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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jackt on November 21, 2002, at 12:04:08
I have been battling GAD for over 15 years and have not found a solution. I am a 37 year old male with the normal stresses of life. Over the years my tolerance to stress has diminished and I just can't handle much of anything. The anxiety used to be a fuel to get a lot of work done. But know I am burned out and it only leaves me drained and useless from the moment I wake-up. I have tried Effexor, Celexa, Buspar, Serzone, Remeron, Ritalin, Depakote and many of the benzodiazapines. The only relief I get is with the benzodiazapines. But the doses that I need to be effective don't let me perform at work. The lower doses almost make me more anxious because I am worrying about what I say and if I slurred my speech. Alcohol does the same thing for me, I just get more anxious trying to overcome the effects.
I am now thinking about using some non-FDA approved drugs like tianeptine or reboxetine. For no other reason than I tried most of the other GAD treatments.
I have heard that Effexor and Remeron work well with each other and as I remember Remeron provided me with a little relief. But that came with a price of being very sleepy in the morning. I was hoping that the Effexor would counteract the sleepiness.
Other combos I'm considering are Remeron and Ritalin (for a boost in the morning).
I am currently on my 9th day of 250 mg of Depakote taken at night. This is the only thing I am taking and it has had no effect on my anxiety. Another week and I will have to take some Klonipin to bring the anxiety under control. I am just about disabled now and can't function normally in my management position (although I try hard everyday).
If anyone has had success with any drug or combination, please let me know.
Posted by Vince on November 21, 2002, at 12:58:02
In reply to GAD Treatment, posted by jackt on November 21, 2002, at 12:04:08
> I have been battling GAD for over 15 years and have not found a solution. I am a 37 year old male with the normal stresses of life. Over the years my tolerance to stress has diminished and I just can't handle much of anything. The anxiety used to be a fuel to get a lot of work done. But know I am burned out and it only leaves me drained and useless from the moment I wake-up. I have tried Effexor, Celexa, Buspar, Serzone, Remeron, Ritalin, Depakote and many of the benzodiazapines. The only relief I get is with the benzodiazapines. But the doses that I need to be effective don't let me perform at work. The lower doses almost make me more anxious because I am worrying about what I say and if I slurred my speech. Alcohol does the same thing for me, I just get more anxious trying to overcome the effects.
>
> I am now thinking about using some non-FDA approved drugs like tianeptine or reboxetine. For no other reason than I tried most of the other GAD treatments.
>
> I have heard that Effexor and Remeron work well with each other and as I remember Remeron provided me with a little relief. But that came with a price of being very sleepy in the morning. I was hoping that the Effexor would counteract the sleepiness.
>
> Other combos I'm considering are Remeron and Ritalin (for a boost in the morning).
>
> I am currently on my 9th day of 250 mg of Depakote taken at night. This is the only thing I am taking and it has had no effect on my anxiety. Another week and I will have to take some Klonipin to bring the anxiety under control. I am just about disabled now and can't function normally in my management position (although I try hard everyday).
>
> If anyone has had success with any drug or combination, please let me know.I'm now taking Anafrinil. I'm not sure that i've been on it long enough to get the full effect but it is taking care of 80% of my GAD. I still take 50mg of Xanix(down from 150-200 mg) but I'm hoping over the next few weeks that I will be of benzo's.
I tried Parnate prior to starting on Anafrinil. It seemed to relieve the anxiety within a week or two on a very low dose; but I also have bipolar two and it made the mood swings worse so I had to go off it.
I thought the Parnate worked much better for anxiety than anything else though. I've read others on this board claim that MAOI's work much better than other AD options for anxiety. But good luck getting your pdoc to prescribe one.
Vince
Posted by jay on November 21, 2002, at 17:27:41
In reply to Re: GAD Treatment, posted by Vince on November 21, 2002, at 12:58:02
> I'm now taking Anafrinil. I'm not sure that i've been on it long enough to get the full effect but it is taking care of 80% of my GAD. I still take 50mg of Xanix(down from 150-200 mg) but I'm hoping over the next few weeks that I will be of benzo's.
>
> I tried Parnate prior to starting on Anafrinil. It seemed to relieve the anxiety within a week or two on a very low dose; but I also have bipolar two and it made the mood swings worse so I had to go off it.
>
> I thought the Parnate worked much better for anxiety than anything else though. I've read others on this board claim that MAOI's work much better than other AD options for anxiety. But good luck getting your pdoc to prescribe one.
>
> VinceVince:
Just curious how long you have been on the Anafranil? I am considering trying it over Remeron, mostly because I have heard Anafranil is much more effective for Depression and Anxiety. I've also been thinking of Imipramine, but the Anafranil seems to show better results.
By the way, you mean .5 miligrams of Xanax, right? ;-) 50-150 miligrams may kill somebody. (Xanax comes in .25, .5, and 1 miligram strength tabs.)
Thanks..
Jay
Posted by Ritch on November 21, 2002, at 23:46:00
In reply to GAD Treatment, posted by jackt on November 21, 2002, at 12:04:08
> I have been battling GAD for over 15 years and have not found a solution. I am a 37 year old male with the normal stresses of life. Over the years my tolerance to stress has diminished and I just can't handle much of anything. The anxiety used to be a fuel to get a lot of work done. But know I am burned out and it only leaves me drained and useless from the moment I wake-up. I have tried Effexor, Celexa, Buspar, Serzone, Remeron, Ritalin, Depakote and many of the benzodiazapines. The only relief I get is with the benzodiazapines. But the doses that I need to be effective don't let me perform at work. The lower doses almost make me more anxious because I am worrying about what I say and if I slurred my speech. Alcohol does the same thing for me, I just get more anxious trying to overcome the effects.
