Anxiety Disorders

[fallennon]

Okay, I have GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). I have yet to find any medication or supplement or diet or fad that works for me. In the past I self medicated with marijuana but it has a different affect on me now that I had my son...it seems to make me more anxious and make me feel like a bad mom. I have not been able to find anything that helps me relax...this might be due to my fibro myalgia too, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, the only thing I have found of late that makes me feel relaxed, normal and okay is pain medication. Nothing too heavy...a Vicodin works best, but Darvocet is okay too. I wonder why, when it makes me feel better, is it so hard for me to get? I'm not saying that I need this substance constantly, just when my stress level is really high and my anxiety starts to freak me out. You see, Xanax and Valuim are just too strong for me and don't give me the desired affect that I'm looking for.

I'm not looking to be wasted, just relaxed. If I were wasted (like on Xanax) my anxiety would be worse because I would not feel that I was able to take care of my son.

Does anyone have any suggestions regarding this? Anything that I can use to give me the relaxed affect of Vicodin without having to take Vicodin?

[Fierce Critter]

If you're just looking for a "quick fix" tranquilizer, that's one thing, and I have no suggestions for that.

If you truly want to treat actual anxiety disorder, I would recommend you talk to your doctor about giving Effexor XR a try. My husband had horrible anxiety disorder, with panic attacks almost every night and overall negativity, depression & other related symptoms. He was reluctant to treat it with medications, but a visit to the doctor where he saw some literature for Effexor changed his mind.

He went on a starter dose of EXR 2 years ago and it's been spectacular. The first week or two was a touch rough - he felt a little odd, between spacey and mellow. But after an initial "get used to" period, it showed no overt effects at all - except the panic attacks went away, he can handle crowds now, and the despair/depression is gone. Not replaced with a false euphoria - just gone.

He remained on the 75 mg introductory dose, and didn't feel a need to go to the 150 mg dose most patients move up to. He's fine with that doseage to this day. This medication is supposed to have a sort of cumulative effect - someday, he may be able to wean himself off of it altogether.

If you're going to give this a try, make sure you specify the "XR". That's the time-release form, and works great. The pharmacist accidentally filled his scrip once with the non-time-release and it was majorly different, and we had to have it corrected right away.

Good luck.

[torn asunder]

my only suggestion - meditation... anxiety seems to come from not allowing your mind to relax, and overanalyzing/worrying/stressing over things. the ability to release these thoughts, allow your mind to just be, is the only healthy method i know of to completely overcome anxiety without having to rely on unhealthy medication. of course, my opinion means squat ... : :whistling:

[fallennon]

As I stated earlier I cannot take medications like Effexor. But thank you for the suggestion.

As for Xanax, I can't take that either it's too strong...

I've tried meditation but it just doesn't seem to work...

[JaneDead]

yeah stay away from xanax. i know a couple of people that have become "dependant" on it- or rather love to get high on it. :(

listen to torn- he always has good advice even though he tries to play it off like his advice means nothing.

try some natural methods first. try to see if you can get to the source of the issue before relying on medications that you might not really need.

i'm not against people taking medicine if that is what they truly need, however i am not a big fan of medicine in general. i try to avoid taking anything for anything if possible. but i have had to resort to taking stuff here and there for various things that are out of my control.

but the fact that new medications can make you not quite like yourself- and that you are feeling not quite right at the moment as it is, might just make things worse.

[Lilith]

ok i take prozac....... and well it makes life easier to take i dont get all worked up about things that are not important but i still have the ability to get serious and care about what is important......... not sure if it will help you but it had helped me and i started out on sarafem (it has the same active ingredent as prozac) for my period found out the prozac generic is cheaper and taking it on a reg basis just made everything alot better not just my PMS.......

might be an option you should discuss with the doc

[JaneDead]

if you really need to take something- something like lexapro is good. it is an ssri instead of an maoi too.

