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Can't solve real bad anxiety issues. Meds out there?

Joshgw profile image
Joshgw
β€’38 Replies

Right of the bat I can't take benzodiazepines. They just don't agree with me, and I need something to take every day, like the concept of taking an ssri (not "as needed"). I'm on one ssri (trintellix). Klonopin I'm currently tapering off of, buspar didn't really help, I recently re-started Zyprexa which I took last summer and it worked like a charm immediately. Starting it again, it's not only not really working but the side effects are completely different. I didn't even get drowsy at all the first time and now I can barely wake up and how it made me feel is different. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've heard people taking trazodone, abilify, or vistaril (though I'm not sure if it's strong enough for me). Am I out of options? Thanks for any help!

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Joshgw
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38 Replies
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Hb2003 profile image
Hb2003

I took Propranolol and it seemed to help a lot with my anxiety πŸ™ . Lots of kindness and support to you ☺️

Joshgw profile image
Joshgwβ€’ in reply toHb2003

Thanks for responding. That's a beta blocker right? Do you have high blood pressure or anything like that. I have to see if I can take that with ssri's

Hb2003 profile image
Hb2003β€’ in reply toJoshgw

Your welcome i do not have high blood pressure but it helps to decrease the heart rate . It also helps with asthma too .

Imaaan profile image
Imaaanβ€’ in reply toHb2003

Pls make sure you're on a good magnesium supplement along with eating magnesium rich food because that particular med is known to reduce magnesium levels. More importantly magnesium is really important to heart health amongst other things.

Hb2003 profile image
Hb2003β€’ in reply toImaaan

So true I always take magnesium supplements ☺️ I didn’t know that thank you for telling me sister ❀️

Imaaan profile image
Imaaanβ€’ in reply toHb2003

I learnt it on the thyroid forum from one of the admins that was on it for several yrs.

Imaaan profile image
Imaaanβ€’ in reply toHb2003

Hope the amount is 300mcg. Look up the RDI for women

Hb2003 profile image
Hb2003β€’ in reply toImaaan

Thank you πŸ™ so should I take that amount twice a day or once a day ?

Imaaan profile image
Imaaanβ€’ in reply toHb2003

Too much magnesium is detrimental as much as too little so take that amount only once.

Hb2003 profile image
Hb2003β€’ in reply toImaaan

Got it thank you ☺️

tieamartin profile image
tieamartinβ€’ in reply toImaaan

What kind of magnesium? I’m on 60mg of propranolol daily and have magnesium glycinate.

Imaaan profile image
Imaaanβ€’ in reply totieamartin

Hi

Sorry I dont recall if the admin mentioned the type of magnesium she was using. She was on propranolol for 19 yrs. You can message her if you would like to know the type of magnesium she is on. Slowdragon is the profile name on the thyroid forum.

I'm not on a beta blocker but I personally use and prefer magnesium glycinate.

Joshgw profile image
Joshgwβ€’ in reply toImaaan

Great. Thanks for the info.

Imaaan profile image
Imaaanβ€’ in reply toJoshgw

:) No prob. Hope you find something that helps with your anxiety

Nothing_but_books profile image
Nothing_but_booksβ€’ in reply toImaaan

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/M...

Joshgw profile image
Joshgwβ€’ in reply toNothing_but_books

Thanks for the suggestion. I will definitely look into it!

Imaaan profile image
Imaaanβ€’ in reply toNothing_but_books

Thnxs for sharing

Nothing_but_books profile image
Nothing_but_booksβ€’ in reply toImaaan

Welcome. And a belated HI!

Imaaan profile image
Imaaanβ€’ in reply toNothing_but_books

Howdy do Mi LADY ;)

Nothing_but_books profile image
Nothing_but_booksβ€’ in reply toImaaan

Hangin' in there πŸ¦₯

Icewall42 profile image
Icewall42

Magnesium for sure, make sure it's a chelated version. Lots of meds deplete magnesium especially meds for acid reflux. It's also good to have it because anti-psychotics can be constipating. I'm on Zyprexa+Prozac but it's not working as well as the Zyprexa alone, so I'm in kind of the same boat, running out of options... :(

AdamFCastillo31 profile image
AdamFCastillo31

Well, if you ask about my opinion, I am not really into medicine favor as it has many side effects, Although, it may vary from person to person. You should try a combination method (counseling/therapy+ medication) it has been the best treatment method to treat depression or anxiety.I hope it makes sense to you.

Greenguy profile image
Greenguyβ€’ in reply toAdamFCastillo31

Yea I agree with that πŸ’― percent. Meds only do about 10 to 20 percent of the overall help. And if you are solely dependent on meds and not getting some therapy and using coping skills and distracting yourself it will not be very affective. I have been inpatient and outpatient quite a bit in the past and that is what every person who works in them has told me as well and I can tell you that a good therapist can make all the difference in the world. I know that in my case I found a good 1 and I was able to about 2 years ago go inpatient and start tapering down and then I got off my meds completely that I had been on for like 20 years. And thankfully I'm doing better without them but I know that everyone is different so I'm not saying that I advise for you to do the same thing as me in that regard. I'm just sharing a little bit of my pain so hopefully it can be your gain. So I say that to say it's very important to combine a therapist and a good support system around you if possible with the medication. I know a lot of people who seen a huge difference in their situations when they started seeing a therapist. And I was 1 of the stubborn ones who said that I did not need 1, they could not help me and stuff like that. And I was πŸ’― percent wrong about that. So I hope this helps someone and gives you hope and inspiration. Just please don't become totally dependent on meds to fix everything because they won't. They are a small part of the overall healing. And I hope you have a great day today too! πŸ˜ƒ Whoever reads this.

