Question: HI- I signed up to be connected to a Psychiatrist for my question regarding my panic and anxiety disorder I have dealt with for 14 years. A General Practitioner responded back listing everything I knew-and said you are best talking with a local Psychiatrist. Can my original question be transferred to one?

HI- I signed up to be connected to a Psychiatrist for my question regarding my panic and anxiety disorder I have dealt with for 14 years. A General Practitioner responded back listing everything I knew-and said you are best talking with a local Psychiatrist. Can my original question be transferred to one?

First, thank you for responding. At 43 after battling two break outs of Shingles (first time) on my face 1st time left side 2nd time right side-I developed post herpetic neuralgia . Drs. deduced that this could have really affected my nervous system. However, My mother, grandmother two female cousins (all on mother side had or have this disorder too-but not as extreme). My mom has been on clonazepam 1/2 mg to .75 for 19 years.

At 43 ( I tried all natural stuff to battle the disorder including hypnotherapy )for two months. Then a XXXXXXX (Yale graduate) Psychiatrist did a thorough evaluation and put me on Paxil and Clonazepam. Therapeutic level of 60mg Paxil and 1.5 mg clonazepam. I stayed under her care for around 8 months.

At 48 we moved to South XXXXXXX for husbands job. I was now on 1mg of Clonazepam a day and then down to .5 once a day but aways remained on 60mg of Paxil. Here is my journey-June 9, 2018 Broke RIght Shoulder Walking in XXXXXXX fell, broke shoulder.
Paxil Poop Out July 2018 first week (approximately) met with GP/ put me on Buspar, along with Paxil and clonazepam No relief. Took Avera Genomics test
Mid July Weaned off Paxil and started Zoloft. -Continued Zoloft 150 mg and upped clonazepam 3mg
-September 18th Zoloft stopped Cross tapered to Prozac 20 mg -3mg clonazepam
-October 9-On Prozac 20mg 3mg clonazepam added 15mg mirtazapine taken before bedtime

-October 17 Upped Prozac 40mg
October 31 increased Prozac to 60mg- 2.5 mg clonazepam .
November 7 Stopped Prozac put on Cymbalta -4 days losing my mind, swollen lips and sores…

November 8 Back on Paxil 10 days -nightmare no relief
Switched- Effexor 11/19 (generic tablets 2 .25 mg with 3.5 mg clonazepam. DID WELL well for FIRST time since July!!
Could not take Extended Release had 50% stomach removed at 32 (Ulcers) and intestinal blockage and hernia surgery late 40's. However, I was doing better but the
Dr. decided to switch me to extended release for no reason -just said 'this is my decision". On ER-5 days Symptoms intensified. Requested to go back on tablets. (Showed reports- which supported not a good candidate for XR)- Denied request. And released me???
Found new Dr. kept me on Venlavaxine up to 350 mg and 3.5 clonazepam.

Now, after relocating to XXXXXXX my first job was to find a new Dr. since I have felt some obvious increased anxiety, and I know the clonazepam is too high. Two Drs have refused to see me after they noted I am on clonazepam and did not feel good about this, and wouldn't want to deal with weaning me off.

SO, I have a Dr. meeting with me in a couple weeks. And I don't know what to expect. I do coping skills, exercise, have a happy home life. LOVE living here, among old college friends etc. I want some kind of feedback of what could be some RX options that I could do well on, control the severe anxiety and panic attacks when not on medication. Respectfully XXXXXXX

First, thank you for responding. At 43 after battling two break outs of Shingles (first time) on my face 1st time left side 2nd time right side-I developed post herpetic neuralgia . Drs. deduced that this could have really affected my nervous system. However, My mother, grandmother two female cousins (all on mother side had or have this disorder too-but not as extreme). My mom has been on clonazepam 1/2 mg to .75 for 19 years.

At 43 ( I tried all natural stuff to battle the disorder including hypnotherapy )for two months. Then a XXXXXXX (Yale graduate) Psychiatrist did a thorough evaluation and put me on Paxil and Clonazepam. Therapeutic level of 60mg Paxil and 1.5 mg clonazepam. I stayed under her care for around 8 months.

At 48 we moved to South XXXXXXX for husbands job. I was now on 1mg of Clonazepam a day and then down to .5 once a day but aways remained on 60mg of Paxil. Here is my journey-June 9, 2018 Broke RIght Shoulder Walking in XXXXXXX fell, broke shoulder.
Paxil Poop Out July 2018 first week (approximately) met with GP/ put me on Buspar, along with Paxil and clonazepam No relief. Took Avera Genomics test
Mid July Weaned off Paxil and started Zoloft. -Continued Zoloft 150 mg and upped clonazepam 3mg
-September 18th Zoloft stopped Cross tapered to Prozac 20 mg -3mg clonazepam
-October 9-On Prozac 20mg 3mg clonazepam added 15mg mirtazapine taken before bedtime

-October 17 Upped Prozac 40mg
October 31 increased Prozac to 60mg- 2.5 mg clonazepam .
November 7 Stopped Prozac put on Cymbalta -4 days losing my mind, swollen lips and sores…

November 8 Back on Paxil 10 days -nightmare no relief
Switched- Effexor 11/19 (generic tablets 2 .25 mg with 3.5 mg clonazepam. DID WELL well for FIRST time since July!!
Could not take Extended Release had 50% stomach removed at 32 (Ulcers) and intestinal blockage and hernia surgery late 40's. However, I was doing better but the
Dr. decided to switch me to extended release for no reason -just said 'this is my decision". On ER-5 days Symptoms intensified. Requested to go back on tablets. (Showed reports- which supported not a good candidate for XR)- Denied request. And released me???
Found new Dr. kept me on Venlavaxine up to 350 mg and 3.5 clonazepam.

