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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jpa on August 3, 2013, at 13:36:55
I had a traumatic experience many years back, and while i am well over it now,the anxiety never turned off. The only med that has ever worked is clomipramine, but it no longer works. I've tried many others, but to no avail. Lately I've had some success with phenibute, but it's not something that I can take every day due to tolerance build up. I am desperate now so sustained relief. Any ideas or words of wisdom would be appreciated.
thans,
JPA
Posted by Twinleaf on August 3, 2013, at 13:46:17
In reply to anxiety help, posted by jpa on August 3, 2013, at 13:36:55
If you haven't tried psychotherapy, a good trial of it might be very helpful. Prazosin might also be very helpful - used both during the day and at night, in order to target your PTSD symptoms. It might be hard to find a doctor to prescribe it, as, although it's been used for hypertension for many years, it's use for PTSD is new (maybe Scott can help with his experience).
Posted by SLS on August 3, 2013, at 13:59:11
In reply to anxiety help, posted by jpa on August 3, 2013, at 13:36:55
> I had a traumatic experience many years back, and while i am well over it now,the anxiety never turned off. The only med that has ever worked is clomipramine, but it no longer works. I've tried many others, but to no avail. Lately I've had some success with phenibute, but it's not something that I can take every day due to tolerance build up. I am desperate now so sustained relief. Any ideas or words of wisdom would be appreciated.
For GAD, Paxil, Effexor, and Nardil can be considered.
For PTSD, you might also consider prazosin (as was mentioned by Twinleaf). Although it was initially given at bedtime to help prevent nightmares and improve sleep, daytime dosing was found to improve anxiety and depression during the day.
What drugs have you tried already?
- Scott
Posted by Hugh on August 4, 2013, at 9:50:20
In reply to anxiety help, posted by jpa on August 3, 2013, at 13:36:55
The prazosin suggestion is a good one. Another drug to consider taking for PTSD is the beta blocker propranolol. This quote is from The Atlantic:
He and his colleagues administered propranolol 75 minutes before the reactivation of frightening memories in 40 patients. "It really did wonders," he told me. "After six sessions, 70 percent of patients no longer met the clinical criteria for PTSD."
The whole article is here:
This story about using propranolol to treat PTSD was shown on 60 Minutes several years ago:
Part one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhK0EX4G018&feature=related
Posted by tensor on August 4, 2013, at 16:10:16
In reply to Re: anxiety help » jpa, posted by SLS on August 3, 2013, at 13:59:11
> > I had a traumatic experience many years back, and while i am well over it now,the anxiety never turned off. The only med that has ever worked is clomipramine, but it no longer works. I've tried many others, but to no avail. Lately I've had some success with phenibute, but it's not something that I can take every day due to tolerance build up. I am desperate now so sustained relief. Any ideas or words of wisdom would be appreciated.
>
> For GAD, Paxil, Effexor, and Nardil can be considered.
>
> For PTSD, you might also consider prazosin (as was mentioned by Twinleaf). Although it was initially given at bedtime to help prevent nightmares and improve sleep, daytime dosing was found to improve anxiety and depression during the day.
>
> What drugs have you tried already?
>
>
> - ScottI will just add that AAPs and benzos are viable options, if (s)he hasn't tried them.
/tensor
Posted by jpa on August 6, 2013, at 8:32:12
In reply to Re: anxiety help » SLS, posted by tensor on August 4, 2013, at 16:10:16
Twinleaf, Scott, Hugh, Tensor
Thanks for the feedback. I'm a father of two young kids and need to get better for me and for them.
Right now I take 100mg clomipramine, 45mg remeron and ldn. Although for the last two days, I have upped the naltrexone to 25mg and it has really helped. This naltrexone is for real; hopefully the improvement lasts...I plan on mentioning some of your ideas to my doctor next time we meet.
JPA
Posted by SLS on August 6, 2013, at 9:58:44
In reply to Re: anxiety help, posted by jpa on August 6, 2013, at 8:32:12
Hi.
I can appreciate your needing to be functional for your children. I was in a similar position when caring for my grandmother. There is no room for error when choosing new treatments. I couldn't afford the down-time. Patience was a luxury.
I am very interested in your experience with naltrexone. In what ways does it help you?
Thanks.
I hope your next doctor's visit goes well. How long will you give the higher dosage of naltrexone to work before making any changes?
I hope you hit the target soon.
- Scott
Posted by jpa on August 6, 2013, at 11:16:05
In reply to Re: anxiety help » jpa, posted by SLS on August 6, 2013, at 9:58:44
Hey Scott,
I have experimented with naltrexone quite a bit. If I stop taking it, the anxiety comes back full on. I was taking it at a low dose for a year or so, but two days ago I increased it to 36mg. I think that's too much because I feel a little hung over, though that could be because the naltrexon interferes with my sleep. I dropped it to 24mg and took it first thing this morning so hopefully my sleep will be better tonight...I'll let you how it works out.
Posted by jpa on August 14, 2013, at 12:20:08
In reply to Re: anxiety help, posted by jpa on August 6, 2013, at 11:16:05
Taking more than 9mg of naltrexone per day is too much for me. I feel drugged up if I take more than 9mg.
This is the end of the thread.
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