Posted by jms600 on March 1, 2009, at 14:52:03
In reply to Very, very worried, need advice and some hope, posted by meltingpot on February 28, 2009, at 14:11:55
Hi Denise
You said you noticed anxiety with drugs such as venlafaxine? How long were you on the medication for? Most of the SSRIs/SNRIs cause anxiety to start with which then subsides - did you get past the first three or four weeks?
Also have you considered other antipsychotics? Many people on here seem to like Seroquel as an effective alternative to Zyprexa. Furthermore, I know they are less desirable, but the older typical antipsychotics are also effective. In fact Stelazine and Haloperidol in very low doses are actually licensed for severe anxiety. Beware that movement disorders are more problematic with these two though!
You mentioned new antidepressants, have you considered the newly released agomelatine? Can't give you an opinion on it I'm afraid as I haven't tried it. I know it's chemically related to melatonin and so obviously also assists in achieving an improvement in sleep quality.
Then there is the anticonvulsants to consider. Fortunately, us Brits are lucky in that Pregabalin is licensed in the UK for GAD. Again, can't give you an opinion on it as I haven't tried it (yet).
I too suffer from severe anxiety and depression and I know how terrible those desperate episodes can be. Suicide simply is NOT the answer - don't even consider it. When times get rough you need to reach for the Valium (or another sort of benzo). Valium really has been a life saver for me.
If things get so bad that you just can't cope then get down to your nearest A & E dept as soon as you can. Going into hospital because of severe anxiety/depression is NOTHING to be ashamed of.
Your next step is to see this psychiatrist and get him to prescribe something with at least some potential for working - your paying for his services so make him earn his money! Nobody can guarantee that any drug will work but at least you have to give all the right ones a good go.
Good luck and I hope you find some relief from your troubles soon. Let us know what the psychiatrist says.
poster:jms600
thread:883081
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090223/msgs/883231.html