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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CaffeinePoet on October 26, 2012, at 22:57:23
I am a 30something woman, and have been diagnosed with GAD for at least 10 years.
For years and years, I have usually been on an SSRI. I took Effexor for 6 years. Recently I have been on clonazepam and buspirone.
At the same time as meds, I have worked on a health issue that causes anxiety and focused on healthy habits.
A few weeks ago, after trouble starting new meds, I decided to take a break. I have now been medication free for several weeks, and doing great.
I never thought that I would be med free. If you, too, thought that you can't be med free, I recommend giving it a shot when it is a good time for you. At the moment it was a good enough time, as I have a pleasant job, a good relationship, and good health care.
Best luck folks!
Posted by Phillipa on October 27, 2012, at 0:37:08
In reply to Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by CaffeinePoet on October 26, 2012, at 22:57:23
Fantastic congratulations may you be anxiety free!!!! Phillipa
Posted by Beckett on October 28, 2012, at 10:15:32
In reply to Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by CaffeinePoet on October 26, 2012, at 22:57:23
I was wondering how you were faring. I had not expected such great news :) Excellent!
Posted by phidippus on October 28, 2012, at 21:39:30
In reply to Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by CaffeinePoet on October 26, 2012, at 22:57:23
> I have now been medication free for several weeks, and doing great.
Good! Promise me though if it rears its ugly head, don't let the anxiety get to you.
Eric
Posted by CaffeinePoet on October 28, 2012, at 22:09:02
In reply to Re: Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds » CaffeinePoet, posted by Beckett on October 28, 2012, at 10:15:32
> I was wondering how you were faring. I had not expected such great news :) Excellent!
Thanks, Beckett. Something that I would share is, I believe in my case the Buspirone made me a bit worse -- it has a dopamine function that I don't fully understand, which might have been a bit too much for me.Also, part of my anxiety recently was rooted in a health problem that is known to contribute to anxiety. My doctor has been working with me on treating that, and it seems to have helped.
Posted by CaffeinePoet on October 28, 2012, at 22:10:09
In reply to Re: Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds » CaffeinePoet, posted by phidippus on October 28, 2012, at 21:39:30
> > I have now been medication free for several weeks, and doing great.
>
> Good! Promise me though if it rears its ugly head, don't let the anxiety get to you.
>
> Eric
>
>Thanks for the support. I was once briefly med-free in the last 5 years, before hitting a crisis. If the need arises, I will seek to treat the anxiety. But also be more open to ceasing treatment after 6 months to 1 year.
Posted by schleprock on October 28, 2012, at 23:00:13
In reply to Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by CaffeinePoet on October 26, 2012, at 22:57:23
It would be interestig to know how much clonazepam you were taking and for how long. I was on clonazepam for about two years trhen gradually stopped it around this time last year and felt great. Then sometime this April, things... came out of nowhere and hit me much worse than they had originally. I'm currently taking a higher dose on clonazepam than I was on during the first two year period. I'm still going to have to try getting off of it.
If anxiety were to hit you again, I'd suggest you take something like Lyrica or a beta-blocker. Though it's a quick fix, I don't think clonazepam is in either of our best interests in the long term.
Posted by CaffeinePoet on October 29, 2012, at 6:44:06
In reply to Re: Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by schleprock on October 28, 2012, at 23:00:13
I was on .25-.50 twice daily, averaging .75/day, for 2 years.
I'm with you, it did work at the time-- I was so anxious & stressed that I was forgetful & not functional. But I wonder if 6 weeks of treatment could have broken the cycle.
I worry about the weakening of the GABA system over time. Also, clonazepam gave me bouts of anger that were atypical for me. Luckily when I came off I had a few bad days but nothing severe.
In the future I would prefer short term SSRI use.
Best of luck
> It would be interestig to know how much clonazepam you were taking and for how long. I was on clonazepam for about two years trhen gradually stopped it around this time last year and felt great. Then sometime this April, things... came out of nowhere and hit me much worse than they had originally. I'm currently taking a higher dose on clonazepam than I was on during the first two year period. I'm still going to have to try getting off of it.
>
> If anxiety were to hit you again, I'd suggest you take something like Lyrica or a beta-blocker. Though it's a quick fix, I don't think clonazepam is in either of our best interests in the long term.
Posted by CaffeinePoet on February 2, 2013, at 11:28:18
In reply to Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by CaffeinePoet on October 26, 2012, at 22:57:23
I'm re-starting Effexor as of this week. I did great for a bit there.
Posted by Phillipa on February 2, 2013, at 21:18:01
In reply to Re: Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by CaffeinePoet on February 2, 2013, at 11:28:18
It returned? I"m sorry. Phillipa
Posted by brynb on February 3, 2013, at 9:31:30
In reply to Re: Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by CaffeinePoet on February 2, 2013, at 11:28:18
Hi CP-
Sorry to hear you need meds again.
I'm actually curious as to whether you've tried Pristiq. I heard it was like a newer, more refined version of Effexor. I never had any luck with Effexor, but my pdoc suggested Pristiq as a possible addition to my Lexapro (for depression and anxiety).
Feel better,
b
Posted by CaffeinePoet on February 3, 2013, at 11:58:01
In reply to Re: Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by CaffeinePoet on February 2, 2013, at 11:28:18
I'm actually so ambivalent that I'm not sure that I want to take the medication when I get it. My partner is telling me to try exercise and meditation, which had fallen off. (He lived with me through the side effects and withdrawal before.)
Uncertain here. I AM very anxious. I am able to get to work and out in the community but I jump to negative conclusions and am always tense.
Posted by CaffeinePoet on February 4, 2013, at 18:51:12
In reply to Re: Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by CaffeinePoet on February 2, 2013, at 11:28:18
Restarted the Effexor this weekend. Feeling great.
Posted by Phillipa on February 4, 2013, at 21:39:20
In reply to Re: Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by CaffeinePoet on February 4, 2013, at 18:51:12
Wow that's fast!!!! Congrats to you. Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on February 6, 2013, at 18:10:38
In reply to Re: Update: Longtime GAD sufferer doing great off meds, posted by CaffeinePoet on February 4, 2013, at 18:51:12
Good for you! Ive been reading up on Effexor and it seems to be so great for gad. Does it cause any increase in your blood pressure? Also, is it hard to taper off of?
This is the end of the thread.
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