[Virginiaham]

Even though I was first prescribed Xanax for anxiety at age 16 (so 10 years ago) and used it responsibly since, I'm now having trouble finding a psychiatrist who will prescribe me any benzodiazepines, despite my history of panic attacks.

I know they're cracking down on doctors who prescribe Xanax regularly and whatnot, but there seem to be few replacements for anxiety meds, and they instead give you something like Vistaril (which is essentially Benedryl and does nothing.)

Does anyone know of any anxiety meds that do anything remotely like Xanax/Klonopin/Ativan but are not in the benzo family?
Currently my anxiety is not at panic attack level, and I've been feeling it more (everyday) as a sort of 'comedown' feeling from taking my low dose of Adderall XR, among other psych meds.

Thank you.

[Rose76]

At one time I was prescribed Gabapentine for anxiety. It's an anticonvulsant that pdocs are using a lot. I didn't find it too good for anxiety. More recently, I have been prescribed Baclofen for neck pain. I'm finding it to be not that good for pain, but pretty good as a sedative. It helps ne sleep.

There really isn't a good substitute for benzos. (except, maybe, barbiturates, which are pretty unobtainable now.) That's got to be disappointing for persons like yourself who found a benzo useful and then has had it taken away. I'm sorry you're going through that. It seems unfair.

I think pdocs are inclined to order antipsychotics for their calming effect, but I don't like the harm that longterm use of those can do. Not worth it, in my opinion. Alcohol is pretty good for anxiety, but you can't just belt down booze anytime of the day. I usually have white wine mixed with seltzer with my supper in the evening. I just have about 5 ounces of wine every evening. That has a great nerve-calming effect on me. But it's not a good solution for panic attacks.

I get severe chest pain from anxiety, now and then. When I do, I go and lie down. Then it goes away. The antidepressant, amitriptyline, tends to be sedating and used to be ordered a lot for people with both depression and anxiety. I take it and find it helpful.

I guess the ideal thing would be for you to find some cognitive technique to self-sooth. That's easier said than done. I hope you find a way to manage your anxiety.

[Angelique67]

There's valerian. Not as good as valium but better than nothing. And if you can get a prn of Tizanidine, .5mg of that with 50mg of Vistaril is extremely good for falling asleep, so a lesser dose might be good for anxiety. I don't know if you can get the tiz though.

[bobcat21]

I've heard of buspar ( hope I'm spelling that right) it's a older medication but I don't think many therapists prescribe it very often I could be wrong though. I just remember hearing about it once.

[Guiness187055]

There really isn't any thing similar to benzo's except barbituates which are not prescribed much anymore.

[*Laurie*]

This **** about benzos angers me beyond words.

Guiness is correct. There is nothing that works like benzos except another benzo.

Buspar is helpful for some people who have anxiety.

[possum220]

Beta Blockers can help to take the anxiety levels down. I found St Johns Wort useful until I felt manic.

Seroquel (Anti psychotic) but in the smaller doses may help with anxiety.

[DechanDawa]

My doctor refused to prescribe diazepam...instead suggested commercial valerian tea. I really do not know how they can say such things with a straight face!

Valerian is okay except I find I need mega doses for it to quell anxiety. After a few days I think it causes groggy type hang-overs and depression.

The doctor also said take a Benadryl...which I don't think you should do that often. Stupid.

Also, with valerian it is recommended to take it for a month and then stop taking it for two weeks to prevent liver damage.

Diazepam worked fine for me. In all the years I took it I never increased the dosage. If anything I took less that what was prescribed. It is silly...they should decide case by case with benzos and not just cut them off when they are helpful meds.

[Wonderfalls]

It's like the silly things they suggest for extreme pain now that they're afraid of opiates. Acupuncture, chiropracty, physical therapy. One story in the NYTimes even told of an ER using a harp player wandering around. I know it's a scare, but very very few people become addicted and those are usually young people getting the drugs without prescription. (Scientific American)
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com...not-the-cause/

Anyway, sorry to go off on a tirade. It would take 1000 times a regular dose of Xanax to kill you, but they lump it in with heroin and fentanyl deaths (Obviously that's taking it by itself and doesn't include dangers of addiction.). The point is that doctors overreact and regulators overreact even more. Doctors shouldn't be afraid to prescribe benzos at a reasonable dose.

[centralme]

Some people use Kratom..

[Rose76]

Originally Posted by Wonderfalls

It's like the silly things they suggest for extreme pain now that they're afraid of opiates. Acupuncture, chiropracty, physical therapy. One story in the NYTimes even told of an ER using a harp player wandering around. I know it's a scare, but very very few people become addicted and those are usually young people getting the drugs without prescription. (Scientific American)
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com...not-the-cause/

Anyway, sorry to go off on a tirade. It would take 1000 times a regular dose of Xanax to kill you, but they lump it in with heroin and fentanyl deaths (Obviously that's taking it by itself and doesn't include dangers of addiction.). The point is that doctors overreact and regulators overreact even more. Doctors shouldn't be afraid to prescribe benzos at a reasonable dose.

