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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 7:09:45
Hey every one!
I live in the UK and have just started to experience a feeling of generalised anxiety, which has really brought me down.
Can any one recomend any drugs, excluding benzos, antisypchotics and neurotin! Its not that I've got anything against these drugs its just that no GP in this c*** country will prescribe them!
Are there any axylotics that don't cause cognitive problems, since I'm ADD as well which complicates things considerably.I was thinking particularly of Remeron or Luvox, has any one had any experience with these drugs?
Any other suggestions much apreciated!How is ADD with anxiety treated anyway? Are stimulents always calming if your ADD? I don't find dexedrine very calming.
Posted by thinkfast on April 2, 2004, at 9:48:31
In reply to Can any one recomend any drugs for GAD? nonbenzo, posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 7:09:45
effexor is supposed to be for anxiety, as well as ADD, OCD, GAD...i just started it, so how well it works it still unknown to me...My experience with Remeron hasn't been the best...it does hardly anything for anxiety, nor does it slow down the thought process...There's also the "hangover" factor which is not pleasing...
Posted by Sad Panda on April 2, 2004, at 12:46:22
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any drugs for GAD? nonbenzo, posted by thinkfast on April 2, 2004, at 9:48:31
> effexor is supposed to be for anxiety, as well as ADD, OCD, GAD...i just started it, so how well it works it still unknown to me...My experience with Remeron hasn't been the best...it does hardly anything for anxiety, nor does it slow down the thought process...There's also the "hangover" factor which is not pleasing...
>
>Some docs prescribe Remeron at high doses to try & avoid the sedation & appetite problems but it doesn't work like this for everyone. Personally, I only took 15mg for sleep when I was on 150mg of Effexor.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by jms600 on April 2, 2004, at 14:42:26
In reply to Can any one recomend any drugs for GAD? nonbenzo, posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 7:09:45
Hello,
I also live in Britain and agree that many G.P.'s won't prescribe drugs "off licence" for anxiety or depression. I suppose they are not prepared to take the responsibility if anything goes wrong.
I had a really good response to a combination of Seroxat 30mg, and a drug called Stelazine 2mg. Stelazine IS an anti-pschotic, but at low doses (2mg-6mg) it is licenced for anxiety, so your doctor may prescribe it if you mention the drug (and the fact that its licenced for anxiety AND its at a low dose) to him.
You could even try the Stelazine on its own.
At this low dose Stelazine is practically side-effect free, and has a very gently effect, so its often prescribed to the elderly.
I was foolish enough to come off the combination of 30mg Seroxat and 2mg Stelazine, as my symptoms of anxiety vanished, but when the depression and and anxiety returned, and I went back on the combination, they didn't work as well!
So if you do try the stelazine, or combine it with something, and feel much better, think long and hard about coming off it - don't make the mistake I made.
Posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 14:55:52
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any drugs for GAD? nonbenzo, posted by jms600 on April 2, 2004, at 14:42:26
> Hello,
>
> I also live in Britain and agree that many G.P.'s won't prescribe drugs "off licence" for anxiety or depression. I suppose they are not prepared to take the responsibility if anything goes wrong.
>
> I had a really good response to a combination of Seroxat 30mg, and a drug called Stelazine 2mg. Stelazine IS an anti-pschotic, but at low doses (2mg-6mg) it is licenced for anxiety, so your doctor may prescribe it if you mention the drug (and the fact that its licenced for anxiety AND its at a low dose) to him.
>
> You could even try the Stelazine on its own.
>
> At this low dose Stelazine is practically side-effect free, and has a very gently effect, so its often prescribed to the elderly.
>
> I was foolish enough to come off the combination of 30mg Seroxat and 2mg Stelazine, as my symptoms of anxiety vanished, but when the depression and and anxiety returned, and I went back on the combination, they didn't work as well!
>
> So if you do try the stelazine, or combine it with something, and feel much better, think long and hard about coming off it - don't make the mistake I made.Thank you V much for suggesting stelazine!
Its a new drug to me, and sounds interesting. If its actually indicated for anxiety then theres a better chance they'l prescribe it.
Did you find it very sedating, and did it cause significant cognitive disruption?It sounds like it might combine well with the dexedrine I'm taking for my ADD.
I'm a bit reluctant to take effexor because I've had bad experiences with SSRIs in the past, and I'm also worried about withdrawals and increased anxiety.
Posted by jms600 on April 2, 2004, at 15:28:04
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any drugs for GAD? nonbenzo, posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 14:55:52
Hi Outsider,
No, at 2mg I didn't experience any sedation from it whatsoever, although it is listed as a possible side effect - especially at higher doses. Nor did it give any cognitive disruption.
However I have read somewhere that - especially at higher doses, it can cause some lethargy and make you apathetic. So I suggest taking around 2mg per day to start with for a few weeks and see how you get on with it. 2mg was certainly enough for me, although I have tried two or even three 2mg capsules a day.
