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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 36. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Tom Twilight on November 21, 2006, at 14:54:33
Are there any none Benzo meds that can be effective for Panic disorder?
Nardil helps but I hate the side effects!
I've head that Parnate can work well, is this true?
Posted by Quintal on November 21, 2006, at 16:54:51
In reply to Best Meds for Panic?, posted by Tom Twilight on November 21, 2006, at 14:54:33
Lyrica (pregabalin) may have some crossover effects with the benzos. It is similar to Neurontin which has also been used for panic disorders. I'm guessing a drug that controls your daily anxiety level well will also help with panic. You could try adding a beta-blocker such as pindolol or propranolol if you haven't tried that already? SSRIs can be effective but I assume you would have tried them first before graduating to MAOIs?
I live in the UK and would like to try Lyrica myself but my GP is dragging her heels because it is new and she has no experience with it. I abused benzos so can't get them on prescription any more.
Q
Posted by Quintal on November 21, 2006, at 17:25:14
In reply to Best Meds for Panic?, posted by Tom Twilight on November 21, 2006, at 14:54:33
Parnate can work for panic, but it can be a bit 'iffy' since its stimulant effect makes some people feel more anxious without a benzo. I've taken it with benzo and it worked quite well for motivation and brightening my mood. Maybe Parnate + Lyrica woud be good if you could find a pdoc willing to prescribe it?
Citalopram and excitalopram (Leapro) work well for panic in many people.
Q
Posted by Lindenblüte on November 21, 2006, at 21:37:16
In reply to Best Meds for Panic?, posted by Tom Twilight on November 21, 2006, at 14:54:33
supposedly cymbalta is supposed to be good for for anxiety. Hasn't helped with my panic, though.
10mg propanolol does the trick for stagefright - body peripheral symptoms of racing heart, dizzy, nausea, cold clammy hands, etc.
.25 to .5mg klonopin helped me with the mental symptoms of anxiety. I'm freaked out, but somehow I'm not so bothered by it. Unfortunately, this is a benzodiazepine.
Any anti-convulsants that might help?
Cats are good. So is peppermint tea with honey. Of course, Psychobabble!
-Li
Posted by lukeds on November 22, 2006, at 4:18:38
In reply to Best Meds for Panic?, posted by Tom Twilight on November 21, 2006, at 14:54:33
I have taken paxil from 1998 to March of 2006, after taking nardil from 1994 to end of 1997, and if you have patience with paxil, it will crush your anxiety in 3 to 6 weeks.
It is the antidepressant with the worst withdrawal effects of all, due its high efficiency inhibiting the reuptake of the serotonin in the brain.
But it has one problem:
It has several side effects on the sexual aspect if you take for 8 years like me you will finish with a total sexual anhedonia and a severe erectile disfunction.Regards. lukeds.
Posted by lukeds on November 22, 2006, at 4:23:12
In reply to Paxil is the answer man » Tom Twilight, posted by lukeds on November 22, 2006, at 4:18:38
And don't forget that to take an ssri like paxil after an maoi like nardil you must spend 10 days minimum without taking the maoi, due the high risk of serotoninergic syndrome if you take paxil without wait the wash-out of the Nardil that is 10 days minimum.
Regards. lukeds.
Posted by liliths on November 22, 2006, at 10:19:34
In reply to Best Meds for Panic?, posted by Tom Twilight on November 21, 2006, at 14:54:33
hi Tom,
why can't you get benzos for long-term use in the UK? Even short term would be better than nothing while you tried to find a substitute. Do you have a doctor you can call to get you through this?
There was an interesting medication site posted a couple of days ago that might give you some ideas to check on
http://sl.schofield3.home.att.net/medicine/psychiatric_drugs_chart.html
I'm looking into tianeptine myself but I know nothing about it. I'm just desperate for something new to try.
hope you feel better soon - know it sounds like the miserable platitude it is but I do wish there was something I could do
namaste,
lilith> Are there any none Benzo meds that can be effective for Panic disorder?
>
> Nardil helps but I hate the side effects!
> I've head that Parnate can work well, is this true?
Posted by Phillipa on November 22, 2006, at 12:04:14
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic?, posted by liliths on November 22, 2006, at 10:19:34
I agree with the shorterm benzo use. Love Phillipa
Posted by FredPotter on November 23, 2006, at 21:34:35
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic?, posted by Phillipa on November 22, 2006, at 12:04:14
I agree with LONG-term benzo use too. What's the opposition to it? Fred
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on November 24, 2006, at 8:03:00
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic?, posted by FredPotter on November 23, 2006, at 21:34:35
I dunno why really, but the UK is very very benzo-phobic. There's an influential Professor woman at a university there in the UK, who is hmmmmm, rather anti-benzo to put it mildly and has greatly influenced the prescribing patterns of UK GPs and pdocs. The site she runs has been posted here on babble in the past, but its slightly taboo because of the outcry it causes amongst babblers.
