Posted by Alan on May 23, 2000, at 17:27:29
In reply to GAD... medication recommendations, posted by Circe on May 23, 2000, at 10:03:43
> Hello everyone.
>
> I'm new to the board and have been reading as much as I can on the various treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (with minor depression and occasional anxiety attacks).
>
> Here are my symptoms:
>
> Constant worrying (especially about losing those I love) and hyper-vigilance to danger
>
> Irritability
>
> Innability to relax
>
> Restless sleep
>
> Muscle tension and severe pain
>
> Muscle tremors
>
> Hot flashes
>
> Light-headedness and vertigo
>
>
> I only become depressed when the worrying overwhelms me and I fear I can't handle it anymore. Suicide appeals at times like those.
>
> I'm not apathetic. I enjoy life. I guess I'm saying that I don't have depression overall, just at certain times.
>
> In the past I had a doctor that focused on my depression and so prescribed medications that helped in some ways, but made the anxiety worse. When I was on Prozac, for example, nothing made me cry, but I still became very angry and stressed over the stupidest things. I know that the SSRI's screw with sleep cycles as well.
>
> I have been reading on Remeron and Serzone. The side effects scare me. I've read of some here that take Klonipin (and have for years) without any problems. The more I read, the more confused I become.
>
> I need a medication that will help me relax (including my muscles) and hopefully won't make me more tired or dizzy than I already am. I have a doctor's appointment in a few weeks.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Circe
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Sure, for true, pure anxiety disorders such as GAD - take an anxiolytic such as Ativan or longer acting Klonopin. That's what they're developed for... the most successful anxiety combatants on the planet. Just have to pay close attention to their managemaent so as to not bring on withdrawl symptoms which usually exacerbate the symptoms that you ar trying to combat. Work closely with your pdoc on that one. Otherwise it would seem to be a no brainer unless I'm mising something.
Alan
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poster:Alan
thread:34402
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000517/msgs/34434.html