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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 19:37:55
I am in need of help? i have taken countless meds to help my anxiety. I am a person who is very sensitive to meds and sometimes i have a opposite response to meds. I would like to know what you take and how it has helped. I am on topamax right now and i think it has made my anxiety worse but i cant be positive. I take the topamax for my migraines. My life feels like its in shambles from the anxiety and i am running out of meds and ideas. Anyones help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by fairywings on January 15, 2006, at 20:16:51
In reply to What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 19:37:55
You've probably tried xanax, which is what I take.
What have you tried for anxiety, and what did the meds do for/to you?
How is the topamax working for you for the headaches? I've had migraines for most of my life, and started taking topamax several mos. ago when they got to be more off than on, would last for weeks at a time, and I got to the point where my brain felt so fried I honestly couldn't think. I had high hopes for the topamax, but ended up with muscle pain, a kidney stone, some depression, and it messed with my blood sugar. I hope it's working better for you, and I hope you find something to help with the anxiety.
fw
Posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 20:26:57
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety? » christinav, posted by fairywings on January 15, 2006, at 20:16:51
Well i have taken a lot of meds some i cant even remember. SOme work for awhile and then they stop. I cant tolerate SSRI's. Benzo meds (dont know the whole name of them) i cant take at all because they have an opposite effect on me. I cant take xanax it knocks me out. The smallest dose that is. I am very limited so i thought i would ask to see what other people take. Thank you for your input.
Posted by yxibow on January 15, 2006, at 21:33:34
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 20:26:57
> Well i have taken a lot of meds some i cant even remember. SOme work for awhile and then they stop. I cant tolerate SSRI's. Benzo meds (dont know the whole name of them) i cant take at all because they have an opposite effect on me. I cant take xanax it knocks me out. The smallest dose that is. I am very limited so i thought i would ask to see what other people take. Thank you for your input.
Some people have idosyncratic reactions to medications. It is also possible that you are among the 9% of people who have difficulty metabolizing at CYP 450 2D6, thus explaining some of your reactions to medications. Are you sure you have tried the entire range of benzodiazepines, because some are metabolized by the body at different points... the list of benzodiazepines out there still manufactured in the US is vast. Librium, the first, is still manufactured.
If none of the above works for you, there is BuSpar (buspirone), which works effectively for about 30% of the population. Its worth a try. It may initially make you feel a little dizzy.
I take Neurontin -- I dont think it works for most people alone, without a benzodiazepine, but it might work for you. Lyrica is similar to Neurontin, some people claim more success. There is also Lamictal, although it can cause a rash. There are other antiepileptics that are used for mood stability off label as well, including Depakote.
If none of the above works, I wouldn't normally suggest it since you are not psychotic and APs have a varied side effects, but perhaps a small dose of Seroquel or Zyprexa might work for anxiety.
MAOIs are the last resort and are generally more for depression. I would first see if you have tried all of the above, including all of the benzodiazepines, because they are metabolized by the body in different ways.
-- Jay
Posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2006, at 21:40:51
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by yxibow on January 15, 2006, at 21:33:34
Welcome to the AD's for anxiety I can't take club. I can't take them either. The only one I can tolerate is low dose luvox. But I also have MDD and low dose doesn't touch it. Wonder what the pdoc will try to shove down my mouth this Thursday. Why do they think everyone is the same. I do tolerate valium. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 21:46:20
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by yxibow on January 15, 2006, at 21:33:34
Buspar worked for me for awhile and then my anxiety came back. Neurontin i tried for pain for my bladder and that gave me heart palpatations and anxiety. I am thinking since the tompimax is in the same class as the neurontin the topimax is what is giving me the anxiety. Not sure though. I dont know. Ran some ideas across my doc and hopefully i will get some answers. Thank you for your post. christina
Posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 21:50:00
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by Phillipa on January 15, 2006, at 21:40:51
My doc is afraid i will probably get addicted to valium. I think now the topimax is giving me the anxiety. I was ok until i started taking it for my migraines. christina
Posted by yxibow on January 15, 2006, at 22:09:41
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 21:50:00
> My doc is afraid i will probably get addicted to valium. I think now the topimax is giving me the anxiety. I was ok until i started taking it for my migraines. christina
Valium has a nasty reputation from the 70s as "mother's little helper." Proper use of it has no more addiction potential than any other benzodiazepine, provided you don't have other genetic addiction problems like alcoholism or have abused medication. In fact, it has less problems with withdrawal from the drug because of its (at least) 24 hour half life.