In America, its fairly easy if you're presenting clinical symptoms to get a benzo. In the UK its virtually impossible, even short-term, particulary if you're young and have never tried them. Long-term, well forgit it completely. For some reason, they are more relaxed with elderly women who have been on them for years. Sigh. Its sad. Even the WHO classifies diazepram as an 'essential core' drug of any healthcare system.
Ed_uk knows alot more about benzo use and the UK. I find it quite sad really and I want to say something uncivil about this woman who-can't-be mentioned-because-its-so-inflammitory but I can't obviously.
Meri
Posted by Quintal on November 24, 2006, at 9:38:57
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic? » FredPotter, posted by Meri-Tuuli on November 24, 2006, at 8:03:00
My ex-psychiatric nurse was indoctrinated into benzophobia by that very lady during his early psychopharmacology training. He coerced me and the pdoc into withdrawing abruptly from the clonazepam I was doing very well on. This has caused a lot of unnecessary suffering since few other drugs work at all for me and many make me feel worse.
I would feel less angry about this if he/they took my suffering more seriously. It seems as though it's one rule for benzos and another for SSRIs. If benzos cause apathy, indifference, lowered libido etc it is considered unacceptable and worthy of immediate withdrawal, yet many people are complaining of these side effects from SSRIs and they are viewed in a totally different light and you're often told to simply learn to live with these problems.
Is her name really unmentionable around here? I just posted a link from one of Ms. Ashton's 'advice' forums over on the withdrawal board :-O
Q
Posted by Tom Twilight on November 24, 2006, at 12:21:42
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic? » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Quintal on November 24, 2006, at 9:38:57
Thanks for the advice and support guys!
I have to agree Heather Ashton is Evil!
There I've come out and said it.Well maybe evil is a strong word but she's certainly very misguided!
Posted by Quintal on November 24, 2006, at 12:56:51
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic? » FredPotter, posted by Meri-Tuuli on November 24, 2006, at 8:03:00
>For some reason, they are more relaxed with elderly women who have been on them for years.
Yes, thank goodness. I'm grateful the rabid benzophobes didn't get to my grandmother in the last years of her life and try to deprive her of the temazepam she'd been taking since it first came on the market. If she'd been forced to go through the suffering of withdrawal I have I'm pretty sure it would have killed her premeturely.
Q
Posted by sregan on November 24, 2006, at 16:13:55
In reply to Best Meds for Panic?, posted by Tom Twilight on November 21, 2006, at 14:54:33
> Are there any none Benzo meds that can be effective for Panic disorder?
Buspar.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on November 24, 2006, at 16:24:17
In reply to Thanks Guys!-Benzo Phobia, posted by Tom Twilight on November 24, 2006, at 12:21:42
Shhh... Tom, you'll get an uncivil warning, although I fully agree with what you said. I honestly don't know how she can go around preaching the stuff she does. Grrr. I would like her to see how it feels to have a major panic attack and GAD constantly or something and see how she likes it. I don't think she could ever have experienced crippling anxiety. And even so, the stuff she preaches is rather strong if you know what I mean. She makes out benzos to be worse than heroin or something. Its very sad. And why do they listen to her??
Anyway its a sad state of affairs. And yes, I agree, its completely insane the way that UK GPs hand out SSRIs like candy. Last time I checked, it was no fun withdrawing from effexor/venlafaxine or cipramil or whatever. And where is the therapy? Here in Finland the pdoc I see (yes even through I'm just a plain old depressive, I see a pdoc here and I only had to wait four weeks for the inital appointment! And its free) suggested long ie 2/3 years pyschotherapy at 2 times a week. Funded by the healthcare system. Can you believe it????? I can't. Well we'll see what happens, but still...... its amazing the differences. I'm really babbling on now, but really the UK has alot to answer in terms of mental healthcare. Well it doesn't really have any, you merely see a GP who puts you on an SSRI and thats it. Plus its really hard to see a pdoc. I really really had to persuade my GP to get me to see a pdoc and then they refused me initially. After some pushing from my GP I eventually got an appointment. It was pretty useless anyway all they wanted to do was prescribe drugs. Anyway.
