anxiety drugs

Can anyone tell me if there are any anxiety drugs out there that will not affect the liver?  I believe I am in dire need of something, but I don't know what is safe.

I am not in treatment yet.  playing the wait to see the hepatologists game.  vl of 10 mill.  ast 95  alt  154

very scared about all this.

Jean

[TeeVee36]

I was prescribed Xanax early on in tx for anxiety.  If they are prescribing it to me then it must not be a problem for the liver.  It is highly addictive and they told me they are going to get me off of it.  I only take 25 mg a day.  I split the pill and take a piece mid-morning and take the other half in the early evening.  It takes the edge off.

Don't be scared.

[jt57]

Thanks TeeVee.  Maybe my dr. will prescibe something like that for me.

[nygirl7]

I take Paxill on a daily basis as an anti-depressant and it really helps and also in case of panic attacks he gave me Xanax.  I've found that since I've been on the Paxill, I've not had nearly as much anxiety as before...it really helps alot.

[fretboard]

Xanax works really well and you certainly don't have to take the whole tablet for it to be effective.  In fact a whole tablet will most likely put you to sleep.  When you talk to the doctor he will determine if your anxiety is due to depression and prescribe you Paxil or something similiar.  If he determines that you have actual anxiety attacks most likely he will give you something like Xanax which is (liver) safe or safest.  If you ever watched the "Sopranos", Tony was prescribed Prozac.  Of course that's TV and his Mom suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder, and he wasn't HepC positive.  Anyway I threw that in to make someone smile, hope it worked.  later

[jt57]

Thanks guys!

I called my doc.  She prescribed me klonapin???  Never had that before.  I'll pick it up later today.  Let you know how it works..

[Forseegood]

Hi, just was talking to my psychiatrist yesterday...ativan (or the generic) is supposedly the safest you can use for your liver...on an as needed basis, because like most things, it can be addicting...so all the more reason to use as small amount as you can get away with...just my (and my doc's) take....

[jdwithhcv]

Ativan (generic is lorazapam) works really well for me.  I just take as needed, its not like antidepressants where you need to build a theraputic level in your blood.  I use it on those nights when I have something on my mind and my brain just can't let it go and let me sleep.  Its effective and doesn't make me groggy the next day.  

Good to have something like this around the house, but I agree with Foresee, wouldn't take it except as needed and then only as much as you need to take the edge off your anxiety.

[lmr28]

I take 75 mg Effexor XR daily for generalized anxiety disorder, .25 mg xanax as needed.  I sure have needed the xanax more since beginning tx 4 days ago, but I am hoping that will level off again.
My doc's seem to think that this is fine.  ;-)  Good luck.  Anxiety on top of this is awful.

jt/jd-  I plan to ask about Ativan.  Do you think I can take it along w/ my other stuff on nights (like last!) when I am UP ALL NIGHT with crazy thoughts racing???

[lmr28]

I take 75 mg Effexor XR daily for generalized anxiety disorder, .25 mg xanax as needed.  I sure have needed the xanax more since beginning tx 4 days ago, but I am hoping that will level off again.
My doc's seem to think that this is fine.  ;-)  Good luck.  Anxiety on top of this is awful.

jt/jd-  I plan to ask about Ativan.  Do you think I can take it along w/ my other stuff on nights (like last!) when I am UP ALL NIGHT with crazy thoughts racing???

[jdwithhcv]

I think ativan is ok with Effexor and Xanax, but check with your doc.  BTW, when up all night with crazy thoughts racing is EXACTLY when I take ativan.

Good luck.  Ya gotta break this tx thing down into digestible size bits - don't look at the big picture too much.  It will overwhelm you if you do.

jd

[Mikkimoe]

Hi - one think I've learned about is that you have to study study study.....so much to learn. But you came to a great place. We have some new reference pages that the site just started. They are the link at the top right called Health pages. I posted a listing all about antidepressants. Check it out and the site that is referenced in the post to find out what may be best for you. There are side effects to all of them and some may be more prefered to others...such as weight gain. If you are skinny that's OK etc.

I am taking Zoloft - started about 3 weeks ago - is working well for me. I am taking very small amounts. I also take xanax to sleep at night. I had been on Ativan but it stopped being effective for me after time. They will do that.

Take Care...can't tell you not to stress ot cuz we all do...just know it will get better over time.