To Take Meds, or Not to Take? That is the Question...

Hi everyone,

I suffer from severe OCD, anxiety, panic attacks and derealization, and I have self-diagnosed with dysthymia.

I've been reading several posts of people who take medication and find it helpful...and lately I've been wondering whether I should start meds again.

I have taken prozac before, alone and also with seroquel. Both times, I felt like a zombie. I'd have less anxiety, of course...but I'd feel unemotional, and not myself. PLUS, I have suicidal tendencies...so I've twice ended up making attempts on my life with my meds.

But if there were a med that could lessen my anxiety, especially my panic attacks (I have them quite often at school), without the side effect of zombie-ness...that's be AMAZING! I also experience derealization at least a couple times a week. I've been more anxious than usual lately, and it definitely has a negative impact on my life.

If anybody has any success stories with anxiety medication, please post. Any input is greatly appreciated, thank you!

I take an antidepressant and an anxiety med without being a lethargic. Prozac put me to sleep. Each of us likely will react somewhat differently to medications. My suggestion is to explain your concerns to a psychiatrist and see what options are available to you.

Gabapentin (neurontin) seems to help many with anxiety. It provides more GABA (calming) in the brain and dampens down glutamate (stimulating). It is not habit forming, but it is pricey.

I take Klonopin for anxiety 0.5mg 3x daily for a month so far. At first it made me extremely sleepy but now I'm getting used to them so I'm not that tired. It has helped my anxiety a lot.

Hi Ohseedee,
3 years ago I had my first relapse of severe anxiety where it was sending me into panic attacks and thought I was dying, went to the E.R the first time, it scared the living daylights out of me, I suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder,Post Traumatic Syndrome, I was on Zoloft for a year alongside my friend Ativan when I needed it which in the beginning was every day. I joke about Ativan because I think it really helped me get thru it, otherwise I don't know where I would be without it.
I was one to never take pills, but until somebody walks in our shoe's they would never understand, you have to be there, and I am glad I had my meds for that....but I also knew that I did not want to be on pills for the rest of my life, they only mask the symptoms and yes they help and sometimes we have to be on them for the rest of our lives but for me I did not like that idea. I educated myself on a holistic approach and am so glad I did, it's been 2 yrs since my last pill, not necessary my last ' episode '
but I can cope so much better and I know what it is.
I started with exercise (walking) multi-vitamins, b-complex vitamins, Cognitive Therapy, Yoga, meditation...you name it I dabbled in it. My mind is much more healthy, I think I'll always have anxiety but I can control it better. Good luck with what ever you choose Ohseedee, you are in my prayers.

Peace

I've been on Buspar 40mg for about six months and it seems to work quite well for me. I have extreme social anxiety, and my inhibitions have dropped considerably lately. Plus Buspar is only $4 for a month at Walmart........

seroquel XR seems to work for me, I'm a bit sleepy after I take it but so far so good, and of course as you know it works with anxiety as well. (XR just came out, so you may want to try it again, I found that th fast acting Seroquel made me too sleepy and sort of like a Zombie.

Hi, seroquel made me like a zombie. I actually took it for sleep. I have panic disorder with agoraphobia and anxiety. Xanax has worked pretty well for me without making me zoned out or very tired. Also someone mentioned Buspar, that might be something to think about also. I hope you find something that is helpful.