Everyday Anxiety Meds

Hi everyone, I have a few questions. I currently take Klonopin as needed up to 3 times a day but recently I've been having to take it all the time because my anxiety is getting bad. I want to keep the Klonopin as needed but only for emergencies and get on an everyday anti-anxiety med.

I know anti-depressants have some anti-anxiety qualities but I've been on most of them and have never experienced that. Plus I don't want to change medications because the one I'm on at the dose I'm at is working great.

My question is, are you on an anti anxiety med every day that is non-Benzo? What are you on, and does it help you?

These are the ones I've heard of:
Attarax
Buspar
Propranolol/Atenolol

It wouldn't be for panic attacks as they don't happen very often, the Klonopin would be kept for that. It would just be for every day anxiety.

I don't think there are many outside of what you have already mentioned. I would be curious to know myself as I struggle with anxiety as well.

Have you thought of trying alternative treatments? Like valerian root, lemon balm, Chamomile, kava, etc?

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Yes, I bought a box of Chamomile tea today, I'm going to try a cup tonight.

Chamomile helps me some. The kava tea really helps but it puts my limbs to sleep and I have heard it's bad on the liver.. But maybe you can find more info on it. I have some lemon balm tea I just bought and plan to try soon.

I hope the Chamomile helps you!

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Thanks! I'll update with how it goes

I have been on atenolol when I had a panic attack and went to the emergency room before and my heart rate was way up, my blood pressure is normal to low now so I probably don't want that.

Attarax I never tried, but I hear it makes you sleepy and that's not something I need.

Buspar I haven't tried either but they prescribed it for me in the hospital but never got it filled, I think I'll ask about that.

I have a pdoc appointment on the 2nd, I'll bring it up.

Yes Attarax does nothing for me at the low doses they suggest so I stopped taking it. I could probably try it at higher doses to see but I have the same problem as you, I don't need to be any more sleepy and I believe Attarax will do that to me in higher doses.

I've also heard Benadryl helps some people.. And since its in the same class as Attarax it makes sense why it would. Benadryl also has the sleepy factor though.

I think a majority of the anti anxiety meds will make you sleepy, unfortunately.

Celexa stopped my daily anxiety really well but I know you said you have tried ADs so that may not be a good choice.

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Be careful with valerian root-it interacts with some psych meds!

Chamomile is great! Lavender too

I tried the Chamomile last night and it was relaxing, it also tastes wonderful!

I take Buspar. It's really mild and doesn't cause any drowsiness with me. It's also a really flaky drug. You have to take it at the same time and the same way every time. If you take it with food at 9:00 am, then you have to take it every date at 9:00 am with food for it to work. It's weird.

It works to take the edge off for me. It doesn't stop full-blown panic attacks, but is good for keeping the anxiety at a workable level.

I'm starting to wonder if some of this anxiety is more likely Akathisia, I can't stop pacing. I'm on Invega Sustenna. I had that on abilify and took Benadryl as needed and it helped the hyperness/pacing. I might get a bottle of those and take them when it gets bad.

I've noticed when I'm busy it's not as bad. Like when I was cleaning this morning, reading, coloring/drawing.

I like chamomile. They have tried Vistaril with me, an anti histamine but it was useless. Similar to Benadryl. They gave me muscle relaxers which worked good but I had to take three to get any affect when I was supposed to take one. They cut me off thinking I was abusing them. I had to see a different pdoc that day and told the truth and she accused me of abuse. I coulda rung her neck.

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Lexapro is helping me a lot with chronic anxiety. It's new to me and I'm really surprised at the anti-anxiety effect!

I wish I could take Lexapro but with a family history of BPII it's a no go.

Pdoc prescribed Xanax 0.25 to 0.5mg up to 4x per day as needed for anxiety and insomnia. Haven't tried it yet.

Exercise would be a good tool for you as well, if you find it's better when you're active. Even a five minute walk at lunch, a short stint of yoga before work, etc.

I know a few people who have been prescribed Gabapentin for anxiety and have had some success with it.

spltimage

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I do exercise everyday and practice self-care. I've decided to add Benadryl as needed (helps me stop pacing, so I don't use the Klonopin as much and can reserve it for severe anxiety and panic attacks) and Chamomile tea. I'm good to go

That's good

Blue - I also am planning to do the same except with the Xanax and Kava. I thought too of using Benadryl as maintenance but it dries my sinuses out too much and since I have asthma it's not great to harden the mucus. But glad you found a good combo that works!

Good luck with your combo

Hey Blue_Bird,

Atarax/Vistaril are good for around the house in my opinion. It is anti-histamine similar to Benadryl and it makes me really sleepy; however it helps me calm down and relax.

I take BuSpar 3x a day for anxiety and I feel that it helps to take the edge off of things and helps with my generalized anxiety. However it doesn't help with full on panic attack type anxiety to well. I was originally written it as a PRN and had the doctor change it to a scheduled med. I just increased my dose on it recently. BuSpar works better as a maintenance med if it is coupled with an SSRI. I have read this in one of my drug books and some of the nurses I work with have confirmed it. I have taken SSRIs since before I took BuSpar so I couldn't say what the difference is personally though.

I feel a Benzo is good for full blown attacks if they are severe enough. But I personally don't like them. I don't like the grogginess or addictiveness of them so to me they are a last line of treatment.

I have also seen us use Gabapentin, Wellbutrin, Propranolol are all effective as well. Although I don't really no much about how they work with anxiety just that they are some popular off label drugs.

Thanks for the info blwi, it may be easier for me to just get a prescription for Vistaril/Attarax than having to walk to the store to buy Benadryl. My prescriptions are mailed to me through the mental health clinics pharmacy. With my insurance I get charged nothing, so I'll ask my pdoc on Tuesday

I would recommend the Atarax over the Benadryl anyways because it is a bit more potent and helps with anxiety better in my opinion.

I take generic Buspar (buspirone) 3x/day. As others have mentioned, it's good as a maintenance drug but terrible for anxiety attacks. This is the only thing I've been on specifically for my anxiety.

Be watchful of any movement disorders (TD, Dystonia, etc) while on Buspar or Atarax!! It's one of the worst experiences. Be even more cautious of the SLOW developing type. I got lucky that it happened very rapidly with Buspar so I could tell what the cause was.

It should all work out though as those side effects are rare.

Thanks for the info HolisticGal! I'll keep a lookout for those reactions.

I called my doctor today and they prescribed Vistaril. I should have it by Friday afternoon. Will update on how it goes