Hey all, I see that you're all unsure of what types of meds to take and when to take them. I've been through a countless amount of meds myself, but I believe I've finally found some that work. I have some advice for those of you who are struggling with finding the right meds. First of all, I would suggest cognitive behavioral therapy alone. If you can't concentrate on therapy without meds, then you should probably combine meds and therapy. I started off taking all the different kinds of SSRI's out there. Paxil was the only thing that made any kind of impact, but there were too many side effects for me. I stopped taking meds all together, until the relapse of my panic came back to haunt me. I've just been prescribed a tryciclic medicine called clomipramine. It's absolutely terrific. I've been taking xanax off and on since the beginning. I'm currently on .5 mg's 3-5 times a day. If I have a terrible attack during the day, I increase the dosage until the panic is gone. I've found this really works. Finally, I just wanted to let you guys know, that at least you have a reaction from your medicine, you should stick with it fully until your doctor takes you off of it. If you try to increase and decrease your dosage yourself, you'll only make things harder for you in the long run. I've been through hell and back with this and I've learned alot through self-research and alot of different psychiatrists. If you guys have any questions, feel free to ask me at anytime. Good luck to everyone and I wish you the best. Dennis :)[size=4]Text[/size][font=Georgia]Text[/font][color=Blue]Text[/color]

Hi Steve, Are you trying to decrease the dosage of Klonopin on your own? Seems a huge difference between a dosage of 8mg a day to 4.5 mg a day. Any type of adjustment in medicine has to be taken up gradually, and the sames goes for coming down on it, you have to be weaned slowly and just as gradual. If you are doing this on your own, you are probably experiencing too much of abrupt withdrawal symptoms, and can be dangerous. As far as SSRI's they have helped me tremendously, as it directly affects the serotoin we need in the imbalance of the neurotransmitters in our brains, true benzo's like Xanax and Klonopin, are good for the more immediately relief of panic or anxiety, but it in the long run, doesnt help near as well as the SSRI's does with agoraphobia. When I first started mine, I was more panicky at first, but my agitation eventually subsided within a few weeks, and I noticed a remarkable difference, and felt more energy, no more sleeping all the time, and helped me to work on getting out of my agorphobic, I was able to work on my exposure therapy. But my doctor had me on the same as you, SSRI with conjunction of the Benzo, starting out, that once I got enough of the SSRI in my system to help suppress my attacks, we could wean me off the benzo. Trish

Steve, It sounds like you are on a lot of medicine, some medicine just doesn't work for people. My advice is to keep telling your doctor how you feel. Marce, The doctor works for you, if you don't want to take a certain medicine then don't, if you want to try a certain medicine you should be able to.

I saw that ad for extended release Xanax last time I saw my doctor but didn't give it a good look. The 1st tranquilizer I was ever put on when I 1st started getting attacks was Xanax 0.5(years ago) but then I remember seeing another doctor who gave me Buspar who's policy wasn't giving benzodiapines which I felt didn't do anything but make me feel pretty weird. I Read a book (years ago) & Saw a doctor & asked about Klonopin & I've been on that & addicted to it for so **** long I'm up to to 2 MG 4X a day but have been trying to take 1.5 3X a day. I watch the clock all the time too & don't like taking my medication infront of people I feel embaressed as hell. I tried Xanax before I think it was 1MG 3X a day I don't remember that was about over a year ago. I remember it made me feel alot better but didn't last as long & I was watching the clock even worse freaking out so I went back to Klonopin. I'm so sick of Klonopin I think it's gave me long term side effects & really slows me down but my panic symptoms STILL EXIST. I constantly feel dizzy & faint... My chest is 24/7 tight & my heart beats irregularly alot even when I'm laying down with no distraction at all trying to listen to a freaking relaxtion tape!! I can NEVER get my chest to not feel tense! When I was in the hospital they put me on Lexapro 30MG!!!! & Risperadal. My dizziness has been worse then ever & I've never been the same since!! My doctor told me to stop it & I threw it all in a dumpster. Put me on Paxil & I was going off the wall now I've been on Prozac 20 mg for 15 days! still going nuts. He told me theres no withdrawals from Prozac? I mean I know I have agaoraphobia & very frequent panic attacks, even when I'm not panicking my nerves are always messing with me and I'm tense it's hard to explain ...but I have been extremely depressed lately. anyone know anything about these SSRI's (they seem to have horrible effects on me)& getting off Clonopin? I've been on it for so long I'm sick of it. I'd really like to know how that extended Xanax is. I'd feel alot better taking 1 pill a day for my panic attacks then feeling like some lab rat or something "try this or that" having all these pill bottles laying around Thanks, Steve P.S. I'm also on Inderal too but I've

Kelly, Changed doctors Iam now on Buspar which is what I had taken before when I had this problem as a teenager. So far so good. Also he gave me the Xanax .25 to take 3times a day. I will mention the extended release. I to watch the clock to see when it is time for my next one. What a relief that Xanax is. We shall see but I do feel better today than I have for a while. No more Effexor!!!!!!!

First off, if the Effexor is giving you heart palpitations - then it isn't for you - small dose, full dose, whatever - there are 100's of SSRI's out there - ask for another. You may also ask for a beta blocker - Toprol, Atenolol, etc, to help with the palpitations - especially when going on a medicine, when they are the worst. Xanax is wonderful. I am now taking the extended release tablet, which is a godsend - no more ups and downs or watching the clock as to when I can take another - I get full 24 hour coverage with a 0.5 mg tablet. I still have the regular Xanax to use if needed, but I haven't needed to. Ask about them too - they may give you a more level feeling while trying to get started on your SSRI. I take Lexapro (SSRI) and have no side effects, but each person reacts differently. Have you tried taking a small dose in the AM and one in the PM - that has helped me too.....please feel free to respond and I"ll check back! Take care!

Iam new to this forum not really sure where to start. I discovered this site by accident and thought it would be great to discuss my problems with people who actually understood. I recently started having anxiety or panic attacks after being free of them for about 12 years. I had a small bout with it when I was around 18. My doctor has prescribed effexor but I cannot take the full dose. I think Iam dying when I do. My heart beats out of my chest. Anyway he has me break open the capsule and take one bead out and take it then move up each week and so on. Well Iam now up to 5 beads a day and of course this is offering me no relief with the panic and actually causing more with the racing heart beat. I also take Xanax 1/2 - 3 times a day. They tell me that I can't take these for a long period of time but what do I do because the effexor isn't helping nor will it for about 2 years until I can actually take a full dose!!!!!!!! What does everyone suggest? A new doctor? My won't budge on the effexor idea. I would love to hear ideas on great meds to healp with this problem.