Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Anxiety med question

Redsgal21
Redsgal21
I'm dealing with anxiety because of various health issues that I have going on. I told my t doc and p doc I wanted to try and do it without a med but I'm thinking that might not be possible. The problem is I've had bad reactions to ativan and valuim ( both made me feel shortness of breath) and atarax made me feel like I was hallucinating. I'm wondering if there's anything left to try if I can't take benzos.
spacepony
spacepony
There's Lyrica off label for anxiety. It prescribed for GAD in the EU. And gabapentin is also an off label anxiolytic. Lyrica can promote better sleep as it does not distort sleep architecture as much as a benzodiazepine. Not everyone tolerates lyrica....
spacekat
spacekat
There's also Buspar - a lot of folks here take it. It's not a benzodiazepine so you're less likely to have a bad reaction to it. Anxiety is the pits - the utmost pits.
heretic
heretic
My doc won't allow a benzo, gave me Buspar instead
which did absolutely nothing, So I just suffer.
Redsgal21
Redsgal21
Thank you for the advice. I'm wondering if the thyroid med I was put on recently is causing some of it. I was put on it by my gyno and then my neurologist kinda questioned why she put me on it. So frustrating when you get two different opinions from two different doctors.
dancingd
dancingd
I take low dosages of Buspar , for a long term coverage to control anxiety

Xanax , when I get a sudden onset of panic / anxiety
angeleyes92
angeleyes92
was on buspar years ago but the stupid pdoc I had first took me off of it and put me on Zoloft and sent me into a tailspin and he saw no problem.

I take Geodon daily and most of the anxiety has gone away. When I do have anxiety I use coping methods. If by bedtime I'm still tight I take Ativan. Most days I just use my coping methods. It works for me but not for everyone
dobiedots
dobiedots
Dealing w/a bum thyroid and on meds is hard when you're bipolar.
I've had problems w/Synthroid and it had to be adjusted 2x over a 4 year period. It's fine now.
As far as anxiety goes, I'm on Propranolol. Doesn't seem to have any side effects and doesn't make you feel drugged. I think it's a great alternative to Xanax.
SensitiveHoboLady
SensitiveHoboLady
the thyroid thing can take awhile to get regulated. one doc told me if your levels are not far out of normal range then it's not necessary to change it so much or so quickly. i've tended to stick with that thinking. i have been relying on ativan, so sorry that isn't working for you.

sometimes i feel like female hormones and issues with anxiety are more closely related...i wish i could find a good endocrinologist who specializes in this (and could work with my psych doc team) because i just think there's more to it than popping an anti-anxiety med.

sending good thoughts your way.
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