Anxiety meds

[lovegt]

I have had anxiety off and on since 1999. I started Zoloft then and it worked the entire time I took it. I got divorced in 2003 and after several months of depression I started exercising, losing weight, and I felt better so I tapered off of it. I was drug free until last summer when I started having numbness in my face, dizzy spells, panic episodes, etc, I got a complete workup from my MD. All tests were negative so we decided it was my anxiety again so she started me on Xanax for short term. Over the last year, I have wanted to take something instead of the Xanax so I tried Zoloft again, Buspar, Lexapro, Paxil and ALL of them made my anxiety worse. Last week I saw my MD telling her that I have been depressed and I think the Xanax is doing it and the up and downs I am having all  the time. She wanted me to start on Klonipin and I said NO WAY. She also suggested Biofeedback which my insurance does not cover and I cannot afford otherwise. I said no more benzos so I tried Effexor XR, I only took 37.5 mg yesterday and I was anxious all day, heart pounding, severe headache. I want to find something that works and I am at a loss, PLEASE HELP! Thanks

[Jade59]

I have a friend on klonopin and I too was leary of this drug, but the dose for seizures vs the dose for anxiety management are very different.  Lastly, I would again encourage you not to take xanax on a daily basis because it was not designed for that.  You will easily get addicted to this drug and need more and more before you know it.  I just reiterate this because I know you need to be at your best for your child.  Yes, a psychiatrist is the way to go.  They can evaluate your needs which will help them to choose the right medicine for YOU.  Best of luck to you.

[lovegt]

My doctor called today after I had posted and told me to continue the Effexor to give it a few more days. My therapist states she has had several patients have great success with Effexor. I do not think I can go to work and function efficiently with the side effects, the increased anxiety, severe headache, etc.  I read some of the post about Klonipin and my biggest concern is getting off of it someday. My daughter was on it for her seizures and it took months to wean her off. The other concern is sedation. I have to be able to wake up during the night due to my daughter's special needs. I only take 1/2-3/4 of a .25 mg tablet of Xanax twice a day. If I take anymore than that I am sleepy and lacking energy all day. I think it might be time for a psychiatrist!

[Jade59]

I have found out through education on this forum that if you are suffering from anxiety and if that is  your main issue then anti-depressants are unlikely to work.  Before you say NO WAY to Klonopin, please browse the archives on this drug and then make your decision.  ADs are likely to aggravate anxiety issues so you want to go with a long acting benzo--NOT XANAX.  Xanax is to be used "on occassion" only.  Before I found this forum, I have mistakenly taken xanax for years, and yes I believe it makes me depressed.   The LONG ACTING benzos like klonopin and valium work differently.  Please look up questions addressed to RCA7591 or Ryan.  I think you'll be happy you did.  You might also want to seek out a psychiatrist to prescribe whatever you decide because MDs are not trained to care for your mental health.  Best of luck to you.

[April2]

I have heard good things about biofeedback. It puts you more in control of your body and symptoms. You might want to read Tophers post. It's about positive thinking. I just thought of that because you mentioned the biofeedback.
I've also heard not so good things about Zoloft. I've heard it's very difficult to get off of and you can have terrible withdrawels. However, you mentioned the Zoloft and the Zanax working, so why did you want to go off? Did you have sideaffects that you didn't like, or where you just wanting to be drug-free? I wish I had some answers for you. Maybe you should go back to what was working for you. I hope it all works out.