![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Louise on November 28, 1999, at 23:08:26
I take about 2 mg. of Xanax every day for anxiety ... I've taken it for several years. Although I would probably do better at about 3 mg. per day, I've tried to keep my dose as low as possible. Xanax is effective for me, but with all the new meds, is there something else out there that is just as effective for treating anxiety, but that won't make me fat, ugly, and miserable? BTW, I tried BuSpar briefly and it did nothing but give me a terrible rash.
Thanks!
Louise
Posted by Jane on November 29, 1999, at 17:44:40
In reply to Any Meds Effective for GAD?, posted by Louise on November 28, 1999, at 23:08:26
hi louise, buspar is indicated for GAD but yikes a rash! guess we wont go there :-) meds indicated for GAD right now include the benzos, buspar, and effexor although some docs may try an SSRI type antidepressant for GAD. serzone is an antidepressant that seems to also help patients with "coexisting anxiety" (ie, "comorbid anxiety" in med speak) so if you feel some depression with your anxiety serzone may help with the anxiety symptoms and avoid some of the issues with sSRI like weight gain and sexual dysfunction. with effexor, it is an SSRI/SNRI because it blocks both serotonin and norepinephrine uptake. however, blood pressure monitoring is recommended if you start on effexor for your GAD. good luck in finding the right med for you!
jane
Posted by Elizabeth on November 29, 1999, at 20:36:42
In reply to Any Meds Effective for GAD?, posted by Louise on November 28, 1999, at 23:08:26
> Xanax is effective for me, but with all the new meds, is there something else out there that is just as effective for treating anxiety, but that won't make me fat, ugly, and miserable? BTW, I tried BuSpar briefly and it did nothing but give me a terrible rash.
Does Xanax make you fat, ugly, and miserable??? :-(
Well anyway, any of the antidepressants, except probably Wellbutrin, might be worth trying. There are also other benzodiazepines such as Klonopin and Ativan that could work as well as Xanax with less frequent dosing (many people can get away with taking Klonopin twice a day).
Posted by Louise on November 29, 1999, at 21:54:18
In reply to Re: Any Meds Effective for GAD?, posted by Elizabeth on November 29, 1999, at 20:36:42
>Does Xanax make you fat, ugly, and miserable???
Elizabeth, no, not at all ... just the opposite for me, it suppresses my appetite, but my understanding is that many of the antidepressants can alter your metabolism and cause weight gain.
>Well anyway, any of the antidepressants, except probably Wellbutrin, might be worth trying. There are also other benzodiazepines such as Klonopin and Ativan that could work as well as Xanax with less frequent dosing (many people can get away with taking Klonopin twice a day).
I tried Klonopin a few years ago, but developed serious depression and a few other side effects while taking it, and I had never had ongoing depression before. It was also terribly difficult to wean off of, even while going back on Xanax. I am curious about Ativan ... I've heard it lasts a little longer so that you don't have that "rush in-rush out" feeling that I experience with Xanax. I've also heard that most of the antidepressants don't work for anxiety. What to do, what to do? I'm really curious about Effexor. I've heard a few good things about it, and wonder if it might be effective for general anxiety, without causing weight gain.
Louise
Posted by Louise on November 29, 1999, at 22:06:26
In reply to Re: Any Meds Effective for GAD?, posted by Jane on November 29, 1999, at 17:44:40
> hi louise, buspar is indicated for GAD but yikes a rash! guess we wont go there :-) meds indicated for GAD right now include the benzos, buspar, and effexor although some docs may try an SSRI type antidepressant for GAD. serzone is an antidepressant that seems to also help patients with "coexisting anxiety" (ie, "comorbid anxiety" in med speak) so if you feel some depression with your anxiety serzone may help with the anxiety symptoms and avoid some of the issues with sSRI like weight gain and sexual dysfunction. with effexor, it is an SSRI/SNRI because it blocks both serotonin and norepinephrine uptake. however, blood pressure monitoring is recommended if you start on effexor for your GAD. good luck in finding the right med for you!
> janeJane...hahaha, I developed a terrible rash all over my stomach after taking BuSpar, and it did nothing for my anxiety! I have rather low pressure as it is, so I wonder if Effexor might help me? Do you know if it is known for causing weight gain and/or sexual problems? I don't understand what you meant ... is Effexor an SSRI? I don't really have depression, just severe anxiety which without medication results in agoraphobia, and that is depressing! Thanks!
Louise
Posted by Jane on November 30, 1999, at 0:17:10
In reply to Re: Any Meds Effective for GAD?, posted by Louise on November 29, 1999, at 22:06:26
i think that effexor blocks both serotonin reuptake and norepinephrine reuptake, i do know they classify themselves as an SNRI (n for norepinephrine) but ask your doc if effexor also has SSRI properties. SSRI as a class do cause weight gain and sexual dysfunction in most individuals - so you may want to make sure you know what to expect. if you have low blood pressure then maybe effexor is an option for you but again i'd do alot of research on what this drug does and ask your doctor - the chemical name for effexor is venlafaxine - do a search on a drug database and see what the adverse reactions may be. if you have probls finding info let me know and i'll check it out for ya - may have to be till this weekend though since tomorrow i'm going to a 3 -day biz meeting out of town and wont have internet access :(
jane
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.