I have been taking pills for Generalized anxiety disorder for the past 5 years. I am taking Escitalopram Oxalate and Clonozepam on Doctors advice. My question is whether I will be able to stop these medicines one day ? or I will have to take these type of medicines for the rest of my life?
Is there a permanent cure for Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
- Posted:
- 18 Aug 2009 by Lyla123
- Topics:
- anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, escitalopram
Details:
Answers (11)
doxipups18 Aug 2009
I can only say that my hcp has told me that I could be on meds forever. I don't mind though - they help my day to day life and I feel better. I also exercise, see a counselor and eat well. I have tried to go off the Klonopin because I've been doing all these other things and feeling well, but I end up a mess again. For me, having anxiety is not a short-term disorder, I am comfortable with the thought that I may need meds for a long, long time.
Junior1962
Anonymous 28 Aug 2009
Hi Lyla123 i was diagnosed with a chronic panic disorder when i was 12yrs old and am now 41. Up until 12months ago i was on xanax which is also called alprazolam. I was on a very high dose, 2mgs 4 times a day. To me xanax was a wonder drug, but i became addicted to it an went into rehab 12mths ago to detox off of it. It was extremely hard to get off the stuff. Anyway since then my g.p. has put me on valium-diazapam but i only take it when i feel a panic attack coming on, and believe me it is so much better to take it when you only really need it. i found that when i was taking it 4 times a day i felt worse. The best thing i ever did was to get off the xanax and take control of my life because xanax takes all of your control away. My suggestion is that you only take your meds when it's really necessary. i hope this gives you some insight about taking medications. take care. bevck41. :)))
inpain777
2 Sep 2009
can you tell me the difference between valium and xanax ? isnt valium more addictive ?
Anonymous 31 Aug 2009
Hi lyla, that sounds like a question for a real pro(dr. ) mental health is so complicated. I too have been on the clonazepam just to keep away from the more dangerous xanax while I detox from suboxone. I don't know your history but I would hope you could get off all chemicals one day. I guess I would ask myself why do I have anxiety??Is that a question you can answer? Dr's are business men first then dr's. If they get you well they don't make $$$. The oxalate I'm not familiar with but I wouldn't want to take it if I didn't have to have it. I hope and pray for your release of the anxiety you are going through. I think half the country is on some anti-depressant. Some good love might help. I hope you have a husband or boyfriend to help you through this. 5 years is a long time to be on benzos but it can be done by tapering down. Just don't take it until you need it and see how that goes. I know this isn't much of an answer for you but i'll help anyway I can,take care.
Junior1962
31 Aug 2009
rstuds, researchers have found differences in the brain function of those of us who suffer from anxiety. "Getting through it" isn't as simple as changing the way you think or having someone to help you through. There is a reason for it that is just as valid as having the 'flu or diabetes. I can attest to suffering with GAD for 20 yrs trying all sorts of short term drug therapies, changing the way I think, thinking I was weak because I couldn't handle stress... I now know that I am actually very strong and that I have a legitimate disorder. BUT... I prefer to take medication these days because it gives me a quality of life that I didn't have before.
I also disagree that Drs are business men. I think that is a very cynical and harsh view. Drug companies are in it for the money, not necessarily Drs. People enter helping professions for - surprise surprise - they actually want to help. WE are the complicit ones because we GO to Drs looking for the model of treating people that they are trained in - medicine.
jhymowech
5 Sep 2009
My son has also tried clonazepam, however it caused urinary retention. So, it was not an option. Also, the dosage he was prescribed was too low to be of much help.
doxipups
fragile128 Sep 2009
Lylal23: I too have had generalized anxiety w/panic attacks for quite the length of time. It's been approx. 2 months now that I have been taking Celexa-(citaprolam-I believe that's the correct spelling for the generic). This is the only anti-depressant that has truly helped not only w/my overall anxiety, but social anxiety and depression as well. I hadn't taken anything other than Xanax-(as needed) for my anxiety for several years as other meds. either didn't work, or made my anxiety worse therefore, for approx. 5-6 yrs., I didn't take any meds. other than the X's. Like I said, until recently, I had asked my Dr. if I could try Celexa as I read good reviews on this med for anxiety/depression and thus far, I am impressed w/the results. Best of luck to you-
1 Oct 2009
Junior, I also live in Australia and I agree that we have one of the best health systems in the developed world.
