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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 9, 2003, at 22:35:32
I think I have tried about every SSRI over the past six years for GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER and the only thing that has ever put a dent into is Adderall, which I started taking a month ago.
I just got to think there is something better out there ... Any thoughts?
My anxiety started over some health problems, but now I don't even know what I worry about. I fear fear. I am all worked up all day, my mind goes 100 mph and body 1 mph. I don't have panic attacks. I just can't stop the fear/anxiety and I feel weak for not being able to do it.
Would appreciate any thoughts ... THANKS
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 10, 2003, at 0:06:29
In reply to What is the best med for ANXIETY?, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 9, 2003, at 22:35:32
I'd give BuSpar (buspirone) a try first, if you haven't already... and don't give up on it until you've pushed the dose at least to 60mg/day (unless the side effects become unbearable, of course, though this is rare with BuSpar).
lol, okay, sorry, had to get the joke du jour in there somewhere. I'd forget about BuSpar, unless it's to augment another med sometime down the road. But I'd say go for a benzodiazepine -- preferably Xanax XR or Klonopin -- just don't go in to your doctor's office and ask for an abuseable drug by name... this has "drug-seeking behavior" written all over it. Just say something like, "I've tried Valium before, and it worked great but turned my legs into Jell-O [note: Valium is a powerful muscle relaxer]... anything similar I can try?" Chances are you'll get Klonopin. Klonopin (clonazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), Valium (diazepam) and many others... benzodiazepines will usually begin working within an hour of the first dose and have been used safely as psychotherapeutic drugs for over forty years with a great track record.
Beyond that, Vistaril (hydroxyzine pamoate), Equanil (meprobamate) and Solfoton (phenobarbital) can be very useful, though most docs are reluctant to prescribe Solfoton these days (less so than Seconal [secobarbital] or Nembutal [pentobarbital] though). Some doctors are paranoid about prescribing meprobamate, but many of them are no so scared of it these days. Vistaril isn't hard to get at all -- it's just an anti-histamine with some mild anti-anxiety properties.
Or, here's a wild thought -- if Adderall, a CNS stimulant, helped your anxiety, why not try a stimulating monoaminergic reuptake inhibitor, like Wellbutrin (bupropion), Strattera (atomoxetine), or Edronax (reboxetine -- not available in the U.S.)? Or even the "wakefulness promoting" drugs Provigil (modafanil; Alertec in Canada) and Olmifon (adrafanil -- not available in U.S.)?
Posted by ace on October 10, 2003, at 0:17:18
In reply to What is the best med for ANXIETY?, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 9, 2003, at 22:35:32
> I think I have tried about every SSRI over the past six years for GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER and the only thing that has ever put a dent into is Adderall, which I started taking a month ago.
>
> I just got to think there is something better out there ... Any thoughts?
>
> My anxiety started over some health problems, but now I don't even know what I worry about. I fear fear. I am all worked up all day, my mind goes 100 mph and body 1 mph. I don't have panic attacks. I just can't stop the fear/anxiety and I feel weak for not being able to do it.
>
> Would appreciate any thoughts ... THANKSI can empathize with many of your statements. I would suggest an older MAOI, specifically Nardil which is used over Parnate usually for anxiety problems.
Also, Xanax would be another option. It really is an effective anti-anxiety agent. Also, at higher doses it sometimes can act as an antidepressant. With this drug you would be risking dependence . But, personally, I'd rather be dependent than be in fear all day long.
But I should qualify this...I have heard of some people who have NO problems with dependence on Xanax. They have NO problems withdrawing.
Also Buspar is another drug you could try...I don't know too much about this.
Finally, and I would leave this last line, atypical antipsychotics can very often help anxiety a great deal. Zyprexa, Risperidone, Seroquel, etc. For anxiety, they are prescribed in very low doses.
Whatever happens, I hope you find relief very soon.
Ace.
Posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 10, 2003, at 0:17:37
In reply to Re: What is the best med for ANXIETY? » DoYouKnowHim?, posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 10, 2003, at 0:06:29
Do you suffer from anxiety? Which type?
I am taking Klonopin (1mg) and Neurontin (300mg) per day with the Adderall (30mg). What do you think about me increasing the doses of either three to help me with the GAD?
Thanks for your other response. Michael
Posted by platinumbride on October 10, 2003, at 0:47:42
In reply to Re: Q for Ame Sans Vie, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 10, 2003, at 0:17:37
Can I but in here?
I am a big fan of neurontin for anxiety. 300mgs is just not enough. It is a starter dose...at least it was for me. I would ask if you couldn;t start titrating the neurontin and keeping a little xanax for emergencies; when you need fast relief. sounds like a commercial :)I wish you luck anxiety sucks
Diane
Posted by Cairo on October 10, 2003, at 5:10:36
In reply to Re: What is the best med for ANXIETY? » DoYouKnowHim?, posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 10, 2003, at 0:06:29
Amy San Vie - what if psychostims worsen anxiety and social withdrawal? This is the problem we're having with our daughter. A trial of Strattera brought on depressive symptoms and extreme fatigue. What do you think about a trial of an SSRI for the anxiety as she may have atypical depression, too. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Cairo
Posted by EscherDementian on October 10, 2003, at 9:36:35
In reply to Re: What is the best med for ANXIETY? » DoYouKnowHim?, posted by Ame Sans Vie on October 10, 2003, at 0:06:29
Whatever happened to rollerskating on Quaaludes?
(Different day, different joke du jour)
;)
Posted by Lazarus on October 10, 2003, at 17:31:57
In reply to What is the best med for ANXIETY?, posted by DoYouKnowHim? on October 9, 2003, at 22:35:32
I take Equagesic for headaches. It contains meprobamate and aspirin. I find the meprobamate to have strong muscle relaxant properties and to be mildly sedating. It's great for headaches but in terms of anti-anxiety it sucks; Librium is much better.
This is the end of the thread.
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