[torn asunder]

I've tried meditation but it just doesn't seem to work...

meditation isn't something you try a few times only - for it to be effective, it needs to become a daily part of your life... if you (or anyone, for that matter) would like some pointers on effective meditation methods, let me know - i can post what works for me, and some of the things i've read from various authors...

[Marblez]

I hate to bring this up, but my experience with people in your industry - with many close to me - be sure that whatever medication and or treatments you decide to go with are doctor prescribed or okayed. I am aware that Vicodin, Valium and similar drugs run rampant in the strip clubs. Don't think it is okay. It is not okay for your health, your finances or your baby.

[fallennon]

In defense of Xanax:

Sometimes you just don't care what a drug does to you just so long as you're feeling something other than what you are.

I understand that.

No, I don't get into all of those strip club drugs. I'm actually prescribed a small amt. of Vicodin every so often for my fibro.

I cannot take SSRIs, MAOIs, NSRIs, TCAs, etc. They make me really sick and shaky. I have been trying this stuff since I was about 14 and nothing seems to be effective even giving each drug a 30 day trial. Try spending months being horribly sick when you're trying to get better...

[JaneDead]

i think lexapro would be one that COULD help you if you really NEED it.

[fallennon]

Tried it and it also made me sick. My brain produces too much dopamine to take anything that alters the chemicals. It causes a toxic reaction that makes me really sick.

[JaneDead]

:(

[fallennon]

I know, I'm difficult :(

[JaneDead]

it's ok- so am i difficult and "different"

[Lilith]

it might be worth actually sitting down and talking with the doc about natural remdies..... Being all the man made stuff seems to make you sick it might be easier for you to take somethng natural... sometimes it affects you diffrently and may be more managable..... but i dont have any specific ideas for you, you owuld have to do some speaking with those who know more about that stff .

[lullaby1031]

Lets face it - without sick people the pharmaceutical companies would die out. You mean to tell me - with all the money in the world and all the sick people in the world that there is no cure for certain things - I don't think so.. the more they can make drugs for them, the more they benefit... think about it like that.. The more crap you pump into your system that isn't natural, the more your "brain chemistry" is altered... So why even bother unless it's an absolute last resort. Sure some may prolong your life but only for a couple months so why even bother? Nine times out of ten - it just makes you sicker since your immune system has to adapt. With that said, you're more prone to getting other illnesses.

As for anxiety disorders... My hubby deals with them a great deal... Some are more intense then others... but really the only thing that is a help to him is just being in a comfortable place and relaxing.. You have to learn that when it hits you - go find a quite place, be in the company of someone who can help you calm down or relax and breath... I have to constantly reassure him of things all the time to just get him to calm down.. After 30 mins... things tend to damper off and he's fine. Natrual remedies are a good idea if you control the situation and don't let the situation control you.

[paradox]

nothing, i just deal with it...

[SomeDanGuy]

I know several people for whom Klonopin works well.

Regular exercise is supposed to help your general mood as well.

[TomCat]

I know, I'm difficult :(

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

it's ok- so am i difficult and "different"

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And we still love you ladies.

I just take a vacation (mental or regular) when I'm stressed, no medication, some time alone in the woods, or floating on a boat, just listening to the waves. It's theraputic to me, almost in a meditative state, if you will. It keeps me from climbing that clock tower with a gun & a few thousand rounds...

[JaneDead]

*makes mental note to never be on tomcat's bad side*

[Nerdcore]

go see a doctor

you will get addicted to Vikoden and such. Even though you think you won't , you will

Adivan works for me

though I take 5 different kinds of meds all good for GAD

but to each there own

P.S Everyone is difficult in there own way :whistling:

[TomCat]

*makes mental note to never be on tomcat's bad side*

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

good call Dyno...neighbor....pal...We are pals, right Dyno? hey Dyno ...why are you running awayyyyyyyyyyyyy Dyno :doh:

LOL