Replacing Benzos

I have very bad anxiety that hits me for no reason that I know of (although sometimes of course I know why, and then it just doubles in intensity). I've been taken off clonazepam (and not going to be given any benzo) because I overdosed on Abilify (??? go figure but he told me if I OD'd I'd be off the clonazepam so I should've probably listented).

Anyway, I've tried BuSpar and feel no difference. Vistaril, same thing. Nobody in my family has had any luck with neurontin, except abusing it, so I'm hesitant to try that. 25 mg of Seroquel just makes me sleepy. The only thing I noticed that has helped at least for the first 6-7 hours of the day is my bedtime dose of Thorazine (50 mg). I take it at around 10, wake up at around 5:30, and until about 11:30 or 12:30 I feel really chill and don't get all too anxious. I don't know if my psychiatrist is even going to let me stay on Thorazine (I was rx'd it in the hospital) let alone give it to me for anxiety but I'm wondering if 25 mg at lunch would be a good suggestion? Then there's also propranolol- which also may help with my tremor, migraines, and high blood pressure. I've read very little about this being used for anxiety.

Anyone with severe anxiety ever find relief from any med other than a benzo? I'm anxious just thinking about being anxious lol. But I feel markedly different this time of day than in the afternoon.

Thanks!

Unfortunately I need something to replace Benzos or I really can't imagine being able to function; I barely do as it is. There has got to be something else that works for anxiety, hasn't there?

Hi.

Welcome to the forum and nice to meet you. Sorry to here you are having high anxiety doctors are becoming less likely to prescribe benzodiazepines due to their addictive nature and and tend to now prescribe an antidepressant to help with the symptoms of anxiety.

I take Escitalopram (Lexapro) which has worked well for me but we are all different when it comes to medication and what works well for one person will not work for an other. They usually take between 6-8 weeks before you will feel the benefits and all AD come with side effects which usually do pass once your body has got used to the med.

Medication will only help with the symptoms which is why I always advice that members should look into talking therapies such as CBT, CAT, DBT, Mindfulness etc etc so that the route cause can be explored and identified once this has been done you can learn coping techniques so that you can manage your anxiety to a more manageable level. Medication and therapy tend to get the best results but I am not a doctor so this is just my experience so if you have any worries or concerns do consult your doctor or pdoc.

Hibee

You have a very complex combination of dx that your Dr. is treating. As your Dr. is the one to prescribed the meds and we are only a peer support group we are not able to make recommendations on what medication you should be asking for. 

I truly believe that along with whatever medications you are taking you should be in therapy to help you deal with the problems that come along with you disorders.

I wish you well,

Kitt

You could ask your doctor whether a beta blocker might be helpful. I am on a low dose of atenolol (a beta blocker) and a low dose of Lexapro, which seems to do what I need to control (even if not 100% eliminate) my anxiety.  I was offered xanax as well, but I took in only in very small doses, and only for a very short period of time, as I was concerned about the prospect of addiction and would prefer to be on the least medication possible.  (Just personal preference).

Best wishes,

Medved