I have tried just about every damned thing. I am looking for some people with generalized anxiety problems or anything related to tell me what they've taken and what's been effective.

Thanks,

Todd.

3/25/2008 8:35:40 PM

how bout you tell us what you've taken so we can not waste time sharing shit that you already know won't work

3/25/2008 8:37:27 PM

Clonazepam for months...aggravated depression/motivation issues
Lorazepam...just didnt work really...made me feel dizzyish, etc
SSRIs - Zoloft/Celexa...couldnt fucking sleep, kept talking myself into having panic attacks on them (clearly this was all before that 3 week phase where they tell you it "kicks in"...)

That's about it.

Basically I'm not having any luck with SSRIs/Benzos...

3/25/2008 8:40:42 PM

Jack.

3/25/2008 8:40:49 PM

In all honesty just drink beer.

Everyday I wake up that I didnt drink the night before I have a lot of anxiety.


Any drug that a doctor will prescribe will result in so many side effects that you will be miserable.

Just drink and deal with the consequences of your actions. No matter what happens, never blame the beer. Blame your inability to outhink the beer.

Alcohol does have some negative effects but the positives outweigh them in gold. Just put that shine in your back pocket so you have some to use for a rainy day. Like when you call your g/f a fat slut b/c you are fucking mangle pieced you can be like "baby i love you so much remember that first time we met and i was drunk and i said i love you right before we fucked? I meant that so much and will love you forever"

If you stray from that formula be ready to spend your life in "blah" mode.

Alcohol will at least produce ups and downs like a roller coaster. And not some shitty roller coaster like the Lochness monster at Kings Dominion. More like a cool roller coaster.

[Edited on March 25, 2008 at 9:34 PM. Reason : a]

3/25/2008 9:34:21 PM

Bourbon. The Turkey or Maker's preferable. Jim works in a pinch.

3/25/2008 9:59:25 PM

what do you have anxiety about? what you need to do is face your fear repeatedly until it doesn't bother you anymore. stop looking for magic pills and man up.

3/25/2008 10:07:15 PM

... why the ellipsis ...?

3/25/2008 10:09:56 PM

to build the anxiety of course

3/25/2008 10:14:25 PM

In no particular order, any combination of working out, a hot shower, marijuana, classical music, or a glass of wine do the trick.

3/25/2008 10:15:46 PM

amphetamines

3/25/2008 10:16:56 PM

pussy or booze

3/25/2008 10:19:15 PM

Quote :

"Clonazepam for months...aggravated depression/motivation issues Lorazepam...just didnt work really...made me feel dizzyish, etc SSRIs - Zoloft/Celexa...couldnt fucking sleep, kept talking myself into having panic attacks on them (clearly this was all before that 3 week phase where they tell you it "kicks in"...) That's about it. Basically I'm not having any luck with SSRIs/Benzos..."

What dosage of Zoloft were you on?

Fall 2006-Summer 2007 I had really bad depression and anxiety... to the point that I couldn't carry conversations with people (so basically socialize normally), not eat...I would go to bed early, but, once my general doctor put me on 200mg of Zoloft daily, I was fine... A few months later, I weened myself off and I'm back to normal pre depression...

When I first started taking Zoloft though, I was on 50mg with 1mg of Clonazepam, then my Zoloft switched to 75mg, 100mg, and straight to 200mg and I dropped the Clonazepam... As soon as it got to 200mg, within two weeks, I was the best I had been in almost a year...

3/25/2008 10:21:55 PM

Eat healthy, get sleep, spend less time fappin to 4chan and go outside and get some fresh air / exercize. Interact with more people i r l.


most importantly- take a nice dump.

3/25/2008 10:30:44 PM

13 replies

and nobody mentioned Xanax?

seriously???????

have you tried that yet highroller? if that doesn't work for you you're a lost cause

3/25/2008 10:38:32 PM

Thanks for the mature replies guys. I appreciate it very much. Knew I could count on the lounge.

