Opinions - best anxiety medication?

[brandon561]

Swim was wondering which anxiety med is the best. Swim is going to see his doctor for the 3rd time. Swim really hopes this time he gets something that works, and i wont be completely addicted to. Swim is on 0.5mg of xanax which works awesome when i take about 1mg so the 30 pill script goes quick. swim is also on vistaril and it just makes swim sleepy. Would it be better for swim to take the vistaril for sleep instead of the trazodone he's prescribed? Swim really wants to know which anxiety med is the most helpful? Swim wants to get a new med when he goes to see the doc.

Thanks

[Venusia]

Swiv likes clonazepam (Klonopin) for the daytime. It doesn't make her sleepy at all and works for a good long time. She takes .5 mg every morning and rarely another in the afternoon if she is super stressed. That's her suggestion.

[brandon561]

is there a big chance for addiction?

[Venusia]

Well, with any benzo there is a chance of addiction. Actually, one is likely to become physically dependent, but if the drug is taken exactly as directed under the direct supervision of a psychiatrist or medical doctor, the chances of actual addiction aren't as high. If this puts swiy off, swiy could always try an SSRI like escitalopram or citalopram as these are supposed to be very helpful for anxiety, but those also have a discontinuation sydrome that may occur after swiy stopps taking it, and this would cause withdrawals as well. So, if swiy really wants to medicate for his anxiety, he has to weigh the benefits against the risks. Is the chance of addiction/dependency/possible discontinuation syndrome worth allowing swiy to handle and cope with his anxiety? Swiv recommends that swiy research anti-anxiety meds and weigh the pros and cons for himself. If the good outweighs the bad, then he may be ready to try another benzo or whatnot.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good harm reduction advice.

[brandon561]

Swim has already been on Sertraline(zoloft) 100mg for depression/anxiety and really felt no boost in life like say xaxax would give me.

[Venusia]

Zoloft isn;t the best SSRI for anxiety, and the side effect profiles for citalopram and escitalopram are pretty low. If it is only anxiety, a benzo would a good one to go with, but the dependency issue can be an issue if one is worried about it, If that does happen, a good doctor will make sure to titrate the dosages down so swiy can taper off slowly.

[brandon561]

swim has a benzo already just not alot 30 0.5mg alprazolam.

[Venusia]

Originally Posted by brandon561

swim has a benzo already just not alot 30 0.5mg alprazolam.

Ok, if that dosage of Xanax doesn't work, one could always try telling his p-doc they aren't working and that you would like to try something else. He knows swiy better than Swiv ir anyone here does, so he'll have a good idea of what to try next. Valium and Klonopin are longer acting, but not as strong (if I recall correctly). Ativan works faster than Xanax, but it wears off faster too. My best guess would be that swiy might want to try a higher dosage of xanax. One .5 per day is a very conservative dose. Maybe the p-doc can give you more, like 3 times a day on the .5s or he could just up swiy's dosage but keep it to once a day. Also, there is a sustained release version of alprazolam, so maybe swiy might benefit from that.

[nojokeshere]

Valume / diazapam would be my pick. For some it works as it is suppose to, for others it makes them tired. Xanex - like a sugar tab as far as I'm concerned. And the diazapam - I don't even get tire or anything. Just takes the edge off is all.

Depends on what the anxiety is all about though. Sometimes psych meds are needed if there is a PTSS type issue going on. Then depakot and such.

[debbydoesdamage]

SWIM has found that Ativan works much better for her than Xanax. It takes the edge off her anxiety, but doesn't leave her drowsy. Everyone's body chemistry is so different, so sometimes it's trial and error. As mentioned, depending on what is causing SWIY to be anxious, an SSRI may be something to explore with the MD. Also, SWIM is a firm believer in participating in therapy along with taking medications to help with anxiety and/or depression. The better SWIY understands SWIY-self, the more effective any Rx will be.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good advice about combining talk therapy with RX therapy.

[RedBaron]

For Swim, alcohol takes anxiety completely out of the picture or maybe it just makes him not care about the outcome of things.

Not recommending that Swiy should start drinking all the time but has he considered low doses when anxiety acts up? Maybe 2-3 beer to let the edge off.