Topomax has no chemical structure relation to Neurontin. Lyrica is somewhat related to Neurontin.
Posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 22:14:39
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety? » christinav, posted by yxibow on January 15, 2006, at 22:09:41
I just thought since the topimax was in a class of Anticonvulsants as the neurontin is and i have the same symptoms the neurontin gave me i thought maybe the topimax is doing the same. In any case i am stopping the tompimax tomorrow and see what happens. I cant continue like this.
Posted by fairywings on January 15, 2006, at 23:52:17
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 22:14:39
My GP said I had probs. with the topamax bec. it was highly protein bound. Don't know what that means.
I can't seem to take the SSRI's either. Side effects. I took Xanax years ago and even .25 mg completely knocked me out. I started taking it again this year, and at first it made me sleepy, now it doesn't, usually takes the edge off.
Everyone is diff. but it sounds like you're really having a lot of trouble with meds. It sounds really frustrating. Have you by any chance tried over the counter or herbal alternatives? 5 HTP, valerian, melatonin? Just a thought.
fw
Posted by krybrahaha78 on January 16, 2006, at 2:19:09
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 21:46:20
i take 300 mgs luvox for OCD and 2 mg klonopin daily for my anxiety
Posted by christinav on January 16, 2006, at 9:26:02
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety? » christinav, posted by fairywings on January 15, 2006, at 23:52:17
I only tried one thing over the counter and that was kava kava. It didnt work. I did here that omega 3 helps with anxiety i have started taking that but last night decided to go off the topimax and see what happens. Thanks for the heads up on the alternatives. Christina
Posted by ed_uk on January 16, 2006, at 14:12:56
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 20:26:57
Hi Christina
Xanax is very potent. Perhaps the dose you took was too high. You could try 125mcg.
Ed
Posted by christinav on January 16, 2006, at 16:07:41
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety? » christinav, posted by ed_uk on January 16, 2006, at 14:12:56
I took the lowest dose there is.
christina
Posted by cache-monkey on January 16, 2006, at 20:40:31
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by christinav on January 16, 2006, at 16:07:41
> I took the lowest dose there is.
>
> christinaHi,
I think the 0.25 mg pills are the smallest dose. They should be scored, in which case you can cut them in half to get Link's suggested 0.125 mg. You could also try quartering the pills.
I know this is frustrating, but I would continue to try looking for non-benzodiazepine alternatives to manage your anxiety. I myself went the benzo route about a year ago for some situational anxiety added on top of my generalized life anxiety. I'm facing the very real withdrawal associated with tapering Klonopin right now. I don't think this is insurmountable, but it's painful and slow. Looking back I wish I had explored a few more non-benzo meds and/or made some life changes.
Good luck,
cache-monkey
Posted by christinav on January 16, 2006, at 21:38:45
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety? » christinav, posted by cache-monkey on January 16, 2006, at 20:40:31
Thank you.
Posted by 4WD on January 16, 2006, at 21:44:02
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety? » christinav, posted by cache-monkey on January 16, 2006, at 20:40:31
> > I took the lowest dose there is.
> >
> > christina
>
> Hi,
>
> I think the 0.25 mg pills are the smallest dose. They should be scored, in which case you can cut them in half to get Link's suggested 0.125 mg. You could also try quartering the pills.
>
> I know this is frustrating, but I would continue to try looking for non-benzodiazepine alternatives to manage your anxiety. I myself went the benzo route about a year ago for some situational anxiety added on top of my generalized life anxiety. I'm facing the very real withdrawal associated with tapering Klonopin right now. I don't think this is insurmountable, but it's painful and slow. Looking back I wish I had explored a few more non-benzo meds and/or made some life changes.
