theantiadult
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2008
- Messages
- 298
valiums pretty strong 4 anxiety.kava root helps especially a drink of it.
-
OD Moderators: Keif’ Richards | negrogesic
Misc Desperate for your advice on meds for debilitating anxiety
- Thread starter cbtodacb
- Start date
Cyanoide
Bluelighter
Valium too strong for debilitating anxiety? That's exactly what diazepam is prescribed for (among other things). And diazepam is considered a weak benzo.
Slum Survivor
Bluelighter
i know it was mentioned before, but for some reason it wasnt carried on in the conversation... Klonopin/Clonazepam.
Clonazepam has all the anti anxiety effects of xanax imo, but it lasts much longer. it also helps me stay asleep much better than xanax or ativan, as far as benzos since those ones wear off much faster.
I just went to Clonazepam from Valium and i found that the Clonazepam was much more helpful for me. it also has muscle relaxing effects that i benefit from.
Ive had at least a month straight or more with each of the 4 major US benzos (xanax, ativan, k-pin, valium) and imo the k-pin/Clonazepam has just flat out been the strongest of the bunch. id say xanax comes in a close second, but it wears off much faster due to its half-life being much shorter(8-12 hours vs 18-50 hours)
ive been on lexapro and zoloft before, hated them. more than a few people i know took paxil, got addicted to it, and had to quit taking it. my sister, who has some professional knowledge, also spoke against paxil recently after saying it was a possibilty even for me a few years back. a close friend of mine has never been the same after going on effexor and totally admits it. i also know a few prozac takers too... seems even with all of those meds i mentioned tho, they all need benzos still if there anxiety was bad enough. as crappy as benzo withdrawal and addiction is, sometimes they help people get their lives back. i think ive found out recently that im one of those people.
i used to think marijuana helps combat anxiety. Well it does, but its complicated. you would have to make sure you find the exact strains/phenotypes you need and STICK TO THEM. certain strains/phenotypes will sooth away anxiety, and others can make u feel racey and cause your anxiety to get worse. the heavily indica types are much more likely to help with anxiety, with the sativa heavy breeds being the opposite. just another suggestion. weed really helps me if i smoke/vape the right kind. for example: i have some heavily indica "bubba kush" bud right now, that is absolutely great for anxiety and insomnia.
also when i cant get anything else... i too like using valerian along with other "supplements" such as melatonin. i like those "lean" brand drinks that are sold at corner stores sometimes. google "lean slow motion potion" it sounds dumb as hell, but its the best of its type. it has more valerian, melatonin, etc. than the other brands of similar stuff. i drink it at night and it helps me sleep when i need it.
wish u luck!
Clonazepam has all the anti anxiety effects of xanax imo, but it lasts much longer. it also helps me stay asleep much better than xanax or ativan, as far as benzos since those ones wear off much faster.
I just went to Clonazepam from Valium and i found that the Clonazepam was much more helpful for me. it also has muscle relaxing effects that i benefit from.
Ive had at least a month straight or more with each of the 4 major US benzos (xanax, ativan, k-pin, valium) and imo the k-pin/Clonazepam has just flat out been the strongest of the bunch. id say xanax comes in a close second, but it wears off much faster due to its half-life being much shorter(8-12 hours vs 18-50 hours)
ive been on lexapro and zoloft before, hated them. more than a few people i know took paxil, got addicted to it, and had to quit taking it. my sister, who has some professional knowledge, also spoke against paxil recently after saying it was a possibilty even for me a few years back. a close friend of mine has never been the same after going on effexor and totally admits it. i also know a few prozac takers too... seems even with all of those meds i mentioned tho, they all need benzos still if there anxiety was bad enough. as crappy as benzo withdrawal and addiction is, sometimes they help people get their lives back. i think ive found out recently that im one of those people.
i used to think marijuana helps combat anxiety. Well it does, but its complicated. you would have to make sure you find the exact strains/phenotypes you need and STICK TO THEM. certain strains/phenotypes will sooth away anxiety, and others can make u feel racey and cause your anxiety to get worse. the heavily indica types are much more likely to help with anxiety, with the sativa heavy breeds being the opposite. just another suggestion. weed really helps me if i smoke/vape the right kind. for example: i have some heavily indica "bubba kush" bud right now, that is absolutely great for anxiety and insomnia.
also when i cant get anything else... i too like using valerian along with other "supplements" such as melatonin. i like those "lean" brand drinks that are sold at corner stores sometimes. google "lean slow motion potion" it sounds dumb as hell, but its the best of its type. it has more valerian, melatonin, etc. than the other brands of similar stuff. i drink it at night and it helps me sleep when i need it.
wish u luck!
