Help with panic/anxiety medications...?

Question

I have been suffering from panic disorder for 5 years. I have gone through therapy where the doctor just ended drugging me up with so many different types of anti-depressants..which didn't work, they only made me have more anxiety. the one doctor gave me xanax. Only 1 mg a day..to be split in half, half in the am when I wake up, and half in the afternoon around 4...since then I can count the amount of anxiety/panic attacks I have had on one hand. Yes I know...THEY ARE HIGHLY ADDICTIVE..BUT THEY WORK. Also I have found no matter what medication you take they are all addictive. Has anyone found a medication that actually helps with the anxiety? No Effexor, Lexapro, Paxil...etc. I have tried these. Just needingt some help and feedback. Thanks

Answer 1

In answer to those who suggest you need to find the root causes etc. Sometimes there isn't any - that is simply the way her mind reacts to the external environment and it's just the way she is. If after five years of therapy she hasnt found it, I think medication is the simplest alternative.

Because they act on the brain's neurotransmitters they often have addictive qualities. My story is identical to yours, except my doctor gave me so many different SSRI's that I had a massive seizure and ended up in an ambulance. I had originally told him that I had previously tried SSRI's but they did not help me, but he ignored that! So just be careful about switching too much.

I was moved onto valium which is a bit like Xanax, unfortunately also addictive (apparently). But I think if you try not to take them every day - eg, not at the weekend, then it should be OK presuming you dont need higher dosages.

I think all this hysteria about benzodiazepines is over the top.

I heard about a medication called buspirone, but everyone says its not very good. I honestly dont believe there are any good non-addictive anxiety drugs out there. If your anxiety is, like mine is, bad enough to warrant risking addiction to a medication, I'm actually willing to accept that risk because it's so unpleasant.

Answer 2

First of all, you need to find a therapist/psychiatrist who can help you find out why you're having panic attacks in the first place.

At the same time, there are many anti depressants out there; have you also tried Mirtazapine, or what about the MAOIs?

The MAOIs are the older anti depressants, and they often work well with people who haven't responded to the SSRIs, the ones you've already tried. But if you do take one of these, there are several foods, and many medicines, including over the counter ones, that you have to avoid - else the interaction can be serious, even fatal.

Have you ever tried Neuro Linguistic Programming for your anxiety? This might be worth looking into.

Also consider cognitive behavioural therapy.

Answer 3

It depends on how severe your anxiety really is and if you feel ok without medication. If you find yourself unable to cope or function normally, you could possibly need medication. However, a counselor could help you deal with irrational fears, too. I don't know what you are afraid of, but you may want to consider cutting back on drinking alcohol. The fact that you don't want medication because you won't be able to drink is a sign of possible alcoholism.

Answer 4

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?

Answer 5

I find that Klonopin helps. I don't like the addictivness of thes kind of drugs so I usually take 1/2 to 1 mg only when I feel a panic attack coming on. I've had this prolem for so long now that I can recognize the very early signs of an attack and very rarely get past the nausea stage. My doctor recently wanted me to start on something else but I'm so afraid of side effects that I didn't even get the prescription filled. I did take effexor for a while when the doctor could give me samples and that seemed to help quite a bit with minimal side effects.

Answer 6

You've taken enough medication, now you need to do something else. You should see a counselor to find the root cause for your panic and anxiety. Some hospitals offer free seminars, especially if your panic stems from an incident in your life, such as loss of someone you love, a divorce, an accident, or other traumatic event. Call your local hospital . Also, ask your doctor if he/she knows of any such seminars or if he/she can recommend a counselor. Good luck to you!

Answer 7

Effexor, Lexapro, and Paxil are all antidepressants, and though they may help with the anxiety the anti-anxiety medications such as xanax, are more effective. In the past I have used that, as well as a hand full of others like ativan, klonopin, buspar, and valium. I think valium works best for me. I've had to use this type of med for many years, only when I really need it, and haven't had any addiction problems. But like I say I only use it as needed. You and your doctor are the ones to decide what is right for you.

Answer 8

Why not try a solution that does not require the use of medication. Check out this site:

http://www.cureanxietydisorder.com

It has helped many people that have had panic/anxiety attacks....

All the best...

Answer 9

Xanax is absolutely the best medicine for panic and anxiety attacks. You yourself have said it's the only thing that works. It's a very good medication and if you are not abusing it, don't be concerned about taking it. It was invented for problems like yours. The Bad news you hear about it is people who are taking it for recreational purposes.

continue under your doctor's supervision and you will be fine.

Answer 10

I got addicted to tranquillisers and sleeping pills. I used diazepam (valium) alprazolam (xanax), chlordiazepoxide (librium), lorazepam (ativan) but mostly it was diazepam. I found they worked really really well for anxiety for about 3 months and then stopped working and then I would have to increase the dose and so on. Then when I tried to reduce the dose the anxiety I experienced as part of the withdrawal symptoms was a 100 times worse than the origional condition. The pills started messing up my short term memory, emotions and thus personality after being on them years so I had to get off them which was hell. Took me months to wean off them and the withdrawals lasted months and months. I found the best cure was no alcohol and no medications. Weaned myself off the lot. I am not the best fan of tranx or sleeper pills to be honest.