Just trying to get some ideas here. My doc wants me to use Valium as required because she is worried that the anxiety may lead to my becoming much more ill. I am an RN and understand the risks, but really need to get this under control before I lose it altogether.
I look forward to your input.
TIA
Jo. (UK)
Posts: 67 | From Middlesbrough, UK | Registered: Nov 2003
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posted
Is your anxiety worst at a certain time of the day? morning, or night? I've been on paxil which has definately helped. The problem is getting off it. Its been a few years now.
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I have been taking wellbutrin for about 3 years for depression and ADD.
When i have an anxiety/panic attack, i use klonopin. If you are really having an anxiety attack, it wont make you tired, it will just make you normal.
I remember after Sept 11, my hands were shaking i was so upset. I took a klonopin, and my hands were better. I was still very upset, but i was not on the brink.
Lymelighter
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5310
posted
Jo, I take Lorazepam at night, & Propranolol during the day. Propranolol has few side effexts and is non-sedating at the low dose I take. Do a search on Propranolol. I posted a recent article about it's use for trauma & stress.
Posts: 1010 | From Mars | Registered: Feb 2004
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liz28
Unregistered
posted
I can't stand anti-depressants, because I live in a city where people pop them at parties like tic tacs. It's an improvement over more illegal substances, but the underlying problem is still there, which is that New Yorkers live for a quick fix.
I take L-theanine, an active ingredient in green tea, which you can buy for twelve bucks at health food stores. Also, phosphatidylcholine (high quality lecithin) and flaxseed oil chill me out, and prescription anti-inflammatories like Celebrex and bextra are lifesavers if your body can tolerate them. Some Lymenet people have had negative reactions to Celebrex, though, so be careful if you try it.
I also try to eat more greens and soy, and more B vitamins. It was helpful to read websites for people with ADD, and learn how they tailored their diets to lower their anxiety levels.
Here's a great self-help web site. You can use it to teach yourself relaxation techniques: http://www.anxieties.com/
Also check out these search results for Magnesium and Anxiety: Yahoo Search Results
I take magnesium on a regular basis now but still keep some Xanax around for emergencies, such as when I have to fly anywhere.
I remember reading somewhere that some anti-anxiety meds actually deplete magnesium in your body. So a drug that's supposed to help you can actually make a situation worse.
You can beat this. I know you can.
Linda
Posts: 749 | From New Hope, PA | Registered: May 2002
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dontlikeliver
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4749
posted
Linda you're right about magnesium. But I wonder if it's only when it's IV or IM, because I take it orally now, but never have had the same tranquilising/calming effect from it as I have when I've had it by IM or in Myer's cocktails.
Jo, maybe you can try to see if someone will give you magnesium injections, or even myers cocktails.
My GP at one point said he could probably get the Myers cocktails for me, so maybe yours can.
Posts: 2824 | From The Back of Beyond | Registered: Oct 2003
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My LLMD just recommended a magnesium supplement called Natural Calm (have to get it from web site: www.naturalcalm.net) It's water soluble and apparently my LLMD has had success with it for Magnesium deficient patients who haven't responded to other oral magnesium supplements (like me) As I understand it, the Lyme depletes our magnesium so a lot of symptoms (e.g. fatigue, neuro stuff) in addition to anxiety may be related to Magnesium deficiency. I just got it yesterday so I can't say if it effective for me but I can tell you it tastes really gross You have to disolve it in water and drink a glass of it. Of course, at this point little things like that don't stop me. I also learned how to meditate a couple months ago and that does help with anxiety for me most of the time. When I'm really feeling sick though, I still take ativan, but with the meditation I've been able to cut the dose in half.
Posts: 921 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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at how well it worked.
You have to disolve it in water and drink a glass of it. Of course, at this point little things like that don't stop me. 
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