panic disorder and SSRIs

[Guest guest]

I'm on this list for my ds, 11, who has OCD and GAD. But I could use some

input about my 19 y.o. dd.

She was recently diagnosed with panic disorder. Got so bad that she ended

up in ER with chest pains last Spring. Began seeing a psychiatrist a few

weeks ago. He prescribed prozac, gradually increasing and now on 40 mg,

with plans to increase further. He added clonopin to get her through two

mornings a week when she has more intense symptoms due to a heavy school

load. She hasn't started the clonopin yet b/c she was ill.

She's not feeling any improvement yet with the prozac, but does feel a

little 'weird' on it (she's very articulate, but can't elaborate on it any

more than that). I know it's too soon to determine if the med is effective,

but my concern is that doctor states she may need to go as high as 100 mg,

maybe higher, to achieve effect on anxiety (she is not depressed at all).

Makes me uncomfortable that we may have to go that high and possibly end up

having to taper and switch to another SSRI if prozac doesn't work.

I would have preferred she start on zoloft (I would have asked her doctor,

but have been unable to go to appts with her). I've read here about the

genetic sensitivities to these meds. My ds and another family member is

doing great on zoloft, for OCD and related depressed. Both also responded

rather quickly to the zoloft. Although dd's presentation is different b/c

she's not depressed, I wonder if the zoloft would be bettter for her.

I also prefer zoloft b/c it's supposed to have less side effects than

prozac, and response is quicker.

Not sure if it's a good idea to switch meds right now...maybe we

should wait out further increases with prozac?

Any thoughts or related experiences?

Fay