[carrotcake24]

Hello all!

My anxiety has recently gotten worse, more health and relationship focused. I have tried Prozac, celexa, buspar, effexor, and hydroxyxine. They did not effect me at all. Should I try a benzo? Mood stabilizer? Also fyi Buspar gave me palpitations.
I have an aspect of borderline (fear of abandonment), but otherwise just panic attacks and trouble getting out of bed when I have multiple things to do. I have GAD with "minor depressive episodes." I am looking at all meds now! I need help. Please any suggestions appreciated

Hi.

I would ask your psychiatrist for alprazolam (generic for Xanax). I suggest this medication due to you mentioning panic attacks. Make sure you mention panic attacks to your psychiatrist or he'll probably not prescribe it due to its potential for addiction. Start with .25mgs, 2X/day. Make sure you take the med as prescribed (never take more or you'll spiral towards addiction). You will become dependent on it if you take it long term, but not addicted if you take it as prescribed.

I hope this helps.

[*Laurie*]

Hi, It's impossible to know what might work for you without more information. Are you on other meds? I am currently trying Trileptal for severe anxiety. I am also on a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant.

[chailatte16]

I think it may be time to try a benzo if your doctor is willing to prescribe it. You have already tried SSRI's, an SNRI, Buspar, and Vistaril without success. I don't think a mood stabilizer would help with panic attacks or your GAD. I am currently on Klonopin, but have taken Xanax and Ativan in the past for GAD, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. I had tried 7 or 8 antidepressants as well as Buspar, before being prescribed Ativan.

[carrotcake24]

Originally Posted by LauraBeth

Hi, It's impossible to know what might work for you without more information. Are you on other meds? I am currently trying Trileptal for severe anxiety. I am also on a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant.

Hi, I was actually looking at your forum post on trileptal (which I am considering.) I am currently just on birth control. No psych meds. 75mg hydrozyzine did not work. I was on 15mg of buspar twice a day as well.

[carrotcake24]

Originally Posted by chailatte16

I think it may be time to try a benzo if your doctor is willing to prescribe it. You have already tried SSRI's, an SNRI, Buspar, and Vistaril without success. I don't think a mood stabilizer would help with panic attacks or your GAD. I am currently on Klonopin, but have taken Xanax and Ativan in the past for GAD, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. I had tried 7 or 8 antidepressants as well as Buspar, before being prescribed Ativan.

Thank you for replying. How has klonipin been for you? I heard it is more long term than xanax

[carrotcake24]

Thank you Helen.

Laurabeth- I am not on other psych meds. Most recently (about a month ago,) I was on 15mg buspar 2x daily and 75mg hydroxyzine prn to no avail.
Chailatte- How is klonopin?

Thank you all

[*Laurie*]

Klonopin helps in the short term. It's a good 'relief medication', but is not for long-term use, in general. Klonopin is highly physically addictive, and tolerance to it builds fast (you need more to feel okay). Trileptal might be really helpful for you. Everyone is different, but BuSpar and hydroxyzine never helped me, either.

[kkrrhh]

Mood stabilizers might be worth a try. Next to Nardil, lamictal has actually been the most helpful med for my anxiety, but I'm not sure if that's typical. My pdoc recently mentioned trying gabitril, which I'm iffy on but I've heard it can be helpful for the right people.

LauraBeth- How long have you been on trileptal, does it seem to be working for you? I've been considering trying it, mainly for anxiety and also because I'm hoping maybe I could replace lamictal if I went on it.

[chailatte16]

Originally Posted by kkrrhh

Mood stabilizers might be worth a try. Next to Nardil, lamictal has actually been the most helpful med for my anxiety, but I'm not sure if that's typical. My pdoc recently mentioned trying gabitril, which I'm iffy on but I've heard it can be helpful for the right people.

LauraBeth- How long have you been on trileptal, does it seem to be working for you? I've been considering trying it, mainly for anxiety and also because I'm hoping maybe I could replace lamictal if I went on it.

I did try Gabitril and I did not respond to it. I had the same experience with Trileptal unfortunately.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Have you tried gabapentin(Neurontin)? I find it works very well for anxiety. I actually like it better than klonopin.

[chailatte16]

Originally Posted by carrotcake24

Thank you for replying. How has klonipin been for you? I heard it is more long term than xanax

Klonopin has been good for me. I didn't like Xanax or Ativan much, because they didn't last long enough. However, I can't say how you would respond to them. I noticed that you said you were considering Trileptal. Have you considered Neurontin? It is an anticonvulsant drug that can be helpful with anxiety. Unlike antidepressants, it starts working very quickly. It does have some mood stabilizing properties.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by kkrrhh

Mood stabilizers might be worth a try. Next to Nardil, lamictal has actually been the most helpful med for my anxiety, but I'm not sure if that's typical. My pdoc recently mentioned trying gabitril, which I'm iffy on but I've heard it can be helpful for the right people.

LauraBeth- How long have you been on trileptal, does it seem to be working for you? I've been considering trying it, mainly for anxiety and also because I'm hoping maybe I could replace lamictal if I went on it.

I've only been on Trileptal for about 10 days, but even at the low starting dose it seems to be helping my anxiety somewhat. I expect a higher dose will help even more.