Extreme anxiety - medication advice

[Scottishboi]

Hello,

I'm looking for some help / advice. I've suffered from generalised anxiety disorder for over 10 years. It's generally been manageable outside of some bad 'flares' I'd say.

I've also had CBT therapy twice, not sure it did much for me.

But in 2019 my anxiety got really bad and I was put on Sertraline. It worked for a bit but then stopped being so effective. I then got put on Fluoxetine 20mg, which was then upped to 40mg. I don't think it's ever really helped me tbh.

But here's my dilemma.

Even though I don't think it's very effective, I bet I'll get side effects of increased anxiety if I come off it.

I then don't know what else to try. My GP has recommended either Mitrazapine or Citalopram. But I'm scared my anxiety gets even more unmanageable if I try to change meds.

I'm really struggling at the moment with it and it's making me feel hopeless. Any advice appreciated!

I’m sorry you are feeling so unwell at the min. I take both Duloxetine for my depression and Propranolol specifically for anxiety and panic, maybe you could discuss with your Dr something along those lines as a separate medication whilst they try other meds with you? Xx

Thanks for your response :).

I meant to add that I've been given Propranolol 40mg to take up to 3 times a day. It's been helping a bit, but the anxiety still remains pretty bad.

Hi there, i am sorry to bear you are struggling.
I have been taking cutalopram for about 2 years for anxiety and anxiety-related insomnia. They have changed my luce for the better - less anxious in social settings and sleeping better. I still have the odd flare up if stressful events happen in my life but overall good.
Different drugs work well for different ppl so it can be a bit of trial and error. I tried mirtazapine before citalopram. It just made me crave food and feel dopey. However, in saying that, it night be worth you giving citalopram a try!

my son started out on sertraline and it worked great at first, but then stopped being effective. His doctor piggybacked a second medication (bupropion), but it wasn’t helpful, so she slowly switched him over to Duloxetine and that is working great (for years).

My friend uses escitalopram and it works great for her.

Whatever you do, don’t just go off your medication. You have to wean off very slowly, so try and get your doctor to prescribe something new and give you guidelines for making the changeover.

OP, how are you doing? I hope all is well xx