What is a good medication for anxiety

[mimi3535]

I am looking for some suggestion on medication used to treat anxiety that would have little to no side effects.  I have a history of panic attacks and anxiety, but have never taken any medication for it.  I have always gotten counseling.  It has been years since I have had an attack, but they have started up again.  

I know the cause of my anxiety; my husband was recently diagnosis with hepatitis C and cirrhosis and has gotten pretty sick.  He

[susangene]

I am sixty two and have been taking Xanax for anxiety for over twenty years. It works just as well now as ever. Many people have big problems with Xanax due to lack of self control; i.e. they take too many milligrams. In other words, they get high on it. They end up taking so many that when they suddenly stop they feel terrible. They have panic attacks.
I would never take Xanax like an antibiotic: every 4 or 6 hours everyday. It IS a pain in the neck after all these years, sure; but it is a lifesaver.
What I do is before a stressful event I'll take 2mg an hour before the event. I stay home most of the time so I usually do not take any at all during the daytime. I very often take 1/2 of a millgram around 4 or 5am to get back to sleep. Works just as well now as 20 years ago. Before a dental appt I'll take 2 mg's (unless I'm just getting a cleaning).
What makes me feel I'm neurotic is that the so-called stressful events add up over the years. The more you do, the better the chance you'll have anxiety. I'd love to be 'normal' and never have to take anything but I've learned to accept it
as part of being who I am since 1985. My mother took valium at bedtime for decades. And, I don't smoke or drink.

[garko]

there is no good medication!!!
confront your problems, dont drug yourself into not confronting them because they will still be there and you will be less able to deal with them effectively!
there are many healthy alternatives on the market now
how about replacing your coffee with healthy coffee?
www.bettercoffeenow.com/mentalhealth.html has answers
or get some calcium-magnesium mix from your health food store or or or - there are many solutions that are sane.
drugging yourself is not an option!
other alternatives at www.alternativementalhealth.com

[terramuggus]

Hi,

It sounds like your current situation is the major stressor in your life. This doctor is irresponsible. He should have counselled you to seek the help of a competent and caring therapist first. Ask you own personal doctor (not a psychiatrist) for a referral. Better yet, ask your clergyman, friends or family if they know of an experienced therapist or psychologist who could help you sort out your pain, grieving, exhaustion and fear. You sound like a remarkable person who's been through an extremely difficul emotional upheaval. Turning to medicatins such as Klonopin, or anything else, will hardly help you address your situation.

If you can't afford a therapist, you could consider seeking out the help of clergy. Most every religious affiliations train clergy as therapist, spiritual and emotional. If that doesn't work, there are certainly support groups and possibly reduced costs services in your city. Many therapists also work on a sliding scale.

Address your current life before introducing medications and you'll likely do extremely well. Also, be sure to take care of yourself by eating well, avoiding junkfoods and sodas, excessive alcohol use, over-the-counter sleep aids, etc. Give yourself a chance at getting ahold of your fears, you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

For a list of additional resources you might want to check out www.freedom-center.org

Good luck and God bless,

Terramuggus

[Rosa parks]

Yeah, try Amino acid supplements. It works for some people, and clinical trials have shown it can be as effective as anti-depressants. Anti-depressants also work for some people; but if you want "natural" try that first.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon...

<a href="http://67.19.61.164/amino1.asp">More Detail About Amino acid </a>

[rosetoes]

Mimi,

Anti-Depressants do NOT get to the root of your problems, they mask your problems and they come back once you are off of them.  They are ABSOLUTELY ADDICTIVE as well.  Please consider going on the a website www.benzo.org.uk.  It is a site that thousands of people who have taken benzopines and anti-depressants discuss their experiences and problems with withdrawl. In addition Dr. Ashton has spent years researching benzos and anti-depressants and this her website that gives you thorough information on these drugs.

Please research the medications that you are considering taking instead of depending on opinions and thoughts of others that may mean well but are wrong.

Best wishes

[keepsurfin1991]