Something seriously needs to be done with mental healthcare in the UK. Its just a pity that we have enough on with our own internal battles and we can't form I dunno pressure groups or whatnot like those cancer sufferers do. We could really pressurize the government into doing something. Well I suppose alot of people still feel stigmatized by it and things.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 24, 2006, at 18:19:09
In reply to Thanks Guys!-Benzo Phobia, posted by Tom Twilight on November 24, 2006, at 12:21:42
> Heather Ashton is Evil!
Please be sensitive to the feelings of others (such as those who like her site).
But please don't take this personally, this doesn't mean I don't like you or think you're a bad person.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please first see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceFollow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 19:28:08
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic? » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Quintal on November 24, 2006, at 12:56:51
Well I guess that fits me as its been over 30 years and am sixty but don't act old. Love Phillipa
Posted by Quintal on November 24, 2006, at 22:04:23
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic? » Quintal, posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 19:28:08
Well, you're still younger than my dad Philipa! I wouldn't recommend anyone come off benzos abruptly whatever their age unless they were completely fit and healthy. Even the benzophobic psychiatric nurse was alarmed by my blood pressure and heart rate. He said if I'd been a decade older I would have needed emergency treatment in hospital.
Q
Posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 22:28:39
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic? » Quintal, posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 19:28:08
Thank-you I have no intention of it but what is considered elderly in the uk noone will answer me on that one. Love Phillipa ps I do ride 7.5 miles up and down hills steep in my neighborhood almost daily.
Posted by FredPotter on November 25, 2006, at 3:17:43
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic? » Phillipa, posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 22:28:39
I wonder if the sexual side-effects of SSRIs will slow down the procreation of people with depression and eventually eliminate depression from the gene pool. A heartless evolutionary perspective Fred
Posted by Quintal on November 25, 2006, at 11:03:22
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic? » Phillipa, posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 22:28:39
>what is considered elderly in the uk noone will answer me on that one
Probably when you get your state pension and free bus pass, or when you need a zimmer frame to get around etc. I'd say 70's-80's is considered elderly at the moment, but it is changing since people are much more active past retirement these days. People seem less hung up over age in the UK, take it as a natural process and better appreciate the wisdom it brings.
>I do ride 7.5 miles up and down hills steep in my neighborhood almost daily.
Well, it sounds as if you're a lot fitter than this 24 year old guy Phillipa!!!!
Q
Posted by Quintal on November 25, 2006, at 11:08:32
In reply to Re: Best Meds for Panic?, posted by FredPotter on November 25, 2006, at 3:17:43
Well they might produce fewer offspring than chav baby factories popping them out every year to get more state benefit, but I remember my psychiatric nurse saying people do take 'drug holidays' from their SSRIs to conceive children.
Q
Posted by FredPotter on November 28, 2006, at 21:12:28
In reply to Re: Thanks Guys!-Benzo Phobia, posted by Meri-Tuuli on November 24, 2006, at 16:24:17
In New Zealand I could get to see a pdoc but the price is so high I can't afford it and insurance companies won't cover you. Ironically, psychiatrists here have completely lost touch with reality. The reality of what normal people can afford. My GP says, "go to 10 psychiatrists and you'll get 10 different diagnoses".
Fred
Posted by dreamboat_annie on November 28, 2006, at 21:20:27
In reply to Best Meds for Panic?, posted by Tom Twilight on November 21, 2006, at 14:54:33
I didn't read all the responses, but, years ago, I was put on Paxil for panic/anxiety/depression, and it was a godsend! I started weaning myself off after several years on it and didn't have a problem at all stopping. When I was weaning off, I would sometimes skip a day or two then take a small, half dose (never had any zaps or nauseau or anything when I skipped a dose). I wish now I had just stayed on a small maintenance dose, because when I went back on it a few years after weaning off because of anxiety brought on by a work-related situation, it did not work. But, when I was on it for about 7 years, it worked wonderfully. No panic, no anxiety, no depression and I also felt more confident in social and work situations where before I would feel nervous. It helped my confidence, that's for sure.
> Are there any none Benzo meds that can be effective for Panic disorder?
>
> Nardil helps but I hate the side effects!
> I've head that Parnate can work well, is this true?
Posted by Phillipa on November 28, 2006, at 21:32:35
In reply to Re: Thanks Guys!-Benzo Phobia, posted by FredPotter on November 28, 2006, at 21:12:28
Fred same here really. Love Phillipa
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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