New medication

[temperancebrennan]

My doctor is reviewing my previous medications in the hopes of prescribing me something new. We're going to discuss it on Friday, but I'm not sure what he is going to recommend.

Over the past 6+ years, I've had the following-

Escitalopram
Citalopram
Clomipromine
Sulpiride
Sertraline
Fluoxetine
Venlafaxine
Propranolol
Diazepam

I had little success on these medications. I was either very tired to the point of almost falling asleep at work, falling asleep on my commutes to and from work. Or I had major headaches, insomnia, nausea or night sweats. Sertraline made me 10 times worse, where I could barely function and ended up being off work for 2 weeks because I couldn't get out of bed.

I'm a bit worried as to what he may prescribe for me. The only thing that gave any form of relief was diazepam & I know they cannot prescribe that for me any longer.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any ideas of what other sorts of medication could work that I could discuss with him on Friday.

Thanks

[karebear73]

Over the past 11 years I have been on a long list of meds as well. I don't tolerate meds well at all and am in the process of tapering off 2 more. My p docs and family docs and counsellor a all agree meds aren't for me even though I have high anxiety, ptsd depression and panic. I am now turning to natural routes such as yoga, mindfulness, talk therapy and cbt.

I know how frustrating and worrying unsuccessful med attempts can be and I wish you all the best!

[Enduronman]

Oh boy!..you keep good records..

Since all those failed you,..I would ask for Abilify. AND something to help with the situational anxiety until you see how the Abilify works. It's a very unique medication and also very expensive over here too.

If not, then Mirtazapine (Remeron) because that may also be the ticket for you...

I love the Abilify,..

and my Nephews wife loves the Remeron..

Just some things to think about friend...

E-Man...:)

[Enduronman]

Over the past 11 years I have been on a long list of meds as well. I don't tolerate meds well at all and am in the process of tapering off 2 more. My p docs and family docs and counsellor a all agree meds aren't for me even though I have high anxiety, ptsd depression and panic. I am now turning to natural routes such as yoga, mindfulness, talk therapy and cbt.

I know how frustrating and worrying unsuccessful med attempts can be and I wish you all the best!

Have you ever tried Remeron or Abilify yet????....:)

[Enduronman]

The Remeron has taken an agoraphobe out of the house and now she won't shut up...

The Abilify will take me into crowds, and without a care in the world...it wasn't ever like that before. Hell I'd even give a speech about cotton balls if that's what was needed!

E-Man..:)

[karebear73]

I have tried paxil, Wellbutrin, Remeron, ativan, seroquel, clonezapam, Zoloft, cipralex, Effexor, Prozac and trazadone.

[karebear73]

And about 6 others from 2001 to 2004 but can't remember what they were....I relocated in 2008 and my health records didn't follow unfortunately

[Enduronman]

You should (if you want too) inquire about some Abilify. It is awesome! I rarely ever had found a medication that does what this one does..But it's reallly pricey in the US. :(

[karebear73]

Just like temperancebrennan ....I'm scared to try anything new.

[Enduronman]

oh dear...one more shot at it?...I have had 0 side effects with it, other than energy that's positive energy!..:)

[temperancebrennan]

Would these medications work for general anxiety?
I don't have situational anxiety, my issue is that I get the anxiety symptoms out of the blue and then can't shake them. I can just be sat at work, watching a film, reading a book, shopping, anything really & then these symptoms happen, or I'll have a full blown panic attack for no apparent reason. It's very frustrating.

I'm currently seeing a therapist & have added in a lot of foods to my diet that are meant to help anxiety. But as it's affecting my work, as it happens daily, work are asking me to try medication again to see if that makes a difference.

[Enduronman]

Yes,..the (2) mentioned are very helpful for "everything" anxiety dear

My Nephews wife takes Remeron, and she was an agoraphobic person, (doesnt leave the house, high anxiety) but she was at Christmas dinner, talking, socializing, like a real person...

I take Abilify, I can do anything now...anywhere, anytime,..and I have lived with anxiety for 46 yrs...doesn't phase me at all.

You have hope Temperance!

