Questions on non benzo anyiety treatments

[aussiejono]

Hi all,

I am 36, male, and have an anxiety/depression condition. I currently take Effexor 150mg daily, and Valium 5mg as needed, though my doctior has told me this is to be used sparingly.

I have anxiety most days, and wondered if anyone had anything to say about sedating antihistamines (diphenhydramine, doxylamine, promethazine) as mild antianxiety agents.

I have read an article from 1958 that stated phenyltoloxamine was an useful tranquilizer, but cant fine much else.

Atarax has gone off of the market here, so isnt an option

[singer78]

Hi.
I know, every now and then, here in the States, I hear "Benadryl" may be used as a night-aid to help you sleep, but not really to be used as you would, say, a sedative.
The Effexor should be helping your anxiety.
Have you told your doctor that you're still experiencing problems?
It's good to keep him informed, in case it's not the right med for you, or maybe the dosage needs tweaked a bit.

[aussiejono]

Been tweaking quite a bit! I am frank and open with my doctor, but he is quite reticent about benzodiazepines, being of the generation who went through the stage where every second housewife was hooked on them.

Started on Cipramil (I think you guys call in celexa) 20mg per day, then chaned to Effexor 75mg per day, then increased to 150mg per day, then up to 300mg per day.... side effects kicked in, felt jittery, couldnt ejaculate etc, so back to 150mg per day.

The article on phenyltoloxamine is interesting...... apaprently in the 50's and 60's it was widely used as a tranquilizer..... it is an isomer of diphenhydramine

I am going to buy some phenergan tonight from the pharmacy (It's OTC here in Australia) and see what happens, strt with 12.5mg and see how i go.... Phenergans Austra;ian product monograph states that it has activity as an antihistamine, antiemetic, sedative and tranquilizer.

Will report back!