Can we talk about SSRI's?

IDreamInColor · Post by **IDreamInColor** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 5:29 pm

I came off cymbalta last August when I learned about the connection with ssri's and microscopic colitis. I have been on and off, mostly on ssri's for years because I have agoraphobia, anxiety/panic disorder.

I have had no medication help with these condition since going off the cymbalta last August. The problem is...I'm falling thru the cracks, everyday is getting worse and worse with the agoraphobia/panic, and now depression. These problems are definately genetic because the agoraphobia and all of it runs rampant on my dads side of the family. I've had panic disorder since I was a little girl, I can remember trying to hide the condition because I was so confused and didn't know what was wrong with me, I became very withdrawn, no friends and afraid of myself, I'm 44 now.

I told my doctor that I came off the cymbalta because I learned about the ssri connection to MC. Her response was: "MC can be caused by many different things, and since you dont function well without an ssri, and living with agoraphobia is no way to live, my advice for you would be to take it." And she proceded to write me a script for paxil. Which is the ssri that always worked best for me in the past.

In my head I have been back and forth on taking the paxil, I can't seem to make a wise decision. I'm so afraid of the ssri causing the mc to get worse. But on the other hand I cannot live like this anymore. Seems all I do anymore is cry...I am ridden with irrational fear, panic, anxiety, and the agoraphobia pretty well keeps me housebound. I had a severe panic attack while at the dentist 2 weeks ago, it was embarrassing and it wore me out. I can't do it anymore.

The MC has intensified my fear of the leaving the house, it's terrifying to get too far from a bathroom, I just want to be home.

My question is: if you suffered from agoraphobia, depression, never wanted to leave your house, irrational fears, panic attacks that awake you from sleep in a pool of sweat with your heart racing, and feeling like you can't breath. Irrationally afraid to even run up to the corner store...would you take the ssri and hope for the best, or still continue to avoid it and just deal with all the rest as best you can?

Post by **tex** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:35 pm

I agree with your doctor - I would try it. Only a relatively small percentage of SSRI users ever develop MC, and just because you have MC, is no reason to believe that taking an SSRI will cause a relapse of MC. If it turns out that it does, then try a different one. Obviously, allowing those issues to go untreated, is not an acceptable solution.

Tex

Celie · Post by **Celie** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:48 pm

If Paxil will help you live a normal life, you should take it. Sounds like your doctor wants to help you feel better. Quality of life is so important. We all have to make risk/benefit decisions. This sounds like one of them for you. If you can control the depression and the MC with medicine, do it.

I know you have had a bad time. I hope this will give you some relief! Good luck!

Celie

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 8:08 pm

I take a SSRI and have for a number of years. I haven't had any problems with it and it definitely has improved my quality of life. Please listen to your Dr.

Jan

Mags · Post by **Mags** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 10:17 pm

As far as I know, Zoloft (sertraline) is the only SSRI that has been shown to have negative effects on MC. Paxil is in a different "family" of drugs. As Tex said, I would definitely listen to your doctor on this one. In my personal experience, and only in my opinion, I have found that I must put my mental health first. Otherwise, I am not equipped to make decisions regarding my physical health, or anything else for that matter. I know the "corner store fear" only too well. I have also had major "mail box fear"!!!

Best of luck and best wishes.

Love,

Mags

natythingycolbery · Post by **natythingycolbery** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:01 am

I'm one of the unlucky few who has MHP and can't take SSRI's, if you find you are having a flareup when you do take these ask your dr if you can take a tetracyclic antidepressenr such as Mirtazapine. Apparent tetracyclic shouldn't cause/effect MC at all.

explosive · Post by **explosive** » Sun Jan 16, 2011 8:19 pm

Hi,

I am 44 also and also have suffered from anxiety/panic and depression. It also runs on my Dad's side of the family. I am on Cymbalta, librium, desyrl and ativan. If I try to go off any one of them I can not function. I know there is connection with so many medicines and LC that I really wanted to get off some of the meds but it is so hard to deal with all the complications of LC alone that trying to deal with them off the meds was impossible for me. I think you should listen to your doctor on this one too. Having some peace of mind can only help deal with everything else.

Sharon

maude · Post by **maude** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:13 am

My doctor had me try eliminating all the other pills: rx and over the counter, like vitamins. I switched doctors and was able to try getting off the ssri Paxil and try Nortiptyline for depression. My symptoms have greatly deminished of the past month!! I also was concerned if a bathroom wasn't close!