You too Karebear!

:D

[karebear73]

I have generalized anxiety disorder too....I totally understand the frustration of anxiety surfacing out of what appears to be nowhere! For many these various meds do work...I've been told by many doctors I am a rare sensitive case in terms of drug sensitivities. I have very low blood pressure, many allergies, and the lowest doses of these meds affect me highly with side effects. 6.25 mg knock me out. Please don't let my experience sway you to not give some new meds a shot....I do understand your frustration with meds though :) hang in there.

[karebear73]

Thank you Chris :) if I can get through the withdrawals in the next year....I will be more hopeful as the only thing I haven't tried since 2001 is be off meds completely. Thought it would be worth a shot at this point.

[temperancebrennan]

Thank you for your replies. It means a lot that you took your time to answer my question.

I shall mention those medications to my GP & see if he would recommend either of them. Unfortunately, this year, my anxiety was so bad that I could not spend Christmas with my family or New Years with my friends. So hopefully next year will be different.

I hope we can all conquer this at some point & live normal lives! I so badly wish to feel normal again.

[jessed03]

Eman told me to tell you to give abilify a chance - or another chance, or something like that. Eman crazy dawg!

If you're a young woman, and you like, or somewhat like your figure... Go nowhere near Remeron.

Otherwise, good luck and good day :)

[temperancebrennan]

Eman told me to tell you to give abilify a chance - or another chance, or something like that. Eman crazy dawg!

If you're a young woman, and you like, or somewhat like your figure... Go nowhere near Remeron.

Otherwise, good luck and good day :)

Haha okay. Well, it all depends on what my GP says really. Or what they have at this doctors. They're not the best if I'm honest, but this guy seems to have his head screwed on more than the others that I've seen.

Ah the weight gain thing. Yeah, I don't want that. I'm pretty short, so if I put on weigh then I'd look spherical I imagine haha.

[Dahila]

I could not take Abilify because of BP but maybe it could work in small doses. What people suppose to do when they try so many meds and nothing helps?

[temperancebrennan]

If I'm honest, I'd rather not have to take medication. I'm not a fan of it & I don't even like taking paracetamol, but it does help some people, so I'm having to give it another try.

I would much prefer to have something natural, so I'm going to discuss camomile tablets & other natural remedies to see if they could help as well as prescribed medication.

I'm going through therapy, waiting for CBT and have changed my diet, so there's many things to do. It's just very difficult when you see something work so well for someone & then it affects you completely differently.

[jessed03]

I could not take Abilify because of BP but maybe it could work in small doses. What people suppose to do when they try so many meds and nothing helps?

Usually go for combos to offset the problem. Like Remeron makes you tired, and fat... But is a really good drug, so you take a little Effexor with it, so it wakes you up, and curbs appetite. Only... Most GPs don't have that training, so keep giving single meds which don't work for some. UK is the worst for that. I think we have about 3 psychiatrists on the whole of the NHS. almost impossible to see one.

Temp Bren, have you tried anything more natural? Different drugs hit different neurotransmitters and all that...

Edit: answered my question ^ :)

[temperancebrennan]

Lord, I've tried so much. Rescue remedy spray / pastilles, had my own Bachs blend made, I drink camomile tea, don't drink caffeine, try to have blueberries most days, eat more spinach, peaches, B vitamins, eggs, whole grains. The list goes on. I try to eat as healthy as I can most of the time (I have a big love for pizza though haha).

I guess my weakness is the lack of proper exercise. I walk a lot, but I HATE running & I'm terrified of joining a gym. Body dismorphia & all that, so I know I don't get my endorphins going & serotonin raised because I don't exercise harder.

[jessed03]

BD? That's a bitch :-/

Do you manage it well?

Have you tried any serotonin enhancing sups for the anxiety?

[temperancebrennan]

It's not as bad as it once was. From about 11 it was really quite bad. I got more of a grip on it when I was about 19 / 20. I still won't leave the house without makeup & I don't wear sleeveless tops unless I've had some drinks, but it's a lot easier to deal with now.

Serotonin supplements? I'm not sure if I've seen them?

