I was wondering if anyone here has experienced, or thinks that Zoloft can cause Panic Attacks. I know it is meant to prevent them, but after I had been on ZOloft for 12 years, I stopped it and switched to Celexa. After 2 years on Celexa I started having panic attacks occasionally -- so finally I switched back to Zoloft -- I didn't have them for about 4 weeks on Zoloft then they started again -- finally I just went off everything for 1 1/2 years -- but occasionally still got Panic Attacks.

I'm wondering if I would have increased the Zoloft if it would have made the panic attacks better or worse -- I had been on between 50-100 mg and was still getting panic attacks.

I'm on Wellbutrin now and increased to 400mg 2 weeks ago, and the past week have been having mild panic attacks again -- so decided with my doctor to reduce the Wellbutrin to 300mg and try going back on Zoloft. At my max I was once on 200mg of Zoloft per day -- and if it takes going that high on it again to relieve the panic attacks I will do it. I am being started at 25mg/day and will go to 50mg in a week and see how that works for 3 weeks I think.

It's just so strange how the Wellbutrin really has helped my depression and anxiety -- and that a drug that can actually help anxiety so much wouldn't help with panic attacks.

My only other option would be to take a Xanax before I have a meeting at work --but I hate to rely on that -- just afraid I'd become dependent on it.

Any input would be appreciated as to Panic attacks occuring because of Zoloft -- AS WELL AS stories from people who Zoloft has helped cure their panic attacks without having to take other meds in combination.

Thank you

Hi Rattman,

My experiences with Wellbutrin were similar to yours with Zoloft. The doc kept upping my dosage, and I kept getting worse, my anxiety was crippling, and I had panic attacks. I had to change docs, and my new dr. said it sounded to her like the WB was working against me.

Here's how I understand it: There are three neurotransmitters involved in depression: seratonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, and everyone's levels are different. Add to that, everyone responds to different meds differently. If a med makes the imbalance worse, it makes your symptoms worse. For me, though, my depression and anxiety both got worse on WB, before the panic attacks came. I had only had one panic attack in my life prior to taking WB, so I have no doubt that it cause them in my case. In your case, it's entirely possible Zoloft could be the cause, but I'm no doctor, so I can only speculate.

Continue to talk to your doc, and monitor your symptoms. Meds are a trial and error process, unfortunately - and I know how bad it can be when you run into the "error" side of the equation! I'm a bit intrigued, though, by your saying that your depression and anxiety are better, and yet you're having panic attacks. Is there anything specific that is triggering them? I always thought that panic attacks were the result of increased anxiety, but maybe I'm wrong. Could it be that you're just cycling rapidly? That's what WB did for me, so I'm curious as to whether or not Zoloft may be having the same effect on you.

Keep us posted, I know how terrible panic attacks are.

Take care,
DeeBear

Hey again --

I cannot find anything on the web that too high of serotonin levels can cause panic attacks -- in fact just the opposite -- panic attacks occur when serotonin levels are not high enough. Also there is nothing I could find that says that too high of dopemine or norepinephrine levels could cause panic attacks -- just cause increased anxiety.

That is why I'm wondering if my dose of Zoloft just wasn't high enough to cause my serotonin levels to be at the right level. I had been taking Zoloft and other SSRI's for 14 years, so I'm wondering if maybe my body adjusted to Zoloft and I'll need more to get serotonin levels back to 'normal'.

What triggers my Panic Attacks...............if I'm in a situation where I feel Closter phobic -- stuck in a room that is overcrowded at work for a meeting, stuck in the left turn lane in traffic at a light, going over a really skinny bridge that is REALLY high -- and some times will have a mild one if I talk about overly emotional things with coworkers. I've done all the mental therapy and things to talk myself out of panic attacks but once they start it's still hard to stop them.

So because everything points to low serotonin levels in the brain -- I am going to try and take Zoloft again as long as I can tolerate it -- and will keep increasing it until the panic attacks stop completely (Of course thru my doctor's guidance, although I know more than him probably about AD's just from incorrect information he's given me on a few things).

I am staying on the Wellbutrin because it helps with my energy level to a certain point -- and with depression/anxiety.

Like you mentioned, I also don't understand how I can have my anxiety level go way down, and then start having panic attacks. The only thing I can think of that the norepinephrine increase could be causing them. I know my blood pressure has gone up on Wellbutrin, and just increased my BP medicine again today.

Ugh.......... I swear if I could retire (win the lottery) 95% of my health issues would disappear.................

Thanks for tips :)

J

By cycling -- not sure what you mean?

This post has been edited by rattman: May 3 2007, 12:43 PM

Hi rattman,

By cycling, I was referring to my mood swings. For me, WB made me sort of 'manic.' I would have very sudden changes in mood which is unusual for me.

Have you had a chance to discuss these panic attacks with your doc? I'm no expert with meds, but I know that WB was an SSRI that my doc said was working against me, while Zoloft, another SSRI, is helping. Meds all affect people differently, as you already know, of course, and some AD's just don't work for some people - it's something I should do some research on, because I'm a little puzzled about it myself.

Take care,
Dewayne

Hey DeWayne --

OK gotcha -- my moods are actually pretty stable so guess I am not cycling.

I had sent a note to my doctor letting him know I thought the WB was causing minor panic attacks and asked if he thought adding Zoloft might help (as I took Zoloft for 12 years before) -- all he responded with was "Called in RX for Zoloft" -- I probably know how to manage my meds more than he does -- I usually just tell him what I want to do and he writes a new RX. I will be finding a new doctor in the next 3 or 4 months.

I've been feeling a little 'giddy' or nervous the last couple days -- and I think it is the Zoloft as I remember first time I took it about 16 years ago I got the same feeling -- but also that feeling did eventually go away so hoping it does again this time. I may even ask the doctor if I may cut the Wellbutrin in half since I am also on Zoloft now.

I've had a lot of experience with AD's over the last 16 years but it still doesn't make it any easier when trying to find the right one or combination that works.

Wellbutrin isn't an SSRI -- it's in a class of it's own as it doesn't deal with Serotonin - just with Norepinephrine and Dopamine - So adding Zoloft gets the Serotonin in the mix which is what usually helps panic attacks so I've read.

I also read where Zoloft can, to a small extent effect Dopamine levels -- wish I could remember where I read that article.

Anyway -- still pluggin' along so thank you!

John

This post has been edited by rattman: May 8 2007, 12:22 PM

You're right - I forgot that WB was its own class of medication - guess I was confusing it with another med!

Take care,
Dewayne

I know what you mean -- for years I just took SSRI's so this past year when I tried Cymbalta (SNRI like Effexor) and then Wellbutrin -- they've all got their little quirks. I'm surprised they haven't come out with a med that has a combination of Wellbutrin and Zoloft that works on all 3 -- Cymbalta is the closest so far.