They had me on 50 mg of zoloft, same as they give everybody i guess. hate the way those things make me stay awake and they give me more anxiety.

And xanax is a benzo. Same effect as the other 2 I listed pretty much...

3/25/2008 11:04:52 PM

have you tried Effexor? Usually, if SSRI and benzo don't work, you should go on Effexor. If Effexor doesn't work also, there are older medications such as imipramine, buspirone, and hydroxyzine.

3/25/2008 11:09:41 PM

Soma

is what they will take when

...

3/25/2008 11:11:15 PM

Quote :

"what do you have anxiety about? what you need to do is face your fear repeatedly until it doesn't bother you anymore. stop looking for magic pills and man up."

somebodys mommy is hooked on valium and doesnt pay him any attention

3/25/2008 11:22:34 PM

^ yeah really

3/25/2008 11:41:26 PM

What's up? Are you just worried that you'll take the wrong pills?

3/26/2008 12:33:22 AM

Xanax is short duration, you feel the effects after 5-10 minutes, and it lasts for an hour, and then you're back to feeling the same anxiety...

Clonazepam, however, has a longer duration...It takes several hours to hit it's peak, and by the time it has done that, you've already taken your next dose... (every 3-5 hours)...

Effexor doesn't really help anxiety...you have to take another medication to help them counter act off of each other...

Back to Zoloft, you didn't give it a good enough chance...I almost gave up on it as well when I was on a lower dosage...Although, everyone is different... Perhaps it's not right for you...

Not sleeping is a side effect of anxiety btw... I used to have to knock myself out and it was the only peace that I could give myself...

I don't know if you are seeing a regular doctor about this or a psychiatrist... but either way, if it's any consolation, my regular doctor helped me (b/c I didn't need or want therapy) better than the psychiatrist that I attempted to see last year when I was having problems...

3/26/2008 11:56:40 AM

alcohol.

3/26/2008 12:21:05 PM

vodka

3/26/2008 12:22:22 PM

have you tried lexapro? i didn't like it but people RAVE about it. i just didn't want to be on medication at all, but i took it for awhile. i guess it worked. i dunno. you should read about it, its supposed to be like, the shit.

3/26/2008 12:29:35 PM

i love threads like this cause you can see who the REALLY fucked up people on this site are

3/26/2008 12:32:56 PM

while i know what anxiety feels like, had minor encounters (anxiety resulting in insomnia)

i found that exercising and counting to be the best methods of dealing with it

3/26/2008 12:36:09 PM

^ YES. i agree completely. i think exercise and diet (and lifestyle in general) have a LOT to do with mental health. but, for some people it isn't enough just to regulate those things.

i don't take anxiety medicine anymore because i don't want to be medicated. plus i just get panic attacks from time to time and i'd rather take medicine when i feel that coming on versus being perpetually medicated for something that might only happen once a month. but i think the thing is, if it is seriously interfering with your life, then medicine is appropriate. i know some people don't understand that. and if just exercise and counting works, then that is AWESOME. but what if those things don't work? when i have a panic attack no amount of counting or rational thinking helps. imagine people trying to function in that situation? at work? school?

while i realize that everyone experiences anxiety to some degree, and i also think that some people are too quick to medicate without trying things like diet/exercise change etc, medicine is seriously needed in some situations. until anxiety is like totally taking over your life it is hard to really understand....in my opinion anyway

[Edited on March 26, 2008 at 12:55 PM. Reason : .]

3/26/2008 12:48:14 PM

counting?

3/26/2008 1:10:23 PM

a deep breath?

3/26/2008 1:18:54 PM

I had a minor anxiety attack induced by large amounts of caffeine a while back and they gave me lexapro... I never took it though for anxiety as I've never had a hint of it coming back since then.

Though I did take it for those long plane rides that I could never fall asleep on and it knocked me right out... It works great for that. ++ if you mix it with a few drinks at the airport bar beforehand.

I'm not sure how much that helps, of course.

