Meds for constant anxiety

[shutterbug]

okay....so any options out there other than benzos that have worked well for anyone?

I'm on Effexor and Wellbutrin and either one or both are suppose to 'help' with anxiety, but I may need something more.

[MamaGoose]

I've been taking Zoloft (50 mg) and it's helped me alot with anxiety and probably depression too.
The other stuff gets me jittery or I get flashy things in my eyes.

There are lots of new meds out there. I hope you find something that works for you.

Take care shutterbug

[liveweyerd]

hugs,

live

[historyteach]

BuSpar *can* be very helpful for some people.
My counselor said it worked well for me, but, that was during the time I was on WAY too much medication, and was stoned out of my mind.
Talk to your doctor about it.

Shalom!

[lilac]

I have found that the Zoloft works best for me.

[Bozo]

200mg of Zoloft is OK for OCD, but doesnt do much for my anxiety at all.

A quarter of a tablet of Trazodone help takes the edge of the anxiety, but it also makes me feel sleepy, that is not what I like during the day.

I think that BuSpar teach is talking about is very interesting.

Mike

[liveweyerd]

Bozo,

I miss you bro'! Yep I am interested in the Buspar too. I asked my pdoc about it recently and she said no but I am still thinking about it. She seemed to think it wouldn't be strong enough effective for me...but I am not yet convinced.
Did I say, I miss you?! LOL

[Josiol]

I've been on Effexor, Wellbutrin & Buspar for my anxiety and none have really worked well at all. I recently started Zoloft in June and what a difference. It's working wonders for me

[liveweyerd]

thanks for that info! Can you tell me something a bit more about the Buspar?
Mike is all ready on Zoloft. I, too, am on an SSRI and trazadone. I balk because I am diagnosed as having a severe anxiety disorder and am on xanax. I have really cut back my dosage and find that the lower dose works just as well...but it gets such bad flack around here, that it is easy for me to worry about it.

[historyteach]

Josiol;
I'm AMAZED that you were on Welbutrin for anxiety!
IT's well known to bring on anxiety and/or panic attacks!
It can be helpul for depression, though.

Xanax is a benzodiazapan, and easy to get hooked on. I have it and take it as needed. I've not had to take it since I got off the Welbutrin in early May. (It was causing me panic attacks.) That's why xanax gets a bad rap here.

Shalom!

[liveweyerd]

Teach, thanks. My husband was thrown into horrible anxiety with Welbutrin.

[Bozo]

Originally Posted by liveweyerd

Teach, thanks. My husband was thrown into horrible anxiety with Welbutrin.

Ditto!

[shutterbug]

wow guys...thank you all for the great response.

I hadn't a clue that Welbutrin can bring on more anxiety or panic attacks. I've already been thinking of getting off the Welbutrin for a while to get it out of my system so I can go back on it to help me through the initial cig cravings while I seriously stop smoking b/c i'm scared pretty bad about the health of my lungs and know how close I came to quitting when first put on the Welbutrin and I wasn't even trying.

First I have to get my pdoc paid off b4 i can go see him, but i'm working on the paperwork i need to get the money out of my medical savings acct thingy so it shouldn't be too long....hopefully...before I can get into see him or another pdoc (i have to pay visits out of my pocket for another 6 months b/c of pre-existing condition clause in insurance).

Anyway...lots of great posts! Thanks all!

[Arpeggioh]

Suzin:
Thanks for the Campral plug! This paper scrip has been laying around for ages, seemingly worthless because I can't seem to quit drinking...and I'm also using .25 Xanax twice a day for anxiety. (I know, horrible mix, I'm awful, shouldn't even be posting, yadda yadda!!!)

But I get hopeful whenever I hear someone talk up the Campral. I know, medication for alcohol cessation is almost as "politically incorrect" in some corners as Xanax for anxiety! So when I hear anecdotal evidence, I'm almost hopeful for a second or two...

Thanks,
Michael (Arp)

[Ten Chips Down]

Originally Posted by shutterbug

wow guys...thank you all for the great response.

I hadn't a clue that Welbutrin can bring on more anxiety or panic attacks.

And lowers the seizure threshold and causes a general rise in blood pressure.

....Many of you will be suprised to learn that bupropion actually shares a very close chemical analogue with a new stimulant called Provigil, generic name modafinil.

It is more than to be expected that Wellbutrin will energize (and cause insomnia in) many people. It is more of a fortunate paradoxical effect when this stuff has the action of calming people.

TCD

[Eagle1]

you will be fine

[splendra]

((((Jenna))))

I suffered from terrible anxiety and panic attacks what helped me so much was

blue green algae...with the cell wall removed.

I believe I had a trace mineral defiency and the BGA's comeplete trace mineral profile brought my brain into balance. I did not ever once go to the doctor about it cause I knew I would not take any meds for it. I did not even think that the BGA would help it at all when I tried it the first time. But the very first day after I tried it when I woke up I cannot tell you how good I felt... I felt so good I thought something was wrong with me I did not remember abvout the BGA until later in the day. I worked in a bar and I thought it was possible someone slipped me something that made me high or something but as I recounted my night at the bar I realized no one could have possibly gooten to my water that I always drank and kept far away from the reach of the public and I did not leave the bar all night even to go to the restroom....

I have only had anxiety one once since then when I stopped taking it for a few months as soon as I got back on it the anxiety when a way....

I just want to encourage you to seek out something other than drugs...

[shutterbug]

Thanks Splendra! It's good to see your name again! It's been awhile since I've seen you around..Hugs and hope all is well with you. I will try to do some research about the algea..i've never heard of it.

chips down...interesting that you bring up a connection btwn welbutrin and Providual...i've actually been wanting to try a prescription for Providual since I often have a ton of trouble with wakefulness and energy...and getting out of bed some days still. My best friend uses it as needed and I would like to just have it available for those monster days when I can't afford to be out of it and zapped of all energy, but i need to do more research on it.

