Hi Andrea,

I have had the same experience when I talked to my primary care doctor. She gave me 10 (count them TEN) xanax after leaving my ex back in February... When I was having a breakdown. I literally could not work, eat or sleep. I threw up everything and began shaking when leaving the house, knowing I was going to be around a large group of unknown people going about their daily lives.


In retrospect, I had a really bad PTSD attack. No amount of antidepressants are going to stop the MASSIVE generalized anxiety attacks I was having. It took me a while to get in to see my psychiatrist, but when I did, he had no problem prescribing Klonopin. Where my primary care doc only sees me for 15 to 20mins, I see my psychiatrist for and hour. Let me tell you, a lot more comes out in an hour!!! I have PTSD from many things in my life, a little tab of xanax was not going to solve anything.

One of the lasting side-effects of PTSD is generalized anxiety, including panic attacks that are can be entirely random. Unfortunately, little is known about PTSD, which makes it hard to treat. I believe that I. The future it will be a combination of holistic treatments and medications (to help manage the symptoms). Treatments like EMDR and EFT are thought to be effective as it distracts the nervous system from conveying messages and images that we experience as flashbacks, anxiety and destructive thoughts. The idea is that repeated interruption of these signals prunes the neuron pathways to troubling memories and thoughts which in return stop the release of the chemicals that generate certain emotions and physical reactions. As this takes time, it is handy to have a go to back-up plan. Taking a klonopin, deep-breathing, yoga, even a little talisman that you can carry with you that gives you a sense of peace and reminds you that happiness is waiting for you.

I have also found that practicing regular self-care is really important. Baths, reading a good book, walking my dog. Each little rhing I do that feels good, calms me, nourishes my soul and makes it easier for me to connect to the person I am inside, away from the PTSD.

I have been on prozac and paxil years ago and had a very bad reaction to them. I had the hardest time weening myself off of them, despite doctor supervision. I felt suicidal-low, but I knew it was just the drugs leaving my system. I am currently prescribed a low-dose of Wellbutrion, and it works well for me. It took my body about two weeks to adjust to it.

As for Celexa, you can always try it. I have heard a variety of different experiences with it. Maybe someone else here can shed some light!!

Clonazepam is a benzo, like Xanax or Ativan, and I think all of them are not really ideal for long term use, as they are all addicting. I have been on the antidepressant Lexapro for 2 years and feel like it has saved my life in some ways. But I felt much different 6 weeks after starting it. More patient with the kids, less down on myself, etc. I am a medicine person though, I don't feel bad about putting chemicals in my body if they are legal and they help me feel better.

When all this went down with my husband 3 months ago I went to my GP, was a sobbing wreck and asked her for something for anxiety. She prescribed Ativan with the caution that it is addictive. Like you, at this point, I might take one every couple of days. At first I took them every 6 hours because I had constant butterflies in my stomach and felt "on the edge" of something.

I would have to agree with your doc, you would be better off taking something designed for long term treatment of anxiety. I think the big problem with the benzos is that they work instantly but eventually you need more of them to get the same effect, thereby becoming addiction forming. I don't know much about the drugs though, I'd do some research online before taking what the doc said to take, just to see if you are willing to risk the side effects. Different ones have diff side effect possibilities. Good luck, hope you get what you need!

Thanks free, I am at a crossroads, I really don't want to take the antidepressant. I will take the Visteral at night. I am not depressed just anxious. I was not happy after this doctors app. I may request a psychiatrist in order to get the correct meds. I was a bit pissed off. The other person I saw before this new one today totally understood. I may take 1 a day not 5.

I think we all have different experiences with medication. I have been taking klonopin as needed for 4 years. Some months I hardly use any, other months, it will average out to one a day. I also note my use against events in my life.

Right now, it is the ex and my family that trigger the most anxiety, on top of the occasional random anxiety attack. I am still learning coping mechanisms, as some day I would like to be off of medication forever.

I am also on Welbutrin and have done well on it. I don't recall how many mg i am on but dr told me I could double up now and then as needed. Today was a 2 pill day.

Ironically my husband is on benzos too after having panic attacks earlier this year. I read up about them before he went on them and didn't like what I was reading. Another dr advice re benzos was to say that if the withdrawal is bad is that worse than constant anxiety?

Whenever I've changed any medications and looked into side effects people can have opposite reactions. Some gain weight, some lose weight, some hallucinate and others are normalized....all while taking the same drug.

If you do switch I would give it several weeks before you decide its not working for you bc it is true that many drugs stabilize after this period and side effects may disappear.

I took citalopram (Celexa) for a while. I didn't like it, but it did help me get through a tough time. I only took it for a few months, and just quit (slowly!) by myself and felt much better afterward. But I think it was good for a little while there. And if nothing else, it did help make how bad the abuse situation is more pronounced.

I suggest if you're having a hard time with your doctor try a new one. Some doctors are not good.

My experience with anti depressants has been fair. Wellbutron did not work that well for me and I gained like 10 lbs while on it so I quit it.
The dr switched me to Citalopram (think that's the name) and at first it made me very sick to my stomach and gave me headaches, but after about 2 weeks, it kicked in and started to help. I also had the benefit of losing about 8 lbs on it.
I have tried Clonazepam, though it was not prescribed for me. My ex takes it (1 mg) He also takes Klonopin (sp) same mg I think, one is to sleep at night. Whatever one does not make you tired and is green is what he gave me a few times when I was almost to a panic attack, and it did help.
I have heard that both are addictive and I have not yet approached my dr on either of these. I did like the way it took the edge off but did not make me feel buzzed.
I am not saying taking someone elses meds is right, just sharing my experience with the meds I know.
I also took Paxil years ago and it did nothing for me.
For me to get through the night and sleep, without waking up to really bad nightmares, the type you break out in a sweat whilst waking up, I take 2 Tylenol pms, 1 soma (prescribed) 2 benedryl, my prescribed topomax, and a melatonin.
On really hard nights, wedding anniversary, holidays, or days that tend to trigger the bad memories or if something else triggers my emotional, physical or sexual abuse, I even add alcohol.
I am NOT advising my dosages at all. I realize it is dangerous to mix scripts and alcohol.
I wish my dr would understand and give me something like Ambien which worked for me in the past and I could just take it and my anti depressant and probably sleep through the night.
Sorry this post was so long. Guess I myself am looking for feedback on something that will work for nerves and sleep?