[Wanderlust90]

Anyone taken or taking stelazine (trifluroperazine) a phenothiazine antipsychotic at low doses for anxiety/panic/agitation?

[Angelique67]

I had it way back when. It caused harsh dystonic side effects. (My back was bent and my arms stuck out at the sides, couldn't lower them.) I didn't like it. Plus, it didn't help me.

[Wanderlust90]

Yeh I'm really not sure why my pdoc wants to try this specifically. I thought maybe he would start a new mood stabiliser because I have refused antipsychotics in the past & im still hesitant & from what I've read about it, if it's used in low doses for anxiety/agitation it is only used over a short period (12 weeks) but he didn't say that. I'm VERY concerned about him trying to restart another AD (ssri or snri, they were both not for me even if they helped me out of the most severe depression, it just turned into agitation). I feel like he might try to do this to treat the underlying anxiety that's making everything 10 times worse but it triggers hypomanias & not the fun kind. Lithium was good but can't tolerate it due to side effects. It did kinda reign in all my feelings too, not just the negative ones & I don't have very many good feelings so I would like to keep them haha.

I've taken the first dose. I don't notice much other than its made me a little tired but barely. Maybe My minds racing less too.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by Wanderlust90

Yeh I'm really not sure why my pdoc wants to try this specifically. I thought maybe he would start a new mood stabiliser because I have refused antipsychotics in the past & im still hesitant & from what I've read about it, if it's used in low doses for anxiety/agitation it is only used over a short period (12 weeks) but he didn't say that. I'm VERY concerned about him trying to restart another AD (ssri or snri, they were both not for me even if they helped me out of the most severe depression, it just turned into agitation). I feel like he might try to do this to treat the underlying anxiety that's making everything 10 times worse but it triggers hypomanias & not the fun kind. Lithium was good but can't tolerate it due to side effects. It did kinda reign in all my feelings too, not just the negative ones & I don't have very many good feelings so I would like to keep them haha.

I've taken the first dose. I don't notice much other than its made me a little tired but barely. Maybe My minds racing less too.

Maybe it's a lot better on a low dose than whatever the pdoc's gave me decades ago. If it works for you, that's all that matters. I wish you the best of luck.

[Wanderlust90]

Thanks angelique.

From what I've read the 2-4mg dose range reduces the risk of EPS/TD which I have heard is a significant reason why it's rarely rx nowadays with the introduction of atypicals. I have to say I'm pretty anxious about potential EPS, TD especially! I'm going to see if a pharmacist might give me more information on the risks at such a low dose.

I have never heard of this drug used for anxiety before but now I'm reading into it more it has some awesome reviews at 2-4mg specifically for anxiety. Many even stating complete remission! I'm not getting my hopes up but besides an initial bit of sedation that was barely recognisable (maybe I just had a little lull in energy) I'm wide awake & totally able to function & maybe, just maybe, abit calmer, certainly not angry or aggressive atm & I definatly was this morning.