Suggestions for anxiety medication

Akenn · Aug 16, 2019

Maceasar said:
Hello
I have had depression for 40 years and anxiety for 30 years.

My anxiety manifests in excessive sweating. When Im having anxiety, I am sweating. Not all the time can other people tell that Im sweating but there are times when people can tell. I would rather have a rapid heartbeat as opposed to sweating

I started taking Xanax [pronounced Zan-axe] (1.5 mg per day) and I turned my life around. I couldnt work before Xanax but I was working while on Xanax.

But my doctor didnt like me being on Xanax. I live in Canada and the College of Medicine frowned upon the use of Xanax. I entered hospital and I came off Xanax. That was 7 months but my anxiety attacks are severe and I have asked my doctor for a substitute to Xanax, but Im not sure what I can take. What tranquilser can I take that will help with my anxiety?

I have taken Quintipine (Seroquel) but it didnt help. I am taking propanonol , a beta blocker, but it does nothing to help. I see my doctor in about a week and I want to know what valid options I have.

I have tried mindfulness, meditation, CBT but it hasnt helped with the anxiety.

Thank you
Mark

I am surprised they don't prescribe Xanax. In US they prescribe it very often. I dont take medication yet but they want me to start Lexapro. It's an antidepressant and used to treat anxiety. I was feeling better so decided not to start it but people on this forum have given me good feedback on Lexapro. I don't know if you are taking an antidepressant. I also have chronic insomnia and was taking Ambien to sleep it stopped working and I find myself beyond restless starting at 3am. Best wishes

Akenn · Aug 16, 2019

Maceasar said:
Thanks for the reply.
I am on Wellbutrin, and Paxil is suppose to help with the anxiety but it hasnt.
Its interesting that Xanax is prescribed in the US? I thought about writing the College of Medicine to find out more about their view on Xanax. But knowing that Xanax is still prescribed in the Us is very helpful to know and maybe a bargaining chip with my doctor
Thank you

They prescribed it to me because I had a health scare and they think I developed anxiety as a result. I haven't touched it at all. I didnt even ask for it and they were quick to prescribe it. I am to afraid of unwanted side effects to try any medication. I mean I know that sounds weird as I take a sleeping pill. But I have taken it in past and never had bad side effects with it. I guess trying something new like a benzo or antidepressant is what scares me

Cuchculan · Aug 16, 2019

Some countries have actually banned Xanax. Not exactly sure as to why. If you need instant relief it is good. When used the correct way there is nothing wrong with it. But a lot of people up their own dose after about a year or so. To feel the same effect they did when they first started on Xanax. Which means it can lose its effects. Might find it doing nothing for you after a certain period of time. This is when people take more. Then they might have to come off it. Which can be hard for most people. Benzo wise I prefer Klonopin. ( We call it by a different name here in Ireland ) The effects are not instant. More spread out throughout the day. No instant kick. Certainly won't lose it effects after a year or two. Just a more steady release into your system. But like Xanax, some doctors hate to give them out. Simply because it is another Benzo. Think younger doctors are against them big time. The newer generation of doctors.

Boomer57 · Aug 17, 2019

Xanax works well for me too, here in US, but my doc has also taken me off of it. Docs in general fear patients will get dependent on or abuse alprazolam (and other benzodiazapenes). I now take clonazepam, which works, but not as fast as Xanax. It is a benzo, but doc follows me pretty close and I am not "drug seeking."

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AiThink · Aug 17, 2019

I first got diagnosed with generalized anxiety 20 years ago. i was prescribed lorezapam at the ER for instant relief. And boy did they work well. Too well. the prescription instructed to take one daily as needed. I understood this as one daily until they are all gone. There were 30 pills. When the pills ran out, i went to the Dr for more. This was a different Dr, not the one who originally prescribed the pills. The new Dr looked at me then looked at the empty bottle of medicine then looked at me then the bottle then me again and said "you finish the whole bottle? ". I. Said yes why? He explained how addictive and powerful these pills were and that i shouldn't rely on them for daily use. I said that I felt fine. Anyways, he asked that i stay off them a refered me to a neurologist who prescribed effexor. The next few days were hell getting off the lorezapam. Cold sweats, shakiness, headaches, vomiting, insomnia. Anyways, long story short, i can understand why Dr's steer away from these drugs. They are effective but habit forming as well.

