Posted by k23d on December 4, 2002, at 2:30:36
Hey folks,
A couple of comments and a couple of questions for those that have experience with Anxiety.
I've now been through:
-CBT (good on general anxiety, no effect on SP panic so far but it's getting there after a year)
-Paroxetine 4 months (Worked but I hated the side effects and still had breakthrough anxiety)
-Mirtazapine 3.5 months up to 60mg (Good sleep aid, and about a 35% reduction in general anxiety, no effect on SP panic)
-Bromazepam prn (Works ok but low doses do little and high doses are a "dirty/sedated" low)
-Effexor 37.5mg 3 days only. It was just paroxetine all over again. I looked and felt drugged up and nervous etc. I know the nervousness fades with time, but most "side-effects" don't.I'm not prepared to take an SSRI/SNRI again. My pupils were so big I had no iris'. This never went away on paroxetine. Nor did all the other side effects like insomnia(they gave me a hypnotic for 4 mnths-can you say hypocrital), anorgasmia, tiredness etc. I had pretty much every one listed.
I've now been to two psychiatrists and wasted thousands of dollars and time building trust to be told there is no way they would prescribe a benzo daily as monotherapy or even prn long term (which I believe is worse than daily anyway).
Upon quoting the bzd research re: efficacy and side effects vs AD's and discussing withdrawal being managed by taper, these are the 3 responses I've received:
1. "I don't believe in that research".
2. They might prescribe bzd in America but not in Australia.
3. I haven't read that research on SP so I'm not prepared to discuss it. (Why don't you read it then!)I'm now so fed up with these idiots taking my money and not really helping! and i'm normally a calm(save for SP), patient person.
I understand that AD's help with comorbid conditions. I understand that bzd are dependency forming.
However:
Clonazepam has greater efficacy than ADs in trials (save for Nardil)
Both have withdrawal effects and have to be tapered.
Relapse rates are about the same if not lower for bzd.
Bzd have been around for 50 years so at least we know what long term effects there are...So my questions are:
1. Does anyone know of a SP specialist in NSW Australia?
2. Does anyone know of a SP specialist in NSW Australia who is up to date on research and willing to discuss bzd or other experimental approaches(neurontin?)?I've got to say I'm scared to death of going to a bzd but ADs just don't suit me. I am however worried about dependency, interference with CBT and other long term physical effects. If anyone wants to reassure me on these please do.
My pdoc and I parted ways today...
I'm going to stick with the mirtazapine for now (better than nothing & at least I can sleep) and I have about 3-4 weeks of prn bromazepam left.I have no idea where to go next so it's back to my gp again for a new referral.
<Rant ends there>
Thanks,
K23D
poster:k23d
thread:130480
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021203/msgs/130480.html