Hey peeps,
Thanks heaps for all your help and advice. I went and saw my doc again doc, just my normal doc. I see a new shrink in 2 weeks. I really pushed him hard for Klonopin and a higher Lyrica dose and had to talk him into it because he really didn't want to. I explained that it was my life on the line and so he kindly prescribed me a higher dose of Lyrica. He has given me 300mg Lyrica a day (with heaps spare if I need to up it), 100 tabs of 40mg Propranolol (one in morning, one at night), 30 x 30mg Mirtazapine (to take at night) and I still have some 5mg Valium tablets left over (about 50 tablets).
What do you guys think of Mirtazapine for severe social anxiety and GAD? I've read up on it but the opinions are mixed. The people who replied to this post seem to be quite clued on so I thought I would ask here. Also, do you think I should take my Mirtazapine and Propranolol at night? I need the effects during the day more than I do at night.
Thanks heaps for all your help and advice. I went and saw my doc again doc, just my normal doc. I see a new shrink in 2 weeks. I really pushed him hard for Klonopin and a higher Lyrica dose and had to talk him into it because he really didn't want to. I explained that it was my life on the line and so he kindly prescribed me a higher dose of Lyrica. He has given me 300mg Lyrica a day (with heaps spare if I need to up it), 100 tabs of 40mg Propranolol (one in morning, one at night), 30 x 30mg Mirtazapine (to take at night) and I still have some 5mg Valium tablets left over (about 50 tablets).
What do you guys think of Mirtazapine for severe social anxiety and GAD? I've read up on it but the opinions are mixed. The people who replied to this post seem to be quite clued on so I thought I would ask here. Also, do you think I should take my Mirtazapine and Propranolol at night? I need the effects during the day more than I do at night.
I'm sure you're already fully aware of this, but benzodiazepines are incredibly dangerous. I took them for years in order to quash debilitating anxiety and panic-attacks, yet they are a double-edged sword. Dependency comes with tolerance, and tolerance grows rapidly. It's very easy to overlook the fact that you're taking them so regularly until you're stuck, and if your doctor does not have much experience with such drugs, I'd look for someone else. The sad fact of psychiatry these days, as already mentioned above, is the common predilection towards prescriptions of SSRI drugs for everything; they're not a cover-all that will fix any and every psychological issue we have, yet it seems that many have been taken in by them, and it's exasperating.
Have you considered switching to another anti-depressant, perhaps one more suitable for helping with social anxiety? There are other anxiety medications that aren't anti-depressants, such as beta-blockers, or muscle relaxants may help with some problems. Alcohol is, as ever, relevant because of its delightfully calming effects, but it's highly impractical and using it would likely get you fired! Opiates are available over-the-counter in some countries and can really help one's mood, making the likelihood of a panic attack smaller and helping one to manage its symptoms when it inevitably occurs.
Regarding benzos, I'd recommend lorazepam ('Ativan') due to its lack of euphoria. Xanax may be useful in very minute doses because of the very short duration it affects us. However, it also has significant potential for abuse.
Expect to feel uninhibited, confident, talkative, outgoing and relaxed - a not-unfamiliar emotional state, but something you've likely not experienced around other people very often. The worry is that you'll weigh up how you felt before taking them and after, then decide to take them regularly, ruining their potential as an occasional pill to pop when it's all too much, and leading you to tolerance and struggles with addiction! It's alright, up to a point, but quickly you'll come to notice that despite feeling good, your memory will suffer, your intelligence will suffer, and it's comparable to being drunk in many ways; you'll probably seem fine to people who don't know you well, but your eyes will be glazed over, you may sway or slur your speech, and there are other unpleasant side-effects.
