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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

Best drug for long term - Anxiety

F

flippinhippies

Bluelighter
Joined
Jul 27, 2011
Messages
102
Ok I was diagnosed with milad social anxiety with ADD, but It has been getting worse since.

The doc has put me on Anti-depressants (I have also been fairly depressed, but the depression I can live with) such as Pristiq and Cipralex. Neither helped a great deal with my anxiety and pristiq didnt even help the depression..

I was wondering What drug would be best for long term-ish ( months vs weeks) for treating moderate social anxiety and general anxiety.
I am taking CBT so I can tell that to my doc. my other doctor just died and he was chill as fuck (let me pick which medication I wanted to take for ADD lol) but did fuck up with the pristiq. I dont know how my new doc will take to me suggesting a drug. My other doc wouldnt give a damn.

Any ideas? Id perfer something that is NOT suuuper sedating.
 
I am fast coming to the strong conclusion that there is no silver bullet med for such things, they can diagnose you with whatever you want and the same drug will have different effects on different people.

All them seem to have a similar downside even when they are at least partly effective in that they narrow your band of emotion leaving it more difficult to deal with the underlying causes or work on ways to live with who you are in a more positive way.

CBT, councelling, exercise meditation are all likely to have a better long term effect IMO, in the mean time you have to keep searching for the right meds for you,its not like say asthma where the standard drugs almost always work.
 
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Try Lyrica, if you don't wanna get high (therapeutic doses) it won't poop out for anxiety and will do wonders for it.
I've also heard hydroxizine is as good as a benzo, but Lyrica is better IMO.
 
I totally get the 'narrowing' of concsiousness idea, But having a medication to give me a baseline for a while would be great.

I dont really wanna get high from these drugs, but I want to be able to feel that there working. Both of the drugs mentioned by CF peak my interest. Especially the Lyrica because it doesnt seem like much of worry for a doctor to perscribe.

Is Hydroxine a weaker/less addictive benzo? Ideally Id want to be getting a low dose benzo, But Have a feeling clonazepam or something of the like will have too much of a stigma attached.
 
Also started working out again. Used to work out when I was smoking lots of chronic but went on hiatus. It will probably help a bit with the ADD but im not so sure about the anxiety.
I have a bet with my buddy on who gains most weight gets the other person to buy rounds at the bar all night lol
 
just started taking an antidepressent for depression but mostly anxiety and it deff doesnt work for anxiety......fuuuuuuuuuuuck no. (zoloft)
 
flippinhippies said:
I totally get the 'narrowing' of concsiousness idea, But having a medication to give me a baseline for a while would be great.

I dont really wanna get high from these drugs, but I want to be able to feel that there working. Both of the drugs mentioned by CF peak my interest. Especially the Lyrica because it doesnt seem like much of worry for a doctor to perscribe.

Is Hydroxine a weaker/less addictive benzo? Ideally Id want to be getting a low dose benzo, But Have a feeling clonazepam or something of the like will have too much of a stigma attached.
Click to expand...

Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine with serotonin 2A and serotonin 2C receptor blocker. Hydroxyzine was a mild anxiolytic in my experience. Perhaps you could try it. It could be helpful especially if your anxiety involves nausea, as the antihistamine effects will ease nausea. It's not too sedating in low(ish) doses, IE 25mg - 50mg IMO.

Neurontin (Gabapentin) and Lyrica (Pregabalin) are an option as well, although I haven't seen much publicized studies on their effects as anxiety killers.

Also, you could try some herbals. Valerian root was a VERY effective anxiolytic for me. Valerian root has actions with GABA and benzodiazepine receptors, without being nearly as overpowering and cognitive-impairing as benzodiazepines can be. Kava is another good one with GABA actions.
The best thing you could do with herbals is create multiple blends, switching off weekly to offset tolerance. Perhaps start with weekly valerian root extract capsules (find the right dose for you). When that week is finished, get on with Kava extract capsules (again, find the right dose for you), and so on. You could also throw in some extra calmative herbs too, like chamomile (I know, sounds weak, but I find it works well with other herbals, useless on it's own), hops, scullcap, lemon grass, simply to help boost the effects of your "main" herb.
There are many premade blends out there, go check your local vitamin store.

Let me know if you have any questions, as I used herbals to help treat anxiety (rather effectively too!) for a long time a while back.