[brandon561]

Thanks for all the answers everyone. swim is going to talk to his doctor about maybe changing his xanax script to say valium or klonopin. Would this be good?

[Venusia]

Originally Posted by brandon561

Thanks for all the answers everyone. swim is going to talk to his doctor about maybe changing his xanax script to say valium or klonopin. Would this be good?

Sure! Klonopin (clonazepam) works pretty well for daytime use (at least for Swiv it does) and it lasts longer than Xanax (alprazolam). Valium (diazepam) may make swiy sort of sleepy, but maybe not. As always, swiy's milage may vary on any pill. It's worth a shot though to try something new. Good luck!

[brandon561]

Thanks what one of the two meds would give me the most similar effects to xanax.

[Venusia]

Originally Posted by brandon561

Thanks what one of the two meds would give me the most similar effects to xanax.

Not entirely sure about that one, but here is an abridged benzo equivalency chart to help you out:

BENZODIAZEPINE	COMPARATIVE DOSE	TIME TO PEAK PLASMA LEVEL	HALF-LIFE	CHARACTERISTICS
Alprazolam	.5 mg	1-2 hours	9-20 hours	anxiolytic
Bromazepam	3 mg	.5 - 4 hours	8 - 30 hours	anxiolytic
Chlordiazepoxide	25 mg	1-4 hours	24-100 hours	anxiolytic
Clonazepam	.25 mg	1-4 hours	10-60 hours	anxiolytic, anticonvulsant
Diazepam	5 mg	1-2 hours	30-200 hours	anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant
Lorazepam	1 mg	2-4 hours	8-24 hours	anxiolytic,anticonvulsant
Nitrazepam	2.5 mg	.5-7 hours	15-48 hours	hypnotic
Oxazepam	15 mg	2 - 3 hours	3 - 25 hours	anxiolytic
Temazepam	10 mg	2.5 hours	3 - 25 hours	hypnotic
Triazolam	.25 mg	1-2 hours	.5-5 hours	hypnotic

Definitions:
peak plasma levels - how long it takes for the onset of the drug's action to occur
half-life - the time it takes one's body to eliminate of 1/2 of the drug
anxiolytic - anti-anxiety
anticonvulsant - prevents/stops convulsions
hypnotic - works for sleep
muscle relaxant - helps relieve any musculoskelatal discomfort/pain (like spasms)

Different benzos effect people differently, but this should give swiy a better idea of how well each one works for different things, allowing swiy to make an informed decision rather than depending on what someone else says works for them. I truly hope this helps swiy find the right med for him.

p.s. any one of these may not be available where swiy lives, as Swiv is not entirely sure what is only in the UK or the US or Europe, etc...

Reputation Comments on this post:

	helpful chart
	Very nice find; great contribution.
	Very useful information

[humdroid]

Originally Posted by brandon561

Swim was wondering which anxiety med is the best. Swim is going to see his doctor for the 3rd time. Swim really hopes this time he gets something that works, and i wont be completely addicted to. Swim is on 0.5mg of xanax which works awesome when i take about 1mg so the 30 pill script goes quick. swim is also on vistaril and it just makes swim sleepy. Would it be better for swim to take the vistaril for sleep instead of the trazodone he's prescribed? Swim really wants to know which anxiety med is the most helpful? Swim wants to get a new med when he goes to see the doc.

Thanks

None of the benzos are good for anxiety.
They are effective as very short term maskers of anxiety, but have very limited use, and serious addiction potential.
Benzos can also cause rebound anxiety after a short time of use, and worsening depression/insomnia.
Y is taking 150mg trazodone, and this helps him sleep most nights.
He takes zolpidem the odd night, but not for more than a few days, as it is, again, habit forming.

Trazodone can be taken every night. Y also finds it makes his body feel relaxed.
It feels like a 'chill pill' when taken at night.


ps, maybe ask your doctor to up the dose of trazodone

[dr ACE]

xanax and clonazepam, or diazepam but if you cent get ahold of them you could try Chlorphenamine an anti-histamine which has off lable use as anti-anxiety-
anti-depressant

Reputation Comments on this post:

Interesting alternative idea to benzos!

