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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cerebus on December 7, 2005, at 18:30:58
I have been on Effexor XR 107.5mg for 3.5 years due to GAD, and it seems my anxiety has returned. Are there other alternatives I could switch to and get off of Effexor XR. Some help would be nice. Thanks.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 7, 2005, at 18:58:21
In reply to What seems to work for GAD., posted by cerebus on December 7, 2005, at 18:30:58
I tried 30+ meds over eight years, nothing worked and I stumbled into Seroquel this summer. Miracle. I take 50mg with 1 mg of Klonopin. Litted tired but it took away the anxiety that absolutely ravaged me.
If you wanna know more, post.
Posted by lynn971 on December 7, 2005, at 19:19:37
In reply to Re: Try this ..., posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 7, 2005, at 18:58:21
What kind of med is klonopin? Is it an SSRI?
I am so discouraged that I think maybe I should just get off the meds. Maybe the anxiety is med. induced. I know that it is dangerous to just get off meds. The lexapro was working for anxiety. I had some depression with it. I got off of it for a week (took zoloft instead). The anxiety was horrible. I got back on lexapro 5 days ago. How much longer will it take to kick in. I cant get in touch with a pdoc. I call and they say that someone will call back. (my pdoc is out) They say someone will call, but they dont call. My OBGYN doubled my lexapro (from 10mg to 20mg.)
Posted by cerebus on December 7, 2005, at 19:33:13
In reply to Re: Try this ..., posted by lynn971 on December 7, 2005, at 19:19:37
> What kind of med is klonopin? Is it an SSRI?
>
> I am so discouraged that I think maybe I should just get off the meds. Maybe the anxiety is med. induced. I know that it is dangerous to just get off meds. The lexapro was working for anxiety. I had some depression with it. I got off of it for a week (took zoloft instead). The anxiety was horrible. I got back on lexapro 5 days ago. How much longer will it take to kick in. I cant get in touch with a pdoc. I call and they say that someone will call back. (my pdoc is out) They say someone will call, but they dont call. My OBGYN doubled my lexapro (from 10mg to 20mg.)I am no expert but Klonopin is a benzo. I would probably recommend Xanax or the above to help immediately. Lexapro is a hybrid from Celexa, they say it is more pure. I have taken Lexapro also, it probably took 2 weeks to really have effect. As a lot of people say, you have to give it time but everyone is definitely different. There has to be a reason to your anxiety; a therapist would be good if you have insurance or can afford one. Good luck - Do not give up. It unfortunately has to get worse before you realize it to become better. Just give it time.
Posted by RobertDavid on December 7, 2005, at 23:28:33
In reply to Re: Try this ..., posted by cerebus on December 7, 2005, at 19:33:13
Nothing has worked for me better than klonopin, a benzo. It's works well not only for generalized anxiety, but for social anxiety as well.
Most people get a very quick response to it. The sedative side affects goes away quickly, but the anti anxiety benfits remain.
It seems to be one of the meds of choice for informed doctors to suggest to patients that suffer from anxiety.
I'd definately talk to your doctor about it as an option for you.
Everyone is different, but I can tell you it's the only thing that has helped my anxiety (and I've tried most everything else). I take 2mgs daily at night. It also helps me sleep.
Good luck!
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 7, 2005, at 23:59:20
In reply to Re: Try this ..., posted by lynn971 on December 7, 2005, at 19:19:37
Lynn:
Seroquel is classified as a mood stabilizer, I believe. Someone else on here can give you the chemical breakdown. Have you ever read where people really get out of control? That's when docs give that person like 800mg of Seroquel, probably 2-3 times per day. There has been recent evidence indicating that Seroquel, given in far smaller doses (100-50) may help with anxiety. It has been an absolute miracle for me. The only way for you to know is to try.
Posted by RetiredYoung on December 8, 2005, at 8:32:27
In reply to Re: Try this ... lynn, posted by UgottaHaveHope on December 7, 2005, at 23:59:20
Seroquel is actually classified as an atypical anti-psychotic (which means it's a new-generation drug for the treatment of schizophrenia). That said, it is certainly being prescribed a lot as a mood stabilizer (not to mention anti-anxiety agent, insomnia fighter, anti-depressant augmenter, etc.)
Jim
Posted by cerebus on December 8, 2005, at 15:42:52
In reply to Re: Try this ..., posted by RobertDavid on December 7, 2005, at 23:28:33
> Nothing has worked for me better than klonopin, a benzo. It's works well not only for generalized anxiety, but for social anxiety as well.
>
> Most people get a very quick response to it. The sedative side affects goes away quickly, but the anti anxiety benfits remain.
