Help with anxiety meds

[billymesher]

Hi, I am a 31 year old male. I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks since I was 16. I think the anxiety and panic maybe triggered by stress but I also worry all the time. I have tried CBT but never been on meds apart from when I get on a plane (3mg lorazepam) works perfect. I am thinking of going to my doctor about medication because its effecting my life.
What medication should I go for?
I have avoided for years because of anxiety, my main symptom is hyperventilation to the point my face feels detached and have tingles all over my head. At this point controlled breathing makes me worse. it usually happens when im driving. My symptoms change every few years. It feels like when I conquer one I get another :(

[temperancebrennan]

I don't think we can say which medication would work best for you. It's been a case of trial & error for myself personally. I think others have been the same.
The best thing to do would be discuss it with your doctor. With me, they gave me 2 weeks worth & then booked a check up appointment to see how I went on. If no improvement, then they would change my med or increase the dose. Then arrange another check up appointment. I'm currently on Sertraline, but have tried others in the past that did not work for me, but have worked for others.

There are many antidepressants out there & other solutions too such as diazepam for the hard times when you can't calm down, or beta blockers if you have problems with irregular heart beats / palpitations.

Hopefully you will find a medication that suits you so you can live your life without worry.

[billymesher]

Thanks for the advice.

The thing is I see so many names of so much drugs. I'm anxious of taking anything :(

Also every time I have gone to the doc in the past they brush it off like all I need is a bit of CBT and tell me med are addictive. The only thing i have ever been addicted to is chocolate. Oh and My computer games

[temperancebrennan]

Thanks for the advice.

The thing is I see so many names of so much drugs. I'm anxious of taking anything :(

Also every time I have gone to the doc in the past they brush it off like all I need is a bit of CBT and tell me med are addictive. The only thing i have ever been addicted to is chocolate. Oh and My computer games

I would try & see a different doctor in that case. Not all meds are addictive. Some do have side effects, but they should usually subside after a few weeks. It's things like diazepam that can become addictive if used incorrectly.
The names might look scary, but google can help you check which med does what & what side effects may occur, if any. Not everyone gets them.
If you're worried about them, it might be a good idea to discuss the meds available for you & ask people's opinions / experiences on here before making a decision.
If you're struggling, then sometimes medication is the way to go whilst you sort the inner problems out in other ways such as CBT or hypnosis (which I've heard can work well).

[Ritch]

If you think that your relationship with your doctor is not very good I would take temperance's advice and ask to see another doctor. Some medications such as the benzodiazepine's are addictive and I can testify to that. I was in hospital for a while and spent roughly 48-50 weeks swapping from lorazepam to Valium oh and zopiclone at night. In my experience they help initially but then become part of the problem, the low doses stop working and the dosage continuously needs to be increased.

As for other medication's such as anti depressants yes they do have the POTENTIAL to cause side effects but this does not mean they WILL. It is trial and error, you have to see what helps and what doesn't. Perhaps you could try a beta blocker as well, they are safe as long as you don't have any underlying heart problem etc.

Personally I think that medications only help with symptom management, they do not treat the underlying cause. There are other forms of therapy available through the NHS such as cognitive analytical therapy (I am waiting for this myself). Do not let a doctor brush something aside when you feel it is taking a grip of your life, either put your foot up their arse or see another doctor. :)

I hope this helps and please keep us posted.

[billymesher]

Thanks for all the advise.

I have moved to a new area recently so I will try again with the new doc.

[temperancebrennan]

Good luck.
About the hyperventilating, have you tried breathing exercises? I know there are some apps to help with some techniques.

[billymesher]

Yes I have. For many years I could control my anxiety and panic through thoughts and breathing. But when I start hyperventilating doing the breathing brings me to focus on the panic and it gets worse.
At home I can control with breathing it's only really when I am driving. :(

[alankay]

I's stick with ativan(lorazepam) but consider starting and AD like zoloft and give it a trial. 3mg is a fairly high dose so you might weaning that down but that's just an idea. Alankay