Anybody taking anti anxiety medication

[Mr Deeds]

Ive recently experienced some real tragedies in my life and they triggered some extreme anxiety I wasn't sleeping or eating and my work began to suffer. The pain I was going threw was indescribable. I went to my GP and he put me on meds for it and they've taken 6 weeks to kick in but now Im feeling much better. There are also some disturbing side effects. I was wondering if anyone here who is on these meds experiencing side effects and is there any thing I can do about it

Thanks

 

[rhuarc29]

My brother was taking trazodone to help him sleep with the occasional lorazepam for anxiety attacks. He only told me that it gave him night sweats and strange dreams. Oh, and loss of appetite.

Sorry for your tragedies. Hope things look up in the near future!

 

[jcpro]

There are variety of side effects and it takes a while to find the right meds and dose to whittle down the side effects to the acceptable ones. It's almost always a compromise based on trial and error. Wean yourself off, if you can. I know, it's easy to say, but if you can(under shrink's care, of course), your quality of life will benefit in a long run.

 

[Mr Deeds]

This kind of in evolves my sex life

 

[jcpro]

This kind of in evolves my sex life

Pretty common side effect. Try daily Cialis(5mg). It should come back in about a week. Not without doctor's advice, of course. An individual I know does that plus a regular pill a couple hours before the "special" date. Avoid alcohol and take a brisk walk or a bike ride, now and then.

 

[fuji]

If the anxiety was caused by life events, work your way off the meds. If the anxiety had no particular cause that's a different story.

 

[legmann]

This kind of in evolves my sex life

Reduction in libido (to some extent), and delayed orgasm (more commonly) are well known side effects of most any SSRI/anxiety med.

 

[Conil]

Sorry to hear of your problems, but most meds of that type have some sort of side effects, some make you gain weight some affect your sexual performance. The one you are taking is likely a antidepressant or antidepressant/sedative combo as it took a while to kick in.
If your life problem is still current you may have to be on meds for 6-12 months not sure (see a shrink) once the problem is gone so will the anxiety. Example a family member loss could take 6-12 months to recover from depending...
Best to stay away from benzodiazepines like members of the valium family as they're very addictive.
You may want to use viagra or cialis if needed. Its a tough situation, but maintaining your anxiety under check is your top priority.
Hope you feel better

 

[notthemama]

Ive recently experienced some real tragedies in my life and they triggered some extreme anxiety I wasn't sleeping or eating and my work began to suffer. The pain I was going threw was indescribable. I went to my GP and he put me on meds for it and they've taken 6 weeks to kick in but now Im feeling much better. There are also some disturbing side effects. I was wondering if anyone here who is on these meds experiencing side effects and is there any thing I can do about it

Thanks

I went through a series of events myself about a decade + ago.
First couple times it triggered heart attack like symptoms. Chest pains, sweats, difficulty breathing.
Went to the emerg. and after testing it turned out being anxiety attacks,
Although helpful when experiencing an attack I did not care for the side effects the meds. gave me.
I asked the Dr. if I could take them only when I thought I needed them.
"Sure."
I started to develop real bad heartburn.
Dr. gave me pills for that. Totally ineffective.
When I started to look up side effects, turns out you can't take it as needed or you will get Heartburn.
Played with several drugs.
What I found best
- socialize
- join a group, My Dr. got me into one and it really helped
- go somewhere upbeat with friends
- any activity even if mindless jogging to stop you dwelling
- a vacation, target rich with ladies
The drugs only created more problems for me.
Best thing was other people. Avoid isolation. Even if it means being that annoying guy at Tim's that won't shut up.

 

[PinotNoir]

Yes, lots of sex

 

[shakenbake]

This kind of in evolves my sex life

Sex is one of the things that suffer most frequently with these medications.

 

[basketcase]

Talk to your doctor to find what works best for you and look at Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Mindfulness as more of a long term solution.


On the plus side I spent less on the hobby when on meds.

 

[SchlongConery]

Ive recently experienced some real tragedies in my life and they triggered some extreme anxiety I wasn't sleeping or eating and my work began to suffer. The pain I was going threw was indescribable. I went to my GP and he put me on meds for it and they've taken 6 weeks to kick in but now Im feeling much better. There are also some disturbing side effects. I was wondering if anyone here who is on these meds experiencing side effects and is there any thing I can do about it

Thanks

"Meds"?

You need to be more specific for any meaningful input.

Something that takes 6 weeks to address situational and extreme anxiety is not likely strictly and "anxiolytic" but may be an anti-depressant. Straight bentos like xanax, valium or clonazepam act immediately but can be habit forming if you don't get to the root of, and address your underlying problems.

Exactly what medication and dose?

 

[Mr Deeds]

"Meds"?

You need to be more specific for any meaningful input.

Something that takes 6 weeks to address situational and extreme anxiety is not likely strictly and "anxiolytic" but may be an anti-depressant. Straight bentos like xanax, valium or clonazepam act immediately but can be habit forming if you don't get to the root of, and address your underlying problems.

Exactly what medication and dose?

Im taking Escitalopram 20mg er day and Lorazepam when I get a little too edgy. Its actually working really well but achieving an orgasm is almost impossible

 

[whitewaterguy]

Meds do a great job of masking the symptoms produced by psycho-socio-emotional issues, but remain ineffective in addressing the actual issues the person is facing..this form of masking essentially turns patients into walking, feel good, zombies continuing in their daily automaton routines thinking things are "ok"
If at all possible, toss out the meds and begin to adopt a healthy living, pro-social, active lifestyle to get your endorphins and positiv Chi flowing again... Meds truly become ones personal ball and chain

 

[WhiteDChapelle]

Im taking Escitalopram 20mg er day and Lorazepam when I get a little too edgy. Its actually working really well but achieving an orgasm is almost impossible

I've been on the same drug regime for a few months but started at 10mg of Escitalopram and now down to 5mg. I have also been limiting the Lorazepam as much as possible but still need it a few times a week on average. I agree w the problems spewing the goo but that problem got better (but not nearly back to normal) after a couple of months and the reduced dose. Cialis will help and going a week without blowing your load helps for when you finally do. So I on;t watch porn when alone to make sure I don't end up taking advantage of myself.

On the bright side, it has increased my focus on getting through the issues soon so I can get off the meds and get my heat seeking moisture missile firing on all cylinders again.

 

[black booty lover]

I was on antidepressants and the 3 times, and all 3 times the side effects were so bad I had to come off them and just deal with the depression.

Unfortunately, I self medicate with a ton of beer.

 

[notthemama]

I was on antidepressants and the 3 times, and all 3 times the side effects were so bad I had to come off them and just deal with the depression.

Unfortunately, I self medicate with a ton of beer.

Can't be good for you.
Myself, I lost all interest in alcohol of any kind.
I used to joke that I drank semi-pro.
Other than a few shots when I had a nasty cold earlier I don't have any interest.
I can't stand the thought of losing control.
Anxiety/depression are a strange animal.

 

[drlove]

Ive recently experienced some real tragedies in my life and they triggered some extreme anxiety I wasn't sleeping or eating and my work began to suffer. The pain I was going threw was indescribable. I went to my GP and he put me on meds for it and they've taken 6 weeks to kick in but now Im feeling much better. There are also some disturbing side effects. I was wondering if anyone here who is on these meds experiencing side effects and is there any thing I can do about it

Thanks

Ask your GP for Clonazepam 0.5mg - Very few side effects that I'm aware of.

 

[lucky_blue]

I believe regular aerobic exercise is one of the most powerful natural cures for depression and anxiety.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495