I would not recommend benzodiazepines for the treatment of anxiety, as they are so dangerous. I will, however, concede that they can be occasionally useful, and if you wish to go down the benzo' route, I'd advise picking something with a short duration and half-life, with as small a dosage as possible, such that it will take the edge off of panic but won't suppress it completely, leaving you with your wits, reflexes and memory. Seriously, a good diet with plenty of healthy food, vitamins, fruit, vegetables and regular exercise are great for you, as well as your mental health. It's a shame that we have to often plunge into social situations we're unprepared for, but exposure to people is good for you - slowly learning to come to terms with and deal with the anxiety is best, as you can't be on drugs forever, unfortunately.
I would also recommend a pet. It may sound silly, but even the act of repetitively stroking a cat reduces panic and helps people to relax; I had to witness that for myself before I considered it to be more than nonsense, though it really does help. Animals will never judge you and are completely honest and upfront with their feelings and thoughts.
Now, I don't have any experience with 'Lexapro' specifically, but I have taken SSRIs before and have found them to be incredibly dangerous; I wish I could offer you advice regarding anti-depressant drugs but I've only really had success with lofepramine, and it causes drowsiness and weight-gain, as well as other awful symptoms, much like I'd expect escitalopram ('Lexapro') causes.
Lots of Love,
K
EDIT:
PS: Cyanoide - is Valium all that weak? It's dosed higher than other benzodiazepines, but it seems to be the default, go-to drug when prescribing anything from the benzo' family. It's a good all-rounder, but its half-life means it will be in your blood-stream for over a week, and though it won't be noticeable, it may negatively impact a drug test or something like that. Plus, you've gotta be careful with what you say; it's easy to put your foot in your mouth without inhibitions holding you back, and many things that are best left unsaid will float past your lips.
If you're a lawyer, you must have significant confidence already. I know as well as anyone that it's not easy to be social and to work around many people with anxiety, worrying about panic and so-on, but there are many treatment methods that require neither money nor drugs. Exercise, yoga, stretching, meditation and such 'new-age' hippie-remedies are often scoffed at as unscientific (or worthless) but they have their place, and it's more about getting you calm and giving you time alone to feel and experience calm; you need to control your environment, reduce stress as much as possible and anticipate problems and how to deal with things.
Over time it will get easier, I hope.
Have you considered switching to another anti-depressant, perhaps one more suitable for helping with social anxiety? There are other anxiety medications that aren't anti-depressants, such as beta-blockers, or muscle relaxants may help with some problems. Alcohol is, as ever, relevant because of its delightfully calming effects, but it's highly impractical and using it would likely get you fired! Opiates are available over-the-counter in some countries and can really help one's mood, making the likelihood of a panic attack smaller and helping one to manage its symptoms when it inevitably occurs.
Regarding benzos, I'd recommend lorazepam ('Ativan') due to its lack of euphoria. Xanax may be useful in very minute doses because of the very short duration it affects us. However, it also has significant potential for abuse.
Expect to feel uninhibited, confident, talkative, outgoing and relaxed - a not-unfamiliar emotional state, but something you've likely not experienced around other people very often. The worry is that you'll weigh up how you felt before taking them and after, then decide to take them regularly, ruining their potential as an occasional pill to pop when it's all too much, and leading you to tolerance and struggles with addiction! It's alright, up to a point, but quickly you'll come to notice that despite feeling good, your memory will suffer, your intelligence will suffer, and it's comparable to being drunk in many ways; you'll probably seem fine to people who don't know you well, but your eyes will be glazed over, you may sway or slur your speech, and there are other unpleasant side-effects.
I would not recommend benzodiazepines for the treatment of anxiety, as they are so dangerous. I will, however, concede that they can be occasionally useful, and if you wish to go down the benzo' route, I'd advise picking something with a short duration and half-life, with as small a dosage as possible, such that it will take the edge off of panic but won't suppress it completely, leaving you with your wits, reflexes and memory. Seriously, a good diet with plenty of healthy food, vitamins, fruit, vegetables and regular exercise are great for you, as well as your mental health. It's a shame that we have to often plunge into social situations we're unprepared for, but exposure to people is good for you - slowly learning to come to terms with and deal with the anxiety is best, as you can't be on drugs forever, unfortunately.
I would also recommend a pet. It may sound silly, but even the act of repetitively stroking a cat reduces panic and helps people to relax; I had to witness that for myself before I considered it to be more than nonsense, though it really does help. Animals will never judge you and are completely honest and upfront with their feelings and thoughts.
