Anxiety Meds

[6-paq]

I'm un-Dx'd. One of my symptoms has been bilateral fine hand tremors and weak, shaky legs. Neuro said that my hand tremors are not typical MS-type tremors.  He has asked a few times if I had my thyroid checked (PCP checked my TSH and it was normal).

My neuro has only Rx'd me Xanax at this point, which I hadn't been taking until recently. At my last appt, I bought up the tremors again and he asked if I was stressed (well, who wouldn't be with all of the health issues going on right now). He wanted me to try the Xanax and let him know what happens with all of my Sx.

Well, I've tried it 3 times (both at the full .5 and twice at .25 mg). Amazingly, my hand tremors pretty much ceased and my leg weakness was much improved. I actually walked all around a theme park last night and the only Sx I felt were the buzzing on the bottom of my left foot.

I know that I am an anxious person and the results of the Xanax now leads me to believe that my Sx are just made worse by my anxiety. When I don't have a Xanax, the tremors are back.

Sooooo.... I know that I can't, nor want, to stay on the Xanax full time. I know it's an "as needed" type of drug and I do not want to get addicted.

What kind of anti-axiety meds are there that I would be able to take on a regular basis (at least until I can get ahold on my health issues)? I'm not depressed (just majorly anxious), so I don't think I'd be on an AD, or is an AD Rx'd for anxiety issues as well? I'm also concerned about the side effects (especially weight gain ).

Sorry for the dumb question, but these type of meds are totally new to me.

TIA!

[JonM]

Yes I believe most are ADs, but compared to Xanax, that's not a comparison. ADs are much more manageable, with less SAs, addictiveness, and withdrawl issues than Xanax.  You mentioned in your first posting that your an anxious person and I'm suspicious your doctor thinks this too, which may be part of the reasoning behind the Rx. Doctors I've come to learn will cite a physical reason to treat a mental issue because they want to avoid having to defend sizing us up and avoid the whole conversation of "why do you think I'm this, that or the other"  You may want to pin he/she down on that. because if you do have GAD, even mildly there are better, safer ways to go.

On a general note, I'm on Effoxor XR now which is an AD and it does have SAs that I don't want.  I've decided that I would rather put up with the buzzing, vibrations, etc. and maybe some mood swings and a little mild anxiety than have some of my mental capacity and physical abilty taken from me.

From the other point of view my wife has been taking a mild dose of Zoloft for three years now to contol PMS and it has worked wonders for her with little or no SAs.

Also have you considered Nuerotin, Lyrica and/or Cymbalta.  These are suppose to help with sensory issues.

Keep questioning and educating yourself.  I'm convinced we are capable of being our own best physician.
Jon

[6-paq]

Thank you for the caution about Xanax.   I'm sorry that you were addicted and had to be tapered off.  I've heard that stopping the drug without tapering can lead to seizures.  That was scary to read.

I've read many things about it being easily addictive and really didn't want to go that route, so I stayed away from the med.  I've had the Rx sitting here for 2 months.  I did tell my neuro that I was afraid to try it because of the side effects, but he wants to know my reaction to the drug.  

I do know it's not a "long term" drug ~ another reason why I want off of it and on to something else.  My Rx says "every 6 hours as needed".   I feel that I'm needing it more than an "on occasion" use, as I am very anxious about my own health issues as well as of 2 of my children right now.  

Are the drugs that control GAD usually anti-depressents?   My husband is very strongly opposed to my using ADs, but he doesn't have to live the health issues/etc. that I do.  I think he'll be shortly over-ruled. :)

I am most concerned about the side effects of these, especially the ones that you mentioned in your "MS and antidepressents" thread.   I think I'll start research GAD.

Thanks for your info!

[6-paq]

First of all, congratulations on your 17 years of sobriety!!!  That's awesome!!  

My tremors increase with caffeine, activity and stress also.  I was so reluctant to start the Xanax, but he wanted to know what affect it had.

I'll start researching Paxil and Inderal.  I just don't want to walk into the neuro and have him give me a Rx of something that I haven't researched.

Thanks!

[JonM]

Great caution about Xanax...

I learned the hard way, Xanax should not be used regularly unless you really need it, which is primarily to control severe anxiety.  I took it when I was DXd with MS because of several severe anxiety attacks.  I got physically addicted and it took along time to get off it.  I would really hesitate taking it for any off-label reason.  Physicians like it because it is very effective but I believe many are not aware or downplay the dark side of this drug.

There are other drugs that are much better on the side affects with less addiction that do control GAD (General Anxiety Disorder).  Consider asking your MD to RX one of these for you.

One other thing about Xanax, the manufacturer of it does not recommend long-tern use.  The drug is known to slowly loose its effectiveness forcing the patient into taking larger and larger dosages to achieve the same results, this is part of the addictive dark side.

[floridamom2]

Hi!  I am very intrigued by your response with the Xanax.  I am a recovering alcoholic with 17 years of sobriety and have not allowed myself to try Xanax or Valium for the same reasons you say above but X 10.  I am also undx's and have the shakiness with tremors that increases with caffeine, alot of activity or increased stress.  Antidepressants such as Paxil are Rx'd for anxiety disorders and from what I have heard so are some low dose blood pressure medications like Inderal.  I am not a doctor but maybe you can start researching these two meds as a start and see what eveyone else says.  

Good luck and I am glad your meds helped so far!!
Kristin