This is not to say that we don't have doctors who are very quick at writing prescriptions for anti-deps when patients present with anxiety/depression. Many GPs do not fully understand mental illness. They have a job to do and sometimes they see up to 60 people in a day so they do not have the time to psychoanalyze patients.
IMHO we need to take a holistic approach to GAD. Medication is a significant but complimentary part of the equation.
Is there a permanent cure for GAD? That may depend on how much you want to work on your disorder and how much mental stamina you have left.
For me, the hardest part of dealing with anxiety is the "exposure therapy". I have to force myself to get out of the house and mingle with society. The alternative is to let the anxiety win and ruin the rest of my life.
Junior1962
1 Oct 2009
Depends
I fully agree that GP's don't fully understand mental illness. That is and has been for many years, a large part of the problem. I don't think I mentioned it before but having done 4 yrs of study in psychology I am now an associate member of the Aust Psychological Soceity and I know that they have done a lot of good work in getting some - albeit limited - access to being Medicare providers. As you would know, this means that people now have affordable access to a form of treatment that can offer more than just pills.
Anonymous 1 Oct 2009
Junior & depends,just wanted to touch base with you guy's it's great to hear about how australias health care system is an get some insight. I know very little about addiction except what I 've been through personally. I have always been a happy person no mental health problems ever. Never took anything except an occasional smoke. I didn't start having anxiety problems until I met someone and fell in love with a person that did have mental problems. I would love to surf and play my guitar and record with my band. Nothing like good surf and then gettin' together with your mates and playing tunes. I was "happy" then I started taking pills for stress of work and this woman that seemed to pull the happiness from under my feet. I started taking methadone not knowing what I was doing. This started a 4 year spiral of depression and anxiety. I've had nothing but bad expierience after worse expierience.
ChelseaMe...17 Jan 2010
I think that more research should be done for this. I too have panick attacks that don't stop with gad doesn't stop while the paxil I took for 18 yrs stopped working and upped it made it worse now off paxil going through friggin withdrawls from it and hopiong to god the lexapro will work I just thing that if someone important had this they probably would have this whole thing down to a science so we wouldn't have to suffer from it anymore. I wish u the best suzy
AJ01187221 Feb 2010
I definitely recommend a good cognitive behavioral therapist to identify your triggers and automatic thoughts and teach you ways to cope and counter any negative thinking. Therapy and the use of meds is definitely a better approach than one OR the other. Eat right, exercise and get regular sleep to help reduce symptoms. Meditation and yoga are also helpful.
nikicole1...4 Jun 2010
Iam looking for same thing iam on 1mg klodopin right now unforunatly No there is not best anti deppresent my doctors have told me is celexa iam on it i dont see much diff tho its for anxiety and deppressioni got off my meds xanax 3yrs on it awful still suffering no med will cure u just yourself and therapy unforunatly iam sorry best wishes.
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i have took klonipin for maybe 2 yrs.its the first thing i took that really has helped me (i only take it at night before bedtime,for me its been a miracle drug,but my dr. has up and left this city and ive been looking for a dr. that doesnt freak when i say something about klonipin,im going to a new dr.next week and feel like if i even mention it,he'll just tell me where to go.i know alot of people who abuse it,and in florida the drs. are careful about what they perscribe.i guess i'll just hand him my chart and let him tell me.i could tell these drs. i know why i have an anxiety disorder,(childhood trauma)but i dont think most of them give a rip.im in my 50's and just now getting where i'm open about myself,i wish the drs. would care alittle bit.past history seems to play a big part in what is wrong with a person (at least in my case)