Now, I don't have any experience with 'Lexapro' specifically, but I have taken SSRIs before and have found them to be incredibly dangerous; I wish I could offer you advice regarding anti-depressant drugs but I've only really had success with lofepramine, and it causes drowsiness and weight-gain, as well as other awful symptoms, much like I'd expect escitalopram ('Lexapro') causes.
Lots of Love,
K
EDIT:
PS: Cyanoide - is Valium all that weak? It's dosed higher than other benzodiazepines, but it seems to be the default, go-to drug when prescribing anything from the benzo' family. It's a good all-rounder, but its half-life means it will be in your blood-stream for over a week, and though it won't be noticeable, it may negatively impact a drug test or something like that. Plus, you've gotta be careful with what you say; it's easy to put your foot in your mouth without inhibitions holding you back, and many things that are best left unsaid will float past your lips.
If you're a lawyer, you must have significant confidence already. I know as well as anyone that it's not easy to be social and to work around many people with anxiety, worrying about panic and so-on, but there are many treatment methods that require neither money nor drugs. Exercise, yoga, stretching, meditation and such 'new-age' hippie-remedies are often scoffed at as unscientific (or worthless) but they have their place, and it's more about getting you calm and giving you time alone to feel and experience calm; you need to control your environment, reduce stress as much as possible and anticipate problems and how to deal with things.
Over time it will get easier, I hope.
Last edited:
Ksa
Ex-Bluelighter
My dear and precious fellow sufferers of anxiety. We share a horrible ailment but we can share and help one another in places such as this. My anxiety is chronic, extreme and unrelenting. I work as a lawyer in an office with over 200 people so you can imagine the pain that causes.
I NEED ADVICE ON MEDICATIONS THAT ACTUALLY WORK FOR SEVERE ANXIETY!
I have been on Lexapro for years. I have been up to 60mg per day but am currently on 30mg. This stuff is useless for my anxiety and chronic, unrelenting fear of social interaction. CBT and all that other crap is useless too,
I need to find meds which ACTUALLY WORK in cases of extreme anxiety like mine.
My current medication regime:
-Lexapro 30mg daily
-Valium 30mg daily
-Started Lyrica today 2 x 75mg
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR EXPERIENCES WITH MEDICATIONS THEY CAN RECOMMENED WHICH ACTUALLY WORK BETTER THAN LYRICA ETC?
Please help a fellow sufferer by providing advice
You might want to consider alternative measures, I'll tell you what worked for me:
1) Knowledge and understanding. Read about anatomy, chemistry, drug mechanisms...you need to stop being afraid of the tinyest Tylenol pill because you don't know what it does to your body. Get rid of stereotypes such as "this is a stomach pill, this is a penis pill, this is a headache pill". There's no such thing as a headache pill or a stomach pill. A stomach pill can be taken for other purposes than to releive a bad stomach and viagra can be taken even if you don't have erection problems. Every drug has a biological activity and you need to understand it precisely, or else you will be afraid to fetch anything to the mouth, and you will mistrust it, as a result, placebo will work against your interests.
2) Realize and accept that sooner or later your life will come to an end and there's nothing you or anyone else can do about it. Religion might help but reading phylosophy greatly helps too. When there's a sci-fi movie on TV, don't treat is as a non value and change the channel, it can help. Read about physics, the big bang. Ask yourself, was the big bang a good thing or a bad thing? Like, it can be a good thing because without it we wouldn't be here but it could also have been a catastrophic failure of a previous civilization and we are just the result of the debri trying to understand itself out, to see what went wrong. You need to think about these things. Be interested in what they're doing at CERN.
enoughorangejuice?
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2007
- Messages
- 3,213
Taper off the benzos immediately.
Start exercising and eating healthy.
Start weekly or twice-a-week cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a therapist you trust and like.
Continue taking your SSRI as prescribed.
I guarantee this will eliminate your social anxiety better than anything else.
Reason I said what I said was because I was Rx'd lexapro 20mg a day, valium 40mg a day, lyrica 300mg a day, etc. valium is best for As needed panic attacks or seizures, daily use just makes you slow in the head and causes rebound anxiety. get off that as soon as possible. i know you don't want to hear that but trust me, it's the best thing you'll ever do. i promise.
Start exercising and eating healthy.
Start weekly or twice-a-week cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a therapist you trust and like.
Continue taking your SSRI as prescribed.
