Thanks for all the advice everyone! Just knowing I'm not alone helps a little! Cia, I'm a little leary of trying the Celexa, as it is an SSRI, and I have had such bad experiences with three other SSRI's, I'm VERY fearful to try another. The last one I was on (Paxil) was so bad, I thought my wife was gonna throw me out! I just can't seem to tolerate SSRI's. And Redface, I'm thinking I may talk to my Doc about the Effexor. The only thing that concerns me is that I read it may cause seizures(sp?). That would NOT be good, but I guess I won't know if I don't try, right? As far as Alternative Medicine(s), I assume you mean pills like you would get at a Natural Food Store?? I've tried a few different ones with no luck. And as I stated above, I live in rural Maine, and there is just NO HELP available! Or at least I can't find any within say a 25 mile radius of where I live. I'm just really frustrated right now and don't know which direction to go. I think I need a therapist to help me with my self-esteem and negative thinking, but again, none available. There is a local mental health center, but it's impossible to get in unless you're suicidal, then they just lock you up. I'm not suicidal, so I'm on the waiting list, and even if I get in, I'm not sure there will be someone to help. Just hoping, I guess. Well, I guess I've moaned and groaned long enough. Thanks everyone! :confuse:

The best one I tried in Canada was Effexor XR plus anti-anxiety for sleep. I have now found something similar to Effexor plus an alternative medicine - have you tried a hospital which offers alternate treatments? Or a mixture of alternative (as in herbal) and traditional medicine? In a Canadian Hospital that I was diagnosed at in Toronto, there was a whole department in the College Street Hospital devoted to research into alternatives because of the side effects of the drugs, and because of intolleration. Look around on the internet, and you may find something that works! It all depends upon your symptoms, how bad they are, and what doctors you can find, as well as what's available where you live. Keep trying!

Hi Lester, Well if you had the same negative effects with paxil, zoloft & lexapro, the only SSRIs available for panic and anxiety in the US that you havent tried are celexa and prozac. Sounds like you might be sensitive to serotonin level adjustment. All of these drugs can make you feel nervous or edgy. As for the nightmares, well I dont know much about that. I know it is possible but it occurs in very few people. Talk to your doc about wellbutrin perhaps. The only thing is that it tends to be a more stimulating type of anti-depressant (MRI), so if you are sensitive to the nervous edgy feeling that anti-depressants can give you (remember some people interpret this feeling as euphoric), then this could be an issue for you. It works primarily on dopamine and noradrenaline, so its certainly going to affect you differently than an SSRI would. Its meant to make you feel really good (thats its trademark). There is only one way to find out though.... As for effexor, it really does have the best reputation of any drug for dealing with panic and anxiety. It also has the worst reputation for discontinuation, and if thats something you struggled with in Paxil, it could be worse on effexor. Then again it might not be. These drugs seem to be funny like that. Have you tried self mastery therapy? There are some good books you can buy, and they really

Hi Lester Don't know if it will work for you but I'm on Celexa 40 mg and I have not had any side effects involving my dreams. This is a huge relief as I was on Paxil 30 mg for over a year and rarely did I have a restful night. Those dreams sure know how to mess with a person. Why can't they be about winning the lottery or something just as fun? lol Well good luck to you with the med changes. Cia

Hey Mel, THANK YOU for your response on the Buspar! I really appreciate it. PLEASE keep me posted on how it works for you! I know how those vivid dreams are, so if a smaller doseage works for you, GREAT!! Again, keep me posted!! ;)

Well, I finally got some time and energy to respond to my own post! The reason I don't do well on SSRI's is the side effects. I realize that it takes several weeks for them to "kick-in" and that's OK. But even after taking them for 6+ months, I was still having MAJOR side effects! Most prominent were the "Restless Leg Syndrome" and horrific nightmares (vivid dreams!!). These 2 symptoms combined are as bad as the PA's! I find it EXTREMELY important to get some decent sleep to feel good the next day. And with those awful dreams, I was waking up panicing, so my day was usually downhill from there. And the Restless Leg Syndrome would just absolutely drive me crazy at times! I just could not get physically comfortable. Just HAD to keep moving my legs 24/7. It was just sooooo unpleasant! I did try 3 different SSRI's, Zoloft, Paxil, and Lexapro, with the same results. And then there was the withdrawals (especially Paxil). That was a living hell! Anyways, I've been on Xanax for about 7 months now, and I think it's pretty much lost it's effectiveness. I don't really want to increase the dosage I'm on (as my Doc wants me to!), So I'm looking for an alternative drug. I'd LOVE to try CBT, but I live in rural Maine, and there is very little help in the way of Mental Health care unless you are suicidal. I can't afford the one Psychiatrist that would see me ($185.00 an hour!!) and anyone that I can afford has a minimum 6 month waiting list! (BTW, I've been on that list for 8 months!) I have a problem trying to do it myself, as I am a VERY negative,cynical person (who wouldn't be after 30+ years of PA's and GAD) So, I'm just not sure what to do at this point. :quest: Thanks to mel for letting me know that Buspar DOES have the potential for the vivid dreams, I guess that rules that out for me. Effexor seems like it has the potential for a lot of side effects, maybe Wellbutrin is worth a shot. I just don't know! BTW, I do exercise ( ride an exercise bike every morning, and walk 30 minutes every night,weather permitting) and I have a relaxation CD that I try to do a few times a week. But, in a nutshell, that's my current situation. I have good days and bad days, for the time being , I'm still working, but I feel I'm spiraling downhill and NEED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT!! If