Joshgw profile image
Joshgwβ€’ in reply toGreenguy

Thanks. I also agree that meds are only a tool and that therapy/coping skills is what's needed to get better. Finding the right therapist is a hard one. Before the new one I have now(about 2 months) I had the same therapist/psychiatrist for 20 years and didn't know I was getting the wrong treatment. It wasn't until inpatient hospital I realized that. The therapist I have now is more of what I need and very different. I've been trying DBT and found group therapy invaluable. Fortunately after about 4 months I was able to go back to work, but then I couldn't do the intensive group therapy I was in that was extremely helpful. I do think meds are a necessary evil because sometimes things are so overwhelming you need help, a kind of safety net. Otherwise I wasn't able to function. I got so suicidal I gave my pills to my wife to hide because I didn't trust myself and I have a 12 year old. And this was after the hospital. I was with my 1st therapist for years before I went on meds because I was wanted to get by without them. Everyone is different but I hope my story can help too.

Greenguy profile image
Greenguyβ€’ in reply toJoshgw

Yea we definitely are all different and I understand where you are coming from and thank you for sharing your story and I hope things are and continue to get better for you too

Blueruth profile image
Blueruth

What other things are you doing besides meds?

Joshgw profile image
Joshgwβ€’ in reply toBlueruth

I have a great therapist, doing DBT, TMS, other coping skills. But sometimes I still get so overwhelmed I need a little help to get the edge off and nothing seems to help and it compromises my functioning.

Blueruth profile image
Blueruthβ€’ in reply toJoshgw

I suggest adding in movement before more chemicals. Fear melters is something that may take you off the edge when you feel like you are overwhelmed. They seem even a little silly but that is actually part of the goal.

In the long term exercise is proven over and over to activate the same areas that meds are supposed to. And the more you do it the more permanent those benefits become permanent. Meditation is good too but my sense is that actual movement would be more helpful to you. I sense a lot of energy. I say "movement" because even a 20 min walk *is* a form of exercise and meditation at the same time. Literally just that addition to my daily life has helped me and I do not focus easily.

foundationforconsciouslivin...

Joshgw profile image
Joshgwβ€’ in reply toBlueruth

Thanks for the tip...

Melancholy12 profile image
Melancholy12

Propanol helped me when I needed it. Meditation mindfulness journaling exercising eating healthfully getting the negative people out of your life!

designguy profile image
designguy

I've posted on this site before about this, but in case you didn't see it, you might consider doing a psychopharmacological test to determine which meds are best suited for you genetically using your dna. Mine was from Genesight and was paid for by my insurance. My test showed that of the half dozen meds I had tried, none were right for me except for Klonopin which is a benzo and they don't prescribe it for longterm use. I started on one the test recommended (Pristiq) and it has worked well.

And as others here have mentioned, meds alone will rarely solve your issues, it also takes the right therapy to help you get in touch with and process your suppressed emotions so you can heal. You might look into ACT Therapy for helping you accept, allow and process them.

Joshgw profile image
Joshgwβ€’ in reply todesignguy

I did do the gene test, don't t think it's that accurate based on my experience. But yes meds cannot replace the right therapy.

CandiceRW profile image
CandiceRW

I also recommend the Genesight test. It at least kept me from wasting time on trying the meds that aren't suited for me. And I have used propanol as well with good results.

Another option is hydroxyzine. It's a prescription antihistamine, but also used for anxiety.

Good luck 🀞

Candice

Joshgw profile image
Joshgwβ€’ in reply toCandiceRW

Thanks Candice. I've done the GeneSite test too, don't think it's that accurate given my experience with 20 meds on that list. They gave my hydroxyzine in the hospital, don't remember how well it worked, but I'd still give it another shot.

CandiceRW profile image
CandiceRWβ€’ in reply toJoshgw

Can I ask what's the TMS like? Any help so far?

Joshgw profile image
Joshgwβ€’ in reply toCandiceRW

It's no so bad actually. It's not like ECT when they put you under. They put a small machine on the side of your head and you feel electrical pulses . It literally takes only 3 minutes and and you go for 36 days. I do feel a little better. It's subtle, but I do notice at least something positive. For me, it's worth it. ECT was horrible.

CandiceRW profile image
CandiceRWβ€’ in reply toJoshgw

Thanks. Good to know. I hope it keeps getting better for you.

GreenUser profile image
GreenUser

Propanol Affects melatonin production and causes insomnia best avoided for insomniacs. Benzos work wonders for anxiety and insomnia but are highly addictive. Mirtazapine works surprisingly well as a sleep aid - you put on weight though. It was very effective on me.

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