Quote :

"i love threads like this cause you can see who the REALLY fucked up people on this site are"

I don't want to say most, but you you'd be surprised at how many completely normal and VERY succesful people have anxiety problems. I'm lucky in that I really don't but I know a lot of people who'd I never expect it from, who do...

The extent of "anxiety" I get is the very occasional tension headache and stiff neck..

[Edited on March 26, 2008 at 3:40 PM. Reason : x]

3/26/2008 3:36:21 PM

i'll get nervous if i have a big project at work to turn in or i'm about to hit on a really hot girl and things like that but it never gets THAT bad...i dunno maybe i was taught to "tough it out" and i just decided to be stubborn and tough it out

3/26/2008 3:42:56 PM

Hi. I'm so badass I shun people with problems I don't understand and that they can't control. I try to act like I understand it by saying they're a pussy. Man I'm so badass.

[Edited on March 26, 2008 at 4:15 PM. Reason : k]

3/26/2008 4:13:27 PM

^^ again everyone gets anxious. theres a difference between normal anxiety and anxiety that is so bad you need medication. being scared to like speak in public or turn something in etc....that is normal.

3/26/2008 4:16:00 PM

and by normal she means badass.

3/26/2008 4:24:59 PM

good diet, good sleep, weightlifting, running, rowwing, sailing

[Edited on March 26, 2008 at 9:50 PM. Reason : for attacks, water, lay down (pull over or stop what ever i'm doing)]

3/26/2008 9:48:15 PM

I got some stuff from Whole Foods (in the health section) called Passion Flower

It comes in capsules and a medicine dropper concentrate, which is more effective (even though it tastes crappy). It helps you sleep better too. It's well worth the $8.99 they ask.

I take that back, I just took 2 of the capsules and I'm sitting here at the apartment feelin all kinds of fine. Make sure you drink a glass of water or two.


[Edited on March 26, 2008 at 10:16 PM. Reason : .]

3/26/2008 10:01:49 PM

1) Exercise
2) Eat well
3) Get laid
4) Stay off the internet (especially TWW)
5) Plan your day/week as much as you can and get into a routine...that way you're less likely to have a surprise anxiety attack
6) Keep your mind busy and engaged
7) Despite what others have said, don't resort to alcohol or other drugs to control your anxiety...this will almost certainly lead to dependency issues

3/26/2008 10:28:49 PM

I think we're all missing the important part here. HighRoller has been suspended for a long time, and he spawned the noob = black joke way back in 2004. Unfortunately, that thread was purged. See below:

http://whatdoesnoobmean.ytmnd.com/

3/26/2008 10:39:18 PM

wat?

3/26/2008 10:45:55 PM

^I'm not black if that's what you're referring to.

[Edited on March 26, 2008 at 10:47 PM. Reason : ]

3/26/2008 10:47:01 PM

Quote :

"Xanax is short duration, you feel the effects after 5-10 minutes, and it lasts for an hour, and then you're back to feeling the same anxiety... Clonazepam, however, has a longer duration...It takes several hours to hit it's peak, and by the time it has done that, you've already taken your next dose... (every 3-5 hours)..."

this really peeves me, i hate seeing it. totally not trying to attack you personally.

you really really really shouldnt give advise on specific medications when youre not sure of what you're talking about. it wouldnt be as bad if you just phrased it "with me, it only lasts blah blah". but its not a good idea to go around telling people that strong drugs are weak. klonopin, for example, has a huge halflife range and a decent peak range too. your personal experience should be noted as such.

PS - if xanax only effects you for an hour, then you should be institutionalized cause thats disability level anxiety. total absence of functioning.

also if the klonopin is working for you, theres no need to take another dose in a few hours. builds unnecessary tolerance, and potentially dependence. and benzo dependence can lead to not only a bad mental state during withdrawals, it can cause seizures and other bad physical problems.

JUST MY 2 CENTS.

