Best medicines/treatment for anxiety?

[mikandmari]

Hi everyone.... I haven't posted much lately because I've been really ~out of sorts~, with anxiety & panic attacks

It's horrible! I know that anxiety affects a lot of us at one time or another, and I've had trouble since I was a teenager, actually, it runs in my family.

I like my doctor, but she seems clueless about anxiety problems. She advised me to schedule an appointment with a therapist for "cognitive behavior" techniques to help me deal with the anxiety attacks. Has anyone ever done this? I've called one, he returned my call but I missed it.... I hope to schedule with him for this coming week.

But I think I need medicine. It's gotten so bad I'm trembling and feel lightheaded and dizzy, and as if I can't calm down.

Years ago I took Paxil, it helped but I had some bad side effects including a 25 pounds weight gain . I'm hoping that the meds have improved since then... can anyone give me any advice? I really need it! Thanks!

[autumnlynn]

I suffer from anxiety. I don't know anything about therapy but my neurologist put me on Lexapro 10 mgs. and it's really helped a lot. My anxiety was so bad that my heart would thump practically out of my chest, I would feel dizzy and light-headed, my mouth would get dry, and I could barely move. The medication has really helped with all that. The reason I see the neurologist is because of migraines and he also treats the anxiety for me.

[PoorRichardsGirl]

I only took an official anti-anxiety med once, Xanax when my father died some years ago. I wouldn't take it again--it made me feel very weird, like I was watching the world from a distance. And I've read it's highly addictive. I took Zoloft for awhile for depression, I'd take that again but I don't know if it's used for anxiety.

Over the years, I've had episodes I'd call panic attacks, often during PMS times, although I never went to a doctor about them. If this stuff didn't work, I guess I would, but these "home remedies" have worked for me: exercise to burn off the excess energy/stress hormones, cutting down on caffeine, taking b-complex vitamins, counted breathing like you'd do in yoga, writing in a journal. Now that menopause is creeping up, it's getting worse again, so I'm doing this stuff big-time. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to jump out of my skin!

Basically, I got the ideas from reading. Lucinda Bassett and Claire Weekes have some good ideas. David Burns is one of the originators of cognitive therapy, and I swear by his book on depression, Feeling Good. I discovered it when working in a library next to a counseling office--the counselors kept telling people to get it. I just noticed on Amazon he has a newer book out on using cognitive therapy for anxiety, called When Panic Attacks. I haven't seen it, but it's getting good reviews and I'll bet it's good.

Good luck!

[JustJoy]

I've had problems with anxiety all my life. In my mid 20's I suffered from panic attacks for a few years. Thankfully it's been 20 years since I've had a full blown attack. I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and also social anxiety disorder. I've been on many meds off and on over the past 20 years and none have really helped until recently. I was put on Zoloft a little over a year ago and it's been a miracle drug for me. My anxiety is pretty much under control now. Another good thing about Zoloft is that there is no weight gain as a side effect. With all the other meds I was on I would gain between 15-25 lbs.

[Jaded]

I take anti-depressants, but once I took Buspar for anxiety. It made me sleepy at first...very sleepy, but then he cut me back to half the dosage and worked me up, and it was o.k.

Any anti-anxiety med is going to make you feel spacey at first, because they are basically depressants.

I've taken xanax as a sleep aid, but never for anxiety. My mom and sister both take it occasionally. My mom has terrible anxiety attacks, and the xanax seems to help her. She's never gotten addicted, because she only uses it occasionally.

I've heard of Lexapro, but have no real experience with it.

[Amanda W]

I would recommend getting a new primary care physician if you don't feel yours is able to properly address your anxiety issues. I suffer from both panic attacks and generalized anxiety disorder, and I take Xanax. It works well for me, but I only take it as needed so I've never had a problem with addiction.

[freyadog]

I suffer from anxiety. I don't know anything about therapy but my neurologist put me on Lexapro 10 mgs. and it's really helped a lot. My anxiety was so bad that my heart would thump practically out of my chest, I would feel dizzy and light-headed, my mouth would get dry, and I could barely move. The medication has really helped with all that. The reason I see the neurologist is because of migraines and he also treats the anxiety for me.

Yep. I am also on Lexapro and love it. Haven't had an attack in over two years. My heart did the same as Autumn's and had about the same dizzy spells etc. Anxiety can also cause mood swings. I take one everyday.

[Edna_E]

I second that recommendation! It is important for your doctor to be able to deal with any on-going conditions.

I have been prescribed various anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds, and tranquilizers. Have not taken any for over a decade. Almost all tend to cause side effects in me, and most are not very effective on me. I do use homeopathic remedies and use activities like meditation and deep breathing to control my pulse and BP. I like the Bach floral remedies.

[Jskell911]

Definately see a doctor! Also I would recommend they do a blood screening as different meds react differently for different people. For example, I take 40 mg of Paxil daily and do great. Howeveer Lexapro made me suicidal and violent, and Zoloft made me cry all the time. Yet others do beautifully with these meds due to their individual body chemistry.

Good luck!

[Missy]

Zoloft made me suicidal. I won't go back to that med, but I hear it has done wnders for others. I am on Celexa now and though i still have them now and then, I am able to cope better.

[jessicaabruno]

I second that recommendation! It is important for your doctor to be able to deal with any on-going conditions.

I have been prescribed various anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds. Almost all tend to cause side effects in me, and most are not very effective on me.

I third this recommendation. Good luck with everything.

Thank you.

[danceswduckys]

I too have anxiety issues and sometimes depression. My doctor put me on Lexapro and it worked wonders. We changed insurance and now it is $90/ month so my doctor put me on the generic for Celexa. It seems to work just about the same but is only $9/ month. Meds aren't for everyone. You'll need to find a PCP that will work to find what's right for you. I will also say that while the meds help, it isn't everything. I find that self awareness and prayer get me through the bad days. I know my triggers and ask God for peace and remind myself that He is in charge. Therapy may help you find out what triggers attacks and give you other strategies for coping. Good Luck and God Bless!

[jessicaabruno]

Meds aren't for everyone. You'll need to find a PCP that will work to find what's right for you. I will also say that while the meds help, it isn't everything. I find that self awareness and prayer get me through the bad days. I know my triggers and ask God for peace and remind myself that He is in charge. Therapy may help you find out what triggers attacks and give you other strategies for coping. Good Luck and God Bless!

I'm with danceswduckys on what she said because meds should be the last resort then the 1st or middle.

Also, have taken Ativan (Lorazepam) when I'm really anxious.

Thank you.

[peanut]

I actually don't vote for meds unless you absolutely have to. I'm on them and have had really serious side effects (including becoming suicidal for awhile). What I do recommend is a new doctor and a look at the following books:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Phobia-Workbook-Edmund-Bourne/dp/157224223X"]"The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook"[/ame] by Edmund Bourne and his follow up book [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Anxiety-Phobia-Step-Step/dp/1572242299/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-0594640-4348756?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1185225322&sr=1-1"]"Beyond Anxiety and Phobia"[/ame]. They've made a big difference to me. They cover cognitive therapy plus a host of other ways to help yourself.

Best of luck! My prayers are with you that you find a solution...fast!

[mom2three]

An altenate suggestion - cut out wheat and dairy for 2 weeks and see how you feel. This can seriously be related to food intolerance and these are two biggies.