This is sort of a last-minute thread, but... what kind of anxiety medication do you take? What kinds have you tried? I have an upcoming pdoc appointment today.

I'm taking Ativan right now and it sucks. It does nothing for my anxiety and it has done nothing for my mania (sleep wise or hyperactivity wise). It sucks! I also need something that doesn't make me feel DRUNK like this crap does. I want to ask my pdoc for something different.

I don't want propranolol or BuSpar because my anxiety isn't persistent. I mostly have flare ups and get panic attacks, so I just need a PRN.

There's Klonopin, Xanax, etc. etc.. My pdoc usually gives me a list of meds and asks me which one I want to take. Are there any awful side effects I should be aware of?

[Unrigged64072835]

My pdoc doesn't prescribe benzos so I'm stuck with Vistaril for now as a PRN. It's anti-itch and it makes me groggy. But I suppose it's better than wanting to hit the ceiling.

[whoamihere]

I take Klonopin. I've used it for years and so far never had an issue with it.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I take gabapentin and Ativan. Buspar never helped and vistaril only makes me feel groggy.

[bioChE]

I'll second the vote for Klonopin

[Victoria'smom]

Klonopin but it makes me drowsy.

I take benzodiazepines and they really help, but they're really slippery: you can quickly develop a tolerance where you need a higher dose of the drug to achieve the same effect, and if you let this get out of control, full-blown benzodiazepine addiction and withdrawal can be disastrous. Tell your doctor that a shady manic-depressive who uses a children's television puppet as an avatar suggested on an online psychiatric forum that you should be wary of benzodiazepines. If he or she admits that there's any truth to this, then, despite my abysmal credibility, I will have been vindicated.

[chailatte16]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

This is sort of a last-minute thread, but... what kind of anxiety medication do you take? What kinds have you tried? I have an upcoming pdoc appointment today.

I'm taking Ativan right now and it sucks. It does nothing for my anxiety and it has done nothing for my mania (sleep wise or hyperactivity wise). It sucks! I also need something that doesn't make me feel DRUNK like this crap does. I want to ask my pdoc for something different.

I don't want propranolol or BuSpar because my anxiety isn't persistent. I mostly have flare ups and get panic attacks, so I just need a PRN.

There's Klonopin, Xanax, etc. etc.. My pdoc usually gives me a list of meds and asks me which one I want to take. Are there any awful side effects I should be aware of?

I have had success with Klonopin. I use it for anxiety as well as for hypomania/mania. I have been using it for about 10 years without requiring a higher dosage. I don't think that there are any awful side effects. It is sedating. It has a longer half life than Ativan or Xanax, so it works longer.

[Wander]

I also use Clonazepam (Klonopin). It takes a while to kick in but lasts longer than Ativan or Xanax. Has a more calming effect too. Helps me sleep sometimes but if insomnia is really bad it doesn't work. For agitation with anxiety I use Olanzapine (Zyprexa), the fast release wafers. It really calms me down and is a better sleep aid. If only used occasionally I get no side effects like weight gain.

[~Christina]

I'm old school .. Valium !

[raspberrytorte]

I'd avoid clonazepam, blue. If you become dependent on it the withdrawal will be one of the worst experiences of your life most likely.

Everything lefty said I agree with!

I use propranolol as a prn. If I'm having an anxiety/panic situation it really helps with the physical effects, like slows down your heart rate and helps if you're shaking, etc.

[JustJace2u]

I may ask my new pdoc about Klonopin.

[jpb4815]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

This is sort of a last-minute thread, but... what kind of anxiety medication do you take? What kinds have you tried? I have an upcoming pdoc appointment today.

I'm taking Ativan right now and it sucks. It does nothing for my anxiety and it has done nothing for my mania (sleep wise or hyperactivity wise). It sucks! I also need something that doesn't make me feel DRUNK like this crap does. I want to ask my pdoc for something different.

I don't want propranolol or BuSpar because my anxiety isn't persistent. I mostly have flare ups and get panic attacks, so I just need a PRN.

There's Klonopin, Xanax, etc. etc.. My pdoc usually gives me a list of meds and asks me which one I want to take. Are there any awful side effects I should be aware of?

If Ativan makes you feel drunk most likely any benzo will. That being said Xanax is most effective for me as a PRN. I take regular doses of Klonopin and that keeps my anxiety at bay. But I have about 10 xanax for when I actually feel a panic attack breaking through my Klonopin induced stability. it usually does the trick. I have been on Benzo's for so long though that I dont feel altered, just relief. your mileage may vary.

[jpb4815]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I'm old school .. Valium !

ha, love it. Old school.

Xanax or Klonopin have been my preferences. Niravam is good for panic attacks. It's a form of Xanax that dissolves under your tongue. Those are the three I have tried. I have had Ativan in the ER. It is very mild, for me.

[BastetsMuse]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

This is sort of a last-minute thread, but... what kind of anxiety medication do you take? What kinds have you tried?

I've used ativan (useless) and klonopin.... so much better. I recommend it.

[jpb4815]

the thing with benzos as per my GP and my Pdoc is that if you really need them you have to accept the fact that you will become dependent on them. it does not make you an addict, just dependent on a medication. For me that is a hard pill to swallow, no pun intended. I had titrated down to .25mg a day of Kpin with minimal pain, took about a year. then my marriage went to #### and now I am back up to 3, it sucks but I know that I can titrate down again when I get through this rough patch.

[Miss Laura]

I use Serequol 25-50mg if needs be and it seems to work