PLEASE can someone tell me what they have found to be the best antidepessant to control or lessen constant anxiety. The anxiety is worse than the depression. Thank you so much for any replies I may get. I am desperate and cannot function because of the anxiety.
Best anti depressant to control anxiety?
Question posted by Beverleya on 16 Nov 2013
Last updated on 12 August 2018 by Veronica cohen
Added 17 Nov 2013:
as you all know I am on Prozac which is an ssri. I see the Dr tomorrow and would like to try Effexor which is an ssnri. Can I automaticall switch to effexor or do I have to go off prozac for a while and then onto effexor. Thanks in advance for any replies I may get....Bev
7 Answers
Veronica cohen
12 Aug 2018
Nardil is a MAOI antidepressant. There are restrictions with some foods & medicines, but it treats depression & anxiety very well
Inactive
20 Nov 2013
Hi Beverleya
My shrink put me on Effexor SSris only affect the reuptake of serontonin At 150 mg Effexor also affects the reuptake of norepinephrine took me a long time to titrate up to 150 mg xr but helps with panic,social anxiety and generalized anxiety ablet to cut way down on Xanax Effexor and Cymbalta are SSNRis
Suzybelle
17 Nov 2013
I have problems with anti-depressents... they give me more anxiety and alot of them just make me worse... atavan seems to help me...
Beverleya
17 Nov 2013
I take ativan but have been taking it so long I'm beginning to wonder if I am immune to it. It dosen't work for me as well as it use to.
Suzybelle
17 Nov 2013
every anti-depressents seem to not work for me... I tried them all and it seems I get more depressed or I get shakey. I went off zoloft after the ER gave me too much morphine and that seemed to make me more depressed... I had to free my body of all these drugs
kaw06
17 Nov 2013
Everyone has given you great advice! I take effexor, with abilify and it has cut my anxiety way down. Effexor is an excellent drug to do some research on,it is always best to go see doc with some info under your belt. If I were you, I'd look up several different drugs, side affects etc. And go from there, for when you go so you can make an informed decision, DC has an excellent drug reference page. information is power! Hope this helps sincerely ,
Karen
Beverleya
17 Nov 2013
Hi Karen
I see my GP tomorrow so will ask him about the effexor. I did read up on it and it does state it helps with anxiety. I just wish all these meds didn't take so long to start working.Then if you find out they don't work for you you are back to square one.
I sometimes wonder if the medical profession is not interested in this proble. There are so many of us suffering from it and yet there is no sure cure. I know of several people who are now on prystique and swear by it.
Does restlessness go with the anxiety. I can't sit in one spot for 5 min. I try to knit or read, do crossword puzzels but jast can't get into it. I pace constantly. Do any of you go throught this. Is it part of the anxiety? I was so bad last nite I nealy went to emergency... Pleas let it go away... I always thought I was such a strong person... si
MacIntosh12
17 Nov 2013
Hi Beverleya,
I agree with both answers yet I've a different idea. Ask your doc for one of the older (tried and true : ) antidepressants, the Tricyclics. There are so many of them, Pamelor or Tofranil come to mind right now.
The newer antiD's do have fewer side effects, supposedly, but I disagree, they've just as many side effects as the older tricyclics.
I also agree about adding a Benzodiazepine. There exists a fine line of sedation enough to feel like yourself and sedation to the point of feeling sleepy, so do ask your doc for a low dose to start. You may want to try Ativan if you've not already tried it, or Clonazepam. One of the benzos may truly help you, but you must let your body adjust to one of them, the sleepy or drowsy side effect will not be a problem once you adjust.
I wish you the best, I've been in your shoes and it's horrible, just know that there is hope and you are not alone!
Lara
masso
17 Nov 2013
Great answer my friend; I hope Beverleya takes your so profound advice, and you are right she is not alone.-
Inactive
6 Dec 2013
It is not true that SSRis and SSNRis have less side effects than TCA's they just have different side effects
janiebme
16 Nov 2013
Hi Beverleya-
I wish there was one antidepressant fits-all pill. You did not say what you have tried if any? Or what anxiety meds you are on and if you are seeing a doc?