Hi everyone, there are many different methods and medications for dealing with Anxiety/Stress.  I was recently addicted to Heroin for about 8 months, and have presently been cleen now for about 4 months.  I was diagnosed as being ADD + ADHD when I was about 6 years old.  My whole life I have experienced great up's and low down's as far as persenalety trates.  Growing up I always wondered why I would experience such drastic behaivural attributes.  Since my parents declined to having me put on any medication such as Ritalin/Adderal, I always had to deal with my mood swings naturally.  However I am now 20 years old and prescribed many medications such as Welbutrin XL, Lexapro, Ritalin, Xanax and Ambien to help to cope with my problems.  When I turned 19 I started experiencing with different drugs and since I had no tolerence to any sort of prescribed regulatory medication the highs were incredible.  I was a pot head for about 6 months and then got bored of it and now smoke maybe twice a month.  The next drug I tried was cocain, oh my God I thought it was amazing the first few times.  However I started to abuse the drug using about four times per week. All of sudden I just hated the high and stopped using all together after about 2 months, strange I know.  After these experiences my mind was opened to see what other drugs were out there that I might always like to do. Two months before I turned 20 I moved out of my parents house and into an appartment with one of my best friends.  Things were going great  until one day I just happend to run into a disstent cousin because of his 8 year addiction to Heroin.  We started hanging out every so often and became close again.  This is by far the greatest regret of my entire life.  One day we were hanging out at his house and we started talking about drugs.  He immediatly told me that he still used Heroin on a regular basis.  Interested in what was so great about this drug I asked him to tell me what it felt like.  He used one word "HEAVEN", a few days went by and I decided that I wanted to try it.  I told him and at first he neglected to give it to me. However I convinced him that I was an adult and could make my own descions.  He agreed and gave me a hit, one full 1CC Insulin Syringe (Black Tar Heroin).  A few seconds went by and I didn't feel anything and then BOOM!!!  All of a sudden it felt as if someone wrapped me in a warm blanket, a feeling of ultimate nirvana, an undescribable sensation.  After that night I was immediatly hooked I started using every day for eight months without my parents and close friends knowing.  I got to the point though were people started getting suspicious and started mentioning things to my parents.  My parents living in denile convinced themselves that I was just going through some emotionally difficult times.  Then it happend,  I left my Backpack in the living room of my parents house one day which had all of parifinalia in it.  My Mother opened it and was immediatly shocked.  They wanted me to go to rehab but I told them that I would rather see a shrink and go through out pateint rehab.  My psychatrist helped me through the withdrawls and I still see her on a regular basis.  This is why I am prescribed all of the medications that I am.  They are to keep me feeling postive about life and to face my problems in life and take them head on. However the best medication that I take that helps me with my anxiety is Xanax and Ambien.  I have found that if you crush one Xanax and one Ambien and mix them together to snort them works unbeleavable great.  It is a great anxiety/stress reliever and since I take Ritalin it doesn't make me nod out.  I just feel positive and great about life.  Do not try this until you know your own tolerence.  I do not recommend trying this to anyone that doesn't have a history of an Opiate addiction.  Best Regards, Everyone be safe!!!! Know your limits before trying things, live to see another day rather than go big your first time.

[DiegoDelgat0]

tell more about your sister and what her situation was, i am interested to her about what and why this could have happened...

[LukeL]

I am on Paxil and can say it has worked wonders with very little side effects, just a little lose of libido but since I am single and not looking right now that isn't a problem.

[hyepod]

Anti-depressants tend to get to the "root" of the problem.  Unfortunately, a particular anti-depressant may plague one person with intolerable side effects, yet immeasurably help another person (and cause little or no side effects).  Your doctor may try more than one of these medications until he/she finds one that is best for you.  Generally, they require a small amount of time to reach maximum effectiveness.  They are not addictive.

You might want to also try this short-term fix for an anxiety attack:  It is called "paradoxical intention."  When you feel an attack coming on, DARE the attack to come on full force.  If you are in a public place, tell yourself that you are going to fall on the ground, roll around, turn red, lose your mind, and make a fool of yourself in front of everyone.  Tell yourself to go ahead and go "crazy."  This method sounds scary, or even silly, but it actually works many times.  

Mimi, I wish you and your husband the best.  Know that your anxiety is likely temporary, and everything is going to be alright with you.  Counseling should help alot.  You are under so much stress right now...Your anxiety is actually an expected response to feeling that so much is out of your control.  Anxiety attacks have a way of making you feel like you are truly going insane, but remember that that is far from the truth.  Hang in there.  Try to pamper yourself now and then.

[rosetoes]

If you are thinking of taking medication for your anxiety, Xanax is fast working and it does take away anxiety.  I took it for a few months and it worked great.  The only issue is that Xanax and all the other anti-anxiety and anti depression medication are addictive and you will have to deal with that once you decide to stop taking them.  I got off of xanax, it was difficult and painful, but it is possible.  No one told me of the horrible withdrawl of this drug.  If I had known that I would have taken them differently...definitely not as many.

If you do take them, try to take them for a limited period 4 to 6 weeks.  Take it as needed.  Xanax works within 10 minutes after taking it.  Try to get help with the anxiety, that is truly the best way.  These drugs are mind altering and they change the chemicals in your brain....deep stuff.

Good Luck

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Ask your doctor about klonopin.

[mimi3535]

Thanks!  I need the support, thats why I am going to get some professional help.  I have friends and family, but when I talk to them it seems like they are being greatly affected by what is going on.  So, I don't feel it is "OK" to continue to blast them with all my emotional stress.  Of course as soon as they know whats going on the entire family ends up at our door step.  NOW talk about stress!!! *wink*

[Frenchguy]

Hello there,
It seems that you have been able to manage it in the past, and now that your life has become more stressful your body is reacting to the stress in the form of panic attacks.  I think going back to counseling is good.  Short term use of Xanax or going on an SSRI might help.  I have never heard of either drug causing someone to have psychotic episodes.  Sounds like you are going to be fine.

J.J.  
***@****

[dandeelyon]

After my house was broken into last year, I was prescribed Lorazapam.  I only took it when things were bad.  I understand Xanax works well also.  As for SSRI's and such.  I have had horrible luck with them myself.  I was ready to commit suicide after a month of taking Effexor.  It was horrible and it took a while to come off the med.  Even in that short of period.  For some people though, it is a miracle drug.  Counseling would definately help with the fears of your husbands illness.

I am sorry about your husband.  I have a friend and my sister-in-law who also have hep-c.  When I initially found out about my friend, I was very upset.  I didn't understand what the disease was and had all types of misconceptions.  I hope everything will work out for the two of you.

Good luck.