[humdroid]

Just over a week ago, Y started getting crippling anxiety on waking.
Every morning, he would wake up in a state of panic.
He could stand it no more, so he went to see his doctor, yesterday, who prescribed him buspar.
His doctor said he could take it as and when required.
Online, however, when Y searched, the info said it should be taken three times a day and may not kick in for a few weeks.
Y was surprised to find that the buspar seemed to relax him, about half an hour, to an hour after taking it.
He was also pleasantly suprised to find that the anxiety was not so crippling. As it was still there a bit, Y decided to take a buspar, again, he felt himself relax within half an hour/an hour.

[Birkill]

Jus swims 2 cents trazadone dun naff all 4 swim and he found heroin the best cure but this also fukd his life up a wee bit so prob wernt the best way... dont really get much anxiety these days but drink alot so.....fek nose, still counsilling prob best as drugs jus mask tings no cure....?!

Birkill added 983 Minutes and 57 Seconds later...

Sorry i was a bit smashed last night, my basic jist was that i first turned to the doc which failed, i then turned to hard drugs which again failed so all i was saying is that its better to sort out whats rattling around in your head rather then cover it up with chemicals(There, better!?)

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Illegible post, cannot understand most of the post. Bad advice on top of it all.
	your post did not make sense make sure your spling is correct and your straight when posting
	Much better! Thank you for your contribution.
	Good advice, now I understand what was originally said.

[drronnie]

Originally Posted by Venusia

Swiv likes clonazepam (Klonopin) for the daytime. It doesn't make her sleepy at all and works for a good long time. She takes .5 mg every morning and rarely another in the afternoon if she is super stressed. That's her suggestion.

How long has Swiv taken this because Swim has also started taking .5 mg Clonazapem for anxiety and insomnia two days ago and wants to know how not to get tolerant. Thanks

[war209]

You not going get high of anxiety pill or sleeping pills all it is going to do is make you calm and relaxed and drowsy that drinking or smoking pot can do the same effect.


If you take too much you get too drowsy ,space out and slow.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Bad advice,it is possible to get high on anxiety and sleeping meds.

[demon_candy]

SWIM is interested in this topic. She has been experiencing some intense depression and anxiety as of late, and plans on going to see her psychiatrist for some methods to assist in dealing with it. For the record, SWIM has had a history of depression, and self-mutilation. She has been on Paxil, Celexa, LexaPro and other anti-depressants which seem to not have helped her and eventually she just stopped taking them. She generally has mild depression, but often when some catalyst is introduced, she experiences very intense high levels of anxiety bordering a panic attack that can range from half an hour, to several. During these times she finds it hard to calm down, and experiences elevated heart rate on top of mental anguish.

She has been trying to research something that the doctor might agree to prescribe her, that might help with her anxiety. She has been looking into Lorazepam and Alprazolam, as her sister and both parents already have a prescription to the latter. SWIM would be happy to be prescribed Diazepam, however she thinks that suggesting this to the doctor might lead him to think this might be a drug of abuse potential for her (she has seen Diazepam prescribed more for physical pain than mental pain and wonders how often it is actually used for anxiety).

SWIM doesn't want the doctor to look at her like she is trying to become prescribed something to get high. SWIM has used Dextromethorphan and Diphenhydramine in cold medicines many times during her moments of anxiety, not looking for a "high" but some sort of mental relaxation. She would prefer something more suited to the task.

She has had experience with Alprazolam, though it often makes her quite tired. Besides this and Lorazepam, she wonder what others she should research before going to her doctor.

[DF007]

SWIM has had great luck with .5 - 1mg of Xanax. Also a low dose combination of Vicodin (3.5mg) does the trick.

SWIM has been getting worse over the years and has been on multiple meds such as the OP.

[Luposlipophobia]

Originally Posted by brandon561

Swim was wondering which anxiety med is the best.

Crack Cocaine.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Please state your reasons why crack cocaine is the best anxiety medicine

[missparkles]

Sparkles didn't leave the rep, but she'd like to explain.
It is possible to get high on benzo's and sleeping tablets. Sparkles gateway drug was diazepam, and she also took nitrazepam too, both made her high. That's why these drugs are so addictive, physically and psychologically.
When used at their therapeutic dose they will make a person feel relaxed and calm. But even then,some people will feel euphoria, enjoy it and up their dose, then they have a good chance of becoming addicted to them.
Hope this explanation helped?
Take care.
Sparkles.