New generalised anxiety med needed

Knickerless

Well-known member
Hi there, I am hoping to get some advice with regards to a new anxiety medication.

I have suffered from generalised anxiety/panic attacks for over ten years and during this time I have never had any good experiences with Saroxat (the worst) and then catalopram/cipralex despite giving them a good 4-6 month stint. I feel the main issue I have is that all though my anxiety can be crippling I am not particularly depressed and so they have tendency to make a bit manic and then, for want of a better description, act like a bit of a ****.

I have taken diazepam for over 10 years. When things are good maybe 5mg once every few weeks when I'm panicked but recently (and the reason for this post) on a near daily basis.

My symptoms are problems swallowing, shortness of breath, chest pains, sweating, shaking, confusion... all the standard nasties.

I am based on the UK and keen to hear of anyone who may have had a success with an ssri or similar other than those mentioned. I have an appointment with my GP in 48 hours so any help would be really appreciated.
Thanks
Knick.
 

Dan2278

New member
Hi, I suffered similar symptoms from teenage years right up till I started Propranolol when I was about 33 yo. I had tried Benzodiazepines in the past with good results initially but I quickly built up tolerance. Sounds like your having similar problems. Propranolol is great! Not addictive and your body doesn't build tolerance. It works as well for me today as it did 3 years ago when I started taking it. It also works straight away! Not like antidepressants that take weeks before you know if they are effective. I take 20 mg in the morning and 20 mg at night. Racing heart trembling hands blushing shaky voice chest pain shortness of breath all gone overnight. Only side effects I've had are mild decreased exercise tolerance which I overcome by exercising before my morning dose. It doesn't make me drowsy at all and it doesn't affect my mental alertness or libido like antidepressants do. It's made a massive difference to my quality of life! I must say though, It doesn't take the thoughts away only the physical symptoms. Also it is a VERY VERY dangerous drug if you deliberately overdose. But you have to take a lot for that to be an issue
 
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