Which Med would you recommend?

MarkH · 10-21-2004, 02:02 PM

Okay made an appointment to talk to my doc next Tuesday. She has no idea that I want to talk with her about anxiety meds and not sure how she's going to react. I do believe that I've had anxiety for years but it came in spells. Every couple of years I'd go to the Dr with chest pains or something usually heart related and after having tests and them coming back okay I'd be okay for a while. For the last 12-18 months my anxiety seems to be much more constant Even writing this is helpful because I've been rehearsing over and over in my head what I want to say to the Dr next tuesday and will probably continue to do this unless something better comes to mind to think about.

I currently have some left over xanax that I've been taking for the last couple of days and it takes the edge off, relaxes me a bit so I'm not so tense and brings my mood up a bit but doesn't seem to last too long, maybe 3 or 4 hours, been taking one .5mg tab once in the morning for the last couple of mornings.

My symptoms that I have are:
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Constant shoulder,chest and neck tightness.

Pressure in forehead and behind the eyes.

Obessesive thoughts, topics vary day to day but always something

Constant worrying, if not about health then falls back to anything bad in the past or possibly future events. Recently went on vacation, had a panic attack on day 2 and spent the rest of the cruise checking my pulse, bp and couldn't wait to get home. Totally stupid when I couldn't wait to go in the first place, my anxiety totally ruined this trip.

Various eye, mouth, neck twitches and ticks when I talk to someone, doesn't happen much when I'm alone

Panic attacks when visting the Doctor and other various times

Fast heart rate, leading to constant blood pressure and pulse checking leading to faster heart rate and hbp

Palpitations (varies under what type of anxiety I have for that day)

Irritability with most anything but especially my children(really bothers me, which brings on massive guilt)

No motivation, Lack of concentration (have big projects that I keep putting off)

Lack of sleep, usually only get 4 to 5 hours a night of restless sleep

Overeating, helps with anxiety

Hands trembling at random times

Numb top of head and hands at various times

Dizzy or lightheaded a decent amount of the time.

Feeling like I'm not in my own body but some how just attached to it or it's not really me.

Poor self image, picture that people view me as nervous and meek but I'm not. When meeting someone new, feel like I'm 10 times shorter than them and that right away they are better than me.

No joy in life, move day to day without being happy or sad, just mediocre. Go to work, sit in my office and don't interact with anyone too much. Go home do my tasks then sit in front of the tv until 1:00 am., Wake up between 5 and 7 am and do it all again.

Use sex as a means of proving acceptance from my wife. I believe it puts too much pressure on my wife which brings about more anxiety.

Totally hold in and internalize all anxiety which leads to greater physical symptoms.

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A person here recommended lexapro said paxil made her feel dopey. Xanax seems okay for short term but doesn't appear to last too long, maybe 3 to 4 hours.

I'm looking for something to take longer term, 4 to 6 months to see if I can't get back to my old self who was more happy,creative and enjoying life.

I have no idea about what is best as all the manufacturers claim thier is so I'm looking to those who have been in my shoes for advice.

What do you folks recommend would be a good medication to shoot for with my doc ?

Thanks,

Mark

Timber · 10-21-2004, 02:21 PM

Don't ask us which medication to use, ask your doctor. Everyone reacts differently to every medication, and no one here could possibly predict which med will work best for you.

The most commonly used anti-anxiety medications are SSRIs and benzodiazepines. Benzos include Xanax, Valium and Klonopin, are short-acting, and are essentially tranquilizers. You take benzos on an as-needed basis - for example, to calm down during a panic attack or a particularly stressful situation.

SSRIs are a type of anti-depressant also used for anxiety and panic disorders. SSRIs are used on a long term basis, usually for months or years at a time, because they take 4-6 weeks to start working fully. SSRIs include Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac and Zoloft.

There are also a few other anti-anxiety medications like Wellbutrin and BuSpar.

You may - in fact you probably will - have to try a few drugs before you find one that works for you. There's no way that anyone here can tell you which one will be best. Even your doctor won't know until you try.

Bell99 · 10-21-2004, 02:37 PM

I have had a good success with buspar. I take 15 mg twice a day. Makes you kind of sleepy for about an hour then it wears off! I have been on and off of it for years.
Personally I had a terrible reaction to Zoloft as well as Elavil. We are all different. Best to learn what you can and arm yourself with knowledge then ask your Dr.

MarkH · 10-21-2004, 02:55 PM

Hi Timber thanks for the advice. I guess I'm not looking for a prescrition from here, just a general consensus of what people who have similar symptoms (seems like a sufficient number) have had success with. I do realize that everyone is different and I've been reading each manufacturers page but they all seem pretty much the same to me.

Being a GP my Dr probably has a standard prescription she uses when she gets a request like this and I'm not sure that I'm willing to 'settle' for what she thinks is best for my symptoms that she's been ignoring for 10 years. If I can go in with a plan I feel that I'll have much better success.

Bell99-- Thanks for the response, what type of reaction did you have to Zoloft?

Thanks,

Mark

kaley · 10-21-2004, 03:23 PM

Hi Mark!
The way the you are describing yourself was me to a T. I think that I have told you the before. I have the constant tightness in my shoulders, chest and upper back as well. I have been taking Celexa which has helped a lot. In the past I was on Paxil but I did gain weight. Then I tried Zoloft, and Prozac before the Celexa. I am so sensitive to any body symptom that I think Celexa was the best for the least side effects. I also have xanax as needed. It also helps to take xanax while you are waiting for the anti-depressant to kick in. I did not feel the best for about the first 2 weeks but I stuck it out. I do not have panic attacks anymore but I still think about my heart a lot. But that is something that I am going to have to work through. Good Luck and keep me posted.
Kaley
ps. Does the tension in your back feel like you are carrying around a backpack full of bricks??? Can you make it hurt by tensing your arms?? Let me know.