![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rainyday on February 27, 2004, at 8:43:34
I'm getting really tired of this! I'm BPII and also have GAD. Taking effexor xr, buspar, and had been on vistaril for the anxiety. What a joke. Hesitantly my p-doc prescribed .25 mg of xanax because the vistaril doesn't work at all. I'm high risk for addiction due to alcoholism. I am not drinking but I recongize the predeliction for addiction for me! I am practicing yoga, cut out caffeine - and I'm still like a scrabbling rabbit. What else is there for me to try? It's exhausting.
Posted by jlbl2l on February 27, 2004, at 10:24:40
In reply to Alternative to benzos for anxiety?, posted by rainyday on February 27, 2004, at 8:43:34
there is a drug called pregabalin coming out later this year. its the successor to neurontin, and its reportly better than benzos for anxiety and NOT addicting physically. Its supposed to be the next "miracle" drug.
Posted by KathrynLex on February 27, 2004, at 10:28:01
In reply to Alternative to benzos for anxiety?, posted by rainyday on February 27, 2004, at 8:43:34
Hi Rainyday,
You might try Lexapro or Paxil. They're both prescribed for anxiety. I didn't care for Paxil, but the Lexapro has been wonderful. They're both SSRIs and can help with depression...but I'm not sure what they'll do for your BPII condition.
www.drugs.com is a good resource for finding info on different meds. Best of luck!
K.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on February 27, 2004, at 14:17:55
In reply to Re: Alternative to benzos for anxiety?, posted by KathrynLex on February 27, 2004, at 10:28:01
There are always the fairly reliable OTC anxiety remedies, don't forget. Herbs, in order from most to least potent (in my experience): kava kava, California poppy, Mexican prickly poppy, Rhodiola rosea, ashwaghanda, gotu kola, fo-ti, reishi, suma, valerian, schizandra, scullcap, eleuthero, American or Panax ginseng, and passion flower. St. John's wort never worked for me, but it's pretty high up there on the list for many people. Nutriceutically, from best to worst: picamilon, l-theanine, niacinamide, taurine, and l-tryptophan or 5-HTP. L-phenylalanine, dl-phenylalanine, and l-tyrosine help some people, but they make others more anxious. Supplementing with high dose B-vitamins is a must as well, since a healthy nervous system relies on B-vitamins for many purposes (either liquid or sublingual lozenges, otherwise about 98% ends up in the toilet).
Posted by CareBear04 on February 27, 2004, at 22:06:24
In reply to Alternative to benzos for anxiety?, posted by rainyday on February 27, 2004, at 8:43:34
antipsychotics can be helpful. i've tried most of the newer ones, but i've had the most success with the old typicals. i find that a tiny dose of haldol-- 0.5 to 1mg-- works as well as xanax for anxiety, and it doesn't make me sleepy at that dose.
Posted by DepNYer on February 28, 2004, at 16:29:31
In reply to Alternative to benzos for anxiety?, posted by rainyday on February 27, 2004, at 8:43:34
Given that you are BP II and on no mood stabilizer, it is possible the Effexor in and of itself is increasing your anxiety. Before turning to increased doses of a beznzo, perhaps a mood stabilizer would be a possiblity you should discuss with your pdoc.
Posted by McPac on February 29, 2004, at 22:33:49
In reply to Re: Alternative to benzos for anxiety?, posted by Ame Sans Vie on February 27, 2004, at 14:17:55
"Supplementing with high dose B-vitamins is a must as well, since a healthy nervous system relies on B-vitamins for many purposes (either liquid or sublingual lozenges, otherwise about 98% ends up in the toilet)."
>>>>>> Ame, which liquid or sublingual high-dose B-Complex do you use (how many mg's of each B do you recommend)? Do you have a link? Thank you!!!
Posted by utopizen on March 2, 2004, at 18:04:33
In reply to Ame, Re: Alternative to benzos for anxiety?, posted by McPac on February 29, 2004, at 22:33:49
You should not take a vitamin supplement unless your doctor has indicated to you that your blood tests are presenting low levels of B Vitamins, and then and only then do you take maybe one B-100 Complex at the most (like I do).
B Vitamins are helpful to your brain if you are presently deficient of them. Despite what mysterious suggestions the supplement companies what you to receive, you can actually get a blood sample telling you of every single deficiency/sufficency you have in your body.
Of course, it helps to have been tested for comprehensive blood work for 6 months at a time for 3 separate trials of Accutane...
=)
BUT REMEBER- B VITAMIN IS NEUROTOXIC IF YOU RECEIVE MORE THAN WHAT IS SUFFICENT. THERE IS A SUFFICENT DOSE FOR YOUR BLOODSTREAM AND A NEUROTOXIC DOSE, NOT A "HIGH DOSE."
HIGH=NEUROTOXIC.
Posted by Franz on March 2, 2004, at 19:52:01
In reply to Um, high doses of B Vits are neurotoxic... » McPac, posted by utopizen on March 2, 2004, at 18:04:33
> You should not take a vitamin supplement unless your doctor has indicated to you that your blood tests are presenting low levels of B Vitamins, and then and only then do you take maybe one B-100 Complex at the most (like I do).
>
> B Vitamins are helpful to your brain if you are presently deficient of them. Despite what mysterious suggestions the supplement companies what you to receive, you can actually get a blood sample telling you of every single deficiency/sufficency you have in your body.
>
> Of course, it helps to have been tested for comprehensive blood work for 6 months at a time for 3 separate trials of Accutane...
>
> =)
>
> BUT REMEBER- B VITAMIN IS NEUROTOXIC IF YOU RECEIVE MORE THAN WHAT IS SUFFICENT. THERE IS A SUFFICENT DOSE FOR YOUR BLOODSTREAM AND A NEUROTOXIC DOSE, NOT A "HIGH DOSE."
>
> HIGH=NEUROTOXIC.what is high and what is neurotoxic for you?
i never seen any study on neurotoxicity of B vitamins
high doses of more than 200mg for extended periods can cause reversible problems (can´t remember of which one, maybe B6)
thanks
Posted by Dr. Bob on March 4, 2004, at 2:10:50
In reply to Um, high doses of B Vits are neurotoxic... » McPac, posted by utopizen on March 2, 2004, at 18:04:33
> You should not take a vitamin supplement unless your doctor has indicated to you that your blood tests are presenting low levels of B Vitamins...
I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding B vitamins to Psycho-Babble Alternative. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040225/msgs/320001.html
Thanks,
Bob
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.