I take Cymbalta, 60mg a day, for depression and anxiety attacks. I have been on other anti-anxiety meds but this seems to work the best for me. It is very scary. I also see a psychologist and psychiatrist.

Gail

I have taken small doses of valium and done fine with it. I believe that anxiety and stress make my MG worse than small doses of benzos do.
Anxiety is no fun at all... I am so sorry you are dealing with this in addition to MG. Blessings!
Love, Becca

I dealt with my anxiety issues going to group therapies and one-on-one therapy using CBT techniques,

I wanted to avoid medication and CBT was listed as a top treatment. I has worked well for me along with cutting back most caffeine.

To evaluate your anxiety level you can try the 21 question Beck Anxiety Inventory at http://www.valentinotherapy.com/userfiles/2424947/file/Beck+Anxiety+Inventory.pdf

A research study indicated that about 55% of MG folks had anxiety levels that were significant http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19078747

I find that understanding MG, my meds, my treatment plan and so on help a great deal in relieving anxiety. For me, the unknown makes me anxious--so I try to learn everything I can about the whole process.

I do not take medication for anxiety at this time but am seeing a therapist next week for recent bouts of depression. I try to be diligent with daily meditations which help.
Wishing you well.
Larissa

I have taken these sorts of meds in the past but because they are muscle relaxants I avoid them at all costs these days!
My anxiety (and the depression that goes hand in hand with it) is directly related to my ill health and the helplessness I feel because of it.
I've also found psychological help beneficial - learning to accept and acknowledge my limitations and the things in life beyond my control without letting them adversely affect my relationships and the sort of person I would like to be.
I don't know if you will find this link helpful or not but if you have the spare time I would recommend having a read - if it helps that's great - if it doesn't the that's ok as well :)
http://www.thehappinesstrap.com/upimages/Introduction_to_the_Happiness_Trap.pdf

Craig.

I have taken Zoloft for years. Long before I was diagnosed with MG. I also have clonazepam for acute anxiety attacks. It is a very low dose though. I was just diagnosed with MG about a month ago so I am still trying to get used to the Mestonin. I think anxiety can exacerbate the MG, at least that is what i have read.

I forgot to mention it gives a great explanation for the source of anxiety - it's easier to tackle when you understand the way it works!

Thank you all, my dr. Just put me on Lexapro. I took it for the first time yesterday. Well.....it made me very relax and tired. I was going to try and go back to work today but still not feeling myself. Going to try and see how I do on the med again.

Cassandra

Cassandra, For the past five years or more, I have taken 20mg Lexapro for depression and anxiety and I LOVE it!!! I hope your results will be just as wonderful!!!

Hugs,
Rosie

Thank you Rosie! I am on 5mg for 2weeks and than 10mgs. I hope it works. I just don't like that IT REALLY makes me relax.

Cassandra

Cassandra,
We usually need to work through our problems with a clear head. Studies show that therapy and therapy and medication do the best job of helping through most anxiety and depression. If your pills are making you feel unlike yourself, then that may not be the best thing for you or it may be the wrong type of mdication.

Some of us have the kind of depression that needs medication because it is relatively unrelated to events. In that case, medications may make you feel more like yourself and free you to solve the problems in your life. That is usually a good indication that they are important and helpful. b.

Cassandra... I don't think it should be making you relax or feel any different, or that you should be feeling ANY change at all so soon (and on so low a dose). It will take time to work up to a therapeutic dose... and then over time, the Lexapro just corrects the chemical imbalance that is causing the depression/anxiety... and lets the real YOU shine. I can not imagine that 5mg is actually making you feel relaxed, but why not just enjoy it? :-)

Hugs,
Rosie

I have been going through some depression myself lately. I need to get off my pity pot.

Cassandra -

Like Rosie, I take 20 mg a day of Lexapro as well. I'm not sure if my experience with depression/anxiety is a family trait (I can see that being a very real possibility), or related to the fact that I live with a chronic illness... either way, I've found that this really adds a lot more "grace" to my life - my tolerance level for stress is a whole lot higher. And when it comes to MG, at least for me, stress can be debilitating... so, in this way, this medicine aids me in treating my MG too :-P

-Laura