medications for anxiety/depression

[Anne123]

Hi !

I am currently having a lot of mood swings. Especially when things are getting harder to do, I panic and become very depressed. Sometimes I manage to figure it out on my own, but sometimes I don't. Lately i have a lot of trouble to except the fact that i can not hold my oldest anymore.

Discussed this with my doctor yesterday, and he recommended that I try Benzodiazepine, to look if we can reduce the attacks a bit.

Now I work in healthcare (at the moment only on the office ) and I have often seen that this medication can change you so much. Of course you don't have to, but it left a negative reminder...

Anyone here who simply have a positive experience with it that it really helped with anxiety and depression? , I really want to get rid of the attacks, ofe atleast that they faint a bit..but I am also afraid to change. Especially for my kids.

🌹

[shelly21]

Anne123 hi. I have positive feedback re lorazepam. If I'm feeling anxious or a mess as I call it! I can take half 1/2 mg tablet 4 times a day. I pop it under my tongue and it dissolves and gets into your system quicker. If I am really anxious I can take 1 to 2mg at bedtime.
its helped me loads.

I am also on sertraline anti depressant and I now rarely need the lorazapam.

I'm 2 yrs in re diagnosis and have gone through the countless loses that this c*** thing brings.

x

[KimB]

Hello,

I take Mirtazapine (brand name Remeron). I take 15 mg. at bedtime. I started this med long before my diagnosis because clinical depression runs in my family and I was dx with depression. It helped a great deal with both depression and anxiety. I also take a benzo but I take that for cramps and muscle relaxation (Valium.). The Remeron, by itself, has helped many with both depression and anxiety and, unlike SSRIs, appears to work faster.

[Ellie]

Benzodiazepines aren’t really ideal meds to treat ongoing mood swings, anxiety and depression, a targeted antidepressant is more commonly prescribed and taken daily - their full effects often take a few weeks to be fully realised.

Benzodiazepines, such as Lorazepam mentioned above, are sedating meds which do have a role to play in episodes of short-term or ‘localised’ panic or anxiety and, taken daily, can cause dependency issues and tolerance (meaning a higher dose will be needed to give the same result) - long-term, you might do better on an antidepressant.

Are the Benzodiazepines to be taken daily?

See how you go but you can always go back to your doctor and have another chat with him/her if you find the benzos don't suit you. xx

[Anne123]

I think i will try them, i can take them every day 2 times buth not everyday is the same. Most of the times, when i lay down in bed i get sad and get a lot of anxiety.

it is indeed true that over time you need a higher dose. during the day it's pretty okay because then I have a distraction from my kids.

The doctor first wanted to prescribe if necessary, and if it wasn't enough he wanted to look further. Because I have the most trouble mainly for the night/in the evening.

And as far as the mood swings go, I want too fast, while everything just needs time to give it a place.

[shelly21]

Hi ann. My sertraline worked for me. I never got addicted to benzos in fact i rarely use them now.

but night times were hard for me. 1mg would relax me.

I have never needed to increase my 2mg dose allowance.

Everyone is different so maybe go with your gp advice.

[Anne123]

shelly21
Yeah i will take them when i feel low, i am not so afraid to need them more and more buth little bit scared that
i can not function normal the next morning, ore that i dont wake up so soon if my youngest need his pacifier..
It's a matter of trying it out i think

. Overthinking in bed is so easy Somethings you want to shut your brain off

[Anne123]

We tried it buth it didnt work for me. My anxiety is trough the roof with progression speeding up. I have been some what absent because progression went up my mouth area. Buth my dc was not suprised he somewhat expected it already because that area was close to my upper arms/shoulders

We have decided to try Citalopram 20 mg and if it doesnt work he wants to make the dose higher.

I hope this will work better i want to enjoy the day again with just a little bit of relief

[Ellie]

Anne123 Hoping you'll respond well to the antidepressant - I think it will be a better fit for your symptoms than benzos but, as I'm sure the doctor told you, the full effect of the meds can take 2-3 weeks to be felt.

Hang in there 🤗

[Anne123]

So it took a while buth noticing the effect of citalopram we are staying with 20 mg as long as needed. Meanwhile i found a very nice support group here in the netherlands troughout my mnd clinic. With a lot of information and close contacts! So i am not very active here anymore.

Buth i will join some conversations here when i log in.

At this time, i enjoy every single silly little thing of my little boys. Also when they make a big mess because i know, that i dont have to clean it alone anymore.

[Bowler]

Anne123

So pleased you are hooked up with a local group. You have much to offer them.

Your boys look like they are full of mischief, as boys of that age should be.

[GeoffBeale]

Anne123 Well done you. Your boys look terrific. They are a credit to your perseverance. Hope the local group gives you the support you need.

[pje16]

Anne123 they look very cute, but looks can be deceptive