Thanks all!

[BlueMoon]

i can't take benzo's -- i have a paradoxical reaction to them (meaning that i have the OPPOSITE reaction then what was expected)

I'm currenting on Perphenazine (Stelazine) with fairly good results ...

~Blue

[StrongR2Day]

My doc said no way to Wellbutrin as it dose cause anxiety. I'm on Tofranil, 75mg and haven't had an attack in ages.

Oh, and Benadryl, diphenhydramine, also works for some, and is non-addictive.

[carolm]

Wellbutrin made me extremely anxious which I didn't need as I am diagnosed with panic disorder. I take buspar and Klonopin. I know there is controversy about klonopin, but it doesn't make me high. I only know I need it when I forget a dose and about three hours later I start to get jittery.

Buspar seems to settle me out, and again, I don't know I need it unless I miss a dose.

I am on Provigil. My pyschiatrist said it is a non-stimulant drug that acts like a stimulant. It has no addictive qualities. He did say that if one were to take it for awhile and then stop, you might notice that you were more tired. But there is no withdrawal. He said they give it to fighter pilots to keep them focused.

Carol

[Ten Chips Down]

Originally Posted by shutterbug

Thanks Splendra! It's good to see your name again! It's been awhile since I've seen you around..Hugs and hope all is well with you. I will try to do some research about the algea..i've never heard of it.

chips down...interesting that you bring up a connection btwn welbutrin and Providual...i've actually been wanting to try a prescription for Providual since I often have a ton of trouble with wakefulness and energy...and getting out of bed some days still. My best friend uses it as needed and I would like to just have it available for those monster days when I can't afford to be out of it and zapped of all energy, but i need to do more research on it.

Thanks all!

Hey everyone

Grrrr, I didn't have my options set for e-mail notification LOL and thought like, nobuddy was posting in my threads. LOL

Shutterbug-
If you're having any kind of trouble with anxiety, you defo want to be mindful of trying out Provigil, as it's extremely unpredictable for virgin users. It is nothing like the caffeine in coffee, for instance. It is very easy to overestimate and take too much. You must be extremely conservative the first, second, and third times out. It can be very nuanced and subtle at first - the key is just be careful.

Carol, Klonopin is a wonderful, though very potent benzodiazepine (BZD). Some like to think of it as a methadone of the benzos LOL because it has a nice long curve in onset and duration of action. It is, in fact, about equally potent to alprazolam or Xanax. And "potency" here simply means efficacy or strength -- but also relates directly to addictiveness. So yes it's a trade-off for each person to decide.

"I am on Provigil. My pyschiatrist said it is a non-stimulant drug that acts like a stimulant. It has no addictive qualities."

I'll take issue with that. It has some addicting potential, as well as documented abuse potential. It's a controlled substance for a reason, remember. And it most certainly is a stimulant--he's just simplifying it down for you because it is a non-amphetamine based / non-traditional stimulant quite novel in its actions. Modafinil is used in the treatment of narcolepsy, for example, and other wakefulness-disorders. It has as much a wakefulness/brightening effect on the brain as any directly stimulating effect.

Btw.? I didn't like it myself. LOL Tried it, made me feel souped-up. ZOOMED up. I think mine was an unusual reaction though.

And finally you said something about Klonopin doesn't get you high. You are absolutely right and it's a common misconception that any BZD can get ppl "high." This class of drug affects the GABA(A) neurotransmitter: Short-acting, "potent" ones (the most infamous and abused of which is Xanax) induce a nice feeling of calm; what may even be described as a "buzz," but these drugs do not act on dopaminergic pathways--only tranquil-inducing ones.

TCD

[trishsis]

Hi Honey.Sorry your not feeling so great. I am on a combo of Lexapro (wonder med if you ask me 10 mg once a day and klonopin 1 mg 3 times a day. This combo works wonders for me as i could not even leave the house. My doc is great and an addiction specialist so thats a PLUS I forgot who said it but the klonopin is wonderful because it stays in your system so you do not have to take 1 every 4 hrs. I can sometimes get by PRN with those so next time you see the doc, ask about the lexapro.Anxiety runs in my family since my grandma so my daughter and son are on meds.also. Hope you feel better soon. Love, Nan

[carolm]

I find that using Klonopin is preferred rather than have panic attacks. My first panic attack was driving my car 60 mph on the highway. I pulled over and jumped out. I thought I was going to die and couldn't wait so that my brain would stop. I've never had such a severe one again, but I have left full carts of groceries in the supermarket and walked out.

[b]Ten,[b] I know what you're saying about provigil, but there are no physical withdrawal effects from it. However, psychologically it could take some time.

Thanks for your input.

Carol

[Ten Chips Down]

Oh hey, any time. Yes Provigil -I didn't mean to 'down' it- it's truly a wonder drug for the right people, and very unique.

As to Klonopin, Carol, I'm behind you babe all the way: You do what works to get by in life. (Those are some terrifying incidents you describe, too, I must say. Eek.)I take it, know full well that it's not the "perfect" solution to my GAD, but like you said, it's just an excellent BZD. One dose lasts about three times longer than Xanax, which is just a brutal drug if you ask me, because it (Xanax) comes on so quick and leaves so soon. For many people, addiction-prone or not, this just sets the stage for a fierce addiction to the stuff; and believe me, I've been there, too.

Give me Klonopin *any day* over the Xanax.

The only open now question, really, is which is better betwn. Xanax XR (extended release) & Klonopin. I've had 'em both and they're both good, smooth long-acting formulations.

There's just something about the Xanax being XANAX, though, that makes me nervous about it. LOL

Stuff scares me.

Ten Chips