1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Anxiety Disorders

Could really use some advice on anxiety and drugs to treat it

Posted , 3 users are following.

william68728
william68728

Hello, I am new here. I was diagnosed a few years ago at the beginning of my 40s with GAD and panic disorder. I know its something I have had since a child, and my first panic attack was in elementary school. I take daily Lexapro 10mg and have .5 mg Xanax for breakthrough anxiety. I see a psychiatrist every other month online.

The problem I am having is that my anxiety does not seem to be getting better and is, I think, getting worse. I am only allowed 20 Xanax tablets to cover 60 days. That had been enough until recently, but now I find myself strictly rationing them so I am not caught without one before my next appointment. That means I avoid taking them unless I am having a full blown panic attack or I am close to it.

I have some hydroxizine that I was prescribed for anxiety, but it mostly makes me sleepy and will not stop a panic attack.

I am terrified of becoming dependent on anything as my sibling died of a painkiller overdose 13 years ago after a battle with addiction to them. I am also terrified of how I will feel if this gets worse.

Does anyone have any experience with this that can point to maybe another medication I can take regularly that is not habit forming or at least as habit forming? A different benzo perhaps or another class of drugs? I do meditation and listen to sleep talk down videos on youtube, but that only works up to a point. I know my brain chemistry is screwy, but I just cannot think my way out of anxiety and panic, and that seems to make it worse sometimes. Thank you for your help.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • sasical72
    sasical72 william68728

    Edited

    I'm a recovering addict, 18 years clean. There is not a single benzo that is not addictive, that was my addiction, so I know quite a bit about this.

    For addicts doctors can prescribe Gabapentin as an anti-anxiety med, but to be honest, if possible I wouldn't go there either.

    People who take meds for anxiety so often continue with anxiety, maybe at the beginning it improves but rarely long term.

    It's much more effective to learn how to deal with it ourselves, the problem with this is that it takes work and one has to be prepared to do it.

    Good luck x

    • william68728
      william68728 sasical72

      Edited

      Thank you for your reply, and congratulations on your recovery. I do not want to end up addicted to anything, and I agree that I would like to eventually get to the point where I do not need any drugs. I have tried some CBT, but it is not helping as much as I had hoped. I am willing to put in the work though, so hopefully I will get there eventually.

  • Ojh3
    Ojh3 william68728

    Edited

    hi, im not an expert on medication... but i suffer from crippling anxiety. the best thing you can do is small things you enjoy to take your mind off things.

    i know its really hard... and it can easilytake over and become all consuming... but practice your breathing etc..... youknow the drill. its best, in my oppinion, to not add any more meds in if you can help it. i use citalopram and have 2mg diazepam for breakthrough anxiety... but i really try not to use it as im scared of addiction...

    hang on in there

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.