anxiety and mood disorder meds

[reinventingmyself36]

what are some of the most effective meds for severe anxiety other than Klonopin which i can’t live without?

In addition, what works for mood disorders possibly bipolar?

[Hb2003]

good question have you tried natural methods for your anxiety ?

[reinventingmyself36 in reply to Hb2003]

I have but nothing works for me! It just creeps up on me. I tried to do Klonopin withdrawal for almost 2 weeks and felt like I needed to be hospitalized without it

[Hb2003 in reply to reinventingmyself36]

i am so sorry about that 🙁.

[Hidden in reply to reinventingmyself36]

Hi, just an fyi: I took Klonopin for many years and tried unsuccessfully to wean off of it. I was prescribed Lexapro, SSRI, about a year ago, and was able to discontinue the Klonopin within two weeks. It was a blessing, but yes, it is an addicting medication, mentally and physically. I know how you are feeling.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Hidden]

If you still want to wean off Klonopin, look up "Ashton manual".

[reinventingmyself36 in reply to Hidden]

I don’t think I have the right psychiatrist and I have been to quite a few and none of the ssri’s nor lexapro and other drugs have helped my anxiety what SSRI helped you?

[CAGgmb]

My PCP wasn't any help, nor was a nurse practitioner, but finally I found a psychiatrist. I am now on what she believes to be a therapeutic dose of an SSRI. It's been slow going, but it seems to be helping. Try to find the right help for yourself. You deserve better.

[reinventingmyself36 in reply to CAGgmb]

yes I see a nurse practitioner and nothings helping me. I’m too lazy to find a psychiatrist. What SSRI are you on?

[CAGgmb in reply to reinventingmyself36]

Right now I am on sertraline. Years ago I was on paroxetine, but it was no longer working for me. I needed to switch to another SSRI. it takes a long time to gradually increase the dose and adjust, though.

[reinventingmyself36 in reply to CAGgmb]

so true! Thanks

[designguy]

I didn't have any trouble quitting klonopin but I did a very slow taper, did it when I was feeling good and stable for a while and also supplemented with natural supplements. You might check out the "anti-anxiety food solution" book by Trudy Scott for natural solutions. the other thing I have found that is very important for me is to make sure my hormones, thyroid and adrenals are functioning properly because they can cause or contribute to anxiety/mood issues if not. I also did not find any other med besides klonopin that directly affected my anxiety but we are all different.

[reinventingmyself36 in reply to designguy]

thank you. I will check it out. I’m prob eating bad foods that also contribute to anxiety. I take supplements but they don’t work. Thanks

[designguy in reply to reinventingmyself36]

You might try doing a psychopharmacological test that uses you dna to determine which meds are best suited for you genetically, mine was from Genesight and was covered by my insurance. I think there may also be other brands available now. My test showed that none of the over half-dozen meds I had tried before were good for me except klonopin, which I already suspected, and I started on one it recommended (Pristiq) and it has worked well. The test helped take out a lot of the guess work and trial and error.

[reinventingmyself36 in reply to designguy]

oh wow! This is super helpful. I’ll check it out. None of meds help me much even Klonopin isn’t helping as much as I need it too. How many mgs do you take?

[designguy in reply to reinventingmyself36]

I no longer take klonopin regularly but when I did I used a 0.5mg pill and would cut it in half a lot of times. i was able to taper off of it slowly without issues. For the Pristiq I take 75 mg and have stayed at the dose for a couple of years.

[reinventingmyself36 in reply to designguy]

oh .5 does nothing for me .. u felt calm from such a small dose. I sometimes take 2-3 mg at once which is horrible since I’m over medicating and still doesn’t work. Thank you I’ll look into pristiq

[reinventingmyself36]

thank you I have tried. I have to find a new psychiatrist I guess. I tried many things nothings helping

[reinventingmyself36]

thank you