CIPRALEX

[chant1965]

I started on 5 mg of Cipralex 2 months ago - then up to 10 mg and now I am on 15 mg (it has been 2 weeks).  I feel aweful - very dizzy, confused, heavyness over eyes, bad eyesight, sensitive hearing.  Actually many of these symptoms I had before starting Cipralex - my doctor thought Cipralex would help.  I also have a history of complicated migraine, I have not taken Sibelium since December 2008.  I am wondering if maybe the symptoms I am experiencing are migraine related - and therefore Cipralex is not the answer.  Should I be restarted on Sibelium?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

It sounds to me as if you are just hoping for a simple answer, but you don't have a clear diagnosis and therefore it would be premature to look for a medication.  One way to sort this out is to go off of all medications and see what happens , and then make a clear diagnosis before you start treatment...ask your doctor about that approach.

[Paxiled]

I'm confused -- were you suffering anxiety or depression, or just migraines?  Migraines are a vascular headache, and ssris don't treat that.  While migraines have been linked to stress, an ssri seems a strange way to treat it.  Personally, a doctor prescribed meditation to me for migraines thirty years ago, and I've had three since.  Meaning, there's a lot of ways to treat stress that are a lot less intensive than putting you on an ssri, which have as a common side effect headaches.  Unless you were also suffering severe depression or anxiety as well.  Just my thought; perhaps the doctor will have a better answer.  Another commonly used technique for migraines is biofeedback, which helps train you how to elevate the temperature in your hands and therefore relieve the constriction in the blood vessels that cause migraines.  

[Jaquta]

It sounds like they may be symptoms of migraine (although a lay person can't really differentiate between the two).
Migraines can be brought on by stress and anxiety.  Anxiety could account for some of the symptoms too.
My therapist said anxiety can cause hyperacuity (sensitivity to noise, etc).  Migraines can cause that too though.

It would probably be a good idea to discuss your symptoms and concerns with your doctor.  Addressing the possibility of migraines would also be a good start.