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What do you do if no benzo helps control your extreme anxiety

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 1/25/2014 2:14 PM (GMT -5)
I have been trying to find an antidepressant that will work for the past year and a half I have severe anxiety depression fears etc which I believe started after a medical scare with my heart completely changed me during this time I have tried many meds mostly ssri and also Effexor I have been prescribed benzos throughout and went from everything like xanax valium ativan klonopin none put a dent in my racing thoughts and anxiety right now doc is trying me on 20 Mgs prozac which I have been on for 16 days no relief and switched me to klonopin up to 3 Mgs a day but it doesn't take away my anxious feelings just makes me more groggy and down anyone have any experience like this is there any other antianxiety med that helped? I know the antidepressant should eventually serve that purpose but so far none has helped I have tried therapy individual and groups and have went through several psychiatrists please let me know
Posted 1/25/2014 2:31 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Theresa,

I am new here and this is my first post but I have read several of your posts on the depression forum and my heart really goes out to you so I felt the need to respond because I can relate to how you are feeling.

I have literally been thru he** too hun, extreme non-stop panic attacks, anxiety, depression and I am here to tell you that it does get better. I am living proof because I have gotten much better, not perfect but better.

I know how hard it can be and I am no doctor but you mentioned that something changed inside of you from a heart scare. I think you need to really work yourself past that as it was a long time ago. Stop robbing yourself of happiness from something that is no longer an issue hun.

I know it is easier said than done, are you still scared something is wrong with you? If so, I encourage you to go get yourself checked out and ease your mind that you are well.

I hope this helps in some way as I think of you often.
Posted 1/25/2014 3:13 PM (GMT -5)
Therese, I am so saddened that you are still struggling as badly as you are.
I am having a rough time also and therefore had to cut the texts between us out, was causing me more stress (I am sorry)

I am seeing a internist who is also integrative/holistic and although he is costing me an arm and a leg, at least he is looking at me as a whole person

Today I got my 1st B-12 shot, after labs were done was found to be low, that can cause problems neurologically.
He also is testing me with 24hour saliva test for Adrenal Fatigue. My blood work showed low levels of cortisol so now we have to find how severe my adrenals are.

I want you to know that we have to take control of our minds, and believe me I am not there yet but working on it. Pills are not going to "fix" us, they just will get you deeper into other problems down the road

I am addicted to clonazepam now. as of 18 days ago I dropped my dose from 1mg a day to .75mgs, which is a HUGE drop, but I felt that I needed to do this for my adrenals.

as soon as I stabilize on this dose I will begin tapering at a very slow rate 1-10% cuts every couple weeks.
My next goal will to wean off the Zoloft...this may take years but I am committed to getting my mind free of these addictive poisons and have a clean brain

Therese, listen to your body and give it rest....I am trying to learn meditation along with my prayer life. It is very difficult to meditate when your mind feels like its going 100mph...so you just keep working on it daily, "practice make perfect"

I will check in on you here occasionally, but can not add any stress to my life...kills the adrenals

God be with you
Posted 1/25/2014 6:33 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Theresa,

Even as is seems that we have tried everything...and we are ready to give up hoping of feeling better...a breakthrough can happen!

I encourage you to keep seeking your answers. Whether it is in trying something new, or in re-visiting therapy, or self-help techniques.

Continuing to work with your doctor/P-doc in exploring new Rx options of combinations (keep a journal of what has/hasn't been tried) should bring you closer to your goal.

I found an amazing burst of recovery in going to my local library and checking out every available book on anxiety recover. I took from each what was applicable to me...and essentially made myself a self-help program.

There is an answer for you...and I wish you peace while you keep looking for it.:)

S.C.
Posted 1/25/2014 6:35 PM (GMT -5)
Just a gentle reminder to all to 'Play Nice in the Sandbox.'!

We all have differing needs and opinions here.

We seek to support each other with respect and understanding no matter what our personal feelings may be.

We check our rights to be 'right' at the door.:)

S.C.
Posted 1/25/2014 11:51 PM (GMT -5)
dear theresa, your story reminds me of how i was 23 years go. mother of 2 small children, supportive husband and family, yet overcome daily by anxiety and agorophobia. tried many meds, till a psychiatrist tried me onn carbamazepine, which is commonly used for epilepsy, but also as a mood stabiliser. for 22 years this kept me well for 90 % of the time, combined with the prayers of friends, and only in the last 3 months have i been overwhelmed again. pperhaps this drug, and the prayers (i will be praying for you) can be the miracle that they were for me. without wishing to be a bible basher, reading the Psalms was and is, invaluable to me too, blessings to you
Posted 1/26/2014 12:02 AM (GMT -5)
sorry theresa, forgot to say that i also tried naturopathy, which unfortunately didn t help at all. there are practices in western and alternative medicines which need to be looked at carefully and researched, if you are a Christian, before you decide they might be appropriate for you, blessings
Posted 1/26/2014 12:48 AM (GMT -5)
Theresa,
It may also be possible that you could have physical health problems that affect your anxiety/mental health. Have you had your thyroid checked? Your hormones? Could you be deficient in the B vitamins or magnesium? You would be amazed at how being deficient in certain vitamins like the B's or minerals like magnesium can make your anxiety go through the roof! I take 1000 mg of Taurine (an amazing amino acid) when my nerves need help and have just ordered myself some more chelated magnesium too. Both are excellent for your physical health, especially the heart and certainly can help the nerves!

But do not take my word for it. Do some online research and make your own personal decisions! I know I've been through my own personal mental health he** at times, so I do feel for you and understand!
I wish you the best, whatever you decide!
jl
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