~snr
 
Ill have to take a look at mirtazipine as well.

Where do you get Kava? I know my friend went to the pharmacy to ask for some a while back ( I live in Canada) and they told him they stopped selling it after it was found that it can be psychoactive or something which lead to an akward silence lol
 
^ What were they selling it for in the first place? lol I know it was banned in the UK not because of any psychoactive effects but some supplements caused severe liver damage to the point they needed a transplant...

I think that was because the producers were using the wrong part of the plant or something....

Mirtazapine is really good, but its well known to cause weight gain.. its the reason I quit it. As atm23 said there is no magic bullet and everything has some draw back


but keep trying, its good you are doing the CBT, shows you really want help rather than to just be drugged up... I wish you the best!
 
I have suffered with anxiety my whole adult life. I tried Lyrica recently and it didn't work for me but it worked quite well for my sister. Downside? She put masses of weight on and it is a complete bitch to come off. I came off after only 2 weeks as I didn't like how it was effecting me and I had the most horrendous rebound panic attacks.

I pretty much stick with the 'natural' stuff now. I use Kratom on and off in my morning smoothies, I have tried kava but haven't had much success, I have read other people who have tried it and love it and for othersnit doesn't work. I had to purchase mine outside the Country because of the 'issues' with a bad batch a few years back some countries still have it banned for sale (but not import).
Another combo is camomile with lemon balm and passionflower which I have heard some people buying tea like this though I havent found it yet.

Good look, anxiety is such an energy sapper
 
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I wouldn't recommend antihistamines that happen to have anxiolytic effects, like diphenhydramine. These drugs aren't indicated for anxiety, they just happen to have anti-anxiety effects in the short term, and the rebound anxiety they cause can be terrible, in my experience sometimes appearing after just 3 days of regular use.
Small does of tramadol may be good for anxiety, particularly social anxiety, but of course long term use is a problem due to addiction.
In general you are best sticking to natural things, which have been shown to be clinically effective.
Daily St John's Wort is good for mild depression and anxiety. And I find chamomile tea very good, though it's effects don't seem to last long.
Valerian root is more used for sleep, although maybe small doses would work? Can cause crazy dreams though. In fact most anxiolytics cause crazy dreams...
 
I suffer from much of the same as you do, and the real solution isn't something either of us really want...but as others have said, natural cures are your go-to solution. Healthy diet, exercise, sleep, etc. On top of that, try 5-HTP, St. Johns Wort, and possibly valerian root. Anti-depressants may be a solution still, perhaps you and your doctors haven't found a good fit yet.
 
For my GAD and panic disorder I've been prescribed: clonazepam (this has been the most commonly prescribed - To ME throughout my life), alprazolam, lorazepam, trazadone, remeron, risperdal... and various antidepressants.

The proper (or 'best') med for anxiety is going to vary from person to person - which you know - so you really just have to try a lot of shit. Make sure to have an active and healthy lifestyle (best you can), with proper sleep and nutrition, hydration, exercise, etc. As mentioned by Sigmund above, 5 HTP can be helpful. I actually picked this one up and have been using it for the past month. I can't tell if it's been placebo or REAL, in effect... but I would say it was NOT a waste of money by any means. Could give that a whirl (ONLY if it doesn't interact negatively with your other meds. I'd make sure to run it past your doc or pharmacist).

My reviews? I hated trazadone. Xanax and Ativan can be overly sedating for some, and too short acting. Clonazepam, for ME, just makes me feel normal but more relaxed. I DO NOT get that 'heavy' feeling that I get with all the SSRIs (or anti-psychotics) - and the trazadone, but esp the remeron... holy shit that stuff did NOT work well with my body chemistry. Was the most horrifying drug I've ever taken (weird, huh?). For anxiety - clonazepam or diazepam are so commonly prescribed. I really don't see too much stigma attached to those, especially the former. They'll start you off at a low dose, probably .5 mg.. maybe that'll be enough for you! I currently get a shit ton of benzos for my GAD (30 1 mg clonazepam, 90 1 mg lorazepam, and 60 1 mg alprazolam). The clonazepam is the best for daytime use and never makes me drowsy.

Hmm... that's all I got for now.
 