I guarantee this will eliminate your social anxiety better than anything else.
Reason I said what I said was because I was Rx'd lexapro 20mg a day, valium 40mg a day, lyrica 300mg a day, etc. valium is best for As needed panic attacks or seizures, daily use just makes you slow in the head and causes rebound anxiety. get off that as soon as possible. i know you don't want to hear that but trust me, it's the best thing you'll ever do. i promise.
Ksa
Ex-Bluelighter
I thought CBT was cock and ball torture. Damn, what a pervert I am. Actually, on second thoughts, the cock and ball thing would be more helpful than behavioral therapy lol. My parents tried this behavioral therapy with me, drives me fkn crazy.
rcc01a
Greenlighter
Has anyone heard of or had any experience with guanfacine(Tenex, Intuniv)? It has recently piqued my interest as a potential treatment option for anxiety. It also has applications for treating attention deficit disorders especially in adjunct with traditional stimulant medication. It is an anti-hypertensive drug not unlike propranolol.
I am currently doing a 6 week phenobarbital taper to come off of Klonopin. After 5 years on Klonopin @ 3mg/day for the majority of that time, it plateaued out and then starting giving me rebound anxiety. It started off with .5mg as needed and increased to 3mg every day. I really didn't want to keep upping the dosage, knowing it would make it all the harder to get off of them if/when I had to.
I would be hesitant to recommend benzos for long term treatment of anxiety due to my experiences with them. Some people report finding a sustainable dose, others don't. SSRIs seem to be worthless. I would look at some nontraditional solutions like guanfacine or propranolol. It seems like GABAergic drugs often end up becoming unsustainable and then getting off of them is such hell that it pales in comparison to the original anxiety problems. As for any kind of herbal or nootropic remedies the only one I've found to put a dent in anxiety is bacopa. Seriously though, bacopa is good stuff. There are plenty of other meds out there too. Buspirone and trazadone are two serotonergic drugs that aren't SSRIs but I don't know much about them or their efficacy. Other than an occasional dose of tryptophan to dull anxiety and depression for a short while, my brain doesn't seem to like anything messing with the serotonin system.
I am currently doing a 6 week phenobarbital taper to come off of Klonopin. After 5 years on Klonopin @ 3mg/day for the majority of that time, it plateaued out and then starting giving me rebound anxiety. It started off with .5mg as needed and increased to 3mg every day. I really didn't want to keep upping the dosage, knowing it would make it all the harder to get off of them if/when I had to.
I would be hesitant to recommend benzos for long term treatment of anxiety due to my experiences with them. Some people report finding a sustainable dose, others don't. SSRIs seem to be worthless. I would look at some nontraditional solutions like guanfacine or propranolol. It seems like GABAergic drugs often end up becoming unsustainable and then getting off of them is such hell that it pales in comparison to the original anxiety problems. As for any kind of herbal or nootropic remedies the only one I've found to put a dent in anxiety is bacopa. Seriously though, bacopa is good stuff. There are plenty of other meds out there too. Buspirone and trazadone are two serotonergic drugs that aren't SSRIs but I don't know much about them or their efficacy. Other than an occasional dose of tryptophan to dull anxiety and depression for a short while, my brain doesn't seem to like anything messing with the serotonin system.
enoughorangejuice?
Bluelighter
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2007
- Messages
- 3,213
CBT is not the same as traditional psychoanalysis talk therapy which IMO is a waste of money. CBT gives you work to do and steps needed to improve your life. Talk therapy just sits there and hands your tissues and listens to your stories.
CBT works, Lexapro works, but nothing works better than the combination of both (see Consumer Reports article on that)
My doctor mentioned it to me for opiate withdrawal as it is in the same class of drugs as clonidine (alpha adrenergic agonist)
It's also used for Tourette's syndrome tics and for ADHD. Don't think it will help much for anxiety other than maybe reducing the physical symptoms like how people use beta blockers before public speeches.
Hey guys,
I got a script for some clonazepam. It really is very effective for the anxiety. I am taking it 3 x 0.5mg tablets i.e. 0.5mg in the morning, 0.5mg mid morning, 0.5 mg around 2-3pm.
I am also taking my Lyrica at 300mg a day.
I am also taking 30mg Mitrazapine at night.
I also have propranolol on hand if need be.
