Diagnosed with GAD, Prescribed Amitriptyline

[JJAz556]

After a long wait, i finally went and saw an actual psychiatrist who through a series of questions has diagnosed me with a "textbook" case of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Its what i figured anyway going in so it wasnt a surprise. She has prescribed me 25mg amitriptyline for the first 3 or 4 days then up to 50mg after that. I have been taking it for 3 days now and its hard to say if it is working or now. I get the worst anxiety dealing with relationships and today the girl i care about tells me she is trying again with her ex which triggered my anxiety. I feel like its not as bad as it was without the medicine but it is still there and still debilitating. I dont feel like eating or doing much of anything besides sleeping to try and forget about it. Is anyone taking this medication for anxiety and do you notice a difference going from 25mg to 50 mg? I have a checkup appointment in 10 days to see if this is working for me or if i need to try something else. I REALLY want to try something like Xanax because from what i have heard it is the best and fastest acting anti anxiety medication on the market.

[Agora1]

Hi JJAz556, Amitriptyline is an older drug that is used for anxiety but also for chronic pain. It is not going to be a quick fix for the emotional pain you are feeling due to relationship issue. Xanax certainly would give you that comfort you are looking for right now however it can't be used for a long period of time without becoming dependent on it. I do feel that there is a time and place for certain medications to be used as a crutch as we learn to heal by usng other methods to reduce our anxiety level.

See what happens in 10 days with the med you are on. Your doctor can always add another drug for anxiety as well. I'm sorry this has happened to you. Remember that we can't control how other people make their decisions in relationships but we can control how we react to their decision. Remember that you are important and to take care of yourself during this stressful time. The forum is always a good place to find others like yourself going through the same think. I wish you well.

[JJAz556 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you for the reply. Its not even so much the emotional pain, ive been through it before and i know i can get through it again. Its the anxiety that accompanies it that im having a hard time with. Racing thoughts, i cant sit still, i feel shaky all day long. If it wasnt the relationship that triggered it, it would be something else. I feel like i can never work a regular job because of the anxiety of it all.

Ill see how i react to the 50mg pills, i am hoping that i can get it under control to the point where i can actually function like everyone else. UNfortunately i dont have any friends or family that i can talk to about it. The few friends i have dont want to hear about it anymore.

[Agora1 in reply to JJAz556]

JJAz556, I can certainly understand not having anyone to talk to about anxiety. I lost friends, I'm so embarrassed with family. No one understands why we never really get cured. People need to see something tangible in order to understand. Anxiety is an invisible disorder to others because we have been so good at hiding our fears. You're absolutely right, if it weren't the relationship it would be something else. Anxiety holds us prisoner by giving us physical symptoms to deal with besides the turmoil in our mind.

I hope that the 50mg dose will help you start moving forward. Take care

[jrcnpg in reply to Agora1]

I couldn't have put it better than you. Well done.

John