posts are probably correct that it is negative thought patterns and fear of rejection rather than true paranoia. I just know I didn't feel this way when I was on the Prozac, and I felt this way all the time before I started meds. But my life is not going that well at the present, so that could also be part of it. I guess we all have to hang in there and keep trying. Good luck to you all.
Posted by Smiley on February 19, 2004, at 19:20:22
In reply to Re: Paranoia TexasChic, posted by TexasChic on February 18, 2004, at 8:18:36
Texas Chic....
Thank you for the supportive response. I really need that kind of a thing right now. I have had some really scary things happen to me after taking meds. And I too am wondering if the meds caused the paranoia, or if it is me. Like I said, I have had some weird things
happen in my life, that contributed to the paranoia. Somewhere I heard that all paranoia has some basis of truth in it (at least for my circumstances anyway).One thing I have found out is that increased dopamine levels increase paranoia type feelings. Things that can increase dopamine levels are caffeine and cigarette smoking, stress (I'm not 100% on this one, but seems like I read it somewhere) and even playing video games (smile on that one....that just seems amazing).
I am hoping someone on this board can help me figure out what is going on as I feel I am not getting any postive feedback from pdoc.
I was prescribed Zyprexa, and then Risperdal to offset the feelings of suspiciousness and paranoia...of which I have had really extreme side effects from.
But I do not remember ever feeling this "paranoid" prior to starting to Tofranil.
I was on Prozac once, too (for a very brief period of time, prescribed by my GP). I do not remember feeling paranoid on that medicine either, but I couldn't handle the side effects from it.
It was the Pdoc that put me on Tofranil, and I've been having probs w/ meds ever since. I was also under alot of stress at the time myself.
I'm hoping someone on this board has had similar experiences....which it seems you feel on the other med...
I just need to know how to get back to NORMAL AGAIN.!!! It's been getting so bad that I've had suicidal ideation (no plans), because I just do not know what to do anymore. And it all originally started just from being depressed and going to my family doctor about it. Prescribed Prozac, and then it's been one med after another ever since.
When you get to the point that where you think the planes overhead are coming to get you....that's extreme paranoia!! I was on the Tofranil at the time.
I wish I could just back to those little type of paranoia feelings again.
I feel like I need to hide out from the world until I get better again, or am able to figure this stuff out.
Thanks for your feedback....
This is the end of the thread.
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