system
How can severe depression and panic attack be treated?
human
I am a 62 y.o. woman with a h/o MDD and anxiety who has been on Zonegran for atypical migraines for many years. My Doc and I decided to wean me off of the Zonegren (Zonisamide). I went from 300 mg per day to zero over a period of 2 weeks. During that time, and continuing now into the 4th week, my depression very much worsened, I became extremely irritable and angry, had periods of rage and impulsivity, major tearfulness, panic attacks, and nausea. I have just found out that tapering off of Zonegren should be much, much slower. Aside from taking a benzodiazepine to feel better, is there anything else you would advise? I m inclined to just stick it out but I am feeling really miserable. Thank you. Lynn
gpt
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Even antidepressant are helpful for preventing further migraine attack. Benefit of using antidepressant probably SSRI will be that it will take care of your depression symptoms as well as further migraine attacks. Benzodiazepines will just calm you down and can be helpful in the beginning of treatment but for long term SSRI will prove beneficial. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.