I have tried many medications and never found one that helped. Maybe it wasn't strong enough. Aromatherapy has helped the most.

I had one person suggest Buspiron. Ever use it?

Buspirone has worked very well for me. I take 5 mgs two times a day. Once in the morning and once at night. I also paired that with fluvoxamine.

Ativan is a good place to start. It is a good med although it didn't work well for me, it works very well for most. Klonopin is a bit beefier that most but it is addictive. I wouldn't recommend that for a first time med.

Definitely talk with your doctor, or a nurse practitioner, about your med options!

Have you tried to change your diet? and do you excerise?

I didn't know anxiety could cause harm to your body. They say panic attacks are physically harmless. But then again it becomes a pain in the butt if they persist. My job requires lots of physical activity and that makes a world of difference. When I first got sick I was fed up with my illness, so fed up, I started jogging around the block. It was really hard at first but I started getting better and better. Eventually I found employment and was able to take care of myself better.

the adrenaline and cortisone of panic attacks are really bad for your body, and that's why anxiety is bad. If you're strung out for too long you get auto immune problems.

I know what I did: I had time without pressure, 3 months off work. and I went through the hell and sort of out the other side.

Are you in a position to do anything like that? What about some time in your day, like 2 hrs a day for swimming or something? Something to help you process the chemicals and reset your adrenal glands.

I have been suffering from anxiety for the past 30 years. Mine has been under control using medications. I used to take 40mg of Lexapro and .75mg of Xanax and it was working great, I had no feelings of anxiety at all. I then got a new job which caused me to have a significantly severe panic/anxiety attack and all of a sudden the meds did not work. My doctor then switched me to 20mg of Brintellix and 4 mg of Klonopin daily. I have been on the new meds for 4 weeks and my anxiety seems to be back in control. You should talk to your doctor about these meds and the dosages because everyone is different. Good luck.

Finding the natural switch in your body is awesome when you do find it.

Until then, use of medication to help with the anxiety spikes, spirals, and panic moments gives your body a chance to recover a natural balance.

Finding your way through the sensations is as unique as each of us are, however, you're not alone, and best wishes!

Just in case anyone is considering the benzo route, below are links to two great articles on these medications. I sure wish I knew this stuff before my doctors got me hooked (likely forever).

https://vanwinkles.com/the-daily-nightmare-of-benzo-withdrawal-an-interview-with-dr-jennifer-leigh

https://vanwinkles.com/bedtime-for-benzodiazepines-addicted-drug-most-popular-sleeping-pills

I also take clonezapam .5 mg as needed. I'm not prescribed anything higher or permanent. But I would say it does work depending on the level of your anxiety. Sometimes I take two at a time and I definitely feel a better affect and I sleep better.

There are days when I need something higher I believe or stronger of you will but then are the days I don't need it at all. So it really depends on your lifestyle and talking with your doctor to determine what is best.


I suggest exercise and music helps as well as massages and isolation to relax and recharge. There are so many lifestyle alternatives to reduce anxiety too.... Again depends on the severity. Good luck

Hey Sptrout, that is terrible your doctors didn't mention it could be addictive!! I think doctors these days just assume we all peruse the internet and already know these things. :-) I have had clonazepam for about 4 years, only take it once in a while and will never get addicted (it helps to be neurotic about medication, lol) but yeah, I really feel like doctors should let their patients know it's best used as needed due to the addictive factor. You are not the first person I've heard of who gets addicted to them!!