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best med. for panic disorder? please share

I would like some opinions on the best medication in treating panic disorder.  There's so many.....anyways, if you have any insight, let me know.  Thanks.
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I've been on Klonopin 3mg/day for almost 6yrs. for anxiety. In the last 6mos or so I've noticed marked changes in my personality/behavior/ physilogical makeup and sleep patterns. I've become easily irritated, have had fits of uncontrollable rage, break-through panic/anxiety attacks with agoraphobia, muscle tension, tinitus, tingly hands and feet, severe depression, depersonalization, and SEVERE insomnia. I've also alienated myself from just about everyone in my life. After almost ruining my marriage, I started doing some research on the long-term effects of this drug and found that much of what I read corresponded to my symptoms. The "doctor" who put me on this drug never told me it was a benzo, and of course I didn't realize how physically addictive it is.......that is until I tried to come off of it. About a week ago I went down to 2mg/day......4 days later I was in full-blown withdrawal. Just decreasing the dose has had serious side-effects and from what I've read and how I feel, I knew I'd better find a competent psychiatrist to help me get off of this safely. Thankfully I did, and she has given me a safe dosing schedule to help "wean" me off of this nightmare of a drug. She said I've been on it for too long and all the symptoms I was experiencing were because of that. I'm extremely uncomfortable with the withdrawal symptoms, BUT the thing that keeps me going is knowing that there is "life after Klonopin". To anyone out there who currently takes Klonopin and wants to get off of it for whatever reason, DO NOT DO IT ALONE!!!!!! High risk of seizure involved....which could kill you. Consult a good doctor who will work with you and give you a safe weaning dose schedule. In hindsight, I wish I did my homework before allowing my previous doc. to put me on this horrific drug. I NEVER would have allowed it to pass my lips if I had known what the long-term effects were and how hard it is to withdrawal from it. Good luck everyone.
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Just be careful with Klonopin if you are taking high blood pressure meds.
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Klonopin is good. Although I have found my SSRI to be very helpful with my anxiety. I take Lexapro and Klonopin. After being on the Lexapro for a while, I have been taking much less Klonopin. Plus you really dont wanna get hooked on a benzo.
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As far as short term use and to help you thru an actual panic attack, it would probably be Xanax - but many of the SSRIs are used now for the long term. Its really up to your DR and your indvidual symptoms and severity. Its hard to single out any one of them. I couldn't take any SSRI, but my friend swears by Lexapro - helped her for 1 1/2 years, until she could deal with them on her own. I am trying to do this naturally. Its hard - you have many ups and downs. Good Luck - Carol from NJ
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