I am aware of all the dangers of benzos (it's hard to not be on this forum) but if you knew the severity of my condition and were in my shoes, you would take them to get the relief needed. Someone noted above 'Lexapro works'; well it didn't for me and I was taking it at doses of up to 60mg a day.
I got a script for some clonazepam. It really is very effective for the anxiety. I am taking it 3 x 0.5mg tablets i.e. 0.5mg in the morning, 0.5mg mid morning, 0.5 mg around 2-3pm.
I am also taking my Lyrica at 300mg a day.
I am also taking 30mg Mitrazapine at night.
I also have propranolol on hand if need be.
I am aware of all the dangers of benzos (it's hard to not be on this forum) but if you knew the severity of my condition and were in my shoes, you would take them to get the relief needed. Someone noted above 'Lexapro works'; well it didn't for me and I was taking it at doses of up to 60mg a day.
I promised I would update you guys on the Pristiq. I'm about three weeks in and I'm feeling wonderful. The combination of Pristiq and Remeron, colloquially referred to as "California Rocket Fuel" is doing wonders for me. Depression and anxiety are now just bad memories.
I'm also taking Adderall, Lyrica and Seroquel. I've never felt so stable in my life!
High Anxiety
Ex-Bluelighter
This is one of the better anxiety threads I have come across.
How is everyone?
I am looking for the most effective non-benzo anxiety med. Feel free to mention/rate whatever drugs worked for you.
thanks
How is everyone?
I am looking for the most effective non-benzo anxiety med. Feel free to mention/rate whatever drugs worked for you.
thanks
ZacherySwan
Greenlighter
I am past the 60 year old age mark. and I have had chronic anxiety all of my life. I can share my experience in this
perspective. I started going to Psychiatrists in the year 1969, and continue to do so, this year 2013.
I have taken 75% of all of the ethical pharmaceutical SSRI's SNRI's, Tri-Cycle old school anti-depressants, nearly all of
the benzodiazepines ever released, many barbituates, in my youth in the 1960's and 1970's, and, many non-barbiturate
hypnotics, from the 1980's, to ease my high wired persona, from the notorious Methaqualone, to Glutethimide (Doriden in the USA) to Abbott Pharmaceutical Placidyl, to anti-hypertensives, old school, like Inderal (propranolol) or Corgard (Nadolol) to
the tranquilizer-antihistamine "hydroxyzine" a/k/a Vistaril/Atarax, to the "major tranquilizers a/k/a anti psychotics, such as
the new generation atypical anti-psychotics, "Seroquel" (quetiapine fumarate) to Lamictal (lamotrigine) to old school
phenothiazines, and more, Bipolar agents, like Abilify (aripiprazole), Risperdal (respiridone) to mood stabilizers, the gold
standard (lithium from 300mg per day to 1,200 mg per day) to Tegretol (carbamazepine) Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) to
Calan (calcium channel blockers) to old school, long acting phenobarbital, and, out of desperation, the past 7 years, using
controlled doses, of the narcotic agonist-antagonist, European KrKa Fortral (Pentazocine Hydrochloride) tablets, and, in the
past 2 years, even USA Oxycodone, a/k/a "Percocet" (never, ever more than two tablets of the 5mg oxycodone with 325mg
of Acetaminophen daily) as a combo to ease depression to add to my high lifetime anxiety. Unorthadox, yes,
absolutely. But the only thing left, in my world view, is ECT, "Electro-convulsive therapy" and I have personally seen the aftereffects of what I considered two brilliant males, have their brains destroyed from all of the electricity, from this technique, that scares the H..l out of me. I know of one female, that survived the ECT, and, she does live a balanced life, with no serious side effects long term, but 2 bad cases out of three is not good enough for me.
I married into the medical model health profession, thus, I have had more psychoanalysis, than anyone, I have ever met in
my travels all over the USA, years of Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, to practitioners of Aaron Beck's Cognitive Theory, to
Rational Emotive Therapy, to Cognitive Restructuring (Remapping) to the late Dr. Victor Frankl's Logotherapy, to "Guru
Addiction" (following charismatic speakers all over the USA, to get re-charged, with the likes of John Bradshaw, on any
subject he speaks of, to Anthony Robins "Unleash the Power Within" to Nick Hall Ph.D's Change Your Beliefs, Change Your
Life" seminars, and lots more on Dr. Hall, to large hotel group awareness "transformation" seminars that last 3 to 5 days..
such as Werner Erhard's 1980's EST, later, the spinoff, "Forum" via Landmark Education, to "LifeSpring" by founder
John Handley........................................
