[dangerous]

what pills are available and which ones are less addictive. i cannot take antidepressents....too many times with side effects

thanks, dan

[learning_to_be_free]

Originally Posted by dangerous

what pills are available and which ones are less addictive. i cannot take antidepressents....too many times with side effects

thanks, dan

I suffer severe anxiety in my opinion there are not any pills marketed for anxiety that arent addictive. Benzos...all are addicting and addiction can happen in a very short amount of time. short acting benxos like xanax are more addicting than longer acting ones like valuim. I hear seaquel helps anxiety and not very addicting the are some all meds out there like seaquel but I dont know the names. I was given remeron before but that was about 11 years ago and it knocked me out. Antideppressents didnt work for my anxiety either. I would try valerion root and therapy before I tried the pills. Deep breathing exercises help me and I thought that it was a ridiculas idea at first but aside from pills it helps my anxiety the best. I also have started using guided imagry That my son and I are learning together, after our sessions I feel very relaxed. I keep a jouneral to try and track what triggers my anxiety..ect. There is so much out there now besides pills that I believe would be so much more effective since they dont just deal with anxiety but other aspects of life also. Not much of that was used when I first got on benzos and now I have another fight to get through, a very long road to get off these pills that now make my anxiety worse because god forbid if you forget a dose you will feel like you are loseing your mind or going to have a heart attack. Missing a dose can trigger panic attacks and if you have never had one you could never understand the fear that consumes you sure that you are at that very second lossing your life, your mind and theres not a thing you can do about it. I dont abuse my xanax but thats not going to make the w/d go away because I am totally dependant on them to get through the day and my taper off them will be hell But I am sick of pills running my life. Dont let this happen to you search all alterneratives to pills before considering them...

[Psyched]

Dan,
Learning gave you some good advice. I would add that if you aren't already seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist, you should consider doing so. If you do see a specialist, explore options with him/her; as a patient, it is your duty and right to have a say in any and all treatment-be your own advocate. Like learning suggested, take notes on when and where your anxiety strikes. Armed with this info, you AND the doctor can start looking at options that both of you can agree on. I also commend you for trying to educate yourself about side-effects and other important medication characteristics. Good luck!

[Oxy Moron™]

Dangerous:

I understand your current situation though I don't suffer from the same issue, I can only imagine how that would cause problems.

I have one suggestion, but I'm not sure if you've ever used this specific medication and, if you have, how it affected your pain along w/your anxiety issues.

My suggestion is Tramadol (Ultram). The reasons are this: 1. Though not directly related to opiod-containing medication chemically, it is a decently strong synthetic opiod pain medication; and 2. Unlike pretty much all standard opiod pain medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone), Tramadol also directly effects serotonin levels in the brain (much like anti-depressents/anti-anxiety medications). Tramadol has just recently been noticed as a mood-stabilizer though for the longest time patients taking Tramadol reported not only adequate pain relief but also a decrease in anxiety and self-depressive states. Not too shabby honestly.

I know about Tramadol from self-experience (in-fact, I'm currently ON Tramadol for pain AND I've done EXTENSIVE research on this medication. I'm CLOSELY watching the F.D.A.'s website for Tramadol possibly becoming a Controlled Substance. Right now, Tramadol is considered a substance of possible abuse. Any controlling of Tramadol will most definitely alter the ease of receiving Tramadol...either by means of internet sales or even doctor-supplied prescriptions.

Back on topic - I hope this information is useful to you. I wish your MUCH LUCK in your search for a decent pain-reliever as well as control of your anxiety.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by Oxy Moron™

Dangerous:

I understand your current situation though I don't suffer from the same issue, I can only imagine how that would cause problems.

I have one suggestion, but I'm not sure if you've ever used this specific medication and, if you have, how it affected your pain along w/your anxiety issues.

My suggestion is Tramadol (Ultram). The reasons are this: 1. Though not directly related to opiod-containing medication chemically, it is a decently strong synthetic opiod pain medication; and 2. Unlike pretty much all standard opiod pain medications (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone), Tramadol also directly effects serotonin levels in the brain (much like anti-depressents/anti-anxiety medications). Tramadol has just recently been noticed as a mood-stabilizer though for the longest time patients taking Tramadol reported not only adequate pain relief but also a decrease in anxiety and self-depressive states. Not too shabby honestly.

I know about Tramadol from self-experience (in-fact, I'm currently ON Tramadol for pain AND I've done EXTENSIVE research on this medication. I'm CLOSELY watching the F.D.A.'s website for Tramadol possibly becoming a Controlled Substance. Right now, Tramadol is considered a substance of possible abuse. Any controlling of Tramadol will most definitely alter the ease of receiving Tramadol...either by means of internet sales or even doctor-supplied prescriptions.