ManaClash · Aug 18, 2019

Most doctors are dead said against prescribing Xanax in the USA. One Doctor even told me it was like cheating on a big test idk wtf test he was referring too this is my life. Another doctor told me that I was was abusing them by taking 1.5 mg a day. They do work but they are hella hard to get off also I built up a tolerance to them pretty fast and had to take more and more to feel the effects. Honestly they work but I can't reccomend them to most people because they can be addictive. I took SSRI'S and SSRNs for 15+ years then got off of them and can't take them because they give me horrible insomnia. They worked great for my Anxiety but I cant tolerate them anymore.
Oh yeah some studies said they can cause rebound anxiety when your not taking them idk if that's true or not.

TruthHurts · Aug 19, 2019

Maceasar said:
My aapointment is at 1 and we will see what will happen.

Does anyone have any natural supplements that they find helpful to use? Thanks

You just gotta break it down and figure out exactly what is triggering your anxiety. For me I was worrying about my heart and now blood pressure. Exercise and a good diet will benefit you a lot. Even if it's just a nice walk or jog. When my mind is busy I tend to worry less also. Some people are just built to worry unfortunately I am one of them. "Regular exercise alleviates chronic anxiety and may reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks."

TruthHurts · Aug 19, 2019

TruthHurts said:
You just gotta break it down and figure out exactly what is triggering your anxiety. For me I was worrying about my heart and now blood pressure. Exercise and a good diet will benefit you a lot. Even if it's just a nice walk or jog. When my mind is busy I tend to worry less also. Some people are just built to worry unfortunately I am one of them. "Regular exercise alleviates chronic anxiety and may reduce the frequency and severity of panic attacks."

When I think about it I think that Luke Perry dying from a stroke is what re-triggered my anxiety.

TruthHurts · Aug 19, 2019

Maceasar said:
Thank you Truthhurts
I am like you and I worry about alot. All those things you are suppose to do (meditation, cbt, exercise, etc) . . it just doesnt help me and/or I dont get it.

I have exercise in the past (lost 40 lbs weight) and I didnt feel the endorphins while exercising.

I was at the shopping mall yesterday and I was fine. But then I panicked thinking how will I get home (on the bus), will people see me sweating WHEN I was wearing shorts and forget to bring my hankerchief to wipe my forehead

Sorry, gotta go. In process of getting ready to see the doctor at 1 pm.

Thank you

So the fear of sweating to much is your trigger point work on that. Get yourself a good antiperspirant to help ease your mind and when you find yourself feeling like that get a cold drink, water would be great. If you can splash a little cold water on your face that will help you calm down. I know that you can overcome that. By they way I use to work with a girl that use to sweat like crazy I din't think any less of her. good luck.

solaine · Aug 28, 2019

From experience, the problem with benzos (where Xanax belongs) is that your tolerance is raised with each dose, so it's helpful if taken occasionally but daily use might mean the meds stop working and you have to raise your dose all the time. I don't know about your case, though, it might be different for everyone.

When it comes to the question of dependance, I think you can be dependant on a placebo if your mind decides. I also feel dependant on my meds because I'm scared my anxiety/insomnia would come back if I didn't take them, but I'm just as "addicted" to my bedtime routine, so yeah.

Besides occasional benzo use (Klonopin in my case), mostly on days when I can't sleep, I haven't had luck finding meds for my generalized anxiety throughout 10 years, until now. Last year I was prescribed Buspirone (Buspar) and ever since that, I feel so much calmer, sedated but not "high" like on benzos and I sleep so much better, too. But again, it's different for everyone. I hope you'll find something that does the trick for you!

qtsam11 · Aug 30, 2019

Xanax is not a daily; you cannot be on it long term. Your doctor will likely prescribe you this for panic attacks but you can't take it daily. Most SSRIs are commonly the first choice due to very little side effects. However, it is not something you can simply ask because everyone processes things differently. See if your doctor can give you the genetic test. It will tell you based on your specific liver enzymes what your body will tolerate best. Just because something worked for something else does not mean it will work for you, even if they had great results. One I used was PGxPSYCH.

Masi · Jan 17, 2020

Maceasar said:
My aapointment is at 1 and we will see what will happen.

Does anyone have any natural supplements that they find helpful to use? Thanks

I agree with @TruthHurts on the diet and exercise as a good starting point, I think it can really make a difference. Helped me get on the mend years ago. I'm surprised no one has mentioned psilocybin as an alternative, (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms). It's a bit unconventional, but getting some really positive attention in the scientific communities. I'm in Canada though where it's effectively become legal, different in the US. Although FDA last year granted "breakthrough therapy" status to it, so that's probably going to change things.
Good luck with the meds though for now, hope you find some relief.

Suggestions for anxiety medication

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