[ledfnzeppelin]

Im currently on an AD and AP, but the anxiety is killing me! Anyone take a benzo with their other meds? Suggestions?

[splitimage]

Yeah, I take Klonopin on top of 2 AD's and an AP.

splitimage

[metamorphosis12]

Benzodiazepes are very effecctive for anxiety. Of course, as with most of the effective psychotropic meds., they have to be used carefully. as a general rule of thumb, pdocs. use them for short term crises and severe anxiety. But are also used prn at various doses for specific anxiety situations. The problem with benzo's is that they can become very physiologically and psychologically addictive. Even at low doses, it can happen within a couple of weeks. Also, tolerance will build with continuous use. That being said a daily dose of clonazepam can usually be tapered without to much dicomfort in most cases at .5-1mg a day. Alprazolam ,at low doses is often used for panic attacks. Just be careful and talk to your pdoc in depth about the options. Long term daily use has shown cognitive and memory problems in studies.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1076447/

Other medications (anxiolytics) used besides the typical ad's are pregabalin, gabapentin and some have shown a response to buspirone. Ketamine, is only being used in Canada legally at this point. If I am not mistaken but shows great promise.

Often with racing thoughts and psychosis, anti-psychotics are one of the first line of treatment. Though they can come with some very serious side effects, some more than others. Meds for Bi-Polar include lamotrigine, lithium plus divalproex. Which I don't know if you have.

http://www.docguide.com/lamotrigine-...led-tri?tsid=5

Other effective treatment strategies is cognitive behavioral therapy. Some treatment for racing thoughts is similar to treatments for bipolar disorder; beginning with a healthy life style, exercise, sleeping regularly, eating healthily and staying away from drugs and alcohol

[noname1000]

I take ativan every once in awhile and it helps, but definitely agree there are a lot of drawbacks to benzos - top on the list is that they are physiologically addictive. I have also taken beta blockers for anxiety in the past and that was really helpful, more for the chronic, ongoing anxiety (not like panic attacks). I think I took propranolol. Have you talked to your doctor about adjusting your AD/AP? They are all a little different in how sedating they are and how much they affect anxiety. Maybe there is a different one that could kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

[ledfnzeppelin]

Hi noname,

Yes Im going to tapering off of geodon and starting on seroquel xr. I hope it works.

[noname1000]

Originally Posted by ledfnzeppelin

Hi noname,

Yes Im going to tapering off of geodon and starting on seroquel xr. I hope it works.

hope the seroquel works better for you! I think those kick in faster than ADs, so it won't be weeks and weeks of waiting (fingers crossed for you)