Back on topic - I hope this information is useful to you. I wish your MUCH LUCK in your search for a decent pain-reliever as well as control of your anxiety.

Most every opiate addict I know reports being more relaxed when taking opiates ... less depressed. I have shared my opinion enough times about this that anyone who has read the forum much knows I disagree with opiates for depression totally. See a professional in the field of depression. If they tell you to take ultram I guess it's fine. I will contend at the present that ultram is not a good medication for long term depression problems. It's a bandaid. Find out why you are depressed and deal with that issue. OUr society wants to take any drug that makes us feel good if we a problem. It's the way we were brough up. HUGE mistake in my humble opinion. I would talk to a professional about this and BLOW OFF people here telling you to take ultram for depression. Thats just me. God bless.

[Camicus]

I used to have really bad anxiety years ago. I still get it from time to time. This may sound stupid to some people but what really helped me was yogic breathing exercises. All it cost me was the price of a good book that explained how to do pranayama. I did it every morning upon waking and sometimes at night before bed. Only took 15 mins of my time. Just an idea.

[erinkj]

The first step ALWAYS is to consult your doctor. If you are`looking for non-prescription alternatives, I recomend buying some Magnesium maleate. (take as directed) Magnesium defficiency is quite common and is a cause of anxiety. You could take just the mag or balance it as a calcium/magnesium with vitamin D supplement. These are found in health stores and even wal-mart. For added relief of symptoms especialy if you have trouble sleeping, I recomend Passion Flower capsules. Start with 250mgs 3 x's daily. Morning, afternoon and bedtime.
you can increase Passion Flower to as much as 2 grams per day SAFELY but, you should always begin with the lowest dose until you know how it affects you then, increase dosage as needed. Passion flower is a very good alternative to benzo's. There are NO known interactions with it and I have run it past my pharmacist. (he re-searched his the supp with his database and ended up recomending that I take it) If you get depersonalization with anxiety episodes (that feeling like you are outside yourself) then, try Noni juice as directed on the bottle. It works well for most people. You can buy Noni juice at wal-mart in the vitamin section and it tastes very good. Avoid extra B vitamins until the anxiety is undercontrol (if you take them) as they are stimulating and will aggrevate anxiety making it worse. I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions...Good Luck...Peace...Erin

[jaime_a92]

You can try Hydroxyzine brand names (Vistaril & Atarax).
Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine similar to Benadryl, Zyrtec, Phenergan, etc.
It's unique in a way that it relieves anxiety even moderate panic attacks similar and just as effective as Valium but with out the euphoria.
25-50mg of Hydroxyzine would equal 5mg of Valium

Buspar is another unique drug prescribed for anxiety although some people say its addictive its not a controlled substance, and you have to wait at least 2-3 weeks for the full effect out of all the drugs and herbs mentioned this is the only one I haven't tried so I don't know if its any good some people say its great while others say it doesn't work.

Kava Kava is just as effective as benzodiazepines at relieving anxiety and stress you can find this herbal supplement at GNC or local herb stores; the same goes for Valerian, skullcap, and hops but they're a little less effective.

Gabapentin (Neurontin) and Pregabalin (Lyrica) are anticonvulsants and analgesics usually given for nerve type pain and off label for insomnia and anxiety.

Tramadol (Ultram) is a unique Synthetic Opioid that acts on opioid receptors in the brain to decrease pain but also acts on Serotonin, Norepinephrine, GABA, adrenaline, and to a lesser extent dopamine. It is prescribed for moderate to severe pain with similar potency to codeine 50mg of Tramadol equals 60mg-90mg of codeine. Some doctors prescribe Tramadol off label for anxiety, depression, RLS, migraines, & Fibromyalgia.

But honestly try taking small doses of benzodiazepines on an "as needed" basis. Try 0.5mg of Clonazepam (Klonopin) twice daily for extreme anxiety or 10mg of Valium 2-3 times a day for severe anxiety and insomnia.
Long acting Benzodiazepines are less addictive which are Diazepam (Valium) and Clonazepam (Klonopin).

I take Clonazepam 1.5mg twice daily and have been taking it on a regular basis for 3 years and can stop and have no withdrawal symtoms and I don't feel high on it, it just relieves my anxiety and so far haven't built that much of a tolerance.

Klonopin or Valium are your best bet for anxiety; just follow the directions on the bottle and you'll never become addicted to them.

If those don't work try Lorazepam (Ativan) and last resort Alprazolam (Xanax).

[Robert_325]

This is totally WRONG. Take benzos as directed for three years and you are addicted every single time. Been there for decades at this. Know better. Can't believe this! IF you are taking 3mg of klonopin a day for three years you're hooked. Guaranteed! Stop cold for about a week straight and see how you feel.