>
> I am now thinking about using some non-FDA approved drugs like tianeptine or reboxetine. For no other reason than I tried most of the other GAD treatments.
>
> I have heard that Effexor and Remeron work well with each other and as I remember Remeron provided me with a little relief. But that came with a price of being very sleepy in the morning. I was hoping that the Effexor would counteract the sleepiness.
>
> Other combos I'm considering are Remeron and Ritalin (for a boost in the morning).
>
> I am currently on my 9th day of 250 mg of Depakote taken at night. This is the only thing I am taking and it has had no effect on my anxiety. Another week and I will have to take some Klonipin to bring the anxiety under control. I am just about disabled now and can't function normally in my management position (although I try hard everyday).
>
> If anyone has had success with any drug or combination, please let me know.Try continuing with the Depakote, ADD the Klonopin at bedtime only (it has a long half-life), and ADD nortriptyline in the daytime 2-3 10mg caps, and give it 2-3 weeks. Just a suggestion.
Posted by Vince on November 22, 2002, at 22:52:57
In reply to Re: GAD Treatment..Anafranil.. » Vince, posted by jay on November 21, 2002, at 17:27:41
> Just curious how long you have been on the Anafranil? I am considering trying it over Remeron, mostly because I have heard Anafranil is much more effective for Depression and Anxiety. I've also been thinking of Imipramine, but the Anafranil seems to show better results.
>
> By the way, you mean .5 miligrams of Xanax, right? ;-) 50-150 miligrams may kill somebody. (Xanax comes in .25, .5, and 1 miligram strength tabs.)
>
> Thanks..
>
> JayI was on 50mg of Anafrinil for about four weeks. That didn't seem to be strong enough so my pdoc increased it to 75mg about two weeks ago. It seems to be helping more already.
Your right about the Xanax, I meant to say .5mg to 1.5mg not 50mg - 150mg. I tend to think of it in 25's, 50's, 75's etc. for some reason.
Vince
Posted by jackt on November 25, 2002, at 10:44:37
In reply to Re: GAD Treatment » jackt, posted by Ritch on November 21, 2002, at 23:46:00
> > I have been battling GAD for over 15 years and have not found a solution. I am a 37 year old male with the normal stresses of life. Over the years my tolerance to stress has diminished and I just can't handle much of anything. The anxiety used to be a fuel to get a lot of work done. But know I am burned out and it only leaves me drained and useless from the moment I wake-up. I have tried Effexor, Celexa, Buspar, Serzone, Remeron, Ritalin, Depakote and many of the benzodiazapines. The only relief I get is with the benzodiazapines. But the doses that I need to be effective don't let me perform at work. The lower doses almost make me more anxious because I am worrying about what I say and if I slurred my speech. Alcohol does the same thing for me, I just get more anxious trying to overcome the effects.
> >
> > I am now thinking about using some non-FDA approved drugs like tianeptine or reboxetine. For no other reason than I tried most of the other GAD treatments.
> >
> > I have heard that Effexor and Remeron work well with each other and as I remember Remeron provided me with a little relief. But that came with a price of being very sleepy in the morning. I was hoping that the Effexor would counteract the sleepiness.
> >
> > Other combos I'm considering are Remeron and Ritalin (for a boost in the morning).
> >
> > I am currently on my 9th day of 250 mg of Depakote taken at night. This is the only thing I am taking and it has had no effect on my anxiety. Another week and I will have to take some Klonipin to bring the anxiety under control. I am just about disabled now and can't function normally in my management position (although I try hard everyday).
> >
> > If anyone has had success with any drug or combination, please let me know.
>
> Try continuing with the Depakote, ADD the Klonopin at bedtime only (it has a long half-life), and ADD nortriptyline in the daytime 2-3 10mg caps, and give it 2-3 weeks. Just a suggestion.Ritch,
Thanks for the feedback. Your right, I need to start some Klonipin at night to bring me some relief. Couple of questions ...
1) What class of drug is nortriptyline? I have never heard of it.
2) I was curious about your suggestion to continue Depakote. Do you think it will have some synergy with the nortriptyline?
As far as I can tell, the Depakote has done nothing for me. Maybe my 250 mg taken at bedtime is not enough.
Thanks,
Jay
>
Posted by jackt on November 25, 2002, at 10:57:36
In reply to Re: GAD Treatment, posted by Vince on November 21, 2002, at 12:58:02
> I'm now taking Anafrinil. I'm not sure that i've been on it long enough to get the full effect but it is taking care of 80% of my GAD. I still take 50mg of Xanix(down from 150-200 mg) but I'm hoping over the next few weeks that I will be of benzo's.
>
> I tried Parnate prior to starting on Anafrinil. It seemed to relieve the anxiety within a week or two on a very low dose; but I also have bipolar two and it made the mood swings worse so I had to go off it.
>
> I thought the Parnate worked much better for anxiety than anything else though. I've read others on this board claim that MAOI's work much better than other AD options for anxiety. But good luck getting your pdoc to prescribe one.
>
> VinceVince, I will research these drugs and talk to my doctor. Thanks for the suggestions and let me know if you are successful without the Xanix.
Jay
This is the end of the thread.
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