>
> Good luck,
> cache-monkey
>Hi.
Would you mind telling me what symptoms you are experiencing while withdrawing from Klonopin (other than a return of anxiety)? I am wanting to lower my dose and don't know what to look out for other than increased anxiety.
Marsha
Posted by cache-monkey on January 16, 2006, at 23:56:29
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety? » cache-monkey, posted by 4WD on January 16, 2006, at 21:44:02
Hi Marsha,
Have you been on Klonopin long? If it's just a matter of weeks or a couple of months at a moderate dose, you might not have to look out for much besides a return of anxiety. If it's longer than that then you still might not get withdrawal effects if you make the dose reductions small enough (e.g. 125 mcg or 1/4 of a 0.5 pill), and spread far apart (e.g. 2+ weeks).
As for me, I was on 1-1.5 mg for about 9 months and managed to drop down to 1 mg without too many issues. The drop from 1 to 0.875 was hard, and getting down any further has made it evident that I will be going through withdrawals at future steps.
In terms of what that's like, I'm definitely getting an increase in my anxiety. But it's kind of going up to levels higher than my earlier baseline. Like I feel wound up and startle easily, a general sense of uncomfortable over-alertness. My muscles get very tight, sometimes bordering on painfully so, and at the same time weak. I also have trouble sleeping soundly at night and feel a little sick to my stomach at times.
My experience with each (tiny) dose reduction is that these feelings peak after about five days and then slowly subside. I find it kind of hard to function when it's going on so I try to time my dose reductions when I know I'll be having a week without too much stress or necessary social interactions.
Sometimes I've had to go back up because it's the wrong time. Other times I've added back the bit of the dose that I cut out every few days (with more distance between the days each time).
Like I said before it's pretty painful. But I still believe I can do it. I'll probably switch to Valium at some point in the taper, and have been talking with my pdoc about adding Keppra or Neurontin to help (both with this and with mood instability).
Good luck with your dose reduction. Many many people only get a return of the original anxiety and do not get too strong withdrawal symptoms.
Best,
cache-monkey> Hi.
>
> Would you mind telling me what symptoms you are experiencing while withdrawing from Klonopin (other than a return of anxiety)? I am wanting to lower my dose and don't know what to look out for other than increased anxiety.
>
> Marsha
Posted by 4WD on January 17, 2006, at 21:55:10
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety? » 4WD, posted by cache-monkey on January 16, 2006, at 23:56:29
Thanks. I've been taking anywhere from .5mg/day to 1.5mg/day for about 15 months. There have been periods where I didn't take it at all for a month or so and a month or so here and there where I only took .125mg/day. I haven't noticed any physical withdrawal symptoms, just worsened anxiety. So maybe it won't be too bad. And the anxiety wasn't worse than before I went on it. Such a thing isn't even possible.
Marsha
Posted by ShellyM on January 18, 2006, at 7:58:20
In reply to What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 19:37:55
Hi Christina
I can sure relate. I have had severe anxiety and panic attacks from age 17 (I am now 40). It took me a long time to get up the nerve to try medications and my first couple of experiences on medications were tough-like you experienced, they only made my anxiety worse.
I started Paxil when I was about 30-35 and it really helped. The first 2-4 weeks on it did make my anxiety worse, but I stayed with it and started seeing improvement. When I had to travel, drive on the freeway or do other things that made my anxiety worse, I took a Xanax. After a few years on Paxil (and a lot of weight gain!) it stopped working and I found I was taking way too many Xanax. Tried a couple other medications that didn't work and then got on Cymbalta.
The first 3 weeks on Cymbalta the side effects were tough- insomnia, increased anxiety, etc.) but now after 2 months on it, I feel a ton better and am not taking Xanax. I also take Trazedone to help with sleep. And no weight gain with Cymbalta (in fact dropped some).
