Posted by Tomatheus on September 16, 2006, at 2:55:12
In reply to Xanax Problems, posted by jealibeanz on September 15, 2006, at 15:32:13
Jealibeanz,
You might want to consider trying taurine for anxiety, perhaps with a lower dose of Xanax (assuming that it would be ok with your doctor).
I experienced regular panic attacks both while I was taking lithium and for several months after discontinuing the drug (or mineral salt, to be more accurate), and I found taurine to be quite helpful in reducing the severity and duration of these attacks.
I rarely experience panic attacks these days, but I still notice a little bit of low-grade panic-like anxiety on an almost daily basis. Taking taurine (500-2000 mg/day) helps me feel more at ease without causing any fatigue. It also seems to reduce sweating (Wellbutrin, lithium, and some versions of Nardil caused me to sweat excessively, and this has never completely gone away) and the mild hand tremor that I have (another adverse effect of lithium that hasn't gone away). Taurine also seems to counteract the jitteriness and edginess that I sometimes get from drinking caffeinated beverages without reducing caffeine's ability to promote wakefulness. I believe that this is why taurine is an ingredient in most energy drinks.
The only downside to taurine that I can think of (based on my experience) is that it's relatively short-acting. So, I basically need to keep taking it every few hours to get a sustained anti-anxiety effect. But I've found it to be effective in reducing panic-like anxiety without causing any sedation or drowsiness, so I think it would be worth considering.
Of course, it's important to keep in mind that your mileage may vary...
Tomatheus
> I'm order to decrease my anxety to a manageable level, I've had to increase my Xanax dosage. However, it's starting to effect my healthy lifestyle habits! I'm too tired and lack motivation to work out. If I take a high doses due to an extremely anxiety producng event, I almost go into that drunk eating mode where you just ingest large amounts unhealthy foods in effort to counter the weird feeling in your head.
>
> I like working out. It improves my mood. But lately I could care less. And am gaining weight because of this. I'm on Provigil, which allows me to get out of bed, but not countering the Xanax enough.
poster:Tomatheus
thread:686445
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20060817/msgs/686445.html