Discouraged

[AnxietyAnswers]

I have severe anxiety, and the dr. I'm currently seeing has put me on a few meds, such as Effexor, celexa and for one month gave me lorazepam.  

He took me off the Lorazepam after a month, gave it back to me two months later, and look me off of it again.

I ended up in the Er, after using Celexa, and Effexor ( @ different times ) , b/c I ended up having worse panic/anxiety attacks.  
Each time I was told from seperate Dr's, that these meds can only make it worse.  . ( I must mention I've had severe anxiety for about 7 yrs, and just when a dr. gets the combination figured out this happens ( with a seperate dr putting me on this or that, things I've already tried  - we are a newly retired military cpl, so I've seen my fair share of Drs.)

My question is, is that infact true ( the two meds (Effexor, and Celexa)  aren't good for anxiety ? ) , and what is a good combination of medications I can try ?  I'm tried of this happening, and wish it would get figured out .....

[erin626]

Benzos are fine to take on an as needed basis. Some people need meds to help manage the anxiety and a lot of people are successful with them. Personally I hate ssris but I need my xanax when a bad panic attack hits. I know several people on lexapro and on zoloft and it does wonders for them.

[johndoe178]

DO NOT TAKE ANY BENZOS! ive been on and off of them. they **** with you
and if you stop taking them ill just say goodluck with that. The natural way is the only way to
go. Excercise , vitamins like Niacin, eating right, getting enough sleep. DO NOT take medication.

[shyboy18]

I take prozac and xanax as needed.

[gofio]

Effexor works for me, maybe you should consult a Pharmacist to answer your question? Good Luck

[mammo]

Unfortunately it is often trial and error as to what medication will work for us, but when we find the right one....it's well worth it. These two medications may not have been the right ones for you.  Usually we need an anxiety medication to go along with these, and your doctor may have created problems for you by giving you Lorazepam, taking it away, and then giving it to you again, this isn't how this should be handled.  This may have been the problem and not the Effexor or Celexa.  Although we all respond differently to these types of medications, they are widely used to treat anxiety successfully. It doesn't sound like it was a psychiatrist prescribing your medications or it was one working within the VA.  The government doctors are big on not prescribing medications and telling you it makes things worse, and you can handle it on your own, etc. I'm not convinced that it was the Celexa and Effexor causing your problem, but the Lorazepam roller coaster you were on.  When you see a doctor, refuse to allow them to prescribe something that you know doesn't work for you, there are too many others you can try. I know how frustrating this is, but don't give up.  Find a good psychiatrist and work with just him on medication and getting referred to the proper therapist.  Hang in there, and take care.