I really believe, at least for me, that medication and how I think about anxiety/panic are key to managing my anxiety. It took a while to find the right one and the side effects can be troubling. And after so many years living with anxiety and panic, I have finally changed my mind-set about anxiety and panic- while it sucks and is down-right scary at times, it won't kill me and today I am living a productive, happy life.
My thoughts are with you.
Shelly
> I am in need of help? i have taken countless meds to help my anxiety. I am a person who is very sensitive to meds and sometimes i have a opposite response to meds. I would like to know what you take and how it has helped. I am on topamax right now and i think it has made my anxiety worse but i cant be positive. I take the topamax for my migraines. My life feels like its in shambles from the anxiety and i am running out of meds and ideas. Anyones help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by ShellyM on January 18, 2006, at 7:59:28
In reply to What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by christinav on January 15, 2006, at 19:37:55
Hi Christina, I forgot to mention I too had tried Topomax for headaches and anti-depressant weight gain, and it caused me increased anxiety so I went off it.
Shelly
> I am in need of help? i have taken countless meds to help my anxiety. I am a person who is very sensitive to meds and sometimes i have a opposite response to meds. I would like to know what you take and how it has helped. I am on topamax right now and i think it has made my anxiety worse but i cant be positive. I take the topamax for my migraines. My life feels like its in shambles from the anxiety and i am running out of meds and ideas. Anyones help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by cache-monkey on January 18, 2006, at 19:27:36
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety? » cache-monkey, posted by 4WD on January 17, 2006, at 21:55:10
It doesn't sound like you've reached tolerance. Good for you! I think that substantially reducing the dose and/or abstaining for a while both probably have helped to keep tolerance from occurring.
~cache-monkey
> Thanks. I've been taking anywhere from .5mg/day to 1.5mg/day for about 15 months. There have been periods where I didn't take it at all for a month or so and a month or so here and there where I only took .125mg/day. I haven't noticed any physical withdrawal symptoms, just worsened anxiety. So maybe it won't be too bad. And the anxiety wasn't worse than before I went on it. Such a thing isn't even possible.
>
> Marsha
Posted by 4WD on January 18, 2006, at 21:32:25
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety?, posted by cache-monkey on January 18, 2006, at 19:27:36
> It doesn't sound like you've reached tolerance. Good for you! I think that substantially reducing the dose and/or abstaining for a while both probably have helped to keep tolerance from occurring.
>
> ~cache-monkeyI sure hope so. That's exactly why I did it. My pdoc kept asking me "why suffer?" and I kept wanting to say , "so I won't have to suffer so much later on." I hope it will turn out to have been worth it.
Thanks,
Marsha
>
> > Thanks. I've been taking anywhere from .5mg/day to 1.5mg/day for about 15 months. There have been periods where I didn't take it at all for a month or so and a month or so here and there where I only took .125mg/day. I haven't noticed any physical withdrawal symptoms, just worsened anxiety. So maybe it won't be too bad. And the anxiety wasn't worse than before I went on it. Such a thing isn't even possible.
> >
> > Marsha
>
>
Posted by cache-monkey on January 19, 2006, at 10:22:56
In reply to Re: What do you take for your anxiety? » cache-monkey, posted by 4WD on January 18, 2006, at 21:32:25
> > It doesn't sound like you've reached tolerance. Good for you! I think that substantially reducing the dose and/or abstaining for a while both probably have helped to keep tolerance from occurring.
> >
> > ~cache-monkey
>
> I sure hope so. That's exactly why I did it. My pdoc kept asking me "why suffer?" and I kept wanting to say , "so I won't have to suffer so much later on." I hope it will turn out to have been worth it.
>I think this is a very healthy approach to benzos. In retrospect, I was going for full anxiety control, rather than taking just enough to be functional and then working on the rest in therapy. Are you in therapy, BTW?
I'm just finding out about a whole host of therapy-based tools for coping with anxiety and wish my last therapist had provided me with a better toolkit... I'm going to be trying a course of EMDR this summer, which I have high hopes for.
Best,
cache-monkey
This is the end of the thread.
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