Do anti-anxiety meds seem to help you more than pain killers, anti-inflammatories, and anything in between?
I didn't have a good reaction to Valium, but ativan seems to be a really big help at some times (sleep, muscle tension, nausea, headache, ect.)
Anyone else?
Only if I could find a natural way to do it... Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
yes, Buster I have the same experience. MIght want to try GABA as a natural anti-anxiety.
Posted by venus (Member # 16991) on :
Yes, ativan has been the best thing that I have found through this whole thing. I know a lot of people here are against using the benzos, but it has helped.
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
I use Valium and Klonopin and they help me get through the days.
I have tried so many anti-depressants, but found that if they deal with the seretonin levels in my brain, they make me sick to my stomach.
The best thing to do is see a LL Pyschiatrist. I learned the hard way...
They were shoving Paxil,Lyrica,Cymbalta,Lemectal,etc... down my throat and with some of them I had reverse reactions.
I don't support the use of Benzo's, but in my case my anxiety is through the roof and have to use them.
I actually heard that Klonopin helps protect the brain.
There are many herbal supplements you can try like chamomile.
Good Luck!
Posted by Buster (Member # 19472) on :
quote:Originally posted by feelfit: yes, Buster I have the same experience. MIght want to try GABA as a natural anti-anxiety.
Do you take GABA?
What is a good brand? I think I remember someone saying GABA doesn't work that good because it doesn't absorb well or cross the blood/brain barrier like it should...??? Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
The few times I took valium, it seemed most effective. Xanax, the 2-3 times I took it, doesn't do a whole lot. Never tried Klonopin.
I did take ativan once in the hospital before a MRI. It seemed to calm me a bit.
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Watch out for the side effects.
They are often not disclosed by the MDs.
Best,
Cass A
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Cass, my PCP and other typical docs said no major side effects to Xanax (short-term = 3 months) or SSRNI's like Cymbalta. Perhaps dry mouth or irritability. Nice, huh?
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Buster, you might look at the pryoluria threads regarding natural ways. Posted by Blackstone (Member # 9453) on :
It seems that most patients I've spoke to are on SSRI or anti-anxiety drugs out of necessity, but have more prominent side effects, especially in the long term. I've seen very little evidence that anti-depressants are of use, and are mostly being used to treat anxiety which is not their proper usage.
If you absolutely need to calm down from a lyme rage episode, I suggest something like Valium, or perhaps Xanax. Valium will also relieve muscular pain to some extent. As far as daily anxiety is concerned, Xanax/Ativan can be useful, but remember they need to be monitored.
Personally, for daily anxiety along with some pain relief, if you're lucky enough to live in a medical marijuana state, studies show that it is safe and effective, with minimal side effects. Vaporization with a ceramic-core vaporizer is the healthiest way to use marijuana, alongside edible oils/butters.
Posted by Buster (Member # 19472) on :
I currently take either .5mg or 1mg of Ativan a day... My doctor thinks that will be fine in the long run.
Posted by losferwrds (Member # 19741) on :
I am weaning off Paxil, SSRIs are good for anxiety and mood at first, but unfortunately after years of use they fry the synapses and stop working and you have to taper off them very slow once that happens. I am in my 15 month getting off would not recommnend them to anyone
Benzos work great for anxiety, I prefer Klonopin cause of its long half life, Ativan and Xanax both have short half lives and can cause rebound anxiety as they wear off, but they 2 have downsides, namely tolereance and addiction, and if you want to take a break from then, you looking at 4 months taper followed by a few months of disphoria
Posted by butterfli (Member # 17186) on :
I take 5 mg Valium on my bad herx days and it really gets me through the day.
Posted by Lyme n Bean (Member # 139) on :
Valerian Root saved me from anxiety that made me want to rip my skin from my bones. It worked well for sleep. it's natural, stinks like old shoes and there is no known overdoes. I'd take 6 or so when things were real bad. I still use it from time to time.
Posted by Kreynolds (Member # 15117) on :
I take 10mg of Valium 2x day and Klonopin as needed, which is usually once.
I don't promote the use of Benzo's, but in my case it is necessary to get me throught the day.
I have to take them any where I go because my panic attacks usually land me in the ER.
As far as herbal supplements Chamomile works great.
Good Luck!
Posted by Cass A (Member # 11134) on :
Dear Seeking Help,
Well, there was tremendous promotion of Xanax, in particular, after 9/11, and many, many people found that started taking it found they couldn't get off it, because the sensations and emotions that turned on when they tried to stop were unbearable.
So much for "no side effects" with short-term use.
Truly, I wouldn't trust a single "study" or MD to tell me the truth about these drugs now--there has been too much corruption and too much use of cheerleaders (not kidding about that) to sell MDs on prescribing particular drugs.
The corruption includes academics, universities (getting funding for facilities, etc.), fake non-profits funded with drug company money, continuing medical education run by drug companies, medical conventions paid for primarily by drug companies, "detailing" by drug company representatives at doctor's offices, spinning the results of studies to make them look favorable when the actual results are not, omitting data from studies (like how many of the participants dropped out due to intollerable adverse effects) and not allowing access to the full data, having "studies" published in prestigeous journals actually ghostwritten by drug company PR people but signed by paid-off academics, stacking FDA commissions with drug company insiders, funding research and then only publishing the research studies that got favorable results, funneling money to political campaigns of key congress members, funneling campaign funds to state legislators, having a bigger advertizing budget than any other industry, making media dependent on drug company advertizing dollars so that they trumpet any "success" and tend to bury anything unfavorable (if possible)....
I could go on, but I bet you get the point by now, eh?
Best,
Cass A
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I get it Cass. I recently started reading Kevin Trudeau's book called Natual Cures They Don't Want you to Know About. He says all the medical profession is in it for the money. Money is the root of all evil. He said he's not like that fortunately!
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