>
> It seems to be one of the meds of choice for informed doctors to suggest to patients that suffer from anxiety.
>
> I'd definately talk to your doctor about it as an option for you.
>
> Everyone is different, but I can tell you it's the only thing that has helped my anxiety (and I've tried most everything else). I take 2mgs daily at night. It also helps me sleep.
>
> Good luck!
>>>> Is Klonopin the only medication you are on. What is your dx if you do not mind me ask. I have started taking Klonopin .25mg at night for about a week now and instituted .25mg in the morning but I am also on Effexor XR. I will eliminate the Effexor. The other worry is addiction to Klonopin, but I guess if I need it than I will have to deal with it a later date. Thanks, for the information and support. Best wishes and happy holidays to all.
Posted by Phillipa on December 8, 2005, at 21:33:15
In reply to Re: Try this ..., posted by cerebus on December 8, 2005, at 15:42:52
Lynn, ativan, valium, tranxene, klonopin, are equally effective for anxiety. For immediate relief xanax under the tongue works great. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by RobertDavid on December 8, 2005, at 23:41:00
In reply to Re: Try this ..., posted by cerebus on December 8, 2005, at 15:42:52
Though I have tried other benzo's like xananx and ativan, klonopin has worked the best for me. I'm not currently taking any other meds with it.
My dx is Generalized Social Anxiety Disorter (primary), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (secondarily) with occational mild Depression.
My doctor recomended that I take my full dose at night (2mgs), but many split the dose. I found I didn't care for the feeling after taking it in the morning. It made me a little drowsy during the day, kind of out of it. It has a long half life and many find that once a day dosing is enough, particularly when you are taking a higher dose. Klonopin seems to help me sleep better as well.
I have tried to take other meds primarily anti depressants along with klonopin to help with my depression, but none of them have worked. It's quite common to blend meds with benzo's like klonopin, I just haven't had luck yet.
That being said, I saw my doctor today and I'm going to add Remeron starting tomorrow. He thinks it may not only help with my mood, but may help with the anxiety as well. I figure it's worth a shot.
Personally, I didn't have luck with Effexor, but it certainly works well for many people. It's my opinion that those that have anxiety with some depression are lucky if they find one drug to handle the problem. Blending two or more meds seems to be the answer for many.
As far as your concern regardomg addiction to klonopin, it's true you can't stop cold turkey when you take it daily. But you can stop, you just need to do it with a slow titration. I've done it once, but went back to the klonopin as after being on it for 10 years I forgot how bad I was before taking it.
All my old symptoms returned. I've never had to raise the dose to continue to get anxiety relief. My opinion is that it's a great med for anxiety disorters.
I wish you all the best. I'm certainly pro klonopin for anxiety. If you don't get relief at the dose your taking you may talk to your doctor about slowing going up on the dose. Many take between 1 and 4mgs per day for anxiety. There are answers for you. I think figuring it out is a trial and error thing. Good luck!
Posted by lynn971 on December 9, 2005, at 17:44:40
In reply to Re: Try this ... » cerebus, posted by RobertDavid on December 8, 2005, at 23:41:00
I cant kill myself because I love my family too much. The only relief seems like death.
Posted by cerebus on December 9, 2005, at 19:59:37
In reply to Re: It is so bad!!!!, posted by lynn971 on December 9, 2005, at 17:44:40
> I cant kill myself because I love my family too much. The only relief seems like death.
.....Suicide is not the answer, maybe to you because it would seem the easy way out' but to others who love and care about you, it is a different story. I should know; my brother-n-law commited suicide about 3 years ago. He hung himself in a new house construction. This is one of the main reasons I am taking psyche medication and reporting on this site. Too me suicide is a selfish act, but to others it is a traumatic event that cannot be undone. I do not feel any sympathy for people who could do that to themselves. I am sure if he could have that decision again; he would reconsider his actions. He should just ask his family and friends. I do not care how deep in sorrow you think you feel; your family and loved ones would feel a lot worse. THAT IS NOT THE ANSWER. YOU NEED TO SEEK HELP NOW FOR YOUR LOVED ONES. Unless you are one of these people trying to make others feel sorry for you.
Posted by lynn971 on December 9, 2005, at 20:53:00
In reply to Re: It is so bad!!!!, posted by cerebus on December 9, 2005, at 19:59:37
I am not suicidal. I was just expressing the way it feels when the "anxiety" comes. I do not want anybody to feel sorry for me. That is the least of my worries. I only care about getting better.
I can think of better ways to get attention than to wallow in this state. I am actually doing ok at this moment.
I wish it were as simple as just trying to get attention.
>Unless you are one of these people trying to make others feel sorry for you.
This is the end of the thread.
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