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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by adamie on December 9, 2001, at 13:27:20
hi. I am not sure but i think i have read that mood stabilizers balance GABA. and Ativan (a benzo) stimulates GABA.
Does this mean that Mood Stabilizers can be very good for anxiety?
Also is Zoloft good for anxiety? stimulating AD's which I've tried have made me feel worse. effexor made me suicidal. Same with prozac. Wellbutrin was very bad too.the pdoc told me zoloft is good for everything. yet looking it up on a site it seems not to be used for GAD.
Posted by jay on December 9, 2001, at 14:53:18
In reply to Mood Stabilizers good for anxiety? and Zoloft?, posted by adamie on December 9, 2001, at 13:27:20
> hi. I am not sure but i think i have read that mood stabilizers balance GABA. and Ativan (a benzo) stimulates GABA.
>
> Does this mean that Mood Stabilizers can be very good for anxiety?
>
>
> Also is Zoloft good for anxiety? stimulating AD's which I've tried have made me feel worse. effexor made me suicidal. Same with prozac. Wellbutrin was very bad too.
>
> the pdoc told me zoloft is good for everything. yet looking it up on a site it seems not to be used for GAD.
Adamie:Medline searches do show Zoloft is used for anxiety disorders, but the bet would seem to be on a smaller doseage of Zoloft and a good dose of Ativan. I really haven't experienced, or even seen much data that shows mood stabilizers are as effective as benzos for all types of anxiety. I think doctors, again, are prejudice to mood stabalizers because they feel they are less "addictive" than benzos, all though that is all questionable in terms of the subjective defenition of "addiction", and the safety and side-effect profile of benzos seem superior to mood stabilizers.
Jay
Posted by Chloe on December 9, 2001, at 17:20:56
In reply to Re: Mood Stabilizers good for anxiety? and Zoloft? » adamie, posted by jay on December 9, 2001, at 14:53:18
Jay,
I need a mood stabilizer for my mood dyregulation, depression, BP2. But of late all the MS have been causing me such bad side effects, mainly hair and skin problems, that I can't tolerate them. Even Lithium is giving me a hell of a time.
SO, My pdoc keeps saying just take more diazapam for the rage, anxiety or insomnia (It's sounding like a drug for everything for me!). I take about 10 mgs per day (and have for years and years), and she says there is plenty of room to go up on it, and I have very little side effects from it. BUT, I feel very uncomfortable taking diazapam so much. And now I am up to about 12.5 mgs, and if I don't remember to take it, I start to feel shaky, sweaty and edgy. So, then I feel I am forced to take the larger dose.
I do not feel "addicted" to benzos, but my body certainly is. And I am so scared that I am dependent on diazapam....And, god the stigma of "Valium" is amazing. I have had to change pharmacies recently, because the pharmacist made me uncomfortable when I have to refill my diazapam.
Benzos definitely work for anxiety, sleep, anger, but I am scared to "need" a med that has a high physical dependency problem and a horrible stigma...
Just had to vent that...
C
> Medline searches do show Zoloft is used for anxiety disorders, but the bet would seem to be on a smaller doseage of Zoloft and a good dose of Ativan. I really haven't experienced, or even seen much data that shows mood stabilizers are as effective as benzos for all types of anxiety. I think doctors, again, are prejudice to mood stabalizers because they feel they are less "addictive" than benzos, all though that is all questionable in terms of the subjective defenition of "addiction", and the safety and side-effect profile of benzos seem superior to mood stabilizers.
>
> Jay
Posted by wendy b. on December 9, 2001, at 22:00:13
In reply to Mood Stabilizers good for anxiety? and Zoloft?, posted by adamie on December 9, 2001, at 13:27:20
Hi Adamie, I hope you are feeling somewhat better. I know you've been having a hard time lately...
I feel the Neurontin I'm taking for mood stabilization has a good, calming effect for my bipolar2 and tendency to severe depression. I have had anxiety in the mix of symptoms for many, many years, and I think the anti-convulsants have their place where anxiety is concerned.
I just posted a message re: Zoloft:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011202/msgs/86413.html
And yes, I did feel that my anxiety was taken down a notch or two when I was on it.Hope you find the right med or combo of meds - very soon!
Best,
Wendy
> hi. I am not sure but i think i have read that mood stabilizers balance GABA. and Ativan (a benzo) stimulates GABA.
>
> Does this mean that Mood Stabilizers can be very good for anxiety?
>
>
> Also is Zoloft good for anxiety? stimulating AD's which I've tried have made me feel worse. effexor made me suicidal. Same with prozac. Wellbutrin was very bad too.
>
> the pdoc told me zoloft is good for everything. yet looking it up on a site it seems not to be used for GAD.
This is the end of the thread.
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