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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BRC on October 21, 2004, at 11:43:54
Hi, I have generalized anxiety disorder and currently take Lexapro and the benzo Klonopin.
I have heard that Effexor XR is the best med for this condition. I tried it several years ago but not for very long. I now know that Cymbalta by Lilly is new and similar to Effexor in that it works on both serotonin and norepherdine.
So, which med would be the best for these symptoms.
-constant worry
-restlessness
-obssessive worry
-depressionAnyone's comments or suggestions would be appreciatied. THANKS
Posted by banga on October 21, 2004, at 15:30:30
In reply to Which med is best for GAD Lexapro, Effexor, or Cym, posted by BRC on October 21, 2004, at 11:43:54
Yes! I have the same question. I'm on Lexapro, depression but my anxiety (SA/GAD mix) is going haywire...leery of benzos due to hx of alcoholism. Can anyone comment on the possibility that Cymbalta may hit both depression and anxiety? Also, I wonder about NRIs, because I drink tanks of coffee--maybe a sign my body is trying to balance things out?? Effexor didn't work for me...
Posted by ants on October 21, 2004, at 16:16:11
In reply to Which med is best for GAD Lexapro, Effexor, or Cym, posted by BRC on October 21, 2004, at 11:43:54
I have been on Effexor for a little less than a month. It has been tremendously effective for my anxiety and mild depression. I don't have that constant list-making and planning going on in my head like I used to. I can finally relax, sleep through the night, and enjoy life. Cymbalta is supposed to be similar to Effexor but with less side effects, so if Effexor didn't work you might try Cymbalta. I know there are horror stories out there, but for me it has been amazing.
Good luck!
Posted by BRC on October 21, 2004, at 17:21:22
In reply to Re: Which med is best for GAD Lexapro, Effexor, or Cym, posted by banga on October 21, 2004, at 15:30:30
Hi, banga this is curious the originator of the post. If you don't mind I would like to ask you some questions.
Does the Lexapro calm you down or make you more anxious? My problem is with anxiety which causes my depression. The Lexapro doesn't seen to calm me down and that is what I was looking for in a AD. Thats why I was wondering if meds such as Effexor or Cymbalta has a more calming effect maybe because they work on two chemicals instead of one.
I have been on the Lexapro for over two years now. And my pdoc has me at a pretty high dose. So, I cannot just stop taking the medication because it makes me sick (withdrawals) to see if anything else works.
Hope we can both find answers on this topic.
Best of Luck,
BRC
Posted by Colleen D. on October 21, 2004, at 20:34:28
In reply to Re: Which med is best for GAD Lexapro, Effexor, or Cym » banga, posted by BRC on October 21, 2004, at 17:21:22
and I think you already know I take Effexor and it works very well for me. I also take clonazepam (benzo) and doxepin (tricyclic AD also for anxiety). Have you ever tried Zoloft? Zoloft was very calming but also quite sedating for me. You might give it a shot if you haven't already.
Good Luck!
Colleen
PPD, GAD and OCD
Posted by banga on October 21, 2004, at 23:22:18
In reply to Re: Which med is best for GAD Lexapro, Effexor, or Cym » banga, posted by BRC on October 21, 2004, at 17:21:22
Lexapro seems to have helped with the depression but not the anxiety--can't say it's been either stimulating or calming. In fact, I added amantadine, a dopamine agonist, to get out of the amotivational state. Geodon helped me with anxiety for a while but it pooped out. Effexor didn't seem to do much for me at all. I'm eyeing Cymbalta as a potential....
Posted by BRC on October 22, 2004, at 7:44:42
In reply to Hi BRC! It's me again..., posted by Colleen D. on October 21, 2004, at 20:34:28
Hi, Collen thanks for your response and nice to hear from you again. I appreciate the info. I think years back when all of this started I was given a sample box of Zoloft but didn't take it for probably a week. So, I may talk to my pdoc about the Zoloft at my next appt.
Hi, I have probably asked you this before and just can't remember. But does the Klonopin work well for you.
I ask because it is about the only medication that has a significant impact on my anxiety. But I take a pretty high dose 2mg twice a day. And the potential for addiction has always troubled me. Because I have been on it in some form or another for about five years now.
Hope to hear from you soon.
BRC
Posted by Colleen D. on October 22, 2004, at 16:46:06
In reply to Re: Hi BRC! It's me again... » Colleen D., posted by BRC on October 22, 2004, at 7:44:42
even at the ridiculously lose dose I take = .25mg 3 times a day. Today I had a meeting with a divorce attorney and I took twice my normal dose and I was a cool as a cucumber. I think my pdoc just wants me to start out very conservatively. I really think I may need to take "something" for my anxiety for the rest of my life.
Good luck! I hope you have success with the Zoloft if you decided to give it a try.
:-) Colleen
This is the end of the thread.
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