I wouldn't worry about taking 2mg though, I think the "higher doses" refers to the dose given to people with Psychosis i.e. 15-20mg per day.
Best of luck!
Ps. Be patient with it, if you decide to try it! It has a much gentler effect than to other drugs such as Valium and can take a few days to reach its full effect.
Posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 17:07:52
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any drugs for GAD? nonbenzo, posted by jms600 on April 2, 2004, at 15:28:04
I'll deffinetly think about trying stelazine, although I've triad amisulpride, which is supposed to be somewhat similar, and I didn't get any response, although no side effects either.
Any one else got any other suggestions, anything that helps sleep would be good to!
Posted by KathrynLex on April 2, 2004, at 18:06:17
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any more drugs for GAD?, posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 17:07:52
Posted by snapper on April 2, 2004, at 21:28:47
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any more drugs for GAD?, posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 17:07:52
lol- i think we are all in the same boat here- looking for something for GAD, SLEEP , OCD, UNRELENTING ANXIETY ETC. WHAT HAVE WE ALL DONE? GONE OUT AND USED UP ALL THE PSYCHIATRIC MED RESOURCES. MY p-doc just recently told me- He does'nt have anything more to offer me for sleep etc.. I cant believe that is true! Fortunately there is a "small" batch of "new" pharmacueticals on their way!!
s
Posted by glenn on April 3, 2004, at 9:41:59
In reply to Can any one recomend any drugs for GAD? nonbenzo, posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 7:09:45
Hi , I know the problem, read my post above to Crazy chick re clonazepam.
I get xanax prescribed over here and it is the only thing that works for me, but my doc is a superstar - and about the eigth in a line of plonkers.( him excluded of course!)Glenn
Posted by CareBear04 on April 3, 2004, at 14:12:48
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any more drugs for GAD?, posted by snapper on April 2, 2004, at 21:28:47
snapper, that's so funny. my dr. just told me the same thing about sleep medications. i guess i've exhausted all my options, at least the safe ones. he doesn't want to prescribe barbiturates. when you say that there's new drugs coming out, what do you mean? when are they coming? i can't wait!
Posted by snapper on April 3, 2004, at 19:44:22
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any more drugs for GAD? » snapper, posted by CareBear04 on April 3, 2004, at 14:12:48
Hi CareBear04, there is a new- supposedly non-benzo related - sleep aid called eszopiclone(sp)
Estorra is brand name- it is supposed to have a longer half life than Ambien and Sonota. I do know that this is not a totally new drug and it will most likely be approved by years end. Also yet to be licsenced, Pragabalin which is going to have several indications- purportedly- neuropathic pain, 'social phobia' generalized anxiety disorder and some other indications as well. I would assume that it should have some sleep inducing properties.Do a search on web for these two names and see what you find. I am desperate , as well as many others are for not neccessarily stronger meds but more effective meds for chronic conditions of GAD,Insomnia, SP, etc I seriously hope that these new meds are not just newer versions of Neurontin and the other "sleep meds"-- time will tell!!
snapper
Posted by pseudonym on April 4, 2004, at 1:16:09
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any more drugs for GAD? » snapper, posted by snapper on April 3, 2004, at 19:44:22
I am certainly waiting on pregabalin as well (Lyrica as it will be called in Europe). Pregabalin was developed in 1989 which gives you some idea how long it takes for these compounds to make it to market. Pregabalin fared well again Xanax which should tell you a lot. Also, it causes less addiction, sedation, and is less amnestic. That sounds great to me. Pregabalin will likely be available in Europe later this year (knock on wood). I'll be first in line.
Posted by snapper on April 4, 2004, at 1:23:41
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any more drugs for GAD? » snapper, posted by pseudonym on April 4, 2004, at 1:16:09
Sound very GOOD to me too>>> why does europe always seem to get the new drug s first! Do they think that they should test them on the 'real' clinical market first - Then decide it is kosher to let the Americans have the goods also. I think I understand why but it still sucks!!
snapper
Posted by Pluto on April 5, 2004, at 3:29:59
In reply to Can any one recomend any drugs for GAD? nonbenzo, posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 7:09:45
Try sulpiride or amisulpiride but at low doses. They are very very effective in anxiety states.
Percy
Posted by Snowie on April 5, 2004, at 20:32:54
In reply to Can any one recomend any drugs for GAD? nonbenzo, posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 7:09:45
Yep, Neurontin and Celexa have helped me with GAD.
Snowie
Posted by jdgjdg on April 5, 2004, at 22:13:29
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any drugs for GAD? nonbenzo, posted by TheOutsider on April 2, 2004, at 14:55:52
Zoloft did wonders for the anxiety I experienced with OCD. I also know that Klonopin is great for anxiety but is addictive and shouldn't be taken over the long term. Jenn
Posted by TheOutsider on April 8, 2004, at 12:42:48
In reply to Re: Can any one recomend any drugs for GAD? nonbenzo, posted by jdgjdg on April 5, 2004, at 22:13:29
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