Anxiety can disable you. You may want to talk to your doc about a benzo while you adjust to a antidepressant. There are a few antidepressants that are suppose to help with anxiety. The catch is that they may cause an increase in anxiety until they kick in (2-8 weeks). Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro are SSRI's that may help. If you can, do your research on the internet about any drugs you start taking.
I was in your space 6 months ago. Anxiety 24-7, I empathize with you. It can be life altering. I thought I was going to loose my mind. I was put on a combo of drugs. That eventually worked. It was trail and error. Everyone's chemistry is different, what works for one may not work for another.
Best to talk to your doc about your options.
There are great caring, informative people on this site that may have more suggestions.
Hang in there! There is hope you are never alone, you just have to reach out for it and you did by posting your question.
My thoughts are with you.
janie
Beverleya
16 Nov 2013
Janie thank you so much for the info. See my further remarks above .under tha answer from wcv... Thank you so much...
WildcatVet
16 Nov 2013
Hi, Beverley! The SSRI and SNRI classes of antidepressants are generally considered the most effective. These would include Lexapro, Effexor, Cymbalta and Prozac among others.
Personally, I've found Effexor to be the most effective, but everyone reacts differently and what's good for me may not be best for you.
The other alternative would be an AD combined with an anxiolytic, but some anxiety meds can be addictive or habit-forming.
Have a sit-down talk with your doctor and come up with a plan. You sound way too frazzled ~NOT healthy!!
Good luck, sweetie. I'm hoping you feel better soon. WCV
Beverleya
16 Nov 2013
I am totally frazzled and feel like my life is wasting away
I'm sorry I did not give more info. I am presently on prozac and do not find it is helping with the anxiety. I have also taken ativan and zanax... not at the same time. Ativan works faster but both of them make me so tired. I see my Dr on Mon.
Have read about Cipralex and it says good for depression and anxiety. Also says feel the effects in 2-4 weeks. Longer for full effects.
Have you or anyone tried cypalex and how does it compare to effexor?
I am so bad sometimes just want to go to emergency... any info any of you can give me would be so greatly appreciated. I also have no appetite and have lost 34 lbs.
It seems all these meds make me so sleepy. Is there any that don't make you tired. I just want to get on with my life so badly. I am 74 years old and probably not much time left to enjoy. Thanks you so much.m
Bleuidcowgirl
16 Nov 2013
Prozac is in th SSRI family try any in the SNRI. Effexor is a great one but made me violently I'll to where I was in the ER. But, the sister product Pristiq works amazing for me. They do not have generic of it so some ins will not approve it. Please until then try and breath. Write down and recognize your triggers. Learn to acknowledge the triggers so then you can move through them. Any more questions please ask we have all been through differnt forms of this panic anxiety depression and as you know everyone can help an inch at a time. Please don't beat up the person that tells you to "calm down" lol they are just clueless. My son always told me that then one time one time only in a huge panic attack I slapped him (he was 16) and it mortified me and him both... Chin up look ahead aka horse blinders on and one step at a time... You are your best advocate, if the meds don't work with the first month it's not going to work the next month..
WildcatVet
16 Nov 2013
Bev, Cipralex is the U.K. brand of escitalopram which is marketed in the U.S as Lexapro. It's prescribed very frequently and from everything I've read and heard it is very effective. Some people swear by it.
I certainly think it's worth a try, Bev. I'm glad you're seeing your doctor so soon.
Just hang in, girl, do whatever you can to keep it together. Take a long walk in the parque. Treat yourself to a goodie. I know you feel like you're in a hole you can't crawl out of, but I'm here to tell you you can and you will. Not tomorrow, not next week, but you will. There was a time when my life had no meaning, no hope, no beauty... and here I am typing this note to you!
Anytime you feel the need, just holler. We've all been where you are so nothing you say can shock us. We can't make you better, but we'll sure let you know you're never alone.
Best wishes, WCV (Barbara)
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depression, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, antidepressant
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