Sorry I haven't replied yet , guys, I''ve had a hectic week. This is the first time I've turned my computer on since monday! And I gotta leave for work in a couple minutes. Today is my long day (8 am-8 pm) at work, so I'm not sure I'll be on again untill tommorrow. But I'm VERY interested in your responses, and I'll get into more detail tonite or tommorrow. Thanks again!!

Lester, I know a while back you posted about the Buspar to me. I have been on it like 3 weeks now. I am supposed to be taking it in conjunction with klonopin just until it begins to "kick in". To be honest I have only taken the klonopin as needed. The pharmacist did however tell me that the combination of the two work great together. I am afraid of getting addicted I guess. I can tell you I feel slight relief from the Buspar and as needed klonopin. Thats about it. I was put on 5 mg 3 times daily, but just 5mg in the morning the first 7 days, then to two times...then 3 etc.... I was tirated up slowly. I had to cease the 3rd dose recently because of the one and only side effect I experienced was vivid, crazy dreams every night leading to insomnia making my anxiety worse the following day! I, like you, just cannot tolerate the ssri's. Even on teeny tiny doses I felt very disconnected and not myself. I can't describe the feeling very well but I know how you feel. This is with everyone of them. All and all, I feel the Buspar is helping somewhat. If I had that 3rd dose back, an increase in mg or would comply with the original order of the combination I may be doing better. Its hard to judge. I am one of those individuals who changes anxiety levels with the wind so I am not sure if this is just one of my good weeks and I am attributing it to the meds??? Just don't know what to tell ya except give it a shot. It seems to be a real slow go and gentle and you have nothing to lose except maybe a little anxiety. I wish I could be of more help. I'll keep ya posted down the road when I have been on it longer. Mel

Lester, just a thought on Depakote. Thats an anti-convulsant. They are typically prescribed for two reasons. 1) epilepsy. 2) bi-polar disorder, as an alternative treatment to say lithium. SSRIs typically cause hypo-mania in people with bi-polar disorder. Not all SSRIs, and not in all people, but it is a common reaction. Im not trying to add 1+1 and make 3 here at all, but what were your symptoms when taking SSRIs?

Hi Lester, Its really good that you are assessing your options. You need to watch that xanax use - it can be really difficult to get off it if you take it for too long, and in my opinion there are many other drugs out there that can help you to feel so much better than benzos do. Dont get me wrong, benzos are great and have there place in anxiety disorder treatment, but they are better used casually and in moderation. I found after a while of using them daily they make you feel kind of low, and they just hide your symptoms while you are bombed, they dont help you to feel better. Buspar has a good reputation as a slow acting calming drug that has many of the benefits of benzos but with few of the problems. It is however normally considered second line treatment for serious anxiety disorders. It works well with SSRIs and is often used in conjunction with an SSRI if required. It does take around 6 weeks to become effective. It also works on repeated dosing, its not used casually in response to feeling anxious or panicky. From what I have read it really isnt as strong or as effective as benzos like xanax, so used alone I am not sure how effective it would be if you currently need 2.5mg xanax per day. If you have found SSRIs just dont work for you, MRIs like effexor or wellbutrin may be worth trying. You could talk to your dr about these options. Many people speak very highly of effexor in particular in its ability to assist with anxiety disorders and depression. These two drugs affect both noradrenaline and dopamine as well as serortonin, and tend to be very effective for many people who dont respond well to SSRIs. Out of interest, a psychiatrist I saw recommended that I try effexor if I didnt respond well to luvox (fluvoxamine, an SSRI similar to Paxil). Fortunately luvox has worked great for me. If luvox stopped being effective for me, I would definitely consider effexor as an option. You do need to consider what it was about SSRIs that didnt work out for you. Taking any SSRI, SNRI or MRI is a long term option. You will notice effects immediately, but there will be some side effects during the first 2-4 weeks. These can be unpleasant, but they do pass. Typically "jitte