Recenty I've begun having anxiety attacks. It happens even when I'm not thinking about it. I was just wondering if there is anything I can do to control them better? The doctor already has me on Xanax.

My doctor won't put me on a benzodiazepine like Xanax or Valium for several reasons... I seriously think I need something, though. I'm on Lexapro and that anti-depressant doesn't do a damn ***** for my anxiety, which is off the charts. My dad is on Lorazepam (Ativan, brand name) and does good with it.

Originally posted by Kay Scarpetta
My doctor won't put me on a benzodiazepine like Xanax or Valium for several reasons... I seriously think I need something, though. I'm on Lexapro and that anti-depressant doesn't do a damn ***** for my anxiety, which is off the charts. My dad is on Lorazepam (Ativan, brand name) and does good with it.

I'm actually on Lexapro also for depression too. It's true what you said. It works great for my depression, but not anxiety.

Effexor chills out your anxiety to bits:D

LOL. I'll take anything at this point. When I have an attack it's really scary. It reminds me of a heart attack or something. I feel it in my chest. I have an appointment on Tuesday with the doctor. Maybe she'll increase my dosage or put me on something else.

I have major anxiety and I'm just on prozac. But...nothing really helps. The doctor just increased the dose today, so I don't know. Doubt it'll do anything.

Originally posted by *A TV People*
I have major anxiety and I'm just on prozac. But...nothing really helps. The doctor just increased the dose today, so I don't know. Doubt it'll do anything.

I was on 70 mg of Prozac and it didn't help one bit with anything, so they took me off of it. Then I was on 250 mg of Zoloft, and THAT didn't help either. Nothing is helping me.

Originally posted by Princess2003
I'm actually on Lexapro also for depression too. It's true what you said. It works great for my depression, but not anxiety.

It's pissing me off, because it's not helping my depression OR my anxiety. I've been on Prozac and Zoloft in the past, and those didn't help either. Nothing at all is helping my depression. I think I'm abnormal, lol.

try keeping gum in your mouth....works for me

Originally posted by Kay Scarpetta
My doctor won't put me on a benzodiazepine like Xanax or Valium for several reasons... I seriously think I need something, though. I'm on Lexapro and that anti-depressant doesn't do a damn ***** for my anxiety, which is off the charts. My dad is on Lorazepam (Ativan, brand name) and does good with it.

ever tried Paxil? That did a great job on my anxiety. I mean, no, it's not gone, but let me tell you...for years and years, I used to be scared ****less of animals. Dogs, cats, didn't matter. If they came anywhere near me, I would freeze and want to scream. Now on Paxil...I'll almost go up to the pet before it ever comes to me and pet it. And I did nothing...I'm just not scared anymore. Same with lighting matches. Let's just say a lot of my deep-seeded (and stupid) fears are gone.

Not promoting it, but maybe it would work better than Lexapro.

Originally posted by dawsongirl
ever tried Paxil? That did a great job on my anxiety. I mean, no, it's not gone, but let me tell you...for years and years, I used to be scared ****less of animals. Dogs, cats, didn't matter. If they came anywhere near me, I would freeze and want to scream. Now on Paxil...I'll almost go up to the pet before it ever comes to me and pet it. And I did nothing...I'm just not scared anymore. Same with lighting matches. Let's just say a lot of my deep-seeded (and stupid) fears are gone.

Not promoting it, but maybe it would work better than Lexapro.

My doctors won't put me on Paxil... I don't think my mother would let them, either. I don't know, something about all the things going around about it. *shrugs*

Originally posted by Kay Scarpetta
It's pissing me off, because it's not helping my depression OR my anxiety. I've been on Prozac and Zoloft in the past, and those didn't help either. Nothing at all is helping my depression. I think I'm abnormal, lol. Nope, nothing helps me either. I don't even remember the medication I was on before Prozac...but it didn't do ****.

Originally posted by dawsongirl
Lexapro. Ah, yes, that was what I was on before Prozac. ****. All ****.

In reading this...I wonder why so many doctors put anxiety sufferers on anti-depressents. I know the two can often go hand-in-hand, but if your main problem is anxiety, then I would be inclined to believe that ridding that would help ease the depression. I know once I got my nerves settled, I wasn't anywhere near as depressed.

Drugs like Paxil or Buspar are more for anxiety than depression. I know my Paxil info says depression too, but it's touted as an anti-anxiety agent moreso.

*shrugs* It depends on which drug company is in some doctor's back pockets I bet.

Originally posted by Kay Scarpetta
My doctors won't put me on Paxil... I don't think my mother would let them, either. I don't know, something about all the things going around about it. *shrugs*

Oh yeah...I forgot the whole under-18 thing.

