![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by clipper40 on January 12, 2008, at 4:12:28
I have a friend who is suffering from extreme anxiety right now and can't see a doctor until Tuesday. I'm trying to think of something to tell him to take to help him out until he can get on some medication.
He's taking Effexor (which is making the situation worse)and he is currently withdrawing from a benzo. Normally I wouldn't hestitate to suggest niacinamide or Benadryl but because of his benzo withdrawal I'm wondering if they could pose a problem? I don't know if Benadryl hits receptors other than H but I have read here that B3 hits the Gaba receptors as well. Do you think this could be a problem for him?
Posted by bleauberry on January 14, 2008, at 21:37:53
In reply to B3 (niacinamide) or Benadryl for anxiety?, posted by clipper40 on January 12, 2008, at 4:12:28
From what I have read niacinimide is slow acting, taking weeks to fully work. I don't think it is an immediate gun, though I haven't tried it so I don't know.
For immediate right now help I would suggest Passionflower and/or Skullcap and/or Valerian, starting with Passionflower.
Benadryl seems a likely candidate too. Might work. Might not. In pbabble archives people used to talk about using it for drug withdrawals. Its sedation might help. Sometimes it backfires and wires people instead. Sedating stuff to me though.
The doctor is only a phone call away. It would be worth calling and have the doctor call in a prescription to the pharamacy by phone, just enough to get to the next appointment, for something to calm down. Zyprexa 2.5mg would help a ton. Most docs I've dealt with are comfortable giving a low dose of a limited supply of something over the phone. I've done it several times for various meds. As long as it is a low dose to avoid any bad adverse reaction, and limited doses to avoid a patient doing an intentional overdose, it should be cool.
Posted by clipper40 on January 17, 2008, at 7:39:11
In reply to Re: B3 (niacinamide) or Benadryl for anxiety?, posted by bleauberry on January 14, 2008, at 21:37:53
No, niacinamide does work quickly. Almost like a benzo. I've taken it for brief periods to counter anxiety while waiting for a doctor's appointment or to get to sleep at night. I'm just not sure it would be good for my friend who is withdrawing from benzos now as it may have some effect on GABA receptors.
I agree about Benadryl. It's risky if you don't know how you'll respond. Valerian can be the same way. I think I read that 10% of people respond paradoxically to it. Passionflower and Skullcap sound like good ideas. Would you take them in tincture form?
My friend would love to have a prescription called in for Zyprexa but his GP won't do it. He only has access to a psychiatrist who isn't very good. The GP told him today to wait another two weeks and see if it gets any better. He's suffering so much now. It's so unnecessary and it makes me so angry. If he had money, he could see a decent pdoc but he doesn't so he's forced to go with the doctors that the government provides to him.
Thanks for another helpful response.
Posted by bleauberry on January 19, 2008, at 19:57:48
In reply to Re: B3 (niacinamide) or Benadryl for anxiety? » bleauberry, posted by clipper40 on January 17, 2008, at 7:39:11
> No, niacinamide does work quickly. Almost like a benzo. I've taken it for brief periods to counter anxiety while waiting for a doctor's appointment or to get to sleep at night. I'm just not sure it would be good for my friend who is withdrawing from benzos now as it may have some effect on GABA receptors.
>
Passionflower and Skullcap sound like good ideas. Would you take them in tincture form?I would think niacinamide is a great idea if it works like that. Forget trying to figure out what it does with GABA. Who knows. It is a beneficial natural substance and if it is helpful then great. Worry about it later. That's how I see it anyway.
The other herbs...yeah I prefer tinctures because you can do custom size doses a lot easier than capsules or pills.
Posted by clipper40 on January 19, 2008, at 20:49:35
In reply to Re: B3 (niacinamide) or Benadryl for anxiety?, posted by bleauberry on January 19, 2008, at 19:57:48
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.