Anxiety medicines

[Whitetail66]

Question for those of you with CKD who take medication for anxiety. I am currently stage 3b, grf of 30, and constantly fatigued with sore tendons/muscles. I would classify myself as having chronic stress for years. I take care of my 91 year old mom, and while she is wonderful and I’m glad that I can be there for her, it’s stressful. There are also other stressors in my life, but you all don’t need a detailed list, so I will spare you the read.😄 I also want to say that I’m aware of the other things that I can do to eliminate stress, so no need to list those things. I just want to focus on the subject of anxiety medications. So my questions about anxiety medicine are these-

1.) Is there an anxiety medicine that you don’t need to take regularly, but you can take when you feel stressed, that works effectively like a benzo like Lorazepam?

2.) If not, is there a medication that you take that is kidney friendly that you take regularly, that doesn’t make you feel like a zombie?

Any insight into anxiety meds and the ones that worked for you would be greatly appreciated. TIA

[S_dillow]

im on 20 mg of abilify which doesnt seem to interfere with my kidneys.i dont feel like a zombie at all but everones body is different.it helps me a great deal.

[Whitetail66 in reply to S_dillow]

Thank you. I will talk to my nephrologist.

[Juan64]

Hello from Spain.I am a classical homeopath with CKD for a few months now.

My kidneys were fine in April and now - due to urinary retention- my GFR is already 33.

After struggling this summer with many issues concerning this disease- physical and emotional- now my state of mind is pretty good since I decided to study thoroughly my own case- as I do with my patients- and I found a homeopathic remedy which is helping me a lot both mental and physically.

Homeopathy has been considered many times over its history of 200 years as quackery, but the reality is that is a noble medicine, something I witness everyday in my daily practise.

My best wishes for you in your journey to keep this - our disease - under control in all senses.

[Whitetail66 in reply to Juan64]

I am not at all opposed to going the homeopathic route at all. I’d actually prefer it to pharmaceutical medicine. If you wouldn’t mind sharing what your homeopathic remedy is, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for the reply.

[Juan64 in reply to Whitetail66]

In homeopathy we treat the individual with CKD and not the CKD of the individual.

This means that we individualize all the symptoms of the patient at all levels, especially those peculiar and/or intense before prescribing the remedy.

I have patients in different countries, so if you ever are interested in an online consultation let me know.

I would not like at all to promote myself here for ethical reasons, so hopefully with this offering I am not violating any rule of this group.

If so, I do apologise.

[MinnadeParis]

Alprazolam (Xanax) I’m stage 3b GFR 38. I don’t take it often only when stressed. My neph said it was ok.

[Whitetail66 in reply to MinnadeParis]

Thanks, but I would like to stay away from benzo medication, which Lorazapam also is, and I’m looking for something I can take daily that’s safe. Thank you for the reply.

[CuriousCKD]

My Dr. prescribed one .05 mg tablet of Alprazolam 3 times a day for anxiety, but I usually only take one, an hour before bed. I will take a second dose, if I really feel like I need it. It helps me sleep, something I have had a very difficult time of doing, for years now. Blessings to you.

[Whitetail66 in reply to CuriousCKD]

Thanks you for the reply.

[caringkriket]

I also have CKD stage 2 gfr between 30-43 as it fluctuates and take .5 xanax. My Dr's are careful with meds because of this. It does help for me at night to relax and get some sleep. I also have been given buspar by my psychiatrist to help with anxiety. I take it sometimes with my pain meds and it also helps and they work better. Huggs XOXO

[caringkriket]

FYI alprazolam is the generic of xanax. Hope this helps!

[FelineFandom146]

I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome along with CKD which when anxious causes issues. I've been on Effexor (Venlafaxine) successfully since 2006 without issues, though I am now in Stage 5 Kindy Failure stage. I take 1/2 37.5mg once a day or sometimes every other day. It may raise BP but I haven't had that issue. Read up on it. As for non-meds, I used to take Hyland's Calm's Forte or their Nerve Tonic. Both are homeopathic and did work for me when I didn't have IBS Flare ups or anxiety attacks. Hope one someone recommended helps. Read up on them and refer to your Nephrologist, too.

[Whitetail66 in reply to FelineFandom146]

Thank you. I will look into the homeopathic options you mentioned.

[TES72]

I am on xanex. However, I was prescribed, before my illness. I went into septic shock 2017. I had never heard of sepsis. Upon arrival at ER, my kidneys and liver had already shut down.

I currently am CKD 3B , nonalcoholic cirrhosis, atrophied right kidney. A menu of mental health conditions. PTSD, anxiety disorder, cognitive impairment, insomnia, night terrors.

I hope this helps. XO

[KajNybom]

I take Clonozapam (sp). I'll look it up and see if it impacts the kidney but it really gets rid of anxiety.

[Marvin8 in reply to KajNybom]

Clonazepam is not particularly kidney friendly. If you're gonna take a bento, alprazolam (Xanax) is probably the least harmful. Do some research.

[FelineFandom146]

Hello again: I forgot to add that putting a few drops of Lavender Oil beneath your nose will help soothe your anxiety, too. Cucumber Oil works too. I used both before doing MRI's and MRA's because I get severe anxiety aka claustrophobia. It may or may not work for you but I've had success with it. Breathe in deeply and try to rest a bit alone in dark for a few minutes if you can or just before a bath or shower. Hope this helps.