severe anxiety

i have severe anxiety and have tried lexapro zoloft and paxil and they all made me feel worse is there anything that i can take to make me feel better. i have been taking larazepam for about a month, i am supposed to take .5mg twice a day but because it makes me so sleepy i only take half that amount and that helps but now i am scared that i am getting addicted, is that possible on that small of a dose for only a months time.  please help

[amanda1234]

you should try klonapin it works longer and dont make you sleepy! it helps so much more

[VicZag]

Have you ever tried Effexor?  My mother takes Effexor for depression and finds that it works very well for her.  My aunt, who is an internist, also prescribes Effexor frequently for her patients that suffer from anxiety and depression and has had great success with it.  Also, I'm not sure if it has already come out, but my aunt has said there will be a new version of Effexor that is "cleaner", meaning it has less side effects.  I'm sure you already know this, but all medications require time and patience!  It can take a while for them to truly start doing their job.

I take Xanax (.25 mg, 3 times a day) and have also been concerned about the possibility of getting addicted to/becoming dependent upon it.  I actually met with my psychiatrist today and she told me that if I feel okay only taking the Xanax 1-2 times per day, then that's great and I should do that.  But she also said that if I feel like I need to stick with 3 times per day, then that's perfectly fine, too.  Anyone can become addicted to any kind of benzo, but you are on a small dose, so you shouldn't be overly concerned about addiction/dependence yet.  BUT, if you truly end up feeling as if you are getting addicted, talk to your doctor and he/she will work with you to find a new medication.  

Also, have you ever tried beta-blockers?  They are also used for people suffering from anxiety and panic attacks.  My aunt (the internist) has also prescribed Inderal (a beta-blocker) to many of her patients and it has worked very well for them.  Definitely something to look in to and possibly talk to your doctor about!

Sorry for the long post.  Hope this helps somewhat!

[cj29]

How long were you on Paxil and Zoloft?  I am a big proponent of using medication as long as it is combined with talk therapy.  There is no magic pill that will 'cure' you of this.  The long lasting relief comes from learning about this process.  

When you start to take an SSRI like Paxil or Zoloft, remember that they take about a month or so to 'kick in' and, in my experience, they can actually increase your anxiety a little, but I find they really help in the long run.  Lorazepam is a short/quick acting benzo that works fairly well, but as long as you take it as prescribed, you are doing the right thing in my opinion.

Medications can be a little tricky; while some work well with some people, others may not like it.  Keep on working with your doctor, use this forum, and talk to a good therapist to gain knowledge on this...please keep us posted.

[leezy21]

YA I RECOMMEND EFFEXOR XR I TAKE IT ITS GREAT . THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE BAD TEH FIRST COUPLE WEEKS BUT IT WORKS GOOD. I ALSO TAKE ATIVAN AND XANAX .. I DONT THINK U CAN BECOME AND ADDICT ON THEM I BEEN TAKING THEM BUT WHEN YOU STOP YOU GO THREW BAD WITHDRAWLS SO I HAVE HEARD

I WOOULD RECOMIND SWITCHING TO EFFEXOR XR IT WORKS FOR ME AND I HAVE SEVER SEVERE ANXIETY AS WELL

I MEAN SOME PEOPLE COME DEPENDANT ON ANTI DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY MEDS CAUSE THEY FEEL IT THE ONLY THING THAT WILL WORK AND IF THEY DONT TAKE IT THEY WILL LOOSE IT LIEK ME I NEVER MISS A DOSE THE FIRST THING I DO WHEN I WAKE UP IS TAKE IT CAUSE I AM SCARED OF FREAKING OUT


IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME


NIKS_GIRL_21***@****

[Brenndy]

olease dont try the effexor.  it should have been ripped off the market by the FDA since its inception; 1992.
and I wouldn't advise a bb either, unless of course, i were a cardiologist.