There has to be other SSRIs that teens can take...

Originally posted by dawsongirl
ever tried Paxil? That did a great job on my anxiety. I mean, no, it's not gone, but let me tell you...for years and years, I used to be scared ****less of animals. Dogs, cats, didn't matter. If they came anywhere near me, I would freeze and want to scream. Now on Paxil...I'll almost go up to the pet before it ever comes to me and pet it. And I did nothing...I'm just not scared anymore. Same with lighting matches. Let's just say a lot of my deep-seeded (and stupid) fears are gone.

Not promoting it, but maybe it would work better than Lexapro.
Karly's 15, paxil wouldn't be good for her. Researches showed that paxil worsens emotions and provokes suicidal tendencies for people under 18. Judging by what happened when i took it through ages 12-14, they're correct.

Anyone ever tried Wellbutrin XL?

Originally posted by dawsongirl
In reading this...I wonder why so many doctors put anxiety sufferers on anti-depressents. I know the two can often go hand-in-hand, but if your main problem is anxiety, then I would be inclined to believe that ridding that would help ease the depression. I know once I got my nerves settled, I wasn't anywhere near as depressed.

Drugs like Paxil or Buspar are more for anxiety than depression. I know my Paxil info says depression too, but it's touted as an anti-anxiety agent moreso.

*shrugs* It depends on which drug company is in some doctor's back pockets I bet.

my main thing is both depression and anxiety, unfortunately :(

Originally posted by dawsongirl
Anyone ever tried Wellbutrin XL?


AHHHHHH. No one in my family goes near that stuff. My dad was on it and went nuts. My mom is afraid to put me on it :lol: even though I could react differently, but we had a REALLY hard time with my father.

Originally posted by Kay Scarpetta
my main thing is both depression and anxiety, unfortunately :(

I've got the same problem which is why they have me on an anti depressant and an anti anxiety medication. Lexapro does **** for my anxiety, but is working for my depression.

Ugh...finally. A list of anti-depressant/anxiety drugs and their classes:

These drugs are tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) which work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain.

Dry mouth, blurred vision, increased fatigue and sleepiness, weight gain, muscle twitching (tremors), constipation, bladder problems such as urine retention, dizziness, daytime drowsiness, increased heart rate; sexual problems.


Anafranil
Adapin (doxepin)
Aventyl (nortriptyline)
Elavil (amitriptyline)
Norpramin (desipramin)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Pertofrane (desipramine)
Sinequan (doxepin)
Surmontil
Tofranil (imipramine)
Vivactil (protryptiline)

Originally posted by Princess2003
I've got the same problem which is why they have me on an anti depressant and an anti anxiety medication. Same with me...but neither of them really get much better. And anything can still set them both off.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) increase the amount of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain

Must avoid certain foods and medications to avoid dangerous interactions.**

Signs of this problem include: headache, heart racing, sense of constriction in the throat, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical care immediately.


Parnate
Nardil
Marplan

One of the things my doctor has to figure out is a medication that won't cause weight gain. I'm obese, and that is a lot of the reason why I'm depressed. On top of that I have high blood pressure, so they need to find an anxiety medication that won't make me gain weight or increase my blood pressure.

I have panic attacks all the time. My doctor has tried coax me into taking medication for it, but has failed everytime. I dont want to deal with any of that crap.

As for depression, its on and off. Somedays I'm fine but others I wake up feeling like complete crap. Whatever... I hate talking about this kinda stuff because I don't wanna sound like I'm complaining for attention. Especially to my family.

These drugs, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs work by increasing the amount of serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in the brain.

Sexual problems including low sex drive or inability to have an orgasm are common but reversible, dizziness, headaches, nausea right after a dose, insomnia, feeling jittery.


Celexa
Lexapro
Luvox
Paxil
Prozac
Serzone
Zoloft


I didn't realize Zoloft and Lexapro were in the same class with Paxil.

Originally posted by Princess2003
One of the things my doctor has to figure out is a medication that won't cause weight gain. I'm obese, and that is a lot of the reason why I'm depressed. On top of that I have high blood pressure, so they need to find an anxiety medication that won't make me gain weight or increase my blood pressure.

My doctor told me that many people lose weight on SSRIs. Don't know if that works for all people though.

Originally posted by MaydayMalonesGirl
I have panic attacks all the time. My doctor has tried coax me into taking medication for it, but has failed everytime. I dont want to deal with any of that crap.