To 3 years of "A Course In Miracles" deep metaphysical reading and classes, more Guru's like Brian Tracy (Canada) to
Stephen Covey to Zig Ziglar books, tapes, and seminars, later Emotion Freedom Techniques, (EFT) ................................
even I sought out the most radical form of AA, the so-called Nazi AA groups to later, Alanon, Co-Dependants, to ACOA 12 Step groups, to burning myself, completely out....................................yet, in spite of all of this, plus geographic re-
locations all over the USA, I carry me with me, and my high anxieties.
I do not have the authority to write prescriptions.....................I can share two experiences with you concerning two
benzodiazepines.....................Valium helped me out initially, by a quantrum leap, but taking it daily, I personally built
up a tolerance from 3 x 5mg per day, to 4 x 10mg per day: by the 5th year, I was up to 80 mg per day, and the magic was
gone. I was hospitalized "once" to withdraw off of alcohol and particularly Roche Valium, and, that was at age 33. It took me
6 months to feel half way normal, and 10 days to detox with supervision, taking 1st cousin Roche Librium.
At age 45, I began Upjohn/ (now) Pfizer Xanax, and it, like Valium, worked miracles for my high anxiety, but in my case,
within 18 months of taking Xanax/Tafil daily, I was on 6 milligrams per day. It turned on me, a horror story. I got panic
attacks, when, the alprazolam started wearing off, extreme tightness in the chest, wide mood swings, and hot and cold flashes.
I spent US $5,000.00 to enter a clinic to withdraw off of alprazolam, from 6 mg to zero, it took me 90 days to just do that,
and, I did not really feel normal for nearly one year. "I am afraid of Xanax personally". "Alprazolam"
The safest benzo, I have ever taken is Roche Rivotril or Roche Klonopin (both Clonazepam) which comes on very, very
gradually. "Not my favorite benzo at all, but the only safe one so far, that I can manage". " a anti-seizure med as well".
I wish you good luck in your endeavors. sorry for my "wall of text" I just did not know how to summarize my story, any
shorter. I still struggle, presently, trying to abstain, from my venture, of playing around with Oxycodone, felt great at the
beginning, but, I fear it now, and, my sources are drying up, so I am forced to change again, in my search for serenity!!!!
perspective. I started going to Psychiatrists in the year 1969, and continue to do so, this year 2013.
I have taken 75% of all of the ethical pharmaceutical SSRI's SNRI's, Tri-Cycle old school anti-depressants, nearly all of
the benzodiazepines ever released, many barbituates, in my youth in the 1960's and 1970's, and, many non-barbiturate
hypnotics, from the 1980's, to ease my high wired persona, from the notorious Methaqualone, to Glutethimide (Doriden in the USA) to Abbott Pharmaceutical Placidyl, to anti-hypertensives, old school, like Inderal (propranolol) or Corgard (Nadolol) to
the tranquilizer-antihistamine "hydroxyzine" a/k/a Vistaril/Atarax, to the "major tranquilizers a/k/a anti psychotics, such as
the new generation atypical anti-psychotics, "Seroquel" (quetiapine fumarate) to Lamictal (lamotrigine) to old school
phenothiazines, and more, Bipolar agents, like Abilify (aripiprazole), Risperdal (respiridone) to mood stabilizers, the gold
standard (lithium from 300mg per day to 1,200 mg per day) to Tegretol (carbamazepine) Trileptal (Oxcarbazepine) to
Calan (calcium channel blockers) to old school, long acting phenobarbital, and, out of desperation, the past 7 years, using
controlled doses, of the narcotic agonist-antagonist, European KrKa Fortral (Pentazocine Hydrochloride) tablets, and, in the
past 2 years, even USA Oxycodone, a/k/a "Percocet" (never, ever more than two tablets of the 5mg oxycodone with 325mg
of Acetaminophen daily) as a combo to ease depression to add to my high lifetime anxiety. Unorthadox, yes,
absolutely. But the only thing left, in my world view, is ECT, "Electro-convulsive therapy" and I have personally seen the aftereffects of what I considered two brilliant males, have their brains destroyed from all of the electricity, from this technique, that scares the H..l out of me. I know of one female, that survived the ECT, and, she does live a balanced life, with no serious side effects long term, but 2 bad cases out of three is not good enough for me.