Now, after relocating to XXXXXXX my first job was to find a new Dr. since I have felt some obvious increased anxiety, and I know the clonazepam is too high. Two Drs have refused to see me after they noted I am on clonazepam and did not feel good about this, and wouldn't want to deal with weaning me off.

SO, I have a Dr. meeting with me in a couple weeks. And I don't know what to expect. I do coping skills, exercise, have a happy home life. LOVE living here, among old college friends etc. I want some kind of feedback of what could be some RX options that I could do well on, control the severe anxiety and panic attacks when not on medication. Respectfully XXXXXXX

also i have to note my periods stopped at 50 like that. I am not on any hormones treatment-yet I turn 57 in October so this must be factored in. What is your opinion on the immediate release venlavaxine at 350mg

also i have to note my periods stopped at 50 like that. I am not on any hormones treatment-yet I turn 57 in October so this must be factored in. What is your opinion on the immediate release venlavaxine at 350mg

Hi I answered your question for more information but have yet to receive a reply..

Respectufully, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Hi I answered your question for more information but have yet to receive a reply..

Respectufully, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Thank you one more follow up-

1-Why do you feel Venlavaxine should be changed? My concern is the SSRI'S they tried me on a year ago none worked.
What is your opinion of Venlavaxine.
I know it is so hard even as a Dr. to know what is what...
2-Here in XXXXXXX I have found it difficult to even find a Psychiatrist to meet with me, since I am on clonazepam. I was never ever on this hight of a dosage. Even when I first developed the disorder my pshyciatrist put me on a much lower dose. I wish I wasn't almost being punished and judged for being on this amount. I am also told , it won't keep working, and I need to get off of it...and I want to know the dosage is lowered to 1.5 mg does it usually remain affective or is it shown to no longer work after a certain time? Again I meet with another Dr Wednesday-here in XXXXXXX TX, yet the brutality of this disorder and how I have fought so hard to do the right things, do therapy, coping skills, exercise and then Paxil stops, 3-4 other SSRI's do nothing....and now I am dealing with a feeling of I am the person who caused this-and I am the person responsible for being on RX, these types and these mg. It is a mental health disorder. The RX are created to help the person to be able to get their life back...once you are put on it-you are reprimanded, and or face the fear of what medicine now and will it work...and the Drs' here make it clear coming off both of my current medications is going to be severe...so whose helping who really battle this disorder that is debilitating and listening to music and doing yoga just isn't a cure all....I am sorry for my deep emotions but it is late...and I so thank you for your honest response

Thank you one more follow up-

1-Why do you feel Venlavaxine should be changed? My concern is the SSRI'S they tried me on a year ago none worked.
What is your opinion of Venlavaxine.
I know it is so hard even as a Dr. to know what is what...
2-Here in XXXXXXX I have found it difficult to even find a Psychiatrist to meet with me, since I am on clonazepam. I was never ever on this hight of a dosage. Even when I first developed the disorder my pshyciatrist put me on a much lower dose. I wish I wasn't almost being punished and judged for being on this amount. I am also told , it won't keep working, and I need to get off of it...and I want to know the dosage is lowered to 1.5 mg does it usually remain affective or is it shown to no longer work after a certain time? Again I meet with another Dr Wednesday-here in XXXXXXX TX, yet the brutality of this disorder and how I have fought so hard to do the right things, do therapy, coping skills, exercise and then Paxil stops, 3-4 other SSRI's do nothing....and now I am dealing with a feeling of I am the person who caused this-and I am the person responsible for being on RX, these types and these mg. It is a mental health disorder. The RX are created to help the person to be able to get their life back...once you are put on it-you are reprimanded, and or face the fear of what medicine now and will it work...and the Drs' here make it clear coming off both of my current medications is going to be severe...so whose helping who really battle this disorder that is debilitating and listening to music and doing yoga just isn't a cure all....I am sorry for my deep emotions but it is late...and I so thank you for your honest response

Met with Dr. Her plan is to keep me on 350 mg of venlavaxin
Start taking Gabapentine 100mg 3x's a day
Reduce Clonzazepam to 2.75 (with goal of getting it down to as needed).
Before my Paxil stopped working (after I broke my shoulder I was on 60mg Paxil and arrived at a very low dose of clonazepman a day .5mg. SO, hoping the Gabapentine works. I took it once after I had two bouts of shingles on my face and developed post herpetic neuralgia throughout my entire body...thank you and I again praying this is a good decision.

Met with Dr. Her plan is to keep me on 350 mg of venlavaxin
Start taking Gabapentine 100mg 3x's a day
Reduce Clonzazepam to 2.75 (with goal of getting it down to as needed).
Before my Paxil stopped working (after I broke my shoulder I was on 60mg Paxil and arrived at a very low dose of clonazepman a day .5mg. SO, hoping the Gabapentine works. I took it once after I had two bouts of shingles on my face and developed post herpetic neuralgia throughout my entire body...thank you and I again praying this is a good decision.