As for depression, its on and off. Somedays I'm fine but others I wake up feeling like complete crap. Whatever... I hate talking about this kinda stuff because I don't wanna sound like I'm complaining for attention. Especially to my family. I get the whole complaining thing alot and it just makes me feel worse, because it probably does seem that way and I hate it.

Here...for the weight gain solution:

Wellbutrin

Wellbutrin increases the amounts of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine in the brain.

Weight loss, decreased appetite, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, constipation, dry mouth, diarrhea, dizziness

Wellbutrin has not been associated with the weight gain or sexual function problems seen with other antidepressants.

Originally posted by Princess2003
I've got the same problem which is why they have me on an anti depressant and an anti anxiety medication. Lexapro does **** for my anxiety, but is working for my depression.

At least something is working.

i'm on zolof and propanol or something for my anixety problems

These drugs increase the levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

Drowsiness, blurred vision, lightheadeness, strange dreams, constipation, fever chills, headache, increased appetite, tremor, dry mouth, nausea.

Remeron can be sedating.


Effexor
Remeron

These drugs block various neurotransmitter chemicals to some degree.

Desyrel may cause drowsiness, fatigue, tremor, headache, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting.

Ludiomil may cause headache, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, sweating.

Serzone may cause dry mouth, nausea, sleepiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. In rare cases, treatment with Serzone has been associated with serious liver problems, sometimes resulting in liver transplant or death.


Desyrel (trazodone)
Ludiomil
Serzone*


* The maker of Serzone will discontinue the distribution of the drug in June 2004.

Originally posted by Jen1989
Has anyone been on Remeron? I was put on it five and half years ago, and it's been three years since I've stopped taking it. It helped for awhile, but then it stopped helping. It was prescribed for my sleeping problems. It made me gain 26 pounds, which I have since lost 16 pounds, thankfully. I went from being 120lbs. to 146lbs. I'm now 130. It made me have tremors and bad/strange dreams. It caused me to have dry mouth and made it harder to swallow. You lose ability to maturally swallow correctly while alseep causing you to drool.

Yuck. No, I've never even heard of it until I saw that.

Speaking of weight gain, I went from 118-120 to 128-130, but some of that is my being lazy, I'm sure. Though how I could gain too much weight is beyond me...the depression made me not eat and all the anxiety worsed my stomach problems to the point where I can't eat too much anymore. Stupid doctors...

Originally posted by dawsongirl
Yuck. No, I've never even heard of it until I saw that.

Speaking of weight gain, I went from 118-120 to 128-130, but some of that is my being lazy, I'm sure. Though how I could gain too much weight is beyond me...the depression made me not eat and all the anxiety worsed my stomach problems to the point where I can't eat too much anymore. Stupid doctors...



I've got the opposite problem. I binge when I'm depressed. Looking back I was one of those people who could eat all day and not get sick. It was like my body or mind was ignoring the signs saying that I was full. I also know it was a coping mechanism and I did it out of boredom. Now that I'm on an anti depressant, I notice those things. It's like Whoa I'm actually full and I don't want to eat anymore.

Originally posted by dawsongirl


These drugs are tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) which work by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain.



Aventyl (nortriptyline)
Elavil (amitriptyline)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Vivactil (protryptiline)


The "triptyline" meds are older anti-depressants, but work very good, from what my psych says. She wants to put me on Elavril (also because it's good for chronic pain.. my neck), but it causes extreme lethargy in some people. That's ALL I need right now.

Originally posted by dawsongirl



Desyrel (trazodone)




I'm on trazodone for my insomnia problems. Most people are on an under-100mg dose, yet I'm on 200 mg :lol: I have such problems sleeping (also due to anxiety) that it's the only thing that knocks me on my ass.

Originally posted by Kay Scarpetta
The "triptyline" meds are older anti-depressants, but work very good, from what my psych says. She wants to put me on Elavril (also because it's good for chronic pain.. my neck), but it causes extreme lethargy in some people. That's ALL I need right now.

My aunt is on that. I guess it knocks her out well. I don't know about how much energy she has though.

Originally posted by dawsongirl
These drugs, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs work by increasing the amount of serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in the brain.

headaches, insomnia,

[list]
Lexapro
Prozac


Could explain why it's taken me about 2 hours or more to fall asleep for the past 2 years.

I haven't had problems with headaches or insomnia on Lexapro. At least not yet.

zolof makes me wicked tired and my mouth gets so dry...which is a weird side affect

I'm also tired all day, no matter how much I sleep...but I don't know if that's a side effect of anything.

Originally posted by CollegeDropout
zolof makes me wicked tired and my mouth gets so dry...which is a weird side affect

When I was on Zoloft, I had hot flashes. I felt like I was 60.. it was horrible. That was the only side effect.