I married into the medical model health profession, thus, I have had more psychoanalysis, than anyone, I have ever met in
my travels all over the USA, years of Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, to practitioners of Aaron Beck's Cognitive Theory, to
Rational Emotive Therapy, to Cognitive Restructuring (Remapping) to the late Dr. Victor Frankl's Logotherapy, to "Guru
Addiction" (following charismatic speakers all over the USA, to get re-charged, with the likes of John Bradshaw, on any
subject he speaks of, to Anthony Robins "Unleash the Power Within" to Nick Hall Ph.D's Change Your Beliefs, Change Your
Life" seminars, and lots more on Dr. Hall, to large hotel group awareness "transformation" seminars that last 3 to 5 days..
such as Werner Erhard's 1980's EST, later, the spinoff, "Forum" via Landmark Education, to "LifeSpring" by founder
John Handley........................................
To 3 years of "A Course In Miracles" deep metaphysical reading and classes, more Guru's like Brian Tracy (Canada) to
Stephen Covey to Zig Ziglar books, tapes, and seminars, later Emotion Freedom Techniques, (EFT) ................................
even I sought out the most radical form of AA, the so-called Nazi AA groups to later, Alanon, Co-Dependants, to ACOA 12 Step groups, to burning myself, completely out....................................yet, in spite of all of this, plus geographic re-
locations all over the USA, I carry me with me, and my high anxieties.
I do not have the authority to write prescriptions.....................I can share two experiences with you concerning two
benzodiazepines.....................Valium helped me out initially, by a quantrum leap, but taking it daily, I personally built
up a tolerance from 3 x 5mg per day, to 4 x 10mg per day: by the 5th year, I was up to 80 mg per day, and the magic was
gone. I was hospitalized "once" to withdraw off of alcohol and particularly Roche Valium, and, that was at age 33. It took me
6 months to feel half way normal, and 10 days to detox with supervision, taking 1st cousin Roche Librium.
At age 45, I began Upjohn/ (now) Pfizer Xanax, and it, like Valium, worked miracles for my high anxiety, but in my case,
within 18 months of taking Xanax/Tafil daily, I was on 6 milligrams per day. It turned on me, a horror story. I got panic
attacks, when, the alprazolam started wearing off, extreme tightness in the chest, wide mood swings, and hot and cold flashes.
I spent US $5,000.00 to enter a clinic to withdraw off of alprazolam, from 6 mg to zero, it took me 90 days to just do that,
and, I did not really feel normal for nearly one year. "I am afraid of Xanax personally". "Alprazolam"
The safest benzo, I have ever taken is Roche Rivotril or Roche Klonopin (both Clonazepam) which comes on very, very
gradually. "Not my favorite benzo at all, but the only safe one so far, that I can manage". " a anti-seizure med as well".
I wish you good luck in your endeavors. sorry for my "wall of text" I just did not know how to summarize my story, any
shorter. I still struggle, presently, trying to abstain, from my venture, of playing around with Oxycodone, felt great at the
beginning, but, I fear it now, and, my sources are drying up, so I am forced to change again, in my search for serenity!!!!
tricomb
Bluelight Crew
I have no doubt this is due to it being an SNRI anti-depressant. Not surprised, and I'm happy it's worked for you.
That's great to hearI'm on Avanva (which is the Australian Remeron). Do you it makes you really tired when u wake up until around midday. I keep sleeping through my alarm clock!
I'm not "really tired" in the morning but I am a bit fuzzy headed. I also take 200mg of Seroquel at night too though, which probably accounts for the larger portion of brain fog. I suppose Lyrica can cause brain fog as well though I don't notice it much. My afternoon dose of Adderall (20mg) pushes away whatever ever brain fog the morning dose (also 20mg) does not.
Pristiq is my first SNRI and I find it far superior to the several SSRIs I've tried. The first three days I took it I felt very relaxed yet stimulated, my appreciation for music and color were enhanced, I was bright and bubbly. Then there was a two week period of fuzziness. Then one day I had to stop and think, "Whoah, this stuff is working!" Now it is a bit more subtle but I can still notice the difference.
tweex
Bluelighter
Afobazole.