Anti Anxiety Meds?

i did have some trouble sleeping. i had taken a natural sleep aid called melatonin to help with my sleep cycle. it basically put me back on track again. here's some info Melatonin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. it's also not habit forming like the other non/prescribed meds. on the market.

I've had horrible anxiety for years now. I first noticed it, christmas shopping in Walmart, I thought I was going to pass out. I've been taking Effexor XR for the past year or more, and I couldn't be happier. I only take it on days I know I'm going to have high stress, and when I go to work! I try not to take it on my days off. For sleeping, since I work nights and have horrible insomnia, I tried Ambien CR, omg the migraine I had for 3 days. I finally had to call the FI at work to come take me to the ER so they could give me a shot of Demerol! Now I take 25mg Seroquel which is a sedative, but in higher doses used for Bi Polar and Skitzo patients. I love it, I sleep like a rock! I can't take it though if I have to be up in a few hours, I get the droggy feeling.

 

I have started taking a multi vitamin every morning and feel great since I started it. I take the One a Day that helps weight lose and gives you energy. I love it!

Cattie - I had no idea that you could take it as-needed. Effexor XR is extended-release and has pretty bad withdrawal symptoms too... did your doctor prescribe it to you to use as needed or to use daily? Curious because that seems weird to me. Most of these drugs are intended to help you more when they've been continuously in your system for over 3 weeks.

I have been on Effexor (not XR so the immediate release one) for about a year, but was on it before too. It works well, but at one point when things were really bad I had irregular heart beat problems That hsn't come back, so I'm fine now.

I'm taking prenatals so I have some daily vitamins going on (No, no pregnancy news yet! I'm just 'prepping' and practicing )
My other big thing recently is drinking water every morning with this thing in it that is really helping my energy and over all 'clean' feeling.
Liquid Chlorophyll
It's supposed to help eliminate toxins and strengthen your immune system. FMIL is really into it, so she bought us a bottle to try it out. I keep it in the fridge and have it every morning. It gives your water this nice minty taste (spearmint, not pepto mint!)

The dosage I take it only 75mg, or sometimes I double them up when I know in advance I'm going to have a rough day. I only don't take them 2 days a week when I'm off of work. I never had a problem with withdrawal symptoms. Originally she prescribed it to take daily. I was just there last week and told her I only take it when I work, and on my days off when I know I'm going to be exceptionally stressed, and she asked me if I had a headache when I didn't take it, and I said I was fine (which I am) so she said, it's fine as long as I don't have any side effects, keep going as I have been.

I guess I've been lucky but even when I've felt a panic attack coming on (and that's probably only been about once or twice in my life) i've given myself a verbal slap.

 

If I'm stressed I just stay out of people's way or rather they stay out of mine lol and sleep. I have arguments with myself in my sleep and when I wake up its never as bad and trust me I've had some pretty shit times over the last 12 or so years.

 

Weird things chill me out like plugging in my ipod or doing something really mind numbing so that i give myself a break. My mind never stops and it can get really wearing!

 

Whatever you take make sure it's recommended and i'm sure it'll be fine. I guess i'm just lucky steel runs through my family's blood lol thank god!!!

Cattie -- it sounds like your doctor was just telling you to continue what you've been doing since it has already been working for you, but all medications that fall into the category of SSRI, SNRI, or MAOI (basically all the anti-depressants that also have anti-anxiety effects like Effexor, Zoloft, Cymbalta, Paxil, etc.) require you to maintain a therapuetic level of medication in your system -- i.e., you have to take it everday. That's part of the reason why they can take up to 4 week to fully work.

 

I have been on Effexor in the past and also Cymbalta (another SNRI) and I would NEVER recommend that anyone start talking them for anxiety alone unless they had already tried to take the "As Needed" medications. The withdrawal from these medications is NASTY! Doctors will tell you that they are non-habit forming and while that might be technically correct, there are serious withdrawal symptoms that even tapering does not take care of.

 

Dizziness, fogginess, lethargy, depersonalization, cold and flu-like symptoms, and the list goes on...it took me almost 6 weeks to feel "normal" again. Give my circumstances I have no regrets, but I would definitely use caution and have all the information BEFORE taking anything.

I know this is an old thread, but really hoping someone can give me some suggestions on a natural product to use for anxiety. I go from zero to screaming to crying with very small triggers about the wedding. I only scream and yell at my fiancé (fortunately he has been really understanding), but it seems nearly everyone can make me cry extremely easy. This is completely not me. I thought at first it was hormones, but it comes on at random times, is always triggered by the wedding and is worse when I have other health issues causing pain. I had major dental surgery back in march and am having problems with my ankle so underlying pain appears to be exacerbating my reactions. I don't want to get take something that will make me feel drugged particularly since I am already taking tramadol for my foot pain. I took valerian root last night and didn't wake up during the night which is pretty unusual for me these days so maybe it's helping me relax and sleep, but I would like to find something similar to take on our wedding day that will help calm me and will not react to alcohol. Yoga and excerises have helped a huge bit, but I am limited at the moment on what I can do with my foot. Any suggestions?

Dr. Bach's Rescue Remedy is a natural remedy for anxiety.  

 

bachflower.com

 

I don't know that it will take the place of Xanax or an anti-anxiety med but it might help.