I agree with woamotive. I've had alprazolam and lorazepam prescribed (currently prescribed lorazepam) and clonazepam. I'd say that lorazepam and clonazepam are better...but lorazepam is still short-medium-ish acting...and clonazepam is a nice day-long anxiety killer.

Of course all benzos carry the same risks but I'm sure you're aware of 'em...
 
for mild anxiety i can't recommend benzos at all. Some of the first gen antihistamines are particularly useful when you can't get anything else, even diphenhydramine will slow me down enough that i won't completely panic, they are however sedating and that's how they help anxiety so it won't be ideal for social anxiety.

I think CBT is your best and safest bet; valerian root works to some degree, as well as other herbs mentioned above, and even hops and passionflower help as well. There are plenty of natural alternatives. The medication you take for ADD may also worsen your anxiety, so that's something else to take into consideration. I've been going to doctors and self medicating for so long and there is no magical answer, there are plenty of recreational drugs that will completely solve your pain temporarily and then make it far worse in the end. If you have ADD and anxiety then kratom may be a good bet for you, it helps me focus and calms me down.

unfortunately there's no real cure drug wise and i've really researched it. Beta blockers may help as well, there's plenty of shit to try at least. I think therapy and sorting through the underlying issues is the most helpful, as there is almost always something driving social anxiety and general anxiety, even if it's difficult to figure out.
 
I recently stopped taking concerta for that exact reason. At first it helped my anxiety just because I actually took in everything that people were saying but I kinda get what it does and can cope without better and doesnt leave me wanting to abuse the shit out of my script.. out of the itch its supposed to stop :/

Im seeing my doc on friday and REALLY appretiate the input. Clonazepam seems that it would be best short term, then maybe something natural after that, then nothing. Of course CBT through all of this until it is the only thing. Im gunna swing this by the doc to see what he thinks.

Thanks all, I cannot go through taking another dammed antidepressant. Id rather be down and panicy than flat like a zombie.
 
I reccomend large therapeutical doses of lyrica. 600 mg a day...

This is long long long term... You can be on this for years, with no drawbacks to WD just the same anxiety coming back.

I got phenobarbital at one point. Blew everything out of the water. I mean everything. I could even smoke weed again while I was on it.

Even used it as a protectant from my high dose PCP crusades...
 
cut down ya caffeine use tno no more than 250mg/day thats what most internet websties consiter to be the most ya should drink. if ya smoke. cut down or quit. & the worst thing u can do for anxiety it drink to try to help it. temparily it works well but increases ya anxiety for a few days when ya stop

Ive been diagnosed with GAD to. i take a lowe dose antipychotic to sleep every night.
got given some temazepam today. so a had a mild dose, 250mg lol. but yeah im actually feeling ok for once.
tried poppy seed tea for the 2nd time today & it's actually working well. had to have 1g. I usually use codeine for anxiety. & i occationaly take oxy. im surprized the PST is working so well. even after trying the hard opies. h, oxy, morphine. anyways im a bit off topic. Im going to read the anxiety megathread effie so thanks for that.
ive been suffering anxiety for year.
I do reccomend benzos. but not for every day use only for when ya really bad
Im going to read up about Lyrica myself & maybe talk to my dr about it cuz the antipychotics im taking are only helping with sleeping.
Ive tried 3 different sedating antihistamines. dph, doxylamine & prometh.
the promethazine (Phenergan is the best) it doesnt have a bad hangover like dph & it helps with allergies too
I tried pristiq. its the metabolite of effexor but suppose to be stronger. I didnt like it at all it didint help with anxiety & made me act really weird. maybe a less stimulating AD like Lexopro could help. I didnt take it long enough to really get a good feel for it. with ADs I take em for a couple of weeks & get put off to quickly by the side effects but supposinglyya body does adjust. I might try Effexor next maybe just a small dose because it's very cloesly related to Tramadol which helped better than anything ive takin that;s an SSRI/SNRI. it's a pitty it's not prescribed for GAD/depression becuase when taken in doses 100mg-150mg/day it works wonders. I took in for over 4 months & it was easy to quit but i did need to taper. & i did have valium so i was luckty. My dr new i was taking it for depression too. wish i could get it again cuz it helps with my motivation alot.

good luck to u anyway. u'r not alone most ppl i know suffer from some kind of mental health problems. u'll find something
 
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