What medication has helped your anxiety?

[Flamingonow]

I've been trying to cope without medication, after a bad experience with sertraline a few months ago. I really wanted to do it on my own, but I'm just struggling too much. Please tell me what has helped you.

I'm afraid that the only medication that helps me is pregabalin (150mg x 2, twice a day). I also have emergency diazepam (2mg), which I take when I'm having a very bad day.

I’ve started sertraline this week for PMDD Must say I feel pretty rough (jaw clenching and tension in my head and generally feel a bit ropey) but I’m hopeful it will help my awful and constant adrenaline rushes and rage.
I also take Propranolol which helps when I’m really adrenaline pumped.

What was your bad experience with sertraline?

Sertraline made me really quite ill - I had every side effect in the book and my GP advised me to stop it after a few weeks.

@DuckingMel

I'm afraid that the only medication that helps me is pregabalin (150mg x 2, twice a day). I also have emergency diazepam (2mg), which I take when I'm having a very bad day.

Same for me, I’m on 400mg Pregab (daily) and 2-4mg Diazepam (as and when)

After 5 years of Propanolol, CBT, endless counselling… Nope. Just. Nope.

I’m now on the heavy stuff.

Fluoxetine with propranolol top ups when needed.

Literally saved my life.

Pregabalin for me, too. It literally saved my life.

I also take a very low dose of SSRI (escitalopram). I chop the tablets into quarters with a pill cutter so it’s literally a tiny dose but it does actually work for me.

Citalopram - totally changed my life!

I’ve gained 3 stone but I have no fucks to give, I’m alive and that’s what matters.

What does citalopram do for you? I mean how does it make you feel etc.
Thanks

Fluoxetine (Prozac). Only needed it for 18 months but I honestly don’t know what I would have done without it.

@Flamingonow

I've been trying to cope without medication, after a bad experience with sertraline a few months ago. I really wanted to do it on my own, but I'm just struggling too much. Please tell me what has helped you.

I didn't get on with Sertraline, it made me agitated and disrupted my sleep, nightmares etc. I’ve been taking Citalopram for several years now and it's really helped. I don't fall down those anxious thought spirals anymore.

I know people mean well but I think it's really unhelpful to come on here and say what didn't work for you or what made you feel terrible, especially as the OP already feels anxious. Sorry if that sounds like I'm having a go but honestly if you're in an anxiety hole it's not helpful.

OP I'm so sorry you're feeling shitty. I personally don't have any experience taking medication but I really hope you find something that works xxxx

Pregabalin helped but I had to stop because of side effects. Antipsychotics like quetiapine/olanzapine helped too, but it's a bit sledgehammery and again, side effects. Benzodiazepines help me but obviously can only be taken short-term and make me dopey. The gamechanger for me was lithium; killed all anxiety stone-dead to the point where I couldn't remember what anxiety felt like. (Slightly counterproductively in some ways, since it turns out anxiety was what I relied upon to get things done… but that's not lithium's fault.) Other people I know have done well on various SSRIs and SNRIs, propranolol, supplements, herbal medicines, homoeopathy/placebo, etc. Unfortunately it's really a matter of trying things until you find out what works for you and has tolerable side effects. Have you had any talking therapy? Tried lifestyle changes?

Citalopram, been on it 10 years now, it's really took the edge off.

I tried Mitrazapine but I felt like a zombie.

I used to take sertraline with the odd diazepam, but it just didn't work that we'll for me.

Switched to venlafaxine and it's been amazing. It works so well. Can't miss a dose though as the withdrawal symptoms are brutal.

I take diazepam as and when needed, don't need it a lot these days but it used to be awful. The doctors are very wary about prescribing it though as it's addictive and turns you into a complete zombie.

Have you tried trazodone ? I take 150 mg with a slow release propanol an hour before bed , helps with sleep and stops the waking up feeling panicked and as if punched in the stomach , took about a week to kick in

OP its worth trying different anti depressants. I tried citalopram and sertraline and in the end fluoxetine worked for me. They have very different effects on different people

Fluoxetine works for me.

I take magnesium supplements. The magnesium has helped tremendously. Had sertraline for a few months which I didn’t like. I was keen to try a more natural remedy. Also, have you had your vitamin D levels checked?
It really is a horrible thing to suffer from. I’ve recommend the magnesium to a couple of other people, who have said it’s helped a lot. I work in healthcare science so I did quite a lot of research into the use of magnesium for anxiety. There is a lot of scientific backing for it.

I take duloxetine and nortryptaline.
They really help.

Its totally different for everyone OP. I know you have asked for advice on what helped everyone (for me with extreme anxiety which led to depression citrolapam and propanol helped me)

But everyone is different. I would advice reading NHS website on their list of anti depressants and try which sounds best for you. That's what I did. I was the same as you against anti depressants but on reflection they've saved me a lot so I eould recommend them to anyone.

I've said anto depressants but what I mean is anti depressants and anti anxiety medication.

Diazepam doesn't turn me into a zombie. I take 4mg occasionally (for MRI's and seizures) and just feel calm.

I'm on venlafaxine and risperidone for depression and anxiety which we're giving me psychotic symptoms. Due to a neurological condition that I have I also take amitryptaline and pregablin. So I'm well medicated. Have also completed about 2 years of therapy which has made a huge difference.