What is the best medicine for anxiety?

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mobay1020
mobay1020 Member Posts: 134
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

Need some advice before I go see my doc today.......   It's been over 2 years since my diagnosis, am on Femara AND once a month Lupron to which has pretty much brought on menopause.   I am 38.   For the last 2 weeks I've been having the worst anxiety of my life.  It started with a couple of mini panic attacks and fortunately a friend gave me some xanax.  I called the doc the next day and he gave me a script for Ativan.  The problem is that I have felt the need to take the ativan every day for the past 2 weeks and if I don't take it I get extremely anxious.  I've been reading that ativan can be addictive if you take it for too long.  Does anyone have any suggestions on any other type of medicine that is effective for general anxiety?

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  • D4Hope
    D4Hope Member Posts: 352
    edited November 2010

    When I was diagnosed in 2009 I was put on ativan. I took it twice a day up until about a month ago. I am now weaning myself off of it because I would get withdrawl symtoms if I stopped cold turkey. I would suggest celexa(citalapram) It is antidepressent that doesn't mess with tamoxifen benefits and it has worked wonders for my anxiety. Good luck. I also have a therapist that I talk to.

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  • GointoCarolina
    GointoCarolina Member Posts: 753
    edited November 2010

    Be very very careful with the ativan.I was taking 1/2 of a one mg tablet once a day..when I tried to stop, it was terrible.You do have to wean yourself..I took the 1/2 for a week, then took 1/2 of that for a week.It was still very hard.I only took it for 4 months.You could try some theanine,I take it at night to sleep as I have fibromyalgia,but it is very good for anxiety.You can get it at health food stores,check with doctor first.Starting a regualr exercise regimen can help everything.

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  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited August 2013

    Here are some of many medication choices for GAD.

    http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/what-medications-are-used-to-treat-anxiety-disorders.shtml

    I don't have GAD, but I have  'something like PTSD'. I'm on sertraline.  I don't know if it has helped, but I'm certainly better than I was 4 years ago.

    I also did biofeedback (from a cognitive psychologist) which also helped me, though it took a couple of months to learn and was $100/session. It got me more connected with my body (sometimes).  I, too, have a talk therapist. I also found regular, vigorous exercise helps. Your mileage may differ.

    I'm glad I was able to choose what appealed to me.

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  • mobay1020
    mobay1020 Member Posts: 134
    edited November 2010

    Thanks everyone!  I saw the nurse practitioner at my oncs office today and she gave me a script for Effexor.  She has personally been taking it for 6 years without any side effects.  I've heard some people have pretty bad effects from this so I'm just going to hope that it works for me!

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  • awjkej
    awjkej Member Posts: 133
    edited November 2010

    I am taking Elavil.  Helps me sleep too. Take it at night. It helps me with anxiety and I don't feel any side effects e.g. sluggishness, loopy etc.  I am constantly on meds, currently herceptin and tykerb.  Not addictive either.  Been cleared for all my meds.

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