New User Needs Advice

[fred53]

Hello everyone, I am a man age 53. I was first diognosed with anxiety and drs. have said depression at age 14. Mellaril was the first drug prescribed. Unfortunately I started self medicating with alcohol then. Over the years I have seen no less than 6 different psychiatrists and therapy. They all told me that the alcohol wasn't helping and I took more different meds. than I can remember. Alcohol was a quick and very effective fix. I have been sober for over a year now and things are alot better but not good. My marriage ended after 23 yrs. (she found a boyfriend) and I lost a good job after 20yrs due to a corporate merger in late 2010. I currently take citalopram 40mg 1x and xanax 1mg. 2x as needed. Things seem to be getting worse and my current dr. surprisingly seems content to simply increase the xanax to 3x daily. This concerns me greatly because it works so well and I fear dependency and then being cut off. I have GAD that happens often for no apparent reason. I have been reading alot online about natural remedies and it just overwhelms me. Was wondering if anyone similiar to me has had any luck? ANY thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

[jfletch]

I also agree. I have been on mess for anxiety and panic attacks for ten years now. I take Zoloft 50mg 1x and Ativan .5mg as needed. I believe some can cope without mess but my panic attacks are very intense. I don't think it would hurt to get a second opinion or just voice to your dr. U want to look at other alternatives. Maybe increase your sessions with the therapist? And btw congrats in being 1 year sober. That is a huge step.

[SunnieDebris]

I also agree. I have been on mess for anxiety and panic attacks for ten years now. I take Zoloft 50mg 1x and Ativan .5mg as needed. I believe some can cope without mess but my panic attacks are very intense. I don't think it would hurt to get a second opinion or just voice to your dr. U want to look at other alternatives. Maybe increase your sessions with the therapist? And btw congrats in being 1 year sober. That is a huge step.

I agree! Congrats and welcome!

Sunnie

[alankay]

Well for GAD, you should be taking a longer acting benzo(in general) and an ssri like citalopram. If citalopram is not doing it maybe ask about zoloft. Instead of xanax with it shorter half life ask about klonopin or even ativan. With the stresses you've gone through no wonder your having a peak in anxiety. The only natural remedy that helped me a tad was passionflower tea but after xanax, it likely won't help much as xanax is potent.
Anyway psychotherapy to get some of this off your chest and switching to a longer acting benzo like klonopin or ativan might be better as the blood level of the med would be more constant. Yep, minimize alcohol and caffeine. PM me any time. Alankay.