[Jedi67]

My anxiety has been thru the roof. Especially today. Sleep is awful as well. Ambien not working at all. Gave up on it. Felt like a panic attack was coming on strong. Drank tea and took melatonin but to no avail.

My PDoc is old school and will not prescribe me any Benzos. Does anyone have any suggestions for meds for as alternative to Benzos for bad anxiety and panic disorders? Any help or feedback would be very helpful! Thanks, and I hope everyone is well!

[Moose72]

In my experience you dont want benzos- especially for bad anxiety. They don't work AND they make the problem worse! I know how it is to have a bad panic attack and have nothing help- even coping skills. But it doesn't last forever even though it might seem like it will.

Hi Jedi. I'm sorry you're suffering with severe anxiety. I know how that can negatively affect one's sleep, and so many other things. I have to agree with Moose72 that benzos for sleep are not a good idea for most of us. I do take a benzo at night, but only a tiny dose. I wish I never ever took Klonopin at all. My psychiatrist pretty much refuses to take me off of it, for various reasons (withdrawal being one of them, since I've been on it for 10 years). I will say that the benzo Ativan can definitely be helpful for my anxiety, but I am quite happy that I am now taking it as a "prn" (as needed), and only rarely. I had a heck of a time getting off a daily dose I once took for akathisia. Really, I don't want to take Ativan unless I really have to. The withdrawal was tough! Also, when I took it daily, it stopped being as effective as it was/is taken occasionally.

Has your psychiatrist considered a small dose of an antipsychotic, like Seroquel, to help you sleep? Have you ever tried Seroquel or another antipsychotic that is sedating? I take Seroquel XR as another one of my "moodstabilizers". I take 500 mg, but many people benefit from a little dose of the instant release, like 25 or 50 mg, for use as a sleep aid. I can't speak for everyone, but I doubt 25 or 50 mg gives most people many/any side effects. There are other similar meds that are used in small doses for the same purpose. Seroquel has also been helpful at controlling my anxiety. My base dose of 500 mg XR keeps it pretty well in check. I have also taken doses like 25 and 50 mg of the instant release as actual anxiety and agitation relievers, when my Ativan was not available. It usually helped me. I'm to a point where a little extra at night helps me fall asleep, but 25 or 50 mg taken during the day doesn't tire me out that much. It just puts me into a "smoooooooooth JAZZ" state of mind, or helps decrease developing hypomania/mania.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I see you are taking gabapentin. I have found it really helps with sleep and anxiety at higher doses. I take 1000-1200 mg at night and it has made a big difference. The resident in the hospital told me it works on similar (same?) receptors as benzos. When I was only on 400 it just helped a tiny bit but the higher dose is really good for me.

[Moose72]

Really, I don't want to take Ativan unless I really have to. The withdrawal was tough! Also, when I took it daily, it stopped being as effective as it was/is taken occasionally.

I totally agree with this, Birddancer!

[~Christina]

Have you tried Buspar?? It’s not a benzo but it helps a lot of people.

Didn’t help me at all , but it’s a miracle Med for my daughter.

I’m sorry your struggling with anxiety it’s just horrible.

[Jedi67]

Originally Posted by Moose72

In my experience you dont want benzos- especially for bad anxiety. They don't work AND they make the problem worse! I know how it is to have a bad panic attack and have nothing help- even coping skills. But it doesn't last forever even though it might seem like it will.

It isn't as bad today. I did get 4-5 hrs of sleep last night. Some lingering anxiety, worry and restlessness. I do have an appt scheduled for Friday. I will definitely stay away from benzos. Thank you!

I'm on propanolol and it helps with the more physical aspects of anxiety. Hope whatever happens at the appointment works out for you

[Jedi67]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Hi Jedi. I'm sorry you're suffering with severe anxiety. I know how that can negatively affect one's sleep, and so many other things. I have to agree with Moose72 that benzos for sleep are not a good idea for most of us. I do take a benzo at night, but only a tiny dose. I wish I never ever took Klonopin at all. My psychiatrist pretty much refuses to take me off of it, for various reasons (withdrawal being one of them, since I've been on it for 10 years). I will say that the benzo Ativan can definitely be helpful for my anxiety, but I am quite happy that I am now taking it as a "prn" (as needed), and only rarely. I had a heck of a time getting off a daily dose I once took for akathisia. Really, I don't want to take Ativan unless I really have to. The withdrawal was tough! Also, when I took it daily, it stopped being as effective as it was/is taken occasionally.

Has your psychiatrist considered a small dose of an antipsychotic, like Seroquel, to help you sleep? Have you ever tried Seroquel or another antipsychotic that is sedating? I take Seroquel XR as another one of my "moodstabilizers". I take 500 mg, but many people benefit from a little dose of the instant release, like 25 or 50 mg, for use as a sleep aid. I can't speak for everyone, but I doubt 25 or 50 mg gives most people many/any side effects. There are other similar meds that are used in small doses for the same purpose. Seroquel has also been helpful at controlling my anxiety. My base dose of 500 mg XR keeps it pretty well in check. I have also taken doses like 25 and 50 mg of the instant release as actual anxiety and agitation relievers, when my Ativan was not available. It usually helped me. I'm to a point where a little extra at night helps me fall asleep, but 25 or 50 mg taken during the day doesn't tire me out that much. It just puts me into a "smoooooooooth JAZZ" state of mind, or helps decrease developing hypomania/mania.

Wow! Thanks for all the info, BirdDancer. I have tried Seroquel in the past but not the XR. I will bring it up on Friday when I see my PDoc. I may mention a small dose of a benzo but he is so against prescribing any lol. I need help with my sleep and anxiety. Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it.

[Jedi67]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

I see you are taking gabapentin. I have found it really helps with sleep and anxiety at higher doses. I take 1000-1200 mg at night and it has made a big difference. The resident in the hospital told me it works on similar (same?) receptors as benzos. When I was only on 400 it just helped a tiny bit but the higher dose is really good for me.

I've stopped the gabapentin because it was actually prescribed my neurologist who I haven't seen in a while but I will ask my PDoc to look into it at a higher dosage. Did not know it worked same as a benzo on receptors. Interesting. Thank you for the info and feedback!

[Jedi67]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Have you tried Buspar?? It’s not a benzo but it helps a lot of people.

Didn’t help me at all , but it’s a miracle Med for my daughter.

I’m sorry your struggling with anxiety it’s just horrible.

Thank you for your kind words and concern, Christina. I am currently on Buspar and I'm afraid it may have run it's course. I am going to mention Prozac on Friday when I see my PDoc. Thank you for the feedback!

[Jedi67]

Originally Posted by spikes

I'm on propanolol and it helps with the more physical aspects of anxiety. Hope whatever happens at the appointment works out for you

Thank you! I will update everyone for sure. Curious as to how it will all go down. I need my sleep haha. Can't deal with the lingering daytime depression and anxiety either.