[jessed03]

Don't you sleep? :p

Serotonin sups, just the stuff you can see in Holland and Barrett, um... 5htp, St Johns wort, Tytrophan, theanine... They're less effective, but come with less of the bullshit that antidepressants do.

Congrats on the BD thing, I think you handle it well, considering you're still kinda stressed

[temperancebrennan]

Ha I do yes. I've been signed off work for the week, so I guess I'll sleep a lot tomorrow. Don't you?? :P

Ah yeah, I've seen a few of them, but I think a few can interact with the pill that I'm on. It's just for my skin, but I know my BD will play up massively if my skin gets bad again so I never want to risk that.

Thanks, I think it just seems normal to me now because it's gone on for like 14 years or something. So things I do are habit & it doesn't seem weird to me anymore.

[jessed03]

Not really. When my beauty bar drops below 100, I'll consider a little sleep to refill it, maybe :)

What's the skin med for? I'm being nosey - sorry.

[temperancebrennan]

Haha, fair enough! Good old beauty sleep. Although I don't think it works for me. I think I must throw myself through hedges whilst asleep because I definitely don't wake up feeling beautiful & rested ha.

It's a contraceptive pill, but helps with acne. I had it when I was younger & it didn't help with the BD at all. So I'm still on it to ward it off. Have to take a break from it for a few months every couple of years & it's hell. Seeing your face change daily, makes me feel sick thinking about it.

[jessed03]

Oh really? Wow... Do you have that app on the iPhone that records the highlights off your sleep? I bet you go on some journeys at night.


In your avatar your skin looks completely clear - I wouldn't know you still got acne. I guess the pill works!

[temperancebrennan]

Should give it a try. Not sure it'll work if I'm running through the field opposite my house though haha.

Yeah it's clear now because of the pill. When I stop taking it, it gets bad again. Bah! The pains of being human ha!

[jessed03]

Come to London. We don't have fields, so we wake up looking like we've been in traffic accidents instead. Your limbs get a little bent, but at least you wake up beautiful ;)

[Enduronman]

I could not take Abilify because of BP but maybe it could work in small doses. What people suppose to do when they try so many meds and nothing helps?

Yes!! Please ask for it....I take like (2.5mgs morning, 2.5 mgs afternoon) and my BP at one of my apps on Dec 27th was 118/78!!!.....YES DAHL PLEASE ASK FOR IT!!!

You can get it in 2mg, 5mg,..and it has been a real blessing from God. and I generally don't type that word.....

Have a great day, all here, I have PT this morning and hope to read more about Temperances Dr's visit too.

E-Man..:)

[Enduronman]

come to london. We wake up looking like we've been in traffic accidents. Your limbs get a little bent, but at least you wake up beautiful ;)

lmao!!! :)

[temperancebrennan]

Hahahahaha! Wow, that's a tempting offer :P

[Dahila]

I will ask my doc on January 7, but it could not covered by the ******s who pay for gabapentin, I do not have any side effects except the weight gain...

[temperancebrennan]

I saw my GP today. He was reluctant to let me try Abilify as it's primary usage isn't to treat anxiety.

Instead, he has started me on Cymbalta (Duloxetine) 30mg once a day. I've not tried this medication before & I've not really heard anything about it.

Has anyone tried Cymbalta before or know anything about it?

Thanks

[Enduronman]

My sis loovvveeessss Cymbalta and says that its the only (1) that ever worked for her. She also had terrible anxiety.

Next time you see your GP, tell him that Abilify is an (add on) when all other AD's fail...and that you would at least like to try it (2mg daily)....

Let's see how you like the Cymbalta first though..my sis has allll kindddss of energy now, when she used to be blaaaaaa.....:)

[temperancebrennan]

Thanks, I hope to just feel even slight relief. I took my first dose this evening & feel fine so far. A couple of meds that I've tried made me feel awful the first day, so fingers crossed.

I'm due back for a check up at the end of the month to see how it's going.

I'm glad it worked for your sister! :)

[Enduronman]

Thank you TB!!!....:)

:D

[jessed03]

GL with it Temperance!