all the difrent doc's i have been to have put me on some sort on anti-depresants and they do not help and make my anxiety worse. I have been put on Seroquel,Effexor-XR,Lexapro,Celexa,prozac,Buspar,Cymbalta,Trazodone,Paxil-CR,Geodon,atarax,Klonopin,ativan,xanax (effexor,Trazodone and Celexa have put me in the ER and i had so called Drug Toxicty from them) (paxil-CR,Cymbalta,Seroquel, have caused stomach problems and other issues)(prozac,buspar had no effect at all in controling my problems) (xanax,ativan and atarax had short term help then they just didnt not work anymore to help ease my anxiety. In between all of this I had been put on Klonopin taking 1/2 mg 3xtimes a day stoped my anxiety and had and decreased my panic attacks by 80% I still have issues with insomnia but not every night. I can't stress this enough I DO NOT abuse this med,had "0" side effect, but because of other peoples abuse on this med my doc's look down at this med everytime they take me off of it they put me on an anti depresant ( I simply tell them im taking 5-HTP and it has been working well for me,I don't have or suffer from depresion) they continue on how well these other meds will help me so much better. I have been dealing with these doc's for 10-11 years now is there anyone who can give me some sound advice to let them know what helps and what makes me worse without sounding like an "addict" PS my anxiety is so bad I have lost every job i have ever had im now even off the road and cannot drive because of the panic attacks that happen while im driving. I thank anyone in advance that has any input or information that can help me.
I have anxiety/panic attacks/and insomnia. Why do doc's put me on anti-depresants all the time?
- Asked
- 30 Aug 2011 by jonathanS81
- Updated
- 6 Nov 2017
- Topics
- anxiety, insomnia, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety and stress
Responses (4)
Hey jonathanS,
Sorry to hear you have had a time of it with trying different meds. Antidepressants are often prescribed for anxiety disorders as many of them have antianxiety properties too. I suppose the docs don't want you to become addicted to the Klonopin but would prefer you to take a non addictive med long term such as the antidepressant. I know you don't want to keep trying different meds, but unfortunately it is a trial and error sort of ordeal. Once you find the correct med, you'll be amazed at how much better you will feel. If the klonopin is working, I can understand you just wanting to take it though. Just gonna have to enlighten the docs some how.
Best wishes,
Laurie
Hi Jonathon,
I feel for you and can relate. I have GAD and suffer from episodes of panic attacks and insomnia. I am in the throes of an episode as I type this. I recently tried Buspar for my anxiety, but it had no effect on it. I also have Valium to take in low dose daily, but I only will take it when needed. When I am in a full blown panic/insomnia episode nothing works to allow me to sleep. Only time and as a sufferer yourself, you can understand how one feels about time and waiting for relief to arrive. Patient is excruciatingly hard to be.
Im not a doctor. Im an experience stressed out.excessive worried anxiety. Panic attack survivor! Generic xanax change my world! No trippy mind games. Just a drug that made every thing calm instead of over whelming. Which if anxiety isn't treated asap..it can lead to phobias. Seriously .every new panic attack in a new environment. .like driving. Grocery shopping etc... crowded places..I stopped doing and going in fear of what if I get anxiety attack. .will I fainting omg not in public! Eventually it lead me right into agoraphobia. ..xanax. structured schedule. No caffeine. Sleep well. And walk or lift weights for 15 minutes at least. I found out strength makes me feel less vonularble. .good luck
I am the same way panic attacks throughout the day I was injured and haven't been able to go out now even if I felt better I feel I can't go to stores or be in crowds I am not working and am hoping I can get back to work but I know I couldn't work now if I could Am I gonna be strong enough to go back to work I think I panic about that now and where will I get income from that stresses me out even more I hate what I became I am taking Xanax and cymbalta still not better any info back for me (help)
Wow, I too have anxiety, and the 1st doctor I went to was great, she understands the difference between depression and anxiety, I am not depressed, I have anxiety, she has never given me anything for depression just for anxiety, why is your doctor treating you for something you don't have, depression medication could be making your anxiety worse, I would find a sepcialist who understands totally what you are saying, and doesn't try to tell you how you feel or write out Rx's. That you don't need. God bless you

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I apreciate your time and answer,Im not arguing what you said at all... but lets say there is something else that does help or work im almost 30 years old now what is the diffrence between taking an med "that has the potential to be addictive" every day compared to another med that works every day? Klonopin also states that it is not necesarly addictive unless abused or a psychological dependency is developed just some research i have found... I also study natural medicines for about 12 years now. I have found some to use for a few days to a week every so often that alows me to cut back on the dosages, or skip a dosage even, for awhile to help prevent any addiction (passion flower, lemonbalm,chamomile, valarianroot). just to name a few, this has keep me from having to get any incresses in my dosages on the Klonopin and has worked very well but like 90%+ of the doctors out there they say there is now proof or documentation stating that natural medicines even work at all.
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the sad part is the doctor that put me on celexa gets a kickback off the med and I ended up in the ER. sorry bout the comment being so long. and god bless