Any advice will help

I have been having problems with Anxiety lately (especially in the morning) My doctor first prescribed me zoloft over a year ago (more for depression) and I felt like I became a kind of zombie "yes man", I didnt care about anything. Now I am having anxiety and depression, more anxiety and panic.  My doctor gives me xanax and cymbalta.  Started with the xanax. No problems, a bit sleepy but he told me not to take the xanax if I can avoid it because it is addictive.

So I started the cymbalta... Three days of hell... made my anxiety go trough the roof.  Stopped it and he switched me to lexapro.  Not as bad as cymbalta but my anxiety is still considerably worse and I am only about to take my 7th day pill.  Now he is suggesting wellbutrin and quite frankly I am afraid to take it.  Is there anything I can take that will do what xanax does and isnt addictive? Should I try the wellbutrin? I am stopping the lexapro tomorrow and have used up most of my xanax dealing with the problems that the cymbalta and lexapro caused.  Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am at the end of my rope with the anxiety and panic.

Thank you

[suzi-q]

First of all, it takes at least 2-3 and up to a month for an anxti-depressant to work..many people experience heightened anxiety at the beginning before it kicks in.  I am surprised your doctor switched you so quickly before giving it a chance....unless it was that terrible!!!  (Which I know it sometimes is!!!)

Next, many people (including myself) take klonopin for anxiety.  It is in the same family as xanax (a benzo) but it is made to be used every day.  (Usually one in morning and one 12 hours later) and it also stays in the body longer than xanax to keep a steady state.  I find it to be wonderful for anxiety and most people on this site have agreed.  It is addictive, but it is a drug that is used for long term anxiety whereas xanax is not supposed to be.  I don't have all the details, but if you look through this site you will see posts about klonopin and a man named RCA who gives all the info on this drug.  Best to you...

[sunnyside1234]

I feel your pain with heightened anxiety with the Lexapro. I would wake up in the morning with full-blown anxiety! It was awful. Tried a couple different presciptions, but for some reason my body doesn't like them. AT ALL:) The best thing I've found so far is St John'S Wort and Passionflower with Chamomile. Also calaium and some B vitamins can help your body relax. Give the St John's Wort a couple of weeks and you'll be amazed! The Passionflower and Chamomile give immediate relief and it's all herbal. Hope this helps.

[artist1973]

Thanks, I will try them.  When I am on a med I dont eat much and I know that can just make it worse.  I have decided to get off the lexapro. I was waking in a cold sweat and had a general sense of unease all day long.  If I even thought about a "trigger" to my anxiety (Many deaths in the family lately and work problems) I would break almost instantly into a panic attack.  I didnt take my pill today and the morning was rough but I even feel the slightest bit better right now.  I did take a .25 and a half of xanax this morning to ease the lexapro.  But I was doing that before as well.

The xanax works when I need it, I just know that my doc is going to stop giving it to me.. Even though I have only had it for a few months worth Should I ask about Klonopin?

Thanks all for your help

[suzi-q]

Yes, definitely ask for the Klonopin.  It can be taken for the long term and you do not build up a tolerance.  It will work the same all the time.  Also, it is taken 2 times a day and it keeps you even the whole time it doesn't where off quickly like xanax.