3/26/2008 10:51:04 PM

I am on 100 mg of Zoloft daily and 1 mg of Ativan as needed for panic disorder. I was also previously on trazodone nightly to help with insomnia, but now that I have insurance I take Ambien as needed.

I have found that the healthier I am, the fewer and farther between are my bouts. I avoid caffeine and alcohol. I stick to a fairly strict sleep schedule. And I lost 50 pounds. The difference me now and this time last year is dramatic.

A year ago, I ended up in the emergency room. I was sedated and given IV fluids and a B vitamin shot to help. I was nearly paralyzed by my panic attacks and the fear of having a panic attack. I had episodes on a daily basis that interfered with my ability to live a normal life. It took about 4 months for the medication and lifestyle changes to kick in and I also firmly believe that the hormonal boost given to me by pregnancy also helped.

Now, I am doing extremely well. Even though I am under a phenomenal amount of stress, I am handling it extremely well (with the help of the medication). I spent several years starting and stopping medication and I do think that managing to stay consistently medicated for just over a year is one of the reasons that I am ok. I have had one panic attack in the last 3 months -- it was a doozy and sent me into a bit of a tailspin for about a week, but I got through it.

3/26/2008 10:56:13 PM

jackleg: our local drug and legal guru

3/26/2008 10:57:17 PM

ha, i dont know if i should take that as an observation, a compliment, or an insult. but seriously i'm no drug and law guru -- it just bothers me to see people giving out misinformation, or labeling personal experience as the norm. i know better than to think i'm an expert. but that doesnt stop me from talking about the things i do know

3/26/2008 11:30:20 PM

marijuana

3/26/2008 11:32:30 PM

Quote :

"Back to Zoloft, you didn't give it a good enough chance...I almost gave up on it as well when I was on a lower dosage...Although, everyone is different... Perhaps it's not right for you... Not sleeping is a side effect of anxiety btw... I used to have to knock myself out and it was the only peace that I could give myself... I don't know if you are seeing a regular doctor about this or a psychiatrist... but either way, if it's any consolation, my regular doctor helped me (b/c I didn't need or want therapy) better than the psychiatrist that I attempted to see last year when I was having problems..."

he sounds like me to some degree. the sleeping issues IS NOT from the anxiety. i mean, sure i couldnt sleep sometimes, but when on Celexa I would never be able to get to sleep and then wake up every hour of the night. it was fucking terrible.

that said zoloft had the opposite effect on me. i couldnt get up and laid in bed till 4pm every day staring at the clock. maybe it was just making my depression worse and i should have taken more, but i gave it a month and that was enough. if more made it worse i cant imagine what id have done.

i find a low dose short half-life benzo like valium works well for me. it isnt strong enough to give me that motivational drudge or bleh feeling, but relieves anxiety. i agree that dosing may be the key though.

3/26/2008 11:47:10 PM

I started out with sever hypochondriasis and phobias then it developed into fears of being around large groups of people (but it didn't seem like it was because of agoraphobia but I don't know exactly why...just felt like something was going to happen to me...), now it's more generalized anxiety, not getting a good night's sleep and waking up feelign like I'm in a dream all day long that I try to just deal with. It's getting better I suppose, because I feel more motivated to go out and do things and just ignore this stuff. I kind of take offense to people saying "man up" and all this shit, because I haven't seen a doctor in years before this (and that was ER for accident), and I'd rather not go through this if there's any way I could control it.

Also didn't help that my first doctor was a jerk who seemed to just want to precribe me all these things and send me on my way without listening to a damned word I said in the span of 15 minute visits each time (if that). He started conjuring up all these things I might have other than anxiety/depression problems, and I just grew so weary of him, so I moved on.

I'm basically in therapy right now. My new shrink doesn't want to jump to put me on anything before she gets to know me, so I'm all for that.

I just figured I'd make this thread because I KNOW I'm not the only one on TWW (reservoir?) that has had similar problems.

Thanks.

3/27/2008 12:10:57 AM

vagina

3/27/2008 12:11:45 AM

deep throat

3/27/2008 12:14:04 AM