Anxiety Medication? Does it work??? HELP :)

So I've just been diagnosed with GAD and Panic Disorder. My doctor wants to put me on anti-depressant (anti-anxiety) medication. I'm not sure which ones. Anyway, she said the first two weeks were harsh cause your body is getting used to the medicine. But I just started school and can't really deal with that so I'm holding off on the medicine till I see what a psychiatrist thinks. I have an app. with one very soon. Well, I have pretty severe anxiety. Let me tell you! My heart just NEVER stops racing and pounding!!! No matter what I do; even when I'm not having a panic attack. Since getting my anxiety this year in June 2009, I have had 3 EKGs, 2 chest x-rays, and blood work done; all normal. I'm still worried about my constant heart palpitations and chest pain being related to my heart, so I'm getting an echocardiogram in a couple weeks; even though my Dr. thinks its unnecessary. Anyway, I want to hear from anyone currently on anti-anxiety medication. Did it help? Or did it make it worse or have no effect? And did the medicine help to stop the chest pain and heart palpitations? I know it probably didn't take them away completely, but did the medicine help? Because if it doesn't help my chest pain and constant heart palpitations I see no point in being on them. Thanks!!! :)

[anxiety_management]

Hello...
I suffer from severe anxiety and panic attacks. My heart races, I sweat, I can hardly focus,- basically I feel like I'm on speed- ALL the time. I take anti-anxiety medication (xanax) and it really really works. I was on anti-depressants because docs want to over prescribe anti-depressants and under prescribe benzodiazapines (like xanax, valium, etc). Well the anti-depressants didnt do ANYTHING for me.... I took them for about 6 months and was a complete WRECK! I was so pissed off because my doc was all scared to give me any benzo's - they say they're addictive and blah blah but so are anti-depressants - I mean you HAVE to take them every day - isn't that dependency? Anyhow, I digress, I want you to be careful and not get talked into believing that anti-depressants are the same as anti-anxiety. They clain they "do both" but they really really don't. Anti-depressants are for depression anti-anxiety for anxiety. I would advise you to find a doctor that udnerstands people like us who suffer from severe anxiety and isn't afraid to give you something that will make you feel better... Hope it works out for you! ~Rebecca

[anxiety_management]

...also I have bad palpitations too and arrythmia. I can feel my heart racing through my chest as if it's about to burst out and sometimes it stops and wiggles around. All of this goes away when I take a xanax. It's all anxiety related.

[toejam_muncher]

yes the meds can help with the palpitations. i take propranolol for migraines....i don't have heart or blood pressure problems but something in it's action prevents migraines. the added bonus is that it also works to get rid of those annoying palpitations that go along with anxiety. and what's even more interesting is that i heard it can even help prevent anxiety/depression....though i don't think it's usually prescribed for that. anyway...there are meds to help with the palpitations. if you read the rest of the posts around here, that's probably the number one scary symptom of anxiety...so while they can be very annoying and scary, you really should let yourself relax a little. they won't go away immediately but your state of mind will keep them from going away if you don't try to stop worrying about it.

the downside to something like propranolol is that it can help eliminate the palpitations...or at least make them infrequent....but when you go off the med, the palpitations will return for a few days. this would be completely normal, but it could trigger anxiety over them and start the whole cycle over again. anyway...somethign to to talk about with your doc. i really don't think a med is needed though if all the tests have been done. you should try meditation or relaxation exercises and see if those might help.