I've been experiencing crippling anxiety and social phobia for the better part of my life. I really hate it! All I do is worry and I am so nervous all the time that I feel like I must be making myself ill. Not to mention, I am about to graduate college and I am worried about trying to get a job with this constant nervousness. HAH, I have anxiety ABOUT my anxiety! I have been on anti-depressants for a very long time, and I feel like they have helped me considerably but I still feel like I could be better. I've also been to therapy for a long time and I just don't feel like it works for me.
I want to go to my doctor and ask her about medications proscribed specifically for anxiety - like benzodiazepines. I was wondering if there was anyone else out there that was on medication for anxiety or social phobia - if so what were you taking? and did it help you?
__________________ Age: 24
Dx 2 Phylloids Tumors Left Breast - Surgical Biopsy May 2006 and November 2007
Dx PCOS Fall 2006
Current Meds: Effexor 75mg
I'm on Lexapro and I could not be happier It's really helped me with interviewing in the past and has helped with really any anxiety that might come my way. Shoot......we have bought land, a car and i've changed positions at my job in the last 4 month and have not freaked out yet
I would make an appt with the dr and let him know what's going on. They are there to help
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Me 31 / DH 28 Married to my Dutch Boy since 12/23/2000 Cancer Survivor - Leukemia Gloucophage XR,Synthroid,Zoloft,Prenatal TTC Since 5/2004 3 IUI'S A BUST Clomid 100mgs IUI 10/27/08 BFP "I'm going to be a Mommy" Beta 15DPO -108, 17DPO - 331 1st ultrasound 12/1 - strong heartbeat 2nd ultrasound 1/5 - Heartbeat 162 IT'S A BOY!!!!! EDD 7/19/2009
Luca Allen Maarten
Born 6/28/09
5lbs 15ozs 18inches
I have been on antidepressants for my anxiety for a while. I was on lexapro but it had no effect I am on effexor now...maybe I just need to have my dosage increased.
__________________ Age: 24
Dx 2 Phylloids Tumors Left Breast - Surgical Biopsy May 2006 and November 2007
Dx PCOS Fall 2006
Current Meds: Effexor 75mg
There are many many anti depressants out there. I've had really good success in the past w/ zoloft and prozac. I am on celexa right now and it's been great to me.
Are you receiving any sort of counseling w/ the meds? I think most docs prefer this, and many patients find greater benefits w/ it than w/ meds alone.
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Me 31 / DH 28 Married to my Dutch Boy since 12/23/2000 Cancer Survivor - Leukemia Gloucophage XR,Synthroid,Zoloft,Prenatal TTC Since 5/2004 3 IUI'S A BUST Clomid 100mgs IUI 10/27/08 BFP "I'm going to be a Mommy" Beta 15DPO -108, 17DPO - 331 1st ultrasound 12/1 - strong heartbeat 2nd ultrasound 1/5 - Heartbeat 162 IT'S A BOY!!!!! EDD 7/19/2009
Luca Allen Maarten
Born 6/28/09
5lbs 15ozs 18inches
I take benzos prn for social phobia and anxiety attacks. i take ativan, klonopin, and valium. I prefer klonopin. Most doctors are really leary about prescribing these, as they are abused by many people. Also, insurance doesn't normally cover them, so you are looking at $15-$30 for the generics. However, they do work really well. I have also been on buspirone and wouldn't recommend it. Make sure the antidepressant that you are on doesn't have anxiety as a side effect... it is actually pretty common.
The only anti-anxiety drug that ever really helped me was Xanax. I know it gets a bad rap because it can be addictive, but I only ever took it when I was having an attack.
I was on it twice in my life. When we moved to Ga from NJ, you have no idea how stressful the sale of our house in NJ, the move and the purchase of our new house was and how it gave me some of the worst anxiety ever in my life. The other time was when my mother was diagnosed with stage iv lung cancer and I took my girls and went up to NJ to take care of her. It was the most anxious and stressful time of my life. Xanax really was a lifesaver for me.
Zoloft and lexapro did NOTHING for my anxiety. Zoloft made it worse actually.
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Celexa, Lexapro, and Cymbalta have all worked well for me for anxiety. Xanax is a life saver in a panic attack, but I felt sedated all the time when I had to take it for 2 weeks (different reason). Seroquel works really well too, but even on a very low dose I just didn't care about anything--completely didn't feel like myself.
Whatever you end up on, do know there are a lot of good options so keep trying.
__________________ -diagnosed 1/2004
-treating with diet and exercise
-mom to 5 furkids, Patrick the greyhound, Gretta and Samantha the rabbits, Sophie and Rosie the guinea pigs, and 4 guinea pigs waiting at the Bridge.
-working on a PhD in American History
I have suffered with severe anxiety and agoraphobia for 8 years now. The only thing that even allows me to leave my home is Klonopin. My current prescription is 4 5 mg tablets a day and it's 100% covered by my insurance. I am also taking 40mg Prozac (which has caused me serious weight gain) and 20mg Adderall XR for my recent ADD diagnosis.
I also carry Ativan to use PRN and I get Xanax for flights and bigger issues.
If one doc wont go with the benzos, see another, because if your anxiety is anywhere near the level mine is at, it's the only thing that works.
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Big D - 12 Miss Anne - 11 Be-zoo - 8 Dooch - 3 TTC #5 next cycle On: Adderall, Clonazapam, and Prozac
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Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I am going to go to my doctor and see what she says. I am scared about taking benzodiazepines because I know they can be addictive, but maybe at just a low dosage they can help me. I just don't want to be sedated. Perhaps she can prescribe me some just for special occasions when I especially need it.
Hollie - I have been to counseling, for years actually. It came to the point where I just really didn't think it was helping me anymore. It seemed like no manner of breathing exercises / relaxation techniques could help me with my anxiety. Also I have worked out and talked about all of my issues so many times...I went to my therapist with nothing to say.
__________________ Age: 24
Dx 2 Phylloids Tumors Left Breast - Surgical Biopsy May 2006 and November 2007
Dx PCOS Fall 2006
Current Meds: Effexor 75mg
Pam - She can definitely prescribe them for you PRN (As needed) but when you're taking them full time, they don't really sedate you. At first they do a bit, but then all they do is take the edge off. As for them being addicting, I've been on and off of them twice now with NO withdrawal symptoms or anything along those lines. It's just that once I get off them, I'm fine for a year and BOOM panic is back in full effect. It sucks.
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Big D - 12 Miss Anne - 11 Be-zoo - 8 Dooch - 3 TTC #5 next cycle On: Adderall, Clonazapam, and Prozac
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Panic is my thing. I have suffered from it for far too long and I want nothing more than to make sure others don't let it get as bad as mine did.
I am actually in the process of getting my PHD in Psychology just so I can help people with Anxiety and/or Agroaphobia. I hate to see anyone hurting like that.
If you *ever* or anyone *ever* for that matter wants to talk about anxiety, I can and will do anything in my power to help.
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Big D - 12 Miss Anne - 11 Be-zoo - 8 Dooch - 3 TTC #5 next cycle On: Adderall, Clonazapam, and Prozac
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Anxiety Medication 
It's really helped me with interviewing in the past and has helped with really any anxiety that might come my way. Shoot......we have bought land, a car and i've changed positions at my job in the last 4 month and have not freaked out yet 
I am on effexor now...maybe I just need to have my dosage increased.