I don't want to get off the OP's original concern, but that's a great point about there being something similar in how both benzos and opiates are now being treated. It's like mass hysteria fed by over-reaction and political zeal. I take an opioid in modest quantity, which enhances my quality of life a great deal. A year ago I had a bleeding ulcer, so I can't take Motrin, aspirin or other NSAIDS. Tylenol happens to be quite toxic to the liver, if you take enough long enough.

Look how many people die annually in motor vehicle accidents - over 30,000/year. Should we outlaw the use of motor vehicles?

[*Laurie*]

Excellent point, Rose.

[Virginiaham]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I agree about the unfairness of it all, especially since I then had to buy Xanax from a 'friend' but something kinda scary happened so it just increased my anger at the situation.
I will try to ask my Dr. for Buspar, and look for Valerian on my own because I know buying benzos off the street isn't a good idea. I'm just desperate :/

Would something that makes you just that bit drowsy work? When I was on clozapine, switching a small dose to the morning (and later on, also noon) helped a lot. Not because it actually matters that much when you take it for the long-term effects, especially in those dosages (25 morning, 25 noon, 225 night. So less than 10% of my daily dose at both breakfast and lunch), but that bit of drowsiness also made the anxiety drowsy and thus less intense. After a few days I didn't notice the drowsiness, but the anxiety stayed down.

Promethazine is prescribed around here for people who can't take benzo's, e.g. because of ECT. A lot of people ridicule it because it's not a real anti-anxiety med. But if it makes the anxiety 'drowsy'.. whatever works.
No harm in trying, at least.

Also, hasn't your pdoc offered any options?

[still_crazy]

maybe gabapentin? lyrica is I think super gabapentin. its a schedule V controlled substance in the US, so...somewhat less restricted than the benzodiazepines, more expensive, more cognitive ill effects, I think...but in today's climate, it might be the best thing going. it works on gaba receptors, long term use requires a slow and steady taper.

i take vitamins. its called orthomolecular. the core is high dose c, b-100 complex, vitamin E, and B3. I go for niacinamide. its niacin, but w/o as much potential for nausea, no liver problems, etc.

when orthomolecular first popped up, the idea was that one could use it in -severe- mental problems and gradually taper the tranquilizer, or do it with shock treatments and tranqs. over time, its evolved...now, if one requires an antipsychotic, the vitamins can help reduce adverse effects (trust me on that one...) and get more mileage out of standard treatment.

the B3 acts on GABA and has some kind of effect on serotonin levels. helps agitation, anxiety, ocd. taken w/ benzos, anticonvulsants, it boosts their affects, which could be good (can help ease benzo tapers) or not so good (did not play well with depakote, but then again...i dont like depakote...).

the vitamins are cheap and readily available. the "alternative" health people talk about "side benefits," as opposed to "side effects" from most pharmaceuticals.

other hippy options: Suntheanine, taurine, valerian, kava kava (not if you have liver probs), passion flower, lemon balm, some mix of any of the above.

if the vitamin fix sounds interesting to you, here's free link: DoctorYourself.com: Andrew Saul's Natural Health Website

good luck to you.

[xRavenx]

Although Gabapentin was not a replacement for benzos for me, it has cut down on the frequency in which I take them. At first, I did not think Gabapentin was doing much for me, but it must be doing something. I can't be completely free of benzos (at this point in time), but it helps to not have to take benzos as much as I was. Getting the dose right on Gabapentin helps. My pdoc increased it until I noticed a response. I'm at 900 mg daily, with each dose being 300 mg. Sometimes I will take a little less though, but I take it daily....usually 1 pill in the AM, 1 pill in the afternoon, and 1 pill in the evening.

[-jimi-]

If other meds help people that is fine, but if one is looking like something that is like benzos, there isn't anything. I didn't think I'd still be around now since my benzos ran out last fall. But a doctor way away finally decided I could have them. People are pushed into criminally obtaining medication they need now. Not an option for me with my limited resources, but it's crap that they make criminals out of patients that need their meds! I'm not talking about those on really high amounts or those who abuse benzos, just regular users. They are kicked off their meds right and left now. My ex psych clinic even told to my face that it does not matter if we die.

If they want us off benzos, then make another med that works! Or why even put you under when you have surgery, they could just strap you down, technically it works just as well.

Docs like to prescribe other types of meds for anxiety mainly neuroleptics and antihistamines, strong antihistamines are quite clearly linked to dementia so no thanks. I'd rather be low dose addicted to benzos than getting dementia. Also only people who feel calm when their bodies are tired and don't function well are helped by these meds. Other people like me, react with anxiety and panic. Where I live, all anxiety patients get Vistaril now. I feel like I'm the last generation that gets something that actually helps.

Tons of downsides with benzos but all illness comes with a cost, and no med is harmless. No one chose their illness. We deserve good treatment and it is not our fault that no real anxiety medication has been produced in decades. You heard that right, decades.