anyone not take prescription drugs with panic disorder??

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:51 pm

Bev, I already take Ativan 1mg. I usually cut it in fourths and or half. Rarely I take the whole thing. And thank you, Waldo. My anxiety more of a high range but i still prefer herbs to ssri's :p

Sandina · Post by **Sandina** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:46 pm

I have never taken anything either- hope this program is enough! Good luck

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:42 am

Hey Holly,

The DR that told you "you'll always have this problem" is stuck in the past. That was their "Pharmacutical company line" from 10 years ago. The Pharmacies beat that sentiment into everyones head until they started believing it, I do think some people need them but to throw a blanket over every anxious, depressed person is just a marketing ploy.

There have been so many articles and reports recently and SSRI's were once thought to be effective for 70% of people but in reality they are somewhere around 55%. So in reality they only work for just over half the people! Check out the New England Journal of Medicine's web site, they are the group that conducted the study.

That being said, there may be one out there that does work for you, Paxil works best for me somewhat but others didn't do a thing. You may need to go to a DR that is more current and up to date on the meds.

Hang in there, it WILL get better.

bobby aka huggie · Post by **bobby aka huggie** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:03 am

I have had panic disorder for about 4 years and developed GAD for the last couple years. When I was first diagnosed, they put me on Clonopin 2x daily and Lexepro 10mg. I was really scared being on the Clonopin regularly, so I gradually weaned myself from it (one of the hardest things I've had to do). I did not like the side effects of the Lexepro and I was still having some panic while on it, so I decided that I wanted to take a more natural approach. I got off the Lexepro a year ago and it has not been easy. I exercise daily (walking mostly), try to do some sort of relaxation daily. I am still anxious a good portion of the time but have not had a full-blown panic attack in awhile. I am nearly done with the program, but I think I need to go through the entire program again. My doctor wants to put me on Cymbalta to prevent the panic attacks/anxiety, but I have resisted for the last 6 months. I want to try more natural approaches. Any suggestions would be welcome!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:08 am

Holly J

I've said it before and I'll say it again, even though you need to have trust in your doctor you also need to be proactive and research SSRI's yourself. There are numerous sites on line and specific ones to the one you might want to take. Just be totally aware of the side effects that you will have while taking them and ultimately what will happen when you TRY to to stop. Been there and done that with Paxil and honestly I wouldn't wish that journey on my worst enemy. Hindsight is 20/20 and the only benefit I can ever have out of my experience is hopefully making sure someone else doesn't go into that blindly.

Good luck.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:45 am

I got through it without anything, Mainly because I was to scared to take anything, I was scared of medication

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:32 am

I had a psychiatrist tell me that I would most probably need to take medication for anxiety the rest of my life. Boy, was he wrong. I haven't take anything for 5 months now and am doing fine. I envy the people here who have found good doctors for this, as the ones I've been to only get out the script pad and ask "well, what do you want to try now?" Not one has asked if I would like to be referred for any kind of therapy. The CBT has helped me more than the meds ever did.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:13 am

I've been on different drugs. Paxil, Lexapro, etc. I am on Celexa right now, but plan to get off of it with the help of the Stress Center booklets, tapes, etc.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:02 pm

Why is it SOO hard to find a good dr??!! My therapist is great but ive never been to a good health doctor. for some reason, i always feel like i know more than them. . . In fact, sometimes I do. I had a doctor who thought I was in the medical field and I was like no, I just do my research!! Thank you john for that info, that is so interesting.And Mary Wargo, good for you! I have researched many ssri's but wont really know the effect it'll give me until i try another one, but i feel like i can do this on my own. If iv done it before on my own cant i do it again on my own?? I do take ativan sometimes (took it last yr too and got off it with absolutely no problem)to help with my sleeping since if i dont get sleep I feel about 50 times worse. i really do need my sleep to make it through the day and function normally. as do most of us right? some people only need 5 hours of sleep. i need like 9 to 10 otherwise i feel fatigue, anxious and my depression really gets bad. I have learned to control my panic during the day which is a great improvement for me. so no more Ativan during the day!!!

jugray · Post by **jugray** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:06 pm

Hello Holly J - I tried Celexa and Xanux for three days when my anxiety/panic first started. It was a horrible experience for me. It made my condition much worse. That's when I found the herbalist that I see. I've been taking his recommended supplements since April '08 and I am feeling terrific. He adjusts them each time I see him as my body recovers between visits. The herbs are taking care of my physical anxiety/panic (hormone imbalances, etc.) and Lucinda's program is taking care of my lifestyle that contributes to my anxiety/panic. My herbalist is expensive, but there may be others that are more affordable. The herbs I began taking in April took effect within 2 days with no side affects. I hope you find someone soon. You should not have to live with this pain and struggle - no one should. Good luck!