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Benzos Help with anxiety, and medications.

bronson

bronson

Bluelighter
Joined
Jan 14, 2010
Messages
5,141
Location
NE USA
I'm currently diagnosed with ocd depression and anxiety. My ocd is well controlled by luvox and depression by Lexapro.

The anxiety however (generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks) seems highly resistant to medicinal treatment. I've more or less been through the mill on meds including buspar, ativan, klonopin, hydroxazine, and kava. I'm now currently on valium which is doing better than any of the others but still isn't able to stop my panic attacks.

I also just started therapy today which I'm hopeful will do some good.

I'd just like to know if anyone has any other suggestions or similar problems. Advice would be most appreciated.
 
I know this sounds kinda lame but have you tried meditation? It helps my anxiety better then a benzo in most situations. The anxiety is in your head, if you clear your mind for a minute it usually goes away, aleast for me. Next time you feel a panic attack coming on try closing your eyes, inhale slowly 5 secs, hold 5 secs, then exhale 5 secs, repeat and focus your mind on your breathing and outside noises.

If its major anxiety you need to see your doctor and get prescribed a benzo along with therapy.
 
Not lame at all and thanks for the quick response. Breathing techniques are something me and my therapist are going to be working on in the coming sessions. I'm going to be seeing him on a weekly basis at least for the time being. It's nice to hear someone else has had results with such techniques. It gives me a lot more confidence in it!
 
bronson said:
I'm currently diagnosed with ocd depression and anxiety. My ocd is well controlled by luvox and depression by Lexapro.

The anxiety however (generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks) seems highly resistant to medicinal treatment. I've more or less been through the mill on meds including buspar, ativan, klonopin, hydroxazine, and kava. I'm now currently on valium which is doing better than any of the others but still isn't able to stop my panic attacks.

I also just started therapy today which I'm hopeful will do some good.

I'd just like to know if anyone has any other suggestions or similar problems. Advice would be most appreciated.
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Have you tried Lyrica? What about Risperdal? Both are fairly good for anxiety in treatment-resistant cases, especially Risperdal.
 
bronson said:
I'm currently diagnosed with ocd depression and anxiety. My ocd is well controlled by luvox and depression by Lexapro.

The anxiety however (generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks) seems highly resistant to medicinal treatment. I've more or less been through the mill on meds including buspar, ativan, klonopin, hydroxazine, and kava. I'm now currently on valium which is doing better than any of the others but still isn't able to stop my panic attacks.

I also just started therapy today which I'm hopeful will do some good.

I'd just like to know if anyone has any other suggestions or similar problems. Advice would be most appreciated.
Click to expand...

I'm really glad to see that you've started therapy as medication is rarely an effective long-term solution for anxiety and panic. Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT) is well-researched and has shown great promise in treating panic. Therapy can be really challenging and uncomfortable at times, but its very important to participate and give it a shot.
 
As dokomo said, CBT is very effective in regards to medication-resistant anxiety issues. I am currently doing the same thing with my therapist, and also take klonopin and neurontin.

On the other hand, have you tried any short acting benzodiazepines? Xanax is much shorter acting than klonopin and valium, and is much more effective at taking care of acute panic attacks. Longer acting benzos like klonopin and valium and better for GAD (general anxiety disorder) and insomnia issues.

I was talking about an issue similar to yours with my therapist, and she even said that while it is definitely great if you can get by just with therapy or meditation or something, the fact of the matter is that many people simply require medication. Medication, in conjunction with various therapeutic exercises is the best way for myself to combat depression and anxiety. Now it has taken me a few years to find the proper combination of medications to get my anxiety under control as best as possible, so don't give up hope.

I seriously advise going to a therapist and/or psychiatrist in order to get your medications under control, since being improperly medicated is the worst. This very issue led to me self medicating and opening another huge can of worms.

Good luck
 
BrokedownPalace said:
As dokomo said, CBT is very effective in regards to medication-resistant anxiety issues. I am currently doing the same thing with my therapist, and also take klonopin and neurontin.

On the other hand, have you tried any short acting benzodiazepines? Xanax is much shorter acting than klonopin and valium, and is much more effective at taking care of acute panic attacks. Longer acting benzos like klonopin and valium and better for GAD (general anxiety disorder) and insomnia issues.
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I agree with this.

Not even CBT necessarily (but recommended) because just having my counselor to talk to really helps a LOT. I know some people don't feel the same way, but it has done a lot for me, and when I'm without insurance I'm definitely willing to pay for one over a psych dr, although the person won't have prescribing power, but therapy in general seems to be helping me.

Xanax is a short acting benzo, I've been taking it for a while (couple years :( ), and it seems really good at handling panic attacks. You've tried ativan and klonopin with no success, but this drug is in their class also. Valium doesn't seem very good for anxiety for me either.
 
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Well I've tried ativan which is mid range. And my psych seems to think xanax wouldn't do any better. The ativan never seems to hit fast enough as the panic attacks come without much warning at all.

His idea being that a longer acting benzo would build up in my system and prevent there onset all together. Not sure if his logic is correct though.

I am very excited to get more involved with the therapy as I hope that combined might start to make a break through.

And again, thanks to everyone for the concern and suggestions.
 
bronson said:
His idea being that a longer acting benzo would build up in my system and prevent there onset all together. Not sure if his logic is correct though.



And again, thanks to everyone for the concern and suggestions.
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I don't know if I agree with his dr logic there, maybe something light like ativan with xanax as needed for panic type of anxiety, if he is willing to have you on a daily benzo dose. My doctor finally gave me ativan, and honestly I think it does a GREAT job since it's mild and seems to last longer than I expected, but for panic attacks/very intense anxiety, xanax hits harder and does a much beter job IME.


And, you're very welcome :)
 
He is very open to my suggestions medicine wise fortunately as he can tell I'm not someone looking to abuse, and genuinely need the help of the medicine I want to be put on. It's something I would feel comfortable bringing up to him for sure.

On my most recent anxiety med change he debated between xanax extended release and valium but decided he thought the valium would be better for my particular case. But of course that's just his opinion.

Anyone have any insights on how the xanax xr might work towards helping me as opposed to the valium, or would the instant release be of more benefit?
 
bronson said:
Anyone have any insights on how the xanax xr might work towards helping me as opposed to the valium, or would the instant release be of more benefit?
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Honestly, I have taken 2 2mg Xanax XR in my life, and I would kill for a prescription for them. Those pills were FAR SUPERIOR to anything else for anxiety, IME at least. I'd say DEFINITELY more beneficial than valium IR, as I said, this is just with my experiences however.
 
Personally I think xanax XR is not a good choice, and I rarely see it prescribed. I have taken it numerous times, for actual panic attacks and it is garbage for treating acute panic attacks. I don't see the point, if you need a longer acting benzo then klonopin and valium are far superior for GAD. IR Xanax is superior for attacking acute panic problems.

But if xanax XR works for you, then more power to you. Just personally I have had negligible sucess with it.
 
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