Meds: Pros and Cons

[claire0410]

I am sure that this has been answered a thousand times already, but here goes. I am considering trying meds to deal with my anxiety. I don't have any other real issues other than anxiety, I do get discouraged and sad when the anxiety is bad. It comes and goes, good for a month, and then back again. I am wondering if those of you who have used meds for anxiety have found it useful. Does it work to keep the anxiety away? I don't really want to go that route, but I don't want to be on this see-saw ride either. I do see a counselor and it has helped. I would just like to live my life without anxiety. It seems like some of you have had success with meds. I know everyone wants to feel "normal" like before. I've been dealing with anxiety for about 5 months now. I'm also curious as to whether you have to stay on the meds forever, or are there times when you do okay coming off them. My counselor said some people only need them for awhile, while others it is lifelong. I would appreciate hearing of your own experiences that might give me a little more insight.

[ProBSD]

The meds I use for quick anxiety relief is Xanax and it helps me calm down. Sometimes I am fine for awhile and sometimes it comes right back. But this is not a long term type of medication in my opinion. I am also heading n Celexa for the depression and anxiety but yesterday was my third week and it takes 6-8 weeks to be working fully. The doctor says this is supposed to help prevent the anxiety once it works fully....we’ll see.

[claire0410 in reply to ProBSD]

Thanks for sharing! I have been told that Xanax can be very addicting, and would like to stay away from it. I hope that the Celexa kicks in soon. I've read some good things about it, but it is a pain that it takes so long to be effective. Let me know if the Celexa works for you. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[deea21]

Hi Claire . I did tried different types of meds during the years but sometimes even with those I was low. I was going on a slide all my life. I think the only time I was feeling good was when I was going to gym everyday and It helped a lot my mood and my sleep. I did take pills for a while and after the doctors told me to stop for a while and so on.

My opinion is no matter what you choosing , you need to make a difference in your life too. To try to do things for you to make yourself healthy. Plato said that the educational ideal was to make a balance and harmony between body, mind and soul. I really believe that’s true. We need to believe in something to shout our minds for few minutes a day, to exercise and also train our mind too. It’s really important.

[claire0410 in reply to deea21]

Thanks deea21, I do use exercise, yoga, meditation, etc. in dealing with my anxiety. It does help, but at times it just doesn't work. I guess I am looking for something that will be more effective and has a more lasting effect. I hate the physical and mental effects of anxiety. I feel like I have aged 10 years in the last 5 months. I think I'm hoping that there is some "magic" pill or answer to put me back on an even keel!

[RiderontheStorm]

Counseling did nothing for me. Staying busy works for me. Staying present - hard to do.

Ativan was quick acting but addicting which can be hard to get off and make things worse. Try some Buspar. That is what I am on now. Not addicting and no side effects that I can tell other than a little light headed for the first two weeks.

Not as strong as Ativan as it is not a Benzodrine, (Why they are addicting) but it does the trick for many people. It is not something we decide to have or not have. Anxiety is organic to our chemistry.

[claire0410 in reply to RiderontheStorm]

I don't even think my doctor would prescribe a Benzodrine at this point. He made a point of telling me how they would not be a long term solution, although immediate relief sounds fabulous! Is the Buspar working for you? Does it relieve your anxiety? I do manage to stay busy - I work part time and make time to see friends and do things with them and my family. I am just looking for some way to beat back the anxiety and all the "wonderful" things that go with it (insomnia, upset stomach, tense muscles, etc)!!! Sometimes it just hard to put on the smile and pretend that everything is great!

[User1964]

Hi, meds helped me but I'd rather take a more natural approach other than a chemical approach. There is a supplement called Gaba organicnewsroom.com/gaba-su... which may help you. I pasted some info. about it. Since I'm on an anti-depressant that is helping my anxiety, I'm not taking Gaba, but I'm going to have my adult daughter try it. She doesn't want to take "pills" but she is getting desperate. I'm not a doctor but I play one on TV hahaha sorry that was an old commercial. Anyhow, if you are interested just check out the link. I hope you find what you need to reduce your anxiety. It can be very debilitating.

[claire0410 in reply to User1964]

Thanks, I'll check out the link. I got a laugh out of your I'm not a doctor comment. A few weeks ago, I told my sister that I was not a counselor, but since I had been seeing one, I was perfectly qualified to give advice!

[Hidden]

Hiya, I was precribed a beta blocker about 15 years ago and have remained on it ever since and will most probably stay on it. There are no side effects so I'm quite happy to take it and it has helped with my anxiety but is not a cure all. I think other diet/lifestyle changes also help and, yes, counselling too. In fact, I think the more things you try in combination the better. After all, life is one long learning curve. Of course, we are all individuals so any solution, medical or otherwise, must be tailored to your individual needs and circumstances. Take care,

[claire0410 in reply to Hidden]

I had read about the beta blockers, it was something that I was going to ask my doctor about since it seemed that it had the least side effects, not addictive, etc. Thanks for answering - I am having such mixed feelings about the whole med thing. I do try to use a bunch of other strategies to help, but it would be nice to have something else to keep things in check.

[Hidden in reply to claire0410]

Hiya, well, it's a case of finding out what works for you and it may be, as in my case, a process of trial and error over a long period. But please persist, even though at times it may be a frustrating journey.

[Hidden]

Hi there, I have GAD and the first medication they gave me was Buspar but I did not like it and I don’t find that it helped me all that much. Then last month, I went back to the doctor and I was prescribed Zoloft(Sertraline) 50mg. This week Monday my doctors bumped it up to 100mg and I’m discontinuing Buspar. My sleep and mood and social anxiety has definitely improved. I’m hoping to feel at least 80-90% anxiety free in another month. I also had terrible insomnia before seeing a doc about mental health. I take Vistaril 50mg every night before bed to help me fall asleep and stay asleep and it’s the only thing that has ever worked for me (consistently) for sleep.

[SpeaktheTruth]

Meds are what finally worked for me. Even thought I have a psychology degree and have seen anxiety meds work on many people and read many articles on the matter, I still wouldn’t admit i couldn’t fix it myself and thought that I could handle it. Tried for 3 years before giving in and getting on Sertraline. It was a rough 4-5 weeks at first with all the side effects, but after that, I haven’t felt better and been so happy and relaxed in years. I would recommend trying it.

[Hidden in reply to SpeaktheTruth]

Are you still on meds..Im contemplating taking them but don't want to be on them forever..Im sorta coping without any meds up to now..but ive had enough of this pain..

[claire0410 in reply to SpeaktheTruth]

Thanks for your reply. Sertraline was one of the meds that my doctor suggested. I have read that the side effects can be nasty, but if there is a good end result it would be worth it. I'm so happy that you found something that worked for you! It's encouraging to hear that there is something that may give me some relief.

[Hidden in reply to SpeaktheTruth]

Ok