Posted by Snowie on October 18, 2000, at 20:21:00
In reply to Alternatives to benzos?, posted by Buffet on October 17, 2000, at 18:13:45
Buffet,
See my responses inline.
> I am taking 1.5mg Xanax (alprazolam) in the morning, and 50mg Elavil (amitriptyline) at night. I have depression, anxiety, mood swings, and concentration problems. I have also tried prozac, effexor, wellbutrin, prozac+ritalin, zoloft, paxil, prozac+depakote, and ativan.
I also take approximately 1.5 mg. of Xanax per day (.5 x 3). I'm down from 3 mg. per day thanks to Neurontin. For some reason Neurontin works on anxiety for me -- sometimes even better than the Xanax. I've heard it doesn't work for everyone, but I thank my lucky stars that this drug works for me. Among your list, I've tried Prozac, Effexor XR, I have a prescription for Ritalin (which I have decided not to fill), and Zoloft.
> Xanax has helped my anxiety but makes my memory even worse, not to mention lowered libito and, uhh, 'performance'. I'm a newly wed so I don't enjoy this side effect. The other problem I'm having with Xanax is getting off the stuff. It is a bitch to get off of, and I have failed in my attempts so far. My doctor tried switching me to BuSpar, which absolutely was the worst thing I have ever taken - immediate sleepiness, major depression, zero energy, etc. BuSpar felt like the complete opposite of an SSRI. Anyone else have this reaction? Anyway, my doc has given up and is refering me to a psychiatrist. I guess I have a bunch of questions here.You may want to try Klonopin, which was a libido boost for me. It's also a benzo like Xanax, so expect to be on it for the long haul. BuSpar is not an SSRI, and it did nothing for me except made me angry. I think it's time you see a psychiatrist.
> 1. Buspar is a joke. What else is there?Neurontin?
> 2. Is klonapin a better alternative to Xanax?
Depends on your body chemistry. You won't know until you try it.
> 3. I have never tried celexa, how does it compare to prozac and zoloft, and is it an SSRI?
My understanding is that it is an SSRI. Everyone is different ... I liked Celexa. It may affect your libido, however. You won't know until you try it.
> 4. Anyone have good results with celexa/klonapin combo.
That might be a good combo since Klonopin can cause depression in a small percentage of people who take it. The Celexa would probably counteract that, should that side effect occur in you.
> and two more completely meaningless Q's,
> 5. Ever wonder why BuSpar tabs look EXACTLY like 2mg Xanax tabs? I hate drug companies some times... and why is a 1 month prescription average $175+ a month??!!Never noticed ... I didn't take BuSpar long enough to remember.
> 6. Are there any docs out there that will prescribe me a valium/dexedrine/celexa/percocet/viagra combo? This should cover most of the mental problems I'm experiencing shouldn't it? : )
You won't know until you find one. :)
Snowie
poster:Snowie
thread:46592
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46716.html