Question about Gabitril - AFTER MANY FAILED MEDS/HAVE ANXIETY/DEPRESSION

Dear Dr.

I have written several times about ongoing anxiety/depression, (started 15 mo. ago, and I was told I had prozac poop out after 9 years on 20 mg.) the anxiety and depression worsened when we found out 2 months ago my husband has to have heart surgery later this month. It was the straw that broke the camels back so to speak. Up until then 1mg. Ativan helped me manage but no one told me how benzos worked and I am furious. I have never had to take more until recently and I resist any more than 1/2 - 1 mg. on rare occasions. I want off of it! Many failed meds since June trying to trasition from prozac to other meds; and finally going back on low dose liquid prozac two weeks ago after being off nearly 6 months. You gave me hope saying if it worked before the chances are excellent it will again.  I am praying it will. I started on 2mg and am up to 4mg.  Although the side effects are not as severe as the other 7 RX;s they have prescribed I do feel some effects.  Is it normal to get a little anxious and somewhat depressed starting out?

I went to group for 6 weeks and burned out on the mixture of mental health problems outside of anxiety and depression. Kaiser is not helpful or able to see me one on one often enough. I went to a highly recommended outside Psychiatrist today (Kaiser actually suggested I do it to get help. I asked for a referral to a therapist as well as I know I probably need that as well.

He prescribed Gabitril for the anxiety and transitioning on the Prozac.  He said it would help with my problem sleeping and the anxiety(the Ativan doesn't keep me asleep as it used to) .  I am pretty scared and very gun shy after the horrible side effects I suffered with Paxil, Traz.,Neurontin, Klonipin (klonopin), Lexapro, Celexa and Ambien.  What do you know about this drug?  The Dr. say's it is not addictive and if I can take it, will help me get off Ativan and that I can stop the Gabitril without withdrawal problems later. Please write a.s.a.p. It is awful to have to have anxiety over another "NEW MED". I hope you have encouraging news for me.

Thank you!

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Gabitril is a relatively new medication and I don't have any direct experience with it.  It is reported to be safe, effective, and fewer side effects, but you must withdraw gradually.

[pooh4u1974]

Hi Everyone,
I have been having panic attacks/depression since 1997 that year i had a thyroidectomy and my husband got diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and is now in a wheel chair, and i had an 18 yr old cousin die of liver cancer. The zoloft worked the  but was on it so long it quit working now I am trying paxil cr and have been on it 14 days.... I have had panic attacks and periods of crying and thoughts that i had somethinig wrong with me and was going to die. I have had major headaches with this med along with stopped up ears and bleeding nose and vomiting. I have a xanx script but only take them when i am having an attack which has been frequently since startin the paxil cr. I am seeing a GP but not a psychiatrist.... but I am tired of feeling tis way as i know all of you are. Do any of you feel out of control of your depressing thoughts as I do will I ever feel like me again? thanks for listening...missy

[orchids]

I do Missy. It's the most horrible feeling. And it's always there.